Church of Oghma

The Church of Oghma was a collection of clerics, monks, bards, sages, wizards, and specialty priests called lorekeepers devoted to Oghma, the Lord of Knowledge.

Organization
The common clergy within the Church of Oghma were referred to as loremasters. Acolytes were called seekers and senior seekers. A seeker would be recognized as a true servant of Oghma when two priests discerned their true loyalty to the god. Titles for venerated members of the clergy included Loremaster Amanuensis, Loremaster Venturer, Loremaster Bold, Lore Scribe of the God, Wise Anticipator, Inspirator, Inspirator High, Atlar, Higher Atlar, Loremaster High, Loremaster Most High, Eye of Oghma, and Divine Hand of Oghma. Titles specific to the Pursuers of Pure Knowledge in Mintar and Oghma's faithful in Sembia included, in ascending order, Advocate, Accomplished Advocate, Loremaster of the Twelfth, Loremaster of the Eleventh, etc., Loremaster High, Learned One, and Patriarch. Regardless of rank, followers of Oghma addressed each other as brother and sister.

The entire organization recognized the Grand Patriarch of Oghma, who, during the Time of Troubles, was Cullen Kordamant of Procampur. However, Cullen, along with most of his supporting clergy, vanished during the same time period. The Grand Patriarch's disappearance sparked a schism within Oghma's faithful, resulting in two branches of the Church and the formation of the Orthodox Church of Oghma who were based in the Domes of Reason in Procampur.

Activities
Due to the split within the Church, many loremasters of Oghma were not welcome within regions of Faerûn where the Orthodox Church held sway.

Base of Operations
Much of the Church of Oghma's power was center within Sembia. Candlekeep, being the center of lore in Faerûn, was also a sacred place for Oghma. Other temples and libraries devoted to Oghma and his church included the Tower of Thought in Selgaunt, Leaves of Learning in Highmoon, Library of Curna in the Shining Lands, and the Font of Knowledge in Waterdeep.

Dogma
Knowledge was supreme, especially in its purest form–the idea. Though weightless, a simple idea could move mountains and cast aside empires. Knowledge was power, but must be used responsibly. Hiding knowledge was never a good thing. The voices of singers and bards was to be appreciated and always listened to. A follower of Oghma would not stand idly by while a singer or bard was attacked.

Orders
The Church of Oghma did not officially sponsor any knighthoods or military orders, but they often worked closely with the Harpers. Some of Oghma's monastic orders included the Order of the Gilt Laurel, the Children of the Passive Voice, the Fellows of the Forest, and the Companions of the Silver Springs.

Relationships
The church had strong ties with New Olamn bardic college and the Scriveners', Scribes', and Clerks' Guild in Waterdeep, and was financially supported by the Estelmer and Majarra noble families in the City of Splendors.