The Shaperate is a peculiarly dwarven institution, a kind of organic library. The dwarves consider that those who walk the path of the Shaperate and document lore, history, and events in the Stone via the Memories will eventually be blessed by the Shaperate. The members of the Shaperate are historians, scholars, judges, genealogists and philosophers among the dwarves. Their task is considered to be extremely important—almost sacred. Shapers are supposed to be apolitical, devoted solely to their work maintaining the Memories, but this is, of course, impossible.