Bookman Clan


 * This article is about the Bookman organization. For the character known by the same name, see Bookman.

The Bookman Clan is an organization dedicated to recording and maintaining the true history of the world. They have a history of allying themselves to various sides of world-wide conflicts, both the "good" and the "bad", and they consider their neutrality sacrosanct, Bookman seen reminding Lavi quite often to keep himself from getting too attached to those around him and his Innocence.

Bookman Code
Little is known about how the Bookmen operate as the organization is very secretive. It is apparent, however, that it is vital for the Bookmen to stay unbiased at all times and remain completely neutral; this is because when recording history, even the slightest bias could taint information. As a direct result of this requirement, many other rules have been formed to prevent bias. The foremost of these rules is the prohibition of any attachments or affections; it is unknown to what extent this rule exists, but friendships are forbidden.

As an extension of the required neutrality, the Bookmen do not chose sides in wars. They will, however, form temporary alliances with one or both sides of a conflict in order to gain a more detailed record of war and in return may provide information and/or their skills as warriors. This is most apparent when, thirty-five years ago, the current Bookman allied with the Noah Family but at the present is allied with the opposing side, the Black Order. Furthermore, Bookmen are protected by the Vatican and members of the Black Order of any rank may not interfere with a Bookman's mission to record history.

Bookmen may not interfere with the events of history, and must act only as observers. In the event that a Bookman allies with one side of a conflict, it appears that only information and battle support is provided under particular circumstances.

It remains unclear how large the Bookman Clan is and whether any auxiliary members exist. At this time, it appears that there are typically only two members of the Bookman clan, the master, who has entirely abandoned any names and is often known as simply "Bookman", and an apprentice who changes names with each log and studies under the master.

According to the words of Sheryl, Bookman used to form another former apprentice before Lavi. His fate is unknown.

Abilities and Skills
Enhanced Memory: Because Bookmen exist to record detailed, accurate description of the world's history, it is necessary for a Bookman to posses eidetic memory. It is unclear if this is an ability that is gained upon training as a Bookman or if all Bookmen are chosen for this ability.

Unique Language: On several occasions, Bookman and Lavi have spoken in a language others around them cannot understand, something that is noted by Miranda when the Cross Unit and Kanda fell into Noah's Ark. This language is likely one known only to the Bookman Clan for the sake of keeping the history they record secret from those around them.

Worldly Knowledge: Because they travel the world and record everything they see, Bookmen are inclined to possessing knowledge known only to a select few, as well as mastery of highly refined techniques, such as Bookman's knowledge of acupuncture.

Bookmen are also skilled fighters, despite their pledge to never interfere, but it is likely that this is only used as a survival method.

Known Bookmen

 * Bookman
 * Lavi
 * Bookman's previous apprentice