One of the two conventions born of the Order's founders, the Craftmasons, the Artificers have found themselves growing slowly obsolete in an increasingly industrialized and secular world. Their dedication to the artistry of their craft and the vision of God as Architect have become anachronistic and it is only within the body of the Freemasons that they are able to find those who still share their beliefs. As fewer and fewer young members join their ranks and those that do are lured away to the Electrodyne Engineers, the Artificers make their last stand to try and wrest back control over the Order and reintroduce their values to society.
The Artificers are all, to a man, members of the Masonic covenant and they form its heart, just as the remains of the Cabal are its soul. Working with their Masonic brothers, they attempt to sway both society and the Order back onto a more conservative course, away from the evils of unchecked progress and industrialization and back towards spiritual certainty and pride in one's craft. While not all craftsmen, even those Artificers who lean towards invention and science bring with it a spiritual sensibility and an attention to workmanship which is not present in the Electrodyne Engineers, with their concern towards theory and practicality.
While not inherently political, like the Ivory Tower, the Artificers hold a great deal of power and respectability, acquired over many long years and reinforced by the network of contacts which the institution of Freemasonry has nurtured since its formation. This makes them a genuine concern to the Ivory Tower and the Royal Society as a whole. Combined with the deeply rooted influence of the last few Cabal members, they have enough pull with mortal society to seriously hinder the Society's plans.
The Artisans generally meet in the Temple Chapel, which they have held since the dissolution of the Knights Templar in the 14th century. There, they hold secretive Masonic meetings and discuss their art and their plans for the Order. Only Enlightened members of the Masonic covenant are invited to these meetings, and attendance is considered acceptance of all the responsibilities inherent in Freemasonry.