Men of Letters

Men of Letters are 'preceptors, observers, beholders, chroniclers' of mysteries not easily explainable or known to men. They had knowledge of the supernatural works and many arcane arts like alchemy. They considered hunters to be a lower class to them. Thus, their order only shares its secrets to the most elite hunters they deem to be worthy.

Overview
The order was identified with the crest of the Aquarian Star, a six-pointed sign that represents great magic and power and was linked to the gates of Atlantis. The order was led by elders, who held their most protected secrets. Members of the order were ordained through the paternal line of their family. Despite the name of the order, members are not gender specific, as one of their intiates was female, although the majority of them seem to have been men.

Much of the order was destroyed by a Knight of Hell, Abaddon, on August 12, 1958. With the death of Henry Winchester and the only known surviving elder Larry Ganem, both at the hands of Abaddon in 2013, the order is most likely extinct. Although considering Hunters below them, Men of Letters did share many of their characteristics and habits, such as keeping journals, and guarding secrets. Later, Henry gives Sam and Dean the key to the former Men of Letters headquarters, which the latter calls the 'batcave'. The headquarters could only be accessed by a special key.

The order's headquarters, although unused, still functioned perfectly when the Winchester brothers visited it and used it as base of operations in uncovering more about the Men of Letters. Soon after, the two brothers identified a case involving bringing down some members of the Necromancer Nazi party known as the Thules. Judah Initiative and their leader, young Rabi Bass and their saboteour Golem, Sam finds an interest in the MoL society and takes up the throne as the next Legacy, becoming the newest member of the formerly extinct Men of Letters.

Powers and Abilities
Men of Letters were powerful humans who knew a great deal more about the supernatural than the average hunters. They had knowledge of ancient and powerful magic, including exorcism and time travel spells. One of the members, Henry Winchester, tapped into his own soul in order to power a spell. They also were aware of the existence of angels, something hunters only gained knowledge of during the ushering of the Apocalypse. Additionally, they knew of the existence of dragons, and Atlantis, among other things.

They seem to be ranked by Levels of supernatural knowledge that they have attained; the higher the level, the more powerful and experienced they are.

Up until Henry's death, they were in possession of 'the key to every object, scroll, spell ever collected in thousand years under one roof.' This key passed on to Henry's grandsons, Sam and Dean Winchester. The location of this 'supernatural mother lode' were revealed to Sam by Larry Ganem. He said that this place is 'the safest place on earth warded against any evil ever created.'

Known Members

 * Larry Ganem, elder, first blinded by Abaddon in 1958, then killed by her in 2013.
 * David Ackers, elder, killed by Abaddon.
 * Ted Bowen, elder, killed by Abaddon.
 * an unnamed elder murdered by Abaddon
 * Josie Sands, about to be but not initiated, possessed by Abaddon
 * Henry Winchester, about to be but not initiated
 * Henry Winchester's paternal ancestors
 * Max Thompson, killed by Abaddon
 * Albertus Magnus, described by Henry as 'the greatest alchemist of the 14th century'