Hey Walt,
I am not sure I see the Loremasters as a secret organization. I think they don't advertise themselves, If on a missions they may play dumb, but I think most would answer Yes, if asked directly.
Sometime ago we ran a low lever game and one of the Players though it would be cool to play a Loremaster. In the end it was no different then having any other boss. The difference was the people expected more from him. He was expected to know things, more things then one human could learn, on a variety of topics. He was expected to know people, why they did things, how they did things etc.
He compared it to working for Interpol. You are party of a global organization but have limited authority. Although some people will listen to you, they don't always take you serious.
As he climbed in levels he was given more information, freedom and access to different places. Nomikos gave him greater access to the restricted books. Loremaster Island became more a home then an place of education and refuge.
I would say that a loremaster on a mission would be easier to play then a known quantity. The Unlife likes Loremasters as they tend to be well educated and creative. Other people want to know what the lore masters know, and most are willing to cut it out.
Common people fear you or scoff, as many thing you really don't exist. Those that travel around may see you as a help or hindrance.
As players we grew to resent the Loremasters as they sent us all over the place and we never got paid, took us a while to even realize what was happening. Then we left him. The player was forced to make a new PC, or not play at all.
Eventually all the crap we did for the Loremasters came back on us, even though we where no longer working for them. A large group of messengers took us apart.
Uggg that game still annoys me. Blood manipulative Loremasters.