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Fertigkeiten
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Fertigkeiten (FUR-tig-KY-ten) is a sort of catch-all caste for those who have authority
and rights due to some special ability that gives them Thegn-equivalent status (though
some of them are also additionally Thegns).
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This broad caste technically supercedes Thegn status, but individual sub groups
differ in the degree by which they do.
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The adjoining chart indicates the costs of the Fertigkeiten Perk.
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The groups fitting into this category include the Waffschmied (specifically
smiths that make weapons), Hengstkampfwer (breeders and trainers of War Horses),
Jagerver (Master Hunters), and finally the ill-respected but much feared
Zauberers (magic users).
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PRIVELEGES AND BESTERUNG
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Fertigkeiten have most of the rights of a Thegn save that they cannot be Lairds,
Reeves, Huscarl, or Gefolgsmen, and cannot strike down Thralls with impunity, but
do not have to answer the call to war unless they so choose. However all Fertigkeiten
must pay increased besterung (taxes) to their respective Laird just like a Landsgraf
(landowner), assessed by the quarter rather than yearly (though they may still pay
only once per year, the amount is greater).
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Typically Fertigkeiten pay their taxes by way of services or goods, and often a
crafty Laird will name besterung as service in the warbands for some Waffshmied
and Zauberer in time of war. However, some Fertigkeiten pay their besterung plus
a premium in coinage to avoid having to do service. Fertigkeiten are also permitted
to bear arms, but other than Jagerver most do not bother typically.
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MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
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It is theoretically possible, but in practice very rare, for a person to be more
than one sort of Fertigkeiten. The classic combination would be a Waffschmied that
was also a Runecrafter with the ability to make magical weapons and armor. Such
a Fertigkeiten would have elevated besterung, but their status and clout would be
correspondingly elevated within their Clan.
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THEGN AND FERTIGKEITEN
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On the other hand it is relatively common for a person to be both a Thegn and a
Fertigkeiten. Many skilled people that also have the abilities of a Thegn are not
satisfied with the technical Thegn status granted by their trade and get both qualifications.
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WAFFSCHMIED
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Waffschmied (WAHF-SHMEED) are much like other smiths, but as they craft the very
thing that delineates the warrior caste from the commoners they are held in very
high regard indeed. Waffschmied tend to be wealthy, and are very valued by their
Lairds for their lucrative besterung, usually assessed in terms of arms or armor,
which helps fill out the Lairds armory.
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Status (Waffschmied): Must be able to forge weapons well and be appointed
by a Laird; Real Cost: 1 Points
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HENGSTKAMPFWER
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Hengstkampfwer (HAINGST-KOMP-fwair) breed and train high quality warhorses and have
historically enjoyed a priveleged status among the Machtig. Hengstkampfwer are mostly
found amongst the Hengsting Clan but in the past there have been a few Herodi and
Huarthmunn Hengstkampfwer as well..
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In past centuries the Machtig made heavier use of horses than they do now, but the
last century of relative peace has seen a dwindling in horsemanship outside the
Hengsting; its difficult for most Thegns to justify the expenditure and upkeep of
a horse when they don't really need one.
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This trend will probably reverse itself if the Herodi regain control of the Machtig;
the current Herodi Laird Reserei has taken steps to train his best Huscarl in the
way of the horse, hiring expert trainers from the Hengsting to teach them.
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Status (Hengstkampfwer): Must be able to produce warhorses in sufficient
quantities and be appointed by a Laird; Real Cost: 1 Points
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JAGERVER
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Traditionally the Jagerver were usually older and more experienced Machtig who hunted
sufficient food to help feed their steadings. In more recent centuries this has
expanded to include any that contribute heavily to the wellfare of their steading.
Almost all are also Thegns, but to call them away for war or service could create
a hardship upon their people. This status effectively makes them exempt from calls
to war.
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Jagerver are found amongst all the Clans; the title has nothing to do with the Jagrling
Clan. Among the Huarthmunn for example a particularly able farmer with consistently
high surplus might be named Jagerver, as their absence could contribute heavily
to hunger in their area and potentially beyond. Among the Wundvolding a miner that
consistently brings large deposits of metal might be declared Jagerver as their
abscense might disrupt the flow of weapons and armor to a war effort.
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Essentially this bracket has evolved into a general "high-skill" worker
category ensuring that those who are crucial to the homefront not be pulled off
to war or sent off on a faring. As a side note, many people have been named Jagerver
against their will by Lairds that considered them too crucial to allow them to go
faring despite their enthusiasm to do so.
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Status (Jagerver): Must be very productive, essential to the community,
and be appointed by a Laird; Real Cost: 1 Points
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ZAUBERER
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Zauberer are magic users of various sorts. Any non-Slave who can practice magic
which is not spurned by the Druids may sue the Laird to be named Zauberer. The Zauberer
must prove their Magic before the court of the Laird, and the Laird grants the privelege
and the besterung to go with it (typically paid in services rendered).
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Over the last two millennia the Machtig have become increasingly superstitious of
magic users and tend to shun Zauberers in general; though they have their place
in Machtig society they are rarely trusted by common folk afraid of their strange
powers.
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OBERMANCY
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The traditional form of magic for the Machtig is Obermancy, a powerful and ancient
art that deals with the interaction and manipulation of natural and primal Elements.
This art came with the Macthig to the Vold and has been a part of Machtig culture
since the dimly remembered ancient times.
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Obermancers are relatively rare; at any given time there probably isn't more than
fifty of them in the entire Vold. Obermancers tend to drift to the Clan-hold of
the Pargori as they generally find more accpetance there, and as Fallenheim is the
closest thing to a trade center in the Vold it is also a good place to gain new
knowledge. Approximately a third of all the Obermancers in the Vold live within
the expanse of the Pargori Clanhold currently, whether they have changed their Clan
affiliation or not.
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OBERMANCY MAGIC
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Obermancers use the
Elementalism Magic System detailed on this site, specifically the Spontaneous
Casting version. The
Obermancer Composite Package should be used for Obermancers. All of the
Extention Packages detailed are also appropriate. Finally the sample character,
Kjar Kvaransen,
is in fact a Machtig Obermancer of the Pargori Clan.
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AELDENAREN
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Another kind of Zauberer are the Aeldenaren, those with the so called "old",
"elder", or "Aelfing" blood that can allow them to have magical
gifts. Due to occasional breeding with the Aelfing there is a fair amount of Aelfing
blood to be found among the Machtig, particularly the Faendradi.
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Some Aeldenari are born with one or more Aeldenaren gifts that allow them to develop
strange powers. Many opt to keep their abilities to themselves, but some sue for
status and become Zauberer. Among the Faendradi practically every other person is
an Aeldenaren and only those that are particularly powerful or have a full complement
of Gifts would be considered Zauberer, but outside of the Faendradi a single Gift
could be sufficient qualification for status if it were significant enough.
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AELDENAREN MAGIC
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Aeldenaren use the
Aeldenaren Magic System detailed on this site; they have access to all of
the standard Gifts, and use the Expanded Gifts option described at the end of that
document. All of the
Package Deals detailed are appropriate for Aeldenaren. Finally one of the
sample characters,
Ayden Hrdaled, is in fact a Machtig Aeldenari of the Faendradi Clan.
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RUNECRAFTERS
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Long ago the Wundvolding befriended a dying clan of Var and learned the secret of
Varic Runes from them. Over time the art spread from them to the rest of the Machtig,
though by far it is still primarily a Wundvolding practice. Outside of the Wundvolding
Clan the most common form of Runecrafter makes Runic tattoos.
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Not able to work magic directly Runecrafter are more accepted by most Machtig than
other Zauberer, and many are also Waffschmied and are able to make powerful magic
weapons and armor that are much in demand..
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RUNCRAFTER MAGIC
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Runecrafters use the
Runecrafting Magic System detailed on this site. All of the Runecrafter
(not Scribas or Glyphic)
Package Deals detailed are appropriate for Runecrafters, particularly the
Master Runecrafter,
Millitant,
Runeforger, and
Illumin Composite Packages. Finally the sample characters, Maxviel Hrimgerdson,
is in fact a Machtig Runeforger of the Wundvolding Clan.
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DEATH MAGIC
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One important point is that the Machtig will not tolerate any kind of death magic,
particularly Necromancy, and thus no Zauberer practices it openly if at all. Any
Zauberer caught practicing anything that could be construed as death magic would
likely be slaughtered no matter the cost.
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HEXE
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Sometimes female Zauberer are called Hexe (HEX-ah), particularly in sagas and epics,
but this is generally considered old fashioned in the modern day and female Zauberer
are referred to as Zauberer, just as female Thegns are Thegns and female Lairds
are Lairds, and so on.
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Status (Zauberer): Must be able to demonstrate magical power and be
appointed by a Laird; Real Cost: 1 Points
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