Papers of Apprenticeship

The most common civil legal document in Zaygel are the Papers of Apprenticeship. This is the physical document recording the partnership between a Mentor and Apprentice.  The social bond and activities of Mentor and Apprenticeship is a universal cornerstone among the cultures of Zaygel. This topic is so significant to the social-cultural life of Zaygel, that there will be more writing on this practice.
The physical form of the contract can be parchment, papirus, linen paper. There are also social practices for Mentors and Apprentices towards each other and those outside the relationship, that are written into the papers, but these are well known by virtue of living in Zaygel. The language of the contract tends to be the local language with some archaic flourishes. It is written in typical writing ink as the contract isn’t magically binding. Papers are made of broad square sheets that often take up half of a dining table. The formatting on Apprenticeship papers is unique. One edge of the paper starts the terms of agreement for the Mentor and the other edge starts the terms of agreement for the Apprentice. The Papers are read upwards from either edge toward the center of the document. At the center of the Paper both parties sign their personal and family names. An Adherent of the Holy One of Pledges acts as a notary to sign and date the Papers in their specialized script. Two Papers are drawn up one is a copy of the other so both Mentor and Apprentice have one. Papers are usually in scroll form and stored in scroll cases. On the Apprentice's scroll case, half of the surface of the scroll case is decorated by the Mentor in their preparation for becoming a Mentor, then a month before their graduation the Apprentice decorates the other half of the scrollcase. 
When the Apprentice graduates the Papers are flipped to the black side where the Adherent of the Holy One of Pledges draws on a special symbol in red ink and the Mentor and Apprentice and Adherent all sign and date around the symbol.

Purpose

At the age of thirteen all are eligible to become an Apprentices. Depending on the year and population demographics some may have to wait until there is an available Mentor. The main purpose of a Mentor and Apprentice partnership is teaching. Ultimately the Apprentice will learn the skills, often a trade, of the Mentor. The Mentor in turn learns about themselves, how to teach, and have a deepened appreciation for their craft, practice, or trade through that teaching. This partnership is also seen as a rite of passage. For the apprentice this is the opening into the First Stage of Adulthood: working life, relationships with others into adulthood, first adulthood responsibilities, identity solidifying, recognition from peers and elders on completion. For the Mentor it is the opening into the Second Stage of Adulthood: passing your specific knowledge down, responsibilities to and for someone younger, reflection on self, reflection on craft, trade, or duty, recognition from peers and elders on completion. A Third Stage of Adulthood comes when one’s former Apprentice takes on their own Apprentice.

Document Structure

Clauses

The format of the Papers lends itself to the ritual around their signing. The Adherent of the Holy One of Pledges leads the ritual by speaking of the partnership that the Papers initiate between the Mentor and Apprentice. When both parties have given the ritual response they are given their quills and an inkwell for the signing in the center. The Papers are placed on a table between the Mentor and the Apprentice and they read and sign towards one another.

Caveats

An Apprentice-Mentor partnership cannot be less than twelve years. The majority of partnerships go on for longer, and a Mentor and Apprentice are considered to be a significant relationship. The partnership can be dissolved legally in two ways.
I) Physical or Mental-Emotional abuse by either party to the other.
II) Complete non-compatibility of the Apprentice with the chosen skill, or inability to teach the skill to the Apprentice by the Mentor.
These conditions are usually avoided by several introductory meetings between the potential Apprentice and Mentor.
An illegal dissolution of the partnership would occur if either the Apprentice or Mentor desert their responsibilities. Either party may be held liable for fraud if the injured party wishes it.

Publication Status

Papers of Apprenticeship are held privately in one’s home or on one’s person, but they are considered public documents. This means that if you wish to take on an Apprentice, or are asked to provide proof of completed Apprenticeship you must provide the Papers to the proper authorities.

Legal status

Papers of Apprenticeship are a civil legally binding document. Proof of completed Apprenticeship by way of the backside symbol is often used in opening one’s own shop or place of trade, and evidence of a completed Apprenticeship is also required for one to become a Mentor.

Historical Details

History

In Artrella, Mentor-Apprenticeship Papers were in use all through the Pre-Consortium period, the Consortium period, and the Republic period.

Term

An Apprenticeship must last at least 12 years.

Type

Contract, Civil

Medium

Paper