Master - Jewelcrafting
"What they know, where they are, what they're working on; these are all very dangerous questions."
Finnebeir Flith, Grandmaster Jewelcrafter
Qualifications
Political schemes are no longer good enough to propel someone to this rank. Experimentation and the earnest pursuit of knowledge are required.
Appointment
Moving beyond Expert requires a true dedication to the craft. Experts must research new techniques that further the profession. This can only be done through travel. Courtly intrigues and tending to the wants of a king make it difficult to leave a city for an extended period of time. Thus an Expert must devise a way to slip their bonds. Often this is done by simply finding a replacement but the sinister rumors of Experts having a royal family murdered have never been entirely dismissed. Once travelling, Experts can use the trans-planar gateways that gives their guild hall its name. Experts must research ten novel ideas to present to three Masters. These Masters must then learn, use, and approve of these before they say if the Expert can be counted among their ranks. These novel ideas are typically discovering new styles of rings, new materials, or even new techniques to make jewelry more quickly and cheaply.
Duties
Ranks beyond Expert tend to be out of the reach of Crossings. Masters do not have any duties to the general public, king and country, or to the guild. Their research has garnered them enough fame and reputation that the Ruby Crown often wants them left alone to draw more attention to the guild and kings want Masters embedded in their city so badly, they don't bother them for anything beyond truly extraordinary commissions.
Responsibilities
With this rank comes the expectation of further research. The first ten novel ideas are only a start; to be kept in good standing with the guild, continued research, whether on one subject or on many, must be shared with the guild so that reputation may be garnered across the continents.
Benefits
Whether it's viewed as a benefit is up to the Master; they are no longer bound by court or office but allowed to roam the material plane. All their needs are taken care of by the guild. Their laboratories, colloquially known as Gemmed Coves, are minor landmarks within the region, established by the guild for easy access to Crossings and so that the guild may protect its members' findings. Wealth is no longer a concern, they've far more money than anyone could spend in one lifetime.
Accoutrements & Equipment
What distinguishes a Master from a Journeyman - Jewelcrafting is their workshops. The research that Masters are doing often requires them to move from a workshop to a laboratory that is safe and secure. This is both for the public good since experiments can go awry and so that the guild can keep their trade secrets from the world. The Gem Cutters Guild furnishes the Master jewelcrafter's Gemmed Cove with one or more Gem Golems to protect the lab from intruders and creates a portal from the Gemmed Cove to Crossings for ease of transporting the experimental materials the Master is working with.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Masters are not removed but forgotten. If they are not producing any new findings, they aren't requiring any new materials so supporting them isn't an issue. They're simply allowed to putter around until they drop dead and the guild can stop by to pick their labs clean.
Notable Holders
Carter Geary is currently researching the August Elemental phenomenon on Crystal King. His Gemmed Cove is the easiest method of ingress and egress, given the nearly unnavigable nature of the Wandering Fields. His research concerns the forces that create the gems. Fire and earth are obvious ingredients that can be found on the August Elemental, the pressure it takes to create the gems and crystals is not.
Type
Professional
Alternative Naming
Quester
Source of Authority
Masters confer this rank to prospective Masters.
Length of Term
No length of term.
Current Holders
Reports directly to
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Related Professions
Related Military Formations
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