Novice - Dwarvish Runecarving
"Dwarves carve in stone and metal because it's the only material more stubborn than they."
- Morxire, Grandmaster Runecarver
Qualifications
Dwarves who wish to study runecarving at the storied Grand Mountain Lithotorium and Minerography must show the prerequisite familiarity with the ancient dwarven letters. This ancient literacy is not easy to come by since dwarven runes are carved with a dead language. Years of study in the dwarven libraries of Stoneheart are required if potential students don't have access to their family's personal libraries which contain that knowledge. This literacy acts as a filter for any who would apply from less than proper houses.
Indeed, incoming students tend to be legacies, having parents who studied at GMLM (pronounce Gramlim). This keeps the knowledge of runecarving wound tightly between the four famous runecarving families that all reside within Stoneheart. A public perception of equity must be maintained however, so no trial student is deterred from the entrance exams. Without years of study in the libraries or personal libraries all to themselves, these prospect do not have much hope of gaining entrance. Many dwarves that come from other cities or other races who wish to learn this style of runecarving don't find much prospect in gaining entry against this bias.
Requirements
Strictly speaking, the only requirements are to be highly proficient in the ancient dwarven language. Unofficially, hailing from one of the four runecarving families of Stoneheart is a guarantee of entry. Anyone else has little hope of learning from GMLM.
Appointment
Letters are sent to the respective houses in @Stoneheart when a son or daughter has been admitted to the school.
Duties
Studies are rigorous so any expectations of conduct hardly need be enforced. Every few years though, a student will become overly drunk in public, allow mediocre work to escape their practices and see the light of day, or any other mistake that could tarnish the reputation of the school or their families. This pressure surely mounts and some students find the life of a dwarven runecarving arduous. These misfits are summarily dismissed and sent out of the city, lest the family have to explain why their niece or nephew is no longer studying the family business.
Responsibilities
The curriculum follows a strict four year plan, each year assuming different responsibilities within the school. First year students are allowed to adjust to their new homes, since students live in the school, as they learn the ancient dwarven language, how to handle a hammer and chisel, and the basics of iconography. Second year students are allowed to ply their trade at iconography for the city, creating icons for public works and propaganda. Meanwhile, they learn how the alphabet translates to seals as they begin practicing their first seals. Third year students are allowed further privileges, working for the city as jailers, propagandists, and pest control as they continue to create icons and seals for whatever purposes the magistrate of Stoneheart requires. Sigils are learned this year as well. Fourth year students are not forced to abandon their work for the city or their families, they typically don't have time to. The fourth year is a make or break year for students since they must learn the reverse sigil and create their first rune before The Arcana Circus. Students are expected to pay strict attention to any tutelage students more advanced than they, or professors, may give.
Third and fourth year students are required to produce their first sigil and rune, respectively, during The Arcana Circus. This event is a showcase of dwarven magical abilities, runecarving is a staple of dwarven mysticism. Third year students participate in a competition to see who can create a sigil that will launch a boulder the farthest, as a nod to runecarving's giant-kind ancestry. Fourth year students work with dwarven smithing apprentices to create the best suit of armor and weapon. Town guardsmen then enter a tournament, wearing armor and weapon forged by the apprentice smith and strengthened by the apprentice runecarver. The guardsman that wins is assumed to have worn the best forged and carved armor/weapon combination out of the bunch, and those students who created it are rewarded with expert tools of their trade. For the runecarver at least, this means an immediate promotion to expert level runecarving. The other students are graduated at the end of the tournament as well, as long as their rune performed adequately enough for the spectators to assume it was created by a proficient apprentice.
Benefits
For most students in GMLM, graduating affords them the chance to work in the family business in Stoneheart. Dwarves are their own best customers; nearly every dwarven sword, shield, ax, and armor are carved with runes to improve them beyond the expert smithing dwarven smiths are known for. This massive demand for runecarving creates huge economic benefits for the four families that have distinguished themselves in Stoneheart. This has led to political power within the magistracy as well.
For player characters, apprenticing as a runecarver allows them to adjust their rolls by 2 whenever they attempt to carve a symbol. Any student of dwarven runecarving, specifically, gain certain cultural benefits. Carving symbols into stone or metal only takes 2 minutes rather than the typical 10. When symbols are carved into stone or metal, the runecarver can further adjust their rolls by 1. Spells from the Abjuration school of magic are also easier to carve by 1.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Apprentice runecarvers don't have a uniform, but can be easily identified by the hammer and chisel that is kept in their belt at all times.
Type
Professional
Length of Term
4 years
Past Holders
Reports directly to
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