Novice - Tiefling Runecarving
"Even villains need a language."
- Dhoggerlug Runechin, Expert Runecarver
Qualifications
Prospective students for tiefling runecarving don't necessarily need to know a thing about runecarving. Depending on the tutor, the student will be given the chance to learn the infernal language as they work for their master. This comes from apathy of the tutor more than an egalitarian approach to education; most students don't survive the process of tiefling runecarving so if someone is willing to accept the danger, the tutor sees it as another chance at a student who may survive.
Requirements
The first challenge prospective students must overcome is finding a Master - Runecarving that works in tieflings' infernal symbols. The stigma against this form of runecarving makes this no trivial matter. The master must then be looking to accept more students, not always a guarantee. Runecarvers who specialize in tiefling symbols typically keep a low profile and gathering multiple apprentices is hardly unnoticeable. Once a master runs low on apprentices, they may take another cohort. The species of the applicant is hardly an impediment but tiefling pupils do tend to last longer.
Appointment
Once apprentices are solicited, those that answer the call are apprentices. This unceremonious start to their runecarving career may leave some ambiguity over whether the student is indeed an apprentice, but the list of tasks that the tutor immediately gives the pupil waylays any concerns.
Duties
A certain moral flexibility is expected for anyone studying the infernal script. These symbols aren't solely used by cultists and dark sects, but the only symbols found in those foul warrens are tiefling symbols. Apprentices are assigned to work with such peoples; being open minded about their work is necessary to continue to learn from the tutor.
Responsibilities
Tiefling runecarving has earned a reputation for aiding in the darker forms of magic and for good reason. Summoning rituals and necromantic liturgies are rife with tiefling sigils and seals. As such, the common practice of tiefling runecarvers is for cultists, ritualists, and practitioners of the schools of magic currently out of favor by the more dignified members of society. Apprentice runecarvers are given these mundane tasks with little or no tutelage from the master, expected to learn as they go. It is unknown if the mortality rate of tiefling runecarving apprentices stems from The Surprise or mixing, or from the disappointment of such unsavory clientele. Those who survive long enough for the tutor to remember their names get further instruction so that those students can take more arduous assignments such as more complicated summoning rituals or reviving long dead ancestors rather than a family pet. This frees the tutor to pursue their own research or reap the rewards of his apprentices.
When the apprentice creates their first rune, they can assume they've learned all the tutor will teach them. They've graduated to becoming a rival rather than a student. Being a victim of their own success poses little concern to these autodidacts, anything they'd like to know they can teach themselves. They've been doing that for years. This typically happens in 2-3 years.
Benefits
Little is gained for apprentices besides the forbidden knowledge they acquire. Moneys earned cannot be easily spent since questions will be asked about how they acquired such wealth so suddenly. The unscrupulous source of their income is hard to digest for most. Apprentices do acquire an odd benefit of small scale power brokers however. Since they are hired by the seedy underbelly of society, local authorities are often keen to find tiefling runecarving apprentices so that they may find the nefarious plans of their patrons. These apprentices can ingratiate themselves to the powers that are working in the shadows, work for one cult rather than another, or work for the authorities that are trying to thwart them.
Player characters gain cultural benefits for their symbols if they learn from tiefling runemaster. Apprentices can modify their rolls when creating symbols by 2. Symbols that are drawn or painted can be completed in 2 minutes than the standard 10 minutes. Sigils, reverse sigils, and seals that tamper with conjuration, enchantment, evocation and necromancy planes of reality gain an additional 1 roll modifier.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The lackluster interest in their apprentices means pupils hardly ever have a uniform. The only attribute that seems to be universal for all tiefling runecarvers a paleness to their complexion that comes from working with clientele who's machinations are best practiced at night.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Apprentices are hardly ever dismissed. If an apprentice does lead the local authorities or random do-gooders to the tutors front door, either through ignorance or intent, they can expect to be killed by a masterful sigil when they least expect it. Most apprentices don't leave the tutelage of a tiefling runemaster by dismissal but by death.
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