Novice - Troll Runecarving
"Don't let them fisties you."
- Liskat survivor, said in all seriousness
Qualifications
One simply needs to be more intelligent than a rock.
Requirements
The creature that interacts with the Mindstone must be intelligent enough to understand the information that it imparts. Besides that, one simply needs to find Liskat and get past the Ancient Green Dragon that the trolls use to temper their blades and the small troll army between they and the Mindstone.
Appointment
Trolls don't have the concept of "apprentice." The duality of the giant ancestors seems to have imparted a tendency to see things as a strict dualism; whether one can create symbols or not. Those who come back having learned this variant of runecarving may proclaim themselves apprentices but the title has little meaning, since most other runecarvers find the troll "fisties" a mockery of the profession.
Duties
Little is expected of non-troll characters. If they are allowed to interact with the Mindstone, or have found a more subtle means of speaking to it, they can simply leave. Trolls who learn this form of runecarving are instead conscripted into the local troll militia. These runecarvers make for effective shock troopers and trackers, since the Mindstone seems to augment a troll's natural hunting abilities.
Responsibilities
Little is expected of non-troll characters. If they are allowed to interact with the Mindstone, or have found a more subtle means of speaking to it, they can simply leave. Trolls, on the other hand, are now a pivotal member of the Liskat troll militia, with all of the responsibilities that one could assume comes with such a promotion. Trolls only loosely understand the idea of order and ranks though, so leading a small hunting band is usually the peak of the expected contribution.
Benefits
This variant of runecarving certainly doesn't bring riches or fame, but it does create a versatility in combat, if used correctly. Speaking with the Mindstone gives the common benefits to runecarving as the other cultural persuasions do, a +2 to all runes that are created. But the Mindstone teaches creatures to form the symbols using their own hands. These symbols can be created in less than a second. In combat, creating a symbol is treated the same as a normal attack action.
The Mindstone only imparts eight spells to the creature however. The creature can cast Invisibility, Hex, Hunter's Mark, Bane, Expeditious Retreat, Longstrider, Jump, and Inflict Wounds. The observant reader may notice that these are all sigils; troll runecarving does not teach anything about seals, runes, icons, or brands.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Troll runecarvers are often distinguished in the Liskat militia by the massive half-moon hand scythes they carry and the padded leather gauntlet they wear on their off hand. This glove is an attempt to mollify any minor mistakes that may have painful consequences otherwise. Typically, the casting arm of these trolls looks brighter and more alive than the rest of them. They usually have to regrow their arm after the first few failed attempts.
History
The troll variant of runecarving has not spread beyond the jungles surrounding Liskat for a few reasons. Most cultures don't find the spells that the Mindstone imparts useful since most runecarving is done to augment items or create traps. It is also dangerous for any creature besides trolls to attempt these sigils. If the rune is formed incorrectly, the creature could easily lose their arm from The Surprise. Although painful, at least the troll's can regrow their arms from their unique regenerative powers.
Cultural Significance
The discovery of the Mindstone has made Liskat the de facto power of the surrounding jungles. It also allowed Zheide to defeat Yeidonus and imprison him in the southern end of Liskat, using his poison breath to temper the infamous poison weapons of the troll militia.
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