Karframan

From the Imperial Common words for "artisan" and "thoughtful," a Karframan (plural: Karframana) is a recognized expert in the field of Arcanomechanics. While most Karframana are also Magi, often of considerable skill, many are simply skilled artisans who are familiar with the precision work needed to produce the precision components required for use in a Runic Engine and similar devices.

A Culture of Equality

Most of the skills used in arcanomechanics existed long before the development of the first arcane machines, let alone its establishment as a field. However, the title for such professions does not guarantee a suitable degree of skill - for example, a blacksmith who knows how to shoe horses and make farm tools can confidently claim they are a blacksmith, but they will likely not be able to reliably produce the precisely sized and fitted mechanical components needed in arcanomechanics. More importantly, the status implied by the older job titles varied widely. For example, Magi are generally considered pretty high class, but a blacksmith is not much above a common labourer or farmhand, which can make cooperation between them difficult. Recognizing these challenges, the magi of the ruling council of Paithadra proposed a new term - anyone considered to be accomplished in any part of Arcanomechanics would be considered a Karframan - a term intended to recognize the thoughtfulness and care that artisans need to put into work in all aspects of this field.
Reactions to the term have been somewhat mixed. Many other artisans see it as a slight, as the term carries an inherent implication that the fact they work in other fields implies they are thoughtless in their work. People in more tradition-bound countries object to the idea of raising mundane artisans to an equal social status as magi, regardless of their skill - an attitude that has allowed Kinilan to retain its position as the hub for arcanomenchanical production and innovation.

Gaining Recognition

The title of Kaframan is gained by proving sufficient skill in the field of acanomechanics to one's peers. Sometimes, the this recognition comes with the development of some unique advancement in the field - a new process or mechanism - it more often comes with the production of a masterpiece: a complex device that showcases an individual's capabilities. The formal assessment to determine if an individual has earned the right to call themselves a Karframan is known as the Fra-nayan.

Type

Professional