Rovers

Rovers

While most people choose to live in a single place (or at least region) for an extended period of time, possibly establishing a family of generations, every one having been born, lived, and died within a few miles of each other; this cannot be said of those who call themselves rovers. For a rover; the roads, the pathways, and even the faintest footpath are considered their birthright. The location where a rover was born, married, or died is of no importance whatsoever, only the date, and occasionally the position of the stars at that point. Family (whether blood or no) and tradition are the most important things: anything else is at most secondary.

A rover group (called a bond) is commonly composed of two or three extended families, although singular families are possible. A family is composed of a patriarch (or somewhat less commonly a matriarch), several married pairs, and children. The patriarch is often a grandfather; with his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren composing the family. People who are not related by blood can be either be adopted into the family, or marry into it. While blood ties are considered important, obedience to the patriarch and tradition are considered even more so. Intermarriage in the family is generally considered taboo, but does occur. When more than one patriarch/matriarch exists within a bond, they will sit-in-council to make decisions (often how long to remain in a particular area, the direction they will travel next, ect).

Marriage into a bond-family requires approval by the patriarch. Marriages are often approved, although if two other patriarchs call to sit-in-council, the matrimony can be dissolved (before or within nine days after the marriage ceremony). If a marriage has already been consecrated, the female will often have divine cast upon her to see if she is pregnant before a final decision is made.

Many of the traditions of rovers are considered complex, confusing, and even superstitious to outsiders. Adding to the confusion, different rover groups may have varying traditions, although most of the traditions are nearly identical, with differences only important to the bonds themselves.

Roving & Magic

While magic is considered important to all bonds, many somewhat discourage the active study of eldritch, arcane, and divine magic. Sorcerers exist among the rovers, and those are encouraged, so long as it does not cause the individual sorcerer to leave the bond. Clerics and warlocks are particularly suspect, as they tend to place a powerful entity over the family.

Born a Rover, Die a Rover

As family and tradition means everything to a rover, anything that causes an individual to decide to leave the bond is considered evil. Leaving one bond to join (or marry into) another is considered evil, albeit a necessary one.

When a rover bond grows too large (the exact size varies by a complex evaluation among the patriarchs, but generally around 50 individuals), the patriarchs will often choose to split the bond. This often occurs over a period of months, with the patriarchs choosing how to divide everything. Once the bond is completely divided, they tend to travel together for another week or two before the two bonds part ways.

Just as a large bond may be split, a small one may be adopted to another one. In the case of two small bonds, they will simply combine themselves, but only if the combined bond does not have more than three patriarchs.

The Life of a Rover

Rover groups often make their living as itenerant workers, traders, or entertainers (and often a combination). During harvent times, it is common to see a rover group working the fields. After havest is done, they will generally focus on trading and entertaining. Virtually all rovers are proficient in at least one musical instrument, and many will practice juggeling, acrobatics, or slight of hand. Singing and ballading are less common, although at least one individual amongst a larger bond will practice one of these crafts. Tinkers are also reasonablely common, maintaining the rovers equipment and as revenue source.

Farroads Rovers

As rovers are in competition with both merchants and larger carnivals, many smaller rover bonds will travel from settlement to settlement, avoiding larger towns and cities altogether. Some bonds will travel a set circuit, visiting the same communities year after year. Many smaller communities actively look forward to these visits from "their" Rover bond, seeing them as a time for celebration and gathering together as a communtity. These bonds may never see a county seat.

Larger bonds may travel in a more random fashion, seeking out the best prices for whatever goods they acquire. They will visit the larger towns and cities occasionally, seeking out the best trade goods to carry to the smaller communities.