Common Life
Adventurers in the world of Orr are a rare breed, and often considered by most commonfolk to be somewhat deranged. A life of fighting horrifying creatures, dungeon-delving for treasure, tramping across the continent, and becoming involved with the machinations of the kingdoms, and the many different orders and secret cabals of the world is not a profession any truly sane person would willingly choose, or, at least that is the belief that most people in the world carry. The common man simply wants a safe place to call their own, where they can raise their families in relative peace, and even that modest goal can be a difficult task in a world full of monsters.
Humble, and Hardworking
The vast majority of settlements, and cities in the World of Orr are maintained by the humble, and hardworking commoners of the realms. Nearly seventy percent of the population belong to this simple caste, and their lives are predominately concerned with the difficult work of growing crops, and the husbandry of their livestock. Gold, and treasure has very little value for these folk whose family sew nearly every garment that they own, and whose shoes are made from the same leather they skinned, and dried themselves. A commoner of Orr is a skilled laborer, with knowledge of many different tools, as well as insight into the lands upon which they dwell, it's fauna, and its flora.
The farms that commoners maintain are the lifeblood of Orr. Every castle, and shining city in the world is without doubt surrounded by miles, and miles of farming lands which travelers have a habit of overlooking as they approach the excitement and bustle beyond these pastoral fields. Only cities near the coasts, and mouths of the rivers who have enough coin and influence to trade can escape this cornerstone of life, and even then, those places are considered to be quite dangerous to live in for this very fact.
"My boy, why would you ever take up work in Kayin? They have no farms. What will you do if there is an embargo on the tarn? Or the Iron Legions swoop down from the north and block the roads to Pheonix Rest?" "Mother, there's no need to worry, there is plenty of coin to be made there. I will be a wealthy man." "You cannot eat coins, my dear. The man who values gold over bread, has never wanted for either."The common man supports their family with a modest salary of fifty to one-hundred orrens (gold) per year by being self reliant. Because there are few ways to preserve foods, and stores, when a farm has a successful harvest they often donate their surplus to the temples of the Endless, or use it to prepare small feasts, and festivals. Commoners often trade skills and labor between their neighbors, and take special care to cultivate these alliances, and friendships in the event of a poor season, a disaster, or for the dreaded day that their homestead is plagued by something with appetites more deadly than even a locust-swarm.
Dangers
Monsters prowl the world of Orr, and as civilized as life has become in the fifth age, the common man must be prepared to defend his home, and his community against the monstrous threats that roam the wilderness, and countrysides. The common man fears locations such as the deep forests, fetid swamps, distant mountains, and ruins that are scattered across the realms. They know what sort of predators lurk in those undisturbed places where a man cannot till the soil. Even still, their own pastures are often under threat from the more sentient creatures of the world. Giants, ogres, and goblinoids of all shape and colors often see hamlets and rural homesteads as easy pickings. For this reason, the common folk do practice some skill at arms between their work hours, and communities send small patrols to scout the borders of their lands.Tradesmen, and Merchants
While self reliance is a virtue to the common man, there are some needs, and necessities which a humble farm cannot provide. Tradesmen, such as a blacksmiths, begin their apprenticeships from a very early age (as young as six years old), and are expected to be proficient in their craft before they reach adulthood. These trades are often passed down through a familial line, and it is a deep wound to the community if that family cannot continue to provide its arts due to a lack of heirs, or a tragedy. Tradesmen cannot both tend the forge, and till the fields, and so their craft is often traded for food, clothing and other necessities. When outsiders, and travelers arrive in a hamlet they can expect to pay a fine price for a tradesman's services, for the work they do distracts them from the tasks that serve their community. Innkeeping, herbalism, blacksmithing, clergy work, and tanning are all considered honorable trades which enrich the community. On the other hand, the average commoner would be hard pressed to find a kind word for the merchants and carpet-vendors of the cities, and the roads. Rarely does a commoner arrive at a fair deal with these individuals, for if they are not making significant profit on their wares, it simply is not worth their effort to pursue. Few professions are as outwardly hated, or loathed by the common man, and many a snake-oil salesman has been driven out of town with torches."The only thing worse than an ogre, is a drought, and the only thing worse than a drought is a merchant."
Nobles
It is rare that a commoner might share the same table as a noble, but they have constant dealings with them. The common man often trades the excess of his harvests for the protections of his realm and country, protections overseen by the noble classes, or wealthy, distiguished individuals of his community. The relationship between the common man and those of noble birth is deeply entwined, and both castes have wrinkled opinions of the other. Nobles are considered arrogant, while commoners are often considered ignorant. Neither are unfounded in their belief, but the reason for these distinctions has far more to do with each man's labors. Nobles are expected to know of worldly things; To learn to read, write, study magic, diplomacy, and the sciences. Commoners tend their fields, and toil their lives away, rarely possessing, above all, the luxury of time to learn such arts. Those commoners that do, are often aided by another, more esoteric caste of helpers.Thrive by Hex Sharpe
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