Professional Hierarchies

The mastery of one's profession is very important in the Crossroads, not just for people who do not take the Heroic path of life. Being the best at a given trade honors the whos domain that profession falls under. Around 4000-5000 ACE this hierarchy was created to inspire the people to become more than what they were born as, to give merit to the non heroic lifestyle. Professionals provide necessary tools for the success and well being of those who are physically and mentally strong enough to fight the monsters of the realm. There was a time when the profession were not as well received, and the gods that were responsible for these domains grew tired of the heroes getting credit for work they couldn't have done without their followers. These gods approached the Divine rulers and made their case, and it came down to a split vote, leaving Athena to be the deciding voice on the matter.
With her vote going to these gods, she stated that if the gods were going to gain worship then there must be a system of recognition equal to that of the heroic warriors of the realm. Thus was instituted the Professional Hierarchies, and each trade accepted by the mortal kingdoms could be developed to have their own legends of their respective fields. Using the Ennae, the masters of their given field were challenged to do more, and we expected to pass this information off to the next generation. To the extreme pleasure of the Divine and Mortal rulers, this caused an increase in worship and quality of life.
The rules for this Hierarchy were decided by the masters and gods of each respective trade, and none are allowed to change them.

1. No person under the age of nine years old may go to school.
2. Parents are in charge of making sure children are ready for education.
3. There is no maximum age banning people from attending school to work their way up.
4. Journeyman are responsible for getting their own tools, and required supplies.
5. Masters are required to allow their Journeymen to obtain their masters rank.
6. Ne Plus Ultras' are required to supperlant the current Ne Plus Ultra, unless the current one obtains Grandmaster.
7. Grandmasters must master every profession and teach their best trade to Ne Plus Ultra of their trade.
8. At no point is anyone allowed to challenge the gods in a contest of Skill.

Professional Titles:

The Beginner: This is area of education teaches students about the way life in the Crossroads, and what each trade or skill is for. This is to help them find their calling and be a functional member of society. To invoke of a sense of creativity and purpose, not to make workers. Most dont find their calling the first time, and return to their homes as a worker or start their journey of heroics.
The Apprentice: The Apprentice is someone that has found their chosen trade or at least has the drive to do something while they search. They study all year round under the current Journeymen of the school, and when its time take a test provide by one of the masters of their chose trade or skill. Apprentice work under one their masters from their homeland or city their school is in.

• Pay: 2 Gold a day

The Journeymen: The Journeyman is one of the hardest titles to move on from, a journeyman is responsible for helping apprentice prepare for the next step while also doing their own studies of their trade. This title shows that the person is capable of learning and teaching, and that is what is required of a Master. They spend most of their schooling working under one of the masters of the realm, so travel is a must.

• Pay 4 gold a day

The Master: When a journeymen passes their final exam held by the Grandmaster of their chosen skill or trade, they become a master of the field. Most people stay at this level for their entire life. Either from lack of skill in other fields, or being happy with their chosen profession. The titles above pay have the opportunity to make a lot of gold and Platinum, but require a tremendous amount of skill.  Masters are located within towns and cities, and this where heroes and the people of the realm get their supplies.

• Pay determined by skill and sales.
• Ability to hire apprentice and journeymen from the schools.
• Gain Proficiency in your skill or tools.

The Savant: The savant is the next tier of in the professional level, they are described as people that pushed the boundaries of their chosen profession to new levels.   Example when the first person developed the iron sword over the bronze sword.    The Savant is usually runs the best shop in the city you are in, and are not typically found in smaller settlements.    They are sought after by factions of the realms to aid in their success.

• Pay determined by sales
• Ability to hire masters as employees from the schools.
• Gain Expertise in your Skill or Tools.

The Prodigy:   There are those that are just naturally gifted with multiple area of life.   Prodigies are the natural born athletes of the professional realm, it doesn't matter what field they choose they are good at every trade.   They are so good the professional trades and skills, they have achieved the title of Savant in at least 2 fields of work.   This title can be achieve by getting mastery in 2 fields and savant in one, but those that go this path typically stay here.   They are treated the same as low ranking nobles.  This title will have most factions seeking your employment.

• Ability to runs multiple services in their store.
• Ability to hire Savant's and Masters from the school directly.
• Gain Expertise in two skills or tools, or proficiency in two more skills or tools.
• Gain the Noble Feat.

Ne Plus Ultra: Argued to be the hardest title to obtain and keep, the Ne Plus Ultra is a do or die title.    You either best everyone in your field or are replaced by a prodigy taking your title.   There is only one Ne Plus Ultra in any given trade or skill, and it only for the strong.   You have to work towards your proficiency in each of the trades and skills of the realm, while besting any prodigy looking to take your place as the Ne Plus Ultra.   Ne Plus Ultra are sought after by every kingdom of the realm, and are usually give a life of luxury to keep them interested in working with that kingdom.  If they can complete their task, they are forever enshrined in history with the title of Grandmaster.

• Pay determined by your choice of sponsor.   
• You are required to teach at the school of your choice.
• You may enlist the help of masters, savants, and prodigies to further your research and study.
• You are treated like princes or exalted heroes of the realm.
• You will always have invites to the most influential events of the realms.
• You gain access to any library in the realm.
• You are given the Belt of Professions, that houses all the tools you need.

The Grandmaster: A grandmaster is someone that has achieved mastery in every skill or trade, and Savant level of skill in 4 trades.  The grandmaster is the pinnacle of mortal understanding and is the most sought after title of mortals in the realm.   You will be approached by every kingdom and faction in the realm, and they will seek to persuade you to their cause.   Most Grandmaster become famed politicians or leaders, and have immense power within the hierarchies of the realm.   When you obtain this title you can teach any trade or skill, but your skill in your prefered trade is beyond any Ne Plus Ultra.  Grandmasters are treated the same as a senator or legendary hero.   Some grandmasters start their own school for their prefered trades.

• Pay Determined by your chosen sponsor.  Usually comes from the nations you live in.
• You are required to take Ne Plus Ultra under your wing, sometime multiple can be taught.
• You may enlist the help of any rank below you for your research.
• You are treated the same as senator and legendary heroes, and typically are invited to all important discussions of the realm.
• You have access to every restricted section of the libraries of the realm.
• You are given the Grandmaster Robe.   This houses the best tools and has an =abundance of materials needed in your line of work.
• If you have the money you may acquire a home in the Doves.

The Divine Apprentice: When you have achieved Savant in every skill or trade, or have done something truly divine, you can be given the title of Divine Apprentice.   The Divine apprentice is granted limited godhood, and typically falls under the god who sponsors them.   This is a life of service, and typically is only chosen by the truly devoted and humble grandmasters.  Some grandmasters don't accept this title, because they appreciate the aspects of mortal life.   You topically live in the divine capitals of the realm or within the temples or palaces dedicated to the gods who sponsor you.  The perks are unending and your responsibilities to mortals and teaching are not required.    

• Granted Limited Godhood.    You are not demi-god, but you are also not treated as a god.    You'll never need mortal substances, and you will reform if you are killed.

Skills and Trades:

Here are the list of things you can attend school for and achieve atleast a master rank in:
Arst:

• Painting
• Sculpture
• Literature
• Architecture
• Music
• Theater
• Dance
• Singing

Education:

• Botany
• History
• Math
• Medicine
• Metallurgy 
• Philosophy
• Science
• Woodworking

Professions:

• Astnomist
• Bard
• Carpentry/Wood Carving
• Cartographer
• Cobbler
• Glassblower
• Healer
• Herbalist
• Historian
• Jeweler
• Leatherworker
• Mason
• Musician
• Navigator
• Philosopher
• Politician 
• Pottery
• Smithing
• Thieves/Spy
• Tinker
• Weaver
• Shipbuilding

List of Known Notable People:

Grandmasters

• Grandmaster Magness of Arts, Musicians, and Bards (location Palace of Radiance)
• Grandmaster Protagoras of Education (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Sophia of History (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Grave of Tinkering (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Alecta of Tinkering (location Imperium)
• Grandmaster Xomis of Shipbuilding (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Odysseus of Navigating (Location Constantinople)
• Grandmaster Pericles of Politics (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Arachne of Weaving (Location Unknown)
• Grandmaster Fotiá of Culinary (Location Athens)
• Grandmaster Da Vinci of Tinkering and Science (Location Constantinople)
• Grandmaster of Autolycus of Thievery (Location Thebes)
• Grandmaster Makhaon of Healing and Medicine (Location Thebes)
• Grandmaster Cyrus II Grandmaster of Politics and Philosophy (Location Pello)
• Grandmaster Sargon of Botany and Herbalism (Location Uruk)

Type

Civic, Professional