Underpicker

Underpicker (Theen: Ayasprethi) is a term used to describe people who primarily collect the medicinal plants and fungi of the undergrowth of the Avantha Kolari. While some underpickers merely sell their collected goods, others double as herbalists and emergency medics, doing everything from creating salves and medicines to splinting bones and stitching skin. While most underpickers act independently, some are employed by the Wild Hunt or other expeditions through the wood; these are nicknamed huntpickers (Theen: estalsprethi). Most independent underpickers work in small groups for safety in numbers.

Career

Career Progression

Most underpickers are trained by a more experienced aysprethi, usually a family member or a hermit who adopted the poor abandoned kid. Even those who didn't will usually claim to have a master so as to sound more reputable.

Payment & Reimbursement

Payment is extremely uneven for underpickers. Herbs and mushrooms can fetch a pretty price in the border towns, especially rare ones. However, payment medical services and supplies in the forest proper depend on what the recipient is willing and able to give, and it's almost always paid in barter rather than currency. Customers often know underpickers are desperate and at their mercy. Huntpickers have a much stabler position and source of pay than independent underpickers, but those in the Wild Hunt's service are under strict control and seen as inferior to the hunters.

Perception

Social Status

Poor. Hunters see underpickers as weak and cowardly, because otherwise they would make their lives easier by becoming hunters themselves, while also making it difficult for huntpickers to leave so they don't lose their medical services. People outside the Avantha Kolari don't know why anyone would live there without being a hunter. Even the merchants who buy from them just see them as another part of a supply chain and not realize how dangerous it can be.
In exchange, underpickers, especially independent ones, often have little respect for the Wild Hunt. Some may engage in poaching, not just to sustain themselves, but out of spite.

Operations

Tools

Underpickers will only use what they can carry with them, as the danger of the woods means they have to keep moving. Common tools include mortars and pestles, small jars, cutting knives, bandages, thread, quintessence sponges, and, when necessary, saws. Huntpickers have higher-quality tools than their independent counterparts.

Dangers & Hazards

Along with all the dangers of the Avantha Kolari, underpickers have to deal with armed hunters who might see them as easy targets. Poachers are notorious for attacking underpickers who treat them, so as to not leave any witnesses, or trying to enslave them. The Wild Hunt has been known to bully vulnerable underpickers into their service, or even worse, enslave them for supposed crimes like poor medical practice.