Jehundik Vanyik
First Circle Apprentice of the Bronze Tower
Physical Traits:
Healthy
Well Fed
Well Rested
Fit
Uninjured
Skills:
Local Folklore: +5
Woodsmanship: +4
Herbalism: +4
Archery: +2
Spear Fighting: +2
First Aid: +2
Gardening: +2
Possessions:
Sturdy Hunting Bow
Thick Fur Cloak
Sharp Steel Knife
Sharp Aged Steel Short-Sword
Magical Copper Armband
Bronze Necklace
Worn Boots
Aged Iron Cap
Several sets of Woodsman's Clothes (including leather belt and cotton trousers and shirt.)
Belted waterskin (full, holding a litre and a half of water)
Hip Quiver (Full)
-Twenty-four ash-tipped arrows.
A Satchel (Full)
-Extra Bowstrings
-flint
-a whetstone
-one days worth of Jerky, dried apple and onions.
-Four days worth of Hard Biscuits and Oats
-Twenty five feet of straw rope.
-small empty pouch
-depleted supply of leaf wrapped tea herbs
-eleven silver coins (an eye on one side, a shattered spear on the other)
-one copper coin (a pointing hand on one side, a shattered spear on the other)
-Set of Herbalists Tools (Including mortar, pestle, and small blades capable of precisely hooking or cutting under good lighting.)
-A Small Book of Cantrips (read by candlelight)
Rat Sack (empty)
You put the necklace around your neck, which the Keeper explains also communicates your rank in the order. You are now a "
First Circle Apprentice". When you ask what that means for you in the immediate future, what rights, responsibilities and privileges that might allow Ellyre launches into a well rehearsed speech he seems to be well versed in, likely having said it many times. "
Mostly apprentices of your rank are considered too inexperienced and unskilled to benefit the tower by use of their powers, but you are still expected to benefit the tower through your presence. Most first-circle apprentices do non-magical tasks in the tower for a large portion of their time, in order to earn the investment of time, magic and money each apprentice costs us. I'm told you have advertised yourself as an herbalist, a skill that will do you credit in the eyes of those above you if you prove yourself capable, though if you have other ways that you believe you can be of service to us you are free to pursue those as well. In your free time you may also peruse the first floor library, though your privileges for books that you can borrow from the library are limited. If you wish you may even leave the tower, for extended periods even, or simply to visit the local taverns. Drinking is not allowed in the tower. However, bearing all of this in mind, if you are found not to exert yourself enough in your studies to improve, or if you fail to contribute in a meaningful way, then you will find your opportunities for advancement will be non-existent. As a First Circle apprentice you should always be striving to prove yourself enough that you might enter the second circle, the second half of apprenticeship, where your privileges and opportunities for study will improve. Once you have settled into a routine, in a month or so i hope, you will be assigned both a master and a servant. Feel free to actively attempt to determine who you will be matched, with, for your fate will be linked with each, they will reflect on you, and you on them. Your master will be a mage of the fourth circle, and they in turn will have a master of the seventh circle, you will be beholden to both. Your servant will have other duties, and the time they have to spend on your whims will be rationed, a resource for you to use wisely, as all things here will be."
The keeper leans back at the end of his speech, sipping tea and letting a few pregnant moments of silence into the air. "
I will be frank, you have proven nothing in coming here. Now is the time to begin proving yourself. There are nine floors to this tower, each representative of a higher level of study, you have earned access to only one of them. Hundreds have studied here at the Bronze while i've been here, thousands during it's history, most never get passed the third circle, i hope you will do better and so should you" He smiles a little, sadly. "
Still, if you've come here hoping for an easy life, you've found it. You're obligated to do nothing, you have a room, food, a servant, all provided for free.If you lack the stomach for the hard work ahead, feel free to give up pre-emptively."
He looks at you expectantly, clearly measuring whatever response you have with great care.