02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

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will be able to make their way in the world without
calling the family into disrepute. In many cases such
expectations are in vain—there is little a tutor can
do to control unruly noble brats, and there are some
poor students whose tutors may be well-meaning but
are really little better than glorified babysitters. In less
affluent households, tutoring falls to the governess
who may well be able to manage the household staff
but is unlikely to have any idea what is important to
teach, let alone how to go about doing it.
The best tutors are highly sought after and make
a decent wage in addition to bed and board with the
family. It is not unheard of for promising tutors to be
kidnapped and smuggled off to the wilds of Khador or
even Ord to work for a family that would normally be
unable to meet such costs.
Ironically, some of the best educated of the poor are
those that are least fortunate. Orphans often fall under
the protection of the Church of Morrow; established
clerics and other scholars often donate their time as an
act of charity to ensure that such foundlings are given
a good start in life. Such individuals may face prejudice
later in life because of their humble beginnings, but
they are often as educated—if not more so—than
their noble counterparts. There is a particularly
respected orphanage school within the Sancteum
of Caspia attached to the Archcourt Cathedral. The
Protectorate also sponsors a number of orphanages,
although the form of instruction tends more toward
schooling in the faith rather than the emancipation of
the individual.
Apprenticeship
Most recognized trades have adopted some form of
apprenticeship as a means of training new members.
In trades that have their own guild or union, this
process is often formalized—but formal or not, the
process always follows a similar format. Apprentices
are taken on young whenever possible and leave their
families to lodge with their mentor. The first years
of work are harsh and unrewarding—apprentices
are only given safe, dull tasks peripheral to the main
work of their master. Floor sweeping, arranging tools,
holding materials whilst they are worked—these
are not glamorous jobs, but they are necessary and
provide the apprentice with a way of learning close up
the secrets of his craft.
Eventually, apprentices are permitted to take on
minor jobs. This is mostly the kind of work that the
master would not want but which form a substantial
part of the regular income—soap making for
alchemists, children’s clothes for tailors, nails for
blacksmiths, and so on. Those who prove themselves
most able are given more demanding tasks to be
undertaken with the supervision of their master.
Eventually, the apprentice is encouraged to take on
small commissions of his own.
It is at this stage that most trades mark a significant
transition in the status of the apprentice. Only learning
Eh? What the—? Oh, I see… Look here, son. You
don’t wanna do it like that. Give me. Now, watch.
You wanna do it like this...
—A well-meaning stranger demonstrates to a young rascal how
to unpick a lock on the back of a merchant’s wagon
to repeat what your own master knows is a recipe for
stagnation. To counter this, apprentices are sent out
as journeymen either to a master based elsewhere
or sometimes to find their own way in the world.
Typically journeymen are dispatched for a set period
after which they are expected to return to their master
to share with him what they have learned in their
travels. During this time, they must wear the livery or
badge of their master prominently on their clothes
and carry with them a Letter of License permitting
them to employ their trade under their master’s
name. Naturally, a master will wait to grant a Letter
of License to his apprentice until he is confident of
his apprentice’s skill—poor workmanship or behavior
on the part of the journeyman will bring shame to his
master, and others within the profession will shun both
journeyman and master.
Upon the journeyman’s return, his work and
skill are assessed. Using funds from his labors, the
journeyman produces a “master work” (literally, a
masterwork item of the trade he follows). If this is
judged to be of high enough quality by the master
or another appointed assessor, the journeyman is
certified as a master and given license to trade.
Journeymen often get distracted in their travels,
and many fail to return—some because they find an
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