Journeyman Life

To hold the rank of Journeyman means that the harper is capable at his/her craft and is mature enough intellectually and emotionally to be a responsible teacher and/or diplomat. As such, a journeyman may follow any of a number of courses.

Teaching a hold's children is one of a harper's primary skills, and is a common job for a harper to seek. Lessons are taught every day save on restdays, and encompass the entire education of the children until such time as they seek apprenticeships or jobs of their own. A journeyman in such a position is always on the lookout for potential harpers, and will often take in an apprentice or two, who may eventually be sponsored to the Harper Hall by that journeyman.

Another suitable job for a talented harper is that of assisting a Holder in various diplomatic, legal, or secretarial tasks. A harper may mend rifts between a Holder and his or her allies, or may keep records of various sorts, or may help plan a strategy for the betterment of the Hold. Many positions are also found within various crafthalls, or in the weyrs, either teaching, serving as archivists, artists, recorders and designers. Some journeymen will remain at their own crafthall, helping as assistant teachers while they continue their own studies.

A journeyman has a considerable amount of freedom, equal to that of any adult. They will find jobs for themselves, bargain for their salary and lodgings, they may perform legal and binding ceremonies, may act as witnesses and may be called upon to resolve disputes. They are, of course, free to travel and associate as they wish, and are responsible for their own actions.

Journeymen are expected to relay matters of import back to the Masterharper or to their local senior Harper, and are under the authority of the Harpercraft rather than the authority of their Holder or employer.

Harper Life and Craft Policy