THE
DWARVEN
EMPLOYMENT |
The Thergerim are a very organized society, who have specific occupations within their communal clan or cavern; the occupations are divided by sex and sometimes age or experience, so that each person knows his or her place in the community from a fairly early age. One of the main reasons for this gender segregation of various jobs is, of course, cultural. But another, more powerful reason is actually biological. Both genders of dwarves, as we've noted before, appear very similar (secondary sexual characteristics such as musculature, facial hair, and so on, are in evidence for both male and female). However, primary sexual distinctions are more distinctive, because of vastly varying differences in Thergerim hormonal levels.
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These hormonal differences mean that the females are (like
humans, to some
extent) more "nurturing", have greater manual dexterity, better linguistic and
verbal skills, (compared to male dwarves, but not to
humans!) and are able to
"multi-task". They also have a stronger psychic and empathic ability, when such
abilities are present. Males, however, have greater endurance, lower oxygen
consumption (a plus when working underground), claustrophilia, and more highly
developed spatial relationships. Neither gender is particularly aggressive but
either may have strong leadership and organizational abilities, and what passes
for "people skills" with
dwarves.
Since dwarven science is not greatly advanced, the way they put this is, "Man's
blood, man's life, man's work - Woman's blood, woman's life, woman's work."
We must reiterate that among dwarves there is none of this
"human" tendency
to rank or structure work within a status hierarchy - everyone does his or her
job to the best of his or her ability, and contributes to the community. It
is assumed that their contribution entitles them to all the benefits of the
community, such as food, shelter, clothing, tools, and resources, without weighing
the amount or merit of the contribution. Since dwarves also remain relatively
vigourous and physically active well into their aged years there is always
something to do and someone who can do it.
Occupations
List.
In the list below we've accumulated the most common dwarven professions (sorted
aphabetically):
Brewmistress
Stores, mashes, ferments, and brews various beverages, alcoholic
or otherwise. Works closely with the Foodmakers and Farmtenders. Older female
with experience.
Denirim
(the "priest" of the community)
Usually one per community, with a
number of apprentices. Either gender. Responsible for instructing the children,
counselling the adolescents, teaching the adults, and supervising the production
of new copies of the holy book "Trumesdrummerons",
(Trumesdrummerons,
"RockTales").
Also present at any beginning or ending ceremonies (births, deaths, new shaft
openings, weddings, and so on.
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Farmtender
Plants, tends, and harvests crops. Responsible for gathering seeds
and storing tubers, culturing moss growths in appropriate places, pruning back
cave vegetation, providing a consistent water supply to crops and
Thergerim,
and controlling small above-ground plantations of photo-sensitive chlorophyll-based
plants. Female, any age or experience.
Gem-Dowser
Dwarves who have perfect pitch
are chosen and trained from an early age to tune their resonances to such a
focused degree that they are able to make certain types of crystalline structure
reverberate within the rock around them. By alternately singing or humming a
single note, and then "tuning" that note slightly flat or sharp, they can
"search" for a particular gem type up to three or four and a half
peds away through solid
rock. The effective range
varies with the type of rock - oddly enough, hard stone such as granite increases
the range, while soft porous rock such as limestone tends to decrease it, possibly
by absorbing or otherwise altering the vibrations.
Healer
Uses herbs, potions, food, psychology, and some limited empathic magic
to cure and heal physical and spiritual injuries. Either gender.
Hunter
Goes above ground to find larger animals, or roams the uninhabited
caverns in search of rock-game, as it is called. Skilled in use of various weapons,
can make and set traps, read sign, and navigate above ground. Usually female.
Leader
Elected by common consensus, although often from a popular family within
the clan. Makes decisions aided by his/her council members and supported by
consensus voting of all adult dwarves. Either gender.
Mage
Works with tools, items, spell components, reagents, and other physical
material to create magic and change his/her environment. Requires excellent
memory and concentration skills. Often low in emotional expression or solitary.
Either gender.
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Sender
Skilled in sending and receiving several levels of drummed code. Usually
male.
Singspeaker
Interprets bats' radar messages, trains them to send messages.
Can repair and sometimes rebuild the complex Brownie machines which are used
in the training. Infrequently develops the skill to "hear" the radar blips
and translate directly, without the machine. Depends on innate ability, usually
a male trained from an early age.
Smith
Males who refine ores into metals, and forge the metals into items,
artifacts, and utensils for daily life. Often cast small and large simple machine
parts to Brownie or human specifications (based on wood carvings or clay molds).
Some smiths focus on weaponry and tools, while other create jewelry and artworks.
The younger smiths begin with pickheads and shovel blades - skilled smiths can
work metal into woven necklaces or intricate mail shirts.
Teacher
Cares for and instructs children, from weaning to apprenticeship (age
may vary). Teaches runecarving, runereading, and basic tallying, as well as
social mores and manners. Female, usually pre-mating or aged.
Weavewender
Works in conjunction with the Farmtenders to harvest
rockmoss,
a type of heavily silicate growth which can be prepared and spun into a thin,
strong fiber. Weaves rockwool, as it is then known, into the fabric mainly worn
by dwarves. Usually older females with some experience.
Woodsmith
Cuts, stores, seasons, and prepares lumber. Designs and builds any
furniture not carved from stone, and small utensils, bowls, and decorative items.
Usually female.
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