Delver
Though they may go by different names in various parts of the world, the Delver occupation is commonplace in most communities ranging from cities to small settlements as long as that community is near ruins. Delvers specialize in safely entering and navigating through ancient ruins. What sets Delvers apart from Adventurers is that they are typically experts in a specific ruins, set of ruins, or type of ruin, offering their expertise to Adventurers and Treasure Hunters that are willing to pay to be guided by someone already familiar with the ruins. In many cases, Delvers are former Adventurers that settled down near a particular ruins, sometimes by choice and sometimes due to an injury that prevented them from continuing to adventure.
Career
Qualifications
Some formal delving organizations have been formed in the few pockets of civilization on Aroka, but most Delvers are independent and offer their services to whoever will pay them.
Career Progression
Most Delvers are experienced Adventurers that transitioned to being Delvers. In larger communities or in areas where formal Delver guilds exist, there are apprentice Delvers that will learn from more experienced ones, eventually making a name for themselves by developing a new means or method of delving.
Payment & Reimbursement
Payment usually depends on what treasure is believe to reside within the ruins in question. If there is believed to be a significant store of treasure, Delvers will usually agree to a share of the profits from the expedition. If a ruin is believed to not hold any treasure, Delvers may require more traditional payment.
Other Benefits
Gaining the experience to become a Delver is the riskiest part of the business. Once that expertise is gained, Delvers will usually stick to ruins they are familiar with, significantly reducing the risk of accident or mishap.
Perception
Purpose
The main purpose of Delvers is to guide Adventurers, Hunters and Treasurers through ancient ruins. This entails preventing the group from getting lost, avoiding hazards and traps, and teaching them how to deal with any hostile creatures encountered within.
Social Status
Unless a society has a disposition against ruins and their exploration, Delvers are typically well-regarded.
Demographics
Smaller and more nimble ancestries are more common than larger ones among Delvers as they can more easily navigate tight spaces.
History
While individuals have been exploring ruins for as long as they have been around, it wasn't until communities began to form early in the Age of Reclamation that individuals began to stick to a single ruin or set of ruins and offer their services to others.
Operations
Tools
Delvers will carry Equipment similar to what would be expected of any other Adventurer except that their gear will often be tailored to their particular ruin as they already know exactly what tools will be necessary to navigate it.
Dangers & Hazards
Once an individual has gained the expertise of a Delver, the most dangerous part of the job is the group they are guiding, whether it be from not following directions, taking unnecessary risks, or backstabbing the Delver to avoid having to pay them for their services.
Demand
For Adventurers with the means to pay, Delvers can make exploring ruins significantly easier and safer.
Legality
Most Delver guilds will have some sort of legal contract for those requesting their services, but this is not common outside of the guilds as there aren't any governments or legislative bodies to enforce them outside of the major cities. Even moderate settlements that may wish to ensure their local Delvers are protected may be unable or unwilling to try and hold Adventures that break their accountable as they are often well-equipped and well-trained.
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