Realmwalkers

In order to be a full-fledged Realmwalker, one needs to have some degree of magical ability and spend several years as an apprentice to another Realmwalker. While there is no body that governs who can become a Realmwalker or that tests potential Realmwalkers, it is commonly understood that no one would be able to move between realms at will without mastering the magic involved. Anyone looking to become a Realmwalker will be tested by an experienced Realmwalker before being accepted into an apprenticeship.

Those who believe they have the power to become Realmwalkers must first begin as apprentices to experienced Realmwalkers, who periodically put out notices about looking for apprentices to train. The length of an apprenticeship varies, but begins with the potential apprentice being tested for magical ability and ends with their first solo venture to and then from another realm.

Realmwalkers often offer their services to professional institutions, wealthy patrons, and governments. The most dependable and consistent clients include the Skywatcher Institute and Realm Ventures. These jobs have the potential for significant income, especially considering the risk that traveling between realms carries, even for an experienced Realmwalker. Each Realmwalker sets their own prices for the work they do, which typically includes extensive note-taking, retrieving samples or items, and in-realm experiments or investigations.

Most Realmwalkers are considered to be something akin to legends or heroes, depending on their known activities. Some fear them or are at least wary of them because of their rare powers. A small number fear them for their interactions with the beings in other realms.

Realmwalkers are fairly rare, with only a few hundred fully-trained individuals believed to be making their homes in Avarha at any one time. They come from all walks of life and all corners of Avarha.

In order to move between realms, Realmwalkers need an understanding of the easiest places and times to cross between realms, as well as a magical ability strong enough to power the movement. They also need to have an item from the realm they wish to travel to. This is why Realmwalkers typically carry trinkets, stones, or dried plants from various realms on their person at all times, using each one as a magical focus when needed. They also tend not to carry Core Anchors, unless they need to be certain they remain on Avarha during a Realm Conjunction for any reason.

Realmwalkers often hire themselves to institutions or patrons looking to do research in other realms. They are able to bring back notes and some objects to help in these studies. They have also been known to visit realms in search of Plucking victims following the various Realm Conjunctions. They often do this for local governments or communities, or for the Skywatcher Institute. Realmwalkers have also been known to apply themselves as thieves by stealing artifacts from other realms that extremely wealthy collectors pay highly for.

Realmwalkers face numerous hazards in their profession, including the natural threat posed by unknown weather, wildlife, plants, and terrain. They also may not know the local languages in order to communicate with other cultures, which can lead to dangerous misunderstandings. All realms also have different combinations of political and social factors among cultures that could pose serious dangers to Realmwalkers. Plus, if not done perfectly each time, the spells used to move between realms can cause physical or mental harm.