Watcher of the Long Night
A shamanistic or priestly role found in almost all unassimilated goblin tribes throughout the world, the Watcher of the Long Night, or Holkit-Ga-Nyk in Goblin, is rank usually held by retired hunters or warriors. Observers of omens in weather, stars and nighttime animals, they take their name from the most important night in fortune, the winter solstice. Tradition demands that a watcher head as far north or as far south as their tribes claimed territory can take them, and to sit in the dark watching the sky all until first light.
Career
Qualifications
Like any position in a goblin tribe, the only real qualification for a role is that you seem like you'd be good at it. In practice though, Watcher's of the long night attract the older foragers and hunters of the tribe, those used to keeping eyes peeled for strange sights and sounds, and able to read meaning into the movements of nature. The mysticism and true omens isn't taught and many claim (including some watchers themselves) that there is no magic in it at all. The often uncanny accuracy of a watcher's prediction seems to suggest otherwise.
Payment & Reimbursement
Watchers are supported by the tribe or by whatever group they happen to live with, and are given better cuts of meat and forage. It is typical for someone who has heard a watcher's predictions, or who has asked for their advice to give them a gift of some sort. Those setting out for travel typically gift a watcher something valuable before they depart, and something upon their return. Watchers are often the recipients of mail or postcards from tribemembers who have travelled to more "civilised" places, and take delight in reading them to the assembled tribe with as much aplomb as their most serious fortunetellings.
Other Benefits
A tribe of goblins usually furnishes their watcher with a home to themselves, usually a little isolated and cluttured with trinkets from the previous inhabitant. They are usually treated with respect, unless their advice is contrary to that of members of theChurch of the Conqueror God, or directly in conflict with that of the tribes leaders. If such disagreements persist, a watcher of the long night can end up shunned or even outcast, but their position cannot be revoked.
Perception
Purpose
As fortunetellers, omen seekers and sages, watchers exist as advisors to whatever population they look after, from chiefs warrior and priests to the builders, children and even slaves are their potential clients. Watchers don't really have any obligation to help those that come to them, but there are no rules that say even the lowest members of the tribe can't ask to be heard. Their advice is typically a combination of mysticism, experience and their own knowledge of the world around them.
Alternative Names
Holkit-Ga-Nyk, Nightwatcher, Cold-Eyes
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