Tinker
Irish Traveller
Though leading a similar nomadic lifestyle to the Romany gypsies the Tinkers, or Irish Travellers, are an un-related ethnic group. The Tinkers are small family groups who travel the length and breadth of Ireland (as well as much of England, Scotland and Wales) in horse-drawn carts.
The origin of the Tinkers lies back into the 12th century; however, as they have no written history, it is unclear what activities they undertook during their early nomadic wanderings. In the 1920s the Tinkers are known for mending pots, pans and cutlery (tinsmithing which is where they got their name) as well as taking dead or old horses for slaughter, known as knackering. The Tinkers also breed dogs, notably greyhounds and lurchers and trade in horses.
They have a deep interest in gambling and are known for organising dog fighting, hare coursing and boxing matches for their own entertainment. The Tinkers are excellent riders and have a long history of producing bare-knuckle boxing champions. Music is very important to the Tinkers and most are consummate players of traditional Irish musical instruments (such as fiddle, accordion, tin whistle and bodhrán (Bore-on). There are also many Seanchaí (Shan-a-he) within their ranks.
The Tinkers are apart from the political upheavals of the time and though most Tinkers are devoutly Roman Catholic and have nationalist leanings, the nomadic lifestyle means that borders and governance have little significance to them. The Tinkers are an embedded part of Irish society who undertake a valuable service to the community and as such are not treated with the same level of prejudice they receive today.
The Tinkers have their own language: The Cant or Gammon (known as Shelta by linguists). In their own language they refer to themselves as Mincéir or Pavees, while in Irish they are referred to as Na Lucht Siúil (Nah Lock-t Shoe-el): literally ‘the walking people’.
The Tinkers tend to have greater knowledge of Folklore (Occult) and Mythos than other occupations and will start with a base Folklore (Occult) rating of 20 percentiles and Cthulhu Mythos of 5 percentiles. Some Tinkers may have struck up a relationship with the Faerie Folk and other supernatural creatures. Due to this they are often sought out by Folklorists who seek any forbidden knowledge they may hold.
During the Irish famine of the 1840s a small number of Tinkers settled in America and by the 1920s the descendants of these immigrants were living out their nomadic existence along the eastern seaboard, with the largest populations in South Carolina and Texas.
Occupation Skill points: EDU x 2 + DEX x 2
Credit Rating: 0–20
Suggested Contacts: Fairie Folk, Folklorists, Fairie doctors, sport promotors (particularly related to horse racing, hare coursing, dog fighting and boxing), low-level criminals.
Skills: Art and Craft, Astronomy (Science), Botany (Science), Fighting (Brawl), Fast Talk, First Aid, History, Locksmith, Natural World, Navigate, Folklore (Occult, +20 percentiles to base) Ride, Stealth, Track.
Special: Own language The Cant.
The origin of the Tinkers lies back into the 12th century; however, as they have no written history, it is unclear what activities they undertook during their early nomadic wanderings. In the 1920s the Tinkers are known for mending pots, pans and cutlery (tinsmithing which is where they got their name) as well as taking dead or old horses for slaughter, known as knackering. The Tinkers also breed dogs, notably greyhounds and lurchers and trade in horses.
They have a deep interest in gambling and are known for organising dog fighting, hare coursing and boxing matches for their own entertainment. The Tinkers are excellent riders and have a long history of producing bare-knuckle boxing champions. Music is very important to the Tinkers and most are consummate players of traditional Irish musical instruments (such as fiddle, accordion, tin whistle and bodhrán (Bore-on). There are also many Seanchaí (Shan-a-he) within their ranks.
The Tinkers are apart from the political upheavals of the time and though most Tinkers are devoutly Roman Catholic and have nationalist leanings, the nomadic lifestyle means that borders and governance have little significance to them. The Tinkers are an embedded part of Irish society who undertake a valuable service to the community and as such are not treated with the same level of prejudice they receive today.
The Tinkers have their own language: The Cant or Gammon (known as Shelta by linguists). In their own language they refer to themselves as Mincéir or Pavees, while in Irish they are referred to as Na Lucht Siúil (Nah Lock-t Shoe-el): literally ‘the walking people’.
The Tinkers tend to have greater knowledge of Folklore (Occult) and Mythos than other occupations and will start with a base Folklore (Occult) rating of 20 percentiles and Cthulhu Mythos of 5 percentiles. Some Tinkers may have struck up a relationship with the Faerie Folk and other supernatural creatures. Due to this they are often sought out by Folklorists who seek any forbidden knowledge they may hold.
During the Irish famine of the 1840s a small number of Tinkers settled in America and by the 1920s the descendants of these immigrants were living out their nomadic existence along the eastern seaboard, with the largest populations in South Carolina and Texas.
Occupation Skill points: EDU x 2 + DEX x 2
Credit Rating: 0–20
Suggested Contacts: Fairie Folk, Folklorists, Fairie doctors, sport promotors (particularly related to horse racing, hare coursing, dog fighting and boxing), low-level criminals.
Skills: Art and Craft, Astronomy (Science), Botany (Science), Fighting (Brawl), Fast Talk, First Aid, History, Locksmith, Natural World, Navigate, Folklore (Occult, +20 percentiles to base) Ride, Stealth, Track.
Special: Own language The Cant.
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