Cunning folk

There are no official qualifications for this job, though it does take a certain kind of personality to perform the role. The current incumbent of the role will often look for the following traits in their apprentice/s: Patience, a strong will, natural affinity, a fast wit.

Taken on as an apprentice by the current cunning person. For their first year of training they are on a probation, during this time they will be tested to see if they are suitable for the role, but it also gives them a chance to decide if the role is for them.   If after the first year both apprentice and mentor are happy, then the apprenticeship becomes official, and the real training begins. This can take any number of years depending on the student and also the mentor's teaching abilities.   It progresses through two stages. First stage of training the student must always be accompanied by their mentor during dealings with the "other folk" . Once the mentor believes their apprentice has reached a sufficient level of proficiency and knowledge, they will be allowed to undertake dealings on their own, but any major agreements must be done under supervision or by the mentor themselves.   Eventually there will come a point at which the apprentice is an apprentice no more, though this takes many years usually, and they are capable of performing the role themselves. At this point the mentor may retire if they choose to do so, and most do, although there have been rare cases where the mentor has stayed on for a few years.

Some of the services provided by the Cunning folk are done for free as they benefit the town as a whole and to help to keep it and its citizens safe. These include the crop rituals, the deals that enhance certain tree groves, and helps with wall protections.   However individual services are performed for a fee, although that fee is not always monetary. Sometimes they will barter with goods, or services in return, which the cunning folk are usually happy to accept.   They also sell charms and amulets which offer various protections against minor malevolent spirits and charm effects. They can also craft special amulets for specific cases if deemed necessary.