Believe it or not, assassins do not have to be immoral. To be an 'assassin' instead of a 'mercenary', a character commits themselves solely to the art of killing, rather than war-mongering or thievery. Their actions may lead to additional complications to this effect, but it is not their aim. Their purpose is death and death only. How their clients then use that death is not their business. Assassins usually have complete autonomy over their choice of work and global freedom to travel as they will, unless they are a 'pet' assassin kept in check by a powerful family / individual. Given an assassin's skills, this is rare and would require serious loyalty or forced blackmail etc. An assassin can see themselves as justful retribution, only killing those they see as immoral. Alternatively, they can work for the money only and care nothing for who meets their blade. They will usually be skilled in multiple ways to kill: blades, strangulation, suffocation, poison or orchestrating 'accidents'. They are unlikely to brew poison or form their weapons themselves so will have contacts in the smithing and poultice-making world. They could be of either biological sex and any age, though the trials of accessing private homes or hidden areas may make a younger / fitter assassin more effective. Then again, there's no substitute for the wisdom of experience...

In an era when male appearance is often as thought upon as female, hair care is an important role. This might be a specialist who cuts and curls the hair of young maidens. They may tend to the hair and beards of holy men. They may be consulted on how to grow more hair in communities where hair is linked to machismo. Or, they might be skilled at removing body and head hair in preparation for their client wearing the fashionable wigs of the time. They may be a communal barber, working for a low wage in bath houses, or they could be a highly sought artisan of the body and be kept in good comfort by a nobleman. They might work in the military, helping the men maintain their facial hair, or serve in the courts or temples where traditional management of hair is part of their protocol. In short, barbers can be found everywhere. They are usually, though not always, male and can be of any age or background. As this is a serving role, it is unlikely that someone born to noble blood would become a barber, unless it was a role such as personal barber to the king (yet, why would a nobleman even begin in such a career in the first place...?) Some food for thought...

Whilst a stray or beggar might appear a boring / restricted role, it can be versatile and liberating for the right character. Tied to neither home nor person, a beggar is entirely geographically-mobile, provided they have the smarts to stowaway on the right ship or con a traveller into allowing them passage. They are generally ignored or thought to be worthy of nothing so they are under- estimated, giving opportunity to pick-pocketing or information gathering. There is never a reason why a begger cannot be in a particular public (or sometimes private) place at a particular time, meaning there are fewer restrictions for these characters becoming involved in new plots in random places. Beggars come in all forms of sex, ethnicity, age and nationality. Depending on the land, they may be seen as scorned by the Gods and considered dirty or cursed. Alternatively, they could be seen as living a life of penance or purity, like a holy hermit. This role may be constantly shunned IC but with the right manipulation has a huge number of opportunities for play.

Working with metal, blacksmiths can focus on a number of tasks: straight metal work like hinges, bolts, keys and buckles; the cladding of horse shoes or bolts for chariot wheels; the manipulation of gold and silver; the forging of weapons, etc. Whilst women are not entirely cut off from this line of work they are far less likely to be a part of smithing than they are crafting or carpentry. Smithing is hard work, involving heat, billows, coal, wood, large metal machines and the hammering of metal into shape. These are not tasks suited to a woman of this era. To create a female blacksmith is to buck many trends of the time and should be considered carefully. For men, this work is hard but well-respected. However, forging a failing chair is not so dangerous as a failing sword and producing a single error / mistake like a product that leads to a nobleman's death will put you out of business very quickly. Smithing is dirty work so characters in this role will likely remain within the lower classes and their own social circles. This being said, they are more likely to interact with men of higher standing if they are contracted for military work. Using our Character Compendium, you can search for militant characters if interested in this role and its connection to conflict.

A carpenter works specifically with wood but this does not limit their skills. They might build furniture, beads, the bottom of sandals, furniture, picture frames, looms, chariots, wagon wheels or the wooden body of shields or shafts of lances. They might focus on practical creations or decorative ones. Most expert carpenters are men as boys are more often taken on as apprentices than women, plus with large carpentry work, strength is an asset. But this by no means dissuades carpenters from teaching their daughters or nieces, especially if they have no sons. Like with traders, women may find a few glass ceilings in this profession but there are ways of avoiding it, such as hiding their biological sex, operating through a husband, brother or father or simply being too exceptional a worker to be ignored. A wealthy benefactor can also help with this, if they are particularly bowled over by a carpenter's expertise. Consider other areas this occupation may impact upon a woman. Carpentry is hard on the hands, turns skin rough and muscles strong. A young woman might have few marital offers if she appears hard and rough from long hours at the workshop. This could cause animosity or issue with her own family and the ability to have future generations. For men, these considerations are not so prevalent. Characters in this role will be open to economic, financial and potentially international plotlines. They may also have access to royal or noble homes if needing to measure for fitting furniture, etc. Check our Lands Overview for basic information on each land's economy and trade resources (such as timber).

From personal chefs in the royal and noble palaces of the lands to a street vender serving steamed potatoes, cooks and chefs keep the world fed. They might be geographically-mobile if they are wandering salesmen or take their traditional food to other lands. Or, if they work within a particular home or government building, they could be restrained to their own city. They can be of either biological sex and any age and will have strong connections with traders of foodstock, herbs and equipment. They can also be hired for one-off events if a particular noble lady wishes to have foods from abroad served at her banquet or there's a festival in town.

Crafters are like traders but actually get their hands dirty. A trader might deal in the goods made by crafters, or a crafter may sell them onwards themselves. Crafters might include: seam- stresses, those that adorn clothes with jewels and additional pieces of gold work; jewellery makers (bracelets, armbands, hair pieces, silver beads to be used in beards or toe rings, etc.); leather workers for things like belts and bridles, or those that take the straps and work them into shoes; potters and workers of china and ceramic. If you can make it, you're a crafter. Most expert crafters are men as boys are more often taken on as apprentices than women but this by no means disuades crafters from teaching their daughters or nieces, especially if they have no sons. Like with traders, women may find a few glass ceilings in this profession but there are ways of avoiding it such as hiding their biological sex, operating through a husband, brother or father or simply being too exceptional a crafter to be ignored. A wealthy benefactor can also help with this, if they are particularly bowled over by a crafter's expertise. Characters in this role will be open to economic, financial and potentially international plotlines. They may also have access to royal / noble homes if respected enough. Check our Lands Overview for basic information on each land's economy and trade resources.

Similar to artisans, entertainers could be the children of the noble (or even far-reaching royal) households if the skill in question is considered 'fine'. Women in particular, from noble houses, might be applauded for learning a skill like dancing or music to the standard where she can actually be paid for it. Other entertainments like juggling, tomfoolery or story-telling are generally considered to be of lower status. The skill, therefore, affects those most likely to learn it. Entertainers, depending on their level of ability, could be used in festivals, could perform on street corners of coins or be invited as primary entertainment at formal, courtly functions. The style of entertainer affects the kinds of social shoulders they will rub up against.

Factions are groups that operate outside the law of a land or simply disregard it entirely. They could be anarchists, radicals or full-on cults. They might be bands of thieves or assassins. An original character can join any of our current factions, or you can create a new faction of your own. Our World Contribution page lists all the information you need to get one up and running.

Any character across the entire known world can be a member of the Maritime Guild. The Guild is a registry of every man or woman who is permitted to sail under trade or combat purposes. It lists official sailors, captains and individuals who are permitted to commission ships (such as prominent noblemen). Everyone listed with the Maritime Guild may be able to sail themselves. Every vessel sailing in the waters of Aeipathy must carry a commissioner or captain registered with the Maritime Guild. Those who are not are considered pirates. The Maritime Guild employs officials to track down said pirates and patrol the waters.

We have several Orders and Factions on Aeipaty and any character, original or canon alike, can be or become a member. All ranks held within our different orders and factions are listed in this page as separate results. However, you can also check out our Factions and Orders page for more information on each group to see if you want your original character to be a part of one. Alternatively, visit our World Contribution page to learn more about how to create your own Order or Faction in which your character can be a member or leader.

An unskilled labourer could be a slave or a free man. They might work in mines, digging for ore, minerals or gold. They might work to keep the streets clean, deck out public places when festivals are due, or work under a manager to build or carve new homes. They might log timber to build roofs and floors, carve houses from stone, or replace broken street tiles. Labourers are usually men but can also be women, depending on the task and the strength required. This might seem like a boring role, but any character of any class could have a broken floor mosaic or need a well in the town square fixed. A labourer, assigned to a dozen different places a month, has extreme social versatility when it comes to introducing themselves into threads and plots, even if they might be travel-limited to their own land. Alternatively, an architect or designer might have a permanent team of builders and labourers and take them with him when he goes to visit clients abroad, so travel is not impossible. As this is a service / physical role, no noble-born character would be seen taking on this kind of work, so all labourers would be common- born.

Mercenaries are not specifically thieves nor assassins. It is important to note that mercenaries are simply able-bodied individuals (usually with high skills in combat and subterfuge) who are happy to complete any task for money. It is not the task itself that identifies a mercenary but their ideology that money wins out in the end. They might be hired to kill, to steal, to seduce, to inspect / spy, to entrap, to blackmail, to abduct... whatever is useful to their client. They may complete these tasks themselves or sub-contract out to a professional in a particular area, such as to an assassin when an ordered death is beyond their skill set or more likely to be clean when done by a professional in that field. At the end of the day, mercenaries are just in it for the paycheck. This could come from a lack of morals, a heightened sense of self- preservation, or a genuine belief that this is 'how the world works'. A mercenary doesn't usually have a heart of gold hidden anywhere, but they do not have to be entirely soulless.

From the young boy who runs through shouting the latest news to private messengers tasked with secret information between kings, a messenger can come from any walk of life and be of either biological sex. A female prostitute, for example, could be a messenger just as much as the youngest daughter of a noble household could - it just depends who you are trying to get your message to. This role would put a character slap bang in the middle of political or personal drama, making them vulnerable to abduction if someone wants the information they've been charged with keeping. It would bring a character into proximity with every class of character in any sector. Messengers who relay instructions in the military must be male.

Playing the role of infidelity opens doors to political, familial and romantic drama. Whether your character is the fixation of someone else's attention and can't help but fall in love, or a deliberate manipulator seeking a place in the heart of a powerful individual, you can play this either way. The plot could be to gain power, money or favour. Or it can simply be a game of hearts, trying to win your soul mate away from their betrothed/spouse. Check our Character Census for characters of power who are already married. Read up on their plots and character profile to see if they're someone who might be interested in exploring an extra-marital arrangement. Alternatively, check unmarried women of the upper classes. Arranged marriages are common tools in their lives, so a romance cut short by an unwanted engagement could set the stage for playing mister / mistress to someone else's future spouse. Extra-marital affairs can be sparked anywhere there's chemistry, no matter someone's birth, upbringing or moral character.

Some lands might call them healers and others curies, while some communities might have Shamans who double as the poultice-maker and herbalist for their tribal group. A poulticier or healer might work with medicinal herbs, forming tonics, brews, powders and ointments that ease the suffering of others. They might also be poisoners, deliberately making the same items in a manner that will deal harm. Usually healers and poisoners are aware of both forms (e.g. small doses of certain poisons can actually be healing to the body), so it is usually down to a characters morals or financial concerns that decide whether they tread the path of medicine or that of poison. Some may switch between the two depending on what a client wants or is willing to pay. Healers, when used for good means, usually treat the lower classes or those who believe physicians to be heretics. Poisoners, on the other hand, are useful at all levels of society and may rub shoulders with any number of upper class members. Poultice-makers can reasonably be of either biological sex and any age, ethnicity or nationality. Their only barrier is the prejudices of the land they are in. E.g. a man from a more xenophobic land may not be happy with a 'foreigner' healer treating his ill wife. But these are specific to the context, not the character.

Servants within households are usually reserved for the wealthy, especially if their lands permit the keeping of slaves as these are cheaper and more likely to be owned by poorer families than servants. Servants are skilled, paid labourers within domestic homes. They are always well- presented and are an expression of the family they follow. They may live within servants quarters if the family is royal and rich enough to accommodate their serving staff. More commonly, they live outside their place of work, in their own homes and arrive for work each morning. This is a good occupation for a character who wants social mobility (as a servant may be permitted into Court etc. with a message or task) but not geographic-freedom, as servants cannot journey abroad / away without losing their job. Chances of travel are slight if a family member is fond of a servant and wishes to have them accompany them on a journey. This role would be in a good position for court politics, gossip and/or general familial drama. Servants can be employed in large numbers (upwards of hundreds) by rich families or small numbers (down to one or two) by the less wealthy. The higher their family's authority the more involved they will likely be in global plotlines.

Being captain of a ship opens a lot of doors. Your character's vessel could carry soldiers to battle, goods or slaves across the sea, postal messages between lands, or fish and mine the maritime world for resources. A ship captain can be highly mobile and geographically free but is unlikely to be a woman unless in Ostjord where this is acceptable. Please note that Assyria is a landlocked kingdom so being an international ship captain there is unlikely. Babylonia is flush with rivers they consider to be holy. A ship captain in Babylonia is a high authority, even if they cannot make wave out into the ocean.

A professional spy / informant can earn well with the right benefactor or client. Someone who trades in information might do so legitimately, working under an official political position like the Master Informer (Hellas) or Overseer of Secrets (K'm't) or they could use their information for their own benefit instead of their nations, selling to the highest bidder. They may work for a particular family / individual long-term, or every new piece of information may be a product they then pitch to multiple interested parties. An informant can be of either biological sex, any age and any nationality or ethnicity. They do, however, have to be aware of prejudices within the lands they work. For example, a spy of K'm't origin is unlikely to be trusted, or their information wanted, by a Phoenician. Or there may be lands in which a woman is considered tricksome and therefore their information highly valued as intimately gained or disregarded as false. Choose your land and clients carefully. This role allows a character to be wholly mobile on a general level but have their own restrictions. Sensitive information does not fall from the sky: an informant has to be willing to play a servant, a slave, a guest or visitor to those they wish to eavesdrop on. Appearing and disappearing on a regular basis is more than a little suspicious so dedication to one'scon may limit travel or connections on a temporary basis.

Similar to a money handler / lender, a tax collector needs to be literate, probably male and skilled at extracting money from those who don't wish to part with it. However, they operate using money from the treasuries of the land, not their own pocket. They are a governmental agent who is simply employed to carry out the necessary collections or threats so that money is funnelled back into the royal holds. As this job can be dangerous and requires the ability to read and write, it is almost always carried out by men. Literacy is a skill of the educated but the role is one of low-brow service and administration to the government, so this would be a role for children of very low-end nobles or, more usually, common folk that could afford to teach their child to read. Whilst these characters are geographically-static and must stay within their land of employ, they are socially mobile. Everyone, after all, must pay their taxes and a tax collector is likely to see much as he travels from home to home...

Any character could be the occasional pickpocket or pilferer. When we say someone is a thief, we mean on a professional level. Heists, private jackings and the stealing of priceless goods from political enemies or international buildings are all within the realm of possibility for a pro. Thieves might also band together to form Factions of criminals who work together in larger groups. A thief often takes pride in what they do as it takes great skill to lighten someone of their possessions but also to remain hidden after the fact. A thief might operate in a cloak and dagger manner or could dress in finery and attend events in the flesh, making a show of their appearance and distracting marks from their partners' pilfering hands. Generally, someone who is a professional thief will have a code of conduct that stops them sliding into the realms of 'assassin' or 'mercenary'. Thieves can be of any sex or age but are generally born to families who suffer without. This might be a trading or noble family who have fallen on hard times but more often these characters will be common born and stealing that which they do not have the ability to gain honesty due to class or prejudice divide.

A trader in this era usually focusses on a single specialty: cloth, leather, horses, livestock, fruit, vegetables, grains and cereals, oils, coal, timber, metal, jewels, gold, silver, bronze, currency... etc. A character in these trades can be either biological sex though difficulties may arise for women in certain roles. Horses or metal, for example, may be traded goods that clients expect to be shipped and handled by men. A woman trader may find these industries harder than in fine cloth and silks, for example. That being said, women can find workarounds: they might operate as the true brains behind a figurehead in the form of a husband, father or brother; they might disguise their sex by operating by letter and through servants; they may simply have achieved so much in their industry over decades of effort that their reputation supercedes any prejudice. A trader can be born to any walk of life and operate on a local level or internationally.

Someone who dedicates their life to scholarly pursuit can only do so with a beneficiary. This may be a formal institute like a university or tutor school. Or it could be a rich family or individual who wants to reap the benefits of their learned expertise. The role of scholars also includes teachers or the instructors of others. This role is fairly mobile, unless one is tutoring at a formal institute on a regular basis or drifts too far from their benefactor. It can be claimed by a male or female character (though women are less likely to be permitted in the role of teacher, depending on the prejudices of the land in question) and can be of any age (though a teacher would be expected to be highly skilled in their field and therefore probably older). A scholar is more likely to be literate than the common person so will have had to have the support and education of their own or other peoples's families from a young age.

Some work as traders or sellers but do not necessarily own the stall or store from which they operate. Business owners have the chance of making themselves wealthier as they own property and can use it however they wish. This may be a cloth store or a stall for selling wheat or it could be a tavern, a brothel or other place of service. Business owners are almost always male as they require the trust of the person they purchased the site from. Females usually only fall into owning land through inheritance (please check your land's Inheritance Laws to be sure of how this happens in your character's preferred area). Owners are generally older with more experience, though could be new to the business in some way and therefore younger. They are usually geographically-limited to their place of business but may also trade or work internationally, or have several places of business in different lands if very successful, opening travel doors. Depending on the level of clientele they service, owners of these kinds of places could be privy to the dramas of high society or the action and adventure of the low, depending on the writer's preference. Very wealthy and very successful business owners may even have access to the Court if they have befriended noble clients.

The term doctor is only used in the land of Roma and such men (for they are almost always men) are normally referred to elsewhere as physicians. Physicians are men (very rarely women) who are trained in the scholarly art of science and anatomy. They have been trained and educated, funded in their learning and have walked the careful line between science and religion. They may work internally on the living, prepare and administer medical procedures on the dead (such as mummification or death rites involving organ removal) and they will also work with teeth and dentistry. Some lands herald the physician as an intellect of great skill. Others see them as borderline heretics to the Gods of the land. Certain military-minded communities might see surgery and internal anatomical work as necessary for wounds and injuries. Other cultures see cutting into a body as sacrilege and perverse. Check the World Religion page for an overview on Science vs. Religion for each land. These characters may be wandering specialists but given the poultices, equipment and spaces needed for their work are more likely to be geographically-static, keeping to the land they know and work in. Different lands have different levels of scientific/medicinal understanding so, if this is a role for your character, double-check which land you wish them to be from and read up on their particular pages of the Encyclopaedia. This role opens doors to people from all walks of life but given the money put into training a physician they are more likely to interact with the highest of classes, more than the common peerage.

A scribe or administrator is a hugely important role in the world particularly as so much of the populations across the lands cannot read or write. A scribe may work on a basic level, helping the common folk send letters or messages. They might work for a government or noble state, recording taxes or resource information. They could be the personal aides of powerful men and women, charged with recording their dictations, working journals or correspondence, even if their employer can write themselves. Depending on the level of a scribe's duties, different plots would be open to them at every level of society. Scribes are usually male, given most lands encourage men to be educated and literate before women and they can be of any age or background. A scribe is considered a scholarly profession so there is little shame in the child of a noble house taking this career path.

Professional guards may come from a soldier background or have been trained for private service right from the start. They could be a part of an Order or Faction like the Athenian Guard, or they could be independently paid by families or people who seek particular protection. They may guard a place or an object or be the body guard of a human being. They may be expected to be eunuchs in some lands if they are protecting a woman, they may be expected to work with a particular weapon if they are working in a ceremonial capacity. They may be expected to wear a uniform and make a show of force for their employer, they may be employed as a covert protector, following their charge at a subtle distance. Armsmen are privy to intimate places and information so could be entangled in political or familial drama where people seek to pay them for their knowledge. They are also in the perfect position for stealing or for being framed as a thief. They could be working as a guard for personal gain to access areas or objects they seek, or on a moral level as a protector and guardian. Armsmen are very rarely women and on the extremely rare cases that they are, this is usually because they are being hired to be in close proximity to a woman they are protecting. Generally, armsmen are solely men and will have to convince their employer of total loyalty (whether this is true or not is up to the writer).

A skilled artisan in paint, sculpture, wool or cloth work or other such decorative pieces is similar to a crafter. They are usually higher-brow and employed by only the finest for items that have limited practical use. They tend to produce for the beauty of it, not for the purpose. As such they interact with the highest of individuals and may come from a noble or royal house themselves. They could be male or female and from any land or ethnicity. They could be kept within their own land by a father, partner or benefactor or travel extensively.

Leaders of Heis (the K'm't equivalent of a baron) receive a seat in the K'm't Council. However, other seats are also taken by powerful men of trade, wealth or privilege. These seats are purchased, traded and highly coveted in K'm't. They can be held by either biological sex, though they are far more likely to be held by men than women and usually by those of local ethnicity and nationality. Generally, those able to purchase such seats hold enough power that the only likely course of acquiring it was inheritance, meaning that most h'tys are noble born. Anyone who holds a current seat on the Council but does not have an overriding rank (like Sirdar), is known as a H'tys.

Alongside crafters, those who think outside the box have something to offer the trading world. An inventor of things such as new tools, architectural designs, looking glasses or telescopes might be under the beneficiary of a high born family. Trying to invent gliders or wings that might send Icarus too high is a grand calling that may be connected to a land's military efforts, their scholar institutes or singular families who hope to develop and harbour the latest and greatest minds. Inventors are so outside of the norm that their biological sex matters little unless in a land with extreme prejudice. Another plot to consider with this role is their scientific standing against the world of religion. Be sure to read our World Religion information so that you know the kinds of minds an inventor might be going up against and our Houses Registry to find a noble or royal family potentially interested in funding future advancements (look for the richest and the most academic or militarily minded).

Horses are the lifeblood of many of the lands. Whether as personal transport or to draw carriages, carts or chariots. Dogs are also essential for hunting, household security and general domestic pets. Livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are used for milk, wool and meat. All of these animals must be bred and cared for before they are put to work. Breeders are therefore essential and often have long-term contacts and relationships with trainers (if they do not train the animals themselves) and buyers such as nobility or military groups who buy the necessary animals in bulk. Please note that Babylonia, Phoenicia, Bedoa'mt and Ostjord do not use chariots or cavalry in their militia so are unlikely to purchase large numbers of horses.

Either breeders will sell animals they have had trained by an independent trainer or will train animals like war horses themselves. Alternatively, a buyer may purchase the animal and then seek out a trainer themselves or have one on staff. Trainers focus less on livestock and more on hunting dogs and horses. Equine training could be focused on docility if they are looking to produce a horse able to carry a fine lady or be intended to whip an animal into war-horse standard. Trainers can work with lower classes or they can be at the height of society, working with the animals owned by the very wealthiest. They can be of either biological sex but men are often preferred for horses given their strength when wild. This role would bring a character into close proximity with people of all sectors and walks of life, even perhaps Court if a member of the rich and powerful brings them along. Check our Houses Registry for families that may have interest in training services. If working in bulk, focus on the houses that trade in horse flesh or have strong military connections.

Male leader of a formal religious sect or temple. Ypsilí Hierós (Hellas), Waa'hid Hm'Wieb (K'm't), Summus Sacerdos (Roma), Dingir Entu (Assyria and Babylonia), Mahn'Kohen (Phoenicia), Sankunniyant (Hattusa). A high priest is in charge of those that work within a physical temple. They organise public and private events of worship, handle the servants, slaves and priests/priestesses within the temple. They are the chief authority on that particular temple and perhaps the singular God the temple is devoted to. Some lands only have high priests, refusing to let women rise to this level. Some require priests to be chaste or eunuchs. Please check the World Religion page to see where your character idea might best fit. Most temple locations on the site are open to having a high priest original character. You can find a list of these temples in our World Religion page. This role is likely to be given to a character of later years and large experience, or to a young character if they are believed to be particularly holy, an oracle or otherwise excessively devout for some reason. They will rub shoulders with the most powerful of people in the politics of their land and be sought out for spiritual and divine guidance. They are not geographically mobile, likely to be kept with their temple / city but hold immense power / authority.

Female leaders of a religious sect or temple. Ypsilí Lereía (Hellas), Dingir Enu (Assyria and Babylonia), Sankunniyant (Hattusa). A high priestess is in charge of those that work within a physical temple. Usually, a temple must be female-only for its leader to female. High Priests can rule over temples with both priests and priestesses but a High Priestess only exists to rule over female-only orders. A High Priestess organises public and private events of worship, handles the servants, slaves and priests/priestesses within the temple and are the chief authority on that particular temple and perhaps the singular God to which the temple is devoted. Some temples require chastity of their priestesses, others do not. Please check the World Religion page to see where your character idea might best fit. You can find a list of temples there also. Please also check our Factions and Orders page for religious sects such as the Cypress Sisterhood. The role of High Priestess is likely to be given to a character of later years and large experience, or to a young character if they are believed to be particularly holy, an oracle or otherwise excessively devout for some reason. They will rub shoulders with the most powerful of people in the politics of their land and be sought out for spiritual and divine guidance. They are not geographically mobile, likely to be kept with their temple / city but hold immense power / authority.

Male follower/worker of a religious sect or temple. Hm'Wieb (K'm't), Entu (Assyria and Babylonia), Kohen (Phoenicia), Sankunni (Hattusa). Devout to their temple, a priest is more globally mobile than their leader. They may leave the temple on missionary business or to carry out trade or tasks necessary for the temple's upkeep. Otherwise, they work within the temple, carrying out daily tasks and helping the populace with their religious needs. They are generally respected but unlikely to be too involved with the very high echelons of society. Different temples require different expectations of their priests and we recommend reading our World Religion page in order to learn more.

Female follower / worker of a religious sect or temple. Lereía (Hellas), Enu (Assyria and Babylonia), Sankunni (Hattusa). Devout to their temple, a priestess is more globally mobile than their leader. They may leave the temple on missionary business or to carry out trade or tasks necessary for the temple's upkeep. Otherwise, they work within the temple, carrying out daily tasks and helping the populace with their religious needs. They are generally respected but unlikely to be too involved with the very high echelons of society. Different temples require different expectations of their priestesses and we recommend reading our World Religion page in order to learn more.

Working as a sailor on a ship gives a character global mobility but not freedom. Your character will be required to journey where the ship goes, though this could be far and wide. Also, your character could be on an NPC ship, so whilst they might not IC be in control of where they go, you can dictate this OOC. Alternatively, find a sea captain you want your character to sail with in our Character Compendium and work with them to form a crew so that the restriction of journeying together feels more like fun than limiting. A sailor can be male or female, depending on the superstitions of the land they hail from. They could be experienced and lead the crew under their captain or be brand new and scrubbing the decks. They would need to be strong as sailors of this era journey both by sail and by oar.

Almost all the known lands in Aeipathy send communications by bird. Some will send a messenger but for speedy delivery, pigeons are best. A pigeon fancier is therefore one of the most integral, respectful and important roles within a land. Especially if they work for a significant (or even the royal) family. Pigeon fanciers breed and train pigeons to fly on direction and return to their mates. They then arrange for the birds to be collected by human messengers after the message has been delivered.