The Royal Weaponcrafter of Kanday

[Arthan McLyhr]

Page 16 of CGI's Kanday Kingdom module describes the Royal Government. One item:
Weaponcrafter Royal 180d Claerior of Deben Weaponcrafters 120d

Not sure if the 180d and 120d are per month or per year, and I can't find an answer in the module (I'm sure there's one somewhere because I used to know which it is). Anyway, the description of Dyrisa Castle says he lives above the forge with the Metalsmith Artin of Fortol. But it doesn't say how many stars that forge should get or how many JM's/Apprentices/other Masters he has working for him. And I'd love to see his character sheet. Anyway, it's probably at least four stars because there's another weaponcrafter in the town (Havig of Dernier) who is four star level and has two weaponsmiths (JMs or Masters?), a bowyer, and three apprentices working for him (like to see his sheet too). I could make all this up, but I thought I'd check if others have any info.

[Leitchy]

As far as I'm aware, all wage figures given are per month. You'd kinda expect the Royal craftsmen to be on a very nice wage, wouldn't you? I mean. it is THE plum job in your trade.

Plus, remember that he can't sell the stuff he make; it all belongs to the king. So he has to be suitably compenstated for that, too!

[Krazma]

Per Kanday 16:

The table below outlines the structure of Kanday’s government. Offices and monthly salaries are shown with the current holders of major offices listed in italics.

Compare this with the "typical" monthly income of 108d for a weaponcrafter found on Hârn 26.

[bbailey]

The “Royal Weaponcrafter” need not be a highly skilled craftsman himself. He could have his job as a favor to an important supporter of the king. He could be a very old man whose skills and/or physical abilities have diminished but who oversees some talented masters and journeymen who do the real work. A lot of royal positions may not be based on merit. Appointments may be the result of “gifts” to the king or chancellor, nepotism, the “good old boy” network, or a reward for slavish devotion to the king. Lots of people in high government offices are not qualified for the job and will likely make life difficult for their underlings (and the public).

[rdelorme10a]

As far as I'm aware, all wage figures given are per month. You'd kinda expect the Royal craftsmen to be on a very nice wage, wouldn't you? I mean. it is THE plum job in your trade.

Plus, remember that he can't sell the stuff he make; it all belongs to the king. So he has to be suitably compenstated for that, too!

There are two ways that "Royal Weaponcrafter" could work: 1) he is employed at an monthly wage in which case the crown is would supply lodging, tools and raw material and all products would be property of the crown; 2) but the 180d could be a retainer fee (Royal Warrant) that give the crown first call on services. If the Weaponcrafter is boarded in the castle than I would assume he is a bonded employee: if they have a shop in town then they would hold a warrant.

[Leitchy]

I think (which means I may be wrong) the British model is to name the craftsman "The Royal Craftsman" if they work exclusively for the Crown, but if they hold a warrant (meaning they can sell to whomever) then they style themselves "Craftsman to the Crown/King/etc."

I wonder if some distinction like that is...or perhaps could/should...be used in HarnWorld?

[Krazma]

The "Weaponcrafter Royal" that appears on the table on Kanday 16 is an individual, Claerior of Deben, who has a monthly salary of 180d. To me, this is a title for the person who oversees all the weapon crafting needs of the Royal Guard (it's under the Lord Marshal of Kanday, a position currently held by King Andasin IV). It involves overseeing an undefined number of weaponcrafters (who have monthly salaries of 120d, according to the table).

This tells me that the Weaponcrafter Royal, at least, is a bonded (full time) employee of the Royal Government ("the Crown") but the various weaponcrafters Claerior of Debin oversees might not be bonded.

Now, having said that, a look at the Dyrisa article shows (on page 5, location 1f) that Claerior of Deben does, in fact, reside in the castle. It does NOT discuss however many weaponcrafters that might be overseen.

So, note the description (Dyrisa 6, location 16) for weaponcrafter Have of Dernier, who "...gets work from the caer when the royal weaponcrafter is overloaded."

My read of this is that Claerior handles the bulk of the needs, but can enlist Have at need. Presumably, Have would earn 120d per month when so employed. Or perhaps he earns 120d/mo to simply be on call, and if there is a conflict between the king's needs and his other customers, the king comes first. Either way, that's a lucrative gig.