Occupations

[talus]

I'm writing up a background for a character, and I need to assign my character's parents occupations.

What are some fairly common occupations that an average person might have that, when combined with the income of a spouse, would allow them to feed a 3 person family (themselves included) without living in abject poverty?

[John]

Just some general occupations for city-state citizens:
* Dung sweeper
* Cook (to store, tavern, rich independant merchant, rich thief/assassin who may or may not be publicly known, cook to bard)
* Wet-nurse
* Healer
* Waiter/waitress
* Cleaner (to rich independant merchant, rich thief/assassin, bard)
* Fortune Teller
* Stablehand
* Bard
* Tailor
* Hunter
* Jeweller
* Stone crafter
* Rock grebber (someone who gathers rocks and sells them unworked)
* Farmer (Allanak only?)
* Builder
* Artist

As for not living dirt poor, it depends on the combination you have. If you have a dung sweeper and a stablehand, you might be pushing it. But a tailor and a dung sweeper will definitely get by.

[Red Sunrise]

Tailor
Jewelrycrafter
Shoemaker
Knifemaker
Armorsmith
Soldier
Guard (for any merchant or noble house)
Aide/servant (for any merchant or noble house)
Miner (south) or lumberjack (north)
Hunter

[Barzalene]

Mason
Slaughterhouse worker / butcher
Candle maker
barrel maker
street sweeper
sewer worker
painter
brewer
shopkeeper
baker
trader

[Fnord]

sewer worker

Actually handled by a House in the south, if memory serves.

[Bullet Eater]

You could probably describe your parents as being pickpockets, burglars, or assassins, living off of their trade but just getting by, although the occupations other people listed would probably be more fitting for a non-criminal character.

[Cuusardo]

You could probably describe your parents as being pickpockets, burglars, or assassins, living off of their trade but just getting by, although the occupations other people listed would probably be more fitting for a non-criminal character.

Most people would not go around talking about that kind of thing publicly, especially if they are in Tuluk.

[Bullet Eater]

You could probably describe your parents as being pickpockets, burglars, or assassins, living off of their trade but just getting by, although the occupations other people listed would probably be more fitting for a non-criminal character.

Most people would not go around talking about that kind of thing publicly, especially if they are in Tuluk.

I suppose not, but one could write it in their background and then lie about it when asked about their background. Just a thought.

[marko]

You could probably describe your parents as being pickpockets, burglars, or assassins, living off of their trade but just getting by, although the occupations other people listed would probably be more fitting for a non-criminal character.

Most people would not go around talking about that kind of thing publicly, especially if they are in Tuluk.

Why not?  In Tuluk being a thief is an honorable profession and so is being an assassin.  Both are well respected.

[mansa]

You could probably describe your parents as being pickpockets, burglars, or assassins, living off of their trade but just getting by, although the occupations other people listed would probably be more fitting for a non-criminal character.

Most people would not go around talking about that kind of thing publicly, especially if they are in Tuluk.

I think in Tuluk, they would ESPICALLY talk about what they do, in order to get hired by people.

In TULUK, you can be proud of your PICKPOCKET JOBS

In TULUK, you can be proud of your ASSASSINATION JOBS

It's perfectly legal if you do it artfully.  Isn't that what the Tuluk Docs say?
http://www.armageddon.org/general/tuluki_rp.html#legal

If it's licenced, then it's something to be proud of.  You can go complain to the Tempalrs, but they will just say, "It's okay, because they bought the licence.  Why don't you buy an assassin's licence against said pickpocket?"

[Barzalene]

sewer worker

Actually handled by a House in the south, if memory serves.

Yeah, but they probably employ a great many people.

[Yokunama]

*Dancer
*Slave
*Prostitute
*Salt Miner
*Spice Shifter
*Trader
*Slaver
*Beast Tamer (very possible)
*Aide
*Nobe
*Templar
*Jeweler
*Weapons smith
*Armorer
*Gladiator
*Herbalist
*Field Physician
*Tailor
*Stone worker
*Thief
*Assassin
*Mercenary
*Soldier
*Bar maid
*Bartender
*Translator
*Juggler
*Clerk
*Teacher
*Sparring Coach
*Hunter
*Explorer
*Guard
*Story teller
*Fortune teller
*Gambler
*Scout
*Spy

[Barzalene]

Tanner
Carter
fruit monger

[Cale_Knight]

Cool. I'm the first to say whore.

[talus]

For having parents with professions such as Templar and noble, would you have to ask for any sort of permission to do that or get it set it up? I'm guessing that even being a bastard child of one of those two types of people would confer some privileges, but I may be wrong.

[Cale_Knight]

For having parents with professions such as Templar and noble, would you have to ask for any sort of permission to do that or get it set it up?

All templars* are nobles.

The child of two nobles is a noble

The child of a noble and a commoner is a bastard noble.

Both are roles that must be special apped.

*For all intents and purposes. Yes, I know there are extremely rare exceptions.

[LauraMars]

Cool. I'm the first to say whore.

*Prostitute

[Cale_Knight]

Son of a bitch.

[Yokunama]

Cool. I'm the first to say whore.

*Prostitute

Son of a bitch.

Did you'd expect 'me' of all people not to put that on a list?

[Cuusardo]

In Tuluk, the art of being a thief is in not getting caught.  If you go around talking about being a thief, people will either outright laugh and call you an amateur, or they will be suspicious of you from then on out.  Where is the art in that?

[mansa]

In Tuluk, the art of being a thief is in not getting caught.  If you go around talking about being a thief, people will either outright laugh and call you an amateur, or they will be suspicious of you from then on out.  Where is the art in that?

I highly disagree.

The art of being a thief is being one who doesn't fail in his job.  That's like saying a Bard can't call themselves a Bard unless they sing songs and juggle.

[flurry]

I've wondered about this before.

I think I'm more inclined to agree with Cuusardo on this one.  In most cases, I doubt anyone would want to speak freely about being a thief.  Maybe a few of the boldest and most talented might, or the unskilled posers.  Normally, I would guess that a reputation would start among potential clients (i.e. "I know someone who could handle that..."), rather than by overt self-promotion.

On the other hand, I'm not sure that there would be anything scandalous about admitting to that line of work.  I just think it would be unusual to do that, and maybe not very wise.

Just how I look at it.  I'd be curious to read staff opinion on this.

[Dalmeth]

Some overt self-promotion is needed to build a reputation.  If there's a string of beautiful robberies, there's no reason to assume one person did it unless someone takes credit.

[spawnloser]

In a culture that prizes subtlety, I would suggest that claiming to be a thief is very unsubtle.

[marko]

Thievery is a licensed activity.  This isn't an underground thing or a criminal act.  

There is a difference between calling yourself a thief (which is a respected profession) and getting _caught_.

The art isn't in denying yourself of being what you are - it is in the actual act.  

Think of it as any other profession - a sculptor is called a sculptor and is admired if they are good at it.  IE, they produce good sculptures.

If you make your living as a thief and are registered as one - then, by all means, call yourself a thief.  Wear the tattoo proudly if you wish.  You are just saying what you are.  If no one ever sees you steal all the better.

The issue here is with getting caught not with how you call yourself or go about talking about it.

There will be good thieves and bad thieves.  But, in either case, there is nothing wrong with saying you are a thief.  

Bad thieves will be mocked (and caught and fined or even killed for constant mistakes) and good thieves will get respect for not getting caught.

[EvilRoeSlade]

For having parents with professions such as Templar and noble, would you have to ask for any sort of permission to do that or get it set it up? I'm guessing that even being a bastard child of one of those two types of people would confer some privileges, but I may be wrong.

Yes.  Clear up your background with whatever immortal runs the clan that you wish to put in your background, or the MUD account if for some reason you don't know which immortal to ask.

[Gimfalisette]

I think I'm sort of on Cuusardo's side here. It seems more artful to me not to go around telling people outright that you're a thief or assassin in Tuluk. While you might not get looked down on for being open about it--you'd probably be more admired if everyone suspected you were a thief/assassin but didn't really know.

[Barzalene]

Broom maker
Tool maker
shoemaker
latrine cleaner
Public latrine attendant

[LauraMars]

Public latrine attendant

Is that the person who wipes noble's asses? Because that's another good (!) job.

[Quirk]

In a culture that prizes subtlety, I would suggest that claiming to be a thief is very unsubtle.

Yes. In the same way, claiming to be a bard, or a kankherd, or a wagon-maker is also unsubtle, because stating what you do honestly isn't one of those things that you can be "subtle" about. However, I expect many people even in Tuluk will give honest answers to the question, "What do you do?", especially if they're proud of their talents.

Thievery is a licensed profession. While there's scope for much subtlety in its exercise, there's no need for a thief to be any more coy about admitting to her occupation than the bard or kankherder are about theirs - unless, of course, the thief doesn't feel competent enough to steal from a victim who knows she's a thief, and wants to make the person she's speaking to one of her victims. A true Tuluki professional thief should have the wit and subtlety to act more or less unhindered even when suspected, even if the crude amateurs are ashamed to introduce themselves as thieves.

Yes. In the same way, claiming to be a bard, or a kankherd, or a wagon-maker is also unsubtle, because stating what you do honestly isn't one of those things that you can be "subtle" about. However, I expect many people even in Tuluk will give honest answers to the question, "What do you do?", especially if they're proud of their talents.

Isn't being not discovered part of a good thief's occupation? A bard and a wagonmaker are professions where you want your work to be known for the sake of audience/byers, but thief, well... They might want to make themselves known for similar reasons, but I think just telling people that "I steal crap" is not very professional.

You can tell it, but be subtle.   How? Get inventive. I'm not the best person to tell how to be sneaky, but announcing your talents in public at the same level as bards or artisans is going to hurt yer bussiness.

[John]

Isn't being not discovered part of a good thief's occupation?

IMO only in places where it's illegal. And just think, if a thief can steal when everyone knows they're a thief, then they must be damn good.

[Cale_Knight]

As I understand it, thievery and assassination is still technically illegal in Tuluk.

Liscenses are basically officialized bribes, and if you have one you're much less likely to get punished if caught, but it's never a promise.

No, I definitely fall into the line of thinking that bragging about being a thief/assassin in Tuluk is a bad idea and extremely un-subtle.

[elvenchipmunk]

As I understand it, thievery and assassination is still technically illegal in Tuluk.

Liscenses are basically officialized bribes, and if you have one you're much less likely to get punished if caught, but it's never a promise.

No, I definitely fall into the line of thinking that bragging about being a thief/assassin in Tuluk is a bad idea and extremely un-subtle.

I'm fairly certain it's more along the lines of, if you kill someone and do it 'artfully and carefully, without anyone noticing' no officials will look into it.

Same goes for thievery, as far as I know, though I'm not certain.

S'what I was brought up to know.

[Cale_Knight]

Right, they won't look into it. But it's still illegal. Calling attention to your illegal activities is always stupid, even if said activities are overlooked 99% of the time.

[elvenchipmunk]

Right, they won't look into it. But it's still illegal. Calling attention to your illegal activities is always stupid, even if said activities are overlooked 99% of the time.

They're illegal. Definitely. Just thought I'd chime in. You're right though, it's illegal.

[spawnloser]

I will repeat that in a culture that prizes subtlety, saying, "I'm a thief," is not very subtle.  "I'm a bard," is a different sort of profession completely.  Bard's want to be famous.  You might say that thieves want to be famous, but they don't.  Thieves want to be infamous.

[marko]

I think this is important to understand about Tuluk:

The definition of Illegal:

Prohibited by law.
Prohibited by official rules: an illegal pass in football.

Therefore, if something is permissible by law then it is legal.

Successful thievery is permissible.  Successful assassination is permissible.

In accordance to the law system of Tuluk, you may steal from people if you are registered.  That is not illegal since the law system allows you to conduct yourself in a certain manner.  When you step outside of that manner that is when you find yourself outside the bounds of the law structure.

Therefore, unsuccessful thievery is against the law.  Successful thievery by a licensed individual is perfectly legal.  

I'm going to use a real life example of a licensed activity to show what I mean:

Driving a car.  Everyone who drives a car is required to have a driver's license.  This license is purchased at a certain age (a test is usually conducted to determine a base level of skill).  When you drive there are rules and regulations that you must follow - and failure to follow these rules and regulations lead to legal action.  In other words, when you _fail_ at driving you are breaking the law but when you are driving successfully you are not.  If you drive a car without a license and get caught - then you've been breaking the law.  

Successful thievery is legal - it is allowed within the construct of the law system provided the stealing adheres to a basic guideline.  When the thief steps outside that guideline (ie, is unsuccessful, steals from the wrong thing, etc) then that thief becomes subject to legal action: be that a fine or death.

The same is with assassination.  Licensed assassination is legal and a preferred way of dealing with troublesome people  in Tuluk.  What is illegal is messing up an assassination and getting caught or doing an assassination that was not licensed.

Basically, the law of Tuluk allows for licensed thievery to exist and licensed assassination.  Unlicensed activity is illegal.  When a licensed individual fails to meet the rules and regulations as set out by the government then they are subject to fines.  But the activity itself is legal so long as it is done by a licensed individual and done properly.

[Cuusardo]

The problem with announcing that you are a thief is that you are setting yourself up for failure.  Give it a try IG sometime when you play a thief in Tuluk and see what happens.

[Medena]

I'm writing up a background for a character, and I need to assign my character's parents occupations.

What are some fairly common occupations that an average person might have that, when combined with the income of a spouse, would allow them to feed a 3 person family (themselves included) without living in abject poverty?

This was the original post in this thread.

I think it's pretty safe to say you could list thief as the occupation of one of your parents in your background in either city state. In Tuluk, you might tell people too.

"Me ol' mum? Well, she dipped into pockets. An' she was the best dip there ever was, Sun king rest 'er departed soul."

[Quirk]

Isn't being not discovered part of a good thief's occupation?

Not being caught in the act is part of a good thief's occupation. Not being known to be a thief is not part of the occupation, but is entirely optional.

You can tell it, but be subtle.   How? Get inventive.

Um. You seem to be confusing "subtle" with "secretive"? A "subtle" telling will place it out in the open for any with the brains to understand.

I'm not the best person to tell how to be sneaky, but announcing your talents in public at the same level as bards or artisans is going to hurt yer bussiness.

I already addressed this. Of course only a confident professional will announce his talents in public, and it's unlikely that he will publicise himself as relentlessly as a bard. But, by the same token, if you're addressing someone who's let it be known he's a thief, you know that he has more than a little faith in his abilities, and if that faith is justified, he's probably highly employable.

Bard's want to be famous. You might say that thieves want to be famous, but they don't. Thieves want to be infamous.

Oddly enough, there's something being famous and being infamous have in common: whether you're famous or infamous, you're widely known. However, in Tuluk, being widely known as a thief is unlikely to result in infamy, since it's regarded as a respectable, licenced profession.

The problem with announcing that you are a thief is that you are setting yourself up for failure. Give it a try IG sometime when you play a thief in Tuluk and see what happens.

It's only setting yourself up for failure if you're not competent enough to pull off your hits regardless. This may take considerably more ingenuity, but will build you more of a reputation.