Wood Craft

_

Ranks

• The Woodcraft Hall is directed by the Hallmaster, who assigns the duties of the Masters and makes sure that all of the orders that are placed with the Hall are sent out on time. The Hallmaster also ensures that all of the Logging Camps are working well and producing enough timber to keep up with the heavy demand of the other Halls.

• The Hallsecond ensures that all the journeymen are attending their own classes, as well as handling a full load of teaching assignments of basic classes. He also hands out assignments to the journeymen when smaller jobs that can be handled by them are asked of the Hall. These projects are usually watched over by a Master to make sure that they get done in a timely manner and that they bear the quality that is known of the Woodcraft Hall.

• The Master of Apprentices oversees the lives of the apprentices. He is in charge of the more mundane events that take place in their lives, such as attendance in classes, daily duties, and the rotation schedule for the Logging Camps.

Apprentices

• Apprentices in the Woodcraft Hall lead busy lives, full of small and large projects and lessons. They must take classes in all of the various specializations of the Hall to decide what they will eventually do with their lives. As the apprentice works towards his journeyman rank, the Master of Apprentices watches him and starts putting him into more classes that are of interest to the particular apprentice. There is no allowance for wasted time, since the life of a Woodcrafter is hard and often not as long as that of a simple holder.

• The classes that are required of apprentices include basic carving, papermaking, logging, furniture making, varnishes and stains, and tree cultivation. Each apprentice is also allowed to choose one extra course that he is interested in and would like to learn more about. This course is usually taught privately taught by a Master in that interest area, but classes have been set up for any specialization that has more apprentices than Masters.

• Apprentices are also required to take turns at various duties that are assigned to them, including tending the mill, helping the kitchen staff, and working with the journeymen on making the paper that is sent to all the Halls, Holds, and Weyrs.

• The Apprentices must also spend at least three sevendays every two months at one of the Logging Camps. This is done on a rotation determined by the Master of Apprentices and approved by the Hallmaster. If one of the Apprentices seems to have a great interest in logging he is placed under the care of a senior Journeyman at the Camp.

Journeymen

• The life of a journeyman is not much different from that of an apprentice. However, instead of generalized courses, he takes intensive courses that help to expand his skills and hone his talents in such a way as to earn his living. The Masters of the Hall teach these courses and the journeymen are scrutinized carefully to make sure that they are progressing within the set boundaries.

• If a journeyman seems to be lacking in a certain area, he will be brought before a board of Masters, including the Hallsecond, for a discussion and a possible reprimand, if needed.

• Each journeyman must spend one sevenday every two months at one of the Logging Camps. If a journeyman decides that he wants to be a logger, he can request to be permanently assigned to a Camp. There he will be supervised by a resident Master and will report back to the Hall once every two months with a letter from his supervising Master detailing his progress. This letter, along with an interview, is used by the Hallsecond to determine if that Journeyman is progressing satisfactorily.

Masters

• There is not much required of a Master besides the passing down of the knowledge that he has received from the Hall. Masters are expected to teach the specialization courses that they are most knowledgeable about, making sure that any journeyman who is not doing well in his specialization is reported.

• There is also at least one Master assigned to each Logging Camp. This Master is in charge of assigning duties to the apprentices and journeymen who are assigned to the camp, and are expected to report on those journeymen who are assigned to them under the logging specialization.

• Masters are also required to meet with the Hallmaster, Hallsecond, and Master of Apprentices once a month, to decide upon any apprentices and journeymen who are ready for promotion, or to decide if any of them need to be asked gently to leave the Hall. Most of the time these people leave on their own accord, but sometimes they are persistent and odd jobs have to be found for them to perform.

Advancement

• After a journeyman or apprentice has completed the required courses and rotations between the logging camps, all the while making sure that his duties are completed regularly, he must complete a project to advance to his next rank. This does not apply to advancing within ranks, such as junior to senior, but between apprentice and journeyman from journeyman to master.

• The project is not a simple one. For apprentices the project must show their proficiency of all aspects of the craft. This includes choosing the wood, curing the wood, cutting and carving it, joining it, decorating it with inlays and other fancy work, staining it, and finally adding some type of finish to it. The plans for the project must first be approved by the Master of Apprentices and the Hallmaster. After the project is completed it is again approved by the Master of Apprentices, who schedules a meeting of the Masters to review the work and vote on the promotion. Although these meetings are held with several projects to review, only about half of the projects receive final approval.

The journeyman project is only slightly different from the apprentice assignment. The project must be in the Journeyman's specialization, rather then having to encompass all of the aspects of the Hall. Typically, projects can range from an elaborate piece of furniture to a new innovation that can be implemented at one of the logging camps. These projects must be approved by the Hallsecond and the Hallmaster and after completion must go through a board of Masters like the apprentice project. There is one major difference between the two projects: The apprentice project is given back to the apprentice as a reminder of his greatest accomplishment in the Hall, until that time and to encourage him to continue in his class work. The journeyman project is actually used, whether by one of the Masters, the Hallmaster, or included in the tithes to the Hold or Weyr, getting the new Master's name public recognition.

Schedules

The daily schedule for apprentices and journeymen is as follows:

• 6 c/m Wake up time, a c/m is given to wash and get breakfast
• 7 c/m First class
• 8 c/m Second class
• 9 c/m Third class
• 10 c/m Time to work on projects, Free time
• 12 c/m Noon meal
• 13 c/m Duties
• 15 c/m Work on commissioned pieces for journeymen, Duties continue for apprentices
• 16 c/m Individual and small group lessons and projects
• 18 c/m Evening meal
• 19 c/m Evening time duties
• 20 c/m Mandatory study time
• 21 c/m Lights out for apprentices
• 22 c/m Lights out for journeymen

Duties can include everything from helping in the kitchens, working the sawmill, helping to make paper, or repairing the wooden walkways.

All of the scheduled class times are mandatory; apprentices must attend these classes and are expected to complete any assigned work during their mandatory study time. During this study time several workshops are available with journeymen posted to assist anyone who needs help. Journeymen are not only expected to take these classes but are assigned to teach during one of the class times. A journeyman can also take specialized course during C/M 11 instead of taking the free time offered.

Specializations

General

Anyone who has a general specialty learns to master all the aspects of the craft. They are not really spectacular at one type of thing, but are able to perform all the needed tasks that a Woodcrafter would have to do.

Carver

A person who is under the carver specialty is very good with his hands and can make the delicate shapes and forms that are used on more elaborate pieces. He is also good at shaping wood and using tools other than a saw; this allows him to make crafted pieces that cannot be mass-produced.

Chemist

Chemists are interested in the various lacquers, varnishes, glues, and stains that are used to improve the look of a piece. They are also interested in the different types of woods and how they react to the various concoctions.

Cooper

A cooper is responsible for making the various chests, casks, and barrels that are used around the continent. The Vintercraft relies on these crafters to make sure that the casks will hold the liquid in and that the correct type of wood is used, since the wood makes a difference in the way that the wine tastes.

Furniture

A crafter who is under the furniture specialty is very good at putting together furniture. He must be proficient at making joints in the wood and cutting the wood into the various shapes needed. He can perform some smaller carving tasks, but usually works with a carver on more elaborate pieces.

Paper

A crafter under the paper specialty is well versed in the different types of papers that can be produced, which woods are used to make them and how to produce the paper. Paper is used all over, but is especially shipped to the Printer and Harper Halls for use in their crafts.

Paper Making

1. Paper is important to the Pernese, as it is more durable and easier to write on than hides. However, it is much less common and more difficult to produce in large quantities, reserving it for records of import. Of late, its use has become more frequent, as new ways of producing it are continually being researched.
2. Several different types of materials can be used to make paper. For finer paper, cotton rag or flax is used, as the fibers are thin. More frequently, both hardwoods and softwoods can also be used, the most common being fir, pine, elm, and mulberry woods. These make a thicker, coarser paper of slightly greater duration.
3. In order to make a sheet of paper, the substance or substances being used are first pounded for long periods of time to separate the strands. They are then put in a shallow tub of water and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is pulped even more thoroughly to make sure that no lumps will be part of the finished sheet; any lumps that cannot be reduced in size are removed.
4. A wooden frame called a deckle is placed over a wire mesh with. This device is then dipped into the mix of water and plant tissue. The sheet becomes as large as the deckle and mesh. A tighter fit of the deckle will produce less ragged edges.
5. The required amount is lifted out, and the majority of the water drains off the sheet. Pieces of felt or other absorbent cloth are then pressed against the paper to remove excess water. It is then placed on a larger expanse of fabric. Cloths continue to be pushed against the piece until it is as dry as it can be made using this process. It is then hung on lines to be dried flat before use. Dyes can be added for color, and flowers can be pressed into the pulp for a fancier piece.

Living Arrangements

• All of the living quarters for the apprentices are located on the same wing, but are separated by a thick wooden door that can be easily closed, though left open during the day. The apprentice quarters are dormitory style: each room holds six apprentices and is furnished with six beds and three desks. There are six of these rooms, three on each side of the hall. At either end of these rooms are bathing rooms. Water for bathing is heated through a clever furnace system, and the water is pumped by the motion of the water wheel that powers the sawmill.

• The journeyman quarters are more apartmentlike, each housing two people and furnished with two beds and two desks. There are eight of these apartmentswith a bathing room shared between every pair of two rooms.

• There is also another building away from the main Hall that houses any journeyman with a spouse. These rooms are exact replicas of the journeymen's quarters in the Hall, but with private bathing rooms, though the water is not as warm.

• The Masters' quarters are in the opposite wing from the apprentice and journeyman quarters. There are six of these as well. These are private rooms, and are well furnished compared to the other rooms, each holding a bed, a desk, and a couch for visitors to sit upon. Each room has a private bathing room.

• The Hallsecond's and Master of Apprentice's quarters are at the end of the hall where the Master's rooms are located. Each of these has a front office, and a living area set behind it. Each has its own bathing room and the best supply of warm water.

• The Hallmaster's rooms are the most luxurious of all; they are set about twenty feet from the main entrance of the Hall. The first room is just an office, lined with a light wood, with shelves lining the walls and containing a heavy wooden desk. The room behind it is for visitors who are friends of the Hallmaster or for those apprentices and journeymen who need a little comforting. This room has a couple of plush couches and a beautifully woven rug. The bedroom and bathing room are just to the right of the visitor's room, but the heavy door between them is usually shut, keeping nosey people out.

Woodcrafting Tools

Auger

• The auger is used for drilling. It consists of a vertical shaft, with a box-like shape, crossing it, and a "U" shaped bit at the end. The auger is used by holding onto the top vertical part, then loosely holding the box shape it is spun around, allowing the bit to dig into the wood and create a hole.

Axe

• There are two types of axes: hand axes, which are smaller and used for more delicate work, and chopping axes, which are used for felling trees and cutting them into boards to be used in construction. The axes are made in two parts, simlar to a hammer, but with a different head. The head is formed of iron, with one end flat, the other thin and flared with a sharpened edge. Close to the flat part is a hole for the handle to fit into.

Chisel

• A chisel is simply an iron hand tool used to make small cuts and forms into wood. It is generally flat or "U" shaped at one end and progresses to a cylinder that is used as a handle. The chisel is used in conjunction with the hammer, which applies the force to make the chisel cut into the wood. Larger chisels can also be used to split wood, creating smaller, easier to use pieces.

Hammer

• The hammer is used to drive nails into wood and stakes into the ground. It consists of two parts: a head made of iron and a handle made of wood. The head is an iron cylinder with flattened ends. The handle is shaped so that it fits easily into the hand and is thicker at the bottom then the top. At the top of the handle the wood is carved to fit snugly into a hole in the center of the head.

Nails & Pegs

• Iron nails can be used to hold pieces of wood together. The nails are cylinders shaped with a point at one end and a flat top at the other, and are driven into the wood using a hammer and pulled out using a pry bar. Commonly used is the nail's cousin, the wooden peg, a piece of wood carved into a cylinder and driven into holes made by an auger.

Plane

• A plane is a chisel without the handle, mounted into a frame of wood that holds the cutting part at an angle. It is used to smooth out wood and make minor alterations to the thickness of boards. The edge must be kept sharp, or the cuts it makes will be uneven and rough.

Pry Bar

• A pry bar is a long iron bar that is used to pry objects loose, such as stumps and logs. It can also include a "V" shape on one end that can be used to pull nails.

Saw

• The saw consists of an iron cutting surface and is attached to a wooden handle. The cutting surface is a long iron piece with teeth down one side, each tooth alternately angled to one side or the other. There are two different kinds of handles. The first is a standard wooden handle attached to one end of the saw, which is used for cutting larger boards and trees. The other type forms a bow saw, with an arched handle attached at both ends of the saw; this is used for cutting smaller boards and limbs off trees.