One of the Iron Valley Archetypes
Overview
A rare breed, summiters act as the eyes and ears of the Valley. They wander far in the wilderness and civilised lands of the high places, keeping watch on the enemies of the Valleyfolk and passing needed messages and news between the separate Boroughs. Part spy, part scout, part messenger, summiters are so named for climbing the mountains of the Iron Valley, to better keep a watchful eye out for threats.
Summiters traditionally belong to either a borough of summiters (sometimes called a Lodge) or are universally viewed as being a part of a single Borough comprising all summiters. Understanding the harsh places of the world are a challenge for all, they make it their business to care for each other and ensure the safety of all travelers.
Need:
Nil
summiters are varied folk, making use of all manner of skills to survive and travel.
Recommended:
Combatant
While not essential, travelling the wilds of the Valley and beyond tends to make for a physically active and combat capable person. summiters are often experienced fighters, used to light weapons and improvisation to bring victory.
Shouldn’t:
Armoured
The heaviest armour is simply not practical to carry or wear on long journeys, particularly when climbing or descending mountains or valleys.
Costume Marker:
Summiters Pack
A summiters pack is their lifeline, their home, and their profession all in one. Varying from summiter to summiter, a pack contains emergency supplies, messages, maps, and other such tools. Often heavily personalised, a pack will often be marked with mementos from special places or past journeys, they are also commonly modified with extra pockets, loops, and protections. A summiter who spends much of their time near towns, acting as messenger and spy might have a simple satchel with extra room for letters, maps, and coins, whereas a summiter who journeys into the wilds often will have a large pack, perhaps with a wooden frame, rope, spare weapons and tools dangling from it. Regardless, summiters are rarely found without their pack close to hand.
History:
To be a Summiter draws together a long history of professions. Messengers for Reeves councils that had to travel long distances summoning distant members, Hunters who would carry news as well supplies through the hills, scouts who would survive in the wilds while shadowing an enemy force. Over time those who wandered these paths began to wander together and share their skills and knowledge.
It was the Mercenary War that truly solidified the position of Summiters within Iron Valley society. The crushing defeats at the hands of the Artebazzani Mercenary forces created a need for high-quality scouts that could deliver information to any War Reeve, regardless of Burough, so that evacuations could move swiftly and ambushes launched. This separation of Summiters from their boroughs and the creation of the first Lodges is when the Summiters came into their own, a time which has continued up until now.
Three Things Summiters Are:
Well informed
Summiters spend their time wandering the lands, spying on foes and informing friends. You should try your best to stay aware of common goings-on in the world, and know your local region quite well. Read up on the Alamanac, and keep keen eyes on the Winds of the World. If it's a bit too much information, focus only on things relevant to the Iron Valley.
Patriotic
While they spend plenty of time away from the settled parts of the Valley, summiters are a crucial part of defending the Valley against invasion, disasters, and monsters. They know their duty and Summiter Lodges are as essential to the Valley as any warriors borough or mine. A summiter who is in it for themselves is simply an exile.
Daring
It takes a certain amount of bravado to climb the peaks of the Cildfriths or to range far behind enemy lines, leading to a culture of daring within the summiters. While aware of the weight of their tasks, summiters often do not shy from adventure or challenge, for better or worse.
One Thing Summiters Aren't:
Loners
Summiters work to assist others, to carry their messages, to seek out their foes, and rarely do they do this alone. Nothing rekindles the love for others and finer things than being far from them for long periods of time. Summiters are team players, working in small groups for the support of all, not lone rangers wandering aimlessly alone.