Upon joining the Freefolk's Guild, new guild Freemen are given 3 tendays of intensive instruction in a variety of skills and proficiencies that will assist in their Guild duties. These include familiarization of the Aims and Articles of the Guild, memorization of guild passwords (these come in the form of challenge and responses), and the procedures for identifying guild safehouses and other guild members. In addition, new guild Freeman gain the following proficiencies:
- Language Proficiency: Handspeak - Handspeak is a silent language spoken with hand gestures and movements that convey simple directions, situational information, or combat tactics. It can be used with a single hand, and thus hidden with a cloak or shield. It cannot be used to convey complex concepts, but can be used to pass essential tactical information verbal communication is impossible or impractical.
- Weapon Proficiency: Pistol - Though they are not common on Altera, the Guild and its agents employ the use of a variety of weapons that function by firing a small projectile propelled from a barrel by a small explosive charge. Though the weapons themselves are not technologically complex, the powder that produces the explosion is relatively rare, coming exclusively an ore mined in the Spines by Dwarves. New guild members are taught basic proficiency in the use of the simplest form of these weapons, the pistol.
- Skill Proficiency: Slight of Hands - Since the Guild operates with a layer of relative secrecy, guild members are often required to identify themselves to one another and exchange various forms of intelligence without drawing the notice of casual observers. For this reason, new guild members are given basic training in Slight of Hand, in order to facilitate clandestine exchanges of various forms. New guild members (who do not already possess proficiency) become proficient in in Slight of Hands.
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