Landskeeper

A landskeeper is a figure from the Marches magical tradition, who supports the territories or the nation as a whole. Landskeepers can use a variety of methods, from hearth magics to rituals, to do this.

When landskeepers do associate with households or market towns directly it is always in pursuit of their own agenda.

Some landskeepers technically lack any real magical ability at all, using traditional rituals and offering good advice and aid to the Marcher folk. Someone who advises on the effective order to rotate your crops, what herbs to use to bring a pregnant pig to term, or where to place a bushel of wheat to keep out evil spirits, is a landskeeper, whether or not they also employ magic.

These magical Marchers draw on a number of sources for inspiration. They are as much inspired by the cunning folk of European history as the obvious fantastic characters such as Pratchett's witches.

It is traditionally a landskeeper who holds the post of Tithemaster of the Harvest Bounty. This is an Imperial title auctioned each Spring to the highest Marcher bidder. The title empowers the holder to purchase crystal mana from landskeepers and private mana site owners - ostensibly for use in ensuring the prosperity of the Marches but just as often these days for personal use.