Smallholdings

Smallholdings appear all over the region, and while they are all different, they have a number of similarities.

• The House - is often self built, and doesn't conform to any of the 'standard' buildings. They often have a large kitchen/common room on the ground floor, with sleeping accommodation upstairs. The sleeping area is liable to be divided into 'rooms' by thin partitions or even curtains, and doesn't offer much privacy.
• Outbuildings - as well as a 'Dunny'(Earth Closet Toilet)), there are a few sheds for tools, and crop storage. Nothing quite grand enough to be called a barn.
• Livestock - probably a couple of goats (grazed on common ground) and a few chickens. Wealthier smallholdings may have a donkey to transport goods to market - others might use a handcart, the starting smallholdings might carry goods to market in a basket.
• Crops - Mainly vegetables that are straightforward to grow and harvest using hand tools, such as onions, peas, beans, cabbages, pumpkins and maize.

• Family - People on the smallholding are very often all members of the same family, with board and lodging covered by the work that they do in the holdings small fields. However, most of them do secondary to earn money or pay taxes.
• Head of Family - Often a Commoner-3 with Profession Farmer (or Gardener) skills
• Experienced Workers More senior members of the 'family' will be commoner-2, and will probably have a Commoner Trait.
• Junior Members are expected to work as laborers, until they have learned enough to advance to L2.

Secondary work is important to Smallholders. It can be used in lieu of taxes, to earn cash or to supplement the holdings food supply.

• Civic Work - A few days a year, working on a Road Crew for example, can help pay taxes for both the individual and the smallholding. It might also include working on the palisade, rubbish disposal or any other sort of low-skill work. It is, just about, the only way to pay taxes without handing over coins.
• Militia - serving as a reservist or member of the militia / posse. This will often get a slight reduction in taxes, and may even earn a few small coins, occasionally.
• Farm Labourer - The larger farms all employ part-time and casual staff, with many extra labourers required when planting or harvesting. Everyone makes sure they have some time available for that work, even if it is only one day a week - it is almost guaranteed, and it generally pays cash.
• Regular work - If there is a town or village nearby, some members of the family might have regular work - perhaps working at the Inn/Tavern, or one of the other businesses, or taking in laundry. They are still expected to help out around the holding, when they are at home.
• Craft work - It could be making simple furniture, clothing, leather work - or indeed any craft. A milking stool, or a small table, sold at market every-so-often can bring in a good few coins.
• Forager - A catch-all for people going out looking for berries, mushrooms, or other wild food - through to the 'poacher' taking a rabbit or game bird with their sling - what ever they bring in goes to supplement the family diet - although excess is sold off in the market.
• Trapper/Fisher If there is suitable Wilderness/Water nearby.