Apprentices - Engineer (SNS)

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Engineers do not gain followers. However, they often pick up engineering apprentices in the course of their work. These apprentices are paid little, but their support aids the engineer's business, making it easier for him to take on more complex tasks. In return, the apprentices get a (nearly) free education. 
After they attain 5th level, engineers attract one apprentice every time they advance to another level. Thus, a 7th-level engineer would have two apprentices. The new apprentice remains in the engineer's service until the engineer goes up two levels of experience. At that point, the apprentice becomes a 1st-level journeyman engineer and strikes out on his own.
At 9th level and above, the engineer attracts a number of journeyman engineers whose combined experience levels equal one half his experience level (rounded up). Each journeyman must be at least a 1st-level engineer.
Thus, at 9th level, the engineer could gain five 1st-level journeyman apprentices, or two 2nd-level and one 1st-level journeyman apprentices, or any combination equaling five. The exact number and level of these journeyman is purely up to the DM.
These apprentices are free to leave after the engineer reaches his next level of experience, but there will always be more on the way. They each gain a level of experience at the same time as the engineer.
At 12th level (and each level thereafter), the engineer also attracts another engineer with four levels less experience. Thus, at 15th level, the engineer attracts an 11th-level engineer to his business. This engineer has come to learn from one of the great craftsmen and studies with the master engineer until he attains the next level of experience. At that point, the "apprentice" gains another level for himself and can strike out on his own again.
The "apprentice" can choose to remain with the master engineer if both are agreeable to that. However, no new head apprentice can study with the master engineer, as there is already too much competition for the master's limited time.
Note that all of these apprentices are attracted cumulatively. This means that a 12th- level engineer could have two 0-level apprentices, six 1st-level journeyman apprentices, and one 8th-level "apprentice," all at the same time. They form the engineering team which the master engineer manages.