Occupations
Here are some sample occupations from which you may choose, though you may also feel free to devise your own. Either way, keep in mind that your character needs to have a good reason for being in Almgeirr, and not in their native country or on the front lines. This might entail being a minor diplomat, a draft-dodger, or Illrian spy.
Farmer - Farm anything, from wheat to radishes to opium or cannabis. What you raise will determine how well-off you are; not all farmers are living in poverty. Most farmers will own or lease at least a decently-sized plot of land, enough draft animals to till it, and some means to get the harvested crop to market. They also typically have larger families, and an aversion to cities and the people who populate them.
Merchant - Everything from the merchant-noble to the traveling cookware salesman would fall into this category. Merchants, for the most part, are trained to read and write at least basic arithmetic, and are unique in that they sell what they own or have bought - not what they've made themselves. They trade crops, spices, exotic lumber, mined ores and metals, eastern rugs, liquors, flatware...: almost anything imaginable.
Inquisitor - Those devoted to slaying and eliminating the monsters fouling Lyka. Training is a twelve-year minimum for Inquisitors; they are efficient, cold, and merciless towards their foes. These are some of the last few who follow the doctrines of the Crown and Institution of Lyka tirelessly and without question. Only native Lykans may be Inquisitors. For more information, go
here.
Mercenary - Rough, brutal folk. Paid to kill, most with very little allegiance to anything but coin. Those who do hold allegiances are often members of roaming mercenary bands, such as the Black Hand. Some of them sought this path from the start; others just simply fell into it. They fight for money, selling their bodies for war as prostitutes do for sex. Lyka is barely wealthy enough to feed its own standing army at present, and cannot afford the work of mercenaries; Illr, however, stands as the highest bidder on mercenary contracts.
Soldier - The biggest difference between the career soldiers and the mercs is the code of honor that the soldiers follow. Soldiers, in theory, are chivalrous, respectful, and gallant. Of course, to some, even most perhaps, it's just a job... and well, we all know how that goes. Most come into the service as young boys, growing up with a sword in hand. Women are ineligible for service in the Lykan army in any facility other than medical support, however, female guards are not unheard of. Experienced soldiers are granted officer ranking in accordance to their skill and battle record.
Paladin - A wandering religious zealot, often combat-trained. A life alone on the road is a hard one, but that doesn't seem to deter these folks. They travel around the world, most often to its more remote corners, preaching their beliefs to anyone who will listen, and winning converts by any means necessary.
Magistrate - These folk handle the law and government of the different sections of the city; the guards stationed in their district report to them, they collect the taxes there, manage the businesses and guilds... In short, they are incredibly influential (and proud of it). They are, of course, very skilled in reading, writing, higher mathematics, courtliness and diplomacy, and often the third or fourth (or fifth, or sixth) children of nobility or merchants. Too low on the food chain to be landed or sent to court, but still worthy of respect. They are appointed by local nobles and guildmembers.
Town Guard - The general lawmen of any area, the town guard are responsible for keeping the peace: investigating crimes, incarcerating or catching criminals, and making sure that the drunks don't get too rowdy. Your position of authority typically means that townsfolk will pay you special favors for turning a blind eye to certain indiscretions. Members of a town guard may be assigned to assist Inquisitors on particularly difficult cases, or assembled as an ad-hoc militia in times of war. Positions of authority open in the Almgeirrian Town Guard.
Mage - These are highly-trained magicians, specializing either in Conjuration or Alteration. Lykan mages are assigned to a specific city and task on their graduation from the Institution, and these jobs often have something to do with broadening the economic sphere of the nation. Traditional Lykan mage occupations include: battle mages, blast miners, terraformers, and weatherchangers. Vandraedi mages are privately trained, and free to go where they please and do what they wish with their powers, though because of their less intense training, they are rarely the match of their Lykan counterparts. Illr, unfortunately, killed or captured most of its own mages in the recent Revolution, and continues to do the same with mages of any other nationality it encounters. Only those of the Mage race may apply for a Mage occupation. For more information, go
here.
Woodsman - People who can't stand cities and hate the routine-filled farming life, but also without the love of battle that makes good soldiers or mercenaries often become woodsmen (or women). They make their living in the wilderness, keeping to themselves. They'll usually sell furs and deep forest herbs a few times a season for the little money they need to get by, and are a gruff, withdrawn lot. With usually no formal education, they are peerless trackers and hunters, and know their lands better than most anyone else. The most famed explorers were from this ilk. For your assistance, we have compiled a simple
bestiary for Almgeirr and the surrounding areas.
Prostitute - In either gender, these folk come in many varieties, from the common tavern girl to elite courtesans. Prices roam the entire spectrum, and this is one form of entertainment that's actually been booming despite the war and the famine. People are always wanting to drown their miseries one way or another. Prostitutes can be involved in a formal organization - usually a brothel, where a pimp or madame will (usually) ensure decent client behavior and payment, or one might whore alone... which, while certainly less safe, if the client is indeed honorable, the prostitute won't have to sacrifice a cut of their earnings.
Turncoat - These can be people of any occupation (though are typically of some considerable influence), whose main source of income comes not from the body of their work, but the secrets they sell to the enemy. Anyone could be a turncoat, but in these tough times, all it takes is someone's suspicion that you might be to get yourself ten feet under.
Sailor - Sea (or river) faring folk. They range from your everyday merchants, whalers and fishers to naval soldiers or pirates. Making your living by the sea is hard at best, and fatal at worst: the waters in these parts are cold and unforgiving. The most dedicated are uncomfortable on land.
Artisan - The master craftsmen of the world, these individuals have perfected their trade into an art: literally. They are perfectionists in their specialty...whatever that happens to be; potters, leather workers, jewelers, puppeteers, weavers... any profession may have its share of artisans.
Outcast - Outcasts are the dredges of society, because, let's face it, there aren't many mental wards to be had. Outcasts are made up of the madmen who wander the streets, the homeless, and often, the diseased. With the famine and the war on, the ranks of these individuals is growing by the day.
Engineer - These are the individuals who have dedicated their lives to scientific pursuits: primarily in the fields of chemistry, physics, mathematics and clockwork. Most ordinary folk would call it poor man's magic.
