You yourself aren't particularly skilled in more mundane crafts, as you've been training your whole life to become a wizard. You're actually not sure what your family members do. The more distant ones probably work in the land and shops of others' to make a living for their immediate families. Members like your sister, however, don't have an occupation as far as you know. Your sister always appreciated politics. Most of your immediate family would likely be too old to bring in income for the family.
Minor wizards like yourself commonly provide magical services at a price to dwarves without a wizard present, and skilled wizards can build up a reputation for more quality goods. Rarely, a wizard may leave Silverhall to make money in occupations such as mercenary work. While profitable, excursions like that are frowned upon due to the danger present to the wizard, and consequently their family.
Centuries ago, Dwarven wizards would be at the front of great armies, conquering new land and defeating fantastical beasts for glory to them and their kingdoms. But with the subsequent generations, the line of wizards in a family become much more important to Dwarven society than the glory, wealth, and land acquired by the great wizards of old.
Your mind turns back to the farmlands. You attempt to recall what you learned of family history in your training. You believe the family farmland isn't in the domain of any particular kingdom. Because it's owned by your family, you believe it technically is considered Silverhall territory, but that would probably only be considered true as long as your family protected their land. The upper nobility of Silverhall is more concerned with using the armies to protect their own assets and Silverhall itself. You also vaguely recall that the farms were near some kind of human city.
Before you excuse yourself to the study room, you ask your mother and sister for a more detailed explanation regarding the loss of your farmlands.
Your sister looks at you incredulously. "Really?"
You nod. She sighs.
"We don't know the exact name, but the human had the courtesy to send a letter. I'm sure you somehow don't know about Karthia, the human city not far away from Silverhall. He and his piddly army are laying siege to the city due to some standard case of human politics, and he has 'temporarily seized' our farmland to feed that pet army of his."
You figure you should also ask about alternative sources of income, for a better picture. Casset sighs yet again while slowly shaking her head in disappointment before speaking up again.
"No. We had the farms, but that's gone. That was our only source of income. If you want to learn how to make money yourself like the responsible wizard I'm sure you are, you could always ask your great grandfather.
But wait:
He's dead."
You ignore your sister's ongoing belittling and leave to the study after saying farewell to some of the family. Over the night, you meditate, recovering 2 mana. Once morning comes and the rest of the family begins to get up and go about their early morning routines, you leave your room and try to continue feeling for their inner fires. You're far more successful today, and for a few minutes, you feel more connected to the people in the room. You're not sure what exactly you're feeling, but you can feel something in the people around you. It wavers and changes as the people go about their day. After five minutes, you feel exhausted and are forced to stop channeling magic, losing 5 mana in the process.
You're still not sure what you were feeling, but it was something, and perhaps with more progress you could become more connected and make something out of their "inner fires".
You once again say your farewells to your family and leave the lower home. You're faced with a decision on what to do next: Pursue alternative sources of income within Silverhall, or leave to meet with the noble. Eventually, you decide on meeting with the human because your idea to look for further sources of income is simply too vague to act upon.
You gather your possessions and some food and set off on the journey. Some amount of hours later, you see the noble's camp within sight.
Initially you're stopped by the soldiers on watch, but after some explanations and the showcase of the letter sent to your family, you're let through. The noble eventually meets with you. He looks surprisingly modest, and is dressed in simple chainmail and has a regular sword sheathed to his person.
"So, the great Karzot of the Bobokundin house has come to meet me, Count Impultus! Finally!" he exclaims in a pompous matter.
You tell him that Karzot was your father. You are the great Cazot!
"I see," he says, deflated a tiny amount. "Regardless. You clearly received my letter, and must understand that I'm on a campaign for my lord. I'm a loyal servant, and will be taking the city of Karthia for my-- his, domain! As I care about the lives of my soldiers, I will be allowing the city of Karthia to starve in their own ignorance. It'll only be a matter of time before they succumb and I will grant you your land and a respectable share of the conquered wealth."
What do you do?
Cazot Bobokundin
Location: Count Impultus' siege camps, outside Karthia
Mana: 5/10. (A general measure of endurance that is restored primarily with rest and "used" by magical exertion.)
School Proficiencies (Your talent at magic of the various schools and types in existence.)
- Pyromancy: 1 (The art of manipulating fire.)
Spells & Abilities
General
- Manipulation [0m] (The use of magic to manipulate your surroundings via levitation and minor transfers of energy. Generally takes no mana to perform unless extreme feats are undertaken.)
Pyromancy
- Flame Tongue [3m] (For 5 seconds, extend a flaming tongue up to 3 inches from your hand and manipulate it to a limited extent.)
- Basic Sense Inner Fire [5m] (For five minutes, attune yourself to your surroundings and sense the inner fires of those in your proximity.)
Inventory
- Robes
Assets
- Noble Family Home in Silverhall
- Lower Family Home in Silverhall