Nic Verbo

Medieval economy. Most people are farmers. Smaller numbers of skilled tradesman like smiths, masons, millers, weavers. Craft guilds in larger towns and cities for each industry like jeweler/goldsmiths or builders or butchers or brewers or bakers. Magic exists but is uncommon, perhaps one person in a thousand has more than a minor charm or cantrip. Powerful mages are often subsidized by the king or an important noble. Adventuring groups love to recruit a mage and work hard to protect them so they can grow stronger. A lord might heavily fine an adventurer group whose wizard died. Multiple gods each with a field of authority such as agriculture or nature or war or smiths but each god is also regional. So one continent will usually have a single harvest god but could have several nature gods tied to local areas. The narrower the field the stronger the power. Gods do compete for worshipers as faith, prayer and offerings strengthen each god's authority. Divine beings discourage the killing of even rival god's worshipers as this reduces the power for all. A king or queen rules each kingdom, but local authority rests with the local baron or lord. The lord or his reeves decide on bounties on criminals and monsters and has guards to enforce laws. That lord employs knights and a mage or two, judges legal cases in his lands, collects taxes and pays some tax on to a higher lord (count or duke) who in turn owes tax and duty to the crown.

Nic was born in the medium sized village of Soutford. Nic's father was a tinker and his mother (Alla) a stall holder selling fruit and produce. His father (Dannel) vanished on the road when Nic was a child. Slain by bandits or monsters? Or tempted away by adventure or a pretty face? Nobody knows. Nic does not want a life of running a market stall or laboring in a workshop, certainly not farm work. Known as "young Nic" he wants to get out of village life to experience the outside. Nic wants to explore beyond his home village. Visit a city or two. Perhaps even journey as far as the great ocean. See new sights and meet new people. He will trade or gather to pay his way. Fight if he must, with dagger, spear or his wits. He would not be above taking some turnips from a field or picking up a neglected pie but is not a thief unless very hungry.