Occupations
While regular occupations (baker, blacksmith, teacher, etc.) exist in Mereldia, of course, there are also some more specific jobs that are just as common. This section outlines just such Mereldia-specific occupations, as well as the regions they are commonly practised in.
List
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Verdant
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Crystallist
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Scriver
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Mage
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Combat Mage
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Imbuer
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Quester
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Wandering Mage
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Slave Merchant
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Child Trader
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Demon Trader
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Exotic Trader
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Prisoner Trader
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Raccardi Breeder
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Labour Broker
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Debt Captor
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Caravan Guard
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Ship Guard
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Demon Hunter
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Trail Guide
Magic-Centred
Verdant
Verdants are those with an earth primary who specialise in plant growth, most commonly employed in orchards and greenhouses. Their role is to enable crops and exotic plants to thrive in regions where they would not naturally grow, making them essential for maintaining a stable and diverse food supply.
An Arcanist title is not required for this position, and even novices may apprentice in an orchard or greenhouse to improve their magic and learn the ropes of the job, as long as they have earth as their primary. Because careful temperature control is central to the work, both water and fire are required secondary elements, meaning anyone with a different primary than earth cannot fulfil the basic demands of the role.
Their work requires a strong understanding of both plant needs and environmental limitations. Mismanagement can weaken crops or deplete soil, so skilled verdants are highly sought after for their ability to balance productivity with long-term viability.
Crystallist
Crystallists are those with access to earth magic who specialise in gemstone and crystal growth. Their role is to encourage the formation of artificial gemstones for decoration, trade, and art, providing a more affordable alternative to naturally formed stones.
An Arcanist title is not required for this position, though formal training is strongly recommended due to the precision required. In addition to earth magic, a light affinity is required, as light magic is responsible for stimulating growth and strengthening the forming crystals. While magic-grown gemstones are easier to obtain than naturally formed ones, their imperfect mana structure makes them unsuitable for most enchantments and they are primarily used for jewellery, decoration, dyes, and pigments.
Their work requires a detailed understanding of mineral composition, crystal formation, and the interaction between earth and light magic. Poorly controlled growth can result in flawed or unstable stones, meaning skilled crystallists are highly valued by jewellers, artists, and merchants seeking reliable alternatives to naturally formed gemstones.
Scriver
Scrivers specialise in the creation, preparation, and reproduction of written works through both traditional writing methods and magical transcription. Their primary role is to produce accurate copies of texts and documents for private, academic, religious, commercial, and governmental use.
The foundation of a scriver’s work is the creation of master copies. Using specially prepared Transcription Ink, they create original manuscripts whose written movements are recorded within the ink’s magical structure. Once a master copy has been prepared, a scriver can use Invocation to supply mana to the Transcription Ink, allowing the recorded brush strokes to be recreated onto a blank surface. This process enables scrivers to reproduce books, documents, notices, maps, certificates, and other written materials with far greater accuracy than ordinary copying methods.
Because magical transcription recreates the original writing exactly, scrivers must work with exceptional precision when creating master copies. Mistakes, poor handwriting, or damage present in the original manuscript will be reproduced in every subsequent copy. Preparing a reliable master copy therefore requires significantly more expertise than producing further reproductions.
Scrivers work with a wide range of clients, including universities, temples, merchants, government offices, and private individuals. They are often involved in book production alongside authors, illustrators, and bookbinders.
Mage
Anyone who has reached at least the rank of Arcanist is considered a mage and can turn magic into a profession. While some choose to dabble in many different fields or pursue academic work, there are also numerous occupations in which a mage can work and specialise.
Combat Mage
As the name already suggests, these mages specialise in combat, most especially in a sport context. They fight in arenas and colloseums can gain a good amount of fame and reputation when they are good enough. Mage duels are one of the most popular sports.
Injuries can quickly end more than just a career though, so this path is not without its inherent risks.
Imbuer
They perform enchantments on objects and can even further specialise within this field to perform only certain types of enchantments. Glamour enchantments for clothing and appearances are especially popular among the higher societal circles, while more practical spells (keeping food from spoiling as quickly, keeping cool in the heat or warm in the cold, etc.) are commonly used by the regular folk.
Gemstones, metals and sturdy fabrics are the most common materials for enchantments, which means an imbuer usually has a lot of those materials in stock. Since gemstones and crystals are the most easy to work with and the easiest to specialise depending on their inherent properties, imbuer businesses are also often seen as the go-to places to buy gemstones to do some own enchanting.
They are also suppliers of Transcription Ink, a specially enchanted form of regular ink that preserves the magical imprint of the brush strokes used when writing. When used by a scriver with Invocation, it allows the original writing to be recreated onto a blank surface.
In Koruna, it is customary for imbuers to wear blue robes, symbolising the night sky. Those employed by the guard additionally have the sigil of Koruna and the sigil of the city they serve embroidered onto their robes.
Quester
Questers are mages that frequently accept missions that take them outside of their home city and make them handle a wide variety of tasks. Instead of a steady income, they are reliant on the mission rewards, which often leads them to take on dangerous missions, making this a particularly risky occupation. In Koruna, they are most often hired to accompany caravans as security, while in countries with less dangerous terrain they are sent to deal with local magical dangers (creatures, curses, enchantments, etc.). Smaller, less risky, missions are also an option, but since the rewards aren't very high, those who work those usually can't expect wealth in return.
Wandering Mage
A common profession for those who have earned an Arcanist certificate or higher but do not wish to settle in one place. Wandering mages travel constantly, often crossing country borders and spending little time in any one city. Like questers, they take on mage quests wherever they go, but rather than working from a fixed home or guild, they remain permanently on the road.
Because they are accustomed to long journeys and unfamiliar territory, wandering mages are frequently hired by merchants as temporary guards, particularly when valuable cargo is being transported. Others earn their living by offering magical services in villages and towns too small or remote to employ a permanent mage.
Witch
Although not recognised as a legitimate profession, "witch" is the common term for a mage who makes a living through the misuse of magic or the practice of forbidden spells. The title is applied by the authorities rather than claimed by the individual and encompasses a wide range of magical criminals, from those performing illegal enchantments and curses to practitioners of outlawed forms of magic.
Witches often operate in secret, avoiding settlements where magical authorities are active. Some work alone, while others belong to criminal organisations or hidden covens that exchange knowledge of forbidden magic. Depending on the severity of their crimes and the laws of the country in which they operate, punishment may range from imprisonment to execution.
Slave Trade
The slave trade is a common occupation in the southern coastal countries, reaching as far north as the Middle Lands. It covers a variety of distinct trades that all fall under the same general umbrella.
Slave Merchant
Slave merchants buy, sell, and manage fully owned slaves, who are often branded to mark ownership and sold at market rates. These individuals are considered property and remain under the merchant’s control until purchased by a new owner.
The work demands a keen understanding of value, taking into account age, health, skill, and appearance. Merchants must also navigate local laws, rival traders, and occasional unrest among the enslaved. Successful merchants can earn considerable profit, particularly when dealing in highly sought-after individuals or supplying wealthy clients.
Because the trade is both lucrative and socially sensitive, many slave merchants operate discreetly, relying on networks of contacts, intermediaries, and sometimes corrupt officials to maintain a steady flow of stock.
Most sell rootkin slaves, through there are some specialisations among slave merchants as well:
Child Trader
Child traders specialise in acquiring and selling children as slaves. Their stock is obtained through purchase, coercion, or by exploiting families unable to provide for their offspring. Because children are easier to train and control than adults, they are highly sought after for domestic service, apprenticeships, or as long-term investments for wealthy buyers.
The work requires careful assessment of a child’s health, temperament, and potential abilities, as well as discretion to avoid public scrutiny or legal complications. Successful child traders maintain networks of contacts and intermediaries to secure a steady flow of stock, and skilled traders are adept at placing children where they will be most profitable—whether in households, institutions, or as apprentices under other merchants.
Demon Trader
In Eriwon, demons are regarded as high-status slaves, prized as much for their rarity as for their power. Their magic must be carefully blocked, a process that can be costly and requires regular renewal by an imbuer, making them far too expensive for ordinary labour. For this reason, demons are usually sold at high prices and branded to signal ownership. Among wealthy circles, some have even taken to the underground sport of demon fights, where magic blockers are removed and the slaves are forced to battle to the death—a dangerous form of entertainment for those who can afford it.
Demon traders typically work alongside demon hunters to acquire their stock. Pure demons, captured in the wild, are the most valuable, while demon children are highly sought after for their ease of training and obedience. Half-demons, often born of unfortunate or unwilling unions, make up the bulk of the market, as they are easier to obtain than their pure counterparts.
Beyond labour or combat, demons are also employed in high-class brothels for their striking appearance and natural charm, though only establishments with sufficient wealth can afford such luxuries. For a demon trader, understanding the preferences of the upper classes and the value of rare or obedient stock is essential to maintaining a profitable enterprise.
Exotic Trader
Exotic traders specialise in acquiring and selling slaves with unusual appearances, traits, or abilities. Their stock often includes chimeras or rare rootkin species, and occasionally even demonkin or faekin, though the latter are exceptionally difficult to maintain as slaves. Traders favour anything that can be seen as exotic: striking colourations, exceptional beauty, unique physical features, or unusual talents. Such slaves are highly sought after by wealthy buyers seeking novelty, status, or prestige, allowing exotics traders to command premium prices for their rarest stock.
Prisoner Trader
Prisoner traders specialise in buying, selling, and managing slaves captured from conflicts, criminal convictions, or other detentions. Their stock can range from common criminals to political prisoners or war captives, and prices vary according to skill, health, age, and perceived usefulness.
The occupation requires careful negotiation with authorities, military leaders, or local officials to secure a steady supply of slaves, as well as vigilance against escape attempts or disputes over ownership. Successful prisoner traders understand the value of different types of stock and are able to place slaves where they will fetch the highest price—whether for labour, servitude, or specialised work. Discretion and reputation are vital, as the trade can attract legal scrutiny and provoke unrest if mismanaged.
Raccardi Breeder
Raccardi breeders, as the name suggests, earn their living by breeding, raising and selling raccardis. Rare or unusual colourings fetch higher prices, and some breeders go so far as to use outlawed magic to alter a raccardi’s appearance. Such spells can make a raccardi more striking to buyers, but they often leave the creature with physical disabilities, producing low-quality servants that are nonetheless sold at inflated prices. Because raccardis are everyday companions and helpers, wealthier buyers often choose purely for looks, while the commonfolk must make do with whatever is affordable—usually the more plain or less well-bred raccardis. This makes the market for well-bred, attractive raccardis a consistently profitable—if sometimes morally questionable—business.
Labour Broker
Labour brokers are involved in the buying, selling, or arranging of individuals for work, profiting from the labour of others. This can range from domestic service and manual labour to more specialised or dangerous tasks, depending on the region and demand. They may acquire workers through agreements with families, by purchase, or in some cases through coercion, and are responsible for ensuring that those they manage are able to perform the work expected of them.
The occupation requires a sharp understanding of supply, demand, and the value of different skills or services. While it can be highly profitable, it is also fraught with risk: disputes over payments, escape attempts, or backlash from local authorities can turn a broker’s livelihood into a dangerous enterprise.
Debt Captor
Debt captors acquire slaves by exploiting unpaid debts. When a person or their family is unable to repay a loan, the captor seizes the debtor or their children and sells them to recoup the owed amount. The work requires a keen understanding of local laws, the value of the enslaved, and the risks involved—debts may be disputed, families may resist, and enforcement can attract legal or violent repercussions.
Debt captors often work in tandem with lenders, loan offices, or local authorities, ensuring a steady supply of stock while protecting their own profits. Success in the trade depends on balancing force and discretion, as overly harsh methods can spark unrest, while too much leniency risks financial loss. Skilled debt captors are adept at assessing the worth of individuals, negotiating with buyers, and maintaining control over their slaves until they are sold.
Specialised Protection
Mereldia is a land of widely varying terrain. While many major trade routes are relatively safe, others still carry environmental, seasonal, or criminal dangers that can quickly turn a journey deadly. Sandstorms, treacherous passes, hostile wildlife, and bandits all remain constant threats in certain regions. For this reason, those who can afford it often hire specialised protection to ensure that both travellers and goods reach their destination safely. Depending on the region and the nature of the journey, several different occupations fulfil this role.
Caravan Guard
Travelling through the Korunian desert is dangerous even under ideal conditions. The harsh climate alone can wear down a caravan, but bandits along the trade routes and desert raptor packs that prey on lone travellers make the journey even more perilous. Because of this, most merchants and travellers move in caravans whenever possible. Caravan guards are hired to protect these groups throughout the journey, keeping watch over both the travellers and their cargo. Their duties include scouting ahead for potential threats, maintaining order during travel, and responding quickly when danger arises. Guards are expected to be capable fighters and remain alert even during long stretches of uneventful travel. In some cases, quester mages with suitable abilities take on this role, though such arrangements are usually temporary rather than long-term employment.
Ship Guard
In regions where trade relies on waterways, ship guards fulfil a role similar to caravan guards. They are hired to protect vessels and their occupants from bandits, aquatic predators, and ambushes along the route. Attacks on water can be sudden and difficult to escape, making constant vigilance essential. Ship guards are trained to fight in confined spaces and unstable conditions, often working closely with the vessel’s crew to respond quickly to threats.
Their duties do not end once a ship reaches harbour. In busy or dangerous ports, ship guards remain responsible for the safety of the vessel, protecting cargo from theft, preventing unauthorised boarding, and ensuring that crew and passengers are not targeted while docked.
Demon Hunter
Demon hunters are most commonly found in Eriwon, where wild demons roam the forests and pose a serious threat to travellers. Journeys through these regions often require more than ordinary protection, as demons can be difficult to track and even more difficult to defeat. Demon hunters specialise in locating, confronting, and eliminating demons before they can harm those under their protection. Their work requires both combat skill and knowledge of demonic behaviour, as well as the ability to recognise signs of nearby demons. Because of the danger involved, their services are often costly, and they are typically hired by wealthy travellers, merchant groups, or expeditions that must pass through known demon territories.
Trail Guide
Trail guides are responsible for leading caravans, merchants, and other groups safely through difficult terrain such as mountain passes, swamps, dense forests, or remote desert routes. Unlike guards, their primary role is navigation rather than direct combat. Trail guides possess deep knowledge of the land, including hidden paths, seasonal hazards, safe resting places, and the best routes for moving large groups or heavy cargo. Their experience can mean the difference between a successful journey and becoming lost in hostile territory. Depending on the difficulty and risk of the route, their services can be expensive, especially when guiding caravans through areas that few others are willing to cross.