Salinus The Wizard

Salinus is a young magician (as magicians go), having only seen 27 summers in his life. He hasn't travelled very far, nor seen much of the world, although he's read many things. He is starting to consider that perhaps he should take the roads that lead over the proverbial hills, and see what else the world has to offer.

When he has seen the world, made a name for himself, and gathered vast treasure, he will return home, set up his parents for life, and retire to enjoy his days and cast his spells. At least, that's the plan so far.

Salinus is naturally curious, observant, and has a high degree of compassion, knowing the hard work it takes to make a farm work, and knowing what it means to have little in one's life. He can be a good friend, if he's treated right, and can be loyal in return. He's generally respectful, but opposes injustice and tyranny in all its forms. He's intelligent, but not too physical. His mind is often preoccupied with matters arcane, and you can always find him fiddling with little spells and books where ever he goes.

Salinus is strong and healthy, having worked for years at a farm, and blessed with a good stature (6' 2"). He sports a long, well-groomed beard (which makes him look older and more mature), along with his black and blue robes, and a walking staff which has seen many years with him. He keeps his hair long (mostly because he forgets it's there, so it grows and grows until he remembers to cut it). He knows that the world is dangerous, but has never seen actual combat in person. While he feels that he would be courageous in a fight, his mettle has not yet been tested. He looks forward to the chance, but remains a bit apprehensive about it.


Talent Backstory:
When Salinus was young, he would wander off into the forest to play by himself. His brothers and sisters thought he was odd, perhaps a bit 'touched'. But in reality, he had been playing with fae beings, small sprites and faeries, who had taken a special liking to him, and had taught him 'fun tricks' (magic spells). He promised not to tell the grown-ups, and he managed to keep his promise for many years. Unknown to him, he had been born with a 'gift for magic'. Many generations back, one of his ancestors had been touched with magical blood, having mated with a mystical being in 'human form'. The offspring had unusual magical qualities, some inspiring, some abhorrent, but as the generations passed, the blood thinned, and the new offspring became further and further removed from this ancient gift. With Salinus, this gift made a small showing. He was luckily spared the physical changes, and no part of his appearance diverged from human, but the intensity of his magical talent demonstrated itself in his natural ability to command great power, a faint glow when casting spells, and a great resistance to magical effects. If he had only known that all those little quirks meant he could be a powerful wizard, he might have taken the choice to study earlier. As it was, the gift was present, but without education, it simply waited patiently to be of use.

On his 16th birthday, Salinus went to see a travelling stage show with a 'wizard' showman, who liked to visit every year to trade and give one or two performances in the arts of 'Arcane Power'. It was a fun show, full of lights and surprises, and a puppet show of the old folk tale, Sir Kayllan and the Beast, always a favorite with young audiences. It was during this performance that the 'showman' discovered Salinus' exceptional magical aptitude when he cast a spectacle spell over the audience and Salinus' natural protection turned it around on him. No one in the audience was any wiser on what had happened, but the 'wizard' knew. The next day, he approached Salinus' parents seeking to explain to them that they had an exceptional young man as a son. Salinus loved the idea of casting spells in the open, and helping people with them. He was glad to show what he could already do, to his parent's shock, and the wizard's surprise. In his mind he could see himself as the hero of the story, Sir Kayllan, so he agreed to an apprenticeship. With his parent's blessings, he travelled with the wizard to his study, and began his magical path in earnest.

He learned many things about magic, about the world, and about people, but he never learned that he was exceptional as a mage, especially one of his human blood, as he was the only apprentice to the wizard. And the wizard never told him. He merely instructed his young student as was needed for him to reach the pinnacle of his potential, something Salinus took to eagerly and with great abandon.

So, on his 20th year, as his apprenticeship formally concluded, Salinus set off into the world. He had a modicum of spells under his command (entirely unaware of his exceptional nature), a measure of esoteric learning, and a wide-open sense of wonder at the world. Perhaps a bit apprehensive at now travelling on his own, he decided to seek the company of like-minded people, and make a name, and some wealth, for himself. What better way than seeking risk for coin. There was a name for people like that. Was it mercenaries? Nah, that was too martial. Was it assassin? No! He never wanted to hurt people on purpose, but he would be willing to defend them. Bounty hunter, then? No, he didn't want to track criminals for a living. It sounded dull. He finally reached his answer: Adventurer. There were stories of people who travelled to far away places and lands, and who underwent great trials and risks, but came back wiser, stronger, and richer, to become heroes in the land. Of course, all those stories omitted how many other tried and failed, who left and were never heard of again. But those were insignificant details. The promise of fame, riches, and an easy life once he finished, made Salinus eager for the next step.