Commoner

Class: Free-born citizens, non-noble and non-serf
Protected by: Limited legal rights, often dependent on local rulers

Overview: Commoners occupy the narrow middle ground between Nobles and Serfs. They are technically free, not bound to land like serfs nor burdened with inherited titles like nobles. But their freedom is often precarious and conditional. In many cases, they live under constant scrutiny, liable to fall into serfdom through poverty or rise to wealth only to be crushed by laws forbidding social mobility.

They are blacksmiths, innkeepers, scribes, merchants, barge captains, doctors, minor mages, and militia leaders. Some are even minor landowners, though never enough to be called "lords" without incurring suspicion.

Legal Status: Commoners have the right to travel (with proper documentation), own non-magical property, and petition local magistrates. However, they are restricted from holding public office, wielding magic with out permission form Noble Houses or Mage Circles, or owning too much land. Accusations made by Nobles hold greater weight in court, and dueling or insulting a Noble may still be punished by imprisonment or forced conscription.

It is not uncommon for a successful commoner to be accused of violating obscure magical or property laws and stripped of wealth, particularly in provinces ruled by more paranoid houses such as House Charon or House Gha'ard.

Social Role: Commoners are often seen as the "buffer class", useful enough to be tolerated, but watched closely. They manage the businesses too complex for serfs and too beneath nobles, educate the next generation of functionaries, and often serve as local bureaucrats or clerks in noble households.

Some families have served noble lines for generations, hoping for favor, marriage alliances, or even elevation to Minor House status. Though such cases are rare, and usually politically motivated.

Magic and Restriction: A commoner found practicing magic without being a member of a sanctioned Circle is in violation of The Laws on magic and risks execution or "indentured apprenticeship", a polite phrase for magical conscription. However, some individuals circumvent this by aligning with very minor Circles or being sponsored as loyal household mages.

Many commoners dream of gaining Circle sponsorship. Most will never get this.

Religion: Commoners typically follow the official pantheon, particularly gods like: Denarius, Sune, Jover or Veni "Bright-Spear" Villichi. Some even pay quiet homage to Serf Gods, particularly Solacear and Bittaluck, but rarely do so openly.

Cultural Identity: Despite this, commoners maintain pride. They run the cities, tend the markets, and make up the bulk of provincial culture. Local folk music, regional dress, and storytelling traditions are almost always preserved by commoner families. Many also maintain community schools, hidden shrines, or neighborhood guilds to support one another.