Name: Milton Callow<br/>Age: 25<br/>Title: Vicar<br/>Race: Human<br/>Nationality: English<br/>Social Class: Middle<br/>Family: (unsure)<br/>Profession: Vicar (ordained)<br/>Education: Cambridge, double major in Divine Studies and Arcane Theory<br/>Class: Archivist/Bard<br/>Char Sheet:<br/>http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1080498<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Family</div><div class="spoiler_body">Milton's father was a professor of arcane theory at Cambridge and crafter of magical items.  His wife assisted in the shop, cleaning and helping organize the orders.  Milton, being the man's second son, knew his brother would be inheriting the family business.  Having no noble name to fall back on, as his family was slightly outside that class, Milton knew his best chance at success would be among the clergy or the military, the most common paths of second sons.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Background</div><div class="spoiler_body">Milton could call himself a Priest of Boccob and not, in his mind, be lying.  He'd been "ordained" in his mind since the first time he cast Prestidigitation.  Everyone who wielded and taught magic was a priest as far as he was concerned.  That said, he held no services to Boccob, maintained no temples to his glory.  Milton felt Boccob would think such acts a waste.  Instead, Milton simply performed simple cantrips and answered questions regarding spellcraft at length.  There were services to Boccob within the Church of England, but Milton did not attend them.  To Milton, furthering the knowledge of magic was the only way to truly honor Boccob, and that was a calling Milton took quite seriously.<br/><br/>Milton was, of course, not a Priest of Boccob.  Instead, he'd offered his service to the Lady of Book and Bone, Wee Jas.  As with most initiates, his duties in the beginning mainly consisted of tending graveyards and watching for those who might defile graves.  He'd been introduced to her service at Cambridge, where he'd studied among wizards and, upon graduation, been ordained as a priest in her service.  Despite his magic manifesting as a result of prayers and not incantations, Milton still made a name for himself among his primarily arcane-inclined peers with his impressive understanding of spellcraft.  Like them, he kept a "spellbook" consisting of recorded prayers from ancient texts, a practice almost completely abandoned by modern clerics.<br/><br/>Milton's status within the Church of Wee Jas, or the broader clergy in general, is difficult to explain to outsiders.  Technically, he is of no importance, a simple vicar to the established rector, though he is no longer required to personally clean gravestones or stand vigil in cemeteries except for special observances.  His main duties consist of transcribing works and even scribing simple scrolls for the few prayers he has mastered.  In addition, he has recently been entrusted with complete access to the libraries of Delleb and has begun making appearances at devotions to Halmyr for groups of guardsmen on night shifts, where he discusses the anatomy of both humanoids and beasts, providing lessons on vital points to strike.  While "moonlighting" for the services of lesser gods was far from unheard of, it was quite uncommon for one of his status to be afforded such freedom or be invited to such a role.  His "sermons," while not particularly spirited or compelling in terms of performance, are very informative, making more practical audiences (such as junior guards) very appreciative of him.<br/><br/>While neither Wee Jas nor Milton are technically part of the Church of England, a proper Priest of Pelor named Laverius has taken Milton under his wing.  Milton, though respectful to Pelor, credits Boccob with his talent for healing, which led to the first of many debates on the nature of divine influence.  Laverius was impressed with the young man's keen mind and enjoyed the debate immensely, and the two have since made a point to meet from time to time and discuss theology, generally over a drink or two.  Laverius has been an excellent mentor to Milton, teaching him to speak less sharply and to read for overt signs of discomfort, tools that have been invaluable given Milton's rather uncommon approaches to divine magic.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Ambitions</div><div class="spoiler_body">Milton wants to learn all there is to learn about magic and, if possible, add to the amount of magic in the world.  While the thought of rising high within the church is appealing, it is not a strong motivator, as he knows that he will become more influential regardless of profession as his knowledge increases.  He is somewhat weak to the company of beautiful women, but not recklessly so.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Reputation/Factions</div><div class="spoiler_body">Ironically, or fittingly, depending on one's viewpoint, Milton is closest with other wizards in the city.  His keen mind, prayerbook, scribing of scrolls, and shared worship of studious and arcane-leaning gods gives him much in common with skilled arcanists, and he has been accepted by their community since his days at Cambridge.  <br/><br/>Lately, he's come to minor prominence among the city guard, as his lectures on humanoid anatomy and devotions to Halmyr have been helpful to the mainly uneducated guardsmen, not to mention the healing he is able to provide for lessons with the crossbow.  If he continues his trend of instructing guards, it is surely only a matter of time before junior military leaders hear of him.<br/><br/>If there is a group not particularly fond of Milton, it would be the more traditional priests, those who pray for their spells every day, who receive passive blessings from their gods.  Many of them see Milton's approach to magic as not just unnecessary, but disrespectful, though there's been no scandals to date.<br/><br/>Milton is simultaneously a rising star, a harmless scholar unlikely to ascend, and a borderline blasphemer slowly being given enough rope to hang himself, depending on the source.  His service outside the Church of England has lessened his notoriety, but also allowed him some time to polish his views before facing intense scrutiny.  He is making a name for himself, but his presentation is nowhere near ready for proper services, nor is he adept at establishing connections with parishioners.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Worship</div><div class="spoiler_body">Milton's primary responsibility is to the goddess Wee Jas.  Above her is Boccob, though Milton is not as publicly devout toward him, knowing that Boccob cares little for such shows.  Halmyr is the god he turns to for battle, as Milton interprets skill as knowledge of foe as well as technique.  Delleb, a lesser god of research, inspires his studies.  Lastly, Alobal Lorfiril, the elven god of magical merriment, guides his recreation.</div></div>