Trying to jump back in here (I think I'm caught up, maybe?)
I have two characters I'd like to throw in. (profiles to be posted this weekend hopefully.)
Arvid Kireti is a falconer who is a registered mage. He doesn't actually have any mage powers, he's just really attuned to his birds, but that was enough to get him registered. His family is gone and a rival family wants his place at court.
I'm thinking he'd be perfect for the Witch Trials plot (if that is still happening....)
The other character is a war veteran. He's been living/working among the women. (He's a bower - someone who makes bow weapons) and has some skill in smithing/masonry. Basically, a bit of a jack of all trades as long as the trade has to do with the machinery of war. He didn't want to give up being a soldier, but had to due to disability.
I'm thinking about a "home-front" plot for him. When the war isn't going well for the Connlaothians in his home Duchy, and he gets pressed back into service. Not sure where this would fit in the timeline. Suggestions welcome.
(He's not a mage, but he does have a secret and could possibly go either way in this war, given the right circumstances.)