1st Level (DC 15): Diagnose Disease, Mage Armor, Ray of Enfeeblement, Chill Touch, Unseen Servant, Sleep
Spells Prepared:
Cantrips (3):
1st Level (2):
Gear:
Longsword, Dagger, Light Crossbow, 10 Bolts, Spell Components Pouch, Backpack, Bedroll, Waterskin, 3 days Rations, Flint and Steel, Inkpen, Vial of Ink, 10 sheets of Paper, 3 Torches, Belt Pouch
GP: 18.27
History:
Ardon was born into a family of no small means in this city of Caliphas, and from a young age it was said that he had a gentle heart and an inquisitive mind. It was hardly a surprise, then, when he entered the field of medicine, eager to help those around him and unravel the mysteries of the human body. In the early days of his career he was loved by his patients, but his insistence on treating those who needed it most often resulted in patients who could not pay for their treatment, and his fortune began to dwindle.
On top of that, his human friends and his patients began dying around him, and all of his knowledge could not prevent it. He grew morose, wondering what the purpose of his studies were if everyone he treated was still going to expire in the blink of an eye. He began to become less of a doctor and more of an anthropologist, observing and cataloging human behavior in a quest to find meaning in his work. Was there any point to what he was doing? He became more and analytical, and when he did treat patients, he was coldly pragmatic about the affair, his bedside manner non-existent.
He began to leave Caliphas to observe other peoples and cultures, and it was during this time that he met Professor Petros Lorrimer. They enjoyed a collegiate relationship, the professor at the time being interested in the rituals and customs of the less civilized races of Ustalav. Ardon accompanied the professor into the field in an attempt to research a primitive tribe of Kellids, and apart from undercooked food and sleeping on rock, it was going well. One evening, though, the professor must have said something or done something that invoked the ire of a tribesman, and he came in with an axe. He was quickly restrained as wiser members of the clan understood it was only a mistake, but Ardon and the Professor were encouraged to leave. On the journey back to Caliphas, however, things took a turn for the worse, and the Professor's wound began to fester. Ardon did not have the supplies he needed to treat the wound on hand, and, in desperation, he consulted Lorrimer's notes on the Kellid rituals and reached out to that tribe's barbaric patron, entreating it for the power to save his friend. Something answered. In the end, he was able to share the burden of the infection, allowing them to survive the journey and receive proper treatment.
Ardon never revealed to the Professor what happened - Lorrimer himself had been delirious at the time and had little memory of the event. Since that time, though, the elf hears disconcerting whispers in his sleep, and the decidedly atheist elf has begun to worry about the state of his soul. He has begun doctoring again, though he tries to avoid relying on his strange new powers more than necessary. He has grown more pragmatic and hyper-rational, having seen enough death that it is all he seeks to prevent. He still seeks to help others, believing in the potential that life brings with it, but has dropped most pretenses of amiableness.
After seeing so many people in his life die, he was surprised at how affected his was by the news of Petros Lorrimer's death. With his work in Caliphas taking it's toll on him, though, he has decided that he needs this opportunity to get away for a bit, and to pay his respects to an old friend.
Personality and Mannerisms:
Ardon wants to help help people first and foremost - that remains his chief motivation in life. However, he's lost most of his youthful idealism, and takes a fairly pragmatic approach in such dealings. He no longer believes he can save the world, and has accepted that sometimes the most he can do for someone is mitigate their suffering. He believes in the potential of living things, and hates to see a life ended, but he will on occasion perform merciful poisonings on patients who have little time left. He's seen enough that he's not shy around blood or barbarism, a fact that disheartens him, as he feels his own humanity may be slipping away.
Ardon is also focused on others, usually thinking little of his own health or well-being. A driven man, he often neglects all luxuries and sometimes even sleep when he has a goal to accomplish. Truth be told, he prefers to sleep as little as necessary. Ever since he made the pact to save Lorrimer's life, he is plagued by night terrors, though he can never remember them - he simply wakes each morning with a feeling of dread, and vague memories of dark whispers. His abilities are something that he still doesn't understand, not like he does medical theory. As such, he prefers to use standard methods to help patients, regarding his spells and other abilities as a last resort.
Appearance:
Ardon is a rail-thin elf with pasty skin and sunken eyes. He has the look of a man grown old before his time, and exhibits little of the youthful quality attributed to his race. He moved with precise, deliberate action, and tends to slouch slightly. He favors simple but respectable attire - usually a white shirt, grey breeches, and a simple black vest. His clothes are well-made, and were probably nice once, but today most of his wardrobe is frayed and faded. When he travels, he is usually burdened by a heavy backpack, and makes certain to arm himself for the road. He carries a longsword, as is traditional for his people, though given his light frame he favors a crossbow when violence is necessary. Utility over aesthetics is the rule that dominates his attire in all things, and in the end, he presents the image of a man who's not put together quite as well as he could be.
