Cael Vysorin's page

Cael Vysorin has been shaping young minds and schooling them in the arcane arts for decades now. As a professor at the Acadamae in Korvosa, he deals with many rich youngsters sent from near and far to learn the ways of magic. For a time, he was eager; excited to share his knowledge and enlighten young men and women from all over.

As time wore on, his enthusiasm waned. He grew tired of repeating the same lessons to a younger generation that continually grew less interested in exploring magic and simply learning spells. Eventually he went on sabbatical, hoping to rekindle his love of magic and teaching. As he traveled, he came across a young Professor Lorrimor and was inspired by the clear love he had for both his fields and those under his tutelage. He spoke at length with the young Lorrimor and they became fast friends.

Before long, Cael returned to the Acadamae, his vigor returned. He continued correspondence with Lorrimor for some time. After a while, the letters slowed, then halted altogether. Cael was concerned but consumed with his own teaching duties.

Years later, Cael received a much more solemn letter. It notified him of Professor Lorrimor's death and requested his presence in Ustalav. Cael began packing immediately and requested a leave of absence from the university. Before long, Cael was underway for his old friend's funeral.

Concept Points
1. Cael is easily discouraged. He can maintain an air of optimism for some time; without positive results, however, he will eventually slide into discouraged pessimism.
2. He's the kind of quiet bookworm to try solving his problems by going around them rather than confront them head on, which is perhaps why he's still only an Assistant Professor in General Studies even after 50 years.
3. For all his hangups and issues, he is still a proud man and will try to conduct himself in a gentlemanly and dignified manner.
4. Ever the academic and still trying to get a leg up on his contemporaries, upon stumbling upon something interesting and novel, despite hostile intents, Cael will wish to study and take notes on anything encountered.
5. Cael will at regular intervals, write back to the Acadamae to document his discoveries, postulating hypothesis, and conduct field research in the hopes of achieving promotion. (or at the very least, recognition)

Goals
1. Achieve promotion/recognition with the Acadamae in Korvosa.
2. Visit the University of Lepidstadt and perhaps attend a few classes.

Secrets
1. Cael hides the fact that he is actually much lower on the totem pole at hte Acadamae than he really is. He hides behind the formality of his title, and only sparingly describes his full title. He prefers to refer to himself as a Professor at the prestigious Acadamae.
2. Cael doesn't know that his mother is still alive and actually a Calistrian prostitute. His father insisted the temple of Calistria was no place to raise a child and told the young boy that his mother had died in childbirth.

Important People
1. Filorel Vysorin - Cael's father. Approaching 300 years old, Cael's father is, as Cael would put it, a stuffy old man set in his ways and cynical to the core. Filorel would describe Cael as a frivolous young man blind to the world's many faults. They see each other only a handful of times a year, birthdays or holidays, and are generally cordial to one another but their relationship is quite cool.
2. Martin Broadcloak - Rival. If there was one man that Cael could most blame his misfortunes on, it would be Martin. A young human who owes his successes more to family than true talent, Cael feels that he has been passed over for research opportunities and faculty appointments in favor of this upstart one too many times.
3. Marjorie Tomarn - Love Interest. 'The one that got away.' While on the sabbatical that led him to Lorrimor, Cael met Marjorie. The young elven woman was a student of Lorrimor and had introduced the two. An energetic and optimistic young woman, Marjorie was just what Cael needed in those days. Quite smitten, when his sabbatical ended he was torn with going back or staying with Marjorie. She told him if it was meant to be, they'd see each other again. Cael hasn't seen or heard from her since.
4. Alexander Prespul - Enemy. The School of Necromancy keeps a closer eye on its students than most. Ever watchful for the occasional bad egg, Alexander was one of them. A string of grisly 'accidents' became news around campus, each indirectly linked to Alexander. The faculty was put on high alert and even helped patrol the grounds after curfew. It was Cael that spotted and (through sheer luck) detained Alexander. He was taken away spewing venomous threats at Cael. Luckily he fled the city and hasn't been seen since.

Key Memories
1. The day his father first taught him magic. It inspired and awed him. He derives his pride and identity from his innate understanding and excellence at his perceived magical prowess.
2. His acceptance to teach at the Acadamae. It served as confirmation of his magical ability and solidified his idea of himself as a knowledgeable authority on arcane matters.
3. His time on sabbatical. It would not be far wrong to say it was the best time of his entire life so far. He met a wonderful girl with whom he almost spent the rest of his life and met a lifelong friend in Professor Lorrimor, who reinvigorated his desire to go back to the Acadamae.

Fear
1. Cael is deathly afraid of insects. A few years ago, when he was still a student, Martin Broadcloak summoned a number of centipede swarms in Cael's bedroom. The effect was augmented by an illusion spell that made the walls and ceiling appear to be covered in all manner of insects as well. The resulting scream woke half the residence hall and actually merited Martin a passing grade from both his summoning and illusion professors, much to Cael's chagrin.