The Physicker

A haggard looking human strides from the tent. Returning his gore flecked spectacles to his coat pocket, he smiles thinly and gives a weary nod, eliciting a cheer from the gathered townsfolk.

Wild eyed with excitement, a wizened gnome draws a flask of glowing green liquid to his lips and drinks. The flask shatters on the ground as the gnome's tiny form begins to swell grotesquely.

An orc stalks up to the elven woman kneeling over a wounded guardsman. As he raises his battle axe for a killing stroke, the woman whirls around, planting a scalpel in the stunned orc's neck. The orc falls, gurgling in surprise, and the elf calmly returns to her charge.

There are those that believe the mysteries of life will yield themselves to careful study and experimentation. Each physicker's motivation may be unique, but all of them are united in this common pursuit of knowledge.

The Science of Life While others may beseech deities or the spirits of nature to heal, physickers delve into research, both magical and mundane, to further their craft. The rationalist approach can put the physicker at odds with those more inclined towards faith and ritual. It is not enough that something works - the physicker must know why it works. This curiosity can also lead physickers towards more aberrant pursuits as they are driven toward increasingly eccentric avenues of study.

The Art of Healing More than mere academics, physickers put their knowledge into practice. The most traditional path for a physicker to take is that of a healer, using their vast medical knowledge to keep those they care about safe. There are, however, other paths a physicker might choose. A talented surgeon could find their skill with a blade applies to more than just the operating table, and another physicker's research might drive them beyond simple healing, pushing them to improve upon the natural anatomy of their subjects.