Polkdonn Elshant

**Polkdonn Elshant** was a distinguished faculty member at the Goldsea Institute, specializing in the arcane discipline of necromancy. Elshant rose from modest beginnings to become an influential scholar. His tenure at the Institute was marked by academic excellence but was abruptly cut short following a mysterious and unamicable departure. The exact details of his disagreement with Headmaster Ettlsen Goldsea remain undisclosed, but its ramifications were felt across the Institute and left a void in the field of necromantic studies.

## Early Life and Education

Born in the town of Krabesfield in 1078 AV, Polkdonn Elshant was the son of Bortimer Elshant, an immigrant from Dattillies and a Warlock devoted to Set, and Thana Elshant(née Jones), a local healer who ran a modest apothecary. The young Polkdonn grew up in a household of contrasting spiritual and academic influences. His father, stern and devout, instilled in him a deep respect for the arcane arts, particularly those concerning life and death. Bortimer would often take young Polkdonn to his personal shrine of Set, where the boy was exposed to rituals and ceremonies that both fascinated and terrified him. His mother, on the other hand, nurtured his innate curiosity and encouraged him to explore the world of herbs, potions, and natural remedies. Thana's apothecary served as a sanctuary for the young boy, where he would spend hours reading ancient texts and experimenting with minor healing spells.

Despite his family's modest financial circumstances, Polkdonn harbored ambitions of rising above his station through academic excellence. His dreams seemed to materialize when he secured a prized scholarship to the Goldsea Institute in 1093 AV. The scholarship was awarded to him following a local competition in arcane arts, where his unique blend of necromantic and healing spells caught the attention of the judges, one of whom was a former student of the Goldsea Institute. Upon his arrival at the Institute, Polkdonn was immediately drawn to the field of Wizardry, seeing it as a natural extension of his interests and a pathway to a more prosperous life. It was at the Institute that he also met Professor Isch Esbrandt, the then head professor of History and General Studies. Under Esbrandt's mentorship, Polkdonn delved deep into the historical contexts and ethical considerations of arcane practices, enriching his understanding of necromancy. His academic journey was further enhanced by a close friendship with Kubera Brood, a fellow student who would later become a significant figure in the field of Warlock studies.

## Academic Career

Polkdonn Elshant's academic career began in earnest when he was hired as the Professor of Necromancy at the Goldsea Institute in 1103 AV. His appointment came at the strong recommendation of Professor Kubera Brood, who had been impressed by his scholarly prowess and ethical approach to the arcane arts. Elshant took over the position from the retiring Professor Ticker Graves, a venerable but somewhat controversial figure in the field. Eager to make his mark, Elshant immediately set about modernizing the necromancy curriculum. He introduced new courses that focused on the ethical implications of raising the undead and the responsible use of necromantic spells in society. His innovative teaching methods included practical demonstrations and field trips to ancient burial sites around Venthalia, where students could engage in supervised, real-world applications of their studies. These educational excursions were often conducted in collaboration with Professor Harmen, the head of the Wizardry Department, and were met with both enthusiasm and academic acclaim.

Following the passing of his mentor, Professor Isch Esbrandt, in 1100 AV, Elshant was frequently seen engrossed in Esbrandt's archived writings and research papers. This scholarly devotion served as a testament to the enduring impact of Esbrandt's teachings on Elshant's own academic philosophy. However, as Prof Elshant climbed the academic ladder, he found himself increasingly at odds with Ettlsen Goldsea. While the nature of their disagreements was never made public, it was evident that the two scholars had differing visions for the Institute and the field of Necromancy. Prof Elshant, influenced by the teachings of his late mentor, advocated for a more open and inclusive approach to arcane studies. He often found himself defending his curriculum changes and teaching methods in tense faculty meetings, where Goldsea's autocratic tendencies became more apparent. Despite these challenges, Elshant remained committed to his students and his field, even going so far as to establish an annual scholarship in the name of Professor Esbrandt, aimed at supporting underprivileged students interested in the studies of both of Wizardry and History. His dedication to his work made his sudden departure in 1118 AV all the more shocking and left a lasting impact on the Institute.

## Relationships and Controversies

Throughout his tenure at the Goldsea Institute, Professor Polkdonn Elshant maintained a complex web of relationships that both aided and hindered his academic pursuits. His relationship with Professor Harmen, one of his former teachers, was one of mutual respect and collaboration. The two often engaged in joint research projects, exploring the ethical boundaries of arcane practices. Their partnership led to several published papers and even a co-taught advanced course on "The Ethics of Arcane Manipulation", which became a popular elective among senior students. On the other hand, Elshant's interactions with Ettlsen Goldsea grew increasingly fraught over the years. The tension between them reached a boiling point during a faculty meeting in 1116 AV, where Prof Elshant openly questioned Goldsea's decision to restrict access to certain arcane texts within the Institute's library. This public confrontation led to a series of closed-door meetings, the contents of which remain a subject of speculation among faculty and students alike.

In the backdrop of these professional relationships, Elshant also had a close friendship with Professor Kubera Brood, who led the Warlock Studies Department. The two had been classmates and had maintained their friendship into their professional lives. However, even this friendship could not shield Prof Elshant from the controversies that plagued him. Rumors began to circulate within the Institute that Prof Elshant's research in necromancy was veering into dangerous territories, echoing the darker aspects of his father's Warlock practices. These rumors, although never substantiated, added a layer of intrigue and suspicion around Prof Elshant, further isolating him within the academic community. His sudden and unexplained departure in 1118 AV, following a particularly heated confrontation with Headmaster Goldsea, only fueled these speculations.

## Legacy and Impact

The sudden disappearance of Professor Polkdonn Elshant left an indelible mark on the Goldsea Institute, particularly within the Wizardry Department. His absence led to the immediate cessation of all necromancy classes, leaving a gaping hole in the curriculum that has yet to be filled. Students who had specialized in necromancy found themselves scrambling to adjust their academic paths, and several even transferred to other institutions in search of a more comprehensive arcane education. Ettlsen Goldsea's subsequent refusal to hire a new necromancy professor or to elaborate on the reasons behind this decision has led to a state of academic stagnation within the field. This has prompted a group of concerned alumni, led by a former student of Elshant's named Lydia Trueshadow, to petition the Institute for the reinstatement of necromantic studies. However, their efforts have so far been met with silence from the administration.

Beyond the academic sphere, Elshant's legacy has also seeped into popular culture and local folklore. His mysterious disappearance has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories, the most popular of which links him to the increased attacks from undead Skeleton Ships over the last decade. Although unproven, this theory has found a wide audience among the residents of Venthalia, further mystifying the figure of Elshant.