Poly Verisof

* Adult
* Child

"*Poly, come back! We don't have a deal."
"I know. I wanna see the ghost.*"
—Poly is determined to approach the Vault[src]
**Poly Verisof** is a recurring character in the Apple TV+ series *Foundation*. He is one of the colonist's children on Terminus who are intrigued by the mysterious Vault, and later the High Claric of the Church of the Galactic Spirit. Poly is portrayed by Jairaj Varsani as a child in Season One, and by Kulvinder Ghir as an adult in Season Two. Poly first appeared in the episode "The Emperor's Peace" as a child, and "A Glimpse of Darkness" as an adult.

## Biography

### Early life

Poly is a young boy who lives on the planet Terminus. Along with his friends, Keir, Gia, and Laylo, he is fascinated by the mysterious Vault. Poly once tried to get as close to the Vault as possible, wanting to see the "ghost" but the effects of the null field rendered him unconscious. His friends were unable to retrieve him because he was so close, but he was pulled to safety by Warden Salvor Hardin who was unaffected by the Vault.

Poly later greeted Hugo Crast when he arrived on Terminus. During the Anacreon's attack on Terminus City, Poly and Gia managed to rescue Salvor when she was held captive by the Anacreons. Poly distracted the guard while Gia knocked them out with a piece of metal. The pair then dragged the unconscious Salvor into the geothermal tunnels.

### High Claric

As Poly grew older, he believed that Hari Seldon would emerge from the Vault once a year, or maybe every ten years. Poly became part of the Church of the Galactic Spirit, worshipping and spreading the world of the Prophet, Hari Seldon. He disagreed with positioning themselves as "magicians" and began to wonder if the Prophet was still invested in the people of Terminus. Over the years, he descended into alcohol and drug use, including Vordaline dust. One hundred and thirty-eight years after the Vault first opened, Poly was the last living survivor to have witnessed it.

As High Claric of the Church, Poly preached along the Red Corridor with Novice Claric Brother Constant, ending up on Siwenna. One morning, after overcoming a drunken state with the help of Brother Constant, he and Constant find a death threat towards the Foundation in the form of a crucified body near their camp. They prepare for an ambush themselves later, noting that the locals fear that they are attempting to usurp their worship of their traditional lightning deity.

Poly performs a show with Constant later - saving her from attack from locals - and make an effort to convert these people to the Foundation. He uses special effects to make himself float, excrete sparks from his hands, and make someone fly. Mid-show, however, he and Constant are recalled to Terminus as the Vault has opened.

They arrive on Terminus and discuss next steps for the Vault. Poly is very unhappy when Warden Jaegger Fount tells him he won't be greeting Hari Seldon, even though he is the only person who has met Hari before. Furthermore, Poly expresses his disdain for how the Foundation has turned, becoming more bureaucratic like Trantor. When the Vault opens and Jaegger Fount is killed, Poly is surprised that the Seldon seemingly wants Hober Mallow summoned to him.

Poly discusses the situation with Sermak, Brigadier Manlio and Councilor Sutt. After some debate, Poly tells them they are getting Hober Mallow and taking him to the Vault. Along with Brother Constant, Poly travels to Korell to find Hober. They arrive just as he is due to be executed by Kommdor Argo. Poly attempts to delay the execution but fails, although Hober has things well in hand by escaping using a castling device that switches the bodies of two people via teleportation. Poly and Constant realise that Hober will try and steal their whisper-ship to escape, and catch up to him just as he leaves the planet.

Poly brings the *Spirit Rising* into Terminus and disembarks with Constant and Hober. He and Constant present Hober to Director Sermak and the group goes for a private meeting. After a brief discussion, it is agreed Hober should go into the Vault which he does so, although he is initially unwilling after seeing the remains of Warden Jaegger Fount. Poly, Constant and Sermak follow and after some searching, the group find an artificial version of Hari Seldon. Poly is shocked to see Hari again, and is duly recognised by the Prophet from all those years ago. Hari sets Constant and Poly a mission to travel to Trantor to spread the word of the Foundation, which will be key to its success. Hober stays behind to speak with Hari.

### Envoy

Poly and Constant arrive at Trantor on a commercial jumpship. After being helped out of the jumppod by a Spacer, he and Constant look on Trantor through a viewport. Constant finds it hard to believe a place like Trantor could fall. Poly enters customs, talking to Agent Timandra, telling her that he is an envoy from the Outer Reach arriving to open diplomatic negotiations. When Poly is told that the Empire no longer recognises some of the planets in the Outer Reach, he points out that is the situation they are there to address. Poly and Constant are granted a provisional visa and allowed to enter the station. Constant looks up their hotel, but Poly has other ideas; at least for tonight, they are on the Prophet's expense account.

Poly and Constant arrive at their hotel, with Poly feeling a little worse for wear. As they talk, Poly asks Constant to flush his supply of vordaline dust. Having been a drunk and an addict for over a century, his encounter with the Prophet has made him want to try something new. Poly tells Constant her faith is pure because of the difference between belief and faith. Poly believes, because he saw Seldon emerge from the Vault with his own eyes. Constant had only second and thirdhand accounts, but it was enough to give her faith. The moment is interrupted by Imperial forces led by Timandra, who arrest and sensory shroud them, telling them their stay has been extended indefinitely.

Poly and Constant are lead to the Genetic Dynasty in order to broker a peace deal between the Foundation and Empire. Poly attempts to plead their case, but Empire refuses requests for a peace deal, citing the Foundation are forming a rebellion behind the scenes. Poly is further shocked when Day reveals Hober's attempts to win over the Spacers to the Foundation have failed. Day wants to hear what Constant has to say, so Poly moves away. He is shocked when the Prophet appears in front of Constant, a part of him who became part of her brain. As Hari fails to convince Empire, Constant is electrocuted, severing the connection between her and Hari. Poly goes over to comfort Constant.

Poly is lead out with to an execution platform with spectators and the Cleon delegation. The pair go on their knees as Day gives a speech about the Foundation and their history on Terminus. He will use the Collar of Typhon to perform the execution and he decides it is time to end Constant’s suffering, to Poly’s dismay. As Day puts the collar around her neck, Poly apologises to her and she begins to pray. As the execution begins, Hober Mallow arrives on a whisper ship, crashing into the platform, knocking everyone off their feet. In the aftermath, Poly is captured by Imperial forces as Constant and Hober escape. On a shuttle, Poly talks with Day about Hari and the Church, including the coming war.

Poly was rescued from the surface of Terminus by Hari Seldon and the Vault, along with the entire population of the world.

## Appearances

* Season One
	+ "The Emperor's Peace" (First appearance)
	+ "The Mathematician's Ghost"
	+ "Upon Awakening"
	+ "Death and the Maiden"
	+ "The First Crisis"
	+ "The Leap"
* Season Two
	+ "A Glimpse of Darkness"
	+ "King and Commoner"
	+ "Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly"
	+ "Why the Gods Made Wine"
	+ "A Necessary Death"
	+ "Long Ago, Not Far Away"
	+ "Creation Myths"

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "A Glimpse of Darkness"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "The Emperor's Peace"
3. ↑ "The Mathematician's Ghost"
4. ↑ "Death and the Maiden"
5. ↑ "King and Commoner"
6. ↑ "Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly"
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Why the Gods Made Wine"
8. ↑ "A Necessary Death"
9. ↑ "The Last Empress"
10. ↑ "Creation Myths"