Magnus Antonius

"Do not fear death, fear dying with work unfinished."

Magnus Antonius is a human doctor & researcher from The Avum Empire and ex-member of The Auric Lodge Adventuring Guild (Asset Team K5251).

## Academic Career

Magnus had an interest in medicine from a young age and pursued the study of it with a strong passion. He believed deeply in helping people and committed to doing so through medicine, studying in Alsade and living there for several years. He opened a medical practise in 221AT and did research on the side towards goals relating to medicine and biochemistry.

At the age of 26 Magnus achieved notoriety in The Avum Empire for his research in medicine after writing a paper titled: “*A study of medicines mundane & magical and the effects of overuse on toxicity within the patient”* in which he refined and developed improved methods for the creation of ‘healing kits’ following observation and aid from an industrial accident. These kits would build upon the commonly found medicinal kits used by battlefield medics, and those who would practise first aid. The benefit of the new kits was their ability to be used in conjunction with others to allow for more treatments without causing other illnesses within the patient, as prior overdosing from specific salves and medicines was a problem for patients who needed constant immediate care.

It was following this research that Magnus became ingratiated to the higher members of the medical and scientific community. He travelled to the capital where he lived for a few years, undertaking a teaching role for a while. It was also during this time he met his future wife Cecilia. Cecilia was a musician working within the capital at the time and the two had met during a performance of hers, as part of a celebration for a student graduation. A short time after they were married and decided to move back to Alsade. Every so often the two would still travel back to the capital for one’s work or the other’s but a few years later Cecilia was pregnant. Despite her requests however, during late pregnancy Magnus decided to accept a trip to Avum as part of his work. He was close to a breakthrough with a new alchemical technique that could greatly benefit the medical world.

Sadly, when Magnus was 32, his wife passed away. While Magnus was travelling to Avum Cecilia had passed away only a week after giving birth to their daughter, Vi. Magnus would never forgive himself for the loss of his wife, blaming himself for not being there. The child however remained healthy. Vi's birthday is the 10th Imperemon 235AT.

Despite the difficulty, Magnus became more devoted to his work and finished the development of new alchemical methods & techniques. These specifically allowed for the creation of quick, cheap, though sadly short lived potions based on existing magical effects. In addition the effects granted would unfortunately be random, though exclusively positive, and it is possible to tell what the effect is before imbibing. In any case, these methods would later fuel his “Experiential Elixirs” as well as being a focal point of his magical talents & tying in surprisingly effectively with his later studies into artificing.

Magnus and his daughter were thankfully out of Alsade when the last expected cycle event occured. However in its aftermath Magnus saw many of the wounds, injuries and deaths caused by such a force. Observing much and studying between helping and healing wherever he could those who had managed to keep the cycle within the valley.

Misfortune however returned when at only 8 years old (29th Vranmon 243AT) Magnus’s daughter fell ill with a rare and terrible disease named Demon’s Fever. Despite Magnus’s best efforts to cure her she would later pass away with Magnus once again blaming himself. From now on he would believe that whether or not he was around to help, people would continue to pass and that the endeavour may often prove pointless. After this, Magnus would become a far more distant person, would completely close his personal practise and delve only into research work. In addition, it would also lead him to begin the study of magic.

Magnus got into contact with a close friend from his teaching days called Lucian Duerr. Lucian was a competent engineer and artificer from Avum who would help train Magnus in magic, specifically utilising the magics that Lucian does. Magnus picked up the basics surprisingly quickly, linking many of the techniques to the alchemy and bio-chemistry he had already studied. In addition he takes time to learn the basics of mechanics, magical and otherwise, and with the aid of his friend creates a palm-sized mechanical spider to aid in the casting of certain spells.

Now at 42, Magnus decides to try something different. Libraries and laboratories have become uninteresting to Magnus, and medical practises just bring back old memories. Because of this he has decided that some element of field research is appropriate. He hopes that by travelling he may discover some lost plant, magic or method for healing that he can make use of. He hopes to expand upon his medicine and magic by forcing himself out into the world, hoping that perhaps he may find some great knowledge or solve a grand mystery. Perhaps he may even discover the ability to help everyone, so that maybe no one else will lose anyone before their time. Ever again. Magnus's travels began on 1st Kalsmon 245AT and shortly after he is picked up by The Avum Empire to join The Auric Lodge.

## Adventuring Career

See: The Auric Lodge, In Pursuit of Val Garena