Father Compassionate (Hippocrates) is a Pardoner Wraith.
Biography[]
Born on the island of Kös in the fifth century before Christ, the man who would become known as Father Compassionate spent his early life as a teacher. Schooled in the philosophies and earning of his Greek forefathers and contemporaries, Hippocrates gravitated toward the practice of medicine because of his interest in gymnastics. As an itinerant practitioner of medicine, he had to trat everything from injuries to war wounds to potentially fatal diseases.
Working alongside other medical mendicants, he developed a whole new method of treatment. It emphasized rational observations and healing based on herbal knowledge and the radical theory of treating not just the body, but the mind and emotions, as well. Maintaining that treatment should focus on the patient rather than the injury or disease, the young physician and his fellows used long discussions, pleasant surroundings and music to put their patients at ease.
Hippocrates advocated extended observation, which entailed the noting and reporting every symptom (no matter how seemingly inconsequential). His treatment then proceeded from the theory that nature would work to cure the patient, if given the chance to do so. He even understood that some illnesses originated from mental or emotional causes, and he treated them as well. Despite his mistaken understanding of an imbalance among the four humors as the cause of illness, Hippocrates' otherwise sophisticated techniques made him highly successful and respected. By adding ethical considerations to the methods he and his fellows had originated, Hippocrates created an oath that is still taken by doctors today.
When he died at age 90 or so, Hippocrates traveled to the Underworld. There, he met like-minded wraiths, philosophers, priests and physicians. They cleansed the soul, as he had treated and strengthened the body. Hippocrates learned the art of Castigation and, in turn, taught his fellow Restless all he knew of medicine. Because it seemed to be the aspect of his knowledge with the most practical application to wraiths, his teaching focused especially on that part of his methods dealing with the mind and emotions.
Realizing the power he and the others who called themselves Purifiers held, he determined that they should not be feared by other wraiths. He wrote the Oath of the Purifiers, based upon his own Hippocratic Oath. That oath (with some modifications) is still sworn today by all Pardoners, as part of their stated practice.
Hippocrates has always commanded a great deal of respect from his fellow Purifiers. Although he is of short stature, his dignified posture, his short, curly white hair and well-trimmed, elaborately curled beard and his modest garments all distinguish him as a man of means and high standing. His speech is always measured and thoughtful. He is not without humor, but he always maintains a serious demeanor whenever he is with a patient. Age has lent him a great deal of his dignity, while his accomplishments in both life and death are enough to shame the least respectful wraith into behaving. Because he believes so much in the rational approach, Hippocrates is not always as gentle in his Castigations as he might be. His focus on rooting out the sickness he sees within all Shadows sometimes leaves his clients shaken. Because he recognized an innate streak of sadism in his own makeup, the great physician took the name Father Compassionate, to remind himself always to consider his patients' pain first.
Father Compassionate disappeared several months ago, after long service to the Guild. Some wraiths still claim to see him from time to time, his bearded face and white robes making him stand out among a crowd of Renegades or a host of Heretics. Such witnesses believe he has become a Missionary to Restless in need of his services. Others say he has long since either Transcended or gone down to Oblivion. Most do not believe that this vital Pardoner could leave the Underworld without there being some sign that he had gone.
The truth is far more disturbing. Just before Father Compassionate disappeared, his Shadow seized him in a bout of Catharsis. While under its influence, he distracted the Angst Battery's guardian and sabotaged the machine. When he regained control of himself, he was so ashamed by his loss of control that he fled into the Tempest. Now, he wanders from Renegade camp to refugee settlement and helps all who ask. He spends most of his time, however, trying to think of some way to undo the terrible act he has committed.
References[]
- WTO: Guildbook: Pardoners and Puppeteers, p. 149-150