Hypothetical 1: Healer (Ginny Di video)

Nepheri wakes up in a sick bed with female half-elf tending to her wounds.

Ellie: Woah, welcome back to the world of the living.

Nepheri: My Queen allowed me to return?

Ellie: Oh. No, I'm sorry. You weren't dead - it's just a figure of speech. That was quite a look. Have you been dead before?

Nepheri: No. It's just that I don't expect my soul to go anywhere but the Hells when I die.

Ellie: Well, don't worry - you were just unconcious. You are injured, though. Took an arrow in the battle, luckily didn't hit anything vital.

Oh - no, don't look down! You don't need to see all that blood! Just look at me! What's your name?

Nepheri: Nepheri. And trust me, I have seen worse wounds. If dead bodies were healthy they would still be alive. And I have seen plenty of corpses. That said... their wounds don't hurt.

Nepheri groans in pain.

Ellie: That's a unique name. Where are you from?

Nepheri: Neverwinter. It's... very far from here. You wouldn't know about it.

Ellie: Wow, you're a long way from home? Do you ever miss it?

Nepheri: Yes and no, I guess. I would like to be able to visit at all.

Ellie: Ever plan on going back?

Nepheri: One step at a time.

Ellie: I'm Ellywin, by the way, but you can call me Ellie - I don't mind. Do you have any nicknames?

Nepheri: Not really. I think I've heard the others use 'Neffie,' but I'm not sure I'm a fan of that one.

Ellie slowly moves a finger left and right a couple of times: Alright, seems like you might have hit your head when you went down. Can you follow my finger with your eyes? Very good. Any nausea? Do you know what day it is?

Nepheri: No. And, I'm honestly not sure how dates work around here. You only have week-periods of only seven days, I believe.

Ellie: Tell me, ehh.. your favourite animal?

Nepheri: I guess raven is my answer by default. I tried having a cat for a while and she brought me a lot of comfort when I needed it.

Ellie concludes that part of the examination and grips Nepheri's shirt near the wound: Okay, you seem fine. Hope you don't like this shirt, because I need to get a look at what's going on down there.

Ellie tears the shirt open.

Yeah, that is beyond repair. Do you have a lot more clothes at home or is this it?

Nepheri: Do what you have to. Nice clothes and armour is great, but I can always place an illusion on top to create variation in style.

Ellie: Wow, that is quite a nasty scar. How did you get that one?

Nepheri: I believe that one is from some Yuan-Ti we fought what feels like ages ago. I was tricked into rushing into danger and after a massive psychic blow their swords nearly killed me.

Ellie: Yeah, I bet you tell that story at parties. Well, you're going to add another story to the list after today. You're going to be fine, we just need to get that arrow out of there.

Nepheri: I wish I had more strength for spells today - I would be able to handle this myself.

Ellie: You're in good hands. I only lose half my patients. Sorry! Joke. My dark sense of humour sometimes makes for poor bedside manner. Are you a jokester too, or more of a serious type?

Nepheri: I think I'm serious... but there are times and subjects where I can resist jokes. Especially to make others not take themselves too seriously. And Ellywick, the gnome in my party, is prone to occasional hijinks.

Ellie grabs the arrow: Okay, this might hurt. One, two, - stop - stop squirming! Tell me about the last great meal you had. What's your favourite food?

Nepheri: Uhm, the food at the festival in Whitestone was great? And give me something nice served with red meat and redder wine, and I'll be very happy.

Ellie: Mmm, that sounds-

Ellie snaps the arrow.
-delicious. Are you a picky eater, or will you sort of eat anything?

Nepheri: I wouldn't have survived this long if I didn't accept what I could find. But don't pretend soup is fooo-- OOW!

Ellie pulls out the arrow and places a cloth over the wound: Wonderful! Yea, you're doing great and... No, I'm sorry, that probably hurt.

Nepheri whines from the pain and clenches her teeth.

Ellie: How well do you deal with pain normally?

Nepheri: There's good pain and bad pain...

Ellie: Never mind! Don't think about that. Think about, uhm... your party! I noticed you came in here with a few others. That must be nice. Do you enjoy being part of a group like that?

Nepheri: I do. Which is weird. Ever since I found my goddess I think I've wanted connection. I know that I will die and that this is my chance to live.

Ellie turning to an apprentice on the side: Can you keep pressure on this, please? Thank you.

Ellie turns her attention to Nepheri again.

They seem like a really nice bunch.

Nepheri: They are. And since you think so, I assume none of them have put their foot in their mouth yet.

Ellie: All safe, by the way. A few of them are getting patched up too.

Nepheri: I assumed, since you didn't say anything. Death will come to them too, but I hope they get as much time to experience happiness as possible before then.

Ellie: Any party members in particular you were really worried about?

Nepheri: I really hope Dworik will remain alive or actually rest. I'm not sure what another resurrection will do to his mind. And of course I care about Lavia, but if she's not in the lyre, she's still an excellent fighter and able to tend to her own wounds if needed. Ellywick might have put herself in danger, but she's also good at getting out of it. And Phennyr is hard to take down at all.

Ellie: It's good to have people you can rely on. But we all need some privacy too. Any secrets you're keeping from your party?

Nepheri: Not really.

Ellie preparing a needle and thread: You know, there was a time I thought I wanted to do adventuring on my own. Never got the guts to actually do it. Now I'm too old - turned 90 last week. I'd rather drop dead right here than give up my mattress for a bedroll under a tree. Do you like travelling all the time or do you just put up with it?

Nepheri: The latter. But even cities don't always offer a mattress. Or even a bedroll.

Ellie applies disinfectant and starts to suture the wound: This might sting, by the way.

If I had to camp outside I would be up all night worrying. I just stitched somebody up yesterday who woke up with a blade at his throat. Good old bandit alarm clock. Are you an insomniac like me or one of those lucky bastards who can just sleep anywhere?

Nepheri clenches her teeth to deal with the pain: I worry sometimes, but not about being killed. Death happens when it happens. Sleeping in a bed is much easier, but I make do.

Ellie: Me, the older I get, the harder it is to sleep. Feels like I lose and hour every decade. Seems unfair, considering I feel more tired now than ever.

How old are you?

Nepheri: 22.

Ellie: You're doing great by the way. Just stay still - almost done.

Adventuring is a bit of a young person's game, don't you think? Are you worried how things will change when you're older? You have a five year plan, or just taking it day by day?

Nepheri: I'm not sure I'll ever be old. But maybe I will? A year ago I would have told you there's no reason for my life to last. But now, I have those I would like to live for.

Ellie finishes the stitches and reaches for a bandage: Well, when the time comes, maybe you can try something that is a little less dangerous. You have any special talents or fun hobbies you could pay the bills with if you sheathed your sword for good?

Nepheri: I'm still a priestess of the Raven Queen and will remain so for as long as my soul exists. Besides that, if Lavia wants me to join her for some performance, I'd be happy to. Especially if she's the one center stage.

Ellie finishes the bandaging: And we are done. Try to take it easy for a few days, don't get it wet. After about a week, you'll need to take the stitches out. Is there someone you trust to help you with that or are you more of a do-it-yourself type?

Nepheri: If Lavia isn't in the lyre, I might ask her. But taking them out myself won't be a problem.

Ellie: Well, in the future, do me a favour and try not to be shot by any more arrows. I'm sure you're a great warrior, just try to be a little less of a great target.

Nepheri: I've never claimed to be a great warrior. The others in the party might be. I see myself more as our spiritual guide.

Another healer: Ellie, are you done over there?

Ellie: Well, this has been a pleasure, but I have to lend a hand for an amputation. No pun intended. It's a leg we're removing. It was nice to meet you, I hope we never have to do this again.