Okay so started in Waterdeep left because the political intrigue was a bit too much for him.
Went way north but got sick during the colder months until he acquired some special healing.
Returned to Waterdeep now finds it boring?
Then ventures into the Underdark.
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How about we play with that a bit and make it bit more interesting ;)
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[ +- ] Eltorchul Academy
This is an Arcane Academy founded by the Noblemen Lord Thesp Eltorchul and housed at the family villa on the southwest corner of Ivory Street and Diamond Street in the Sea Ward section of Waterdeep.
Lord Eltorchul invested the family's spice and import fortune into the academy, along with the acquisition of various rare magical components.
The Academy was originally only open to nobles and children of means, but the school and family fell on hard times when Lord Thesp's son, Oth Eltorchul, was left incapacitated by a failed magical experiment into the creation of dream spheres. Since then, Eltorchul Academy was open to almost any student who had the money to pay for tuition, including many elves, half-elves, and halflings. That led to a plummet in the family's and academy's social standings.
The current leader of the family and the academy is the grand-daughter of Lord Thesp Eltorchul, Lady Fea Eltorchul having finally come of age without having fallen mysteriously ill and dying like many of her other relatives.
Philip grew up in Waterdeep in the prominent Eltorchul noble family who own the Eltorchul Academy which has of course seen better days. The political intrigue that got to be too much for Philip to take had more to do with his own family and their internal power struggle that ensued vaccum left by Oth's incapacitation. As such Philip actually fled far north hoping to avoid an untimely demise, taking a few heirlooms with him when he left as he did not plan to return. However, he had not apparently left soon enough by the time he had arrived in Ice Winddale he had already succumbed to the sickness that had already taken a few of his other relatives. Knowing there was no cure back in Waterdeep Philip had almost resigned himself to a slow death, when by happenstance (perhaps) met a Dwarf named Harmeir Flintfury a priest of Vergadain. Harmeir felt he could help Philip but they would have to travel to the Underdark to acquire what was needed. Not having any other options Philip accompanied Harmeir.
The Underdark proved to be much more than Philip ever imagined it would be. It was like a whole world unto itself hidden from beneath the surface of the earth. However, it was not without its dangers and while obtaining the final ingredient needed for his cure Harmeir did not survive the dangers. With his dying words he gave Philip his holy symbol and prayed that Vergadain would bless him with a long and productive life. This Dwarf he had known so little about had given his life so that Philip could live, it made no sense at the surface. The Harmeir had always said, if you can learn to perceive what lies beneath the surface many things will be open unto you. Philip had always thought he was referring to the Underdark but in those final moments he realized that Harmeir was talking about people. At that for some reason, that he had not yet discovered, Vergadain had sent Harmeir to his aide.
During his fevered moments of recovering from the sickness he remembered hearing, "Seek Far Reach, Look Below Its Surface." Further as he thought back upon those words, he had the impression that there were multiple layers to that simple statement but he would not know until he investigated it thoroughly.
So what do you think? Workable?
