St. Gray of Galen

Appearance
The Saint is protrayed as a kindly looking man of a short stature with a warm and pleasant face. The statue above his tomb in Daurus shows him holding a scroll of knowledge in his left hand and a healer's staff in his right.

History/Background
St. Gray was a man of humble roots who was apprenticed to the Emerald Order of mages as a consor when he was but 12. He grew up among these wizened and learned men, but was uncontent with the art. While there was no lack of proficiency on his part, he found a lack of fulfillment in magic and studied the writings of old for an answer. When he found it he was amazed. This longing came fromt he fact that magic was selfish and could be seldom made to benefit others. Spells would turn back on the caster, summoned minions were ever wary or even hostile.

He found a path of study, the natural science of the human body. He did a great deal of research, drawing on his magical training and notation abilities. He discerned that the body was governed by four basic humours that controlled emotional disposition, attitiude and basic health. He later began a teaching circuit, producing his famous Humoural Lectures. Many attended these lectures since Gray was a well respected scholar, classicist, and historian.

He continued his work and maintained his own humours until reaching the venerable age of 132 years old. According to records he attended a final liturgy mass and returned to his home. The next morning he was found still in his bed as if asleep, though life had finally slipped away from him. He was honored with a state and Church funeral that drew thousands of people to Daurus and lead to the commision and construction of the Cathedral of St. Gray.

Gray, a commoner born of the farming/fishing village of Galen has left a legacy that has lasted more than 400 years after his death.

The Humoural Lectures
The Body is governed by four vital humours, these four control the function of organs, aspects of character and temperaments and health in general.

Blood
Corresponds to the aspects of Spring, air, the liver, courage and love. An excess of blood was often the source of excessive lust, ruddy complexion, or fever and blood-letting was a common responce.

Black Bile
Corresponds to Autumn, earth, the bladders (gall and urinal), melancholy and insomnia. An excess of black bile caused urinary problems, sleep disorder and the like. A diuretic was ordered to pass the excess black bile through the urine.

Yellow Bile
Corresponds to Summer, fire, the spleen, anger and faith. An excess could cause tremors, pain, and the like. Cooling liquids and emitics (potion of vomiting) could cure an imbalance of yellow bile.

Phlegm
Corresponds to Winter, water, the brains and lungs, and logic. An excess of phlegm could result in becoming addled, short of breath and otherwise asthmatic. Excess phlegm could be remedied with drying powders and vapors.

Plot Hooks
Good Clean Living - the basic reason for the humoural lectures was in essence to preach against many of the excesses of the day, namely alcohol, whoring, abuse of potions and tonics, and the like. By moderating intake of certain foods and such, illness was kept at bay, and illness, or dyscrasia was a symptom of humoural imbalance.

Heresy - A new faction of the Clergy is calling Humouralism heresy and placing it with the black arts of sorcery, alchemy, larceny, and whoremongering. Is this a genuine concern or just a new faction within the faith looking to carve a hardline niche for itself in the congregation. People fear what they do not understand.

This along with the Vocran Palimpsest are working to detail out a medieval fantasy version of medicine that exists in the shadow of the ever present heal and cure spells.