Nixus

In the depths of the Founders Academy, past corridors of conventional classrooms and traditional laboratories, there exists a workshop that defies standard academic organization. Bottles of every size and shape line the walls, their contents shimmering with possibilities that most minds couldn't comprehend. Here, among perfectly organized chaos, works Nixus—or Nix to those who know him well—a goblin whose apparent youth belies his 180 years of experience.

Early Life in Furora City

The story of how a street urchin from Furora City became one of The Cabal's most respected alchemists begins with a simple observation—the sight of fat Giuseppe, the notoriously stingy merchant, paying five gold shillings for what appeared to be a bottle of water. That moment of curiosity, followed by perhaps ill-advised espionage, led young Nixus to his first encounter with Master Hegelochos and the world of alchemy.

Prior to this fateful meeting, Nixus had already demonstrated the sharp mind and sharper instincts that would later serve him so well in his alchemical pursuits. His various entrepreneurial ventures—from selling marked-up exotic fruits in the noble quarter to several other concurrent schemes—showed an innate understanding of value and opportunity.

Meeting Master Hegelochos

The meeting with Hegelochos, though it began with Nixus bound and at the old alchemist's mercy, showcased the quick thinking that would become legendary among his peers. When offered a chance to swear an oath to Verath, Nixus crafted his vow with such careful precision and built-in safeguards that it impressed even the veteran alchemist. This moment marked the beginning of a mentorship that would change both their lives.

The Discovery of Ageless Elixirs

But it was his accidental discovery of the ageless potion that truly marked his ascension to mastery. While attempting to create a preservative wash for delicate flowers and fruits—a perfectly reasonable commercial venture—Nixus instead stumbled upon something far more profound. His immediate response—to shutter his workshop and begin methodical testing—demonstrated the scientific rigor that set him apart from mere potion-makers.

The development of his Morning, Noon, and Night elixirs from this initial discovery showcases both his technical brilliance and his cautious approach to powerful innovations. These potions, which grant him his extended lifespan and continued vitality, are masterworks of alchemical science. Each dose must be precisely calibrated, the ingredients harvested at specific times and under particular conditions, the brewing process monitored with meticulous care.

Today, Nixus's workshop serves as both laboratory and classroom, though his teaching methods often leave more traditional instructors baffled. His lectures frequently devolve into wild demonstrations where theory meets practice in occasionally explosive ways. Students, including Mathieu Stonebow, learn to pay attention not just to his words but to his subtle movements—the way he positions himself behind barriers before adding certain ingredients, or how he instinctively turns his face away from particularly volatile reactions.

His relationship with money has evolved from his street urchin days, though not in ways most would expect. While his discoveries could have made him one of the wealthiest beings in Aethoria, he instead focuses on research that interests him, selling only enough of his creations to fund further experiments. The one exception is his treatments for the truly ill or injured—these he provides at cost or free, remembering his own days of poverty.

The pranks and jokes that characterized his early relationship with Hegelochos haven't diminished with age. If anything, centuries of alchemical knowledge have only made his mischief more sophisticated. Other members of The Cabal have learned to be particularly careful about accepting drinks from him, as they might find themselves temporarily speaking in rhyme or glowing faintly in the dark.

• Discovered the ageless potion while attempting to create a preservative wash
• Developed the Morning, Noon, and Night elixirs that grant extended lifespan
• Maintains scientific rigor in alchemical research, documenting everything meticulously
• Teaches alchemy at the Founders Academy using unconventional, explosive demonstrations
• Provides healing treatments at cost or free to those in need
• Known for sophisticated pranks and mischief, enhanced by centuries of alchemical knowledge
• Mentors students including Mathieu Stonebow in the alchemical arts
• Maintains experiments that have been running continuously for decades