Hermes Mendel

Hermes Mendel

Born Richard Boaring aboard The Celestial Arcadia, Hermes grew up in a meritocratic society where intellectual achievement was paramount. From a young age, he showed exceptional talent in understanding biological systems and chemistry. However, his fascination with the Bloom began when he witnessed a contaminated survivor being quarantined on the Arcadia.

Renaming himself "Hermes Mendel" upon graduating Cum Laude from the University of Alchemy, he adopted the name to symbolize his transition into a life of discovery and transformation. Hermes dedicated himself to researching the physiology and biochemistry of the Bloom, driven by the belief that understanding its complexities is the key to defeating it.

Reputation

Among his peers in BRASC’s Bloom Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Hermes is both respected for his brilliance and gently teased for his absent-minded tendencies. His work has saved lives, but his daring methods often leave his colleagues exasperated. To the wider world, he is known as a tireless and eccentric researcher who represents the hope of triumphing over the Bloom.

Physical Description

Special abilities

Skills and Expertise

Alchemy and Biochemistry: An expert in distilling chemical compounds, crafting Bloom-resistant medicines, and developing experimental Bloom countermeasures.
Bloom Research: Specializes in analyzing the Bloom’s physiological and chemical processes, as well as its effects on living beings.
Teaching: A natural educator who enjoys explaining complex topics in accessible ways, whether to colleagues, students, or laypeople.

Specialized Equipment

Special Possessions

1. Archimedes (Alchemical Crossbow): A custom-built crossbow designed to fire vials of chemicals, including Bloom suppressants, toxins, and experimental concoctions.
2. Personal Journal: A thick, leather-bound book in which Hermes meticulously records his findings, ideas, and sketches. Some pages are encoded to protect sensitive discoveries.
3. Prototype Personal Bloomshield Generator: A second-generation, experimental device worn on his arm that creates a temporary barrier against Bloom contamination.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born Richard Boaring (but don't call him that). From a young age, those involved with his collective upbringing aboard the Celestial Arcadia noticed his talent for investigating, analyzing, and manipulating the physical and chemical properties of objects and substances in the natural world. He was heavily involved with group activities growing up such as sports, scouts, and organising community activities and social events. He remained active, and took up leadership positions, in these institutions as he aged. During his teen years, he volunteered for, and job-shadowed, several well-known alchemists and biologists. He took up university-level education in Alchemy with minors in physiology and molecular biology. Passed Cum Laude.

Employment

BRASC - research division - bloom physiology and biochemistry

Intellectual Characteristics

Personality

• Core Traits:
  
Inquisitive: Hermes’s mind is a whirlwind of questions, always searching for new connections and truths.

Optimistic: He has an unwavering belief that a cure for the Bloom can be found, no matter how elusive.

Friendly and Jovial: Despite the seriousness of his work, Hermes enjoys sharing his knowledge with others, often explaining complex concepts with humor and patience.

• Flaws:
  
Obsession with Knowledge: Hermes’s thirst for understanding can make him oblivious to personal risks, and he often pushes himself to physical and mental exhaustion.

Eccentric: His single-minded focus can sometimes alienate others or make him appear dismissive of unrelated concerns.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Primary Goal: To find a cure for the Bloom and reverse its effects on the world.
Secondary Goal: To catalog and understand all known aspects of the Bloom, from its physiology to its influence on ecosystems.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Key Relationships

• The Wise Mentor: Hermes was deeply influenced by Dr. Ysolde Taranis, an aging alchemist who first introduced him to the intricacies of the Bloom. Her mysterious disappearance into a high-risk Bloom Zone still haunts him.
• The Ex-Lover: Aria Velstone, a botanist, shared Hermes's passion for research. However, their relationship ended when her pragmatism clashed with his idealistic optimism.
• Family:
  
Father: A laborer aboard the Arcadia who wanted Hermes to pursue a "stable" career.
Mother: A soldier in the Arcadian Defense Forces who supported Hermes's thirst for knowledge, though she feared for his safety.

Mannerisms

• Often mutters to himself when deep in thought, unconsciously solving problems aloud.
• Has a habit of doodling Bloom-influenced creatures in the margins of his notes.
• Carries a satchel filled with seemingly random items—half of which are experimental or unfinished prototypes.

Athletic, studious, and hardworking, Hermes Mendel is a talented alchemist. He is driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a dream to find a cure and make the world a happier place.

View Character Profile

Alignment

Lawful Good

Age

32

Gender

Male

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Light brown

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Fair

Height

180 cm

Weight

80 kg

Quotes & Catchphrases

"The Bloom may be a puzzle of horrors, but even the most twisted of mazes has an exit—if only we’re willing to search every dark corner."

Aligned Organization

Bloom Research and Scouting Corps

Other Affiliations

• Bloom Physiology and Biochemistry
• The Research Division