Following is a writeup and D&D 5E stats for Podaliro, a physician who appears in the Skirmisher Publishing universal sourcebook “In the Footsteps of Hercules”! This entry can be used in conjunction with it or in any scenario for which a DM needs a mid-level medical practitioner (especially if there are any animals that require some sort of special healing). This character was created using a 5th Edition version of Skirmisher’s Specialist class.

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Podaliro

Podaliro is one of three permanent staff physicians associated with the Asclepion of Lerna, a small hospital complex located beside a deep freshwater spring on the shores of the Argolic Gulf on the Peloponnesian Peninsula of mainland Greece. This facility is situated near the place on the Footsteps of Hercules pilgrimage trail where the demigod is believed to have slain the foul Lernaean Hydra and is thus a popular destination for pilgrims. This popularity suits the hospital, as it supports its operations in part by soliciting donations from visitors and selling medicines, potions, antitoxins, and poisons compounded by its medical and apothecary staff.

Junior-most among his colleagues, Podaliro increasingly specializes in the care of animals, and his interactions with them and belief that they are as deserving as people mark him out among many as being a bit odd. He was recently expelled, in fact, from his post at the asclepion in the town of Gortys, about 60 miles to the west, for his controversial views.

Podaliro’s constant companion is a loyal hound named Ajax, who is trained to assist him in his work. Beyond that, the young physician is frequently accompanied by one or more of his non-Human patients, who he likes to spend as much time with while he is treating them or they are recovering. At any given time while attending to his labors at the asclepion, therefore, he might be seen being followed by ducks or cats, eating his lunch with a horse, or just about anything else.

Podaliro was raised on one of the large, prosperous farms of the Peloponnese and, among other things, is skilled at handling wagons and carts. He is thus the preferred driver for the hospital’s two experimental ambulances the relatively infrequent times they are used.

Human Expert 5 (Background: Farmer)

Medium Humanoid (Human), neutral good

Armor Class: 12

Hit Points: 32 (5d8+10)

Speed: 30 ft.

STR                 DEX                 CON                INT                  WIS                 CHA

11 (+0)            13 (+1)            14 (+2)            15 (+2)            16 (+3)            11 (+0)

Saving Throws: Wisdom +6, Charisma +2

Skills: Animal Handling +6, Insight +6, Investigation +5, Medicine +9 [+12 when applied to Beasts], Nature +5, Perception +6

Tools: Vehicles (Land)

Senses: Passive Perception 16

Languages: Common (Greek), Latin

Expertise (Medicine). Podaliro has focused on his Medicine skill proficiency and has his proficiency bonus doubled for any checks he makes with it.

Specialization (Medicine [Beasts]). Podaliro has specialized in Medicine as it applies to Beasts and has his proficiency bonus tripled for any checks he makes using it on such creatures.

Companion Animal. Podaliro has as a companion a large dog named Ajax that is trained to assist him in his endeavors, accompanies him wherever he goes, and protects him when he is travelling. It uses the base statistics for a mastiff; adds Podaliro’s proficiency bonus to its AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, and skills it is proficient in; and has a hit point maximum equal to four times its master’s level. Ajax can also grant Podaliro advantage on appropriate skill checks, such as Animal Handling and Perception, when he helps him with them.

Spellcasting. Podaliro is a divine spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). He knows the following spells:

            Cantrips (at will): Druidcraft, Guidance, Mage Hand

            1st-level spells (4 slots): Animal Friendship, Cure Wounds, Detect Poison and Disease, Speak with Animals

            2nd-level spells (2 slots): Lesser Restoration, Prayer of Healing

Spellcrafting (3 points/long rest). Podaliro has the ability to manipulate his spells to suit his needs and has the two following Spellcrafting options. He can use only one Spellcrafting option on a spell when he casts it, unless otherwise noted. He currently has three Spellcrafting points that he regains after a long rest.

            Potent Spell: When Podaliro casts a spell that has variable beneficial effects upon one or more willing recipients, he can spend 1 spellcrafting point plus 1 per level of the spell to maximize those effects (e.g., Cure Wounds will bestow a base 8 points to its recipients rather than a variable 1d8, Guidance will bestow a +4 bonus to recipients rather than a variable +1d4). Podaliro can use Potent Spell even if he has already used a different Spellcrafting option during the casting of the spell.

            Twinned Spell: When Podaliro casts a spell that targets only one creature and does not have a range of self, he can spend a number of Spellcrafting points equal to the spell’s level plus 1 to target a second creature in range with the same spell (1 Spellcrafting point if the spell is a cantrip).

Actions

Quarterstaff. Melee Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage, or 5 (1d8+1) bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.

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Ajax

Ajax is a large, calm, good natured dog of the sort often used for herding animals in Greece and is Podaliro’s close companion. Ajax obeys Podaliro’s commands as best as he can. He takes his turn on Podaliro’s initiative, although he might not take an action unless Podaliro commands him to or is being threatened. On his turn, Podaliro can verbally command Ajax where to move (no action required by him). Podaliro can use his action to verbally command Ajax to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action.

Ajax

Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 16 (natural armor, master’s proficiency bonus)

Hit Points: 20 (4 x master’s level)

Speed: 40 ft.

STR                 DEX                 CON                INT                  WIS                 CHA

13 (+1)            14 (+2)            12 (+1)             3 (-4)               12 (+1)            7 (-2)

Skills: Animal Handling +3, Perception +6

Senses: Passive Perception 16

Languages: —

Challenge: 1/4 (50 XP)

Keen Hearing and Smell. Ajax has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Protective. Ajax has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if it is attacking Podaliro or one his allies.

ACTIONS

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d4+5) piercing damage. If the target is a creature it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.