Quercus

Quercus is an intelligence officer stationed in Victoria and a member of the Rhodes Island organization. She is highly skilled in the traditional Originium Arts of Victoria's Gododdin peoples which she learned and mastered in her hometown. Before joining Rhodes Island Quercus traveled through the wastelands of Victoria providing healing to her compatriots in the settlements. While she has some exposure to Originium her primary operational sites in the wilds pose little risk of increasing crystal density. Quercus's connection to nature is deeply rooted in her upbringing and traditions. She has a profound reverence for nature and mimics its principles in her lifestyle. She enjoys spending time outdoors has the ability to climb trees with ease and possesses a keen sense of smell to distinguish different flower scents and animal cries carried by the wind. She finds it challenging to adapt to the closed-off environment of the Rhodes Island landship as it restricts her connection to the natural world. Her Originium Arts extend beyond healing abilities to manipulate plant growth. Quercus can make seeds rapidly grow into vines or cause weeds to sprout along distant mountain roads. These manifestations are accompanied by ceremonial language although their effects are not discernible. In her tradition this practice is considered a dialogue with the land. Despite her talents in promoting plant growth Quercus refrains from using her abilities to save wilted potted plants owned by other operators. She believes that it is not what the flowers desire and advises watering them instead. Quercus spends most of her time stationed abroad but maintains cordial relationships with many operators. She possesses an exceptional memory allowing her to recognize and call out the names of people she has interacted with even after extended periods of time. Whenever she returns to Rhodes Island she brings back a variety of gifts and local specialties for her friends and colleagues. Her generosity extends even to strangers who partake in her gifts quickly turning them into friends. However she humorously reminds those who show excessive enthusiasm for her homemade products that bulk orders must be made in advance. During her missions in Victoria Quercus has a knack for turning her base into a popular spot for visitors. She has successfully set up a flower shop a jam bakery and a co-op bookstore garnering admiration for her cheerful and gentle demeanor. Some speculate whether she is fully committed to her duties or simply trying to live life to the fullest. Nonetheless her reports consistently meet expectations leaving no room for disappointment. While it may seem that Quercus has become addicted to the city's hustle and bustle there is a hint of fear towards empty places. This observation was made by a fellow operator who initially intended to protect the Infected but found that Quercus had already taken the initiative. Despite not being Infected herself Quercus treated the Infected with equality and displayed remarkable combat skills. Impressed the operator reached out to her. To the operator's surprise Quercus exhibited an open-mindedness that was uncommon among the locals. She acknowledged the limitations of her traditional Originium Arts and herbal remedies in treating certain ailments. Quercus was drawn to Rhodes Island's mission of treating Oripathy and offered her conditions for joining: she would remain in Victoria not kill anyone in the line of duty and have access to Rhodes Island's knowledge and experience in handling the Infected. The operator believed that they could meet all three conditions. Based on this recommendation Quercus was assigned as a Rhodes Island intelligence officer reporting directly to Kal'tsit. Her military service history was discovered during a background check but she rarely discusses it preferring to immerse herself in her hometown's atmosphere. However she openly shared her experience of losing her comrades-in-arms during a conflict in a Victorian enclave. As the sole healer in her hometown she had already been intimately acquainted with death. She expressed gratitude for surviving and being able to mourn the fallen soldiers sending them off in a foreign land. Quercus joined Rhodes Island after carefully assessing their philosophy course of action and purpose. She wanted to ensure that she would not be deceived into taking up arms again. While she referred to the soldiers as children and returned home with bitterness and anger they did not return at all. Despite her frankness Rhodes Island trusts her but certain sensitive subjects are to be avoided. Quercus faces hostility and mistrust from some individuals in her hometown including those who reject her healing and blessings. Many people burdened by guilt would avoid facing judgment but Quercus carrying her own feelings of remorse individually visited the homes of each deceased soldier apologizing for her inability to bring back even a single ID tag.