Isidor Burakh

Pathologic 2=

Isidor Burakh was a traditional healer, a menkhu and the father of Artemy Burakh.

Description
"Once you start following the lines, your knife will seek cavities instead of cutting flesh. Along the way you will find everything that may be of use to you; since whatever the way is, it is yours."

- Pathologic board game

Isidor Burakh was the Town's only physician and a menkhu - the spiritual leader of the Kin. He led the Kin not through strength, but through knowledge.

Background
Isidor was the Town-on-Gorkhon's primary healer and doctor, teaching his methods of medicine to both his son Artemy Burakh and his protege Stanislav Rubin. He was widely respected by the three Ruling Families, with even men like Alexander Saburov and Vlad Olgimsky Sr valuing his word and ability to balance the powers of both the Townsfolk and Kin. He sought council with both Simon Kain and Oyun as opposing aspects of the town.

Five years before the start of Pathologic, there was an outbreak of The Plague in the Crude Sprawl, the former home of Murky. Isidor ordered an immediate quarantine of the area, resulting in mass death and leaving only a handful of orphans behind. It is said that this act by Isidor birthed Aspity as a reminder of his actions. In the months preceding Artemy's return to the Town, Isidor sent him letters summoning him home and presaging of some tragedy.

Plot
"...My dear son, Artemy, I write to you after so many years apart in the hopes that you may find a way to return to us. Something worries me. I fear a difficult trial approaches. I hope that your studies have proven fruitful, and that you have achieved great skill as a surgeon. Such skill might be of use here. I remain the only physician in this town. But you know that I am growing old. I need an assistant. I do not fear death. And neither should you. Death, to a doctor, is but a partner in conversation. The constant witness of our work—even when we succeed. It is not old age, or what comes after it, that worries me. I am instead beset by the thought that I might fail to pass on my role. Make haste, son. I truly need you. Your loving father, Isidor Burakh"

- Isidor's letter to Artemy

On returning to the Town, the Haruspex finds himself suspected of patricide: Isidor died the night just before his return. Clearing his name and finding the true murderer is one of the main plot threads that run over the course of the story.

On the morning of Day 2, coming to Isidor's burial reveals that the Earth rejects him, a sign that he died with an important task unresolved. If the Haruspex decides to look at the body, he can notice three things: that the wound was not consistent with a knife but rather something like a horn or claw; that his skin was suspiciously dry to the touch; that there was dirt under his nails.

That same day Aspity will entrust the Haruspex with items Isidor left behind with her, including the List of children he was meeting with. Later on, it is possible to see him through Grace's ability to speak to the dead: Isidor can be seen and heard, but he is speaking to some third party and does not reply when Artemy attempts to speak with him.

More information can be gathered regarding the circumstances of Isidor's death as time goes on. Notably, through the two presumed murderers that Alexander Saburov arrests, who can reveal that Isidor went out in the steppe with Simon Kain the night of his death, and that he was aware that his death was coming. More can also be learned by speaking to Oyun once he returns to the Town.

Finally, Isidor can be seen in a dream not long after the Army arrives, after the Haruspex returns from the Abattoir. In this dream, he explains his perception of the plague as a trial for the Town, and how he was torn between preserving the past and looking to the future. He leaves the final choice to his son, saying he trusts in his judgment.

All of those elements allow the Haruspex to piece together the events of the night before he arrived: Isidor spoke with Simon Kain regarding the possibility of a second outbreak of the vicious disease that ravaged the Crude Sprawl, and both of them agreed that the plague was a necessary step in the evolution of the Town. They went out into the steppe and dug a hole there in order to bring it upon themselves and carry it back to the Town, from where it would then spread. Oyun was made aware of this by a member of the Kin who saw them in the act, and came to confront Isidor in his home. Isidor explained his intent, but Oyun, horrified, took him for mad and killed him in what he saw as an act of mercy.

Background
To start the story of Isidor, one must describe the extraordinary sacrifice that he offered to become menkhu: he did not kill a man, as was expected of him, but instead took a scythe and cut a field of nine-year savyur, from which suddenly poured blood. So much blood erupted that a swamp was formed, and the Guzzle was engorged with blood for two days. Thus his sacrifice was made.

About Isidor's later life only a few scant mentions can be found. However, one thing is certain: he enjoyed great prestige among the townspeople. People of very different ranks and statuses speak of him in the same reverent, respectful tone: from the guard patrol to Big Vlad. One of his disciples, Stanislav Rubin, demonstrates commitment to his teacher in word and deed even after Isidor's death. It is also known that Isidor loved children.

First and foremost among the citizens, Isidor was known as the man who fought the first outbreak of the Sand Plague when it arrived in the Crude Sprawl. At the same time he created and tested a variety of twyrine extracts and, most likely, a Panacea.

Whatever the case may be, and realizing that a new plague approached, Isidor sent a farewell message to his son in the City asking him to save a certain creature, labeled with a brand. Since then, the story of Artemy Burakh has already begun.