The sick hermit is a murderer living close to Greyfell, plagued by a strange curse.
Biography
Infamous and feared by many in the region, the sick hermit lived in isolation not far from the village afoot the city of Greyfell. The Phoenix Bearer stumbled upon the man during her adventures, after which he told her of his pain - albeit by withholding parts of the truth from her. He begged the Rune Warrior to go to Shan Muir and bring him the Zirfar Potion to free him of his curse.
However, Shan Muir knew of the wrongdoings of the man and refused the give Zirfar Potion to the Rune Warrior, believing that once he is healed, the Hermit would return to his murderous ways. Instead, she offered a potion that would ease his pain, but wouldn't fully heal him.
The ultimate fate of the sick hermit depends on the player's actions.
Zrifar Potion
If the Phoenix Bearer insists on the Zirfar Potion, Shan Muir will suggest she seek our Illirias in The Shiel. He would give her the desired potion, but when the sick hermit drank it, he, indeed, became violent as Shan Muir had predicted and was consequently slain by the Phoenix Bearer in self-defense.
Pain-Easing Potion
If the Phoenix Bearer accepts the pain easing potion and returns to the hermit, he will tell her about the full nature of his curse. An evil dryad had once stolen a stand of his hair and has been since controlling him; causing him to commit these heinous acts. The Rune Warrior decided to help the man. She traveled to Eloni and slew the dryad, finally freeing the man from her grip.
He was thankful for her help, but expressed deep regret about all the people he had murdered under the dryad's influence.