Dr. Pierre Saint-Germain

If a LitMon befriends you, they make a lifelong bond. Ensure you are worthy of that trust!

— Dr. Pierre Saint-Germain

  No one knows the true identity of Dr. Saint-Germain. But the world has felt his presence ever since he wrote the LitMon video game, popularizing the subjects of his research.   Early on, he adopted the pseudonym "Pierre Saint-Germain." Pierre was the most generic French name he could think of. As for "Saint-Germain"? Well, that was easy. The legend of the mysterious "Count of St. Germain" was the base. Despite the fact that the "Saint Germain" he referenced was a charlatan, Dr. Pierre Saint-Germain is the real deal.   Did he sense how much he would shake up the Literomantic world by insisting that LitMon were sapient and could communicate, thus they had inalienable rights, too?   After establishing the LitMon Research Group (LRG), he became a target by rescuing several highly intelligent LitMon from slavery. Five underground groups placed prices on his head, and attempts were made on his life. News reports say 20 LitMon were rescued from mafia-run enterprises. Witnesses say mysterious forces always prevented harm from coming to Pierre.   Rumors started that not only was it the LitMon protecting him, but that he'd become immortal. Dr. Saint-Germain always dismisses the second part of that rumor.    

Background

His First LitMon Friend

Ever since he was a boy, Dr. Saint Germain was obsessed with LitMon and ensuring the species thrived. His family traveled often, so he saw many countries and experienced many cultures. But the only "people" he could relate to were the LitMon. When he first encountered one of the magical creatures, he was enamored.   It was a PineTails, one of the mythical fox LitMon that usually live deep in the pine forests of Asia. Pierre's family was staying near the base of Mt. Fuji.   A beautiful white, nine-tailed fox-being peeked out from behind a tree. It had distinctive red markings on its face. Pierre's eyes met the creature's, and he could sense the incredible intelligence there. In the blink of an eye, the PineTails was gone. Pierre wanted more than anything to try to find it. But something inside told him not to. Instead, he left a snack for it at the base of the tree where he last saw the creature. He walked away. Suddenly the PineTails was in front of him, with big pleading eyes. It said, "More?" Pierre was happy to oblige.   Pierre's family left their lodgings to visit other parts of Japan, but the PineTails followed him. The pair had many adventures along the way and became fast friends. Though, Pierre's family thought he was telling stories and that the PineTails that he called "Kitz" was just an imaginary friend.   When Pierre's family returned to France, he had to bid farewell to his LitMon friend. He promised to return someday. Kitz gave him a magic whistle. When Pierre returned, all he had to do was blow it and Kitz would come so they could play again.   It broke Pierre's heart to explain that it may be many years later and that he might be a grown up then. But he would play with Kitz no matter how old he was! Kitz laughed and agreed, stating that he, himself, was over 1000 years old. That's why he had nine tails. "Everyone, no matter how old, can play!" was the last thing Kitz said to Pierre as he dashed off into the woods.   Pierre kept the whistle with him always.  

Life Debt

Years later, when he was trying to find his way back to his family's current lodgings in Russia, Pierre stumbled upon a circus displaying their animals before the show. When he saw the white fur and plethora of tails, he ran up to the cage and blew the whistle. But the face markings weren't Kitz's.   The PineTails' ears twitched, and its eyes grew wary. But Pierre leaned in close and whispered an apology for blowing the whistle. The fox turned away but whispered. "You need not apologize. That whistle is a special one. Where did you get it, boy?"   "Kitz gave it to me. I hope to see him again someday. But you don't belong here!" Pierre insisted.   "You met my father?" The PineTail's head whipped around, and its eyes were wide.   It took days to make the right plan and to drag his family to the circus to see the PineTails. Together they worked to free the LitMon. It was such a harrowing experience smuggling the creature back to Japan and running from the mafia that ran the circus that Pierre will not recount the story. At last, Kitz's daughter was reunited with her family.   To repay his debt to Pierre, Kitz offered to watch over the boy for the rest of his life. Pierre only agreed if he too could watch over Kitz and keep him hidden from those that would try to capture him for their own gain.  

Education

Pierre attended École Polytechnique and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology. At Oxford he earned his PhD in History focusing on the Literomantic Arts.   He found it challenging to convince the department's professors that LitMon (then called cryptids or yokai) were worth studying and not just fanciful folktales. Kitz volunteered to "appear" for his thesis defense and speak on LitMon culture. For some mysterious reason, Kitz does not appear in the camera footage.   After the thesis defense, every one of the staff wanted in on his proposed post-doctorate research. But Pierre felt that they were not interested in LitMon well-being and refused. The department head, upset at being told "no," tried to strip Pierre of his degree and released the Kitz-less footage to the local news station, claiming the LitMon was a hoax. So Pierre left Oxford.   Shortly after, the department head was forced to step down. Oxford kept the reason hushed, saying only that it was a matter of scruples. Pierre was contacted by the local news. He shrugged and said, "LitMon work in mysterious ways," before refusing further comment.  

LitMon Research Group

Next, he founded the LRG to study and catalog LitMon. Later he planned to start a law group to defend LitMon rights. The budget was tight, and the only facility he could afford was the lower floor of the house he and his wife rented. He needed funding without exposing Kitz again.   When his son asked for a Litendo game system for Christmas, the solution presented itself to Pierre. He'd write a video game! Not only could he raise funding, but he could also teach children through the adventure game to respect LitMon! (Ironically, Pierre never plays the game.)   After Literomancy made its way back into the world in 2020, LitMon were in the public eye enough to start the LitMon Advocacy Law Firm and LitMon Trust that gets the word out about LitMon sentience and protection laws. (LitMon Trust has been accused of guerilla style LitMon rescues. While they don't say they do this, they don't deny it either.) Starting these groups are what give him the moniker "Doc LitMon".   The LitMon Trust helped the LRG develop Litroballs in the hope that it would help save endangered LitMon species from extinction. The LRG is careful to only give out Litroballs to those who they can trust to protect LitMon interests.  

The Future?

What will Doc LitMon do next? He's mentioned a few things, including compiling dictionaries of LitMon languages (not all of them speak human tongues), pushing for LitMon citizenship in the countries where the creatures live, and LitMon literacy projects.