Prologue:
Greetings
Gentle Aislings. Oft many have queried of me what was
my inspiration for the formation of the Acadamie
Arcanus and many wizards wish to know of the source
of its structure and purpose. To this end I here
inscribe the history of this illustrious
organization. Know ye first this….the present
Acadamie is by no means an original work. As with any
great work ‘tis founded upon the shoulders of
those who have gone before. Luathas has proclaimed
unto me that I may now impart upon the world these
hidden histories.
To begin
with I shall elucidate my humble involvement and what
sparked my quest to form what we now know of as the
Acadamie. During Deoch 6 as I wandered in the
woodlands, naught but a young peasant boy, I met with
mishap that not only permanently injured my leg but
also awakened me to my attunement to the
elements…that however is a different story.
Suffice it to say that I later journeyed to the
temple of Luathas in Rucesion to gain illumination
into the events of my mishap. After many days of
fervent prayer and fasting, Luthas revealed my true
calling unto me and awakened me to the path of the
wizard. It was during this time that a revelation was
bestowed upon me. I caught glimpses of a great hall
within Rucesion with hundreds of wizards debating,
studying and practicing the arcane arts. This puzzled
me greatly as I knew, as we all do, that there is not
even a wizard master in Rucesion much less any kind
of hall of wizards. Long did I ponder upon this
vision and its implications until in Deoch 8 Luathas
again spake unto me in my dreams and revealed unto me
the existence of the former Acadamie Arcanus, once
emplaced within Rucesion. A great and arduous quest
was then bestowed upon me, a quest to discover the
hidden records of the acadamie and to rebuild it to
the glory of Luathas.
Many Deochs
I searched in vain for some smattering of information
concerning the Acadamie, but no amount of poring
through the Loures library or consultation with the
dark wizards could avail me. It seemed a fruitless
effort, it was as if the Adadamie had never existed
at all and I began to doubt both my visions and my
sanity. After despairing of finding information as I
had searched every inch of Rucesion and Loures, I
ventured into the only place I had not looked,
Dubhaim Castle. It was within these grim halls that I
found buried under a stone heap two items. An ancient
leather bound book and a dusty bone scroll case.
Rushing outside with my find I looked with glee upon
the words which were written upon them, the book was
entitled "The Ledgers and Records of the
Acadamie Arcanus" and the scroll case carried
the same seal as was writ upon the cover of the book.
Hastily I
returned to my chambers and gazed at these precious
artifacts. Eagerly I opened the long hidden tome of
the Acadamie and my heart sank. The words were all
but faded beyond comprehension and the pages
virtually crumbled at my touch. In a panic I shut the
book up and placed it within a chest for safekeeping
until such time as I could find a way to restore it.
Next I took up the scroll case. This time with much
care and delicacy I broke the wax seal to find inside
the one document which made all my efforts
worthwhile…proof of the existence of the
original Acadamie Arcanus. Verily I had found the
original charter; it is from this hallowed page that
the foundation of the present Acadamie is based.
Next began
my work to restore the records of the original
Acadamie. Many days I spent consulting with the
mundane librarians and alchemists of Temuair and with
their aid I discovered various techniques and
reagents which would restore suppleness to the pages
but also darken the faded print. This task was long
and soul crushing. Many times I nearly destroyed the
precious pages through weariness or mistaken mixtures
but slowly, ever so slowly the pages have been
restored. What follows next is a direct translation
from these ancient texts.
The
beginning:
It was the 7th
Aeon – The Chaos age, the year of Danaan 1410.
Many young man and woman sought to discover the
hidden knowledge gained by the first wizard Jaalyn
Sarag as written by Tasec. The newly rediscovered
arts of elemental attunement known as wizardry
wreaked untold havoc upon the lands. Individuals
strove vainly to gain control over the arts of the
elements; many a young wizard drowned upon water
filling his lungs from a miscast sal secret,
inexperienced practitioners of the srad element
spontaneously burst into flames, whole villages were
destroyed by uncontrolled invocations of creag and
more than one crop was destroyed by the ravages of
athar storms gone awry. The people cried out and
cursed the name of Jaalyn Sarag. It was during the
year of Danaan 1412 that into the midst of this
ruination strode a man oddly serene, who seemed to
play with the elements as long lost friends. He sent
a call out upon the lands, "come to me and I
shall teach you". Gathering all who would come
he began a system of teaching and molding the young
minds to gain the proper discipline to master the
elements and make them friends. His name was Logan.
When asked from whence he came he would simply utter
"I am born of gnosis". It was under his
guidance and tutelage that the first Acadamie Arcanus
was formed during Danaan 1413 within the city of
Rucesion.
The
graduates of the Acadamie Arcanus quickly found favor
within the courts of the land. Their particular
talents were highly prized not only for protection
but also as formidable weapons of war. Thus began the
Elemental Wars. Wizard battled Wizard, entire
countrysides were razed to the ground. The graduates
of the Acadamie reveled in their power within the
courts and their greed for political favor grew. Time
and again Logan spoke out against such misuse of the
elemental secrets he had so lovingly cultivated in
his students, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Finally Luathas grew weary of the travesties being
committed and commanded Logan to expel all such
offenders from the Acadamy. This was called "The
First Affront to Luathas" and what followed
"The First Great Purge of the Acadamie".
Reformation:
Following
the First Great Purge many reforms were emplaced
within the Acadamie to prevent misuse or abuse of the
arcane arts. Logan and the presiding Deans worked
tirelessly to guide the young wizards and instruct
them concerning the ethics of practicing their arts
for selfish aims. All seemed well within the halls of
the Acadamie. A strict regime of screening was
instituted to weed out undesirables to the arts.
Wizards became the standard of ethics and discipline
by which others would be judged.
For many
ages the wizards of the Acadamie enjoyed the favor of
the populace and gained credibility as sage and
trusted counselors to the kings of the lands and
their courts. They were commissioned to instruct
princes and princesses of the old kingdoms not only
in scholarly arts but in philosophy as well. Luathas
reveled in the accomplishments of his children and
rewarded them with ever more secrets of arcane lore.
But as with all organizations, fall from grace is but
a short step away.
During the 8th
Aeon in the year Danaan 1703 it is written that the
Dark Element was discovered. What is not revealed is
that it was partially due to the aid of a prominent
adept of the Acadamie Arcanus that this forbidden
element was revealed. This is spoken of as "The
Second Affront to Luathas". Logan and the Deans
of the Acadamie mercilessly hunted for the
transgressor and once his identity was discovered he
was immediately exiled and dubbed an enemy of the
Acadamie. What transpired next is unclear, what is
certain is that the discovery of the element of
darkness was a harbinger of the appearance of the
Dubhaim in Danaan 1705. The renegade wizard joined
forces with these chittering hordes in attempt to
extract vengeance upon Logan. In Danaan 1706 Logan
gathered the Acadamie together in Rucesion and in an
awe inspiring ceremony in which Luathas himself
appeared to the assemblage, Logan conveyed a Geas
upon all Acadamie members to do battle with the
Dubhaim and hunt down the Renegade Wizard.
The
Golden Age:
As is oft
the case, adversity brings about wondrous works. It
was during the ongoing battle with the Dubhaim in the
10th Aeon that the Shadow Wars were in
full sway. The Acadamie tirelessly tracked down and
destroyed all Dubhaim wherever they surfaced, many
were the wizards that were martyred single handedly
defending villages from the dark tides that sought to
engulf the lands. Meanwhile, within the fortified
halls of the Acadamie Logan and the Deans of the
Acadamie researched tirelessly to discover some means
to counter the Dark Element and hold the Dubhaim at
Bay.
It was due
to these exhaustive efforts that in Danaan 3148, the
Light element was discovered and through its use the
dread shadow wars were put to an end in Danaan 3171.
Many celebrated and gladness rang throughout the
lands. Logan knew however that this was but a tenuous
victory at best and that the vile creatures of
darkness would never cease to attempt to invade and
destroy all that so many had worked so hard to build.
Logan locked himself up within his chambers for many
months. He would allow no one to enter and would
speak to none, even the Deans could gain no
admittance. Suddenly one morning Logan’s chamber
doors were flung open and there stood the Arcanus
Adeptus. His face was haggard from lack of sleep and
his exhausted steps unsteady, but a resolute look of
victory could be clearly discerned within his eyes.
Calling forth an assembly of the entire Acadamie he
revealed the fruits of his labors. Much to the dismay
of all in attendance his revelation consisted of what
appeared to be a mere lamp, albeit lit with a rather
strange flame, but a lamp nonetheless. Laughing,
Logan cajoled his peers and bade them follow. Traveling out into the lands they located a large
hive of dubhaim, hundreds of them massed and writhed
with evil hunger.
Logan strode
forth with his lamp veiled under a cloth towards the
evil horde. Thinking their leader quite ill in the
mind, the assembled wizards gathered their arcane
might. The air virtually hummed with the power about
to be unleashed. "Stay your hands, I command
ye" bellowed Logan. With much puzzlement the
gathered wizards ceased their spells. "Watch and
learn noble friends" cried Logan, "I will
show ye a wonder unheard of." Then defiantly he
strode towards the onrushing Dubhaim….all feared
that he would certainly meet his end upon their
claws, but he merely laughed and flung back the cloth
from his lamp. Eldritch light blazed forth, almost
blinding to behold and a miraculous event transpired.
The horrid Dubhaim shrieked in pain and fear, they
tumbled and clawed at each other seeking to escape the
burning rays of the light from Logan’s lamp.
Confidently Logan strode ever forward, driving the Dubhaim before him as a shepherd drives his flock.
With
wonderment and much rejoicing the wizards returned to
Rucesion and the doors of the Acadamie were barred.
For many years nothing was seen nor heard from its
halls and it was thought that all its members had
either died in some research accident or Luathas had
called them home. Then in Danaan 3177 a glorious
sight occurred. Lamps appeared in each town, dark at
first but soon robed figures could be seen gathered
around each of these lamps. The enrobed figures could
be heard muttering strange invocations and making odd
gestures in the air, after several days the furtive
emissaries had visited each of these lamps. When each
and every lamp had received this visitation, the
doors of the Acadamie opened and all its members
filed out in a solemn formation. Logan led his fellow
wizards to the temple of Luathas and kneeling in
prayer they entreated Luathas. Suddenly each and
every lamp that had been emplaced blazed forth with
that same strange light that had been held in
Logan’s original lamp. Rising Logan made a
proclamation that no longer would any have to fear
the encroachment of the Dubhaim for so long as the
lamps did burn, none of the vile creatures would
enter unscathed.
Fall
from Grace:
For many
ages peace from the Dubhaim reigned. Aside from the
occasional skirmish which was easily dispatched by
wandering soldiers all was well. The Acadamie enjoyed
many years in which they could research and learn in
their leisure. Once again they were heralded as royal
counselors and tutors. The Acadamie thought itself
assured of its position and safety. Luathas blessing
had surely been secured by the formation of the
lamps. It is said however, that all good things come
to an end, and so it was with the Golden Age of the
Acadamie Arcanus. In the Spring of Dannan 3265 the
Dean of Srad Falucus came forth unto the faculty of
the Acadamie and proclaimed that he had seen a vision
in his slumbers. He claimed that he had seen dubhaim
running rampant through the streets of Rucesion,
dealing death and destruction unhindered by the
lamps. The assembled faculty cajoled and roared with
laughter, thinking Falucus drunk they bade him imbibe
some fifeleaf and sleep it off and he would feel
better in the morning. In vain the Dean of Srad
implored his fellows to heed his warnings, he left
the halls despondently. The ensuing months passed as
they had previously, in safety and security, and
Falucus began to think his comrades may have been
correct that his vision was a fluke. Early one
morning in Danaan 3266 his wife Alcorana awoke him.
She bade him follow her unto the docks of Rucesion.
Seeing uncharacteristic concern in her eyes he
followed. When they reached the docks Alcorana gazed
out upon the waters and turned to him with a haunted
look. "Dost ye not see it my husband?" she
asked in a voice full of fear. Seeing nothing he
shook his head. "Oh, sorrow be mine my husband,
do you not see the waves? Do they not speak to ye of
doom?" she queried once again. "Nay, I see
it not my love, mayhap as ye art a Sal Adept ye seest
things I cannot," he assured her, "speak
unto me of what ye seest". She told him that she
saw only that something was terribly amiss with the
waves and that the waters spake unto her telling her
that a great pestilence was rising within the Dubhaim
Castle.
In dread
Falucus and Alcorana gathered the Deans and Logan
together in the inner sanctum and again sought to
warn them of the impelling doom to come. But once
again they were mocked and ejected from the chambers
in shame. Only Logan’s eyes held a hint of
doubt. But even he, in his confidence of the lamps,
dismissed any serious concern. In desparation Falucus
and Alcorana entrusted their young son to some farmer
friends in Mileth and embarked unto the Dread Castle
alone, driven by some urging they could not resist.
What sight met their eyes there shook them to their
very core. As they arrived at the gates the saw
hordes of Dunaan spilling from every door and window,
scrabbling ever closer to the castle gates. Falucus
and Alcorana joined hands and gazed in each others
eyes with dreadful resolution. Bravely they turned
towards the approaching mass of obscenity and
proclaimed with a voice as one "you shall not
pass".
The ensuing
battle was one of which great songs are sung but none
was there to give witness, Falucus and Alcorana stood
alone against thousands. Wave after wave of Dunaan
assailed them led by Servitors and Succubi. Time and
again the two wizards hurled their combined arcane
might into the approaching dunaan, destruction
reigned supreme. A great steam and plume of smoke
rose from the Castle courtyard. In Rucesion the
citizens pointed and gaped at the pillar of
destruction in confused horror, great booming and
flashes of light could be seen as far as Abel. Then
the unthinkable occurred, the lamps which had
protected the towns for so long dimmed and sputtered
to a mere glint of their former blaze. Panic arose
and the soldiers of Rucesion rushed to the Dubhaim
Castle followed closely by the wizards of the
Acadamie Arcanus. But too late did they arrive at the
castle gates. When they reached the castle gates the
sight that greeted them struck them dumb with sorrow
and remorse. There at the castle gates lay Falucus
and Alcorana, their flesh as tattered and torn as
their robes, barely recognizable they lay in a heap
at the foot of the gates still grasping each other’s hands, yet not a single Dubhaim, not
one dunaan had passed their vigil. The blasted
remains of countless Dubhaim littered the courtyard.
Falucus and Alcorana had beat down the Dubhaim
uprising alone, but at great cost.
In sorrow
and shame the wizards of the Acadamie gathered the
remains of their fallen members and conveyed them to
the Temple of Luathas to be interred with honor.
During the funeral procession the very skies seemed
to weep and not a single bird or beast uttered a
noise. The failings of the faculty to heed the
warnings of Falucus and Alcorana and their subsequent
death at the hands of the Dubhaim caused a great
schism within the Acadamie. The Year was 3267 and
each Dean sought to point fingers at the other,
blaming all but themselves for their failure to heed
the words of the fallen heroes. Each elemental
curriculum shamelessly hurled accusations at each other in open assembly, eventually something
which had never occurred within its hallowed halls
transpired. Acadamie Members did violence unto each other. Open battle raged within the meeting
halls. In despair Logan tried desperately to
intervene and restore order, but no amount of
diplomacy, threats or admonitions could quell the
tide of anger, this was termed "The third and
Final Affront to Luathas".
In fury
Luathas descended upon the halls of the Acadamie, the
very earth trembled at his approach. All were
humbled, as Luathas appeared in the main hall with a
face as grim as iron. The words he spoke next caused
even the bravest of blood to run cold. "You who
were my chosen children, you whom I have shown favor
and forgiveness above all others, still you do not
learn. Bad enough it is that in your complacency and
blind trust of your works you ignored a terrible
threat to the lands and caused the loss of two of
your selfless brethren, but now you seek to dishonor
their sacrifice by spilling blood within these halls.
Know ye this, you have lost forever my favor and my
blessing, nevermore until another such as Logan shall
appear shalt ye reside within these halls, be ye gone
I say!" With that he waved his hands and
scattered all the wizards of the Acadamie to the four
corners of the land, stretching forth his might he
wrenched the memory and knowledge of the Acadamie and
its secrets from each of their minds and those of all
the beings of the lands. In a rage he tumbled down
the tall towers and halls of the Acadamie leaving no
stone upon another and caused all record of the
Acadamie to be stricken from the scrolls of history.
All its secrets and records were destroyed or lost.
In his final proclamation Luthas decried that
nevermore would a wizard master instruct within the
bounds of Rucesion and to this day it remains so.
Hope
and Compassion:
In his great
wisdom Luathas did not however completely erase all
knowledge of the disciplines of the elemental arts
from the lands. Each of the remaining Deans were
bound by oath to individually guide those young ones
of the wizards path on their studies and became those
we know as "The Dark Wizards", but each was
also bound by oath never to return to Rucesion nor to
gather together. Dar - the Dean of Athar was interred
in Mileth, Hadriane – the Dean of Creag was
exiled to Soumi and Kiril – the Dean of Sal to
undine where they still continue their efforts. As
for Logan, many have marveled at his longevity and
how he could hold court so long over the Acadamie, it
was rumored that he was not of this earth and his
cryptic words when he initially appeared hint that he
is not altogether of this earth, the words "I am
born of gnosis" whisper furtively in the ears of
all that see him within the Wizards Hall of the
temple of choosing as he initiates each into the
wizards path.
A new
dawning:
As foretold
by Luathas, in Deoch 7 a young peasant boy rode up on
a haggard old horse to the steps of the Luathas
Temple. When asked who he was and why he had come he
would reply "My name’s Vinnie of Mileth and
I need help." Slowly with a limping stride he
walked into the temple of Luathas, his eyes were
troubled and clouded with uncertainty. Many days he
spent within the temple praying silently, he would
accept neither food nor water, and rested not that
any could see. His fervent prayer inspired admiration
and concern for his welfare by the priests of the
temple but he would speak to no one. After a full
week he emerged from the temple, the troubled gaze
had been replaced by one of a haunting and resolute
purpose. With daunting confidence and stern composure
he looked upon those gathered and was heard to say,
"I am Veneficus, and I am a wizard". With
that he left and took upon him the mantle of
wizardry.
This young
wizard was seen many times about Temuair; perfecting
his arts, consulting the Dark Wizards, but always
seeming to be seeking something. Then one day he
posted upon the boards that he was forming a
gathering of those of the wizards path, to be known
as the Acadamie Arcanus
Conclusion:
Some of you
may wonder how it is that I have been presumptuous
enough to take upon me the leadership and
resurrection of the Acadamie Arcanus, considering its
illustrious if somewhat stained past. To this I will
only reply this. I am the child of Falucus and
Alcorana, it is their blood, not any virtue of mine
that makes me worthy of this honor. And know that I
will endeavor to not only honor their memories but
the mandates of Luathas to once again bring the
Acadamie forth to serve Temuair.
