The Giovanni Papers
Translated by Cyn
Starstorm
Introduction
After digging through a
sealed chamber deep within the vault of the Arcanyx, a set of
controversial papers were released. They detail the early life of one
Giovanni se'Accardi, just another transmutation mage among the noble
class back in the AN250's. However, using the writing style and notes
I was able to link these with a set of notes and a journal which I
had acquired in my travels. Between the notes which detailed
Giovanni's specific magic notation I was able to translate both the
notes and the journal, and the revelations they make on history are
astounding. I spent many cycles translating, consolidating, and
matching the information into this document, which shows the exploits
of Giovanni, his brother Callisto, and his companions on and
after the Day of the King's death in AN263. Nearly all records in
this time period have been stricken from history, due to either being
destroyed or inaccurate with other precious few historical texts in the
Era. What follows may be the most important revelation in cycles. I
present, the Accardi Brave Story.
Early Life
Why does everyone look at
me with hate in their eyes? Nothing I do ever seems to be enough for
Mother and Father. All my instructors except for my writing and math
instructors seem to tire of my excuses that I can't keep up. Everyone
always compares me to my older brother Mario. He can do no wrong, he
is perfect, and I just can't compare. He is smart like me, but on top
of that, he is skilled and strong, and has the proper makings of a
successor of our noble house. It seems like everyone has given up on
me and just focused on him. They just go through the motions for me.
I can't even imagine what my little brother Callisto goes through. I
hardly even see him with the instructors, he spends most of his time
looking for the next way to sneak out of the estate, even though he
is only 8 cycles! At least he tells me when he's going to do
something stupid so I can come with him to bail him out. I always
have to point out the obvious problems with his schemes. Then, half
the time he does it anyway, expecting me to help him out of his mess!
Today he wants to sneak into the armory and play with the weapons.
Guess I'll just have to come with him to make sure he doesn't kill
himself.
They are sending me to the
Arcanyx! It's my big break! My chance to show them I'm not Mario's
shadow and I'm not Callisto's butler. Getting those lectures from the
graduated mage and finding out I had an aptitude was the best thing
that ever happened too me. I hope I can learn the magic to keep up
with both of my brothers. Then I can finally claim my proper place in
history!
Academy
It's my first day at the
Academy and I'm ready to learn! They introduced us to our instructors
as well as the Archmage of the Arcanyx, Stefano en'Ricci. Everyone
just refers to him as Archmage, or The Archmage. He seemed friendly
enough when we first met, shook my hand and told me he was looking
forward to seeing all of us rise as new colleagues. But something was
off, it took me a moment, but I noticed exactly what it was. It was
the same kind of body language as my parents and Mario. He saw us as
no more then pawns, tools for his own empowerment. For some reason,
my optimistic attitude has suddenly burst into flames.
The Sages of the Arcanyx
have requested all students to write a journal of their studies, as
well as any breakthroughs found, I have always been meticulous with
my notes, one simple mistake can be the difference between life and
death when it comes to magic after all. However, I am certain its all
just so they can steal any original magic created by the students and
to control anyone truly brilliant. The tricks on them however, I
found a loose stone in my dorm room which contained a small space to
leave my true notes, and I have been keeping out my own personal
experiments in the notes I've been turning in. My instructors may
have passion, but its obvious they lack the bravery for any true
research into the arcane. One day once I can channel enough of the
arcane, I will find a way to alter myself permanently. I will become
what I want to be. Zysohr has given me the means to do all I desire. All I need is the knowledge to do it.
I have decided to dedicate
myself to the school of Alteration, it appears to be a popular
school, to alter the world around you and change its very being. I'm
sure most of these mages are full of simpler thoughts, like the idea
of the philosopher's stone, as a way to glory and riches. What these
fools don't realize, is they are looking too small, why change
things, when you can change yourself? Imagine having the power of an
ogre, or the wings of a hawk, the possibilities are limitless!
The Archmage of the Arcanyx
appears to have taken an interest in me, and not the good kind. I
made my first slip ever in regards to my notes, and I accidentally
included a reference to my personal notes which I had specifically
omitted, and I couldn't come up with a proper excuse, so they know
I'm hiding something. What's worse is that the Archmage himself is
who found the discrepancy. I better be even more careful, if they
find out my ultimate goal, they may expel me for forbidden
experiments and “Perversion of the arcane” as they so like to put
it to everyone they strip of their title and send packing.
Its been a few months since
my mistake, and things seem to have calmed down, I have had to be
careful, but I think the excuse I made and the “missing” paper I
turned in assuaged them. Unfortunately this paper I had to write I am
sure raised some eyebrows. The concept of poly-morphing isn't
anything new, but a paper on its applications it could be used to
alter ones self I'm sure is strange. I'll have to be even more
vigilant. The Archmage has asked some pointed questions several times
which have been hard to get around, I'm worried he has been probing
for a reason to expel me, he always has that condescending look my
brother had.
I can't believe what I just
did, it seems some of Callisto's mischief making has rubbed off onto
me. I was studying late tonight in the library preparing for my final
exam when I noticed the Archmage leaving the vaults, I glanced and
noticed that he had left the door open. Against my better judgment I
decided to take a peak, what knowledge could I find, I thought. I
entered and found a set of notes on a table, taking a glance I
learned it was report which detailed all the students which had been
expelled, and to my horror, I found out the majority of them that
were expelled for “perversion of the arcane” listed the real
reason, most often bribes or a set up to get rid of anyone deemed
dangerous by the administration. If the right hands got a hold of
this, the implications on the kingdom could be momentous.
Just then I heard
footsteps, someone was coming! Thinking quickly I cast Phantasmal
Force, concealing myself. Hopefully whoever It was didn't have true
seeing or the like. The Archmage himself came down, and as I slowly
crept back up the stairs, he was muttering to himself about how he
couldn't believe he left the vault open. I managed to make it back to
my room with the report. I couldn't believe he didn't hear me. That's
the softest I've ever chanted before. Thinking quickly I sent it into
yet another of my “letters” to Callisto. I had been sending a
copy of my notes to him for quite some time now, just in case I
couldn't get them out of the Arcanyx. Thankfully the bleary eyed
messenger didn't check the message after I gave him a good bribe. We
had become good business partners in my long time at the academy.
I just made a deal with the
devil. It still shakes me up even now. They locked down the Arcanyx
looking for the missing report I took, and they found my notes. When
confronted by the Archmage I couldn't believe my bravery when I told
him I had the real report he was looking for, and if he didn't want
it revealed, he was going to let me graduate, and never reveal my
experiments and notes. He went on and on about how he had all the
cards, and he could have me killed if he wanted, and that he should
have me publicly executed for stealing valuable research from the
Arcanyx, but I could tell he was in a panic. I actually held all the
cards, not him. Eventually he agreed to let me graduate if I would
return the original documents right when I returned home. I agreed,
it seemed to be the only way out. I graduated today, and am now on my
way to meet my brother an the inn south of the city. I have a
sinking feeling in my stomach.
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