Greetings, fellow seekers of Gnosis. My name is Xedrian Vel'tssal, priest of Gnosis, that is, of Luathas. These scrolls of wizardly knowledge, are presented to the mundanes, and to all of Temuair by the Luathas fellowship. The lore contained within, has been compiled from numerous sources, and written by myself, to be presented to you.

    It is the sincere hope of our fellowship, that the knowledge contained within, is found to be of value to all young adepts in their quest to understand the arcane arts, one of the great gifts of Luathas.

    During the fifth Aeon, the four elements, being the center of focus for all wizards, were discovered. It was not for many millennia later that these elements, being earth, wind, water, and fire, were harnessed for the first time. This time, over fourteen centuries after the appearance of the Tuatha De Danann, nearly four centuries after the disappearance of the Aosdan civilization, was the first man 'gifted' with the gnosis of elemental craftsmanship.

    This man, priest Jaalyn Sarag, the first wizard, born circa 1393, Danann reckoning, discovered that the raw power of the natural elements could be controlled, manipulated, and used as a dreadfully potent weapon. Luathas took the young wizard under his wing, taught him of the arcane, and sent him to spread this knowledge. Thus wizardy was born, and discovery of the awesome power locked within the elements, and the knowledge to wield their power, soon lead to the great elemental wars.

    As the knowledge was spread, and greater secrets of the arcane were unlocked, the power wich wizards wielded increased. The Academie Arcanus was formed, and the powers of the elements were diciplined. Kingdoms, and principalities, thirsting for an advantage over their rivals, took note of this power, and sought to add it to their power. Wizards of great power, taught at the Academie were added to the ranks of the armies of these kings, elemental battles rages across the lands, and the earth was marred by their powerful magicks. Armies fell to the devestation which the wizards commanded, entire regions lay in waste, and kingdoms fell to the elemental ravages unleashed. Wizards, having gained favor for their art in the courts of these kingdoms, sought to further their own end. This greed, and power mongering lead to the first affront of Luathas, in which he commanded Logan, the academie founder, to expell the corrupt. This was known as "The First Great Purge of the Academie."

    Following the great purge, there began a reformation within the Academie Arcanus to instutute laws, and commandments to prevent the abuse of the arcane. Ethics were focused upon, and wizards were taught against using their gift for personal gain. Wizards became counselors, and teachers. Spreading the gnosis of the arcane arts, the philosphies of the Academie, and the ethos of Luathas. The popularity, and respect for magick grew. Luathas was pleased; The discovery, and spread knowledge increased.

    During the 8th aeon, the year 1703, Danann reckoning, the element of darkness was discovered. It was an adept of the Academie whom discovered this forbidden knowledge, this is known as the Second Affront of Luathas. The Academie founder, and it's deans sought the adept who had discovered, and unleashed this element. He was discovered, exlied, and deemed an enemy of the Academie. Thus began the influx of the Dubhamid.

    With the appearance of the Dubhamid, the Academie was geased by Logan with a quest to combat, and cease the flood of darkness which was overcoming the lands. The Shadow Wars began. The Academie tracked down, and destroied these creatures of darkness where they surfaced. Many wizards were slain, defending villages, townships, and kingdoms against wave after wave of dark fiend. Millenia passed, and the shadow wars dragged on.

    In the year 3148, Danann reckoning, the element of light was discovered. It is unsure how the element of light was found, however. Speculation persists that it was Deoch, himself a dubhamid, who brought the element of light to the world, after his conversion upon bearing witness to Danann's holy glory. Some think it was Danaan herself, who gave us this blessing. It is not known for certain, though this discovery was the turning point in the Shadow War, and with the light, the dubhamid were soon driven back. But this victory was only temporary, though peace reigned for some time after the shadow wars, this was not the last the world had seen of the dubhamid. To this day the dubhamid live, if you can call what they are life, and thrive on the greed, hatred, and fear of mundane and aisling alike. This we are all witness to, many of us being a part of, or bearing witness to the war between the light, and darkness.

    Many great happenings have transpired since the end of the show wars, and more I would tell you, but I am no historian. However, if it is more history you would care to learn, the history of the Academie Arcanus, written by Veneficus, I suggest you read. There is also the twin volumes of wizardry, the Artis Mystiklan, writtng by Xilan Horidre, thought it is not quite as up to date as this compendium of wizardly knowledge. As well, there are numerous books and scrolls to be found in the library of Loures, which are written by aislings far more knowledgable about the past than I. This I have written in but an attempt to aquaint you with some basic history behind the discovery of the six elements, and what traspired during the early development of what we know today as the wizard's path.

    Before progressing, there are certain details, which I feel I must convey to you. There are universal dangers associated with the wizard's path, which you must be aware of, as well, there are a few particulars you might want knowledge of.

    First, I would very much like to expand upon, and correct a few of Xilan's categorizations of wizards. Let me begin by saying that there are two types of wizard, the specialist, and the mage.

    Specialists excel in a single elemental path, very quickly. This makes a specialist extremely potent in his chosen elemental path. However, a specialist lacks greatly in his knowledge, and command of the other elements. This decreases his flexibility, and worth in combat, greatly. The mage, on the other hand, concentrates on no single element, but instead pursues them all. Thus making him a far more flexible combatant. Yet, the mage lacks true prowess in any single element, thus his raw power in combat is found absent. Make no mistake, however. The mage is quite formidable, and will quickly gain significant power equaling, and surpassing a wizard who pursues but a single element.

Seers: Seers are masters of divination, and are often quite vague and cryptic in speech. Much time do these individuals spend, gazing into the astral plane, in seek of knowledge of things to come, and things long past. One wizard in particular comes to mind, lady Fremin. She is a wonderful woman, and quite gifted as a seer.

Warlocks/Witches: These foul aislings, their souls despoiled, tainted by Chadul. They specialize in the evocation of destructive magicks. Their minds have been twisted in their pursuit of the dark element, and their lust for power.

Necromancer: Most necromancers, like the warlocks, and wicked, and corrupt. These depraved, dissolute wizards have made a pact with death. The powers they hold to call forth the dead to do their bidding are fearsome. But, at what cost, this dreadful power? The loss of their faith, and their souls. Yet, some necromancers use their knowledge of the dead in more beneficial ways. Some, at the risk of their own mental health commune with the dead in search of answers to questions, in much the same way a Seer looks into a crystal ball to seek answers from Astral beings, some using their knowledge of death and the dead, to research the world beyond.

Enchanter: The masters of enchantment! These wizards, you will oft find milling about their personal laboratories, or those of the mundane wizard's, crafting wondrous items of great power. As well, these wizards are the masters of nadur! Specializing in elemental conversions, fas enchantment, etc.

Sorcerer: The sorcerers are masters of raw arcane power. Through the use of arcane wordings, and runes, sorcerers can harness this power, and manipulate even the fabric time and space itself.

Alchemist: Alchemists are the masters of chemistry. Magical potions are what alchemists are most noted for. Alchemists, being pacifists by nature, concentrating more on research and their concoctions, are still formidable spell casters.

    In the descriptions of many wizard paths of specialization, I have described many of the dangers which present themselves when pursuing the wizards path. Risk to one's health is grave, as is the risk to ones sanity, and immortal soul. The universal dangers present in wizardry are for one, of course, the risks of a miscast spell. Casting of dark spells, is always a risk. So potent are dark spells, and so taxing are they upon mortal will, that even the strongest of minds can be driven into utter madness. Despite the many risks, the rewards for persuing the arts is great! The power to harness and manipulate the very elements of nature to ones desire, the ability to imbue rings, shields, and armors of all sorts with awesome magical powers. It is a difficult path, fraught with danger, but with a promise of great reward.

Natural Elements

Dark Element

Nadur Magick & Fas Nadur

Research & Enchantment

Necromancy

Armor & Staves

Wizard Skills, and Misc. Spells.