Talon's Research Prologue: 'Hows' and 'Whys'

The following are my (Talon’s) final memoires detailing my research into magical theory and, specifically, how it pertains to the Realm of Castles. First, I should give a list of my credentials. My initial introduction into the scholarly arts occurred while within the Forest of Doors, and I was initially trained in the method used by the Desert of Brass. This method stresses objectivity, verifying sources, and publishing sources so that others can conduct their own research independently and achieve the same result, thus verifying the original’s findings. To that end, I have made sure that all of my research came from verifiable and accessible sources, and the information of said source material is published at the end of each chapter. Further, I will endeavor to clearly label anything which is a hypothesis, opinion, inference, or theory.

Second, I worked exceedingly closely with not only the late Fr. Heironymous and other monks of the Blessed Order of the Horn but also Sir Lawrence, a master Noble Paladin, to ensure that my research did not devolve into heresy. It was important to me that I work hand-in-hand with the clergy and holy defenders of the faith of the Unicorn. If this research is to be taken seriously at all by the people of the Realm of Castles, then they need to be assured that it is not blasphemy and not some trick by the Lion to corrupt.

Finally, to address the reasons why I began and continued this research. Upon arrival within the Forest of Doors, it became clear that the greatest weakness a mundane fighter, such as myself, has against enemies within the Forest and from other worlds is the extreme lack of defense against their mystical ways. I soon discovered that one of the best defenses against magic is, in most cases, magic itself in the form of a ward or other protective spells. Further, the sheer utility of magic in it’s ability to protect and safeguard was hard to deny, let alone the fact that the magics practiced by other worlds appeared to be mostly unlike the stories of the hexes and curses utilized by witches and warlocks of the Lion within the Realm. Thus my research started as an attempt to not only find an effective defense against magic for myself and those from the Realm of Castles but also to clarify what truly constitutes heresy as far as magic is concerned. It was my intention to possibly reconcile certain magics as being acceptable in the eyes of the Unicorn so that the people of the Realm might be able to better defend themselves against the ravages of the Lion and his minions. As this journey in scholarship progressed, however, the purpose and gravity of this research changed greatly. No longer was it about providing a useful tool to the people of the Realm. Instead, it became a call to arms against a threat that few if any even realized existed, and a quest to reclaim a legacy which was long abandoned yet could not be more necessary for the Realm of Castles’ very survival.

Unfortunately, this is a quest which I will not be able to see through to the end, as I am called to fulfill a task which is just as needed, if not more so. The revival of the mystical heritage of the Unicorn, as given to humanity by her divine grace, is not something which any single person can wholly accomplish in a small span of years. The current state of affairs took generations to create and the scope of this task is great indeed. However, for any who read this, do not be disheartened. Know that others stand beside you, ready and willing to give you aid if you but ask and are pure of heart and intentions. Through faith in the Unicorn, anything is possible.