Well, with my induction into the Spellguard Associate program, I thought it best to begin keeping a record of my thoughts. I believe it will help me keep things straight, and provide a decent record of my research.

Where to begin though, well, the begining I guess. I ventured into the Spellguard Tower today, hoping against hope I might run into an Agent to discus my entrance into the Associate program. Tymora was with me (in more ways then one, lady luck be praised) as Agent Millar was in. After explaining who I was, and what I was about, the Agent calmly asked me a few questions, then asked me if I would be willing to submit to a combat test, to prove my worth. At this point, my heart sank, I'm still an apprentice dammit, not a real wizard at all! I agreed though, how could I not?

So I stand in the spell chamber, across from an Agent of the Spellguard, who is counting to three, and I had to put on a show, and what a show it was! I beat him! I almost didn't believe my own eyes when I watched him fall! Those last experimentations with modifiing the summon must have truely paid off, the beetle shreaded him! So it was, I was inducted into the Associate Program, on the basis of "obvious arcane talent". Truth be told, I think I embaressed the Agent a bit; but hey, those are the breaks down here I've learned. Losing because you underestimated your foe is still losing, and will still lead to a quick death. Besides, I promissed him I wouldn't tell anyone, which allows him to save face, and me to score a few points.

There's a small doodle here of a man in spellguard robes being gnawed at by a rather mean looking giant beetle while another mage looks on in obvious glee

I had the pleasure of meeting my Captain in the Associates today as well. Othur, he seems a very good sort. A bit distant and cold, yet competant in the extreme. I think we will get on good.

He tasked me a bit of research to, right up my alley if I do say so. Seems he wants a mo

Here several lines of ink are blanked out by what appears to be ink spilled and smoothed over the page

Damned me, I shouldn't be writing that, as it seems a very secritive task. Ahh well, off to the librairy Semaj, plenty to do.

Gods, I forgot all about this little book, rereading the first entry, it seems so long ago. Another world entirely.

So much has happened since that first entry, and so much happens still. I fear we stand looking over the rain-slicked precipice of war once again. Though the feeling is different then last time. Last time it seemed unreal, detached. This time I know I will kill, and perhaps be killed. This is why I set ink to parchment now, my name is slandered in the Upper Republic, I am branded a traitor, and the whole city screams for my head at times. I will tell my story to this point, that perhaps this journal will protect me from various slings and barbs after my death. Shed some light on the situation as it were.

So to begin, shortly after having been inducted into the Associates, I began my duties for the Spellguard. Grand duties, spying, killing, research. But I truly distinguished myself during my service in the Unseelie Campaign. It was I who held the mission to the pumping station together in the face of overwhelming odds, and it was I again, who slew the Unseelie Queen in glorious Spellbattle while her pet, a giant mutated spider tore into our ranks. For this, I was inducted as a full Agent in the Spellguard, I had never felt more pride in my life, then when I donned those robes.

The first weeks were fine, I conducted my duties well, with a minimum of mistakes. I was often paired with Agent Noble, that simpering fool of a apprentice. He was never fit to wear the robes of the Order. Yet it was he, who in peace distinguished himself. Diplomacy, feh I say. Day in and out he tormented me and my methods. His canoodling with Seekers and foes of the Order in the name of diplomacy was sickening.

Officer Barkely, did not see it so, however. The fool. He coddled Noble, granted him his every wish, looked upon him with utmost love. So it was Noble gained favor with the Order, and as Noble and I grated upon each other more and more, I lost favor. So it was as well, that Noble was placed largely in charge of the campaign against Montezzi. Gods, what fools. A diplomat, in charge of a war? This is the combined intelligence on the Order? Needless to say, when presented with Nobles plan, anyone could see it was doomed to utter and complete failure. But Officer Barkely endorsed it, and so it went forth.

Which brings me to my betrayal, the act for which I'm sure I am to be hunted until my final moments. Nobles great plan, for which I was unwilling to lay down my life came to pass, Opperation Unified volly. Let's all stand in a circle in a small room with the greatest swordsmen in the city and cast spells as quick as we can and hope for the best. It sickens me to this day to think of it. So I left the Order, I took the Canal Ward defense plans, and my knowledge of the Spellguard, Art and Svirfneblin technology and went to the highest bidder, my Lord, Prince Montezzi.

I was well recieved in his Court, upon my arrival. Just in time to foil Count Montezzis assassination in fact, a stroke of good luck indeed. The Prince granted me a spot in the Court, a title of nobility and whatever I wished for my loyalty to him. I signed my name into his ledger in my life's blood, and so bound myself to his service. Which brings me to the current, in this abridged history. We stand near to war with Upper, a war in which many will die, and it saddens me to say it, but the House is not as strong as it was when I faced it in the Spellguard. The Count is dead, Duke Waylon is dead, Guardian Cross is not often about...

We shall have a hell of a war, and I swear upon Azuth, I will take as many of them with me as I can.

Perhaps if I live through this, I can one day write in this journal again, as a proper wizard, and detail my experiments...such grand experiments, such resounding success! Mirage, The Finger! The Dunwarren Defense Matrix! Gods, I hope I live to see my work through.

Lord Semaj Lemalian, Court Magician, Grand High Arcanist of the Realm