[This huge sealed envelope is stuffed to the point of bursting. Written on the front and underlined several times in large capital letters: "FOR AGENT XAVIER ELAPIDAE ONLY!"

Breaking the seal and opening it reveals a neatly bound document, tied together with an ordinary rothe-leather strap. This document is numbered, and if you flip through to the end you will realize that it is exactly 175 pages in length and written in an exceedingly neat and tidy hand.

On the front of the document, written in the same hand is the following in large capital letters:

"AN INTRODUCTORY TREATISE ON THE ARCANE SCIENCE

BY: AGNES VALENTI"

Scanning the document reveals that it is obviously not intended for general consumption. The writing style is that of a technical research paper, but it is peppered with self-created terms, and there are no other sources cited aside from the author herself. The whole document seems to largely be a collection of research notes that have been recompiled into something more cohesive.

The envelope also contains, thankfully, a set of cliff notes and a letter. They are what follows.]

The Letter:

Esteemed Agent of the Order,

As I further pursue the research responsibilities assigned, I have come to the decision that it would be wise to submit to you some of my research notes. As I have explained I have for the past twelve years been a student of the arcane who has thus far taught herself. It is my desire to join the Order so that I may not only expand my knowledge, but also use whatever meager abilities I have at my disposal to assist the Order in whatever official capacity that I am able.

I realize that these notes are nothing new to experienced mages such as yourself. I ask, however, that you take into consideration that I have had to completely teach myself. I have achieved this through a number of means, primarily through trial and error as well as observation. I have spent the past twelve years combing this city for whatever meager scrap of arcane lore that I could lay my hands upon so that I may further my knowledge.

I have been exceedingly blessed by the Binder at the gems that I have found. That being said, I hope that these notes, which I have recompiled into a more comprehensive form for your consumption, helps outline my potential to the Order of the Spellguard.

Azuth be with you, Agnes Valenti

The Cliff Notes:

AN INTRODUCTORY TREATISE ON THE ARCANE SCIENCE

BY: AGNES VALENTI

The First Section Entitled "The Structure of the Arcane": In my first section I detail what is commonly known as the 'Weave'. Here I outline its nature, its structure and speak of what I have come to call the 'True Power' - that which powers the 'threads' of the Weave itself.

To summarize the writing, what is commonly known as 'the Weave' is in fact an unimaginable number of tiny threads. These threads form the basis of all physical laws within the material world. All objects within the material world are in truth nothing more than these threads tightly woven together. An Arcanist who can see these threads can then manipulate them to create new objects as well as alter the physical laws of the material world itself.

Refference: page 5 to page 27

The Second Section Entitled "The Structure of a Spell": In my second section, I expand upon the first by relating it directly to how it affects spellcasting, as well as detailed notes on the simple cantrip of light. I take careful time to emphasize the importance of simple cantrips over more complex spells for studying the Weave. I liken it to a house built with a bad foundation. If you cannot properly cast a cantrip, each successive circle of spells "mastered" will bare the flaws of each previous spell circle. In the end the arcanist presents a risk to himself and all those around him due to his lack of understanding of something as simple as a basic cantrip of light.

I then go into detail on the proper methods of weaving a spell. I take time to note how each thread must be tightly woven into the next, and how the proper amount of time must be taken to properly manipulate the threads. The ideal light spell, for example, should take ten minutes to properly prepare, weave, and bind around an arcanist for a quick release later. Each spell is woven and bound in the same exact manor, though the time varies, this is the simple, basic, and most fundamental philosophy of all Arcane Science. Yet, in my studies I have located no less than four cantrips that create light and have identified 26 errors in the first, 32 in the second, 14 in the third and the fourth was so badly crafted that I was shocked it created light at all. I include each of those cantrips with their flaws clearly outlined and then compare it to the one that I personally researched.

Refference: page 28 to page 62

The Third Section Entitled "The Structure of Threads": In my third section I go right back to the first section to once again talk about threads in more detail. I then work my way back into the second section and bring the two together. Finally, toward the middle of this section I focus on the common problems with weaving and why it is important to cast spells properly.

I make specific notes on the first and most common mistakes made when weaving spells. The first deals with what I have termed the "draw and release" method of weaving. In this method, an arcanist seizes upon the threads of the Weave, typically forcefully, and sloppily binds his spell for later release. In the second method, which I have termed the "loose thread" method, is when an arcanist does not properly bind his threads together and the third, which is the counter to the second, is the "tight thread" method. In the forth method, which I have termed the "careless weaver" method is when an arcanist weaves too many threads into his binding in order to cast a desired spell.

I then, once again turning to the cantrip of light, demonstrate that the proper spell draws upon only the necessary threads in order to weave the spell and no more, and that the proper binding is neither to lose nor too tight. Finally, in the execution of the weaving it must be more like the slice of a sword, crisp, clean and efficient, rather than a haphazardly draw and release of a bow and arrow.

Refference: page 63 to page 124

The Fourth Section Entitled "The Structure of the Weave": In my fourth and final section, I go back through the previous sections, building upon the knowledge gained in each of them, to bring the focus back to the Weave itself.

Here I also touch upon the problems caused by improper weaving. In the first, third and forth methods of error that I pointed out in section three can cause the ripping or tearing of threads. This creates a larger problem for other wizards who utilize the Weave.

I have used the analogy, though not entirely apt, to compare the Weave to a piece of finely woven cloth. The cloth is made up of many tiny threads. If you cut one or two threads, the cloth does not suffer. However, over time, the more threads you cut the more damage is done to the cloth until there is a hole.

Thankfully, as I point out and detail in this section, the Weave seems to have a self-repairing mechanism that deals with frayed or cut threads. However, this mechanism is not perfect. It sometimes accidentally connects threads that did not previously belong to one another. As a result of this the cloth receives "knots".

These "knots" - though the term is woefully inapt to describe them - can then cause problems for a wizard releasing or binding a weave. It causes unintended results or out right spell failure. Ironically, and perhaps thankfully, in most cases the Weave automatically recognizes the error and the "knot" is once again reduced to cut threads so that it may make another attempt at repairing itself.

I then begin discussing various methods of reading the woven bindings around other wizards to aid in counter spelling and dispelling of their weavings. I also theorize on the potential hazards involved of improper weavings and theorize that it may be possible to kill an enemy wizard with his own inadequate weavings, though at the time it is only a theory.

Finally, I begin to broaden things out again focusing upon the threads, the Weave and what I have come to call the 'True Power' behind the Weave. I offer several theories, none of which I honestly find satisfying at the moment, and conclude that more research must be done in this direction.

Refference: page 125 to page 175

[Mr. Book finds himself located adjacent to Mr. Letter]