To whomever You are, forcing Your brain to put together symbols, with the tiny voice in your head deriving any comprehensible meaning from within these elegantly ink-scribbled pages, consider Yourself beyond fortunate! For You have, in whatever manner, come across the memoirs of the fabled Me!

 It would only make sense, for by the time this simple, leather-covered volume reaches Your hands, my name would be known across the continent. From ballads sung by bards to theatre productions, making even the most seasoned playwrights shed a proud tear. No doubt, stories of my might have brought awe to any self-respecting warrior and the secrets I've uncovered have enlightened even the most educated scholars!

 I've no doubt You are already fully aware of whose handwriting has blessed these parchment pages, yet, let me supplement Your growing reverence by introducing myself.

 My name is Sabinian Joskarin Wultenkroft! As of today, I am 25 years of age, even though my Astral years have reached 436. I am a scholar, a philosopher, an alchemist, and a connoisseur of fine liqueur and even finer women! However, above all else, I am a truthseeker and a researcher- An Astralist. Or as the lowborn have dubbed us- A Sorcerer.

 At the current moment, I have settled down in a remote town by the name of Dewcove. Its location is unimportant, as by the time You're reading this, it has either been wiped off any map or been renamed. I will make sure of it myself, as the lowborn folk occupying this patch of dirt, have been less than welcoming.

 Even the tavern owner mocked me, the buffoon, as I specifically told him not only of my origins but of who I was. The jeers I received from the drunkards occupying the place were... Calling it rude would be praise!

 And the bedding I have been given smells of a pig pen! I suppose I shouldn't expect civility in a place like this.

 Regardless, as I sit under the light of a pig-fat candle, I have decided to record my ventures within this... Calling it a ''diary'', I suppose, will suffice.

 This piece of upcoming literature will not only serve as the personal story- a biography even- of ''The Grand Astralist of The Future''. Also, I plan to take some crucial notes within these pages, as it would serve as testimony that it was I who discovered, well, whatever it might be! But do not strain Yourself, as the concepts recorded here, will most likely be too complex, and would serve to only confuse or jest to the uneducated simpleton.

 So to You, the one studying these writings of mine, consider this the moment, where historians would say my journey began. ''On the eve of his 25th year of mortal life, the Master of all things Astral began his journey to change the world!'' I'm convinced such a line has echoed throughout taverns and courts alike, much less universities! But who am I kidding, You have probably heard numerous remarks about Sabinian Joskarian Wultenkroft until now. So read on! And witness the first-hand experience, of what it means to be Great!

 Just a warning though. The untempered mind is a fickle thing, so hold on to it. Lest it slip from your grasp...