The Grimoire of Auchin was a relic that Luc had long sought. It had been documented in more than a half-dozen texts that the mage studied, some from different eras, which was more than enough proof of its existence for him to pursue it.
A marvelous thing, the grimoire was said to have listed a minimum of two-dozen potent, intoxicating spells the likes of which were rare on Althanas. Spells to instantly deal death, to give life, to alter reality. It was a dream come true to the mage, who did what he wanted precisely when he wanted to do it.
Why, then, had it been so difficult to locate an item so very valuable? "Auchin" was an archaic term used to describe things originating from the country of Aushichine, which no longer existed. The relic was now simply known as 'Minster's Tome'. How it got the name, Luc had no idea, but a document from not so long ago led him to believe that the two items were one and the same.
Apparently, it was the treasure of a hideaway town called Pezra, considered as such because of the tome's sealed cover. Perhaps it just looked fancy enough to worship.
"How cliché," mused Luc as he gazed upon the low wooden gates of the town, a defense against the wilderness of the surrounding woods. Certainly they'd be no match for a mage of Kraus' talent.
With a remarkable crash the theory proved true, as the town gates exploded inward amidst a storm of wooden shards. Flaming wreckage remained as Luc stepped into the town, a very typical place for travelers to stop by.
The flaming Slykrit Blade in his hand, Luc announced his arrival with a stomp of his boot, sending a widening wave of earth forward that tore up stone, grass and boulders before falling once more, strewing debris about the area he was looking to approach.
No building seemed more remarkable than the other, but he didn't mind. If the tome was here, he would find it amongst the ash that he would create. Only those who fled quickly enough would be spared.