When you arrive at the study you find the candles are lit as they were upon your last visit. Mysteriously, they appear to have not melted at all. You assume a coincidence, and walk slowly into the room. Issar Roon spots you and gives you a small smile in greeting.

I see you have returned once again. Unsatisfied with how my story ended were you?

A large smile crosses the old man`s face. You get the feeling that he knows how much you enjoy his stories. Glancing around the room, you spot the heavy book still resting on his desk.

I suppose I have some time to tell you more about Urza. Sit down, and I will continue my tale.

As you sit down the old man motions for you to turn the pages once again. Next to him lies a small book and pen. The book looks worn, but the leather cover is still stiff and whole. You wonder if it’s the old man’s journal.

Let`s see… What have I already told you?

Guessing the question is not meant for you, you hold your tongue and wait patiently. After a minute or so, the man seems to remember the events of your last visit and begins anew.

Mishra fled from the camp, feeling shame for what he had caused. Urza, consumed by despair, could do nothing. Neither of the brothers wanted to think about what they had done.

After Tocasia’s funeral, Urza set to work repairing the camp along with the Fallaji. Before repairs were finished Argive ended the expedition due to increasing hostilities with the Fallaji. Without Tocasia as a mediator between the two countries, the expedition would soon fail. Instead of returning home to memories of his brother and the watchful eye of their mother-in-law, Urza chose to travel to a nearby country called Yotia.

Turning the page, you are greeted with an answer to your silent question. A map covers an entire page of the giant book.

There Urza worked as a clockmaker`s apprentice. He neither cared nor thought about anything but his work with machines. His master, Rusko, treated him well, and he was content with his life for a time. Sadly, it did not last.

All great men are drawn from seclusion, and Urza was no different. One day, the Warlord of Yotia announced a contest for all men in the country. Any man who could move a giant jade statue across a public square would be given the right to marry the Warlord`s daughter. Rusko told Urza about the competition, and urged him to try his hand. Though the daughter was considered the most beautiful lady in Yotia, Urza was uninterested. But before he could turn away from his master`s jabbering, Rusko made one final comment, “There is a Thran Tome included in her dowry.”

Urza instantly became enamored with the idea of winning the Warlord`s challenge. He set himself to working day and night on a construct that would lift the jade statue.

The old man seems to be describing Urza’s obsession with artifacts as a lesson for you, but you fail to grasp his hidden meaning.

After months of intensive labor, Urza was ready. He entered the contest and boasted to the Warlord, “I will move the statue with the power of my mind.” Fascinated, a large crowd watched as Urza`s man-like machine moved the statue with ease. The Warlord, however, was less impressed.

Rusko, wanting to help Urza, gained an audience with the Warlord. No one knows exactly what he said to the Warlord, but one promise was clear after the meeting; Urza could build great artifacts of power for Yotia. Excited by the thought of artifact armies, the Warlord happily accepted Urza as his new son-in-law.

Given the position of Chief Artificer, Urza began a new life helping to lead the Yotian Empire. Little did he suspect, the increasing skirmishes with Fallaji forces were an omen of things to come.

With the last sentence, Issar Roon`s voice changes from a happy and lighthearted tone to one of weariness and sadness. Looking over at the old man, you notice his shoulders slump slightly as if he hasn`t slept in days.

The Warlord of Yotia was determined to crush the Fallaji or have them submit to Yotian dominance. Without Urza`s knowledge or approval, he planned an ambush under the guise of peaceful pretense. The Warlord called together a meeting between Yotia, Fallaji, Argive, and a neighboring country called Korlis.

The day of the meeting came, and Urza arrived with the Warlord to find Mishra at the side of the Qadir, leader of the Fallaji. Behind Mishra stood a dragon engine; a legend come to life. Stunned, Urza kept himself out of the talks. With the four countries unable to come to an agreement, the Warlord of Yotia grew tired of discussions, and sprang his trap. Yotian ornithopters flew toward the Fallaji forces, preparing to drop bombs of goblin powder. They never did. Mishra`s dragon engine easily knocked the ornithopters out of the sky. During the confusion the Yotian Warlord attacked the Qadir in a desperate bid for satisfaction. He too, was stopped and killed before landing a single blow.

Enraged at what he thought was his brother`s betrayal, Mishra screamed his hatred at Urza as the Fallaji forces retreated back to their homeland. Urza, having no hand in what had transpired, could only watch in despair.

The Brothers` War had begun.

You wait patiently to hear more, but the old man doesn’t give in.

Go now, for I am tired of prattling. I must get back to my studies if I am to accomplish anything today.

You quickly nod your agreement and stand up to go. You don’t want to make the old man angry.