A Character From History: Miklos Cassio

Miklos Cassio was born into poverty to lowly servants of the Megaris clan in 1099. However his intelligence was quickly noted by his parents’ employers and, under their patronage, he rose rapidly first through the Scholasticia and then as an administrator in the Prefect’s office. In 1135 he was put forward as a compromise candidate for the vacant position of Prefect to end a damaging political impasse between the squabbling noble families, and rather to everyone’s surprise was accepted. He proved an able and dynamic Prefect, who recognised that the fate of Rezana – recently sacked by orcish armies – would also befall Parsantium if neglect of its defences continued. However, his determination to actually spend all the money allotted for military construction and defensive repairs, on the works for which it was intended - rather than letting it be diverted into the pockets of corrupt nobility - inevitably made him enemies. 

In 1146 Miklos’s aristocratic opponents conspired to have him accused, however absurdly, of embezzlement, and he languished in prison for five months without trial as they fruitlessly sought evidence for even more serious charges. He was eventually released only to attend his father’s funeral, when he seized the opportunity to flee to Cervenna. There he lived simply for the rest of his life in a rustic setting, keeping goats and making (apparently rather excellent) cheese, though he was also periodically visited by important people seeking his advice, and kept a library rather in excess of that which might be expected of a simple herdsman. When he died in 1171, his son-in-law found, whilst sorting out the old man’s effects, a huge work entitled History of the World (Part I), which was posthumously published in 111 volumes. Since this work delineated a history from the earliest legends to the point when Miklos departed Parsantium, no-one is quite sure what he intended for Part II, no trace of which has ever been found. Cassio’s History has been a popular reference ever since, being erudite, opinionated and witty, though sometimes of questionable accuracy and even occasionally scurrilous.

Hook: Rumours are sweeping the Scholasticia that a fragment of Cassio’s legendary History of the World (Part II) has been unearthed, and the lecture halls are abuzz with speculation as to what it might contain. But the scholar who was supposed to be authenticating it has disappeared – along with the priceless text. Adventurers with contacts in the academic world may be contracted to join in the search...