Codex Magicae

A book that may or may not exist

There is sure a lot of hubbub over a children's book we don't even know exists!
--Journal entry from a witch in the early 21st century

The Codex Magicae is the most famous book in United Britannia and Hibernia, although its full contents, current existence status, and location are utterly unknown and left only to storytellers. Composed of spells, myths, and histories, the Codex is thought to have been a sort of guide for young witches. Most of all, witches wonder at the supposed answers it contains on such questions as the origin and limits of magic, which have been left unanswered.

Purpose

The Codex Magicae was probably written as a guide for young witches during their Academy or early Institute years. Many of the spells are basic and the myths are stories that every young witch would be expected to know. This is also the first record of the famous myth, The Twins.
However, most importantly, the Codex supposedly contains many answers to magic that have yet to be answered by researchers, including magic's source. It seems as though this was once public knowledge, but no other extant document has ever detailed these answers.

Document Structure

Clauses

The Codex is purported to have three sections: spells, myths, and histories. There are about two hundred basic spells, seven myths, and three extensive histories. Since it was a book for young witches, it likely had a multitude of illustrations.

References

Unknown to the general public, the Codex also contains several maps and is home to the Dark Deck, although that is missing.

Publication Status

The Codex is completely controlled by the Magisterium. No one in living memory has ever been able to view it, and people are unsure where it is even located (or even it still does exist).

Historical Details

History

The book, written circa 1359 by Iskander Keyes, has captured the imagination of the witches of United Britannia and Hibernia for centuries. It is thought that for a few centuries, the Codex was easily findable, and perhaps even ubiquitous (for witches had publishing means far beyond those of humans), but sometime around the 17th century, the Codex began to slowly disappear, until it was only available in major libraries and archives. About one hundred years later, even those copies were gone, and it is said that only the Magisterium has a copy, and even then, no one really knows if that is true.
Sometime around its 20th anniversary of publication, maps began to become included, but since none survive, it is uncertain what the maps were of (the only perceived certainty is that there are three). At an unknown time, the Dark Deck began to be included, although in how many or for what purpose is unknown. The existence of the Dark Deck is presumably known only by the Magisterium.

Public Reaction

When the Codex was first published, it was hailed as an easy and concise study guide for young witches. The Codex was extremely useful during the first three hundred years of its existence, and almost every family had at least one copy.
Since its loss, the Codex provides endless curiosity and fascination for the witches of United Britannia and Hibernia. On any night in the local pub, there is probably a conversation or two about its supposed existence, its location, and what sort of answers it would provide. Some of the population is skeptic about its actual existence, but most do believe it at one time existed, even if the Magisterium is not in possession of it now.

Legacy

Although no one in living memory has ever viewed this book, the Codex had made quite an impression on the witches of United Britannia and Hibernia. If the chance were to ever occur to view the Codex, it would draw witches from all over United Britannia and Hibernia (and perhaps the world).

Read the Document

Codex Magicae

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Type

Manual, Magical / Occult

Medium

Vellum / Skin

Authoring Date

Written circa 1359

Myth

The Twins

Authors

• Iskander Keyes