THE CODEX ACUCIUS
The Codex Acucius (Aku Codex) was discovered two years ago (as of this writing) by the famous Sir Colin Bartholomew Montgomery Rothchild (III) and promptly donated to the H.O.U.N.D. Society (acronym pending)
The Codex Acucius is a collection of stories, poems and songs in praise of His Lordship Aku, written sometime between the first and second century of his reign. It is believed to have once been made up from as many as 150,000 volumes :1: containing hundreds, if not thousands of works. Scholars and historians believe that most, if not all, of the writings contained within the codex were personally commissioned by Aku himself, then later compiled by one of his subordinates. The fate of the other volumes is unknown, though it is possible that they are still in Aku's possession. The codex as we know it was discovered by Sir Rothchild one summer afternoon, on the farm of Jimmy Joe Bob Glossuck. It was uncovered in the outhouse. The Glossuck family, seemingly unaware of the book's historical significance, had been using it as a source of bathroom paper. It is unknown how many priceless pages were lost, for Sir Rothchild was unable to convince any of his comrades to dig for the missing pieces. Fortunately, he was able to save the book from further destruction by purchasing it from Mr. Glossuck for an undisclosed sum :2:. Most of the codex, as it remains, was written in Medieval English. A team of translators from H.O.U.N.D. have diligently tried to make the text as accessible to the modern reader as possible, whilst ensuring that none of the original meaning is lost.
We begin with the scribe's inscribed inscription upon the front cover, dedicating the book:
"Shogun of Sorrow, live forever; honor to your awfulness.
May you be forever blessed with fame and fortune in excess."
:1: Though probably more like three.
:2: However, the fact that shortly after the transaction Mr. Glossuck was arrested for public drunkenness might be of note.