August 13, 785 AD
Father informed me this day that I would be an inefficient ruler of Magical Britain. I am unsure as to his reasons, as he gave none, but I believe that Mother has something to do with this newfound opinion. He has trained me to be the next King all my life, but Mother has always favored Caelum over myself.
No doubt, she has spun for my Father an unsavory story about me. Nevertheless, whatever has caused my Father to inform me of his change in opinion has also caused him to request that I make myself scarce.
I know that this is his way of requesting that I disappear, so that Caelum has no competition for the throne. Though he is my Father, he is my King as well - this request is an order framed as the former solely because I am his son.
I love my Father enough, respect my King enough, that I will disappear for enough time that the country forgets I existed at all, or comes to the conclusion that I have died.
Despite the fact that I would not have been an ineffective ruler, I concede that Caelum will be better than I ever could have been - he is more passionate about the good of our world, of our people, than I could ever be. I believe I am leaving this world in good hands, and so I will do this for my Father and brother and country.
August 15, 785 AD
I believe this to be the last time I use this book of parchment to write my thoughts in. It contains too much of my past in it to risk being found, for if it is discovered, my plan is in jeopardy.
I shall write a missive to my brother informing him that, as my coronation approached, I found I could not bare the thought of ruling a country, of keeping the balance. He will be convinced for I have spoken once or twice before of having the weight of the world on my shoulders. From this missive, my dear brother will conclude that I have run away from my duty, from my people.
This is only true because of what my Father has requested. I hope he is informed of all the nuances behind this change at some point. I accept that this will likely not be the case.
In any event, I have chosen to bring my most valued belongings, some food, and some money. This will make it appear as though I have run away.
It worries me that running away is exactly what I have chosen to do, though I know not from what. Am I running from change in my life?
It matters not. I will be gone from my home before the sun paints the sky in the east. I will erase myself from history; I know that the world will eventually forget about my deeds. I know that it will forget my name.
I am Atlas Rowan Pendragon, the runaway.
August 20, 785 AD
I have made my escape with great success. No doubt I will be declared dead by the next phase of the moon. I have chosen for myself a new name.
In keeping with my family's tradition, I will retain my first name, as it was given me by my Father and Mother. I admit I feel as though I am the Titan whose name I share, balancing the sky on my shoulders atop a mountain. I believe my first name to be fitting, and will take my brother's name as my second. This will remind me of what I have given up, of the family I left behind.
My third name shall, from this point on, be Peverell. It is similar enough, and different enough from my family's name that no one will make the connection. But I will be reminded of what my family's duty to this world is.
I am Atlas Caelum Peverell, the balance between family and duty.
September 1, 785 AD
It has occurred to me that I must leave the country to maintain my cover. It need not be an extended absence, but it must be for a minimum of three moons. Whilst I am gone, I must find a way to change my appearance enough that I am not immediately connected to the Royal Family. That would defeat the point of this ploy.
The Pendragon Family has rather distinctive features which tend to carry through the generations. They are the same as Arthur Pendragon carried during his rule. Wild black hair, luminescent gold eyes, high cheekbones, straight noses, bowed mouths. Each Pendragon born into the family has carried these traits. I am rather attached to my features - they are what I have known my whole life, but I must alter them enough that I am not connected with the Pendragons.
After I have altered my appearance, I plan to set aside a portion of the money I brought with my. My family has an account with the goblins of Gringotts. They are vicious and perceptive, protective of gold, of their people. They demand respect, and are likely my best option. I will start an account with them, showing goodwill, and also making Atlas Peverell an official part of society.
I am beginning my own family line. I must think of my future, and the future of my descendants. I must contemplate what I want to be known for.
I head to Scandinavia at twilight. When I arrive I will begin to think upon the future of the Peverell family, as well as changing my features.
September 2, 785 AD
I arrived in Scandinavia early this morning. It seems to be very open. There are not many people where I have currently set up camp. The few I have conversed with are compliant enough, and provide detailed information when asked equally detailed questions.
The land is very beautiful - open and flat in some areas. I have yet to experience more mountainous terrain, but am sure it will be equally intriguing. This is the first I have been outside Britain, to my knowledge. I believe I would like to visit Gaul next, and perhaps travel further East.
The people here, beyond nomads, seem to be warriors and traders. They are Nordic, and others call them Vikings. They seem to be quite effective in fighting enemies, and have their own fascinating religion.
I wonder what happens when we die?
September 3, 785 AD
Scandinavia is a beautiful country, but rather lacking in people. I am unsure as to the Magical population - other countries were of little concern to Magical Britain, beyond vague alliances.
I will have to form allies for my family. The Vikings who trade here may be an interesting option. But I will worry about that once I am better settled.
I have attempted to alter my appearance. Though I am accomplished in transfiguration above all Magicks, I struggled with this task.
My hair was a simple alteration - I cannot bear to part with the black color, but I have managed to force the stubborn strands into tame curls, rather than the untamable locks the Pendragons are known for. I did alter the color a bit; it is now darker than before, and looks faintly blue in some lights. It is, I believe, different enough.
I thankfully didn't have to alter my bone structure, as there are many families in Britain with similar bones.
The eyes were perhaps more trouble than they were worth, but I find I am unwilling to give up now that I have begun. I have discovered that eye color is a representation of our Magic. I assume this means that Pendragons have gold Magic and always have. This would explain why the color carried through dozens of generations.
I assume it is also the reason Magicals have more interesting eyes colors than Mundanes do.
Changing my eye color took a great deal of effort, likely because in the process I had to change the physical representation of my Magic. I found that I could not deviate much from the original color, and so I have settled for a shade of amber that will not incriminate me.
I looked into a glass shard and could recognize myself only because I knew what to expect. I find it fascinating that such minor changes cause such a difference.
September 17, 785 AD
I have spent a fortnight mulling over the idea of creating a new family.
I already have a name. Peverell.
Seeing it on parchment seems oddly final. There is no going back from here.
I must decide what I want my family to be known for. I must decide in a profession so that I may begin to amass a fortune. I must set goals and rules and regulations.
I must write a motto. I must create a symbol.
I must begin a grimoire, and an account with the goblins. I must find an estate for the family, and start a library.
There is much to do for my future family. I must start a family and put protections in place.
I don't know where to start, but I know what to do. I was meant to rule an entire country, I can create a new family. I can make a powerful House.
I cannot return to Britain for three fortnights. I do not wish to have the main family Manor in Scandinavia. I will procure a piece of land here so that we may have safe houses in dangerous times, or a place for extended family, or simply to sell in the future for a greater sum of money.
In the meantime, I will think of a symbol for the Peverell family, as well as family words. I will begin the Grimoire, and procure tomes from other countries, and consider professions to increase the sum of money the goblins watch over.
September 18, 785 AD
Balance Family and Duty. Statera Familia et Officium.
September 18, 785 AD
Vitae Corporis - for flight
Flatu Aquam - to breathe underwater
Alimenta Vocent - to summon food
Ut Evanescent - to vanish something
Quibus Calefiant - to heat
Et Frigus - to cool
September 20, 785 AD
A triangle with equal sides to represent balance. It encompasses a circle and a straight line to show that balance is important, that one thing can not be more important than another.
The circle represents family. We are brought together by blood or by choice. We may bend to our family, to the wills of those who share our blood, those who we have chosen.
The straight line represents duty. I hope my family will follow a straight path, will follow its duty. And I hope that they will remember that family and duty are both important, that both must be balanced.
September 30, 785 AD
I have spent the past ten days traveling in the hopes of finding tomes that I may use to build a library. I have found maybe two dozen in good condition with vast quantities of information on various topics of Magic. I hope to travel further East in my search. I believe I will find a greater quantity as I return to Britain, but I may postpone my trip home as I search for valuable additions to the library.
October 2, 785 AD
I arrived in Gaul yesterday morning, and found several more tomes for the library. I also found a piece of unoccupied land that I have invested in for the same reasons as in Scandinavia. Gaul is quite beautiful, the stars here are quite luminescent, and the girls are quite comely. There seems to be a high population of Veela here, as well.
Whilst I was preparing to leave Scandinavia, I approached one of the Norsemen, and we formed a tentative alliance after I showed him some of my abilities. I hope to secure another alliance with the Veela here, they are formidable in battle, and though I am unsure what I can offer in return, I am sure I will be able to negotiate something.
I have always had a quick tongue.
On another note, I have decided that rather than having only one profession, my family shall simply play to their strengths. I am a talented craftsman, and enjoy threading my work with magical properties. My Father insisted my brother and I learn something that the common folk did so that we could understand some of their struggles.
Draughts are also an area in which I have talent, as is Transfiguration. Charming objects is more my brother's talent, but I am good with Runes.
I will create a gift for the Veela, as a show of good will.
Perhaps they would appreciate something practical but beautiful - stained pottery, perhaps. A jug that keeps the contents cold, as well as continuously filled, perhaps. And I think I shall stain it with the colors and flames of fire, with the Runes inside the jug.
Potions. Pottery.
Transfiguration?
October 15, 785 AD
I met with the Veela yesterday when the sun was highest in the sky. Their leader appreciated my gift, and was impressed with my initiative. She requested several more pieces of pottery, and asked if I would teach her youngest son Potions and Transfiguration, and anything else I know.
I agreed, of course, and we discussed an alliance.
She was wary at first, and tested me - or claimed she did. She was unbearably beautiful for a brief moment, and I was struck with a sudden desire to do anything to impress her, but it passed quickly. She agreed to an alliance with me, with conditions.
To ensure that neither I nor her people disregard the alliance, I am to marry one of her daughters.
I feel as though I am getting more out of this alliance than they are, but they seem quite pleased with the arrangement.
I will have a wife by the end of the week, and Veela are supposed to be quite fertile. This means that I will soon have a family to love and protect.
October 21, 785 AD
Her name is Phoenix Reyna D' La Cour. We are meant to be married tomorrow and have been spending quite a bit of time together these past few days so that we may see if we are compatible.
I never wished to marry for an arrangement such as this, but it was something I accepted was a likely case. I believe that I could love Phoenix, given time. And though I do not love her, yet, she is wonderful company.
She is intelligent and quick witted and humorous, and kind. She is also very beautiful, but not in the way most Veela are - she has hair the color of onyx with a hint of rubies, rather than platinum. She has silver eyes. Phoenix is not the most beautiful of her sisters, but she is certainly stunning. She is nearly my height, and I am not a short man, she also has a wonderful body, and is talented in Charms and Arithmancy and Astronomy, as well as Runes.
I find myself enamored with her, and believe the feeling is mutual.
I have high hopes for this marriage, and this alliance.
Phoenix's Mother - Lyra - has asked me about my past, as well as my plans for the future. I told her the truth of it, and she seemed quite pleased, even agreeing that I may bring Phoenix with me when I return to Britain.
She seems excited about the prospect.
October 22, 785 AD
Phoenix and I were married today, and my magic feels settled like it hasn't since I gave up the throne. I can't imagine continuing through life without Phoenix by my side, and am excited to see what we can do together.
Phoenix has offered to travel to Britain briefly in order to set up an account with the Goblins. I have agreed. I had only a moon to go on my timeline, and do not feel as though returning early will change anything drastically. We can buy land for a Manor, or whatever Phoenix would prefer to live in, and then we can travel the world before starting a family.
December 6, 785 AD
The Manor is made of stone and wood, and has been Enchanted so that it will not be destroyed. These enchantments will have to be renewed every so often, as will any wards placed onto it. With this in mind, Phoenix and I have placed a Ward Stone in the room we have decided the library will be in.
The Manor is in the form of our family's symbol, and is split down the center by a courtyard that acts as the straight line bisecting the triangle and circle.
Half of the circle is the library, and the other half is living space. The rest of the Manor is currently made up of empty rooms that we hope will one day be filled with our family.
The Manor rests on one thousand three hundred acres of land, and I have planted elder trees all along the border of our property. Near one end of it, there is a lake bordered by trees that will be perfect for swimming in. The Manor is at the opposite end.
I am uncertain what I will do with the rest of the land, but I am not worried right now. I have plenty of time to figure it out.
January 1, 786 AD
Phoenix is with child. We have decided to return to Britain, stopping to visit her Mother on the way. The Manor has been furnished.
March 24, 786 AD
We estimate that the baby will be born sometime in late July. Phoenix's pregnancy has brought us closer together, and I can now say that my prediction was correct: I have fallen in love with my wife, and she with me.
The Manor is quite beautiful, and more homely than the castle ever was.
I miss my Father and brother at times, but I wouldn't change what I have created for myself for anything.
Phoenix and I live in pleasant solitude, unbothered by other Magicals or Mundanes. We only interact with them when she tutors children of those who can afford lessons, or when I am working in the shop, selling our pottery or potions.
The shop is called Peverell's Pottery, though we do more than pottery.
It has been less than a year, and already we have made a tidy sum. The goblins appreciate our patronage, and I have grown used to their surly demeanors. I have grown especially fond of our account manager, Ragnok, who tells me that goblins live for centuries, sometimes even millennia.
I hope that I will be a man my descendants are proud to learn about from a goblin.
July 30, 786 AD
Phoenix gave birth yesterday to twins. Athena Nova has my blue-black curls and Phoenix's silver eyes. Polaris Nix has Phoenix's ruby-black hair and my amber eyes. They are both beautiful.
I have set aside a small portion of money for each of them in separate accounts. They are the trust accounts because they are available to our children before the main account will be, but I am trusting that my children will not need the accounts.
Nonetheless, I will continue to add money to each account every year.
In the event that Phee and I die, money from the main account will be added to the trust accounts each year, so our children have enough to live off of.
Statera Familia et Officium.
February 14, 788 AD
Phee was pregnant again. The baby didn't make it. We named the child Nebula, and buried her beneath one of the elder trees. Her grave is marked with the symbol of our family.
Athena and Polaris don't even know why they're sad.
December 31, 788 AD
Christopher Altair was born before dawn this morning. He has - astonishingly - the platinum hair of a Veela with my curls, as well as my eyes. I have set aside a trust account for him as well. The twins are glad to have a younger sibling. Phee and I are pleased to have another child.
April 1, 790 AD
We had a second pair of twins born at midnight this morning. They are both girls, and look almost exactly the same. They have Phee's straight ruby-black hair. They have the eyes of a Pendragon, but hopefully no one will make the connection. If they do, there may be consequences.
To tell them apart, I crafted fine silver bracelets with their names. Phee enchanted them, and wouldn't tell me with what.
Phee and I named the girls Avalon Carina and Andromeda Rae.
Like the children before them, Ava and Andy have trust accounts set aside for them.
October 31, 791 AD
Roman Alexander was born today. He has all the features of a Veela - the hair and the eyes. I wonder if he will inherit any of the abilities of a Veela. Male Veela are astonishingly rare - the trait is generally found in the females.
He also has a trust account.
I cannot bear the idea of my children struggling.
August 15, 792 AD
I am twenty-four today. Phee and I have begun tutoring Athena and Polaris in basic math and languages. We will begin potions and spells when they turn eight.
The shop is doing well; Phee and I have begun considering the benefits of hiring someone to help us run it. Perhaps any expertise they have can be used to expand.
September 15, 792 AD
Queen Lisanor Pendragon died giving birth to a daughter. The child did not survive. The country is in mourning, and I cannot decide what I feel.
My Mother is dead, as is the baby sister I didn't know I could have had.
I haven't thought much on my mother, we never had a close relationship - she preferred Caelum over me, and I loved Father more than I ever loved her.
I suppose I feel sad that she is gone. More, I feel sad for my brother and Father. I hope they will be able to get past Mother's death.
February 29, 794 AD
Ava and Andy are absolute menaces. They are always underfoot, bothering someone, if they aren't pulling each other's hair.
How can three year olds be this insane?
August 1, 796 AD
Athena and Polaris decided that they were grown ups and wanted to work in the shop with Mumma and Dadda. They were quite adorable, and our customers loved them.
I am considering having all of my children work in the shop once they reach ten years. It will be a valuable life skill, even if they decide to do something else with their lives.
October 2, 800 AD
Roman will be nine at the end of the month.
I have trouble thinking about how my youngest child will be working in the shop with the rest of us in a year.
November 27, 802 AD
Phee and I are pregnant again. The children are all ecstatic about having another sibling.
I am unsure, only because Phee and I hadn't planned for a seventh child. Even with six, our family is an oddity - most families can not afford as many children as we have, and those who can often struggle to get pregnant after more than one or two children.
August 15, 803 AD
Our newest child was born today. I am now thirty six. Phee is thirty four as of March, and after Freyja Rue, with her ruby-black curls and amber eyes, another child seems greedy. Seven is a powerful number, another child would be unnecessary.
Phee and I are attempting to create a potion that will prevent conception. If we are successful, we will try to create one to induce conception.
November 13, 803 AD
Athena married Corvus O'livandr a few years ago, and they started making wands for the general public. They have spent years trying to find the best materials for wand wood and cores, and have discovered that any wood will do, though cores should come from parts of magical creatures.
Polaris married Isla Blæc, and together they opened an apothecary near Gringotts.
Topher opened a bookshop with his lover, Hector ven Clau.
Ava and Andy have stayed to work with me in the shop, and Roman opened a bar called the Leaky Cauldron with his wife Delphine Desos.
January 1, 804 AD
Phee has taken ill. Lyra has been at the Manor the past few weeks, and has told me that Phee has Dragon Pox.
Dragon Pox has no cure.
Phee will die, and I will have seven children without a mother.
I won't have a wife, anymore.
February 1, 804 AD
Phee died last night. I have buried her next to Nebula, under the elder trees.
The children and I marked her grave with our symbol, and heartfelt words.
I wonder where we go when we die.
I wonder if Phee is watching over us.
September 1, 804 AD
Athena gave birth to triplets. She named them Isobel Lux, Virgo Alina, and Phoenix Vera. I am glad she has chosen to honor her Mother; this child will have great expectations on her shoulders, though I have no doubt that she will grow far beyond what is expected.
June 13, 805 AD
Polaris' wife had a son. They named him Turais Luka.
July 2, 805 AD
Topher adopted a daughter named Rowena Rae. He married Hector, who adopted the babe, as well. Their situation has inspired me to create a potion that will allow the two of them to become Rowena's blood parents. Perhaps it will be used in the future to prevent orphans from growing up without family.
August 15, 813 AD
Freyja is ten today. I am forty six and feel far closer to a century and a half.
My youngest will begin working in the shop with those of her siblings who have not started their own businesses.
Our family has opened a great deal of shops centered around Gringotts. The goblins are pleased with business.
I miss Phee a great deal.
Sometimes I have to remind myself to balance family and duty.
I wonder if this motto will be a great burden for my descendants. It seemed to be a gift, strong advice, when I first chose it.
It feels like a curse, now.
Is it wrong of me that I have never told my children the truth of my past? Maybe, though I like to think I am protecting them. The Pendragons are an old family and they have interwoven themselves into our history. They also have many enemies. Only one person alive knows my truth, and they are as invested in keeping it secret as I am.
I believe my children will be safer not knowing, at the time of my passing, though any future descendants who deign to read my journals will certainly find out with ease.
I hope it never comes to this - a descendant so without family that they must turn to journals to learn of their history.
October 31, 813 AD
I have made the decision to inform Ragnok of my past, and I have plans to return to Gringotts some time before my death to place my journals into our family's vault. I hope that, at some point, Ragnok will inform my children and their descendants of this choice. I pray that they will follow in my footsteps and place their own journals into the vault. This way, our family's history will be protected, and it will be available if something ever happens to us.
December 31, 813 AD
My much beloved Father passed today. I will mourn him in silence, for I cannot bury his body under the elder trees of my family home.
All hail King Caelum Pendragon, ruler of Magical Britain, balancer of wizards and creatures alike. Long may he reign.
I think he will be a good King for this country. Time will tell.
January 1, 814 AD
With the passing of my father I have decided to detail my past and current family, beginning with the generation before me.
July 13, 823 AD
I have not written for many years - I find that as I grow older, I wish to spend the majority of my free time with my children and grandchildren.
I have begun a tradition in my family: as each child is born, a trust account is created, and a small portion of money is added each year. These accounts will eventually become each child's main accounts when they come of age. They will add their own money into the account, and spend it as they see fit.
The main Peverell account will contain the greatest part of the family fortune, as well as a great many tomes, and chests of jewels and gold and artifacts from foreign lands.
My journals will be stored in this vault at my death, as will my wand. I hope that my children and grandchildren will continue the practice of accounting their lives on to parchment.
The wands are merely there to keep a part of all of us for future generations. They will be kept in a box made of the same wood as the wand contained within, and with the name of the wand's companion inscribed by that person's own hand.
My wand - elder wood and a hair from my wife's head - is merely a formality. Most Magicals do not rely on a wand, but they are useful for control. I feel as though our people will become more reliant on the devices in the future.
I plan to put the beginnings of our family tree in the vault. I will enchant it so that it grows and changes as our family does. I hope that very few will have need to look past my name, though I do not doubt that one day this very thing will come to pass.
I pray that it not be for many generations.
When I die, the gold and artifacts in my personal vault will be shifted into the main family vault, as per Ragnok's suggestion. I find myself grateful for my friendships with the magical creatures of this world.
I pray that someday, the Mundanes will become more open minded. I forsee a time where we will need their assistance. They are human, just as we are, and therefore selfish. I pray that when the need for their help comes, this family, at least, has an alliance with them.
My family will need to look to the future to make the best choices in the present. I pray that they understand the need to ask for help; just because we have magic does not mean we are invincible. No doubt, this will be proven in time.
May 7, 850 AD
I have recently begun to approach my eighty second year. Even for those with magic, this is an impressive feat, for illness is vicious. Most Mundanes do not survive past their fortieth year, and I am more than double that.
I find myself pleased with this family I have created. We are wealthy and respected and greater than half a century old. I wish I could have the privilege of witnessing the future of my family.
Alas, it is not to be - I have taken deathly ill, and will likely not survive till the new moon in six days.
My children and grandchildren hover at my bedside, and weep bitterly when they think I cannot see nor hear their tears. I will be sad to leave them, but I have made my legacy, and it is their turn, now.
May 8, 850 AD
I find myself in a worse state than even yesterday, and regret the quickly approaching footsteps of death.
I believe I am ready to see my Phee, again, after so many years apart.
I pray that my descendants continue our family legacy, that they continue to balance family and duty.
I pray they never need know from whence they came.
It is a new fashion to divide one's estate amongst one's children - I find myself unable to play favorites. Instead I bid them find their own way, and their own truth, and return home to remember what we stand for.
Balance Family with Duty.
May 9, 850 AD
My body is wracked by violent shudders this day. I fear it will be my last. I beg my family to remember our purpose. It will bring us far in our endeavors, and I wish only the best for the future.
I pray we remember our legacy, our past, when we are needed most. Our family has a duty to the world. We must balance the two again —