Zio, the Black Magician, is the mysterious and baleful cultist whose acts are menacing Motavia. Zio possesses frightening powers of unknown provenance, claims to have the favor of a god, and controls vast resources, enough to grant him effective political control of the city of Kadary, a large fortress headquarters, and even a private army. He also seems to know an incredible amount of forgotten lore, understanding the secrets of Motavia's past in a way that eclipses the learning of the world's greatest scholars; every indication is that Zio's intended course of action using his unique insight is not a wholesome one. The first part of the game is spent piecing together Zio's movements and motives, first by happenstance as Zio's acts are necessarily preventing Chaz and company from finding Professor Holt, and then by design as the dire nature of Zio's plots are revealed, in an attempt to decipher Zio's plans and the hidden truths of Motavia, culminating in an effort to stop Zio's influence before the damage is irreversible.