Pan Twardowski, according to Polish folk legend, was a 16th-century nobleman who sold his soul to the Devil in Krakow in exchange for knowledge of the secrets of living and nonliving matter and instruction in all the intricacies of magic. Having thoroughly enjoyed his magical powers—Twardowski's wild adventures formed part of the legend's varied narrative—and having achieved the status of chief sorcerer and healer at the court of Zygmunt II Augustus Jagiellon, our hero hoped to avoid paying the sacramental agreement. According to the contract, the Evil One could only claim Twardowski's soul in Rome! But one day, Twardowski, having let his guard down, set foot in the "Rome" tavern...
