June Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

June Event and Intro Log Diatu and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Sundering Midterm Results It turns out that inadvertently summoning a horrible demon of immense and terrible power is still worth a passing grade: minus a lot of points for summoning the entirely wrong thing, but enough extra credit for successfully doing something so incredibly over-the-top to make up for it just a little. Meanwhile, something something power of running water, there's a demon imprisoned in the fountain, locked behind a massive magic circle of protection. Its flames neither evaporate the water nor are quenched by it, its lashing pointy tail stabs futilely at the stone in an attempt at petty vandalism, and otherwise it squats with otherworldly patience, claws drumming on its thighs. Till someone comes close, and then it calls out. "Come! It is in my power to grant a wish to those who ask! Speak your desire and I shall grant it!" Of course, the demon's ability to interpret wishes in an extremely jerkass manner is unparalleled by mortal malice. Still, this doesn't stop those students who think they're clever, can outwit a demon, have a background in legal jargon, or just want a turkey sandwich on rye bread with lettuce and mustard and-and they don’t want any zombie turkeys, they don’t want to turn into a turkey themselves, and they don’t want any other weird surprises. Needless to say, it has gone well for none of them -- but will you be the one to break the streak? As for the circle, it is specifically warded against meddling, so no freeing the demon (accidentally or otherwise). Those who try to touch it or cross through it are promptly hurled with pinpoint accuracy into a nearby pond that has been put there explicitly for this purpose. (Except for Minamimoto -- if HE messes with it, his pants rip themselves off his body, wrap around his head, and haul him away while shouting the multiplication tables incorrectly.) Potent Potables Students work hard, and they play hard. Around midterms, this often takes the form of picnics with unreserved and unrestricted access to not just copious amounts of barbecue and potato salad, but also alcohol. From fine wines to barrels of beer to Liverpunch Whiskey, all sorts of offerings pop up at the parties that occupy space along the Walk or outside the Towers and Keep. Anastara, you see, has no legal drinking age; like most of the Tenscore Kingdoms, children grow up with alcohol, and generally its consumption is seen as no major event and no special treat. And it simply hasn't occurred to anyone that other cultures on other worlds might not function the same. So enjoy a picnic, but also enjoy your free access to the wonders of intoxication. Physical Challenge (aka the Prompt Least Likely To Cause Suffering) Healthy body, healthy mind, the saying goes. Professors Trammel and Kith, adherents to this philosophy, have begun holding extracurricular exercise groups during the off hours. Students can learn proper weightlifting techniques for endurance as well as strength, jog around the campus in groups, play impromptu games that get the body moving, or even just practice slow stretches and what other worlds might call 'yoga'. Captain Lominia aggressively prowls the area, looking for people to scoop into bala-inlota exercises -- far more grueling and dangerous to succeed at if you don't want to be badgered onto the student team, but amazing workouts either way. And Headmaster Birony has set up a fairly extreme obstacle course straight out of a ninja challenge, overseen by Professor Porfsin from behind a cannon which magically flings beanbags at the participants. Those who make it through receive a pie from the Headmaster, who it turns out apparently can make a really darn tasty pie. Research On the Sundered With the arrival of the Sundered come those wizards engaged in research on their presence here, now set to investigate what brought them here and how to get them home. All newly-arrived Sundered students are asked to meet with representatives of the research team, to introduce themselves and relate what they will of their homes. In addition, the team requests samples of blood, hair, and skin -- carefully magically collected, and the researchers will sign in the presence of the Sundered a Glyphed contract that forbids them from using the samples for a purpose they know will be harmful. (They quite understand your reasons to be suspicious of this collection! And they will not compel anyone who refuses even given these conditions.) This month, the researchers wish for you to engage in some sort of conflict, clash, or battle with your fellow Sundered. Spars with blunted weapons are the obvious choice, but games of strategy like go, shogi, or Fantastic Foils are also an option. A rousing debate will do as well -- anything that raises passion and energy. The team explains that they've found many of the Sundered who they interviewed have recently been through some sort of conflict or trouble on their world, and they wish to see if there's any magically-measurable aspect they share when challenged. Wonders Await Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Except for the fountain. You can't swim in the fountain till they figure out how to banish the demon.

Comments

[mithrarin]

Research on the Sundered

Now this was his sort of study. The part of him that loved challenges and combat had been chafing ever since his arrival here, in this world not full of monsters and villains to face. Dueling with practice weapons was nothing like a real battle, but it was better than nothing to satisfy that drive of his. And he didn't want to hurt anyone, after all.

So Dust scooped up a practice sword, flipping it from forward to reverse grip and back to check its balance. No Ahrah, but it'd do.

"Hey! You're forgetting you have TWO swords now! Pick up another one!" came a voice from the red-runed sword hanging at his side.

"Maybe later, Furae." With the prospect of a good spar ahead of him, Dust felt more tolerant towards his familiar's shenanigans than usual.

Physical Challenge

The obstacle course wasn't much of one from Dust's perspective. Jumping from platform to platform or using ropes to climb was no more grueling than daily life in Falana, so blurring through the challenge proved no problem at all.

To those looking at it themselves, Dust posed a question: "Any idea on how to spice this up a little?"

Wonders Await

Quiet moments, in between training and adventure, find Dust leaning up against the side of the Great Hall. Ahrah hung from one hip, Furae from the other -- and in his hands he held a third sword. Despite his hidden eyes, his expression was nonetheless one of confusion, almost to the point of dismay.

"What's with this place and giving me swords?"

Wonders Await- ermagerd

[bearshermark]

Eleven glanced at his fellow student, amusement in his eyes and the words to something about the difficulty of wielding three swords when his eyes fell on the sword in question. His smile faded, heart stopping as surely as his feet, and eyes going wide.

He knew that sword- had seen it lit by golden light and within reach of his fingertips, only to see it corrupted in the hands of a demon.

"Where," he said, the word leaving him on a rushed breath. He felt weak, mind hazy. How could it be here? Eleven studied the Sundered's features, eyes lingering on the turn of his hands.

"That's.. the Sword of Light. ..You said it was a gift?"

[mithrarin]

"The Sword of Light?"

Dust drummed his fingers on the blade slightly as it lay against his palm. Ahrah and Furae had certain characteristics in common, but this one...

"I woke up and it there it was, one day."

[bearshermark]

Eleven nodded as a wellspring of hope bloomed in his chest.

"I remember a golden artifact that appeared on my bedside table some weeks ago. It wound up being important to a friend of mine."

He swallowed and decided that this must be how Atem felt when he saw the Puzzle. It was difficult to tear his gaze away from it.

"I.. the Sword of Light is the signature weapon of the Luminary, in my world."

[mithrarin]

"A signature weapon from another world?!"

Dust didn't know if he should be surprised or relieved. Maybe both. That meant this wasn't some new weapon he was supposed to wield and master as part of an adventure.

"What's... the Luminary?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven hesitated, but if this was Yggdrasil's will..

"The Luminary.. is someone destined to banish darkness from the world. He's born with the Mark of Light."

Slowly, his fingers uncurled, hand held out to reveal the mark on the back of his left hand.

[mithrarin]

"Destined warriors. That's something I know a thing or two about."

A little amused, Dust flipped the Sword of Light into a reverse grip, then held out the hilt to Eleven.

[bearshermark]

"Really?"

While he's genuinely curious, his heart's not in the inquiry. He only has eyes for the blade. A part of him feels as though it shouldn't be this easy- or maybe, that he doesn't deserve to take it. Worse, that it might be snatched away and corrupted as it was before the moment he reaches for it.

His fingers move nearly without his permission, wrapping slowly around the hilt and reverent as he lifts the sword between his hands. It's beautiful, elegant, and nearly divine in its perfect, balanced weight.

Thank you, he wants to say, but his throat is too choked up to manage it. His heart beats a quick rhythm, eyes watering and knees threatening to give way.

The Sword of Light, impossibly, in his hands. The signature weapon of the legendary Luminary, Erdwin himself- now bestowed upon his successor.

Luminary.

He finally manages the words on a whisper, now meant for more than just his fellow Sundered.

"..Thank you."

[mithrarin]

"I've got enough worries with my two to keep someone else from theirs," Dust said, still all smiles. "And I understand. Ahrah is... a little different from this sword, but that just means I know all the more how strange it would be to be apart from the weapon you're intended to wield."

[bearshermark]

Intended to wield. A chill spread from his shoulders and raced down his arms until he shivered.

Eleven curled the blade a little closer like he might embrace it then thought better of it. He couldn't stop looking at it, eyes drawn to the runes carved into the golden fuller of the blade.

"..Destiny isn't to be ignored, I guess."

[mithrarin]

"That depends, I guess. I never really ignored mine, but that's because the path that led to it was one I would've walked anyway." Because he'd been made to, but that didn't change the fact that he would have done it. He was who he was no matter why he was that way.

Research

[stingysting]

One of the first things Rachel had discovered upon arriving was that she couldn't do her wasp-summoning thing anymore. Apparently that was too close to magic or some weird thing like that - honestly she hadn't paid that much attention to the explanation. But she at least still had her bone spurs.

"My swords are built in," she says with a smile. "Wanna spar?"

[mithrarin]

"I hope they don't talk, in that case." An ironic smile crossed Dust's face as he imagined his swords speaking inside his head. Or worse, out loud but in a way he could never stop. "Sure, I'd like that."

[stingysting]

Rachel's eyes widen in mock horror. "That would be terrible." She lets her wrist spurs slide out and holds them up. "Okay, let's have some fun."

She takes a step back to fall into a fighting stance. Or rather, the best impression she can give of a fighting stance. In fairness, it's not like she really has formal training.

[mithrarin]

Dust dropped into his own stance -- slightly crouched and leaning forward, his practice sword held reverse-grip and ready, and his other arm up and across his body just below his face.

Now, was she the sort who made the first move, or would he wait for him? That would tell him a lot about what to expect.

Physical Challenge

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Isabel was having something of a similar problem. Between the parkour she did as a matter of fact back at home, and the workouts she did as practice normally, this seemed...a bit lackluster.

"I don't know, one arm tied behind your back? Or we could tag team it like we were in a three-legged race." Because she thought that might exhibit something of a challenge. She knew Dust was no slouch, after all--she'd seen him fight!

[mithrarin]

"A... three-legged...?" Dust couldn't help but glance down, as if she might have suddenly sprouted a third leg somehow. Hey, it could happen here in Diatu Magicademy!

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Isabel laughed a little, then. "No, no, not like that! Two people tie one of their legs together, and then try to run a race."

Though it might not work so well for them, due to simple physical differences.

"I dunno, we could try it blindfolded?" Not like Isabel hadn't done that sort of thing before.

[mithrarin]

"That'd be new for me. Making jumps like that blindfolded...?"

That would be a heck of a challenge. Which didn't deter Dust at all from considering it.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Worth a shot, I've done that sort of thing before." Sort of. It was mostly to raise her spatial awareness and make Isabel more sensitive to incoming hits, but that'd work with the beanbags, at least.

And she'd already run the course a few times, mostly for her own fun. Doing it again blindfolded would only make the stakes higher, in her mind. "I could always Discover a blindfold or two..."

[mithrarin]

"That wouldn't be easy for me at all. So it sounds like a good idea."

Fighting in the dark was a good skill to develop, just in case. Or anything similar. It definitely would stretch his abilities, and that's all benefit.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Well, let's do it then, right? You might need to take the hat off for a moment, just to make sure the blindfold fits right." And so that he couldn't see anything. But for the moment, Isabel turned her concentration to whistling up a pair of blindfolds, literally.

She wasn't about to cheat, but she knew she could effectively make it so she couldn't see anything with her blindfold.

"You ready?"

[mithrarin]

"I can manage it." Dust accepted one of the blindfolds, then brought it up beneath his hat to tie it on. The hat doesn't come off, that's a rule. "I don't think it's going to fall off, either."

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Are we gonna race too? Or do you think we ought to try to get through it blindfolded first?"

Not that she wasn't fine either way. She'd done worse in training sessions at home, after all.

A bit of adjustment to make sure she couldn't see, and Isabel nodded. "Ready when you are."

[mithrarin]

"I think you're ahead of me on this particular skill." Considering how casually Isabel was treating this, Dust had to wonder just what she'd done like this before. "I'm still not even sure I can do it. So... no race, quite yet."