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

[healingincantation]

"You're welcome," Rapunzel said with a nod. "My familiar? This is Hayley!" She gestured to the hydra, though with just one head, nothing really made Hayley look hydra-like. "She's a hydra."

"A Moonlight Hydra!" Hayley elaborated, speaking in a cheerful tone.

[areasontohope]

"A hydra.."

Somehow he was surprised that it could talk, and that it was named Hayley. It looked almost friendly.

"I'm sorry, but what's the difference between a moonlight hydra and a hydra?" Hydra he'd heard of, and a moonlight hydra was something he'd never heard of. Did it grow in moonlight or do something special during a Full Moon?

[healingincantation]

"Oh, no, it's something Hayley had to explain to me, too. I don't think Moonlight Hydras are even in books where I'm from," she added with a reassuring smile. "It's interesting, though. Hayley grows and then loses more heads over the month, like the moon looks like it grows and shrinks as the month goes on. I haven't seen it happen yet, but I imagine it will start in a few days."

[areasontohope]

It sounded to Yuki like something this academy could definitely whip up. Take a mythical being and turn it into an even more different form. Yup, had to be magic alright.

"Grows and loses more heads? So..it has to do with Moon phases?" He's really trying to understand here. He's not a gullible person but this whole place is just beyond his usual down to earth knowledge of things.

[healingincantation]

Rapunzel looked over to Hayley, hesitantly. "I'm still having a hard time figuring that out, myself, but..." she trailed off, hoping her familiar would jump in - which she did.

In song. Yes, Hayley went on to sing a verse about how Moonlight Hydras were similar in concept to the moon's phases, but not directly tied to them.

[areasontohope]

Well, now they both learned something today. And if anyone had told him anything about something like this back home he would've just laughed.

However, it wasn't very funny when this same situation was sitting and singing right in front of him.

"I didn't see any of these Moonlight Hydras when I got my familiar. She must be pretty special in that case."

[healingincantation]

Hayley looked proud to be called special, and Rapunzel nodded at Yuki.

"I haven't seen another one, I don't think she's a common kind of familiar at all."

[areasontohope]

He nodded. "So far as I know, you're the only one to own a Moonlight Hydra." And wait, did she just look proud to be called that? No, it was only his imagination.

But then he realized something. "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Yuki Sohma and my familiar is named Mayonaka."

This came with a slight bow.

[healingincantation]

She met the bow with a bit of a curtsy.

"It's alright, I forgot to to, as well. I'm Rapunzel. It's nice to meet you both."

[areasontohope]

"It's nice to meet you both too." With a nod, he looked around then back at the pair. "What house have you been sorted into? Has anyone gone over the basics of where everything is?"

This is just Yuki being courteous and making sure Rapunzel knows where she's going.

[healingincantation]

"Purifeul," she answered, with a warm smile. "And some of the school's staff helped me when I first arrived off the airship, and since then some of the other Sundered have shown me places, too."

[areasontohope]

Yuki nodded. "Then it sounds like you're off to a good start here." Purifeul wizards were Modification specialists unlike his own house of Eiather. But at least their houses weren't rivals, that was a good thing.

'Sundered' That word didn't sit well with Yuki, he couldn't stand to think of it. But on the other hand, if Rapunzel had things figured out, he didn't need to take up any more of her time.

"If you're all set, I should get going then. It was nice to meet you and Hayley."