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

Potent Potables

[hotheadwarmheart]

It was clear when Lea spotted Eleven that his friend had already had more than a few samples of the alcoholic beverages on offer. Lea himself wasn't especially fond of beer, and only really liked liquor in mixed drinks, which he doubted any of those present knew how to make. So he was just sipping a glass of wine as he approached his friends his own plate of food in his other hand.

"Well I see you're having a good time," he said, giving an amused smile. "Gotta say, as cool as the ball was, this sort of thing is way more my speed when it comes to parties."

[bearshermark]

Eleven turned a lazy grin up at Lea. Laying atop the grass under the warm sun and just this side of pleasantly light, everything felt perfect.

"Yeah? I loved dancing.. but it wasn't relaxing like this. No fancy clothes, either."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Exactly why it's more my speed," Lea said sitting down carefully in the grass next to Eleven. "Food and drink and friends, without having to worry about tripping over your own feet or finding a fancy outfit to wear. And this is some darn good barbecue to boot."

[bearshermark]

Eleven hummed agreement, eyes closing.

"This world has so many new flavors of things I've never tried before. I feel kind of spoiled. ..How do you think your tests went? Other than Forging. I know you probably aced that project."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"I think we both aced that one," Lea said. "The rest of them... eh, nothing exploded at least? So I figured I passed most of them, even if it was only barely for some." Those 'just barely' ones being his Law and History of Wizardry exams.

[bearshermark]

"Yeah," he said, turning his head to grin at his friend. "I hope I passed my Discovery and Language classes. They're just not as interesting.."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Tell me about it," Lea said. "I have to deal with History of Wizardry and Law, both of which tent to be drier than the chalk used to write the lessons on the board. Only reason I'm taking them is that they're required for people in Ka."

"And speaking of dry," he said. "If you haven't been including some non-alcoholic beverages with picnicking today, you may want to start. You'll thank yourself for it tomorrow, trust me."

[bearshermark]

Eleven nodded. Discovery wasn't a requirement, but Language was. He'd considered picking up a different branch of magic next semester, but wasn't sure about it yet.

He licked his lips a touch self-consciously and blinked tired eyes up at the sky. "Mmn. True."

Eleven weighed the consequences for a few moments, then pushed himself up with a sigh. "I think you need more to drink, though."

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea quirked an eyebrow at El's statement that he needed more to drink, both curious and somewhat amused. "Oh?", he said. "Any particular reason why, or did you just want a drinking buddy?"

[bearshermark]

He smiled something lazy and self-satisfied.

"You sound too low," he said. "About the tests. Could use some cheer."

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea chuckled. "Me? Nah," he said. "I mean I don't think there's anybody who's too thrilled about them, but well, to be honest, I wasn't that concerned about them. I mean, yeah I tried to pass them all so I wouldn't have to make anything up later, but really, it's not like I'm planning to take up a career as a wizard, here or back home, so I'm not too worried about grades."

[bearshermark]

Eleven turned curious eyes to Lea. "No? What do you plan to do, then?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

The question made Lea pause, as he had to genuinely think about it. "Honestly? I'm not sure," he said. "I've been so focused on everything surrounding defeating Master Xehanort that I never really thought that much about what'll come after it, you know? Aside from hanging out with my friends and having some semblance of a normal life."

"But I guess that means I'll have to get some kind of job," he said. "Not sure what though, since my only real marketable skills back there are fighting and burning things."

[bearshermark]

IT was something he could understand. The idea of beating Mordegon seemed so far-flung that it was difficult to imagine a future after. But for the fishermen on Lonalulu inviting him back once his journey was complete. If they survived.. it sounded nice.

"You enjoy forging. Is that something you could do?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

"I probably could," Lea said thoughtfully. "Though I don't know how much of what I'm learning here would be useful back there, if we even remember any of it."

"Forging an synthesis work a bit differently where I'm from," he explained. "Instead of infusing magic into what we're making ourselves, we tend to use pieces of metal and crystal that already have magical properties naturally. The actual melting and hammering part is still the same, but the overall process is different."

[bearshermark]

"Hm." After thinking about it a moment, Eleven shrugged.

"Well you'll get some practice with it here, at least. Then maybe when things have settled in your world, you can apply your talent to synthesis. You can only improve with practice. I'm sure you'd be good at it before long."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Maybe," Lea said. "Guess I'll just have to see what happens. Too much is still up in the air at the moment to make any serious plans though." Everything still depended on the final outcome of the confrontation with Master Xehanort.

"How about you?", he asked. "Got any interesting plans, here or back home if you can fix things up there?"

[bearshermark]

He nodded.

"I'm going to retire," he decided with a grin. "Become a fisherman in a village where no one knows what I am."

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea smiled. "I was never much for fishing, but sounds like a pretty decent life," he said. "Especially if you like seafood. Plus, if you ever decide you want a change of scene, just hop in your boat, and off you go."