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

[stillnewatthis]

"That seems logical!" Orisa said, delighted that Jude had reached the same conclusion. "After all, the chances that I was brought here compared to anyone else on Earth are several billion to one if all factors are equal. Believing that some other element weighed into the selection is the more likely answer. Since we each are given unstable internal magical energy and potential on arriving here, the transportation process may only be able to select those who are capable of handling it."

[daughterofclay]

"Wouldn't that mean that there's some who simply don't make it?"

Jude, ever the optimist.

But she doesn't really seem inclined to dwell on that, either -- especially since something else comes to mind. "Have you met any Sundered who were just... average?"

[stillnewatthis]

"If I am comparing to baseline humans I am familiar with, I have not. However, this is a limited sample set. For instance, the ducks may be average for ducks, but lacking input on ducks I do not know if that is true or not."

So they were special by virtue of being ducks, to Orisa. Logic!

[daughterofclay]

Jude doesn't disagree with that, so she says nothing for a moment, just watching the obstacle course and the various brave souls battling it.

Then she asks, "Are humans common where you're from, Orisa?"

[stillnewatthis]

"That is correct. Humans are the dominant species of Earth, although the tensions with many omnics continue to make that a struggle. But in some places both live together peacefully. I hope that someday, humans and omnics can be equals without either endangering the other." Because she had to admit the hostilities were quite justified...

[daughterofclay]

“Omnics?” Clearly this is a much different world from what she’s used to, although the conflict aspect of it isn’t exactly novel. As far as she can tell, even homogeneous populations accomplish war more than successfully all the time.

If her few weeks of watching news in the human world was anything to go by.

[stillnewatthis]

"You might know the term 'robot'. I am an omnic, though there are many different models and designations." Lest Jude think all omnics were hippotaur warbots with built-in fusion drivers.

[daughterofclay]

Jude takes a moment to digest this, mulling over what she knows about Orisa's world so far before reciting it back to her, as if it were a lesson.

Which, well, it is.

"So robots... omnics and humans are at odds in your world, and you told me you were protecting a city. Whom were you protecting it from?"

Which is a nicer way of asking which side Orisa was on. Never let it be said that Jude is totally incapable of diplomacy.

[stillnewatthis]

"Everything that might endanger it," Orisa explained. "Numbani initially deployed multiple OR-15 model omnics for protection, but they were destroyed by Doomfist during his assault on the city. Efi created me as a protector in their stead, believing one capable hero would be a better guardian than many weaker ones."

[daughterofclay]

That's a lot of names and concepts Jude has no reference for, but-- she can gather the basics. Even if Orisa has managed to sidestep the question she was really asking entirely.

So tries another one.

"Efi was your creator? They must be pretty amazing."

[stillnewatthis]

"She very much is!" Orisa's deep respect (and fangirl admiration) of her creator was not programmed into her. It arose from simple logic. "I must give my all to become the hero she believes I am."

[daughterofclay]

Jude is quiet for a moment, watching the other students shriek and flail around on the obstacle course. Her eventual reply is spoken quietly, almost to herself.

"Is that something they need here? Heroes?"

[stillnewatthis]

Orisa's answer was neither quiet nor subtle; it was simply matter-of-fact.

"No place is entirely safe. Everywhere you go, there is danger. When you find peace for yourself, there will be others who wish to take it away. So long as there are people anywhere, there is a need for heroes."

[daughterofclay]

"I guess so." Far be it from her to not err on the side of cynicism. And yet...

"So you feel like you've been able to do hero stuff while you've been here?"

[stillnewatthis]

"I have done some. I assisted in dealing with a flock of magic-using geese!"

That didn't sound impressive, but those geese had been a lot of trouble!

[daughterofclay]

It really doesn't sound impressive, unfortunately, and even Orisa's enviable enthusiasm isn't likely to get her out of this particular funk.

But there's probably no point in ruining anyone else's day with that, either.

"Seems like you've got your work cut out for you, then."

[stillnewatthis]

"I do." Orisa balled her hand into a fist, looking up and off into the distance. "It will be hard work and I will make many mistakes, and sometimes it will feel difficult to keep going on. But I will keep trying. I owe the people who believe in me no less than my best."