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

[woo_oo]

"Now I want to see if I can take you on!" With a happy giggle, Webby turned around to run. "I'm going to go through the obstacle course again!"

[stillnewatthis]

"I shall await you here!"

Orisa's eyes whirled, going from bright yellow carats to angry red slashes.

"Disabling mercy."

[woo_oo]

In hindsight, "disabling mercy" should have been a gigantic red flag.

But Webby thought flags of all colors were great, so what was the harm? She blazed through the obstacle course (having gone through it several times already) as she raced to Orisa.

"Here I come!"

[stillnewatthis]

Right into a hail of gunfire.

Now, fortunately, Orisa's primary purpose remained heroism and keeping others safe, which meant none of the fusion driver's projectiles actually few straight at Webby. But the sheer volume of them filled the air quite effectively, thumping into the ground near her with promise of just how much she'd regret stepping further forward.

[woo_oo]

"Whoa!" Webby stopped, but only to kneel down and inspect the projectile personally.

"Neat! Can I keep one of these?"

[stillnewatthis]

Considering the energy projectile lost cohesion and guttered out a moment later, the answer was probably 'no'.

Orisa, on consideration, adjusted her tactics. While Webby was busy examining her fusion driver's particles, the omnic stomped over and reached out to grab her by the back of her shirt.

[woo_oo]

"Aw, boo." What a bummer, she wanted to keep a trophy!

But she was so distracted that she easily got hoisted up! She blinked, surprised but not blaming her 'enemy'. "Oh, yeah, this is totally my bad."

[stillnewatthis]

"I have successfully prevented you from completing the obstacle course!" Orisa couldn't be happier to have succeeded, and though she had no ability to smile, the proud set of her servos said it all.

[woo_oo]

"Aw, I'm really proud of you, Orisa! There will always be a place for you, if you look hard enough!"

Pause.

"So can you put me down now?"

[stillnewatthis]

"You must promise that you will not run for the end and declare victory if I put you down."

Orisa was a combat omnic, who could calculate and analyze parameters of battle extensively. This possibility ranked high in her list of potential outcomes.

[woo_oo]

In hindsight, she probably should have seen that coming.

"I promise."

[stillnewatthis]

Finding this sufficient, Orisa lowered Webby back to the ground, making certain she had her feet under her before releasing her.

[woo_oo]

"Guess this means I should go back to studying for midterms." Oh well! She began to head off, but not without a friendly goodbye wave.

"Good luck stopping everyone else!"

[stillnewatthis]

"Thank you for your assistance, Webby!" Indeed, Orisa seemed much happier as she reversed back into her position. "You will do well on your midterms. You are very capable!"