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

[king_of_egypt]

"That's what I thought as well," Plus one wouldn't wish to accidentally consume fur in the process of eating pie. Following her example, Atem plopped down on the ground near her. He sat one of the water bottles down closer to Isabel, and then the other next to him. Then he offered her a napkin to use for her pie. "Well- about those.... " Atem started a little hesitantly. "I'd been letting both my familiars, and an assortment of adventures dominate much of my time, but usually I wouldn't find midterms so bad." It was the truth, but he wasn't proud of the fact that he hadn't been juggling everything efficiently. "I believe my scholars and advisers would have some choice words for me if they were only aware of the situation." The time he spent with the familiars had been necessary as his first familiar was not all that glad for the competition. Capricious had settled down a bit afterwards.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"You could always come study with me a bit if you wanted? I mean, different classes, I suppose, but usually most magical theories I've seen here work across the board for the--" She wanted to say 'spheres', but that was what they were at home.

"Uh, studies? Classes, I guess?" Isabel shrugged. "I'm just good at studying." She cut out a piece of cherry pie, and then blueberry, and passed them over to him with care.

"But I mean, if your teacher acts like everything ought to be a secret--like Professor Loshakle, for instance--well, I'd get it if you didn't want to rush in to study with a student from another House." But her tone was amused.

[king_of_egypt]

Some of Atem's other friends had issued an open offer to study together with them whenever he had a need, but for some reason he hadn't availed himself. Things were a little complicated with those two since the ball- they'd be less so in time. So Isabel's offer sounded more appealing for the time being. "I'd like that- and I had noticed some common themes myself." Smiling at that. "Besides, it's not so much the subjects that matter as the dedicating time to it. If I'm studying with someone, there definitely won't be any way I can talk myself out of it." It stood to reason.

"I'm sure you excel in other areas than that..." Motioning to the collection of pies for an example. Then he reached out and cradled the slices with the napkin he had unfurled for himself.

"I see no reason why they should remain a secret when many of our aims are the same." So that's not really an issue where he is concerned either. "Our houses were chosen for us- it's not as though I hold allegiance to one over the other." Though with some of the competitions he could see that the school did try to foster some competition between them.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"And I won't let you. Talk yourself out of it, that is. Plus it will keep me from bouncing off the walls, too..." Which could only be a good thing, in Isabel's opinion.

She laughed a little and ducked her head, waving a hand. "Yeah, but hubris isn't a good thing. I'm trying to think of something one of my instructors at home said about it, but it's slipped my mind. So I guess it wasn't that important." Isabel had to shrug at that.

"Yeah, we're most of us trying to go home, right? I mean, I know some Sundered aren't, and I admit I'm not in a huge hurry if I can get back there at the moment I left--it's pretty neat here and I'd like to learn more!" She laughed at that. "I suppose I have a little--if it's supposedly a House 'secret'--not that I've heard any--I guess I shouldn't blab, but beyond that..." Isabel shook her head. "Seems kinda silly, when we're all going to the same school."

[king_of_egypt]

"Then it's settled then. We can get started on it later this evening if you're free." Clearly, now they were already preoccupied with other activities.

Her modesty was endearing. "Yes, they do say that.... Mm... but I know a few people that have exhibited over confidence and done quite well for themselves." Totally thinking of you Kaiba. "They.... might have irritated others, but... still." He smiled softly, showing that he clearly was someone who could tolerate such antics. "What's truly important is what is on the inside besides. A person can project an image that differs from who they are at the core." Now to bring it back to the here and now,"So .. if you want to brag a little, go right ahead. I am curious to where you think your strengths lie outside of your studies."

"Most of us, I suppose." Atem not being among that score currently. "I'm... actually not in a hurry myself. Perhaps I should be.... but.. there you have it." Pausing a moment, he used a plastic fork to scoop or a bite of one of the pies. "Don't worry should you hear a house secret- I won't push you to reveal it." Then he nodded to the following. "Mm, It does... but I guess they assume that some healthy competition will inspire us all to strive for greater achievements academically."

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Outside of my studies?" Isabel chuckled a bit, then, and gestured towards the obstacle course, first. Then the pies she'd gathered. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it? Though it's not like I wasn't a mage of sorts back home, so some of the magic here doesn't come to me with difficulty." She was still edging shy of actually bragging, though. Humility was something most Akashic Brothers practiced--her dad aside. Morgan Knight had always been more than a little cocky, and his eldest daughter had tried not to copy that.

Isabel mused over the idea of 'healthy competition' for a few moments, then had to nod. "I suppose there's something in that, because there was definitely healthy competition in my dojo, and it all made us work harder. So I suppose they've got something, there."

"So, you're fond of cherry?" she asked, curious. It was always nice to provide snacks while studying, at least. Of course, Isabel might just want to have something more substantial than sweets and leftover pie, especially while studying for midterms...