October Event Log

[magicademymods]

October Event Log Fall Cleaning Suddenly and without warning, the lighting in or near every building on campus goes red. A second later, a deep alarm rises in volume as the buildings begin to shake. The faculty barely bat an eye as they direct students to get outside quickly. "Fall cleaning," they explain wearily to those students who have never experienced this phenomenon. Older students offer their own explanation as they move: at some point every fall the buildings of the Magicademy rearrange themselves so the cleaning golems can repair their foundations, tend to the ground around them, keep them from sinking into the caverns, that sort of thing. Totally harmless. Well, until you realize no one knows where your House tower went. Or till you need to get to class promptly except Kedrigan Hall is in the middle of a lake somehow. Or till the Library of Starchime is down in the middle of the lab caverns and you have to try to study while students practice magic in the aisles. But it's okay! This will only last for a couple of days! You can get by, right? The Bonfire To say goodbye to the warmth and hello to the frost, the Magicademy celebrates the changing of seasons with a great bonfire. A massive conglomeration of burning wood sends flame licking up some sixty feet into the air, and the warmth pouring from the huge fire wards off any hint of cold from those nearby. By tradition, the bonfire burns till morning, and many students have bedrolls or tents or even straight-out beds parked nearby so they can take their spot in keeping it lit. Others have brought food and drink, enough to selflessly share with everyone. The whole things is one big party, really; House rivalries and personal animosities and music duels are all set aside for a night as the campus unites in solidarity. It's one of the nicer times you could ask for. This Is Halloween Bad news. Terrible news. The worst news imaginable. Headmaster Birony has found out about Halloween. Diatu Magicademy is nothing but orange and black now. Carved pumpkins wander the campus and aggressively pose for anyone who glances their way (or doesn't...). Spiderwebs litter every hallways and passage, complete with spiders that patiently move their webs out of the way and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience with a sort of weariness that says they know exactly who to blame for this. A twelve-foot-high menorah sits in the Great Hall, leading some to suspect that the Headmaster's Intimations to learn more about the holiday did not produce universally-accurate results. Headmaster Birony herself patrols the grounds like a madwoman, slinging extra spookiness wherever she passes and occasionally Discovering costumes straight onto the innocent students she passes. "Spirit of the season!" she yells before fleeing, candy and toilet paper left behind in her path. If by this point you are questioning whether the Headmaster ever does actual work, rest assured you're not the first, nor will you be the last, to wonder that. Research on the SUNDERDOG! (Sunderdog!) SUNDERDOG! (Sunderdog!) This month's assignment, for those willing to undertake it: actually nothing disastrous! Instead, the researchers ask that you compare your world to another Sundered student's, then report back to them on the differences and similarities. They're most interested in magic styles, but anything you give them will have value!

Comments

[perfectenn]

This is Halloween Audio Warfare

It started with a wayward pumpkin and a few stuck-up Purifeul members with a Modification spell. And then there were a few Valhudor bystanders who scoffed, rolled up their sleeves, and burst into harmonious song. A cathedral sprang up on the lawn, complete with elaborate wrought iron gates and eerie golden light from the stained glass windows. No one is surprised, but the building itself is moving around and collecting students for the impromptu battle party.

Maybe you came for curiosity, drawn to the chaos of instruments and voices. Or you hoped to sneak your own spells into the fun. Hopefully you arrived after Birony, because then the hall is filled with candy, and Tenn in gentlemanly, gothic attire passes you some of the spoils in a handkerchief.

"Here. Compliments of the Headmaster. I think they’re pie-flavored." And then he's eyeing your attire curtly. "You'll want to change your outfit before someone does it for you."

Not long after, he takes to the center of the hall to dance, and it's not the reserved, graceful styles he's known for at the local restaurants; hip-hop is embraced strongly tonight – fast, sharp movements keeping the tiny bells on his wrist in constant ringing to maintain a play of light and shadow around him.


Citizens Found Out About a Ghost Dragon

Wizards are always a topic of conversation in the city. But this month is the first time he's heard them spoken of in such distrustful tones. Tenn isn't in the tavern long before there’s hushed mention of curses, students whose grasp for power goes too far, and undercurrents about forbidden arts. He’s starting to feel a little sick, sitting with his hands clenched, trying not show the frustration creeping into his thoughts.

A few sympathetic looks find him. "Not you, Tenn." A free drink is slid his way. "Are you sure you don’t want to stay at the inn? There’s a room for you if you change your mind." Tenn smiles and reassures them that, yes, he’s quite all right. No one wants to lose young students to a dragon, after all. He has to wear a brave face, especially now; he won’t give them reason to worry. But if someone he knows enters, Tenn may move to sit closer to them; he has cause to be protective tonight.

Later Tenn departs for the dorms, strolling through the city at an unhurried pace in a nondescript cloak; showing his House colors might make others uncomfortable, and that he does not wish to see more of. Having to witness students be turned away or gossiped about in passing hurts enough. One such incident might lead to him stepping into range, giving the citizen in question a judgmental once-over before checking on his fellow student.

This is Audio Warfare

[talkyourwayout]

Louie kind of stumbles onto the scene, more than anything else, and when he's presented with the candies he just blinks up at Tenn.

But at least he finally got some free food out of the other student?

"Uh, thanks?" He's more focused on the second statement, honestly. "So... Costume magic? Is that what's going on?"

[perfectenn]

"Something like that. It's an improvised play." Or it will be. Everyone is hastening to sweep up so they can get on with their battle proper without tripping over toffee and toilet paper. "We're behind schedule. Headmaster Birony thought the set was lacking in holiday cheer." And his calm tone says he's not even upset at that, anymore than someone could be upset about a wind storm passing through.

"You're a member of Valhudor. You should participate, too." Tenn studies him - what role would be good to put Louie in?

Citizens

[holdyourhorns]

The sight of a dragon, even a 'baby' one, still gets a strong reaction out of most of the common folk. And while some don't stare too kindly at him, Spyro doesn't notice because he's too busy enjoying some newfound camaraderie with a few rough and tumble working-class sorts.

After all, those who admire dragons just think Spyro's adorable. "Alright alright... guys! I gotta get back to my dorm. And didn't you say there was work you didn't want to be late for at the docks?"

"Got us again! Ya got a good head on your shoulders, kid!"

"Yeah be careful around here! Come runnin' back to find one of us if anyone even looks at ye funny, ya hear? No one messes our bar's mascot because of some ghost story!"

Soon there are hands trying to ruffle the soft fish fin-like 'mohawk' of spikes on his head and then fist bumps get exchanged before Spyro and his acquaintances part ways. Though contrary to what one of his new friends insisted, the young dragon only gives an unimpressed look at whoever's bold enough to express a negatively biased opinion.

Finally out of hiatus-land

[perfectenn]

Word had long spread to other taverns that the Night Shift had a special mascot. Hearing it, Tenn was grateful; Spyro's first few weeks in Diatu had given him reason to worry. Now, watching him banter with the locals, his concerns ebb away in their laughter.

Even amid the recent rumors, there was little Tenn understood about the reason behind the locals' fear; he doubted they truly knew the threat of their native dragons themselves. The accounts he'd heard were told through stories or songs, long worn down by memory and years. Gigantic creatures with incredible powers... not unlike Asian dragons in some ways, Tenn supposed, though his were called noble rather than brutal. Here also, legends were woven for campfire nights, entertainment to raise one's heroes and country. Who knew how much of it was fact.

Still, he couldn't shake the concern that there were people taking it seriously. Anastara was a city of trade and travel, and not everyone was accustomed to the presence of Sundered. So Tenn watches out of the corner of his eye, monitoring the tone of conversation in the room.

Drink finished, he's standing and slipping on his cape when he hears Spyro bidding goodbye to his fans. It's with light, unhurried steps Tenn moves to join him at the door.

"I'll walk with you. If that's fine."

[holdyourhorns]

Spyro perks up at the sight of the rather familiar schoolmate.

"No issue at all here," he says. And the public can make whatever sort of opinions they want, as interesting as the sight must be to see a now-local celebrity on pleasant terms with a dragon.

"How have you been, Tenn?"

[perfectenn]

Approval received, Tenn accompanies him through the door. As before, his body language is deliberately relaxed, a light smile coming easily as he returns the greeting.

"I've been well. It's easy to find work lately, and I’ve been able to perform in many places." Though not at the Night Shift – they were a bit too rowdy – but he'd entertained at other small businesses throughout the city for months. Like Spyro, he had the benefit of his appeal eclipsing local concerns.

Though reluctant to leave the warm building, Tenn can still feel the good humor beaming out onto the street with the patches of light. "I heard about your position at the Night Shift. Good work. You're very popular, you know?" He glances down at the colorful dragon. "The other taverns may get jealous at this rate."