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

[darkenedmoon]

Being Yotsuyu, she'd practically demanded tea and cookies from the researchers. If she was about to be forced to sit and both speak and listen for another indeterminate amount of time, she was going to enjoy herself.

"Tea? Almond cookies?" She was already pouring herself a cup of tea, at the very least. She took a delicate sip of the tea--jasmine! How lovely!--before offering Yugi a smile and answering his question.

"Now, I was no wielder of aether on Hydaelyn, so most of this is speculation or other's research. But most magic centered on aether and its manipulation. There were six aspects, corresponding to the elements--wind, water, fire, earth, lightning and ice. According to Sharlayan astrology, there is a type of celestial aether that astrologians can manipulate, as well. This is all very basic, however, you understand." Though Yotsuyu knew enough to continue--there might be no books on Eorzean magic here, but she recalled enough to possibly make comparisons.

[puzzlers]

It was the least they could do. Especially after what they'd made them endure up until this point. After she was done pouring herself a cup he decided to do the same, taking a page out of her book. Might as well enjoy himself.

"Wow. That's all really amazing. It's like tapping into the world, itself, to be able to manipulate its elements. And then some higher power too? It wasn't that intricate back home or... maybe it was. I didn't really understand it, to be honest, but all of the magic seemed to stem from a set of ancient artifacts known as the Millennium Items, one of which you've probably seen around the neck of my other half- Atem. He has the Millennium Puzzle. The game of Duel Monsters is a card game back home, but it has ties to ancient Egypt where they used to call on spirits of real monsters to do battle."

[darkenedmoon]

"And your magics stem from that? Ancient Egypt, and the puzzles they created? Fascinating." Yotsuyu shook her head at that. "There are gods and spirits that are given worship on Hydaelyn, and priests that serve them, but it is not the gods that give power. At least, not when it comes to magic there, I am told. I was not talented in the manipulation of aether, however." Yotsuyu sighed slightly. "I simply read what I could get my hands on. I was not allowed to continue educating myself after a certain age--it was reserved for my brother--but I did my best."

Her brow furrowed a bit, even as she sipped her tea to wet her throat. "So tell me of this card game? I do know there is one that is popular here--is it the same, or simply a spiritual successor of the one you knew?"

[puzzlers]

"Mm. It is pretty interesting. I don't know nearly as much as Atem does, so if you'd like to know more, then you should probably talk to him. The card game of Duel Monsters is kind of the modern day version of it." He listens, nodding along, though a frown overtakes his face as she continues. "Was there a reason that you couldn't continue your studies?"

"Ah, yeah, Fantastic Foils is the on here, and I got acquainted with it, because it reminded me of Duel Monsters. It's its own game and if you'd like I could teach you! I work at the card shop and I can definitely get you some cards no problem. The rules are kiiiind of like Duel Monsters and I guess they're pretty similar. No real relation though." He'll take our his Fantastic Foils deck and show her the assortment of cards. "They actually kind of come to life when you play which is certainly a sigh to behold."

[darkenedmoon]

"Atem knows? I shall have to ask him, then." Yotsuyu gave Yugi a rueful smile at that, ducking her head slightly. "Ah, well, my stepparents decided that I was only a female, and so the indulgence of education should be reserved for my stepbrother. I had...other avenues to further myself." Not that she particularly wanted to detail any of them...

Yotsuyu leaned forward, arching her brows. "I have only heard of such a thing vaguely, but there is a game sort of like this in Eorzea...both with cards--that is Triple Triad--or with minions--little toys or creatures that are like pets. That is called Lord of Verminion. I wish I could tell you more than their names, sadly. Such things were hardly popular in the Empire."

She looked thoughtful, though. "I think I shall ask Atem, but I am not going to say I won't wish to learn. I am just the type to learn all I can about a thing, first." And there certainly was a great deal to learn at the academy, and elsewhere on this world.

[puzzlers]

"He would know more about that aspect of it, yeah. I only know a little about it, I'm afraid. But the items were held by the Pharaoh and his Priests and they could use their own spiritual power to summon monsters and use them in battle. Other people could too if their own power was strong enough, but that was not all that common..."

"And I'm sorry they thought that. You are a very intelligent and talented young woman and they should have realized that and allowed you to study alongside him..."

"Just let me know when you'd like me to show you then. I'd be happy to introduce you to the game. But, ah, back to the magic and, well, duel monsters by extension. I believe in something called the heart of the cards, which is basically that my deck is an extension of myself and will come to my aid when I'm in a bind. I trust in my monsters and they trust in me... and just like back home I actually have one of them with me now, and like I've just explained how back in Ancient Egypt the Pharaoh and his Priests used their own energy to summon and sustain their monsters, well, that's how me and monster share a bond here..."

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu made a noise of interest--she was listening to Yugi, but the words he spoke were confounding at best. Though what he said sounded to her a bit like summoning, though she doubted the arts of ancient Allag had found their way across worlds. Something similar, but different.

She shook her head at his apology. "Your words are kind, but I assure you, they paid the price of their folly." Not that Yotsuyu had any intent of telling the young man just what price they'd paid...

"You actually managed to summon one of your...duel monsters?" That seemed to be the term. That in and of itself was intriguing. "I imagine there's enough ambient aether here to keep your creature hale, as well. It seems likely, at the very least. Yes, I think I would be interested in learning this, at some point."

After all, especially with her scare with Grynewaht, she could never be too prepared!

[puzzlers]

He had no intention of asking about the price since it was really none of his business, but he was just upset that she hadn't gotten the opportunity she deserve at the start.

"I did. It hadn't been easy and there had been a number of dangerous trials and tribulations that I had to go through to start, some of which I dragged a number of friends into, but I eventually managed to overcome them with their help and now my monster and I are tethered together and I have no problems summoning him. I just have to be careful, because we share the bond, as mentioned, and if he gets hurt, then so do I. Neither Atem nor Kaiba is capable of doing this, but I'm not really sure if it's something they're interested in. It's... dangerous..." He moves a hand to his heart. "But Gandora is very special to me and has helped me overcome a number of difficult battles and we'll fight to the very end, as partners, if you'd like to see him I'd be happy to summon him for you."