March Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

March Event and Intro Log Golem On The Loose The rain never stops. Water and mud track all over campus. Diligent cleaning golems stomp about, mopping and scrubbing and polishing and then going back to do it all over again, and again, and again... One of them seems to have had it. The renegade golem bursts into Kedrigan Hall -- interrupting classes and disrupting labwork to furiously seize students and scrub every last scrap of mud and dirt off of them. All the halls have been locked off with "Under Cleaning" signs, and anyone who enters them meets with the golem's wrath, as it violently plays a pre-recorded message about not interfering with groundskeeping and deploys a giant claw-like tool to grab the interloper and put them back on unforbidden ground. The professors, who are after all completely immune to the golem's attention by its very design, seem to think this is a good learning opportunity for students. Is it? Horrible Spell Doom? "Are you sure you're ready for the test on Advanced Gaseous Discovery?" one upperclassman asks the other. "Of course I'm sure," the second says confidently. Whipping out a wand from a holster on her belt, she sweeps her wand through the air gracefully, pronouncing several Osmarian sigils as she draws them. Probably. "See, that's a blue cloud--" Said blue cloud, which puffs into being as the last syllable left her lips, abruptly doubls in size. Then it doubles in size again. And again. The upperclassmen, who have been in Diatu for several years and know exactly what this sort of thing means, don't hesitate. Not even stopping to share a glance between them, they run like crazy, leaving the growing cloud behind just as classes let out and students begin to enter the halls. But... surely it doesn't have any weird and wacky side effects, right? The Bala-inlota Parade (aka The Non-Horrible Prompt) To celebrate the start of the Bala-inlota season, Anastara spares no expense. The great parade and associated festival stretches the whole weekend, and the whole city puts on their colors and turns out for the fun. Enterprising vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs ranging from small and crude figurines to magical constructs that shine field displays onto flat surfaces so you can watch the action up-close! (Good luck affording that, students.) Practically any sort of entertainment you could want appears on the streets and canals of Anastara, and food and drink flow freely. 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 team has developed a Sundering spell that they warn is crude and unpolished, because the Curriculum is so unpracticed. They hope it will connect to your home worlds and establish a magical link they can build off of to open further passages. No promises! And to those who do undergo this spellwork... it has a certain side effect of confusion, as brief images from your home world flicker across your vision for a few hours afterwards. Wonders Await Diatu Magicademy is open to you in all its glory. Have fun!

A Special Note

If you thread out one or more scenes based on the confusion from "Research on the Sundered", respond to the comment on this post with a link to that thread. The results of this will be revealed next month! (It is, we're afraid, not a regain, lest your participation be based solely on that hope!)

Comments

[king_of_egypt]

Refraining from adding more details about his own experience just now, he waited for Cliff to expand on his. Trying to focus on the others words seemed to be helping to keep him grounded in reality.

"It was precisely like that, though it sounds like you may have had a worse time it." Calling back to the original description. Not that Atem was enjoying the random imagery either but there were worst things he could be seeing so he felt as if he shouldn't complain. It was as like he had never left the afterlife so the kingdom was at peace.

"I suspected as much, so it's a waiting game." He'd heard a little bit about the first rounds of research and some of the side effects from that. This time was more controlled and everyone would be going through the same sorts of experiences. "Even if I had somewhere I needed to be, I wouldn't trust myself to go there." Being honest about it. "I appreciate the offer, but please don't allow me to make you late. I was planning on heading back to the dorm until this is all sorted out."

No stranger to etiquette himself, Atem still wouldn't claim to have any mastery of it. He would be curious to know more about his current companion however. "I... don't believe we've spoken before." Making an awkward segue to an introduction. "I'm Atem, you are?"

[nomoremistergneissguy]

"Oh, sorry! I'm Cliff Vitner, pretty much fresh off the airship." He chuckled a little at that. "And my familiar is Rounder, he's hanging out at our feet."

Most people would expect a dog or cat, maybe a toad, but Rounder is a foot square sphere of marble who is calmly spinning in place--though even without eyes, when he notes Atem's gaze, he'd wave to the man, amiably.

"Well, I could always escort you to your dorm, and then head off to class, that would be fine, if you don't mind. Because I certainly don't." He knew he wouldn't get in trouble, but he appreciated Atem's concern nonetheless, and if there was a way he could work it out and help the guy, well, Cliff was all for it.

[king_of_egypt]

"That would at least in part explain why I have not encountered you before," Smiling at the amusement the other displayed. That being said there were still plenty of students from the first influx that Atem had yet to make the formal acquaintance of. Looking under the table he acknowledged the familiar.

Actually..... Cliff was currently speaking to someone else who had a familiar that was outside the norm, so the sight of the spherical creature instantly made him feel a bit of a kinship to this person. "It's nice to meet you Rounder. My familiar is named Capricius Crystallius- Capricius for short. Speaking of which...." He trailed off and started looking to either side. Where was Capricius, he knew with certainty that he hadn't left him at the dorm. Getting to his feet a bit too swiftly, another series of images flashed through his mind. Leaning forward he steadied himself on the table, and when he was seeing the great hall again the crystalline familiar was before him. "There..... he .. is". It wasn't really unusual for Capricius to wander when it so desired, but sensing something was off about it's master again it returned to him floating into the room and levitating over the table.

"I think that would be for the best." Not feigning to be completely back to his usual self yet.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

Cliff just smiled and shrugged at first, though once Atem introduced his familiar, his eyes got really wide.

"Oh wow, look at him, he's neat--and Rounder, before you get mad, that's Atem's familiar! But I was thinking that you and Capricius could be friends!? You're both mineral-based lifeforms, that's pretty darn unique!"

Now, he wasn't sure if Capricius would want to be friends, but it was worth a shot. They could work it out among themselves, because Atem was not looking too hot. Cliff had finished lunch pretty quickly because of that, and since he'd wisely gotten a bread trencher, that was down the hatch with the rest.

"Capricius, could you lead me to Atem's dorm? I figure I can't go in, but I also figure it's better you lead instead of making him talk more. He's disoriented enough." And even if he was going over the guy's head, he trusted the familiar to be able to help out that way. And hey, if he felt better on the way? That was good, too.

"You can lean on me if you need to, but if you feel well enough to walk yourself, you probably should do that." Though he'd have an arm out, just in case Atem looked unsteady on his feet.

[king_of_egypt]

Atem couldn't help but smile softly at the conversation between Cliff and Rounder. Apparently, Capricius wasn't the only familiar to ever act up around other creatures. This time however, mercifully, Capricius behaved. Once it was assured that it's master was ok, it hovered low to scope out the round familiar. It seemed to find the other acceptable company.

"It does seem to be. Unique that is." Recalling that even Yugi's familiar with it's ability to manifest in different ways was organic. Atem opted to remain standing after his episode, but he would have felt guilty that he had impressed upon Cliff a need to hurry. Theoretically he could have waited for as long as needed for the meal to be consumed. The visions weren't of a nefarious nature so no one would have been at risk of misplaced ire, or injury. That was if it continued to follow the same pattern and didn't deviate to other events.

Capricius gave a swift spin through the air when the request was made, the facets on it's surface catching and reflecting the light. It was hard to know what the familiar was thinking, or how it felt about someone else trying to instruct it in what to do. After a moment however, it decided to comply, floating over to hover by the nearest exit. "It's the Aer et Calculum dorm." That much Atem could get out, if that helped narrow it down. He wasn't sure which house Cliff was in. Either way, the fellow student was new to the school so it might have been difficult to find either way.

Atem nodded to the offer. "I..... should be alright." Emphasis on should. When the trio neared, Capricius would set off towards the dorm, pausing every few moments to allow the others to catch up.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

"Thank you very much, Capricius!" And really, Cliff was grateful. He didn't like to be the type to seem unappreciative--he'd been told and shown, both, that familiars were nearly as smart as humans, and to him, that meant they ought to be shown similar respect. Even if they couldn't quite respond the same.

He, too, was pleased that Rounder and Capricius seemed to be getting along. He trotted along after the crystalline familiar slowly. Rounder whirled around his feet, but to one side opposite Atem. Better to do that to not trip anyone. Cliff got used to his spinning around quickly enough, but others...

"I'm glad he's willing to guide us, I barely made it to my dorm intact. More because of rain and golems than anything else." Though Cliff chuckled at that. "It's been exciting here so far, I'll give it that." He was happy enough to make small talk as they walked. "I'm in Gekronus Maius." Which...might have been somewhat obvious, given that he was trying to be as helpful as he could be.

[king_of_egypt]

The gratitude was appreciated by Capricius but it might not have been discernible as there was no open admission to it save for a pleasant chiming sound. This familiar was certainly one that thought of itself as being every bit as capable and intelligent as any other lifeform.

The familiars behavior toward one another, though understated, was definitely an improvement over how Capricius had reacting toward many of the others. Either he no longer felt like he had something to prove, or he generally didn't feel threatened by this latest acquaintance. That was a wise decision on Rounder's part lest another round of visions strike during the procession to the dorms. It would have been only too easy then to trip over the shorter being.

"The golems were tenacious," Joining in with the chuckling. "I've never seen any creature more irritated about something as trivial as mud." Not that Atem enjoyed getting dirty himself, but it's not like it could be helped with those conditions. "It... is different." Being reminded that all of the sundered came from vastly different places. If he had the chance he would like to inquire about Cliff's dimension.

Giving a nod to acknowledge that he'd heard which house was stated. At this point he wasn't sure how the staff determined which house a student filed into, and judging from his own dorm everyone was unique in their own ways. Still, Gekronus Maius did have a reputation for holding some of the more fastidious students. "Does Anastara differ much from where you're originally from?"

[nomoremistergneissguy]

Cliff was personally glad that whatever annoyance Rounder felt for him--which he understood was due to prior mistreatment--didn't extend to all and sundry. He was confident he could change his familiar's mind about him with time and care. Both which he had an abundance of.

"Neither have I! Then again, at home, my golems were made from earth when I constructed them...and pretty much dumber than the ones here. I didn't do it that often, only when I needed something, though." Like a pack mule. He nodded to Atem's thought that it was different. Things were, here.

"In some ways it does, and in some ways, I'm not homesick at all. Take out the magic, and it's a lot like where I'm from, really. Our magic was different. I was a geomancer, at home, which meant I could control the earth. And do a lot of things with it, really. Find gems, make golems, meld with it...really too much to mention. I'd just graduated from school there, too. So I'm kind of amused that here I am again." Cliff shrugged, then. "What about you? Was your home very different than here?"

[king_of_egypt]

That was an admirable way to look at the situation whatever Rounder had been through he would continue to carry with him. It would only be with someone who was patient and compassionate that any real change likely could be made.

"You... constructed them?" That threw Atem off his game for a moment before he supplied how Golems existed in his own world. "Golems in my home were the manifestations of a person's Ka which could then be commanded by them to carry out their wishes." Later they were playing cards. "... Ah- but not everyone's Ka took the form of a Golem mind you." They certainly were.

"That explains a lot actually," Including some of the questions that were just waiting on the tip of his tongue from the last line of conversation about the creation of Golems. "The amulet makers certainly could have used that ability to find gems." He remarked offhandedly as they proceeded down the hallway. Then he chuckled at the comment about the school. "I hope this doesn't make you feel trapped by academics. At least the variety of magic is different so it should hold some interest?"

"Yes, quite different. Magic and mysticism are both still very much apart of my kingdom- that much is similar however it too takes other forms." The one thing he wouldn't discuss was the Millennium Items. They were too powerful in their nature, and the last thing he wanted to do was draw more interest in them after learning the dark history of their creation. "There was a guild that practiced spellcasting but I wasn't personally attending it. I am good friends with some of it's members however."

[nomoremistergneissguy]

"It was kind of similar, then, but..." Cliff thought about it. "Was their Ka actually in the golems?" He figured Atem meant something different than the House, here. "Because that usually wasn't the way it worked, with mine. Though sometimes I could see through their eyes, but that was a bit more challenging to do."

Cliff chuckled and nodded. "Well, I liked school, and this is entirely different, so no, I actually don't mind much at all!" Which was probably a good thing. Nobody liked a sulky or sullen person, unless the mood was fleeting.

He quirked an eye at Atem, then. "Your kingdom?" It could mean a lot of things, sure, but there was something proprietary about the man's pronunciation. "Were you a ruler, then?" Blame the fact that Cliff is the son of a pair of them. Not that he seems like he's about to make a big deal out of it, it's more curiosity.

"A spellcasting guild. I bet that was useful! Though I bet that it was also a lot like herding cats," he chuckled. "Mostly impossible, and annoying to the cats."