April Event and Intro Log

[magicademymods]

April Event and Intro Log Plants Off The Path Green grass and radiant flower gardens bracket all the major walks on campus, and fragrant scents fill the air all around. Note the key words "major walks" there. Move off the common paths and onto 'shortcuts' or less frequented areas of the vast campus and things are quite different. Here, the plants grow just as experience with this chaotic and often dangerous school would lead you to expect. Broad-leafed stalks stretch upwards, petals unfolding to reveal long jets of fire instead of a sensible stamen. Bushes have large toothy mouths, and viciously swallow anyone who comes near (though they are still just bushes, and the victims end up on the their other side just a few scratches worse for wear). A tree grows quills instead of needles; another sprouts paper airplanes instead of leaves. An extremely aggressive pitcher-plant wanders the pathways, mugging students at knifepoint. It's a jungle out there. Bullies, Of Course Surely a Magicademy, with many students already adults and with such an emphasis on learning and control, wouldn't have those who used their magic for such petty ends as making others suffer? Uh-huh. A pack of bullies with more spell experience than wisdom has banded together to take delight in the suffering of others. They overtly pick on the small, the meek, and those with less magical skill; they torment the larger, the bold, and the powerful in secret. Worse, they are the clever sorts of bullies, who go out of their way not to get caught and not to do anything that can't be played off or explained away. Maybe you attracted their attention by looking weak enough to pick on. Or strong enough to need to be taken down a notch. Or weird enough that you were the Other and thus lesser. Or pretty/handsome enough that you needed to look less attractive so they would look more so. They are pretty good at justifying picking on anyone, really. Are they pestering you by magical tripping or property destruction? Playing keep-away with your class books? Better be careful how you respond; their fathers might hear about it. Wind At The Docks (aka The Prompt Where You Don't Get Mugged) The winds of spring bring something of a dark pastime to Anastara -- dockwatching. Aware that a sudden blast of air can rip across the island at a moment's notice, crowds gather at the docks with the air of those expecting spectacle. All too often, they are rewarded -- in the wake of a sudden wind, airships list violently, or bump into each other, or desperately pull sails and power up their flotation cores to avoid a worse collision. Curses fly through the air, and sometimes even spells. With luck, the audience might even see a pair of vessels engage in an all-out air duel, as two captains driven by pride or vengeance refuse to back down. Now, to their credit, the assembled people aren't heartless. If a ship truly looks to be in trouble, or if it's smashed to the ground or into a dock, the people of Anastara don't hesitate to help those on board to safety or ensure that they don't go down with their ship. But mostly it's watching the chaos. It IS quite a show... 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 Glyph designed to detect any influence of the magic on you. Painted on your arm, it will shine with a bright light when a Sundering effect attempts to influence you. They explain that they believe the Sundered are still subject to either the spell that brought them here or new ones, because they have detected remnants of Sundering magic in the wake of students who have mysteriously disappeared. They ask only that you report back when it lights up. Problem: when the Glyph erupts, either because of the Glyph itself or the spell it has detected... those who bear it find themselves no longer where they started. Perhaps they find themselves in a classroom late at night. Or the wrong dormitory. Or in the Great Hall in their nightshirt. Or for the utterly lowbrow amongst you, a restroom occupied by the wrong gender. Whatever the case: sorry. 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 some sort of regain this month!)

Comments

[stillnewatthis]

"My database does not include information on 'fairy tales' outside of the term." Not very necessary for a combat and protector omnic, after all. Though she stepped through the door, her attention remained on Tenn. "Might I ask for further input?"

[perfectenn]

“That was an oversight on my part.” He admits. Of course she would have little need for it. “Many fairytales involve an adventure through an enchanted wood where one is advised not to leave the main path. Those who strayed would wander in circles or encounter monsters.” Which all sounded very childish until he came here.

As he’s providing input, Tenn steps out of the dorm room with Orisa into the corridor. The walls are covered in concert posters, ticket stubs, music sheets, and strings from what may have been an instrument. While his floor is currently quiet, there is a strain of music issuing from the stairwell.

[stillnewatthis]

"So they are tales cautioning the listener against adventurous or risk-seeking behavior." That made sense. However, Orisa was not certain this applied to her, given her nature and purpose.

"Your tower is very different from mine," she observed.

[perfectenn]

"Yes. They are often told to children." It sometimes has the opposite effect, though.

"All the Spires are different, but Aer et Calculum’s spell-based halls in particular are unique." Tenn passes by her to check the stairwell; the song seems to be coming from above. And the stairway down is clear; no one hauling up a tuba or cello. (That happens too, sometime.)

[stillnewatthis]

"That is true! This is my first time in another tower, and it seems very different in nature and atmosphere." Are they waiting for something? Given his warnings, Orisa did not wish to proceed without his blessing!

[perfectenn]

Investigation completed, Tenn returns to the doorway of his dorm with a confidence-instilling smile.

"Stay on the stairwell and I'm sure you'll be fine. But be prepared to step out of the way if someone tries to bring up a piano."

There's no reason for him to be overprotective... probably.

[stillnewatthis]

"If they are making the attempt, I will be happy to assist!" Somewhat missing the point, Orisa responded as she almost HAD to.