Academy of Secrets (Inactive)

Game Master Corsario

Spring was in full bloom and the last of the winters snow was starting to dissipate from the land of Korvosa. It was getting to be late into Desnus now and some of you begin to worry that, once again, you will be passed up as participants in the infamous Breaching Festival. Days pass and yet still no word from the academe is received when finally, on the last Saturday of the month(the day before the festival begins) there came a knock at each of your doors. As you open the door before you stands a rather young female elf that looks at you and smiles. "Greetings sir/Ma'am" she says and then curtsies a little politely. "Due to your history and great reputation as an adventurer I am proud to let you know that Headmaster Toff Ornelos of the Acadamae requests your participation in the Breaching festival this year. If you could head over to Ornelos Hall on the Acadamae grounds immediately, Master Ornelos wishes to speak to you."

With that she hands you an ornately decorated envelope. As you open it and read the letter inside it’s a formal invitation to the festival signed by Toff himself. He regrettably informs you that the festival is to begin tomorrow and that he needs to speak to you today. He does apologize for the lateness of the notice and he promises that you will be greatly rewarded for your participation.

After you’re done reading the woman speaks again "If you need it I have a scroll of greater teleport that I can use to get you to the meeting in time"

Mouse jumps excitedly...
"Thank you fine elf! These are great news! If I ever can do a favor for you, don't hesitate to ask... Yes, the scroll would be appreciated, as it would make the travel easier. Want to accompany me, please come inside and have a drink while I ready myself."
He goes to grab his stuff, and then uses the scroll (himself, as he is perfectly able to, an expert in using magic stuff) to transport to the Academae.

Finally...this Headmaster must have changed his mind in the last moment, to send out the invitations so shortly before the Breaching festival begins...at least the messenger is cute.

To the Elf girl, Orion smiles:
"Your offer is much appreciated, Miss, but I see you have a few more invitations to deliver, so I don't want to trouble you for transportation.
I shall gather what I need, and then make my own way over to the Acadamae. I reckon in the time it will take you to inform these others, I shall be there and waiting for your arrival.
Once I return from the Warding Hall victorious, however, I would love to trouble you for company during a night of celebration and drink, if you'd be inclined."

For a few minutes, he keeps the messenger occupied with idle chatter and banter, and when she's on her way, Orion packs up his Equipment and heads towards Ornelos Hall.

Finally. I can prove him wrong after all these years.

Marigania smiles coolly at the elf and graciously accepts the scroll of greater teleport. I will use this to arrive on time.

Bluff: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

"Thank you for the notice."

After the elf leaves, Marigania puts the scroll of greater teleport in her handy haversack for later perusal and casts teleport to arrive at a nearby location from which she can scout the meeting place.

The elven lady will take a look at the note. Reading it, she thinks to herself, I hope that winning this contest it will bring me a little more knowledge of various forms of magic. Seeing that the elven courtier is still there, Enothai will dismiss her with a wave of her hand.

The elven lady will take a look at the note. Reading it, she thinks to herself, I hope that winning this contest it will bring me a little more knowledge of various forms of magic. Seeing that the elven courtier is still there, Enothai will dismiss her with a wave of her hand. As the elven courtier begins to leave, Enothai will clear her throat [/b] You are forgetting something [/b] as she holds out her hand for the scroll. As it is given, Enothai will state Now you may go.

As the courtier leaves Enothai will begin to think to herself, Now, whatever to wear. One never knows what sorts of contacts and friends a woman of my beauty might make at this contest.

A seed sprouts

Bendis nods, taking the scroll and invitation, handing them to Archimedes to peruse, as she offers the young elf water.

Sylvan:It is a simple matter to move from the grove to the school, as well your master knows, why would he send a scroll? No matter. The games played by old men are not noticeably different than the games played by young, and there is little time to waste on either. Let me see you fed and on your way, and I will visit with Toff thereafter.

She feeds the courier and sends her on her way, then packs her gear. Hesitating a moment, she leaves the day's treant at his work, but makes sure to pack an extra tree symbol and the spellstaff of heal she keeps for emergencies. She then heads to the school, a simple matter, as the grove has plenty of suitable trees.

Aizel smiles slightly to himself, careful to hide his teeth. It was the only obviously dangerous thing about him, and so he took some pains to keep them hidden. He was aware that the odd story about his abilities had leaked, but few could put the savage berserker and mild, polite young man together.

"My thanks for such a fine opportunity," he said with a short bow. "I am most grateful that your employer was so kind as to provide such transportation, and would feel rude not taking him up on his offer." Taking the letter and the scroll, he added, "One hopes my magic will be up to it."

It was true, but it was also a misdirection. Even without magic of any kind Aizel could tear a troll into shreds within seconds. The magic enhanced his already potent abilities, but it wasn't something he had to rely on. But if the headmaster thought he did, then good. It would hopefully help him win.

Do we need to roll for using the scroll, or can we assume we use it well enough?

Ganorok has a "constant" +30 Use Magic Device, so I think he can use it alright.

To be honest, i think the ELF girl was there to use the scroll...as in, she just told us she has it available to get us to the place. Only then you guys started taking them from her, leaving her confused and puzzled since I figure it actually was her job to get you to that place, by means of the scroll she brought along.
Otherwise people who can't use that scroll or can't emulate the needed score would be shafted. So yeah, pretty sure the girl meant to cast it.
Fun though.

That is I understood too... I just wanted to show Ganorok could use the scroll. And he offered her a "ride". It wouldn't be nice to let her there by herself.

actually not so sure you can use it just like that. Greater Teleport is Level 7 spell. So, DC 20+Caster Level, should be a minimum of 13, so DC 33. Your intelligence is also one short, so need to emulate 17, result is UMD-15 so need 32 on that check. Your take 10 does not cover it for Greater Teleport. You probably will get it right before rolling a 1 on either check and getting locked out but still...
also, we're all ignoring that for teleport AND greater teleport, you should know where you are going, as in, know about the place and have at least a good description...otherwise greater fails and normal may get you to some other place.
all that greed before we even get there ^_^
Aye, and I forgot to note that I was of course conversing with her in elven while flirting. Did not get around to write a more extensive backstory, but lets just say Orion has a thing for them, reasoning of age stuff...aasimar and elves are much closer in life span than aasimar and most other core races(except dwarfs, and Orion is not fond of beards on his lover). So it's nice that you would not let her get stranded without a scroll or means to aquire another from the Acadamae-

In his favor, he was going to use the scroll anyway, no greed here... Yes, you are right, he will accept the elf girl help then...

It's more a function of using the right tool for the job, and not trusting the mage academy! Do you teleport with every strange mage that offers? =p

She should be ready to go

She will insist that the scroll stays with her. "If you need the scrolls assistance the headmaster has requested that I use it and only I use it. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Let me know who's traveling with the elf and who's going on their own since it unlocks a different story line.

How soon after we get there will the main part start, I could always teleport myself.

How soon after we get there will the main part start, I could always teleport myself.

Are you familiar with the place? So you can easily teleport there? Chances are, then, you are from the area anyway, so simply walk over then, much simpler and you arrive there with no spells wasted, in case somethings up right today.

@DM Mathpro: Since I intended to take part in the ceremony, I had arranged for transportation and lodging and was already in the City when the invitation arrived.
Considering this, I feel such a valuable scroll would be wasted. Thus, after some banter with the elf girl and trying to aquire her name, I will make my own way over to the Acadamae, bringing along the invitation, of course.

Sounds like a plan

Enothai you and Orion are walking then? Obviously not together.

She could be flirting with him all the way over. :)

If she'd be willing to accompany me, sure :) I just was under the impression she'd just visit the next person to invite then...and yes, I walk over. Especially if she DOES come along. Otherwise, I may also use those wings to shorten the way by going direct.

As stated previously, Ganorok accepts the elf's help to get to the Academae

Walking out of the door, she spies a handsome looking man and asks him if he would accompany her to the Academy.

Since we have two walking alone, I suppose I'll accommodate the module and be Teleported (I do this so you may laugh at me when it goes terribly wrong.)

Well if you insist. I'd hate to trigger one of your Acadamae's famous wards.

Marigania accepts the elf's offer to teleport her to the school.

Better I save my own in case I need to leave in a hurry.

Aizel nodded. "Of course. Such things are hardly cheap. I will gladly accompany you." The Half-Orc would have preferred to go without the escort, but didn't wish to risk running late.

Ganorok sits quietly, and smiles at the elven woman behind the desk.
"Ganorok, at your service. Can I ask for your name?"
Diplomacy Roll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
He tries to make small chat with the woman.
"Where can you find a good place to eat over here? Do you know if they sell good cheese?"

"If you are peckish, I have some provisions - cheeses included." Aizel smiled at Ganorok. "I don't like to be caught out, so this - ", he nodded towards the black leather and silver backpack sitting by his foot, "Carries enough food for quite some time, even considering I have two mouths to feed." Aizel's Wayfinder, stashed away in a pouch, contained an Ioun Stone that halved what he needed to eat and drink, so it was probably a good two months of food even with Khatul.

He nodded to the lady as well. "Appologies, allow me to introduce myself. I am Aizel, and my companion here is Khatul. Don't mind her, she won't make a mess." Unless someone cast a spell on him and caught her in it's effects, and she choose to remove there face thanks to her abilities.

Ganorok whiskers move up and down.
"Thanks for the offer, but stashing cheese like that... I would like good cheese... Don't take it the wrong way, and I am sure in a pinch your cheese would be great, but I was thinking in going to a fancy place around here..."

Bendis smiles at the cub. I am pleased to meet you little sister. Archimedes will certainly find your company relieving, she claims the rest of us are terribly wearying.

She nods at the others.

I am, as you see me, Bendis Artemis of the Lanterned Grove. I was invited, as I gather you were, by the Magister Toff. I assume we will have some little time and privacy to ourselves after the meeting?

This to the dwarf. At his unhurried nod, she continues.

Then perhaps we will wait further discussion until we better understand our host's interest. For now, be we all well, and I thank you for your offer but I have already eaten.

She glances at the dwarf once more.

Might we inquire with you as to our expected number, or to the purported payment for any aid we might offer? My experience with mages does not suggest that they are much for stipends, fees, or other worldly concerns, no matter that those concerns feed and shelter them, or provide room and sanctuary. Dwarves, on the other hand, have always been more practical about such things.

She tilts her head with a genuine respect at the secretary.

Assuming, of course, that such matters are within your purview and not intruding.

Aizel nodded amicably. "Of course. I'm sure there are some interesting places to eat around here, once we have met the Headmaster." The Half-Orc wasn't sure many restaurants would take well to Ratfolk - he'd certainly seen enough that didn't like Half-Orcs, even impeccably dressed Bloodragers - but he wished the little fellow luck in his goals. "If you ever change your mind, my offer remains open. There is nothing quite like extradimensional spaces to keep food fresh."

The Half-Orc glanced at the lady. "Madame Artemaris, a pleasure to meet you. Khatul and I look forward to you and your companions as company. Although I fear Archimedes may not find Khatul such fine company - she never found talking worth the effort, I'm afraid." The Dweomercat Cub stared at him. "Well, you don't."

An elf, a half-orc, a human, and a ratfolk teleport into the Acadamae...sounds like the start of a bad joke.

"Marigania Estreven." She gives a friendly nod to each person in the room. "Something tells me this will be quite an interesting day."

Ganorok nods at all the people present.
"I have to say I had never thought in the effect of extra dimensional spaces on dairy products. I think I will accept your offer. I feel a little peckish now, after our talk."

Aizel nods, and pulls out a chunk of cheese coated in thin wax to preserve it. "Enjoy. I believe the blue wax means it has some garlic and sage mixed in. I believe I also have some dried fruits and nuts in here, if you would like."

Ganorok shuffles a little, not hiding his enthusiasm.
"Thank you very much, the cheese is fine for now. Somebody else want some? It smells delicious!"

Really a rat happy about cheese...a little on the nose isn't it Ganorok lol

One has to enjoy the simple pleasures...

1d20 + 24 ⇒ (10) + 24 = 34