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As you step out of the entryway and into the campus proper, you fill with a sense of awe at your surroundings. The place looks much different than what you expected; from the inside, the massive walls and large number of students going back and forth make the Academae seem a city all its own.The guide in front of you clears her voice in impatience; it's obvious that she'd rather be doing something else than leading a gaggle of fresh students around. She calls in a loud voice to the group you are part of, "Keep moving, keep moving, the buildings look much more impressive up close, I assure you." She leads you all like a flock of sheep to the front of each hall, calling it by name and giving a brief story about it.
First is the Hall of Whispers, which is said to house liches which softly speak unknowable secrets to those who would seek to learn necromancy. Next is the Hall of Charms, a delicate-looking and beautiful structure where those studying enchantment use their powers to bend the wills of others. After that comes the Hall of Shaping, a hodgepodge structure made of many materials and shapes which houses transmuters. The Hall of Lies is next along the row, a poorly-built and rickety shack, and home of the illusionists. The next hall looks positively mundane compared to the others, but the guide warns that no one should step near unwelcomed, as this is the abjurer's Hall of Wards. The next structure looks to deserve its name of The Cube, being a massive square structure made of dark-iron on three sides and welded iron on the front. That hall belongs to the Evokers. The next hall is described as Ornelos Hall, the first building erected in the Academae, which serves as an administrative building. The diviners' mysterious Hall of Seeing comes next, its doors a huge pair of Harrow cards. Finally, the Hall of Summoning, the enormous building which takes up most of the Academae.
After showing you all these structures, the woman prattles quickly, "Well, that's all of 'em. Classes start tomorrow, so make sure you go to Ornelos Hall and get your room numbers if you haven't already. Any questions?" She looks over the crowd impatiently, waiting for a reply.
The moment the tour took him past the Hall of Lies, Cezar couldn't stop himself from staring at it. Moving along to the other buildings, he kept looking behind, peering at the shack from afar.
"Miss...is that...?" Cezar mumbled, his eyebrow furrowing.
He shakes his head, and mumbles some more "Just a shack..." before continuing to follow the herd, hoping that nobody saw his foolish assumption.
"Cezar, you'll never get anywhere if you don't pay attention to what's going on around you," Vasile said as she took everything in, making notes of locations. She was also excited, and a little nervous, to finally learn who her room-mate would be.
She has no questions for the woman, and will collect her room number ASAP once dismissed.
"We're *here*, aren't we?" he said with a massive grin on his face, nodding and smiling at Reem. "We're here and we're going to see it all, buddy!" The piglet squealed happily as Cezar scratched his head and eyeballed the other buildings.
The next hall looks positively mundane compared to the others, but the guide warns that no one should step near unwelcomed, as this is the abjurer's Hall of Wards.
Pakak has hung to the back of the group mostly. His orcish heritage is too obvious to really hide so the distance has little to do with that. When the Hall of Wards is mentioned, his body language shifts from on guard to curious.
He can't help but notice the excitement in the two siblings. He feels a bit of it himself even if his facial expression quickly snaps back to caution when he realizes he almost had a look of wonder on his face for the plain looking building.
After showing you all these structures, the woman prattles quickly, "Well, that's all of 'em. Classes start tomorrow, so make sure you go to Ornelos Hall and get your room numbers if you haven't already. Any questions?" She looks over the crowd impatiently, waiting for a reply.
"Yeah...errr I mean, yes," he says in a slightly gutteral voice. One day it might be a deep baritone, but now, at his age, it threatens to warble on him, albeit at a slightly lower pitch than a human teenager's might, "Is there some sort of work for credit program here at the academy? I'm a good cook. Could slop for all youse...err could make you some decent meals."
Clearly, the half orc wizard to be is thinking of how to pay his way through out the years.
Lurking towards the back of the group is a sunken eyed half-orc that looks very uncomfortable to be here. The clothing he wears is a size too small which makes him appear comical, though also shows off his reasonably powerful physique. His face is mostly hidden by a hooded cloak drawn up over his head - though it has the squat and brutal look typical of those of his blood.
Throughout most of the tour he shuffles along at the back with eyes downcast. However his eyes do rise and linger upon the Hall of Shaping, and a smile crosses his face for a few moments. After the guide orders them off to Ormelos Hall, he lingers again - waiting to be among the last to follow the directions and retrieve his allotted room number.
Carrying an enormous pack, and walking near the front, a tiny blond gnome looks around in wide eyed wonder at the magnificent buildings. He doesn't seem to ever shut up and talks progressively faster as he gets more excited. Raising his hand, which causes him to lose control of his pack and trip, after a fearful expression comes over his face and a quick check and listen to his pack, the gnome pops back up without the slightest hint of embarrassment and says in a high voice Miss? Miss? Is it true that the walls of the Cube are made of adamantine? Oh and the Hall of Shaping I've read in The Awesome Architecture of the Academy that virtually every time you go by it is slightly different? and how is it that... He continues on like this until the woman either tells him to be quiet or answers...invariably leading to more questions.
To Thimble, she answers his questions curtly at first, then after three or four answers, quickly puts in, "Anyone ELSE have a question? No? Let's move on." After that, she ignores Thimble's outstretched hand.
At the end of the tour, he says to Pakak, "Well, we don't have anything like that, though many students work out in the city to pay for tuition." Up in the front of the group, a pompous-looking elf blurts out, "Slopping? Did you wander in from the streets, half-breed?" His elf cronies snigger, as do a large portion of the group. The woman leading you all just looks annoyed at the disruption, though she doesn't say anything.
At the end of the tour, she says to Pakak, "Well, we don't have anything like that, though many students work out in the city to pay for tuition." Up in the front of the group, a pompous-looking elf blurts out, "Slopping? Did you wander in from the streets, half-breed?" His elf cronies snigger, as do a large portion of the group. The woman leading you all just looks annoyed at the disruption, though she doesn't say anything.
Pakak eyes the pompous elf giving a rather nasty glare, "Yeah, I think I saw your mother working on the corner of one. I didn't buy though, too big a risk of a diesase." He looks to the guide, shifting his demeanor, "Thanks for the information, ma'am."
As the new students continue to take their tour a tall elven girl lingers in the midst of the group. She has uniquely tanned brown skin for an elf and bright golden eyes. She wears freshly bought black robes that seem to be of a Chelexian fashion with slight accents of red and brown. She remains quiet for most of the tour silently observing those around her seemingly less interested in the facilities as she is with her peers.
Upon hearing the pompous elf's joke she steps in and adds, "Why by definition of your presence here in this tour, you, yourself are a first year student and thus are no better than one who has walked off the streets....further given your lowly position as a first year your prowress for the arcane is likely...less refined..yes?...and while your magics may be....well feeble... I do imagine the ferocity and strength lent to such a particular half-breed is not dependent on his level of study and is well...more than enough to rip out your wagging tongue and beat those foolish enough to laugh at such contemptuous mockery with it....but please continue I've never seen such fare and it might be most amusing to watch." with a spark of fire in her eyes and a menacing smile.
After the confrontation she turns to the other half-orc, who seems to be lagging behind the group.
She approaches him and puts her hand on his shoulder, "A little overwhelmed? I sure am....we're all new here after all. I saw a small smile appear across your face as we passed the hall of shaping. Interested in studying transmutation?" she asks with a warm smile.
She then adds "We shouldn't tarry we still have so much to do today, I implore you to smile more often it fits nicely on your face." she says sincerely.
Pakak seems a bit surprised when the tan elf maid jumps in seemingly in his defense but he doesn't say anything about it.
The elf is caught off guard, first by the nasty zinger Pakak throws back, then by the torrent of words pouring from the elf girl. He stares, his mouth agape, as his friends of a second ago now jape at him. He storms off, looking like he's going to cry, when the tour guide mutters, "Kids... what a waste of time."
She then clears her throat very loudly and says, looking at Pakak and Silyph especially, "I guess I should tell you all, seeing as how you're such a rowdy bunch. Fighting on campus outside the spell duel arena is strictly prohibited. If any of you is caught doing so, it may result in suspension or expulsion, so don't even think about it." After that she walks away holding her head, leaving the crowd to disperse on its own. Some go to check out the various buildings, while you hear others talking about going out to eat or checking in at the dorms. What do you do?
The elf is caught off guard, first by the nasty zinger Pakak throws back, then by the torrent of words pouring from the elf girl. He stares, his mouth agape, as his friends of a second ago now jape at him. He storms off, looking like he's going to cry, when the tour guide mutters, "Kids... what a waste of time."
She then clears her throat very loudly and says, looking at Pakak and Silyph especially, "I guess I should tell you all, seeing as how you're such a rowdy bunch. Fighting on campus outside the spell duel arena is strictly prohibited. If any of you is caught doing so, it may result in suspension or expulsion, so don't even think about it." After that she walks away holding her head, leaving the crowd to disperse on its own. Some go to check out the various buildings, while you hear others talking about going out to eat or checking in at the dorms. What do you do?
After the guide's comment, Pakak shrugs, "I didn't come here to fight, just to learn." But he curbs anything else he wanted to say. The dorms? That sounds like a good idea to him. He'll make his way there to see who his 'roomie' is.
I'm gonna go get my room, Cez.
Vasile will find her way to the booth set up giving out the room numbers for new kids.
Cezar had to stifle a giggle, both from himself and Reem, during the rants coming from both sides. He was tempted to pitch in his support in what the elven woman was saying, but did not, no point in making enemies the first day at the school.
"Yup yup, Reem wants to know who we'll be staying with, too." he said in a chipper voice.
Trying to get to the room assignment as quickly as possible, Cezar pushed past his sister and off to the booth.
Hearing the others going over to get their room assignments, Thimble follows them over as well. He walks over to the nearest person in line and sticking out his hand, says Hello! I'm Thimble Flittershot. What's your name?
Nice to meet you, Thimble. I'm Vasile. Vasile Liviu.
She extends her hand and shakes the hand of the gnome.
"I'm Cezar, and this is Reem!" he steps out from behind his sister in line, holding out the piglet. Cezar blinks and half-stares at Thimble. "You're even younger than I am, wow, you must be a genius!" he says excitedly, not realizing that Thimble is not a human child.
Thimble seems overjoyed that his classmates actually responded. For a moment he is at a loss of what to say. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. As far as being a genius I suppose so but according to one of my village elders I believe the exact words were that "I have heaps of brains but not a lick of sense." Though I suppose burning down his barn didn't help with his views on me. I told him it was an accident and that I had just made a calculation error where I had forgotten to carry a one but he wasn't one for scientific endeavors anyway.
Hathin remains withdrawn and does not speak to any of the other students. He follows the small mass of people that are heading off to get their room allotments.
Calculation error and explosives? Cezar's eyes lit up. You're an alchemist!? he almost shouted in excitement. Oh I've always wanted to study alchemy, it looks so interesting and fun, and so many applications! But we just couldn't find anywhere to learn...Do you think they teach it here? We really hope so! Cezar continued to ramble about how mind bogglingly interested he is in learning at the Academae.
You make your way back out of the Academae and into the streets, traveling as a group over the short distance to the dormitories. The buildings appear to be two very large inns, and at the large front desk you are greeted by a tall human with a long face. He says, in a voice lacking any hint of mirth, "Ah, time for the new students again, I suppose. Everyone get in a line, and we'll get this done quickly. If you don't like the room I give you, you'lll have to find someone else to trade with." He takes down each student's name and then hands them two keys, saying, "One key's the room and one's your chest. You will all be on the third floor. Don't jump too hard, and don't cast any spells that'll break things. You'll be paying for it if you do." When it gets to Thimble's turn, he cranes his neck over the desk and says down to him, "You look a bit young. Ah well, sign this," and hands the book downward.
Your rooms are standard fare, better than most inns. There is a bed and chest on either side of the room, with a wardrobe in between. The beds are sturdy wooden frames with thick wool blankets, each having a wooden end table with a lamp on it. The chests are sturdy oak, and quite spacious.
Here are the roommate pairings:
Silyph also proceeds to wait with the mass of students gathering to receive their room numbers. She briefly whispers into the sleeve of her robes for a few moments and a darting little red bird darts out of her sleeve and takes flight before she overhears Thimble's conversation with with Cez & Vasile.
She approaches Cez from behind as he remarks on Thimbles age "I believe you've mistaken him for a human, Cez was it? I believe the small one is a fey-child, sir. He's likely at least twice your age."
She continues motioning to Vasile "I believe you two know each other correct? Miss Vasile, if I overheard correctly." She then proceeds to make a very respectful formal bow to both Cezar and Vasile as she introduces herself. "My name is Silyph."
"I apologize if my outburst earlier was out of turn or off putting."
She then turns to Thimble "It's good to make your acquaintance as well." she mentions the lack formality or bow given to thimble almost goes seemingly unnoticed.
At the elf's question, Hathin is immediately defensive and skeptical - taking a step back and not making eye contact directly. His brow furrows slightly in confusion at the word Transmutation, though the warmth of Silyph's voice does cut through somewhat and he haltingly responds "I am interested in change" before backing out of the conversation and moving away.
Hathin takes his allotted keys and turns them over in his hands. He immediately moves for the room and dumps his meagre possessions at the foot of the bed. He looks around for a window and if one is found, he opens it so as fresh air comes through.
Cezar finds him standing by the window, hands on the sill looking outward in pensive thought.
Nice to meet you, Silyph. It's a pleasure, but there's no need to be so formal. And you heard correctly, my name is Vasile. We know each other fairly well, being siblings.
A small bird with ruffled red feathers lands on Pakak's shoulder.
The bird cocks its head staring at Pakak with one eye before hoping closer up his shoulder.
"Hi I'm Vhileo!" it squawks.
The bird ruffles it's feathers while it cocks it's head a second time confirming that it got the right person.
"Mistress Silyph sent me to give you message!" Vhileo exclaims proudly.
*cocks his birdy head*
"Mistress wishes to apologize for sticking her beak in your business if it didn't belong!"
*cocks his birdy head*
"She does not like it when others make teasings, especially if others are stoopids!"
*cocks his birdy head*
"She sees that you may be hard pressed for the monies and would like to extend her hand in friendship if you ever find any ways to make the monies that you cannot accomplish youself, she aid in any way she can to help you in you plight."
*cocks his birdy head*
"Mistress wishes you the best in your semester and would like to know your name."
*cocks his birdy head*
"If you would give Vhileo your name Vhileo will give it to mistress Silyph, Yes! Yes!"
*hops down onto the nearest flat surface while repeating YES! over and over again while doing a birdy circle dance*
Pakak signs his name and takes the keys without commentary. He glances back at the others, particularly the other half orc, then makes his way to his room.
As he moves alone towards his room, he eyes the bird that's settled on him.
"Hi I'm Vhileo!" it squawks.
The bird ruffles it's feathers while it cocks it's head a second time confirming that it got the right person.
"Mistress Silyph sent me to give you message!" Vhileo exclaims proudly.
*cocks his birdy head*
"Mistress wishes to apologize for sticking her beak in your business if it didn't belong!"
*cocks his birdy head*
"She does not like it when others make teasings, especially if others are stoopids!"
*cocks his birdy head*
"She sees that you may be hard pressed for the monies and would like to extend her hand in friendship if you ever find any ways to make the monies that you cannot accomplish youself, she aid in any way she can to help you in you plight."
*cocks his birdy head*
"Mistress wishes you the best in your semester and would like to know your name."
*cocks his birdy head*
"If you would give Vhileo your name Vhileo will give it to mistress Silyph, Yes! Yes!"
From his robes pops up a rat which eyes the intruding bird with beady eyes.
"Easy, Twitch." Pakak tells his own familar. He was rather proud of the rat. Even with sponsors, it wasn't easy to get it.
"It maybe annoying, but it isn't a threat I don't think."
Twitch's whiskers flicker.
Pakak frowns at the offer of aid with the money. Whatever his thoughts, it is clear he's not happy about that part.
"Tell your mistress I ain't holding no grudges for anything today from anybody, but I can take care of myself... and prefer to stand on my own two feet as much as I can. Nothin personal. I go by Pakak. Now, if you don't mind.. shoo. I need to put my gear away."
He'll shoo the bird out, and then opens the door to his dorm room to see ...
"Hi. I'm Pakak. Which bed have you claimed? I'll take the other."
Thimble gets a huge smile on his face and says I hope there is some instruction on the sciences as well but if not I can make due with my experiments. I would be more than happy to share what I have learned! As far as my age goes, I'm actually quite young...I'm only 32! As my mother says I'm barely off of apron strings!
Cezar blinks a few times, looking the gnome up and down.You don't look 32...But then again, Reem doesn't look like he can read. So what exactly is a fey-born?
He gasps and produces a huge grin. Are you a Faerie!? Ooh, I've read about Faeries, never met one, you're the first!
Cezar giggles childishly and turns Reem to look the pig in the eyes. We're going to learn alchemy with a Faerie, buddy! Isn't that exciting? I love this school already!
"I'm sure the pleasure is all mine, miss Vasile." Silyph says with a friendly smile. "....Sorry formality is a bad habit of mine." she says sounding a little embarrassed.
Upon the turn in conversation from Cezar, Silyph looks gravely at Vasile understanding what the poor girl has to deal with every single day "....I'm so very sorry for you..." indicating to her brother.
The gnome is going through one of the chests when you enter, standing on his tip-toes to be able to reach all the way into it. When he hears you say something, he spins around quickly, closing the chest as he does so. He looks you up and down, silent for a moment, before saying, "This one." and pointing to the bed on the right.
The little man is short even for a gnome, seeming barely 3 feet tall, yet he's rather rotund. He wears small glasses and bushy eyebrows on a face that seems to be mostly frown lines. He looks young, yet his demeanor is not youthful at all, and puts a dampening on your mood just to be around him. He wears the purple robes of the necromancers.
As you gauge each other, a massive spider climbs out from below his bed, with a total length of about a foot including its legs. It has large fangs, and is crawling directly toward the gnome. He doesn't seem to notice it.
It looks like this: Spider.
A necromancer? Pakak is not thrilled by that. Last thing he wants to wake up to is some ritual where zombies are clomping around the room while he's trying to study.
Seeing the Spider, Pakak is torn. A lot of wizards hang out with animals, right? It could belong to the gnome. On the other hand... what if it isn't?
Instead of attacking, he plans to interspace himself between the gnome and the eight legged creature.
"Gorrum's iron teeth, that freakin thing is huge. Get back if it ain't yours!"
Init:
It's okay, he isn't usually this bad. Well, I should probably get going to put my stuff away. Thimble, are you going to come with me? We might as well go at the same time, seeing as how we're in the same room. Bye Cez.
Whether Thimble follows or not, Vasile will go to her room and start putting her things into the chest near one of the beds.
Bodolelo says to you, "I would assume by your robes that you are a first year, no?" Your robes are the grey of initiates. He continues, "If you have any magical talent at all, you'll find that the first semester classes will bore you to tears. Do try to bear through them, though, as I promise you things get more... interesting after that." He smiles to himself, a rather creepy smile, as he jumps up onto his bed and begins reading a book in a language you are unfamiliar with, but with long and flowing letters, maybe Elven or Sylvan.
Seeing that his room mate might just be the quiet keep to himself sort (if in an extremely creepy way), Pakak contemplates his next move.
Studying is good. But food is required, and he'll need to know where the classes he'll take are going to be. With that in mind, and with his goods locked up safely. He'll head out again.
Thimble follows Vasile, his tiny form veritably skipping as he rushes to keep up, bombarding her with questions. So you and Cezar are siblings? That's amazing to be here together! I have four brothers and three sisters myself but they all think I'm crazy for wanting to come here. What do you think you're favorite subject will be? I hope you don't mind my experiments. I have managed to find a way to make my explosive compounds stable enough to be carried. THAT took some doing and a few months of missing eyebrows I can tell you that! Thimble continues chattering away happily as he follows Vasile to the room.
Yeah, we've been together since before I can remember. I'm fairly certain my favorite class will be Evocation. Oh, no, I'm sure you'll be fine. As long as you don't burn my stuff, there's nothing to worry about. Vasile, trying hard to keep up with the gnome, comes up with answers as she goes and waits for his tirade to lull before answering as much as she can.
Thimble's eyes light up and he says Evocation! The study of energy, including manipulation and creation. According to A Comprehensive Study of Magical Theory it is often viewed as the most barbaric of the magical schools but I just think that's because the wizard that wrote it, Bartholomew Threm, was an enchanter and as such is prejudiced against the more forceful aspects of magic. If you ask me I just don't think people appreciate a good explosion enough.
You can either eat in the dining hall of the dorms, where a simple breakfast and dinner can be had for no charge, or eat out.
As you pass by Ornelos Hall again, the large entryway doors are open, and in the center of the room beyond you see a large, shimmering magical portal, apparently leading to a street. It intrigues you.[/ooc]
Well, I haven't gotten any explosions yet, but I've gotten the hang of some pretty forceful spells.
perception:
Spellcraft:
Knowledge Arcana:
Knowledge Local:
Cezar walked slowly to the dorm rooms, wondering what kind of person he was rooming with. He asked Reem aloud what the piglet thought on it, getting only a squeal and happy nodding in response. Maybe a Faerie like Thimble was? I wonder if they like illusions too. Do you think he'll have a playmate for you, Reem? The questions continued, aimed at nobody in particular, except maybe the pig. When Cezar finally arrived at his dorm door, he snapped quiet and reached for the handle, pushing the door open a tiny bit after unlocking it. Hello~? Anyone here? he called sing-songy before peering in, grinning at the sight of his roommate already being here.