With a tip of my head and a nod, I'll respond, "No, crowds aren't my thing either. If there was any way around it.... The thought lingers for a moment then drops. "Anyways, I look forward to working with you Geoffrey, see you tomorrow then and I'll be sure to bring the hand along with me."I'll leave out making a mental note that when I'm in charge around here there will be a hall of wonders cause it sure sounds like there isn't one.
On my way out, I'll wave to the surly halfling, "See you tomorrow!" in the chirpiest voice I have.
For the rest of the afternoon and evening I'll wander around and get to know the grounds better, stop by the dining hall if there is one and eat, then off to my room to continue studying.
He scowls and mumbles something under his breath. You can't really hear him, but clearly he's unhappy with his lot in life.
"Don't worry, I'm not planning any trips to other planes anytime soon. As for artistic talent, not really. I like to sing, but am not very good at it. Mainly I like Shelyn for her belief that beauty comes from within. After all, it's not like I look like a normal girl."
Her arms now full off books, Circe makes her way over to the counter to pay for them. "Well, I think I found everything I need for now. Shall we go drop them off in our rooms and look around a bit more before dinner?
Bookstore
As you walk into the bookstore a human girl with her hair in a bun held together by chopsticks greets you warmly. She doesn't actually speak, but she smiles and waves before going back to her book.
The first book you pick up seems awfully light. As you open your first book you find that it's a paper shell with no contents. It appears to be designed to look like a book, but with no actual contents. The spines of all the mock-books are clearly marked and the front section has a few pages of writing (index and a short intro to the contents), but after that it's just empty. Not even paper.
she smiles politely at your approach.
"You look confused. Can I help you find the name of something?"
"Yes please. I've found the titles of some books that I would like purchase, but the books themselves aren't on the shelves. Do you keep them in the back somewhere or do they need to be pre-ordered? We're starting our classes at the school tomorrow and want to make sure we have our required reading."
"Yes please. I've found the titles of some books that I would like purchase, but the books themselves aren't on the shelves. Do you keep them in the back somewhere or do they need to be pre-ordered? We're starting our classes at the school tomorrow and want to make sure we have our required reading."
She looks at you confused for a moment even cocking her head ever so slightly.
"OHHH!"She speaks exceedingly chipper. " You must be new. You haven't gotten your Blank yet, have you?" She holds up the book she's reading. "No, of course you haven't. You probably just got to town and think this is a bookstore. " *giggle* Still holding up her book for you to see, which looks just like a regular book."What you do is you get a Blank *pause* Um...(thinking) Source book. Their really called Source Books, but Blank is the popular slang word everyone uses. Anyway, then you just tell it the exact title of the book you want to read. Then it becomes that book! Neat, Huh? Well, it can't become ANY book, but if it's in The Library and catalogued properly you can access the information through your Blank. it only works inside the wall though." SHe's talking very fast. "This place is sort of a mock-up so you can see what books are available. It's easier than having everyone crowd the library. Their are lists floating around of a lot of the books in The Library, but they kept having to update those lists every time they filed a new book. This way all they have to do is make a few mockups and spread them around. It's easier than tracking down so many indexes. Some students take to making lists of books they want to keep handy. Of course it's just an illusion, but the information is still the same so it really doesn't matter. Here, I'll show you." She takes a break from talking a mile a minute to wisper something to the spine of her book. You see it's form waver and It looks like a rather unassuming plain if expertly crafted book with a metal ring in the front cover. The inside of the ring is stained slightly dark red in a splotchy pattern. "See, this one is keyed to me so it'll only work for me. You can use either an arcane mark or blood. I used blood because I didn't know how to cast arcane mark at the time." She reaches for and takes your fake book just turning it so she can read the label. She gives you a look that is part confusion and part Ick. Realizing that you noticed she manages an awkward smile before continuing. "So what you do is touch the circle and speak the name of the book you want to the spine." She touches the metal ring and wishers "Cotex of Demonology. Volume 1." When she does so she now appears to be holding two of the same book. "The illusion is pretty good. It even feels different. If you think about it to hard you can see through it, but most people don't bother. It's like carrying the library around, but without all the crushing weight." *giggle*
"I think I have a couple from previous students. They use these places as drop-offs after the semester ends. They're not really useful outside the wall, so no-one ever bothers to try and keep them. " She rummages around under the counter a minute before producing two Blanks. They are old and stained. One has a glowing rune in the center of the ring with what appears to be mug stains. The other is relatively cleaner, but has a blood splotch in the center ring with copious notes throughout the inside. Seeing your faces she smiles. "Watch this."
Taking one book she runs her finger counterclockwise around the metal ring five times, then clockwise three stopping at the northern most point. When she removes her finger the arcane mark disappears, the mug ring stains too. In a matter of seconds the whole thing looks pristine and brand new. She repeats the process with the second book. She holds one book in each hand and holds them toward you. "These are free for student use. Plus, like I said they're only good within the walls. If you want to read anything outside you'll have to copy your own book or buy a 'real' book. Their are places for that, but mostly in the outer village. You can browse if you prefer, but if you just say 'Source book master Index' it links to the one index that they keep up to date in The Library. It's all alphabetical, but if you look in the back of the index their's a list of recently added titles."
Clearly bored of that topic she quickly moves on.
"So what classes are you taking? I'm a third year. I've been studying ornithology and alternate form mastery. I'm a Sorceress!" She exclaims. "I'd like to turn into a bird. Best I can manage now is changing my appearance for a few minutes. Although I can do a mermaid for a little bit. I think a real mermaid would be more graceful than me, but still it's kinda cool. Oh! Look at me going on. I almost forgot. My name is Becky!"
Suddenly a bit shy again as she is rather overwhelmed by the girls chipperness and struggling to follow her fast paced explanations, it takes Circe a few minutes to finish processing everything she said when she is finished talking. "Uhm, thank you for the, uhm, Blanks and the explanation. I'd like to study to other planes and I think I have the talent to be a witch and my name is Circe and this is Alabaster."
Assuming Al, followed her up to the counter, Circe indicates him with a nod of her head, smiling as she does so.
Al looked pretty bored at the explanation of the book until she showed him how to undo the bond on a blank book. That looked like it would be fun to do to someone during class.
"As Circe said, I am Alabaster. I'm here to study as little as possible." He said with a little bow. "Thank you for the books. It should help out quite a bit. How many years does one stay here for study?" He hoped it wouldn't be too many, but he figured this might be a good time to find out how long his sentence was.
Suddenly a bit shy again as she is rather overwhelmed by the girls chipperness and struggling to follow her fast paced explanations, it takes Circe a few minutes to finish processing everything she said when she is finished talking. "Uhm, thank you for the, uhm, Blanks and the explanation. I'd like to study to other planes and I think I have the talent to be a witch and my name is Circe and this is Alabaster."
Assuming Al, followed her up to the counter, Circe indicates him with a nod of her head, smiling as she does so.
She waves at the both of you. "Hello. I'm Becky! "
Al looked pretty bored at the explanation of the book until she showed him how to undo the bond on a blank book. That looked like it would be fun to do to someone during class.
"As Circe said, I am Alabaster. I'm here to study as little as possible." He said with a little bow. "Thank you for the books. It should help out quite a bit. How many years does one stay here for study?" He hoped it wouldn't be too many, but he figured this might be a good time to find out how long his sentence was.
"Well, that really depends on what you want to learn. Some people never leave and some people never make it past the first year. I guess you can be done whenever you think you're done. "
"That is a fine guess. Thank you for your answer and for your time." Al looked disappointed and a little sad.
He turns to Circe and says, "Well, I guess we should be off. We have much to do after all. I have a few more roommates to meet and we have some reading to get done. Will you accompany me to my room."
"Yes thank you for your time Becky. Maybe we will run into you later at school." Circe smiles at Becky as they turn around to leave the store.
"Aww, don't look so sad Al. Just think of all the new people you can meet here and the new things you can learn. Surely it won't be as bad as you think it will. Now, let's go and meet your roommates." Circe will follow Al up to his room.
Al seemed to perk up a bit with Circe's encouragement. After all he had met at least one interesting person today. "I will say, meeting you has been quite fortunate. It is not every day you meet your opposite and get along with them. If I think about your perspective, it does help a little."
The crossed the main path and went up the stairs to Al's particular room. "Well, if there is still no one here, I think we could go over to your place and drop off your, um, book. There is still much to see. It might help if we found out where our classes will be at." Also, the more he knew this area, the more advantages he could take if he needed them.
"I do find it amazing how different your life has been from mine and yet you seem to like it about as much as I like mine." Circe gives her head a little shake and the starts back down the hall. "Come on then, my room is this way. Scouting out our classrooms sounds like a great idea. Maybe we'll run into some future classmates doing the same thing?"
Circe will escort Al up to her little room and toss her magical book thing onto her bed and toss her cloak there as well since she's feeling more comfortable already here. "Well, this is it. Not very big and not much in it, but I do get it all to myself. I wish it had a bigger window though, it's hard to see out of that little thing without standing on a chair."
The tall pale fellow towered over her and peered out the window. "Well, it is a little small, but I can see out of it just fine." He smiled at her and just about asked if they could switch again, but thought better of it. "I'm sure we could make it bigger, I just need to borrow an adamantine earthbreaker, and I can make a hole any size you like. Although be warned, people can see in just as easy as you could see out. This being the girl's dorm, it makes sense why the windows are small."
Shall we go? I want to make sure we find all of our classes before it gets too late. I didn't eat much for lunch."
You finish up your evening activities and eventually make it back to your respective rooms. The males all find that they are roomates. Those of you who have met and those of you who haven't.
The next morning the city is alive with activity. Everyone is excited for the orientation ceremonies. Rumor abounds that their will be fireworks and a duel.
Either seperately or together all who wish to arrive at the collesium. The crowd is massive. Many just take seats, but many more mill around the outser circle picking classes and talking about them. There are a number of desks set up with pages and upper classmen/assistants to help with the class process and to give advice.
Robed apprentices are spread out around the grounds and will occationally cast a spell and fire off dragon shaped projectiles into the air where they explode in a mirad of colors. They are not difficult to see even in daylight.
The middle of the colesium has a pedistal with a number of people sit near. When a speaker walks onto the petistal all can hear as if they are speaking directly to you. All of them speak on various subjects and the speeches are mostly well recieved themes include, "You are the furutre of magic," "The school will give you much and reciprocity is appreciated," "Magic is a powerful tool and often not using it is the true test,""Malfescence will not be tolerated," Etc etc etc
When it is all said and done they announce the duel as the closing spectacle. A woman in a black dress slit up the side to allow movement and a high collared neckline steps out from one door holding a staff of white. From the other a brawny human with a black sword. The two walk to the center, bow, tap weapons, then take 50 steps from one another. They turn and fire bolts of various colored energy at each other. They run and maneuver. The man with the black blade vanishes from sight as the woman kicks off the ground to hover about 50' in the air. She casts another spell and surveys the area. Then a wave of white hot energy seems to wash over her body to be viloently expelled from her outstretched hand. For a moment it appears to stop in mid air, but as it does a form becomes visible. The man with the black blade had leaped to strike her, but her energy stopped his flight and he fell back to earth, unconscious. She floats down, takes the blade, and holds it in the air a moment signifying her as the victor. The crowd goes wild. She then lays it on his chest and motions to the sidelines. A cleric of the sun god comes out and stands between the two. Waves of energy come off of him and the Human regains consciousness. He stands and sheathes his sword. The two shake hands.
So ends the ceremony.
Approximately two years pass as you all go about your routines.
The boys have become men and the girl has become a lady. You're all quite confident of your abilities, but you realize you have a long way to go.
Life is relatively easy as such things go, however you've got the same challenges as people do.
Circe's main areas of study would have remained on the other planes and later on she'd take some flying lessons. She still harbors a long term crush on Alabaster, but has been too scared to do anything about it. At first it was just because she was too young and shy, but later on it was because she had learned too much about her heritage and was too scared of succumbing to that side of herself. She's also still a bit self-conscious about her appearance (ie. horns and wings).
As everyone started getting ready in their room Dash's first order of business was to set up some very thick curtains around his bunk, which he leaves drawn most of the time. He tends to read in there without any lights, and though the others thought this was somewhat strange at first, Dash explained where he was from. (Though perhaps that doesn't necessarily make him seem less strange.)
Dasheel has spent most of his time studying arcana, and has realized that he has a knack for offensive spells, as well as some illusions. The offensive spells are cool, but the illusions can be loads of fun. He has also spent a little bit of time studying the natural world, in an attempt to become more acquainted with his temporary home.
Akydi doesn't appear to study. Nor does he ever seem to practice magick. The tall, red haired young man who is covered in tattoos just seems to often know the right response to a given situation.
Which is good, because he seemed to get in trouble a fair amount, usually due to his penchant for gambling(and cheating too!) or often getting caught with a girl. However, his always quick tongue and way with words managed to get him out of serious trouble. Often it seemed like Fate herself watched over him. In fact, those who spent any amount of time around Aky would often hear him say a prayer or offer thanks to some goddess of luck and fate, though he never said her name.
Hemlock has become known as something of a ghoul around the campus. His penchant for late nights and his continuing desire to remain in the morgue despite better opportunities fuel speculations and rumors.
He is pleasant enough to talk to albeit a bit shy or distracted but most don't even bother as they are offput by his gray complexion and quiet ways.
In general he has kept to himself, attending parties and meeting people only when absolutely required. Otherwise between his studies, work at the morgue and the library, he has begun a small hall of wonders in a small disused alcove of the complex.
So far he his stuffed and mounted in his collection two dire rats, an abnormally large house cat, a bear cub, a deer with hexagonal spots, three different types of snakes, and what has been labeled as a imp or quasit of some type. Hemlock isn't sure because the body is badly burned but devilish features are still present. And lastly his kobold hand of which he is still proud of 5 years on. He has mentioned a time or two to those who care that he'd love to get a whole one.
Alabaster has ended up getting a reputation as a strong man on campus. His natural desire to rebel has pushed him into a unusual set of studies: martial arts. He has gotten in a fair bit of fights with other people, but has gotten out of trouble because he hasn't really started them, most of the time. He got a reputation for knocking out a 4th year with a headbutt for insulting him. For the most part, he has played the part of a loner, spending hours in the aqueduct system, swimming away his frustrations.
His magic has gotten marginally better, but his real breakthrough has been in his appearance. His large upper arms have become permanently scaled and he has lost even more color.
His relationship with Circe has remained friendly and flirtatious. He became convinced that she didn't really like him that much. He never really got involved with any other girls, even though a few sought him out because of his muscled physique.
True to her desire not to try to escape, he has never attempted to leave. But, sometimes he can still be found sitting atop buildings, looking at the horizon as if the wilderness was calling to him.
Lorth only exists on campus in a scant few locations: asleep in his bunk, with a mug of ale at a tavern... or fists bloodstained in the combat magic training room. Sure he'd been scorched, burnt, frozen, corroded with acid, had his mind invaded, strength sapped, skin torn by creatures from beyond, tempted by sussurant tones, shocked, punched, kicked and notably sat on by a corpulent bloatmage... but the pay was good.
His taciturn exterior remains unbroken and he seems to make little effort to lower it down. Well aware of some of the whisper from the more imaginative student of who he is and where he is from... but he pays them no mind.
There are a group of elven girls who tease you the leader's name is Nina. Her real name is Evvlaninania, but she goes by Nina as a kindness to the non-elves that she's forced to deal with. She know's they won't pronounce her name right, so she shortened it for their benefit. She's polite like that. She and her crew tease you in true Mean Girls style. Lots of b+++%y backhanded compliments. For example she's glad you found Alabaster. She's sure the two of you will make pretty little mutant babbies some day. She also loves your outfit. Is that from Goodwill? Etc.
You're reading one eveing in your favorite seculded spot. Suddenly your Blank goes blank. As you examine it to see what's wrong some unseen hand writes on the page. It reads:
"You and your friends are in danger. Trust no one else. Also, take the east road back to your room."
You're working in the lab late one night, alone or so you presume. You hear a scraping noise accompanied by something else you can't quite identify. As you investigate you realize it's coming from your "hall of wonders" alcove. The sound stops when you're about ten feet from the corner. Peering around into the dead-end alcove you see a girl in rags face down on the stone floor. Unmoving.
You're skulking one night, as you do. You're atop a roof admiring the way the moon makes shadows play. It almost reminds you of home.
Make two perception checks please.
You're coming home from a successful card game, pockets full. Walking alone down the street.
Make two perception checks please.
Late one evening You've just been thrown out of a pub. Some young punk wanted to prove himself against a dragon kin or some such nonsense. You were forced to bloody his nose. You left otherwise peacefully, but you did take your half empty mug of beer with you. You drink it as you head back to your room.
Make two perception checks please.
You entered the inn with smoke still coming off your singed clothing. You order and drink/eat. When the evening nears it's end you head back to the room. It's dark, which never bothered you. You're alone on a deserted side street, which never bothered you.
Make two perception checks.
I'll walk up to her and nudge her with my shoe,"You there. Are you ok?"
Do I see any signs of blood or other means of violence visited upon the girl? If nothing happens as I get closer to her, I'll give her a closer look to see if she's alive, or if there has been violence done to her.
If me, PERCEPTION Roll =
If she doesn't attack me or try to chew my ankle off or something horrible come from the alcove, I've never been quite sure I got one of those dire rats completely embalmed, but if none of that happens I'll bend down and attempt to turn her over.
The Hall of Wonders.
I'll walk up to her and nudge her with my shoe,"You there. Are you ok?"
Do I see any signs of blood or other means of violence visited upon the girl? If nothing happens as I get closer to her, I'll give her a closer look to see if she's alive, or if there has been violence done to her.
If me, PERCEPTION Roll = 1d20+10
If she doesn't attack me or try to chew my ankle off or something horrible come from the alcove, I've never been quite sure I got one of those dire rats completely embalmed, but if none of that happens I'll bend down and attempt to turn her over.
She doesn't move and there is no blood. She is unresponsive.
You turn her over. Her open eyes stare blankly at the ceiling. She seems lighter than you'd expect for her height and build. She has no pulse.
Pursing his lips, Hemlock mutters to himself."Bothersome." He will snap his fingers in her face, and pat her cheeks stiffly. "Hello! Miss! You need to wake up now! Hellooo?"
If this doesn't work he will pick her up and carry her back to the morgue and set her down on a table, a clean table, but there is another body one table over.
If all of this takes place and she still hasn't awakened, he'll give her a closer examination
He'll also set up a small aside a small vial or two of liquids and crystallized materials in preparation for making smelling salts. He goes about this in an unhurried manner, more annoyed that panicked that there is an unconscious ratty girl in his morgue.
Pursing his lips, Hemlock mutters to himself."Bothersome." He will snap his fingers in her face, and pat her cheeks stiffly. "Hello! Miss! You need to wake up now! Hellooo?"
If this doesn't work he will pick her up and carry her back to the morgue and set her down on a table, a clean table, but there is another body one table over.
If all of this takes place and she still hasn't awakened, he'll give her a closer examination 1d20+10
He'll also set up a small aside a small vial or two of liquids and crystallized materials in preparation for making smelling salts. He goes about this in an unhurried manner, more annoyed that panicked that there is an unconscious ratty girl in his morgue.
You're heal check succeeds. She's dead and has no blood.
"Good thing I didn't make the smelling salts, that stuff is expensive."
Dithering a bit about whether to begin an autopsy now or go and get Master Hanibil and inform him we have a corpse, Hemmick makes a decision, and gathers up his satchel and makes for the door, then heads back to the table to get his journal and throw it in his satchel and then heads BACK to the door but stops.
Heading back to the table, he sets his satchel down and pulls out some heavy cord from off a shelf and ties the corpse down. "In case you decide to get up after I've left."
He then leaves but returns in a hurry to gather his satchel again and rushes out the door.
"Good thing I didn't make the smelling salts, that stuff is expensive."
Dithering a bit about whether to begin an autopsy now or go and get Master Hanibil and inform him we have a corpse, Hemmick makes a decision, and gathers up his satchel and makes for the door, then heads back to the table to get his journal and throw it in his satchel and then heads BACK to the door but stops.
Heading back to the table, he sets his satchel down and pulls out some heavy cord from off a shelf and ties the corpse down. "In case you decide to get up after I've left."
He then leaves but returns in a hurry to gather his satchel again and rushes out the door.
The hour is late and Master Hanibil is probably at home asleep. Of course you do know where he lives. ... Just let me know how you proceed.
Circe glances about quickly, trying to see if anyone is sneaking about. What is this? Some sort of trick by Nina again? Circe gives a loud grown of frustration. Dammit all. I guess I'd rather risk running into one of Nina's stupid pranks than risk anything happening to Al or the guys, even though Hem still gives me the creeps.
Circe will pack up her stuff and go quickly and quietly to her room taking the east road.
Circe glances about quickly, trying to see if anyone is sneaking about. What is this? Some sort of trick by Nina again? Circe gives a loud grown of frustration. Dammit all. I guess I'd rather risk running into one of Nina's stupid pranks than risk anything happening to Al or the guys, even though Hem still gives me the creeps.
Circe will pack up her stuff and go quickly and quietly to her room taking the east road.
You're not entirely sure what Nina is capable of, but this seems a bit much even for her. It would require someone who specifically knows how the Blank's work to "tap into" that system. YOu suppose it's possible, but It seems a bit out of Nina's normal wheelhouse.
You see nothing and no one around you and your trip back to your room taking the east road is unnerving, but ultimately uneventful. You jump at a few shadows, but they turn out to be nothing.
Once there, Circe looks about her room thoroughly and then opens her blank back to see if it says anything else.
Once there, Circe looks about her room thoroughly and then opens her blank back to see if it says anything else.
You ransack your room and find nothing amiss. The blank is now back to the book you were reading before it changed.
Thoroughly spooked now, Circe tries to calm down and return to reading her book, but the falling darkness outside her window makes her dread spending the night here alone after a strange threat of danger. I have no idea what that message was about or who it was from, but it said the guys were in anger too. I should go tell them about what my blank said, even if they make fun of me at least I won't be alone. And I'll get to see Al...
Decision made, Circe changes into a dark, close fitting outfit that is cut low enough in the back to give her wings greater freedom of movement. Pushing her desk chair up under her window, Circe looks out it carefully before squeezing through it and using the cover of darkness to fly over to the boys window and sneak in.
Thoroughly spooked now, Circe tries to calm down and return to reading her book, but the falling darkness outside her window makes her dread spending the night here alone after a strange threat of danger. I have no idea what that message was about or who it was from, but it said the guys were in anger too. I should go tell them about what my blank said, even if they make fun of me at least I won't be alone. And I'll get to see Al...
Decision made, Circe changes into a dark, close fitting outfit that is cut low enough in the back to give her wings greater freedom of movement. Pushing her desk chair up under her window, Circe looks out it carefully before squeezing through it and using the cover of darkness to fly over to the boys window and sneak in.
You notice noting amiss. ;-)
Please make an excape artist check to get through your window. Remember it is quite small.
At least I didn't roll another one. :)
for a moment you're not sure if you can get your head through. But with a little effort you do get your horns through. Then you realize you can't quite get your body at the right angle to fit. You try to pull your head back through, but it's stuck! After fighting a moment and trying different angles you are able to withdraw your head back into the room.
1d20 + 7; 1d20 + 7
There is somoene on the rooftop with you. They are coweled in black from head to toe. You also think you see movement on a nearby rooftop. You notice an occatinal glint. It could be drawn steel.
Go to the roof of the girls dorm and fly over to the boys dorm. If their window is big enough, Circe uses it. If not, she'll land on the roof and make her way down to the room.
Heh, someone trying to sneak up on me. That's an interesting change of pace. No point in taking chances. If someone is impolite enough to steal your shtick, who knows what other rude things they are capable of?
Go to the roof of the girls dorm and fly over to the boys dorm. If their window is big enough, Circe uses it. If not, she'll land on the roof and make her way down to the room.
You manage to make it to the boys dorm without an issue. It's a large old stone structure with spanish tiled roof. Their room has a small balcony with large double doors. ;-)
Heh, someone trying to sneak up on me. That's an interesting change of pace. No point in taking chances. If someone is impolite enough to steal your shtick, who knows what other rude things they are capable of?
1d20 + 8
This section of rooftop is roughly 50' square and mostly flat. To one side (behind you) is a slightly higher roof that is angled and leads to the next building. In front of you is a gap of about 10 feet with a 50' drop. The adjacent roof is slightly gabled with a terra-cotta tiles.