Chapter 1: Kindled Magic
Part 1: Orientation
8 Arodus, 4721 AR
The devastation of Earthfall resulted in the slaughter of billions, and the widespread destruction of most civilization erased much of humanity’s knowledge. The man credited with bringing magic back to humanity was Old‐Mage Jatembe, a folk hero and a myth to the people of the Mwangi Expanse. During the Age of Anguish that followed Earthfall, Old‐Mage Jatembe and his students, the Ten Magic Warriors, traveled the Mwangi Expanse and beyond to deliver lore, and with it, hope. Perhaps the greatest and most long‐lasting of Jatembe’s achievements was founding the oldest (and arguably greatest) magic school in the world, the Magaambya.
To this day the Magaambya strives to spread the same knowledge and hope that Old‐Mage Jatembe and the Ten Magic Warriors did long ago. Teaching a blend of arcane and primal traditions, the Magaambya aims to do more than educate wizards and druids; it hopes to act in service to the whole of Golarion.
It is your turn to join this prestigious organization ! You have arrived together at the Magaambya Academy as initiates. The Magaambya has a beautiful campus with massive mosaics of Jatembe’s Ten Magic Warriors overlooking the school’s terraced gardens and the surrounding city of Nantambu—a beautiful view only slightly spoiled at the moment by a powerful rainstorm.
You gather under the cover of an overhang as you wait for your first teacher to greet you...
The young man hurries under the awning. He had worn his best robes today, a soft black robe with honey-colored trim, with an evening sky cowl, inlaid with around the edge red and honey beads, accompanied with a draping hood adorned with hexagon patterns. It was the first day, and meeting his new teacher seemed like a 'best dressed' kind of event.
Now he just looked like a drenched fool, not smart enough to bring a properly waxed poncho. “First thing I need to learn is how to read the weather, it seems.” he tells himself.
A nimble gnoll lets out a few nervous laughs as she walks up to the human in front of her. "A rainstorm and its darkening clouds are an ominous sign for some yet a sign of relief and new life for others depending on their origin. What do you think it is a sign of for our new journey?" She asks, trying to sound erudite as she expects all of the other initiates will be.
She doesn't seem perturbed by the rainstorm herself, as she is also drenched, but does seem to let off a slightly unpleasant odor, somewhat reminiscent of wet dog.
"A blessing, to be sure," says the elven woman who arrives next. In contrast to most elves, who are tall and long-limbed, she is rather petite, standing barely five feet tall. She wears colorful robes and a gray medallion of a lioness' face. "For who would not think themselves blessed to be standing on the hallowed grounds of the Magaambya, ready to begin their journey of learning here?"
She smiles warmly. "I am Anabel Imvara. It is a pleasure to meet you, friends."
Dropping her attempted act of wisdom entirely, the hyena-like person shrugs their shoulders nonchalantly. "Okapi, well I mean as soon as we are initiated I will be known asWitchling Okapi, pleased to meet you both!"
She launches herself into hugging both Anabel and the other drenched human standing in front of her rather tightly in greeting, not worried at all about their sodden clothes and seemingly making both the others even wetter in the process.
As she takes a step back, her long dangling earrings make an odd jangling noise as they rattle against each other. For anyone who attempts to look closer, it appears that they are made out a collection of real thin bones - alongside her necklace that holds a single oddly shaped shard of bone hanging from a thin leather cord.
"How many others do you think will be starting alongside us?"
Out in the rain a blurred shape can be seen charging through the water at remarkable speed. The shape resolves itself into a small dog, which bounds enthusiastically into shelter and then proceeds to shake itself vigorously, wetting everyone's already drenched feet even further before twisting around twice in a circle and then looking up at all the big people with an oddly expectant expression on its face. It doesn't take an expert to tell that the dog is clearly hoping for a treat.
"Don't be fooled by her begging eyes." A high pitched voice says. "I fed her just before we got here, but Helena is a greedy beast. Aren't you girl?" The corgi rolls over onto its back and a small figure can be seen leaping onto its white chest fur and rubbing vigorously.
Once his pet is sufficiently propriated the tiny figure leaps nimbly to the floor and sketches a bow. "I am Firinn, descendant of the mighty Fae Dragons of old; charmer of women, animals and the forest itself. Those who do evil despair at my approach!" Standing at perhaps twelve inches tall (although he has boots with a heel to help with that) the sprite is immaculately dressed in a colorful jerkin with a finely embroidered outer-robe over it. All in all he looks quite dashing, if very small.
Anabel grimaces slightly as she engulfed in soggy fur. She awkwardly pats Okapi on the back and studiously ignoring the wet dog smell.
But soon another wet dog appears, shaking water everywhere, and the elf sighs and resigns herself to just being soaked. She smiles, though, when the tiny sprite appears and makes his introduction. "Well, Firinn, consider this woman charmed. It is lovely to meet you. I see so few of the fair folk in the world. I am honored to be in the same class as you." She returns his bow.
The young man hesitated in the wake of such large and erudite gnoll, the lovely but small elf. Finding the proper greeting is important. But then he is being hugged, and then there is another there already, each person getting progressively smaller as they arrive. (other than himself of course who is in the middle).
He bows a little awkwardly "Apologies for my hesitant tongue. I am Bahili Nyuki of the of Nyukimji glassworks. It is a pleasure to make your acquittances and I look forward to our studies together."
A fifth fur-covered figure steps out of the rain and throws back the hood of her cloak to reveal pale blue eyes with slitted pupils. Her fur is a dark gray with even darker spots. She wears a violet wrap-around garmet made of a thin material that's currently plastered to her soaked fur. The amurrun seems filled with energy and literally bounces on her feet as she looks the others over.
"HelloeveryoneournameisUnya," she says in a rush before turning to Anabel. "We'vemetelvesbeforebutneveroneasshortasyouAreallyourfamilythatshort?" she asks.
Without waiting for a reply, she moves on to Bahili. "WehopetolearnallaboutmagicandtheworldaroundusOurclanhassentmemberstoattend fortwentygenerationsOursisterattendedpreviouslybutsheleftTheysayitwasunderb adcircumsatancesbutwedon'tbelievethatUthewouldneverdoanythinguntoward."
She turns to the sprite. "OurnameisUnyaWe'venevermetaspritebeforeWehopewebecomethebestoffriendsHopef ullywehaveabetterexperiencewithyourdogaswe'vehadbedexperienceswiththeminthe pastForsomereasonwejustdon'tseemtogetalong."
Seemingly unable to stand still, she spins around and comes face to face with Okapi, at which point she freezes with her eyes wide and her ears slightly back. "Hello," she says.
Firinn nods and bows easily. Anabel in particular receives a wide smile full of flashing (and slightly pointed) teeth. "It is my honor my Lady. Should you ever need assistance, great or small, you may count on me."
To speak to Bahili, Firinn leaps nimbly onto Helena and the corgi braces herself on her hind legs, with her paws most of the way up the young man's thighs so that Firinn can balance on the crown of her furry head.
"Well met, Bahili Nyuki of the of Nyukimji glassworks. You people produce fine wares. You are however mistaken, I am not here to study, but to escort the fair Lady Titania who is embarking on a program at this prestigious school. Firinn is a fae of action and skill, not magic! Although many have said that my smile is quite enchanting." He offers Anabel a wink at the end of that sentence.
Then the catfolk arrives in a flurry of words and Firinn has to rap his mount sharply on the nose so that she behaves. He does however seem to have no trouble following Unya's avalanche of words. "It is a pleasure Miss Unya. We have met catfolk before so may I make one thing clear from the beginning?" He steps forward and places a hand on the catfolk's furry leg.
"I hope we can be friends too." Firinn adds. "I am sure we shall, all women want to be my friends."
Okapi's eyes largen somewhat and the joy leaves her grin as if a little hurt as she lowers her arms disappointedly which were ready to greet the new and enthusiastic classmate. "Hello."
Remember what The Wise Yukka of Many Ages said. Not everybody is as warm and welcoming as the soon-to-be Witchling Okapi and not everybody will appreciate the warmth and exuberance that we offer.
The gnoll lets out another nervous laugh at the awkward greeting as she gladly watches the descendent of mighty Fae dragons leap onto her mount as a distraction.
"If you say you are not here to study, then you have probably found the wrong way and lost your charge." She offers as friendly advice, unsure if the little thing seems to understand its own duty. "Shouldn't Lady Titania be standing here in your stead?"
Firinn turns around with another bright smile. "She is within, reading. Titania is a great reader. I shall have to drag her to classes unless they are held in a library, in which case she will be there early!"
Helena meanwhile seems fascinated by Okapi and is snuffling around her legs, apparently trying to get a very good scent read of the gnoll. Despite her best efforts however she cannot reach high enough to sniff the gnoll's bottom, for better or worse.
Firinn's touch and subsequent declaration distract her from her odd standoff with the gnoll. Turning to look down at him she tips her head in confusion. "Why ... whywouldallwomenwanttobeyourfriend?" she asks. "Andwewouldn'ttrytoeatyou ... notunlessyouweretoattackusandwedefeatedyou."
She nods her head and presents what is assumed to be a smile, but comes across as a display of sharp, pointed teeth. "Faithlessenemiesareworthyonlytobemeat."
In an attempt to fulfill the promise she made to her dam, she turns back to Okapi. "Our name is Unya. We are pleased to make your acquittance and hope we may study together and become friends," she says in what feels like a rehearsed speech. One hand extends out in greeting.
Another figure moves towards the small gathering, but surely he cannot be a student. A large creature wrapped in a too-tightly drawn dark cloak strides purposefully forward with measured steps seeking a dry location. Once he finds some measure of cover, the cloak is removed to reveal a rather large man.
Standing nearly six and a half feet tall, the muscle-bound man folds up his cloak and lays it on the ground next to him before running his fingers through his shoulder length brown hair to wrestle any stray raindrops out.
His naturally white skin is well tanned, though areas are still visibly sunburned and blistered. Though his lighter skin is not as common here, it's the size of his body that really stands out. It's hard not to take note of the excellent conditioning of his body, his chiseled chest and well-shaped arms both drawing attention of those around him.
After setting his pack down, he reaches into and withdraws a well-worn crimson covered book bound with dark leather. After looking among those gathered, he searches for the instructor. Clearing his throat, he says in a deep voice "Shall we begin?"
Anabel is flustered by the catfolk's manic energy. When asked if her whole family is short, she says, "It's just me--" but her reply is quickly swallowed in a sea of conversation, so she simply steps back and observes the banter.
When the sixth person arrives, though, her amber eyes widen and her brown cheeks flush to a darker shade as she drinks him in--and there's quite a lot of him, isn't there?
"Shall we begin?" he asks, and she nods wordlessly...
Soon after you have all assembled, a human man with colorful clothing and warm eyes meets your collected group. The teacher speaks with a gentle, soothing timbre. “Welcome, and a kind hello, new students. It is my pleasure to instruct you. You may call me Teacher Ot. You are embarking now on a life of study and service. We see within you intellect, passion, and judgment—in short, the virtues to build upon the strengths of the thousands who have come before you. We follow the footsteps of Old-Mage Jatembe, who showed us that the price of magic is the responsibility to better the world.
"It is time for the traditional interview for incoming students. The questions are basic, but still important. After you answer, I will test your aptitude. Shall we begin?"
Bahari is lost in the whirling whoosh of words from the cat woman, instead, he concentrates on her truly stunning expressive eyes. He only realizes he had been staring at the point she is suddenly turning to the sprite Firinn. "Um, thank you." he says is a bit of distraction to the sprite once he has words directed to him again, his mother would be glowing at the compliment so many miles away. "I welcome you are a friend of a fellow student then... instead?" he is trying to keep up, really, but it is hard. Then there is another here and booming a 'Begin' like a deep bell over the water. And all possibility of understanding is lost.
Until Teacher Ot arrives and gives him something to hold on to. He had read about the interview on the way here, so had his answers prepared.
"I don't ming starting, if it is okay with everyone." looking around and seeing no one else pushing in front of him, he clears his throat and begins in a stiff, but steady voice.
“Who are you?”
“Bahili Nyuki, son of Zuri Nyuki, of Nyukimji, glassworks inspired by nature and a delicate touch.”
“What most interests you?”
“Nature. And how it can weave into our day-to-day life to enhance instead of conflict.” He pauses then adds “Especially in regards to Bees.”
“What do you consider your greatest strength?”
“My belief that our differences as people are the strength of a community instead of its weakness.”
“What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?”
“I have just reached the city recently. I have gifted the family that is allowing me to stay with them with honey and trinkets made from my own hands. I have offered my repeated thanks to all aligned gods for the opportunity to stand in front of you now. But ultimately, I have done nothing worth note for the school itself.” he lowers his head in an apologetic bow.
“What do you seek at the Magaambya?”
“Knowledge and understanding.”
“Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?”
“I do not believe I will ever be done seeking those, for there is too much to learn in a lifetime. So my goals will be to continue seeking and to help others down the same path.”
Unya turns abruptly when Drazhan arrives. With the authority he carries, she initially believes that he's their new instructor. She sheds her cloak and tries to pull her thin garment into place, but with the amount of water it carries that's not going to happen. Recognizing the futility of her efforts, she slips it free and steps near the edge of their shelter to wring it out with a twist of her paw-like hands. She's pulling it back on when Teacher Ot appears. She bows to their instructor and takes a seat on the ground. Her bubbling energy doesn't cease, however, evidenced by her tail as it flicks rapidly back and forth as if tasked with being the sole means of expressing her boundless excitement.
When her turn to speak comes, it's obviously that she's taking great care to speak slowly and carefully. Almost as if someone had reinforced to her over and over again how to address a teacher.
"Who are you?"
"Our name is Unya, daughter of Lemimi, daughter of Oma, daughter of Ishi, daughter of Pemhaphe, daughter of the great Maryul," the amurrun replies with reverence.
"What most interests you?"
"We are interested in the ways of life all around us. The cycles it moves through and the patterns that we force upon it."
"What do you consider your greatest strength?"
"We claim no great strengths, but it has been said by others that our determination is admirable. Although they might have use the word 'stubbornness' more than once."
"What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?"
"We are new to the Magaambya and so have not had the opportunity to serve. But our clan has seen many members attend and serve in many ways. Our sister was meant to be the one in our generation, but ... but we were mistaken."
"What do you seek at the Magaambya?"
"We seek to find our path. To find our place in the great pattern. We know how to track and how to hunt and these are skills worthy of respect on their own, but we ... we feel that our destiny is more complicated." She bows her head down. "Although, we have been told that this is perhaps a ... conceit."
"Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?"
"We know not. Once we discover our place and role in the world, we believe that our goals from that point on will be self-revealed."
"Who are you?"
"I am Anabel Imvara, Daughter of Tlehar. I am not who I was, but I am now who I am.”
"What most interests you?"
"Love, hope, and kindness."
"What do you consider your greatest strength?"
"Life energy flows outward from me and connects me to all living things, but I expend my vital essence to do so. It is a blessing, and it is a curse."
"What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?"
"I have brought gifts of healing and bounty to the elves of the Ekujae tribes."
"What do you seek at the Magaambya?"
"I yearn to develop my powers further, to be a force for good in the world.”
”Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?”
”To spread love, happiness, and well-being wherever I go. To give myself fully to everything I attempt, to always maintain hope that tomorrow will be a better day, and to treasure every gift I am given by those who matter to me.”
“Who are you?”
"You may call me Drazhan."
“What most interests you?”
"Equilibrium. Ascendancy. Secrets."
“What do you consider your greatest strength?”
"Unification of distinct masteries as evidenced through the juxtaposition of the book and the blade."
“What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?”
"Next question."
“What do you seek at the Magaambya?”
"Simply stated, the enhancement and supplemental methodologies of simultaneously comprehending dissimilar and divergent schools of the arcane with the continued execution of enhanced and therefore advanced fundamental martial capabilities."
“Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?”
"It is not possible to obtain what I seek. My goals are to continue with my education and training for as long as I live."
Unya leans over to the nearby Bahili and whispers.
"Oh dear." Firinn says with a sigh. "For a school of extremely clever people you are all having trouble with the concept that I am not here for classes. You want Titania. Never the less, Firinn is never rude so I shall answer your questions."
Who are you?"
"Firinn, offspring of great Elucredassa. Knight and personal protector to Lady Titania of the Eight Seelie Court.”
"What most interests you?"
"Adventure, excitement, romance and the charms of fair women." Firinn replies promptly before Helena noses him in the back. "And my beloved Helena of course."
"What do you consider your greatest strength?"
"Charm, courage, my skill with a blade. You may decide for yourself."
"What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?"
The sprite looks startled at that question. "I arrived here yesterday Teacher Ot. That is not much time to have bolstered a school whose strength numbers in the thousands."
"What do you seek at the Magaambya?"
"Absolutely nothing." The sprite says with a grin, seemingly relishing the momentary confusion on the teacher's face.
”Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?”
Firinn looks over to Anabel and bows to her. ”The beautiful lady has goals most worthy. Firinn will devote himself to the same, should she accept his help."
Anabel smiles and returns Firinn’s bow. ”It would be my pleasure, noble sprite.”
Bahili turns toward the whisper, getting slightly flustered for a moment as his mind registers how close Unya is. In a hesitant whisper back.
"He wants to learn how to combine magic and swordmanship." he followed most of it, so is relatively sure, but adds "I think." in case he was wrong.
"Who are you?”
"I am known as Okapi of the White Acacia Clan. When I become a full student of the Magaambya I will be known as Witchling Okapi, a name that has been bestowed upon me by my clan leader, Wise Yukka of Many Ages."
"Wait, did you say Aptitude test? I did not know to prepare for any test? Perhaps if I pass that then I shall be known as Witchling Okapi?"
“What most interests you?”
“Everyone interests me.” Okapi says simply with a shrug of her shoulders.
“What do you consider your greatest strength?”
"My warmth" She says with a grin, before realising that the most appropriate answer would make a good impression on all. "I have been told that my loyalty is admirable, but I don't see that as something that should be seen as special so I suppose the mere glimpses I have of the future may be it. Its why I was sent here after all." She adds the last part as if it is normal and nothing to be surprised by but deep down Okapi knew thats what makes her different, why she was sent away from her home to such a strange place full of ....strangers.
“What work have you done to bolster those in and around the Magaambya before now?”
"Why would I have done anything for the Magaambya yet?" She asks, looking for a response. When none comes, she continues.
“What do you seek at the Magaambya?”
"A way to learn so that I can return to my Clan with knowledge and understanding."
“Once you have attained that which you seek, what goals do you wish to achieve?”
"I wish to share my learning with others, with my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins and children alike."
Teacher Ot nods at all of your answers, seemingly satisfied. "Yes, Okapi, we will be conducting a short series of aptitude tests. You are free to decline any of the challenges. I understand that as new students, you might reasonably lack the magic or skills to accomplish every task. But I hope you will try to find some solutions to these tests.
"So, let us begin with this: can you light this candle without flint or matches?" He holds forth a small wax candle.
Okapi looks around at the others expectantly. She has been wanting for so long to impress the wise teachers with her own abilities, but today she is not capable of such a task.
Her fairly large backpack she is hauling on the other hand starts rustling slightly, as if something inside it is trying to get out. She ignores the motion entirely.
Drazhan does not wait for any other students to act and simply does as instructed. He reaches out his hand and mutters a few words, causing a flame to appear within. Extending the flame towards the candle, he attempts to light it.
"Trivial." he states once he has finished. "Next?"
Her blue eyes search the surrounding area for a solution to the challenge, but her shoulders slump slightly when Drazhan beats her to it.
"Very good!" Teacher Ot says. He extinguishes the flame and puts the candle away. "Try this one. Can you get a feather from this bird without plucking one?" He coos to call forth a blue quail tame enough to flee only if someone gets too close.
Studying the bird, he asks in all seriousness "May I injure or kill the animal to do so?"
Teacher Ot's eyes widen. "I would very much prefer if you did not!" he says sternly.
Shouts Okapi, hoping to scare the bird away and maybe, just maybe drop a feather in its wake.
The bird cocks its head, more confused than frightened.
Firinn attempts to circle out of the birds vision, but apparently he looks delicious and its eye follows him unerringly.
Bahili tries to think about what he knows about quail, their molting season, and anything that would ruffle their feathers a lot.
"Blue quail makes a whistling 'tir-tir-tir' when they are flushed, maybe making that sound around them would cause them to ruffle their feathers and dislodge one?" the robed one suggests, "Is anyone good at making bird sounds?"
In an attempt to help he uses his wild empathy to make the 'tir'ing sound and have it behave in the way he wants.
The bird cocks its head at Bahili and ruffles its feathers at the sound. It shakes its body, and a feather comes loose! Teacher Ot picks it up with a smile.
”Nicely done! Here is your next task. Can you get a secret from this snake?” Ot presents a small, harmless Garundi shovel‐snout snake with distinctive scale patterns.
Unya, whose attention was drawn entirely to the quail when it appeared, shakes her head to get rid of the instinctive thoughts that were overcoming her rationality. Teacher Ot would not appreciate her intentions towards the small bird that ... moved ... just ... so.
She didn't recognize the patterns on the snake and her eyes jumped back to the quail as it ruffled its feathers a second time. Her body stilled ... and ... she ... tensed.
Anabel studies the snake closely, casting a cantrip to give herself guidance.
”Ah! I see it,” the elf declares. ”Look at the patterns on its scales. This snake was born alongside a shadow twin who watches events from the spirit world. A good secret, yes?”
”Yes, indeed. Well done,” says Teacher Ot, putting the snake away. ”Just a couple more tests left. Now, can you soothe the soul of this bone?” He produces a short animal bone from his pouch.
The silken tickle of Unya's whiskers against his ear makes the Zenju man redden to the sun and back, his body tensing but in a good way. His knowledge of Catfolk protical is next to nothing, and he has no idea what it means, but... it felt very nice. "Oh yes, nice, I MEAN rude, yes, very rude... oh, a bird, look. Excuse me Miss Unya." he babbles completely missing that first challenge, then nearly jumps in response to the second.
Firinn looks at Teacher Ot as though he has gone completely mad and puts a small hand on Helena's nose before she can go leaping after the tasty treat.
Okapi nods her head at this one. "My mother is a Bone-Teller for my clan, perhaps this is for me to try." Okapi laughs again, but nothing seems to be all that funny.
Okapi steps forwards and holds out her hand to the teacher, asking to touch and hold the bone.
"First, we should know more about its origins."
The bone turns out to be a hyena's bone. Okapi speaks the proper prayers to bless the remains of a gnoll's favored companion.
Teacher Ot nods in satisfaction. "One more test, now. Can you make this stone dance by itself?" He holds out a small rock.
Unya slumps once more. The thought that this might not be the place for her runs through her mind again. "How does one make a stone dance?" she mutters to herself. "It doesn't even have the joy of hearing the music."
"Use your own judgment on what you might think would count as dancing," Ot tells Unya encouragingly.
Drazhan sat quietly as the other students walked through the tests. When the dancing stone request is asked, he casts telekinetic projectile and makes a flicking motion to send the rock "dancing" its way from its location until it bumps into Bahili's shin.
Teacher Ot nods approvingly. "Yes, very good. You see, not everything is to be taken literally. Lateral thinking is an asset here at the Magaambya. Not every situation will have just one solution."
After retrieving the rock, he looks at each of you as he delivers a speech. "At the Magaambya, we seek to understand our differences. Where others might dismiss a trait as irrelevant or troublesome, we understand that the things that make us unique in life are key to who we are as people. And it is who we are as people that defines our magic. Sometimes, it is things that are different about us, things that societies have taught us to hate, that show what our talent will be. To the north, people say that children with white or red hair have strong potential for magic. Here in Nantambu, we recognize that left-handed people are skilled at undoing spells. One student of mine is terrified of butterflies, even though he considers it ridiculous. Yet in exchange for this fear of fluttering whimsy, he has one of the most orderly minds for games and strategy that I have ever seen.
"Sometimes, we do not understand our magic, and that lack of understanding causes pain. People who are uncomfortable in their own skin are incredible shapechangers but often feel unsettled until they recognize the shape they were meant to be."
(At this, a flicker of emotion crosses Anabel's face, but the elf quickly composes herself.)
"Those who feel an urge to jump from high places often become frightened of themselves, but they are simply channeling the untrained will to fly.
"Sometimes, our talents are not revealed by happy means," Teacher Ot's face becomes somber, and he continues, "One student here had a family who planned her life out from birth to death, punishing her when she deviated the slightest bit. She only found freedom in the thought of her grave, and as a result, the dead began to speak to her. Here, she has freedom to choose her own path, but her necromancy remains strong.
"You don’t have to share, but I want you to ask yourselves: what about you defines you, even if others rarely notice it? Is there something inside you that pulls at you, perhaps defying rational explanation? Thus, I return to my first question: who are you, and how can that person best be guided to grow?"
Once you have thought on his words for a few minutes, the teacher hands each of you a yellow and blue bead made of durable glass. "You are expected to wear a string of beads at all times to identify yourselves as initiates of the Magaambya, both to let people know you represent the school, as well as to identify you asinitiates should you cause trouble. Please incorporate this bead in your string, as it shows my role as the teacher who has admitted you.
"Now, then, you will be staying at the Spire Dormitory. Are you ready to see your lodgings?"
Bahili was considering jumping to crash down next to the rock, making it shake like a very awkward teenager's attempt to dance, but the magical throw worked better.
"Yes, Teacher Ot." he says at the end of the speech, which was filled with interesting thoughts on anxiety fueling magical pathways, which was fascinating. A quick respectful bow later, he is ready to see their living spaces.
Firinn listens politely but with a fairly obvious degree of skepticism. Perhaps it is simply the fae outlook on life but he seems to find the conversation rather dull, as though Teacher Ot is simply relaying truths that everyone should already appreciate.
The bead is the size of his entire fist and then a little extra and the sprite doesn't even try to pick it up. "Do you have any smaller versions?" He asks the teacher. "Or else Helena will have to wear it."