"Perhaps testing things out in the controlled environments at school rather than in the city, as well," Chimwemwe adds with a chuckle.
Cleaning up doesn't make the students happy, but at least there are no bad feelings.
Jumimo is excelling at being a TA in Chim's class. In fact, he could probably TEACH the class. As an elf, he's long-lived and may be even older than some of the teachers at the school.
He's has caught wind of the strange goings-on at Spre Dorm. One day you see him there taking arcane measurements, sprinkling reagents, and collecting samples.
Oh, hello. I could use a hand if you like — I have a theory about what's going on there but I could use a hand to confirm my suspicions.
To help out, you can roll Arcana or Occultism. DC 24. We'll look for more than half of you to succeed.
Akoril takes a look.
"Care to share your theory, or waiting for all the evidence first?"
"Hmm. I did not notice this before..."
Jumimo's expertise unlocks the mystery.
There has been a breach from the shadow plan opened here in the dorm. Jumimo believes creatures may be intruding, trying to make the connection stronger. He's concerned the beginnings of a ritual have been set into motion to permanently transport one area of the dorm to the shadow plane.
Thanks to Soomdevi's amazing Shadow Planes lore he thinks this place is tied to somewhere in the the Shadow Magaambya.
Without Jumimo you never would have found this .
The elf is clearly more knowledgeable than even you are, and yet still a student. While his expertise has unlocked one mystery, a new one has appeared: why hasn't this student graduated?
"Haven't you read The Compendium of Zuri's appendix on The Elemental Tablets of Thelgonus? It presents a rigorous analysis of the transposition of the Material and Shadow Planes; while they are famously characterized by fundamental differences in their metaphysical properties, they also have harmonic touchpoints; e.g. the Magaambya and Shadow Magaambya. The implications are really quite astounding, especially when analyzed from a phenomenology-centric epistemology…" He pauses when he sees the look on Soomdevi's face. "Oh, I taught that class to some other Lore-speakers a decade ago."
"Of course I stayed in this dorm fifty two years ago when I was begginning as a student here, and I remember the layout as well. Fond memories…" he falls quiet and seems a little sad.
Akoril follows up with a direct approach "If you were teaching then, what lead you to being a student now?"
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Akoril follows up with a direct approach "If you were teaching then, what lead you to being a student now?"
Jumimo stares at Akoril like the knoll is speaking a foreign language. "Well, I haven't graduated. I can’t do it yet.”
His manner becomes brusque as he packs his things. "Well, I'll see you in class. Don't worry, I did the homework Professor Wisps and Professor Alrinkiri assigned." He turns to Chim. "Oh while I'm here, Professor Chimwemwe, I have an idea for an improved assessment on Lirgeni synastry, focused on synthesizing a historical models with daily readings. I'll write it out for you next time we meet."
With that, he is gone.
"Thank yo--!" Chimwemwe raises an eyebrow and shakes his head. "Certainly is rushed for an elf. Are your parents ever in such a hurry?" he asks Akoril.
Kiri regards the elf quietly as he departs. "For all I have learned in the last few years, I still do not understand people sometimes."
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Akoril listens to their allies on this lead.
You find The Compendium of Zuri in a locked vault that only Lore-speakers or above can access. Jumimo must also have access by way of his sheer time at the university. The obscure grimoire is written in a variety of languages known and unknown; the appendix on The Elemental Tablets of Thelgonus is a separate volume, written in black candlewax on ancient vellum. In it you find a ritual to sunder shadowland connections. However the ritual can only be performed under certain conditions, and will take some time.
Wisps tracks down Nhyira, an elf historian of the university and one of the longest-tenured lore-speakers at the school. Wisps finds them in a public garden on Nantambu’s western edge, repotting flowers.
They ask Wisps to help, talking as the work is done. "Yes, I know the boy well. He was one of my first students, over 50 years ago now. He enrolled together with his older brother, Tizawa. Those two, they were inseparable. They made a pact to graduate together and become teachers.
Slowly, Jumimo started to surpass his brother. I don't think either noticed at first. But one day, Tizawa realized he couldn't keep up. Both boys had talent, but Jumimo always worked just a little bit harder. Tizawa grew increasingly frustrated until eventually it was too much and he left the school.
Jumimo wrote him letters frequently, encouraging him to return, but Tizawa never replied. After a few years, he gave up on writing, but he still keeps his promise.
He won't graduate without his brother."
Tizawa never actually left the city. He works in Nantambu as an apothecary, but the brothers haven’t seen each other in person in decades.
"What a fascinating student; it's a shame he and his brother have fallen apart. Perhaps someday they will reconnect. Anyway, we should be sure to thank him for the lead on this book. I think we should begin preparations for the ritual immediately."
Akoril nods to Alrinkiri "The preparations do sound arduous, one things to consider before we continue though. Is sundering the connection there something we actually want to do?"
"Whatever the intentions, I don't think we want any part of Spire Dorm--and certainly not any of its students who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time--to be whisked away to the shadow plane," Chimwemwe says.
To get the portal closed you will need to work together.
- You can use performance with Anchro Root, Selozè, and Noxolo to disrupt the energies with sound waves.
- You can gum up hidden runes behind the walls of the dorm with Chizire's magic and some sweet distilling cider using Nature or Insect Lore.
- Esi's mom knows a vendor in town who sells reagents, you can barter for a donation using Society or Magic Warrior Lore.
- Haibram and Fire-Pot made a mini-CHAT that can be reprogrammed burn away arcane runes with evocation magic, using Arcana.
- Mariama is certain frog Pond is connected somehow, help her find out with occultism.
- Binji help! She wants to scurry around cleaning up any bad magic. Help her with Crafting or Athletics. Onyije is willing to help too, especially if it involves manual labor.
- Zachva and Zanvi are interested in unweaving the web of shadow, but need help! You can do so with a Religion check.
- Ignaci and Okoro are arguing a lot, which is distracting. Okoro has dumped his new boyfriend and was single for a while but now he's dating Ignaci's enemy, Fardrik (remember, they're old acquaintances from Sargava who dislike each other)! Ignaci usually contains his anger, but Okoro's projects keep getting sabotaged and Fardrik's homework seems to always vanish right before it's due. Drama! You can it with an Intimidation check.
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Soomdevi nods in agreement with Chim. He truely doesn't want anyone getting whisked away to the shadow plane, having seen it for himself.
He enjoys watching Ignaci and Okoro bicker and can't help but feel that Ignacio is getting what he deserves at last. Every once in a while, when Ignacio is talking, Soomdevi says, "Where did I put my scarf?" and then pretends to look for it.
He would annoy Ignacio further, but he's got to help Mariama figure out what's going on with the frog pond!
Kiri watches Ignaci and Okoro bicker for a moment, then shakes their head as if disappointed--perhaps they're picking up some expressions from their companions--and turns to walk away. They pad slowly into town, walking slowly and openly on all four into town. As they go, they can't help but think about the morning a few years ago when they snuck into town, walking upright with their hood pulled low to avoid being noticed. Today they are noticed, but walking withy the confidence and trappings of their time at the Magaambya, they no longer mind.
Arriving at the the shop identified by Esi's mother, they quietly enter and ask to speak with the proprietor. They describe the issue, in broad terms at least. They transition their description into a tale of the time Verdant Spider led a contingent of magic warriors to rid Nantambu of an infestation, hoping that their tale of generosity and service will inspire similar feelings in the merchant.
Akoril gets Anchor Root to make some noise.
Once the soundwaves are in the air Akoril shapes them with the movement of his body.
Root and Lucky bones are into drone and fog machines lately, which is hard to dance to.
Alrinkiri's tale is effective as a tale, but the proprietor donates castor oil whereas you need a special sweet resin to mix with vinegar and oil.
Soomdevi (Occultism), Wisps, Chim are up!
Wisps works with Chizire to counteract the hidden runes.
You spend the next few weeks working together on this project.
Soomdevi and Mariama eventally find a shadow minnow in frog pond! They locate a tiny portal below the bank under the tree.
Wisps helps Chizire uses his magical spell, directing him where to place verminos lures to get the best worker ants. They crawl about, disrpting runes that have been painted under the floorboards and in the walls… all the while, while the amurrun naps.
Chimwemwe contributes using his varukus skills.
At the beginning of this process, Soomdevi has several more strange nighttime experiences; cabinets open, stgrange voices. He also wakes up a few times and feels tired even though he thinks he slept well.
Then things fade, and eventually return to normal. For now…
She also helps you make adjustments to Shadow-Soomdevi, improving his abilities to teach rudimentary courses in nature and Shadow Lore.
However, since the incident your tips to Shadow-Absalom have begin to feel fraught. As if someone is watching you, full of malice.
Make me a perception check.
She snorts and throws the packet onto the table. Really!?
Inside is not the reagent you carefully collected, weighed, and packed from the vendor. It's gone. Just GONE. Someone must have switched it out without you noticing! Was it the man who mumbled you near the night hag soul stalls, or the strange breeze that ruffled your cloak in the petrified forest?
A small note lies curled within. It reads
YOU'RE NOT GETTING RID OF ME.
Koride raises an eyebrow; she’s clearly disappointed. Is this going to be a… problem, Soomdevi?
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Whatever Soomdevi thinks in response to Koride's disappointment. Like she has a lot of other options, plus she's not the one putting her neck on the line, only to be thwarted in the end.
"I'm wondering the same thing. Obviously, if someone out there is sabotaging my work, then yeah, that's going to be a problem, if I can't figure out who it is and put a stop to them."
He tells Koride about the strange events the dorms at night, the weird dreams, the fraught trips to the shadow plane, the mumbling man, and the feeling that he's being watched.
"And I'm used to feeling a little paranoid. A little paranoia is what keeps you safe, you know? But this is a whole other level now."
"I don't know if you have any leads, or ideas, or know anything about the shadow Magaambya, but I've got a bad feeling about all this if we can't figure it out."
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While Soomdevi discusses his situation Koride plucks a dead rodent from among the pile inside the gentle repose container. Her per lappet-faced vulture peers hungrily over her shoulder.
She toys with it while Soomdevi talks. "You don't know the risks I take, my young protegé. It's almost impossible to perform truly groundbreaking discoveries unless you're making someone else mad."
She dangles the mouse by the tail in front of the bird. Are you rodent… or raptor?" The vulture greedily snaps it up with its razor-sharp beak, millimeters from Koride's callused fingers. Anyway, would life be worth living without a little danger?
"I digress. Listen. Have you angered anyone at the shadow Magaambya? I asked you to stay away from there on those little field trips..
With the transdimensional runes removed and the Spire Dorm safe for the students, Chimwemwe takes the time to visit the apothacary where Tizawa works.
Finding Tizawa’s apothecary shop isn’t difficult. You push open the door and glass chimes sing. The air is filled with pleasant fragrances like sandalwood.
Tizawa looks like his brother. He grins. "Welcome! What can I do for you?"
"I haven't been to this shop before," Chimwemwe notes as he enters the apothecary. "I hope I would have noticed the similarity if I had." He clears his throat and smiles tensely, "I'm sorry. We did not come to shop today, and I'm sorry for the surprise arrival. Your brother is Jumimo, at the Magambyaa, right?"
Tizawa frowns. Hmmph. Is he some famous Lore-Speaker now?
"He is a very talented student, but it seems that there is something keeping him from officially graduating."
He seems surprised. He excelled so much when we were both there. But what does this have to do with me?
"It seems that his reluctance has to do with you. I understand the two of you made a pact together when you were both students. Do you remember?"
Akoril leaves Wisps to talk to the brother and browses the alchemical shop while keeping an ear out.
He drops a jar of essential oils.
UGGH! That
His shoulders slump. I have all his letters… so many years… unopened,in a box in the back of my shop. I thought he'd be gloating about winning against his big brother. What an idiot, he was probably begging me to go back wasn't he? Well, time for a Big Brother talk… I'm happy where I am now, as an aromatherapist, and he ought to be too. If he's gonna be a better scholar than I could, he damn well better accept it and graduate.
Tizawa storms out of the shop, and heads to campus.
The next day Ot approaches you. "I don't know what yo did, but Jumimo has said he'll graduate at the end of this year! Thank you! He gifts you with a scroll of Freedom of movement.
In class, Jumimi's hair is all twisted up from the noogie his big brother gave him.
Later that week Fire-Pot, Fardrik, Seloze, and Onyije approach you. Fardrik, as usual, speaks for the group. I'boko has been even more despondent lately. This is something you have noticed, in fact. The young rain caller has been morose all semester. She has attributed it to homesickness, as her village is far away near Terwa Lake in the Sodden Lands.
We're planning a Harvest Holiday surprise party to cheer her up!
Fire-Pot nods. She seemed to cheer up last time we had a party… it took her mind off things.
Onyije frowns. I mean, we would have invited you but who wants teachers at a party…
Fardrik quickly interjects. I'boko likes them, Onyije. It might make her happy. This party is for her, not us! Anyway, maybe our Lore-Speakers actually know how to throw a decent party? Maybe they have some tips for us. You can tell, however, he doesn't really think so.
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Chimwemwe decides it is time to revisit his attempts at amateur bar tending and drinkology with Chizire. "I have an idea to make the party sparkle," he says, looking off into the distance while tracing chemical formulae in the air with his finger.
He waits until the amurrun is actually awake to approach him with a suggestion to make drinks that shimmer with green, yellow, or orange light when the shot glass is flicked. He also recruits Fire-Pot into trying to make version that evaporates into a plume of (harmless) flame when struck to create a sense of random excitement.
Chizire's eyes glitter as they experiment with shot glasses. He chuckles at the flames. Mmmmm… that might even keep ME on my toes!
Surely the students will be impressed with this!
"Every party needs good food, common Binji I think I have my dad's old recipie for Elven hors s'oeuvres. I mean Terwa regional cuisine would be even better but cheese stuffed honey leaf rolls are still amazing and make any party better. Lots of mashing though, too much for me to handle on my own, do you have time to help?"
Binji help! She excitedly mashes ingredients. Then she mashes more and more… soon there's a tower of honey leaf rolls for everyone to enjoy!
You prepare a super party… there's a platter of rolls and flaming cocktails. Noxolo is dancing by herself in a corner, Root is getting ready to DJ while Lucky Bones clucks about, Mariama is smoking some skunky herbs with her lizard, Okoro and Fardrik are playing a couples' themed board game in the corner with Esi and Chim, Tzeniwe has cookies and the kids are scrambling around excitedly. The Savana prepared a traditional pie. Haibram has fireworks ready to launch.
However, I’boko doesn't show. The drinks fizzle, and the honey leaf rolls are all but consumed. The kids have to go to bed.
You head over to I’boko's dorm and find the door to her room is hanging open. The drawers are left open and emptied, it seems like she packed in a rush.
There's a note fallen the corner:
Dearest Daughter,
I write you now because I know you will worry overmuch if you catch news of this elsewhere — as surely you will in a place of learning such as the Magaambya. Our home was attacked by a group of kayal; it seems there is some shadowy group menacing the Terwa region.
Fortunately, one was seriously hurt. It seems we do not have what they want — what cold a small village such as ours offer, anyway? Whatever they seek, it isn't here.
I want you to know that we are safe, and rebuilding the village. Please do not worry about us. We sacrificed so much to send you to the university, and we're so proud of you — the first person in our village to become a Magaambyan!
Love you,
— Dad
Judging by the mess of hastily emptied drawers, it’s obvious that I’boko didn’t listen. The homesick student is probably on the road to her home village of Kiutu, near Terwa Lake, at this very moment.
Alone.
Binji, who's already busy cleaning up the room, stops prestigidating and looks up. Binji want to help.
Esi clenches her fist. Who would attack a village!? That's not right!
Haibram and Fire-pot are both smoking mad. Fardrik too. We have to go after her!
Who's up for a field trip?
"Hm" Kiri says, thoughtful. "It's 150 miles as the crow flies to Terwa Lake, longer along the road. We will have to guess which route she took and hope to overtake her. This will not be an easy journey." They look to the their cohort, trying to gauge reactions. Obviously we need to go; a student is rushing toward an unknown danger. The question is whether we bring any of the others with us.