"We might as well try and make it. We can always buy one if we fail." Much responds as she mops wet fur off her brow.
"Can someone give me a hand? Preferably out of the rain."
Much marvels as Laesah adds gossamer threads to their sturdy kite.
"That was very impressive, Laesah."
Haunt watches Much and Laesah build their kite. At one point, he reaches towards it as though he is about to try to help, then thinks better of it and pulls back his hand.
Let them work! They clearly know what they're doing, unlike you.
When they finish, he praises the results enthusiastically. "That looks great!" He looks out the door at the storm, expression dubious. "So, um, where should we go to fly it? Maybe the top of one of the spires by our dorm?"
Much nods as Haunt speaks, "I like it, Haunt. Lead the way!"
You make your way back to the dorm, and approach the foot of the Soaring Spire, well-built kit in hand.
Haunt grins and bows to Laesah and Much. “You built the kite. One of you should certainly do the honors. Besides,” his expression darkens, “while I don’t smell anything rotten at the moment, I don’t want to count too much on this.” He taps Teacher Ot’s Anteater Charm. “Those g-r-e-m-l-i-n-s could show up anytime and hit me with their nasty whammo!”
He thinks for a second and adds, “I could give one of you a boost though, which might give you a few extra feet.” He hunches over and laces his fingers together, then mimes flinging his hands up and over his head to show what he means.
Much, seeing Haunt hunch down, jogs over to support Laesah's opposite side. "I'm sure there is a joke in here about water spouts, rain, spiders etc., but that seems a bit crass just now." Much says with a yelpy chuckle and a pat on Laesah's shoulder.
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Laesah smiles at her classmates prepared to help. She then looks up at the top of the spire.
"It's ok, mates," she says, a somewhat-familiar shimmer overtaking her form as she begins her transformation once more in her arachnid form. "I think I can take this up there just fine."
Laesah, holding the kite string in her mandibles, ascends the spire, and releases it into the storm. The wind knocks it around, sending it spinning towards the ground. Suddenly, the kite straightens out and begins to rise as if pulled by a string from above.
As it enters the storm clouds lightning rips through the sky. Those of you with keen eyes see the kite get hit and incinerate. The thunder that follows almost knocks Laesah from the spire, but her arachnid form holds her steady.
Almost immediately after, the storm begins to calm, leaving a warm, steady rain.
When you return to the spire, Ignaci and Tzeniwe are joined by a young dark-skinned man, lean, but athletic, bare arms are crossed in front of a simple but stylish vest. When he sees you coming he waves at you all enthusiastically.
Off to the side, on the mossy earth, is Noxolo, the woman from the bath. She wears a handsome dashiki and sways while casually dancing, snapping her fingers to an imaginary beat. The bizarre beast, a cross between a two-foot-long crocodile and a bear cub prances and nibbles at her ankles as she shuffles and snaps.
“Hi there!” the man says with a wide, goofy smile. “I’m Okoro, and I hear you've already met Noxolo. We’re part of the Uzunjati! Well, not yet, but the tale of our becoming shall be a good tale to hear, someday. The Uzunjati tell stories to others and learn new stories in turn. Today, we want you to tell us the story of your past week so that we can learn it and pass it on to others. It is not only training for you in how to tell a story, but training for us in how to be good listeners. We all benefit!”
Okoro and Noxolo want a story from you. It can be as a group, or each of you individually. The prompt is to tell a story of this week, but the decision on what events to focus on are up to you.
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Haunt clears a bit of fur - totally not a hairball - from his throat. "I'm not much of a singer, but I feel like the last seven days sort of cry out for a song. I'll do the first verse or two, and the rest of you should feel free to jump in if you feel inspired."
The amurrun takes a breath and begins.
"It's been..." he pauses for a quick drink from his waterskin, then starts over.
"It's been one week at the Academy
Got our first beads and said, "I'm staying"
Six days since the laundry frogs
We fought them laughing, 'This place is crazy'
Five days since the chicken hunt
I told a whopper, nobody believed me
Much showed the cash and we brought the fowl back to school
Maddox bought an owl, he named it "Hoo"
Watch us now and see us learn things
Wish I'd tried Haibram's wings
You'd think you're looking at a flying man
My favorite spot on campus is the Spire
Dining hall is great when Maddox spits fire
I like our dorm best
'Cause it messes with gravity
Cursed by pugwampi I do just fine
We fought a mushroom guy
But he tried to make me one of him
Teacher Mafika's got the mad hits
(But has he lost his wits?)*
I guess we'll find out at the tournament
Gone on too long singing this song
Probably got some of it wrong
I'm glad I'm cured purple pox is an awful way to go, yeah
Should take a bow and then see how
My classmates pick up the show
'Cause it's so hard to rhyme Magaambya"
Much is no Storyteller and she knows it. Storytellers earn their place in a Kholo pack through years of training, and Much doesn't have that. Still though...
"I don't know who amongst us is a storyteller, but I may be able to help a bit."
As the group gathers into a conspiratorial, story-making huddle, Much recounts each of their battles- Pugwampis! Linens!- hoping that one of her packmates can spin her words into something more than a dry recounting of specific thrusts and cuts of the encounters.
Noxolo picks up the off-time clapping and starts trying to dance to it. A confused look on her face. Okoro looks on thoughtfully, laughing at some of the more clever verses from Haunt.
When Much begins telling her version of events, Noxolo tunes out, but Okoro leans in even more, nodding along with events. When Much concludes, Okoro claps his hands together once and says, "Hah! Well done, both of you. A story set to song is that much more memorable, and easier to spread among a populace. And Much, you have a great mind for tactics. That's clear from your attention to detail and interpretation of events. I have a game night every week. You are all invited, but Much, you should definitely come."
Noxolo wrinkles her nose and says, "The games are fun, but you are a terrible loser, Okoro."
Okoro snorts and resumes his goofy grinning. "You'd need to beat me to know that, Noxolo."
Noxolo rolls her eyes, and says, "Thank you for today. You have done well, so they say. I'm told to let you know that Teacher Ot will be expecting you at dawn tomorrow. Meet him at the Speaker's Stage to the west of the campus. Wear something nice!"
Haunt looks down at his numerous compartments and pouches, stuffed with his accumulated esoterica. "Oh, definitely. I'll wear my nicest vest." He leans over to Much, and adds, "It has pockets."
Turning back to Okoro and Noxolo, Haunt asks, "So what happens tomorrow at dawn? Also, why dawn? Dawn is pretty early, right? Should we eat breakfast first? And should we be" -- he gestures at his sword, longbow, and dagger, and then at his comrades' visible weapons -- "equipped in our usual inimitable style? Or would that be rude?"
"So what happens tomorrow at dawn? Also, why dawn? Dawn is pretty early, right? Should we eat breakfast first? And should we be" -- he gestures at his sword, longbow, and dagger, and then at his comrades' visible weapons -- "equipped in our usual inimitable style? Or would that be rude?"
Noxolo arches an eyebrow and says, "These are wizards, they don't just tell you what will happen if they can make a show of it instead." She gestures down at the bear/croc creature now resting its head on her foot, tongue lolling from it's mouth/snout and says, "Snabble thinks tomorrow is initiation, where we will become proper students and begin our classes. I'm inclined to believe him."
Oroko nods in agreement. "It's time, we've covered all the basics, and it fits narratively. A lot of this school really loves a narrative. A lot of this school also loves weapons, so I wouldn't feel bad about bringing yours as part of your outfit."
"I'm going to head back to our rooms. I'm soaked through, and if we need to look good and be at an important event promptly at dawn, I'd like to start cleaning myself up now. I'd also really like to see if we've had any takers on our Self Defense Club." Much says with the a friendly nod to Noxolo and Okoro and she gathers her gear to leave.
"I have to say, I'm really relieved!" Haunt bounces from one foot to the other. "I thought we were going to be stuck in classrooms or the library most of the time, but instead we've just been sent out on missions, mostly to track things down, and that’s pretty much what I've been doing since I left home! I'm going to be much better at studenting than I thought! So how much longer do we study here after this initiation/graduation thing tomorrow? Another few weeks? If it's going to take more than a month, I should write a letter to my folks and let them know where I am."
"...I'd also really like to see if we've had any takers on our Self Defense Club." Much says with the a friendly nod to Noxolo and Okoro and she gathers her gear to leave.
Okoro turns his attention to you and says, "Oh, I saw those fliers! I didn't know that was you guys. It looks pretty interesting... Can you tell me more about it?"
So how much longer do we study here after this initiation/graduation thing tomorrow? Another few weeks? If it's going to take more than a month, I should write a letter to my folks and let them know where I am."
Noxolo furrows her brows, trying to decide if you are serious. Once she realizes you are, she stops dancing for a moment and says, "You will likely be here for years if all goes well. You should tell your family if you care to. Mine is already aware..." Below her, Snabble makes a coughing HRIF, HRIF noise that almost sounds like a laugh. Noxolo grins a little at her pet, then her eyes lose focus for a moment and she starts dancing again.
Okoro turns his attention to you and says, "Oh, I saw those fliers! I didn't know that was you guys. It looks pretty interesting... Can you tell me more about it?"
Haunt bounces a little faster. "It's our project for the Tempest Sun-Mages, sort of. It should be pretty awesome. We're going to learn new techniques and styles from each other, show them off in a tournament, and maybe help some of these bookish wizards figure out how to defend themselves if they run out of spells or their magic gets turned off or something!"
Noxolo furrows her brows, trying to decide if you are serious. Once she realizes you are, she stops dancing for a moment and says, "You will likely be here for years if all goes well. You should tell your family if you care to. Mine is already aware..." Below her, Snabble makes a coughing HRIF, HRIF noise that almost sounds like a laugh. Noxolo grins a little at her pet, then her eyes lose focus for a moment and she starts dancing again.
Haunt stops bouncing and looks at Noxolo in surprise. "Oh, Um, right. Years. Sure, I knew that, of course. Yeah, I should definitely write home. My folks are both sorcerers, so, you know, they were born with" - he wiggles his fingers and twitches his nose - "but they still studied to get better at it. As they told me, over and over and over again. So they'll be pleased."
He turns to back to Okoro, clearly feeling awkward about how little magical aptitude he has compared to his parents. "Anyway, I hope you come to the self-defense club. I should probably help Much check to see who else is interested."
"This school was founded by warriors, but there are few amongst us now. That's unfortunate as swords can't solve most problems and our magic, despite its' power, is not unlimited. We need each other. "
Much pauses and with a self-deprecating smile gestures to her own armed and armored form.
"And of course, warrior-mages are just cooler."
Much goes silent, her eyes scan the middle distance as she slowly unloops her stone rope. Her eyes lock on a tree well beyond her reach and she explodes forward.
At the end of Much's forward spurt her stone rope continues forward, lashing out to strike the tree with a satisfying thump.
"We have a lot to learn. But we can share the basics we do know. And maybe we'll find a few warriors in the process."
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The crash of Much's stone rope against the tree is sharp in the general quiet of the campus. A window from the dorm opens, and Mariama pokes her head out and shouts, "Yes! F%*! that tree in particular! It knows what it did!" She then slams the window and is gone.
Okoro looks impressed by Much's display of arms, and Haunt's argument. "I love sports, but I've never really tried fighting. Maybe I should? And there are certainly many tales to be told from the battlefield... I will see you there, friends."
As Oroko walks back to the dorm, Noxolo approaches Haunt. She's not dancing, or skipping, or anything of the sort, just walking, her face serious.
"I was born to my power, so I guess I'm like your parents that way. But I also know what it's like to have family telling you want to do, or making you feel like you'll never live up to their expectations. I came here to get away from that..." She tucks a braid behind her ear and smooths her dashiki. You notice that it's more of a man's cut, but she somehow wears it well. "Maybe we can't escape our families. We probably can't even silence their voices in our heads, but we can find our own place here. I'm pretty sure of that. Good luck with initiation tomorrow."
With that she walks off after Oroko.
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Laesah remains plain in her silence at the discussion of the self-defence club.
I don't want to undermine my cohort...
When Much assaults the nearby tree, Laesah stifles a grumble by clearing her throat and pulling at her braid. She then wishes Noxolo and Okoro a good evening and accompanies her squad back to her room, bidding them adieu as well.
Perhaps I don't fit in. It wouldn't have been the first time...
Laesah takes a good hour to brush out her braid (in human form) before deciding on her garb for the morrow, meditating for a bit, then falling into an unsatisfying sleep.
Maddox, who took a backseat while his classmates did such a fantastic job of delivering the letter to Gozreh and meeting these new acquaintances, congratulates Much and Haunt on their convert of Okoro to the Self Defense Club.
"You really gave it to that tree, Much," he says as they walk back to the dormitory. "And Laesah, I've never seen anyone climb like that. I should have said it yesterday. You are all such impressive people."
Maddox walks beside Haunt towards their rooms and turns back to say goodnight to Laesah and Much. He then turns to Haunt before he enters his quarters and says, "There is something I have been meaning to check out. Would you assist, Haunt?"
He walks over to one of the pictures hanging in the hallway and puts his hand up to it. He feels a slight draft coming from the picture and looks back at Haunt. "Can you feel this? I think there might be something behind this picture." He then holds his ear up to the picture in case he can hear something behind it.
"Sure, what is it?" Haunt puts his hand on the picture where Maddox directs him. "That's really weird. What's causing that?"
Haunt focuses on the picture and looks for anything that seems off.
This well‐rendered drawing of the black‐and‐white mask of Nethys, god of magic, adorns the wall. The words “All‐Seeing Solutions: Pay in Light, Let the Darkness Show Wisdom!” is inked onto the wall next to the mask. your keen inspection reveals a machine behind the mask, just visible behind the mask’s eyes. The white eye of Netyhs is a slot, the exact size of a silver piece. The black eye has a tiny nub of paper sticking out, which makes you think there's more paper behind the eye ready to be fed out.
Rolling those perception checks over to the rest of the area you find...
The draft traces back to a hidden door. It's more "built in" than "secret." When you crack it open, you see another access tunnel, much like the one that you found in the barn, leading into the service corridors beneath the school. This is just one door down from Haunt's room.
Maddox's nanites surge as his keen eyes search the painting to understand what's happening with the small device behind the mask.
He turns to Haunt when they discover the tunnel. "Oh wow, Haunt, do you think this tunnel leads to the same one we found before? It's so close to your room." Hoo hoots on Maddox's shoulder, looking worried.
Maddox can tell that the device behind the "mask" is meant to give answers to questions - most likely test questions from students. If a person holds a question written on a piece of paper in front of the mask and feeds a silver into the white eye, the black eye spit out a slip of paper with an answer to the question.
In theory.
Torchlight glimmering off Maddox's legs catches Much's eye as she makes her back from the loo. Curious as to what her friends are doing, she approaches and gets caught up on the details.
"Fascinating! Is it magic or machine? Much says. And without waiting for an answer runs off with a shout, "I'll be right back!"
Much returns a few moments later with a quill, scrap of paper and a coin.
"I have just the thing to ask!" she says.
Much scribbles down a question and feeds a coin into the machine.
Much crouches down to bring her question in line with the machine's gaze and waits expectantly for an answer.
The machine whirs to life as the coin enters the white eye. After a few seconds, gears audibly turn and clink, and paper appears in as a long tape from the other eye.
"Huh." Much says, nonplussed. She hands the paper to Haunt.
"Now we know why the pugwampis don't like you, I guess." Much shrugs.
"Big day tomorrow. Night all."
Much heads back to her room.
You arrive at the spot of the introduction ceremony at dawn, as requested, expecting to see Teacher Ot. As you approach, an obvious illusion triggers, and Ot’s face appears before you. It says, “Good morning! Today is the day of your introduction ceremony. I’m very proud of all of you, and can’t wait to see where your studies take you. I apologize for being delayed, but I will be with you momentarily. See you soon.”
The illusion vanishes, and you are left alone on the quiet grounds. All of you begin to contemplate what to do next, except for Haunt. Haunt is assaulted by the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs, enough to crinkle the nose and make him want to gag.
"Huh." Much says, nonplussed. She hands the paper to Haunt.
"Now we know why the pugwampis don't like you, I guess." Much shrugs.
"Big day tomorrow. Night all."
Much heads back to her room.
Haunt reads the paper and scratches his head. "Thanks?" he calls after Much.
Showing the paper to Maddox, he says, "Nope. Still don't get it. Want to go see where the passageway goes? Or should we wait until after the big ceremony tomorrow? Either way, before the dining hall closes, I ought to see if Lumusi has any sweet plantains. And then over to the Powderpile for some paper for letters."
All of you begin to contemplate what to do next, except for Haunt. Haunt is assaulted by the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs, enough to crinkle the nose and make him want to gag.
"Ugh!" Haunt grunts and covers his nose (which doesn't help). "Gremlins are here," he chokes out. The amurrun quickly checks his bootlaces to make sure they haven't been tied together, then checks his belt to make sure his pants aren't about to fall down.
Much scrunches and unscrunches her toes, keeping a mindless count as she scans the area, trying ascertain what type of situation they may be in and how plantains may be part of it.
Maddox, hearing Haunt say there are Gremlins around, moves closer to the group with his hand on his katana and readies himself for what's to come.
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Having spent the better part of her meditation the evening previous pondering her cohort’s plans to stoke violent tendencies in the students of the Magaambya, Laesah decides that she’ll make a fresh start at the ceremony the next day by being pleasant but separate from her cadre of new entrants.
She misses Haunt’s words and doesn’t notice them looking about at Haunt’s warning. Instead, she focuses on Teacher Ot’s illusion, trying to honour the feelings that she’s feeling at the moment.
Looking around, despite the fact that he can't make heads or tails of what's going on, Maddox does see some strange stuff going on.
He thinks something about the stage seems wrong. He thinks, We should be the first ones here, but there's evidence that's not the case. He also notices there should be more dew on this grass. It's wet, but the droplets on the top are missing in too many areas.
Out loud he says "We are not alone here." And officially draws his katana.
Maddox proves right, as from under the stage scurry two gremlins, one a pugwampi and one a type you've not yet encountered. They hop up on the stage. The pugwampi has a shortbow in hand and points it at Haunt.
"Plantains?" She screams. "Who cares about fruit? I want your BLOOD! I want your DEATH!"
It loads the bow and looks to fire. The larger one pulls out a maul and takes a defensive position.
This is a Vexgit. It has weakness 2/cold iron, and can damage items, both by bashing it with a maul, and a corrosive touch
This is an older pugwampi. It has weakness 5/cold iron, the unluck aura you already know about, and can deal extra damage to people under the effect of her aura.
Initiative
1. Pugwampi
2. Maddox <--- We are here
3. Other Gremlin
4. Laesah
5. Haunt
6. Much
The pugwampi laughs evilly, moving into position, loading an arrow and firing it at Haunt.
She screams in frustration and turns to her ally. "Raaaah! Havvix, kill them! But don't leave me! Kill them if they come close! Defend MEEEEE!"
Maddox evaluates the situation carefully as it unfolds in front of him.
Seeing the arrows whizz by his friend's face, Maddox thinks he might be at a disadvantage where he is and moves up towards the gremlins, first jumping up onto the stage and then moving closer.
Still feeling like he needs to know more before attacking, Maddox feels his nanites surge as he struggles to reconcile what kind of gremlins these are to gain a strategic advantage.
The other gremlin, Havvix, delays, wanting to stay near the pugwampi as instructed.
If anyone gets within 20 feet of them, they will take their turn next.
Much is caught completely off guard by the pugwampi attack. Knowing at this distance even her ranged weapons are useless, Much moves to get to solid ground as quickly as possible. With a sharp turn in the wet grass, Much throws herself out of a deep crouch directly at the stage.
Moving slowly forward, Much calls out to the gremlins.
"Dear pugwampis, why would you risk the wrath of the Kholo Bell Goddess?? Save yourselves before I reach you in 12 to 18 seconds!"
"Bells???" Says the pugwampi scornfully. "I'm no child, scared of some bells or a chunk of cold iron. And I'm not here to grease a ladder so you fall and break a leg. I'll see you DEAD before I let you wizards start another purge of my people."
She doesn't look like she's going to be moved by this argument.
Havvix looks over his shoulder at the pugwampi with the shortbow, who grumbles, "Fine, go ahead and bash them. Just get back here if I need you."
Havvix cackles, thrilled to be let loose, and yells, "Yeeaaaahhhh. Here I go smashin'!"
He runs up to Maddox and takes a swing with his maul, and follows up witih a bite.
CRIT! 8 Bludgeoning damage
and 6 piercing
"Maddox, Nooooooooooooo!"
Much snaps out in a furious rage.
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Laesah squeaks.
More gremlins?? Why are they attacking? Where is everyone? Is this some sort of test?
When the monk sees her android fan savaged by the gremlin with the maul, she realises that this is no illusion. She takes a deep breath, says a silent prayer to Grandmother, then explodes in a blur of kinetic energy toward the far gremlin.
"Get away from my friends!"