This small room contains cleaning supplies. Slumped in the corner is the corpse of a lithe woman with a snake head. A look of terror is frozen on her face. Doors exit to the north and west.
Sadiki examines the body. "She hasn't been dead long. A day or so, at most. There are no signs of violence on her body. Killed by magic, maybe? It looks like she died of fright..."
She turns to her sister. "She's a serpentfolk. I don't think there are any serpentfolk students in the Magaambya."
It looks like both doors have seen use recently, with the one to the north seeing more traffic.
Dusty shelves full of what appear to be old reagents line the walls. In one corner is a large pile of broken crates and old hay, presumably for transporting the alchemical equipment here.
An enormous cobra with white scales slithers out from the pile! Its forked tongue flicks in and out of its mouth as it regards you, but it doesn't immediately attack...
"It's an emperor cobra! But it seems tame," Sadiki says. She steps forward cautiously and begins to make soothing motions with her hands. "Easy now. Back in your nest!" she commands.
Thanks to her genie blood, the sorceress is lucky enough to be able to command the snake. It turns and slithers back into the pile of crates and hay.
Most of the reagents in this room have spoiled, but some are stable. You can salvage 150 gp of reagents from this room. You also find a lesser elixir of life on a shelf.
A door to the west leads into the furthest room of this building. While the shelves against the walls contain messy and disorganized jumbles, a table in the center of the room holds an orderly arrangement of vials, tools, and several jars of insects.
Two vials contain a weak acid with a faint aura of transmutation magic. Sadiki identifies it as similar to formic acid, which is found naturally in ants and some bees. A clay jug holds the remains of some solvent at the bottom. Issi identifies it as a powerful solvent used to neutralize acids, and that it’s mostly been used to weaken the formic acid in the other vials.
The tools are all fine sculpting equipment and small drills. Issi identifies them as tools used for prodding or scraping something extremely hard, like stone. There are two jars of flies and two jars of grasshoppers, with tools and forceps for examining each. All the insects are agitated and aggressive, but none pose the heroes any harm. The insects are obviously here for experimentation, but it's unclear what kind.
A ring of acid resistance rests on the table. In addition, a jumble of magical supplies on a shelf includes a striking rune on a runestone.
"Meh, that won't help me much. I'd have to be pretty desperate to start whomping people with my staff," Sadiki says. "Let's check out that last door."
The door to the west in the room with the dead serpentfolk opens into a room littered with scraps of wood, feathers, and bones. Many useful talismans lie among the inert supplies, including a sneaky key, two feather step stones, and a rhino hide brooch.
A door to the south connects to the same room that the west door in the entry would have taken you to. The room is poorly illuminated by a flickering lantern. Multiple piles of trash dot the room. A makeshift table made of crates and covered by a large cloth bears a few scattered coins.
Two young humans dressed in dark blue robes gamble at the table. One of them is a short man with a slight sneer to his smile. His compatriot is a thin, tall woman, with a fierce, scowling countenance. They seem surprised by your arrival through the room's back door.
"Oh! Uh, good evening, fellow students!" the short man says. "What are you doing here?"
"The teachers are so boring. They always teach the same things, over and over. We come here to learn better stuff than what our teachers can show us," the man says.
"Dead? What are you talking about?" the woman asks. "We tried going in the other rooms, but there’s nothing but trash there, trust us."
It quickly becomes clear, though, that you're not buying the lies the pair are trying to sell you. With a hiss, the two people drop their illusory disguises, revealing themselves as serpentfolk!
Unfortunately, Sadiki misses with both of her scorching rays. Issi lands a powerful blow on one of the serpentfolk! Though badly wounded, he remains on his feet. The other one slips behind Issi to flank her as both stab at her with their swords!
Crying out in frustration, Sadiki fires off more scorching rays. This time, both hit, burning the serpentfolk. The one Issi struck falls, and as the magus lashes out, she lands another good strike that takes down the second serpentfolk!
"Yikes! You okay, sis?" Sadiki asks, moving to her side to lay hands on her.
The serpentfolk have mundane gear, but a pilfered warcaller’s chime of destruction sits in a nearby trash pile.
There are no convenient notes, nor other exits. "Looks like they were guarding the lab in the other room," Sadiki says. "Somebody was experimenting on something there, but there's no telling what it was. We should report back to Janatimo."
***
When you report to Janatimo about Oba’s Wondrous Creatures, he observes that perhaps someone’s trying to teach Oba a painful lesson, but he isn’t sure who it would be. Explaining why the griffons attacked the anadis, he notes that it is both more mundane and more fantastical a coincidence than he would have imagined.
When you tell him about what you discovered in the storeroom, he’s concerned to hear about serpentfolk on campus. Clearly, the serpentfolk weren’t infiltrating the student body, even though they’re active on campus. Janatimo vows to heighten the Magaambya’s security precautions as best he can without alarming the students and staff. He asks you to keep these events to yourselves while he pledges to look into matters to keep the student body safe.
In the meantime, you have classes to attend!
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Issi returns to her studies with renewed interest, devoting as much time as she can to magical 'calls' and other forms of semi-summoning magic. Her interest and dedication pays off in her next essay, which is highly praised and establishes her reputation among her colleagues as a skilled and creative researcher.
Her studies with the Tempest Sun Mages have been going less well however. Having focused too much on combat and not enough on the scholarly side Issi finds herself in difficulty and has to cram significantly for the upcoming assessments.
It is shortly after this that she knocks on Esi's door.
"Hi Esi, I think I need some help."
Esi opens the door to her dorm room with a grin. "Issi! Come in, o!"
The girl's room is crammed to the brim with hiking and sports sticks, cut pieces of leather, carving supplies, book glue, parchment, stray books, and half-done sewing projects. "I was just finishing up some extracurricular studying on foreign policy and military defense, but I have some time to spare before my next class. What can I do for you?"
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"I could really use some help with some of our classes." Issi says, not bothering to beat around the bush. "I'm fine with the combat side of things but the theory classes, like foreign policy and all the debates that come from that, just make my head spin. I can't keep all the precedents straight or really understand the reasons why you girls quote all the things you do. It's really holding me back. So I thought, since you're so brilliant and all, that you're the perfect person to ask for help!"
She doesn't bother holding back on the flattery, Esi deserves it and if pretty words help then she'll use lots of them!
"Well, you came to the right place!" Esi says cheerfully. "My mother is a Tempest-Sun Mage, and I am determined to follow in her footsteps. I would be happy to help you study and teach you about the intricacies of the branch aside from just the battle magic. Here, have a seat and let's get started!"
Over the next several weeks, Esi serves as an apt tutor, filling Issi's mind with the knowledge needed to succeed in her classes. The hard part of keeping up a friendship with the young woman, though, is matching her energy. On any given day, Esi can be found organizing students for study groups and extracurricular activities, commanding the field for several of Nantambu’s sports teams, independently researching various topics, and still finding time for an active social life and dates with similarly ambitious young men. It is quite exhausting!
Sadiki continues her studies in the Emerald Boughs, reaching the next tier of knowledge. With her free time, she works with Haibram to cram for the Rain-Scribes as well, managing to get caught up on those lessons but at the cost of many sleepless nights.
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Issi soon learns that the best way to spend time with Esi is not to try and match her at everything. Firstly, it's easier, that way, significantly so. Secondly it actually makes Esi happier - the young woman is well aware of how she is discussed amongst the faculty and prides herself on her exceptional accomplishments. Friend who don't try and keep up with everything are exactly what Esi wants - and Issi has no objection there. Esi is lovely, encouraging and a wonderful tutor, but she has no intention of actually becoming a Tempest Sun Mage herself, so excelling at three different sports just isn't necessary.
Besides, she has Tombs and Treasure Hunters to enjoy - or maybe just the furtive glances her sister and Okoro which provide so much entertainment. Her own relationship with Noxolo seems to stall somewhat, the two girls still spend time together, but it becomes clear that they have 'friend-zoned' as Chizere describes it one day - they enjoy spending time together but there is no true romantic spark. This is very much in accordance with Issi's own desires (although she'd never be able to express it as such) and she lacks either the inclination or the willpower to compel Noxolo to be honest about her own feelings.
Still Sadiki is happy and Issi is busy, which is more than enough at the moment!
A few months pass, then both of you receive a handwritten letter:
My dear pupils–
Once again, you’ve exceeded the Magaambya’s high expectations of its students. You’ve shown that you are ready to expand the scope of your connections and your magical studies, learning how magic and the world both shape each other.
Because of this, I am pleased to advance you to the rank of conversant. You will represent the school to the outside world while you continue your studies. This representation is significant, and it reflects the trust the Magaambya is ready to place in you.
It’s true that your advancement is unusually rapid, but your services and exploits have been unusually admirable. I, and many others, feel this advancement is long overdue.
Please give the following three invitations to any associates you wish to attend our small ceremony to commemorate your promotion. Join us at dusk a week from today. I’ll ask you to speak briefly about how you see magic being most useful in the world, so please think about that in the meantime. I know I’ll be telling your tales one day.
—Teacher Janatimo
Sadiki can scarcely believe her eyes as she reads the letter. "By the archives of Nethys! Issi, this is incredible!" she exclaims. She gives her sister a big hug. "Nobody else in our class has become a conversant yet! Not even Esi! We must be pretty big deals!"
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"Was there ever any doubt about it?" Issi asks, tossing her hair back, although the fervor with which she returns Sadiki's embrace shows just how much it means to her too.
"Does that mean they'll be sending us out from the Magaambya then?" She asks, reading the letter again. 'Magic being most useful in the world', 'represent the school to the outside world'. I think we might not be in Nantambu much longer..."
She fingers the invitations. "You want to invite Okoro of course. I'd like to bring Mariama too. Esi, maybe, for the last one? She's been a huge help recently, but I don't know if she'd appreciate us getting promoted first."
"Esi's not the jealous type," Sadiki says. "I'm sure she'd be happy to come and support us. I've noticed you two have been hanging out a lot lately. Things petered out between you and Noxolo, but do I smell something new brewing there?" The sorceress gives her sister a sly smile.
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"No!" Issi says, nudging her sister's shoulder. "Esi likes boys and as far as I can tell is far too busy for romance beyond the dedicated two hours every sixth-day she timetables for it. Nox was sweet it's just..." She trails off and shrugs. "I'm really busy with my studies and there's all the strange things going on around campus. Esi is a really good study partner, but nothing more. You'll have to have the romance for the both of us!"
She smiles and gets up. "I'll deliver for Esi and Mari and you can take Okoro's. I figure he'll want to congratulate you properly so I'll see you after dinner?"
Sadiki nods. "Okay. But don't close your heart off to romance forever just because things didn't work out this time! I'm sure there's somebody for you out there. Maybe you just haven't realized it yet." She kisses Issi on the cheek before running off to find Okoro.
"Okoro! I have big news!" she says when she finds her boyfriend. She shows him the letter. "Issi and I are to be made conversants! Will you come to the ceremony with me?"
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"Wow Sad, that's amazing!" Okoro exclaims, swinging his girlfriend around in a huge hug. "You must be some of the quickest conversants in school history. That's huge! Of course I'll come to the ceremony with you, I wouldn't miss it for anything!"
He puts her down and kisses her thoroughly.
"We should celebrate. What would you like to do with the evening?"
"Oh! Please, take me to the Dance Courts!" Sadiki says excitedly. "I've been wanting to go for months! It will be so much fun, Okoro! And I have the perfect dress to wear!"
Most of the Courts are comprised of a central dance floor with a small stage for the musicians and curtained alcoves with tables and cushions surrounding it. Open curtains are an invitation for servers to offer refreshment or friends to stop by and say hello. Closed curtains mean the occupants do not wish to be disturbed. It’s considered extremely rude to open the curtains, as business deals are just as likely to be discussed there as assignations are to be conducted.
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"Then it will be my honor to escort you." Okoro says with a smile. He turns to his dresser and theatrically opens a draw or two before sighing.
"Damn. I knew it. I forgot to pack my dancing shoes when I came here!"
He turns back to Sadiki and grins ruefully. "Seriously. I'm not much of a dancer, but that just means I'll make you look better, right? See you outside the dorm in..." Sensibly he seems to be letting Sadiki decide how long she needs to get ready.
"Give me an hour!" Sadiki says, kissing Okoro's cheek before rushing off.
Approximately an hour and a half later, Sadiki emerges from the dorm room. She is wearing a ruffled yellow skirt and a colorful wrap around her chest, leaving much of her smooth brown skin exposed. Her silvery hair is concealed by a tall blue headdress. She smiles radiantly at Okoro. "Thanks for waiting. I'm ready now!"
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Okoro stows the book he had been reading and offers Sadiki his arm. "You look lovely Sadiki, I'm lucky to be escorting you tonight." He says gallantly. "Now, where exactly are the Dance Courts? I haven't been to one yet..."
Once they reach the Courts Okoro proves to be both a gentleman and a good sport, gamely trying a number of dances, despite the fact that having two left feet would probably be an improvement for him.
Sadiki isn't a trained dancer either, but with a bit of luck fueled by wish magic, she does decently enough. Her exuberance more than makes up for her lack of skill, though, and she twirls and shimmies with Okoro, thoroughly enjoying herself.
She and Okoro drink their fair share of alcoholic beverages, too, and by the end of the night, she is giggling and leaning on him as he walks her back to the Magaambya's campus.
Sadiki giggles. ”Yes, we shouldn’t wake her! I guess I’ll have to sleep with you tonight!”
Once the pair have stumbled into the dorm, the sorceress pulls her boyfriend into a passionate kiss and guides him to the bed!
A week later, at dusk, Esi, Mariama, and Okoro accompany you to the ceremony. The atmosphere in this lavishly decorated room in Whistle Tower is congenial and lively. People talk in several small groups about magic, politics, philosophy, education, and more. In the center, a large round table is laden with food.
“Smart, to put it in the middle of the room,” opines Mariama casually as she picks up a mango tart, “in case any more giant bugs crash through the walls, that is.”
After a while, Janatimo beckons for everyone to find seats. “Friends, I am glad that you have all made it here to mark the growth of two of our students. They have proven that their studies don’t register in their minds as mere theory or academic exercise, but as a force that they can use to influence the world at large and in turn be influenced by it. Magic is not a tool we use, but a living thing that we experience and embody. Becoming a conversant means that these students take this understanding and expertise out into the world.
“But before we welcome them officially, I’d love to have each of our advancing students tell you for themselves what is the best use of their magic out in the world.”
Janatimo gestures for you to come forward and say a few words.
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“Smart, to put it in the middle of the room,” opines Mariama casually as she picks up a mango tart, “in case any more giant bugs crash through the walls, that is.”
"Don't even joke about that!" Issi says with slightly too much vehemence. "Every single special day here so far has been ruined, it'd better not happen again!"
When it is her turn to speak Issi steps forwards and begins to speak. She's thought about the question but hasn't written anything down, believing that spontaneity is the best way to be authentic and truthful to herself.
"Magics uses are limitless." She says firmly. "The only bound is our imagination of how to use the magic and our willpower to see our vision through. So I believe that the best use of magic will vary, by person, by circumstance and by necessity. Those blessed with divine power to heal the sick and close wounds are rightly revered but those who can drive off wild animals, help crops flourish or uncover the secrets of long lost peoples to enrich our lives today deserve just as much praise and adulation. As I go out into the world as a proud conversant of the Magaambya I go with the knowledge of the Ten Mage Warriors, who served their people without ego or selfish pride. The world needed them and they responded, doing whatever was necessary for their people, their prides and their packs. That is the best use of magic in the world, to help, to serve, to conquer those obstacles which cannot be otherwise overcome."
She nods firmly and steps back, gesturing her sister forward.
Sadiki follows her sister’s speech. ”Magic saved my life. A few years ago, I was crushed by a sadness that knew no end. I was not where I wanted to be. I was not who I was supposed to be. But thanks to the right spell at the right time, I finally was able to become the woman you see before you now.”
She pauses and looks to Okoro, who gives her an encouraging smile. ”Magic is neither inherently good nor evil. It is up to the one who wields it to determine its purpose. I choose to use my magic to help others, as it helped me. To do good in the world. That, I think, is the best use of magic.”
Janatimo steps forward to close the ceremony. ”Thank you again for showing us where your understanding begins. I look forward to seeing how your understanding deepens and evolves as conversants.” Everyone in the room stands and cheers in celebration.
People stay to chat and eat for another hour or two after the ceremony, wishing the heroes well and striking up conversation. At some point, Janatimo asks you for a few minutes
to privately discuss your duties as conversants. He explains that conversants represent the Magaambya in and around Nantambu, advancing the school’s interests and helping the community. He already has a few tasks in mind for them, but he invites you to ask any questions they have about the process or your new role.
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"So we're still based here, but will be going out for longer periods?" Issi asks, trying to clarify the situation. "Or are we expected to be gone for much longer periods? I know some of the more senior members go out on field research, is that us now? I assume we don't have to be back in dorms every night at least."
“Many things will remain the same: you’ll still live in the dormitory and receive your regular stipend, and this work doesn’t replace your usual studies!" Janatimo says. "We expect a conversant to be grounded in their studies above all else, balancing it with the tasks that we assign. Often, I will assign these tasks. But any faculty member who needs assistance in the community might reach out to you. We’ll try not to assign more than a few tasks each semester.
"There are a wide variety of tasks that we ask of conversants. The only commonalities are that they will test your skills and your spirit, and that they are intended to help you learn to serve others."
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"Thank you for explaining." Issi replies with a smile. "I've heard a lot of stories but wasn't sure what was truth and what was made up." Unless Janatimo has anything more for them she politely disengages and applies herself to enjoying the food and making the most of having her sister and some of her closest friends together with no bugs!
The two of you and your three dorm-mates partake of the good food and pleasant atmosphere of the ceremony, which for once, goes off without a hitch! You talk and laugh until it is late at night before returning to Spire Dorm, eager to begin your new roles as conversants.
Over the next couple of days, you become aware of two potential tasks to complete. The kobold quartermaster Xhokan asks you to come by his supply store, colloquially known as the Powderpile, about an unusual matter regarding alchemical supplies.
The second request comes from outside of the Magaambya, but no one else has the time or motivation to deal with it. The request is a pleading letter from a potter named Amaechi who lives and works on the southern side of Nantambu. The fact that Amaechi needs help is plain, but the letter doesn’t explain the nature of his troubles.