Month 1 [On Campus]

Golentan

Golentan

Junior Member
It's a foggy morning as the ship enters the harbor. Several landmarks are visible and give the island a foreboding aspect. The central tower looms above, atop the cliff at whose base you stand. The cliff seems to run the length of the island, as if it was cracked in half, and in the distance you see a dark and shadowy crater that the crevasse runs towards like an arrow. On the lowlands, you see a garish collection of strange plants, and realize that you truly are not on the blessed isle: a Wyld zone. Essence lightning flickers around the mountaintops, and all the figures moving about have a decidedly inhuman cast to their features.


"May I take your bags?" asks one fawning blue frog creature, its tongue rolling out.
 
Kenji is startled a bit at the strangeness of the scenery and even more at that of the approaching creature, but quickly regains his composure. He was forewarned about the fact that he is to see, hear and learn many wondrous things during his studies so he'd better get used to it.


Politely, he asks Esali first if she wants to be relieved of her luggage and after he's assured she's ok he gives his own bag to the creature, keeping his satchel and the Verdant Twig. He cannot wait to see the interior of Heptagram and begin his studies. And perhaps one day he will graduate as a respected sorcerer and become a powerful dynast for the benefit of Creation. Might as well meet interesting people, advance his position as an honorable man and become seriously considered for marriage to a descendant of another Great House, or even return back here again as a teacher after many years have passed. All these possiblities and even more unfold in his mind even as he continues his walk on the way to Heptagram.
 
Mnemon Esali


Esali marvels at the sight in front of her. The broken landscape, arcing essence, and milling creatures a testament to the terrible power of sorcery. The power she has come here to learn.


Kenji's inquiry shakes her out of this pleasant reverie before it goes too far and she smilingly hands her bags to the being in front of them. She drifts back into silence on the walk as she begins to feel a small knot of nerves take hold. This marks the true start of her magical ascent and she will need to excel early and often to achieve her goals. Still, she takes comfort in the pressure bearing down on her. It's inconceivable that she could ultimately fail, so this fear can only help. As long as she's a little unsure she won't make any of the stupid mistakes that overconfidence brings. Embracing her fear, she looks forward to a productive time at this renowned school.
 
The faculty clearly doesn't believe in wasting time: No sooner have you placed your luggage in your new rooms than you are called to the Hall of Terrestrial Puissance with the rest of the significantly diminished freshman class.


"I am Tepet Senex," calls an elderly looking man, standing at the board. "You are future disappointments to your family who are unlikely to repay the exorbitant fees they gave to get you here. Yes, I am including you, nephew." he says, staring disapprovingly down his nose at a snickering child. "Now that we have the introductions out of the way, who among you has read your book yet and can give me a summary of Motonic Theory and the nature of Elemental Essence?"

So, now a Summary of how this will work (in my mind). Every week in real time, I'll post a "homework assignment:" a project given to you by the teachers involving some adventure, quest, danger, or mystery pertaining to the Isle of Voices. Apart from that, you can go investigate/instigate anything you want and I'll write up a little adventure for you, which will go in the Extracurriculars folder. Apart from that, free reign may be had in the main thread to ignore or roleplay as you wish.


First homework assignment will go up friday and will be a followup to the fight you just had.
 
Mnemon Esali


With a start, Esali pipes up, "Ooh! I think I know that one. Motonic Theory codified the modern scale we use to measure essence down the the smallest distinct quantity, known as a 'mote'. And Elemental essence makes up everything in Creation; the five elements combining in various amounts and intensities to create everything that is." Questions and facts she could do. This would be much easier than fighting random demons in the city streets. Although with an instructor like this, a mistake might be just as deadly.
 
"And by the gift of the Elemental Dragons, whose heritage runs true in our blood, we can instinctivelly perceive and interact with the essence permeating Creation, by drawing upon units of essence existing within us, calling each of those units a mote. According to our personal elemental aspect, we can formulate our essence units - motes that is - to interact more impressively and efficiently with all these of Creation that are created and constituted by the respective Elemental essence. That is to say, and forgive me my Lord Tepet Senex for using myself as an example - since i am as of yet unworthy to be considered as such - but merely for explanation purposes, if I as a dragonblooded blessed by the Dragon Air, were to get closer to the Elemental Pole of Air, far in the North, i would feel a certain alignment with this particularly aspected elemental essence and all that it permeats. That might be true for other tasks requiring me to draw upon the reserves of air aspected elemental essence or perform tasks associated with said element as well.


As we are blessed by receiving an affinity for a specific element, so Creation is constituted by all those Elements, permeating its energy - essence that is - and giving it its distinct elemental nature. That is also why in certain areas, specific essence amounts of a certain elemental natures concentrated in greater scale, can be harnessed into an appropriatelly aspected manse, while in other areas, the same amount of energy - essence that is - can be harnessed to a manse of a different aspect.


Essence permeates Creation - making all that is as my brilliant classmate Mnemon Esali has stated - and can be perceived in those fractions, our esteemed savants and researchers have come to understand and call "motes". And as Creation's layout is signaled by the 5 elemental poles, so it is that the essence flowing throughout Creation, being concentrated, harnessed and perceived by all those capable to do so, is aspected - bears the nature - of a different element.


Forgive me if my answer wasn't adequate Lord Senex. My reason of presence in Her Majesty's Academy of Sorcerous Arts is to study, expand my - limited as of yet - knowledge and be finally enlightened on the mysteries of Creation".


Kenji steps back, hoping that he managed to remember properly all the relevant information his mentor had told him on the subject and that he didn't make any serious mistakes that could hamper his studies or degrade him in the eyes of his co-students and especially in those of Esali.
 
"The two of you are essentially correct. No points for length, Kenji. Or for sucking up to me. Now, an additional phenomenon to note is the presence of Elementals who serve as regulators. Now, to gain additional insight I'm going to summon here an elemental, and I also have 5 bars of jade. Jade is aspected to elemental essence as well, and so resonates with elemental essence. You will gain 2 points for forcing attunement to one of the bars, and up to five points for notes and insights on the elemental. Note that since there are 6 of you and only 5 bars, at least one of you will lose points."
 
Bah...seems there is no room for humility displays here other than those imposed by our teachers. Trying to be eloquent and polite passes for sucking up in this place. No wonder many of my relatives prefer studying on our Household rather than attending the Heptagram. Nevertheless it's another lesson for me to learn. Be quick, accurate and forthright. Alright let's see now to the task at hand. For, as my wise mentor used to say, actions speak louder than words.





Kenji wipes his mind clean of all these thoughts, gives a reassuring glance to Esali and concentrates awaiting the elemental summoning, focusing on observing every detail of his teacher's actions as well as trying to discern clues about the elemental's nature. He prepares to attune himself to the jade bar resonating with his element, the element of air that is, as he has done in the past while attuning himself to his various artifacts, and awaits.
 
Mnemon Esali


Esali gives Kenji a sympathetic look after the rebuke. There's nothing wrong with being thorough or polite in her eyes. This shifts into a conspiratorial mischievousness when the topic of the bars is brought up. They'll be going for different ones, but it's clear that Esali is determined to bond to the white jade bar as soon as it appears or, failing that, whichever bar she can beat someone else to. She will not lose points on the fist day.
 
"Ouch. If it helps I thought your summary was very good." says the girl next to kenji, whispering. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to compare notes on the elemental. I'm Gold Spring, by the way." she says. The teacher places the jade bars on the table and adds "The lesson begins now. I suggest you note the summoning process, I'll expect you to duplicate it by next year. In the meantime, you may begin competing for the bars. No blood, no broken bones." He begins drawing a circle on the floor in salt.
 
"Much appreciated young lady. I'm Ledaal Kenji, pleased to meet you, oh and of course we can compare notes later. Besides, our strength as dragonblooded is based on cooperation", he answers to Gold Spring in low voice, smiling to her, even as their teacher lays the bars before them and begins the necessary procedures for the elemental summoning.


Kenji, trusting on his quick reflexes and his martial expertise, swift as the wind whose elemental nature he aspires to emulate darts forth to seize the jade bar bearing the colour most often associated with his element, the blue jade bar that is. After seizing it he attempts to attune himself to it, instictively pouring his personal essence quickly to it until he feels it lighten and behave as one of his attuned artifacts.


Then he concentrates on keeping notes regarding the elemental summoning. It is an art that fascinates him, summoning creatures beyond the realm of mortal and exalted and he believes that by learning to do so adequately, he may gain valuable allies and assistants in the future for the various tasks he might pursue. Trying to observe the procedure as accurately as possible, Kenji also uses any additional insight offered to him by one of his artifacts, an azure circlet crowning his shaved head, since he remembers that many of his Household used it when involved in tasks requiring occult sensitivity.


He tries to be thorough in his notes, mentioning in detail his teacher's every action, deeming himself a very lucky young dynast, to be offered the chance to study and learn under the aegis of the Realm's most important and venerable sorcerers. Every material used, in what quantities, in what order, placed were, altered or mixed, Kenji frantically tries to record. And then witness the summoning itself, attempting to understand the nature of the elemental summoned before them and discern as many details as possible. He's absorbed in those tasks and deep inside feels a great sense of fulfillment.


OOC


If you need me to roll for anything just tell me and i'll get to it right away. This school feeling is nice, but when instead of maths, grammar etc you study such arts then it's amazing :D
 
Mnemon Esali


As soon as she hears the go ahed to take a bar, Esali's hand darts out smoothly and makes the white jade disappear into her grasp with the practiced ease of one who has probably acquired small items through not-quite-legal means before. Sparing only a moment to flash a dazzling smile at Kenji and the rest of the class, she begins the attunement process while focusing all her attention on the particulars of the ritual.


Throughout the process, some of her instructor's words keep running through her head; ". . . duplicate it by next year." This is just perfect! It's only the first day and already they're learning to summon powerful beings. Esali briefly wonders at the wisdom of encouraging unproven students to call even elementals, but watching the practiced ease with which Senex goes through the motions, her concerns dissipate. It's hard to fathom someone like that having any trouble handling the pathetic creatures a student would call. Mental note; make sure he's somewhere on campus during her first attempt. Just in case.
 
(OOC: Oh come now, you don't expect me to make it THAT easy, do you?)


Sizing up those who have gathered a jade bar, Corril approaches Esali. He scuffs his shoe on the floor, and mumbles. "Umm... Excuse me, but... If it's not too much trouble and feel free to say no, but you seem like a nice person and I really need to make a good impression. Would you mind... um... sharing your piece? Or... umm... *I'd really appreciate it if you gave it to me. I'd owe you a huge favor, and I'd find a way to make it up to you.*" Esali begins feeling the stirrings of pity in her heart for the other student...
 
Mnemon Esali


Esali winces as she looks toward Corril. Gods above, was this kid the embodiment of pity, or something? "Mayb-, um . . . what if . . . how about . . ." Glancing around, Esali realizes that she can't very well refuse. She's already made a decent impression and turning him away would be like kicking a stray on the street. She presses the bar into Corril's hand with a comforting smile, "Just take it, okay?" Quickly looking back to the summoning, she starts to think of ways to make up for the lost points. If and when she's the first one to reproduce the summoning, this little concession shouldn't matter. And who knows? Maybe Senex will notice and reward her for thinking of others' well-being before her ambitions. Then she recalls his introduction. . . . Yeah, she should really start work on the summoning.


As the ritual goes on, she takes occasional peeks at Corril to make sure he's having no trouble attuning. If she's going to give that bar to someone else, she's going to make certain they get their full marks.
 
Over the next couple of hours, the summoning proceeds. Periodically, Senex will stop to explain the use of a particular reagent, or why the phrasing of sigils is important. "As I apply the mandrake paste, note that it's important to phrase my invocation with the declination form of Te rather than Te or De. That corresponds to the resonant frequencies of the circle and the current constellations... Finally, the circle is completed, and with a gesture and a flash of light and essence, a swirling vortex of air condenses and forms a roughly humanoid figure within the circle. It sighs out a greeting. "Now then, we have our elemental. Hello again, Kour, I'll only keep you a few hours if you don't mind. Now then, class, who can recognize the specie to which our elemental belongs? I'll give you a hint: I made frequent astrological references in the setup. And who can point out the locations of his chakras?"

It's an intelligence + lore check to identify the answers to these questions. Arion: I take it you're not resisting the charm?
 
OOC:


Intelligence (4) + Lore (2) = 6 die = 1d10=5, 1d10=10, 1d10=10, 1d10=4, 1d10=2, 1d10=1 = 4 successes


In addition to that, Kenji will use a temporary willpower for an additional success to the above roll. So, in total 5 successes.


Kenji marvels at the elemental appearing before their eyes, almost dreaming of the day that he will be able to summon such a being in his presence and converse with it as with a close friend or a valuable ally. He tries to observe it as meticulously as possible, attempting to discern its nature as well as the focal points of his essence throught its material form. Silently he thanks his parents for listening to his mentor and sending him to Heptagram. The joy and self-completion of witnessing such wonders of Creation is an unprecedented feeling.
 
Mnemon Esali

Nope, not resisting. Even if there wasn't magic behind it, that's the kind of request Esali would give in to. At least the first time. :wink:


Lore Roll: Eesh, 2 Successes


Esali watches the elemental appear with fascination. Such creatures weren't exactly uncommon in her house, but to see one called from start to finish is another matter entirely. Stealing that book was the best idea she and Chitter ever had.


Observing the elemental carefully, Esali reviews her memories of the summoning process in light of the questions being posed. Thanking the dragons that her flawless memories eliminate the need to take notes, she pays special attention to any repeated astrological references.
 
Upon understanding the nature and species of the Elemental, Kenji, feels an inner satisfaction that his initial hypothesis that it was an air-aspected elemental was correct and promptly raises his hand and voice to answer.


Seeing though that his friend Esali didn't manage to get hold of a jade bar, whispers quickly to her, smiling afterwards.


"It's an elemental of Air. And specifically a Cloud Person. I'll tell Senex the type (Air) and you answer about the species (cloud person), alright?"





Then he speaks up.


"Professor Senex. This is an elemental of those who resonate with the Element of Air as is evidently shown by it nature, appearance as well as the type of swirling vortex from which it materialized before us".


OOC:


By the way could my dragon tear tiara's ability to provide additional insight on tasks requiring occult sensitivity be useful in discerning the elemental's chakras or are we prohibited from utilizing our personal gear while in class?
 
Mnemon Esali


This day was not turning out as Esali expected. Only her first day and she's lost points (that she could probably afford, but still). Now Kenji is offering her charity to make them back up? She gives him a blank look as she tries to figure out if she's okay with that kind of assistance. Before she can make up her mind, however he begins giving his answer and sets her up perfectly to follow. Not the sort to hesitate when things are set up so beautifly, she seamlessly continues his response, "In particular, I believe it is known as a 'Cloud Person', sir." After giving the response, she looks at Kenji. She will no more forget this bit of aid than she does anything else.
 
"Indeed," Senex answers, looking sour for a moment. "Specifically, this is Kour, an old friend of mine. I take it none of you have spotted the thing that makes him unique. Would you care to enlighten them, Kour?" The elemental steps forward and bows.


"It's probably not noticeable if you're not familiar with my people, but my essence is more refined than the normal limit for my race. This is because I was born mortal, and was only able to transcend my birth with great effort."


"I wish to emphasize that around any immaculates this part of the lecture didn't happen, and you really don't want me to take measures to enforce that. Still, I owe my allegiance to knowledge rather than dogma. As it turns out, an interesting side effect of the nature of elemental essence makes it ideal for resulting in exaltations with the proper bloodline. Some of you may have elemental heritage some generations back, and the practice was especially popular during the shogunate. Kour was part of the social experiment that proved the same did not hold as true for patricians. That ought to give you something to think on: I don't teach this lecture again until next week, and when I return I want an essay from each of you on the reasons you suspect behind the effect. Recommended reading is 'The Po and Power" by Lady Mnemon, 'Creatures of Creation' by myself. On the third floor of the library, I've arranged an open lab for those of you inclined to experiment."
 
Mnemon Esali


Her instructor's dedication to knowledge over dogmatic rhetoric reinforces Esali's respect for the grouchy old sorcerer. And the prospect of an open lab chases away any lingering feelings of disappointment over giving away her bar. With a look to Kenji and Corril she asks, "To the third floor, then?" True, they did have an essay to write, but Esali's a quick reader. Besides, they were just given free reign to experiment; how could she pass that up?
 
"Sure thing Esali, besides family always said "practice makes perfect". Who knows maybe after studying and practising enough we'll be able to do the summoning procedure soon and impress our teacher".
 
Mnemon Esali


One voice of agreement is all she needs. Smiling like a child with a new toy, Esali sets off for the Library to see what exactly they had to play with in their 'open lab'.
 
The lab is well marked, and entering it you see a large atrium of dark wood and bronze fittings, a massive skylight providing the yellow illumination of the sunset. It's stocked with all manner of occult materials, and the frog man who took your bags in the morning is puttering about tidying up jars of salt and assorted potions.


Across the room stretch three large tables, on which rest all manner of wondrous shogunate equipment. In addition, several jars are laid out specifically near the door and swarming with some bizarre creatures about the size of your thumb, each clearly with an elemental aspect. The jars are marked as "Micro Elementals for Experimentation."
 
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