What's interesting to me is that neither Lumos nor the petrification feel very transfigurationesque to me in their initial forms, so I'm interested in seeing how either of them develop. How would light transfiguration even work for instance?
Well, in the original, they are not. Lumos is a charm and the Full Body-Bind is a curse. But the system here makes things different. I dont have a clear idea for Charms, yet, but Transfiguration, at least, is mostly based on Aspects, which all things inherently have, and functions by changing the what (as opposed to Charms which changes the how).
A person might have the Moving or Able-bodied aspect which Petrificus Totalus changes, or, much like the match to needle process, you simply use the technique to give to and increase in your target the Stiffness aspect. Or something else. For Lumos, maybe it lets you summon a specific light, almost like an entity, which has the aspect Under Rei's Command, or maybe you just work the aspect Luminosity into the air.
I don't think we need to concern ourselves with the particulars, unless the QM wants us to, as part of the quest and future votes.
Well, in the original, they are not. Lumos is a charm and the Full Body-Bind is a curse. But the system here makes things different. I dont have a clear idea for Charms, yet, but Transfiguration, at least, is mostly based on Aspects, which all things inherently have, and functions by changing the what (as opposed to Charms which changes the how).
A person might have the Moving or Able-bodied aspect which Petrificus Totalus changes, or, much like the match to needle process, you simply use the technique to give to and increase in your target the Stiffness aspect. Or something else. For Lumos, maybe it lets you summon a specific light, almost like an entity, which has the aspect Under Rei's Command, or maybe you just work the aspect Luminosity into the air.
I don't think we need to concern ourselves with the particulars, unless the QM wants us to, as part of the quest and future votes.
What this means is that you probably can mimic the same effects with charms too, it's just that the principles you use to make changes to the world are different.
It may not be entirely right in setting, but I think of Transfigurations here less HP Transfiguration, and more like... Naruto "nature transformations", Monkey King's "72 transformations"... stuff inspired by Daoism, basically. Internal/external alchemy.
[x][Transfiguration] Earthly Cloud Sharpening Law
[x][Home] Through shut eyes. Metaphorically of course... You believe you can wrap your senses in your own Qi, deadening your perception of the world, at the cost of the clarity you've come to take for granted.
@Karf I'm aware Transfiguration has multiple breakpoints, so will we be able to choose the one we didn't take at a later date, or are we locking ourselves into one main route for Transfiguration?
Sounds like we're limited by the number of milestones from now until whatever passes as max level, so to speak, and we we can use them either to learn a new technique or to improve on one we already know. Is that what you mean with going tall or wide, @Karf ?
Alright so some thoughts on how this might grow if we have Rin take some serious depth with it, and while she can likely turn up the brightness of the technique to serve as a improvised solar flare in a pinch the purpose of the technique is to use Light as an avenue to acquire information.
This starts at a single light to illuminate dark corridors while exploring the castle, and seems like a natural growth would be the use of multiple lights to scout ahead of Rin, but if we go tall I imagine hopping aboard other sources* of light to see what they illuminate would be a pretty neat avenue for growth.
Because it opens up doors like hiding in the dark while looking through an opponents source of light, using sunlight to precisely gather speed/angles of other Quidditch players using her base cultivation to rapidly process the information, and using the Sun as a means of mapping out a route to fly long distances between locations.
Admittedly with Rei being noted for her "creative impulse and a certain artistic flair" I wouldn't be at all surprised if she had the option of taking the Law of Light, and made temporarily objects out of light. There is loads of utility with this especially in the social aspect as with a bit of showmanship, and Harry being the straight man Rei can probably reframe their rivalry into something that observers find fun.
*This would likely be a follow on technique that involves going tall through more focus on Light Aspect.
[x][Transfiguration] Dollmaker's Petrification Diagram Law
I'm hoping for an in into a Movement Art, which could eventually lead into superspeed, which is always useful (specially in Quidditch).
[x][Home] Through gritted teeth, you'll prevail over yourself. Your own advice once given to Hermione still rings true - if you're unhappy, either change the circumstance or yourself. Since changing the whole world is a bit beyond you, you'll need to change yourself.
As Cede said, it's the most in character, and the only one were we could get lucky and suffer no consequences (I wanna use a point or 2 and see if we can fix this... Maybe Rei will use her creativity to make the mortal world a more interesting place in subtle ways?)
No way would Petrificus Totalus be allowed, but for the Lumos, can you use the light to distract the opponents? Sounds improbable to work, or way too easy to abuse if it does (blind them, make them think it's the faraway snitch. etc.), so likely regulated/punished.
I dunno, I could easily see inverting the same aspect into an internal art of implacability or something, metaphorically planting ourselves in the ground (well, air) and telling the world "No. You move"
But it's not going to win this vote anyway, so whatever
Wait, so cultivators are considered to be in the realm corresponding to their last completed milestone? Does that mean that we need to complete Peak and the one after that, in order to achieve our goal of reaching the Qi Condensation stage, @Karf ?
Sounds like we're limited by the number of milestones from now until whatever passes as max level, so to speak, and we we can use them either to learn a new technique or to improve on one we already know. Is that what you mean with going tall or wide, @Karf ?
Somewhat. I foresee it becoming strange and offputting to have basic techniques scale up in cost as milestones skyrocket, but at the same time, it's the best I have for the moment. So for the moment, yes - this is what I meant by wide vs tall.
This has been touched in the story as well, and some of it is my own mess, but in my defense, HP canon doesn't really have a rigid definition either. Plus when I was trying to mesh xianxia concepts with HP, something had to give. Maybe I should have just done away with charms based magic entirely, just have the name transfiguration for all techniques (spells) like history and defense have been appropriated, while leaving charms as the purely crafting branch. Still conflicted about what role a wand should play, but it is a pretty iconic object in HP, so I really wanted to keep it present, even if it hasn't really come up.
Wait, so cultivators are considered to be in the realm corresponding to their last completed milestone? Does that mean that we need to complete Peak and the one after that, in order to achieve our goal of reaching the Qi Condensation stage, @Karf ?
A cultivator is e.g. peak realm Qi Gathering stage cultivator when they first reach that milestone, until they reach the next one. You'll be considered a peak realm cultivator when you first reach peak realm (and there's no more progress in that realm, just the next stage). Your end of year goal is 900 points total.
Also, closing vote. Many thanks to anyone who's shared their thoughts and opinions, as always.
Scheduled vote count started by Karf on Dec 9, 2021 at 10:44 PM, finished with 51 posts and 21 votes.
23
[X][Home] Through gritted teeth, you'll prevail over yourself. Your own advice once given to Hermione still rings true - if you're unhappy, either change the circumstance or yourself. Since changing the whole world is a bit beyond you, you'll need to change yourself.
[x][Home] Through shut eyes. Metaphorically of course... You believe you can wrap your senses in your own Qi, deadening your perception of the world, at the cost of the clarity you've come to take for granted.
It feels like Transfiguration and Charms would make more sense switched. Charms are all manner of spells (techniques) and Transfiguration is turning one thing into another (crafting).
It feels like Transfiguration and Charms would make more sense switched. Charms are all manner of spells (techniques) and Transfiguration is turning one thing into another (crafting).
Somewhat. I foresee it becoming strange and offputting to have basic techniques scale up in cost as milestones skyrocket, but at the same time, it's the best I have for the moment. So for the moment, yes - this is what I meant by wide vs tall.
Maybe you could have it so that learning/improving techniques doesn't require a milestone if they are either a number of realms below your cultivation level or a number of "levels" below an already known (and related?) technique.
Or maybe you could use a point system, so that, instead of being all treated as equal, milestones could have a value just like techniques do, but based on the points needed to get them. A 2000 point milestone, then, could be used to learn two new basic techniques for 150 each, to advance one already known for 200, and to learn a more advanced one for 1500.
Of course, with our current knowledge, it's hard to say whether this would work or bring up different problems, but I thought it might be helpful.
I've only read the first two updates so far but the integrated system is really cool. I'm also loving the slightly wacky combination of Harry Potter and Xianxia
[X][Home] Through gritted teeth, you'll prevail over yourself. Your own advice once given to Hermione still rings true - if you're unhappy, either change the circumstance or yourself. Since changing the whole world is a bit beyond you, you'll need to change yourself.
[X][Transfiguration] Humble Light Bringer Law
Training rolls reprinted from start of turn, not new rolls.
You take to the Light Summoning Technique like a fish to water.
There are three exercises detailed in the book you found the original spell in. The first, you're glad to get down almost immediately, seeing as it involves an open flame and your fingers. The goal is to observe the Qi of a candle flame and separate the light from the heat. However, the way it is presented in the text makes you skeptical with its talk of tradition and decidedly medieval language use. Do you really need to poke at a flame, or is it simply so because they didn't have better natural sources of illumination available when the exercise was first conceived?
Then again, neither do you. Your little amulet gives off some light, but it's already Qi generated, warping your perception. In the end, you wind up borrowing mirrors from your friends and setting up a janky contraption to focus sunlight on a piece of paper. As you tilt the reflective surfaces, you're treated to the fastest appearance of Qi you've seen yet. As you focus more and more beams, suddenly - perhaps even at the speed of light - new flavors appear on the paper, ones you're pretty sure represent light. After studying the flows, you return to the candle.
Wetting your finger beforehand, you swipe through the flame, dragging along anything that isn't what you believe to be light Qi. With a puff of smoke, the flame flickers out, but your emerging smile remains lit. Floating above the wick is an orb of solid light. It immediately starts to dim as you've thoroughly disrupted whatever process translates to a candle burning, but it does remain for a few seconds.
The second exercise follows from the first: you're supposed to study the resulting light, then try to stabilize and move it. It's not the one day affair of your previous success, but a week of effort bears fruit. Starting from the Ravenclaw common room, you can steal a candle's light and carry the mote all the way to the edge of the Forbidden Forest and back again. You also find that it helps to create a label for the effect you're after in your mind, and an archive dive proves that others have thought the same. For light related effects, the word they give is 'Lumos'.
However, it's the final step that truly stumps you. The logic follows easily enough: you've learnt to recognize how Qi translates to light, you've learnt to manipulate it, now it's time to make your own. It takes a while for you to figure out what you're doing wrong. You've been trying to generate the light ex nihilo, meeting with some initial success by channeling your Qi through the open meridian on your palm, but that just gets you a glow-y hand. Still, it's minor progress, and you make the most of it, figuring out how the glow comes to be: you've subconsciously altered the aspects of your hand.
From there, it's a simple matter to make things glow. Metal objects look like they're heating up, but you suppose that's just the way they would glow in normal circumstances, no actual melting takes place. Others look like they're lit by bright sunlight. But that's not the whole of the technique, you still don't have free-standing light.
The final breakthrough comes in the last days of the month, and unfortunately, you've been reduced to trial and error by that point. Twisting and painting the ambient Qi just right, it becomes a mote of brightness. The closest analogy you can think of is cooking with your eyes closed, seasoning with no idea what goes into a dish, and finally just knowing a combination will produce a tasty result after countless failed attempts.
Still, once you're able to light up Qi, the rest is barely an afterthought: intensity, size, even color are pretty easy to manipulate, letting you comfortably claim mastery of the first technique of the Humble Light Bringer Law.
And just because you're already on a transfiguration binge, you dig through your notes of references and put together another batch of techniques, choosing one for the future:
-[][Transfiguration] Dollmaker's Petrification Diagram Law
-[][Transfiguration] Earthly Cloud Sharpening Law
-[][Transfiguration] White Feather's Flight Law
-??? aspected technique
-??? up to 4 meridians
Most physical things hold within them an aspect of Weight, a kind of love for the Earthly realm that pulls them to the ground. The Wing Floating Technique alters that relationship, letting you move heavy objects with naught but your wand and concentration.
-[][Transfiguration] Separating Void Paradigm Law
-??? aspected technique
-??? up to 5 meridians
The Whip Shear Technique separates objects as if they were cut by a knife, except you can do so from afar, and with considerably less effort, transforming one to two. It's surprising how often a little cut is all you need, and sliced bread is the etalon of useful inventions for a reason.
-[][Transfiguration] Humble Light Bringer Law
--[] Wisp-mother technique
More lights, more control; you'll become a conductor of a truly stunning show and compose symphonies of light meant to daze and bedazzle.
--[] Promethean technique
Light and fire truly go hand in hand; from floating embers to miniature suns to fine wood engravings burnt into the grain, you'll bring warmth everywhere you go.
--[] Light-eater technique
Everything has two sides, and light is nothing but the absence of darkness; shadows grow and outlines turn indistinct, things you used to see unraveling to nothingness.
Already introduced laws without any known techniques are merely mentioned by name so as to not artificially balloon the wordcount. Coming soon(tm), there will be a library of known, but not learned things under informational threadmarks.
The choices under an already known law are different. Every cultivator understands the world through their own lens, so the way they call upon techniques is also unique to them. The options above are mutually exclusive, representing Rei's subconscious understanding of what light is or does.
For example, Rei-A might think the Humble Light Bringer Law is all about visible light, so her completed version focuses on creating orbs of magical light in all shapes, sizes and colorations, from soft reading light to effectively flashbangs. Rei-B might focus on the creation process itself, producing flames or sparks for any manner of applications. Rei-C meanwhile sees it as a way to manipulate sight, her devious mind bringing the law from its humble origins to the realm of illusions and transparency instead.
While Rei still has more to learn about the meridian system, the number of meridians is a good indicator of how far a law can be pushed until it crystallizes. A 3 meridian law will hold 3 techniques, etc. Of course, there could be exceptions to this, and true experts can wash away limits as is the wont of cultivation.
This choice isn't for what you get right now. It's a choice for what you'll be working towards when you're training transfiguration the next time.
Care of Magical Creatures - rolls: [90, 39] > total: 129/150
From studying the shiny Galleon
Still, not all of your time is spent on transfigurations. The golden spirit stone you were gifted for Christmas is a time sensitive opportunity, and you intend to make the most of it. Of course, as a Ravenclaw, that means hitting the library.
Chewing through even the introductory texts on sentient Qi would be beyond you if you didn't have a live example to aid you. The books make references and assume understandings you flat out lack. The Dantians, you suspect you're beginning to feel, but what a World Root is or how healing from Tribulations relates to Cracked Meridian Reinforcement... well, it seems there's a reason Care of Magical Creatures is an elective subject in the third year. It'd take you at least that long to make sense of it all.
Thankfully, you do have an example to work with. The mote of energy has nearly broken free of the shell of the spirit stone, but for a short while yet, it remains trapped, letting you poke and prod at it at your leisure. You're not so arrogant as to claim that you fully understand the being, but shortly before it slips free, you think you've come to understand the hooks of mystical potential it sometimes sends out to meet your own Qi.
It is a language, in Qi form. You've come to accept that everything can be expressed through the energy of the world, so why not words and thoughts. That said, you're not sure which of you is more of a babbling baby - the mote or you. Just recognizing that you're trying to 'speak' doesn't mean you know the right syllables. Heck, you're not sure you're using a mouth, if you want to stretch the analogy to its limit. You think you're tantalizingly close to grasping the system, but before you manage to go through all your planned experiments, the Galleon dims, and you wake up to an inert glasslike shell, and no spirit in sight.
-[X][Social] It is absolutely essential that you see Mandy's little friend again... Err, that you see Mandy again. Yes, you just want to ask her more about pet care, maybe even get a familiar of your own. No ulterior motives here.
--[X] 2 Points
Roll: 62
As much as you hate the fact that you love being back, it's good to be back... it's complicated for you, alright? What you need, is for something to come along and help you turn your brain to a gooey happy mush, and thankfully you know just the thing.
You find Mandy out on the frozen lake, kneeling on the ice in front of a sawed in hole, wielding a fishing rod. Her face is serene, her hair done in elaborate hoops and curls, covered in tiny snowflakes.
"Hey!" you call out, "Want company?"
You can sense the Qi swirling around her as she meditates, running from the air into the lake and vice versa, and you make sure to temper your disappointment at there being no sign of her familiar.
"Sure. Glad to see you're back," she says.
"So, ice fishing?" you settle as far from the hole as possible, the idea of an icy bath does not appeal to you.
"I like working with my hands," she shrugs, "Besides, Billy needs the oils."
"You've actually caught something then?"
"Yesterday, but nothing today. I think the fishies have smartened up."
You were under the impression that fish were not the smartest of animals. "They can do that so quickly?"
Mandy sighs, "The ones at Hogwarts, maybe. I-"
The line wobbles for a moment, before settling again, and she reels the hook back up, sans any bait.
"Drat! They keep stealing the goods right from under my nose and the water's too dark to see through," she muses, glaring at the empty piece of metal swinging in the wind as if it had personally offended her.
"Too dark?" you ask with a smile.
"What are you thinking, Rei?"
With a flex of your will and a soft whisper of "Lumos", the steel starts to glow, first a dull red, then progressively brighter and brighter as your technique takes hold, until the metallic object looks more like a novelty lightbulb than a fishing hook. Mandy lets out an appreciative grunt. "I was just reading about that. Didn't realize it worked on any object."
You nod.
"When did you have time to pick that up?"
"It's not really that big of a deal," you demure, "Just a beginner exercise, right? I wanted to have some practical magic under my belt. You're also doing transfiguration?"
Now it's her turn to nod. "That and potions."
She readies another pellet and lowers the tackle once more, however before the silence can stretch, something stirs in the snowbank on the far side of the little clearing you're sitting in. With a puff of powder, Billy pokes out of the snow, wearing a cap of white as it settles on his furry little head. He lets out a series of inquisitive clicks as he works to fully extract himself from the tiny tunnel he's dug.
It is, of course, the cutest thing ever.
His whiskers are matted with clumps of snow, giving his already impressive beard even more weight, and you giggle as he ambles over to the sit opposite his minder, mirroring her posture.
"No, Billy," said owner says in a stern voice. "That's not a swimming hole."
"Doesn't he get cold?"
"Eventually," Mandy smiles, "In the wild, they spend the summer months in the canopies and the winter in snow tunnels. They have these elaborate networks of nests beneath the roots of the firs they prefer, and the needles keep them isolated."
"And they swim?"
"The tamarins are omnivores, and some colonies dig up hibernating frogs or smaller fish from the bottom muck. The lake is way too big for him, though. Even if he doesn't want to admit it... Billy, no!"
The monkey has been inching closer to the hole, all the while pretending to sit still. Thankfully, before the rascal could pretend to accidentally fall in, the line snaps taut again, and scares him off, as he dives back into the snow. Mandy tugs on the rod with great expertise, at least as far as you can tell, having never done any fishing in your life, and finally her efforts are rewarded, as a little green fish flops on the hook. With deft motions, she catches the morsel and whistles, summoning back her familiar, who peers from the snow.
"Lunch time, Billy."
The monkey immediately scampers forward, little eyes shining, and reaches out for his treat. What follows is surprisingly brutal: he takes the fish, which is bigger than his arm-span, spins it by its tail and smacks it against the ice. After three times, you're pretty sure the fish is dead, and Billy concurs, letting out a victorious little screech before summarily biting into its side, tiny fangs going to work. You're fascinated by the gruesome display as the white beard slowly turns red with blood. Both you and Mandy stare in silence until a crack of bone shakes the latter out of the moment.
"D'you wanna try too?" she extends you the rod.
"Sure." You take the pole and lower the already baited hook into the hole. "How does this work?"
"You'll feel a slight jerk at first. That's a fish testing the waters, so to speak, don't pull when that happens yet. Let them really bite in - they'll try to drag it down, and that's when the hook takes. Then you can start reeling."
A companionable silence finally falls, broken only by the sounds of Billy going through his meal. You're just about ready to call it after ten minutes, when you feel something disturb the line. Holding tight enough to turn your hands white, you sit very still, following Mandy's advice. Twice more something bats the tackle sideways, and you're worried that it's gotten the bait already, but the shine from your spell still reveals... whatever Mandy uses stuck to the hook. Then it bites, and the rod is almost jerked from your hands despite your efforts. Almost, however, is not good enough, and you'll be damned before a fish can get one over on you. With the same steady, deliberate motion you saw Mandy use, you pull upwards. Soon enough, something is splashing within the hole, and you emerge victorious.
What you've caught, on the other hand, gives you pause. Instead of the dull green of the other girl's catch, this fish is covered in scintillating scales, delicate back fins floating on winds of Qi. The display is technicolor, reds and greens and blues flashing in a smooth rhythm over the animal.
"What's that?" you ask.
"No idea," Mandy answers, as the fish stares at you, almost glumly. "I think we should take it to Elder Kettleburn."
"Who's that?"
"He teaches Care of Magical Creatures. I've been to him for advice with Billy before. He doesn't mind visitors."
You would have protested further, but a splash of water distracts the both of you. Sensing his moment, Billy has jumped in the hole. You're unsure how to react, but Mandy doesn't hesitate, her hand snapping out lightning fast and catching hold of the tail end of her familiar, literally.
"By the Dao, Billy. How many times..." she grumbles as the little monkey is lifted back out of the water, his expression petulant. "You know what, at least you're cleaned up. Let's get you inside before you catch a cold. Come on, I'll show you where his office is before I dry him up."
She takes the lead, entering the castle through the boathouse, and quickly directing you to a side passage. When you knock on the door at the far end, something crashes, before you're bid to enter.
"Elder Kettleburn?"
The room is full of cages and pens in all shapes and sizes, although most of them are empty. A carpenter's bench dominates the back wall, and the floor is made of thick glass, providing a view into what must be an underwater alcove of the lake.
"This one is he," an old man is sitting behind a simple desk, a book held in his hand - a clockwork hand, you can't help but notice - as he looks at you over a pair of reading glasses placed askew on his long nose. No source of the crashing sound you heard is evident.
You lift up your catch, still shining like a rainbow in your hand. "My friend, Mandy Brocklehurst, told me I should come to you. We were fishing on the lake, but this doesn't look like a normal fish."
He puts down the book and gives you a friendly smile. "Indeed it is not. Catching a Radiant Rainbow Koi, especially one this big, and especially-especially in this season, is quite the auspicious happenstance indeed. Which one of you caught it?"
"I did, Honored Elder, but I was just lucky," you swallow, "She just let me try once."
"Indeed, luck is an important skill to hone, young mistress. This one would be glad to take it off your hands unless you had more pressing plans for it."
You didn't; but you do smell an opportunity.
"Of course. But, could you please share what it's used for? I'd love to learn."
The man stands up, and you can hear a soft whirring noise as he steps out from behind the table. Not only are both of his hands made of tiny little gears, so are his feet, and from the sound you can only assume the legs as well.
"The scales are primarily a water generating potion ingredient, and the fins hold a surprising amount of wood Qi for a fish. The core is a particular favorite of Godric, which makes it all the more surprising that you caught it before he could. The meat itself is a delicacy, and the bones can serve as talisman bases, although they're subpar replacements in most cases."
You look at the fish with new appreciation, and the Elder nods approvingly.
"Yes indeed, young mistress, we must always endeavor not to be wasteful. Everything in this earthly realm has a place."
"And you would... prepare it?"
"I will," he says, the fact that you're giving him the fish already a foregone conclusion. He's not wrong, it's not like you could do any of that.
"Honored Elder, could I ask some of your work for myself?"
The man chuckles, "Your enterprising attitude is valorous, but so too must this one put up a fight. For three points, I shall deliver you something you could make use of."
A fight? Is he... telling you to haggle?
"Honored Elder, surely the work is but a blink for you, and I am gifting you my catch for free. Perhaps two points would be sufficient?" you really hope you're not overstepping your bounds.
For a moment, all is silent, except the soft ticking of gears. Then the man snorts. "Well put, you have a deal, young mistress. This one shall send you the result by the end of the month."
True to his word, about a week later you receive a brown parcel at breakfast, containing:
-[][Boon] A bag of still steaming smoked fillets.
Each fillet spreads their smoky taste throughout your body, making your own Qi restless and active. A pressure seems to be building within you, and you suspect you'll want to put your channels to use soon.
For the next turn, any progress rolls in Transfiguration also apply to a random other subject at one half of the value (rounded up).
-[][Boon] A jar of perpetually boiling fish soup.
The smell as you open the lid is truly mouthwatering, but the bubbles warn you away from scalding your tongue. The jar itself however, seems perfectly cool and more importantly - ordinary. How exactly is the soup still boiling, while not getting over-cooked?
For the next turn, all Potions training pools are rolled twice, keeping the higher success count.
-[][Boon] A plate of bright orange sushi rolls.
Despite being delivered by an owl, each roll is perfectly spaced, and the swirls of meat and rice are somehow encouraging strange flows of Qi.
Immediately gain 2d100 progress in Care of Magical Creatures, plus the option to use training actions in it for the next turn
-[X][Social] The only Ravenclaw you haven't properly met yet is Sue Li, and you're determined to fix that. Track her down and gain some insight into the mystery that is Sue.
Roll: 83
If finding the small girl was easy, you wouldn't have the self-imposed problem you have. Namely, properly meeting the last of your fellow Ravenclaws. Sue is a rare sight in the common room, and often times she doesn't even return for the night. That's a bit too reclusive, you decide.
So, when she arrives in the dead of night, silently shrugging off the robes and crawling under her sheets, you promise yourself that you'll get up before her and figure out a way to talk to her in the morning.
Much to your consternation however, you only open your eyes when you hear the dorm room door closing, the sky barely purple outside. Mentally cussing, you rush to get dressed and run to the common room. No luck, as to your dismay it too is already empty.
You don't think breakfast is even being served yet, and if Sue spent her time at the library, you'd know. If she dove into the depths of the castle, there's nothing you can do but wait for the next time she returns, and who knows when that'll happen. Thus, there's only one option that you can meaningfully pursue - hoping against hope that she's gone outside. If you hurry, you'll be able to pick up her trail in the snow or just see her on the open grounds.
The floating staircases have never felt so slow, but halfway down the central bastion your luck turns around. For a brief moment, you spot a distant shape ploughing towards the forest through a window. With just how deserted the castle otherwise feels, you're pretty sure it could only be Sue. As soon as you reach your landing, you rush outside, pulling the hems of your coat around you tighter.
Following in her footsteps lets you make better time than she did, and before long you're standing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the trail disappearing into the darkened depths. You've no idea why the forest is called what it is, but there's probably no good reason for it. At least, that's what you tell yourself as you slip beneath the trees.
Thankfully, the dark doesn't bother you, an orb of glowing Qi lighting your way with a flex of your will, casting stark shadows all around you. What little lead your quarry had vanishes quickly after that, your own pace much faster when she's stumbling carefully in low light conditions.
Of course, this also means that your approach to her isn't exactly stealthy, but that's fine. You're not trying to sneak up on her or scare her. If she doesn't want you around, she can just say so, and you'll leave her alone.
"Sister Young," Sue says as you reach a small clearing, standing by a fallen tree, "Is something the matter?"
Right, you don't exactly have the best of icebreakers available, so straightforward will have to do. "Call me Rei, and no. I was just curious about you - when you disappear for days at a time, can you really blame me? You're quite the riddle, you know."
Something about your words causes the other girl to smile lightly. "A riddle?"
"Yeah," you shoot her a smile of your own, "in a good way though. If you don't want me to pry, just say so."
She shakes her head, and you continue.
"Maybe I could help you with whatever you're doing? I assume you didn't just come here to freeze your butt off."
"I'm gathering reagents."
You wait for her to elaborate, but she remains just as silent as the forest.
"Yeah? What kind, we could look together?"
"I... can't afford to compensate you for your efforts. Sorry."
"Compensate?" you ask, baffled, "No-no, everything we find is yours, I'm just tagging along."
There's still a doubting look in her eyes.
"Honest, promise! What are you looking for? Think of it as paying me back with tutoring."
Finally, she relents with a sigh. "I'm gathering pristine octagonal ice. Do you know what that is?"
"Not a clue," you cheerfully inform her.
"Look for especially round icicles."
That, you can do. Over the next half an hour, the two of you travel deeper into the forest, with you lighting the way and pointing out iced over branches to her and her shaking her head. Until, that is, you spot a particularly thick rod of ice.
"Sue! There's something," you point.
Your companion looks over, and for once, actually nods.
"Wait, really? We actually did find it this time?" if there's one thing you've come to learn about the girl, it's that she really is that quiet. Unless you specifically ask, she won't elaborate.
"We did."
"Now what?"
"Help me up."
The icicle is indeed hanging from a branch just out of reach, but you've no problem hefting up the smaller Sue, as she balances on your shoulder and pulls out a tiny hacksaw from her robes. In a few seconds she jumps back down, holding the frozen spike.
"So that's it?"
"Inside. Look."
She puts the saw away, switching it for a chisel. With a couple of expert taps, the outside layers fall off, leaving behind a perfectly symmetrical eight-sided core. She twists it this way and that, before nodding once in satisfaction. "A good find. Thank you, Rei."
"I thought snowflakes were six-sided," you venture to keep her talking.
"Yes, but these things compress Qi. Only the core is symmetric, so only the core can be used for crafting diagrams. This one is very potent - see how small the outer layers are."
"Almost like a straight banana."
That's probably not the comparison she was expecting, but it does get a short giggle out of her, so you consider it a win.
"Almost. I can definitely sell this one."
"You're not gathering them for yourself?" you ask.
She shakes her head, word quota reached once more.
The two of you search together until noon, with you doing the vast majority of the talking. Still, you learn that she's a half-blood, and she lives in London like you, with what you gather is a very large family. Although she doesn't say it outright, you think you understand what she's doing with the sales funds from her frequent excursions. As the sun reaches its peak, her bag is full, and she turns down your offer of using yours, assuring you that you've already helped too much. You don't exactly agree, but she is right about your own time not being unlimited either. Thus the two of you part ways as you return to the castle, her to send off her load and you for a well deserved lunch. For the fifth time you make your way to the great hall for the point ceremony. Thankfully, the first years go first, so you know you can show up on time and not waste any waiting around. Plus you believe you have a good chance of getting a win.
History, as usual, is first in line, the point going to Daphne Greengrass. Whatever she took from your meeting, at least it doesn't seem to have slowed down her cultivation.
Defense comes to Ravenclaw, with Roger confidently marching up to Elder Quirrell. As the rest are clapping, you catch a look of surprise on Draco Malfoy's face for a brief moment, before he returns to a polite disinterest.
In Herbology, the Hufflepuffs finally get a win, with Megan Jones claiming the top spot while Charms goes to the Gryffindor Patil twin, Parvati giving a wide smile to Elder Flitwick.
Then it's your name that gets called, and you smother the breath of relief. You knew you did well, but there was always a chance that someone else shined even brighter. You bow in response to Elder McGonagall's imperceptible smile.
Elder Sinistra calling out Roger's name again, however, definitely comes as a surprise for the boy, and for you. He mentioned that he did some minor work in between bouts of physical training, but apparently he either downplayed his efforts or there wasn't much competition.
With him winning two categories, you expected your housemate to also take the overall prize, but instead, Draco Malfoy gets called on stage, the blond boy stepping up with a satisfied smirk.
And then another month of cultivation and Quidditch awaits you. Pick 3 training actions, you may pick the same one multiple times:
-[][Training] Spiritual cultivation
-[][Training] Physical cultivation
-[][Training] Herbology
-[][Training] Potions
-[][Training] Charms
-[][Training] Transfiguration
-[][Training] Astronomy
-[][Training] Care of Magical Creatures
Only if the boon of sushi is chosen.
Not all of your time is spent on the path to enlightenment, your peers also demand some of your attention, and when you one day look back, some events would stand out. Pick 31 social action:
-[][Social] You've never been in a choir before, but you're not about to let that stop you from going to the audition when you find Elder Flitwick in the common room, posting a notice on the board advertising the Hogwarts Choir.
-[][Social] It's Valentine's day, and Hogwarts is filled with supernaturally active teenagers. Some chaos is to be expected, but you're just glad you get to observe the various disasters from the sidelines.
-[][Social] Terry has heard that you know the secret to accessing the kitchen. He's promised you cookies if you take him and another of his fellow chefs to it, with implications of more bounties if you help them out further.
-[][Social] Given how often magical portraits seem to come up in your brief time at Hogwarts, perhaps you should learn more about them. A tiny part of your mind also whispers that it would be cool to bring your doodles to life.
-[][Social] Hurricane Chang has decided to spend an afternoon with you, and the topic of the day is obviously going to be Quidditch.
-[][Social] You're invited for tea with Lavender Brown - she says it'll be a small gathering, but that it should be fun.
-[][Social] It's been a while since your last adventure with Lisa, and you're feeling the itch of wanderlust.
-[][Social] Tracey Davis offered to be your friend... or was it the other way around? Regardless, you wouldn't mind another lesson on immortal customs, and her straightforward manner can be refreshing.
-[][Social] Hogwarts has a dueling club for Qi Condensation and up disciples. You can't participate, but surely Elder Flitwick won't mind if you just come as an audience member.
-[X][Social] Your team is assembled for training against the Slytherins.
-[X][Social] Near the end of the month, the pitch once again awaits you, and you're anxious to return and prove that once wasn't a fluke.
-[][Social] Write-in
As a result of your improving cultivation, you have 1 free action you may spend on either the training or the social category as you see fit.
Optional point expenditure (you have 4 points):
-[][Points] Write-in
[X][Transfiguration] Humble Light Bringer Law
-[X] Wisp-mother technique
Let's branch out to holograms
[X] Plan: Artiste
-[X][Boon] A jar of perpetually boiling fish soup.
-[X][Training] Potions (x4)
-[X][Social] Given how often magical portraits seem to come up in your brief time at Hogwarts, perhaps you should learn more about them. A tiny part of your mind also whispers that it would be cool to bring your doodles to life.
--[X] 3 points
Exactly the technique I wanted out of this tech tree
Decided to go with the Potions combo since we'll be needing to do more physical cultivation relatively soon. Also, QM said that it'd let us finally use our Bag and I've been dying to see it in action.
The art action is because I just really wanna finally do some magic art.
[X][Transfiguration] Humble Light Bringer Law
--[X] Wisp-mother technique
[X][Transfiguration] Humble Light Bringer Law
--[X] Light-eater technique
[X] Plan: Transformative Art
-[X][Boon] A bag of still steaming smoked fillets.
-[X][Training] Transfiguration (x4)
-[X][Social] Given how often magical portraits seem to come up in your brief time at Hogwarts, perhaps you should learn more about them. A tiny part of your mind also whispers that it would be cool to bring your doodles to life.
--[X] 3 points
Same as
[X] Plan: Artiste
but with the Transfiguration combo. Getting our main class up to Apprentice while making progress in others feels peak Ravenclaw.
I'd be down to go all in on Potions this month with the Potions Boon.
[X] Plan: Artiste
-[X][Boon] A jar of perpetually boiling fish soup.
-[X][Training] Potions (x4)
-[X][Social] Given how often magical portraits seem to come up in your brief time at Hogwarts, perhaps you should learn more about them. A tiny part of your mind also whispers that it would be cool to bring your doodles to life.
--[X] 3 points
