Because Teachers are Heroes Too: No SV: You Are Headmaster of a Hero Academy

[Magoose]

Turn 1

The great academy for Heroes, one that you had hoped to build was not getting off you a good start.

For one thing, the castle you were gifted, was a dump. A dank, dirty place that hadn't been used for centuries at least. But it was remarkably resilient, to still be standing with only minor damage after all these years.

But it was dangerous, both to you and the students.

"Talian," You stated. "The Students can't live here."

"Well you were given the castle for free, what do you expect. It's a tax dump that the magistrate no longer has to pay for." Talian replied. "I mean, we also have powerful mages among us. This should be a quick fixer-upper for you."

You looked at the so-called powerful mages that were under your employ. Zelda was staring off to the south, fearful of anything that came from there, Nero was standing in the shade, his red eyes looking at you like with curiosity. And Cillia was standing next to John, eating an apple.

The only one you could trust was Cillia, but she had other duties to attend to than repairing the castle. And you needed to make sure the local magistrate does not decide to sell the castle off before you could get the deed that proved your ownership from him.

"We can't delay with repairs, not with the students waiting for us to begin classes," Jasper stated. "Unless you wish to send the Magistrate a seething letter of disapproval… Because I'm sure there's another castle that he's willing to sell."

You sighed. Dammit, you knew getting a castle for free was too good to be true. "Alright then. Nero." You spoke to the dark mage. He stepped forward out of the shadows, looking at you with curiosity. "Take Roche and clean this place out of any spirits, and make a note about any rooms that are capable of housing our students without issue, along with a place to house our supplies so John and Zelda can refrigerate it."

Nero nodded, and he looked towards Roche and both men walked towards the castle, Nero warping the shadows with every step he took.

That still creeped you out.

"Zelda." You looked at the white mage, who turned to look at you. Her face fearful at your stern tone. "Set up your infirmary in the guardhouse, I doubt we will be using it for anything else for now.

She nodded and she ran over to the guard barracks.

"The rest of you," You looked at the rest of your staff. "Set up your classrooms, and prepare to teach. We have students coming in… We should be ready for them."

They nodded and they began to unpack their equipment and the equipment used for training.

Except for Cillia, she remained by your side. "You weren't expecting this when you retired from hero work… weren't you?"

"Up shit creek without a paddle. I should have known it would never be this easy." You frowned. "This reminds you of anything?"

"That brothel in Vanton that was so run down you were hired to destroy it?" Cillia replied.

"No,?" You replied. "This place is far too steeped in magic to remind me of that cesspool."

"The moving one that was a temple to the gods?" Cillia replied. "The one controlled the weather? Weathertop I think it was called?"

You snapped your finger. "That's the one."

"Yeah, I can see the resemblance. All run down but with only minor damage to the castle." Cillia said.

You sighed and smiled. "Well, we'll be better than the last occupants were."

Whoever they were, you said with a gaze of confusion. The castle still looked far better than others that had been abandoned for centuries. A magical barrier of curse perhaps. It was annoying, but nothing you could not handle.

"So what do we call our academy?" Cillia asked.

Oh shit… You forgot to name the academy in your letters and recruiting posters.

"I'll think of one." You replied.

Turn one begin

What do you call your academy:
[]Write in
[]Come up with one Later.

Academy Prestige: 0 (Recruiting Students Unavailable)

Actions: You have 8 Actions.

Diplomacy: You hate it when you have to meet with that Drunk magistrate.

[]Get the Deed of Ownership: The Magistrate, in his most infinite wisdom of drunkenness, did not give you the deed that proved your ownership of the castle. You need to get it, otherwise, your Academy might come under new management… And you do not want that. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You get the deed of Ownership.

[]Meet with the Magistrate: You need to meet with the magistrate regarding missions and territory rights surrounding your castle. You want to know if you can work the land for your own purposes. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: Land surrounding your Academy will be handed over to you. New Upgrades become available.

[]Meet with other Kingdoms: You need more missions for your academy, and that means setting up a line of communication between the other lands, and their leaders. Hopefully, it goes well. Chance of Success: Unknown. Reward: More missions in faraway lands. Linetail the nation you wish to speak to bellow this option. Every nation costs one action.
List of nations:
Permia, Horopylia, Sano, Campo, Flokland, Newbury, Hathe, Xunzhao, Midinia, Bretlla, Kaplodia, Inzhiem. Apria, Dragons Tooth, Raven Helm, Halnor, Romain Confederation, Holmgaurd, Pistia, Montral, Harbachland, Mergadia, Narochia, Ranterra.

Academy Defense: The Castle has to be under some sort of Magical Spell. There is no way it could have lasted two hundred years without something keeping together. You need to find out if the place will harm your students.

[]The Curse of Castle Greymont: You need to know if this castle will be the death of you. The walls still are strong, and the wood is still pristine. The walls talk in whispers and the night howls. The Curse this place has is strong, and it has kept the place intact… But not deadly. You will make sure that it will stay that way. Chance of Success: 65% Reward: You learn more about the curse of this place, and how to break it.

[]Traps, Bells and Hunter Towers: While you are not rich enough to rebuild the walls and you do not have the time to set up magical defense so this academy could withstand a siege, you can set up a layer of defenses beyond the walls, hopefully, it will be enough to keep the Academy safe. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 85% Reward: Defenses established beyond the Academy's walls.

[]Siege Stores: The Granary and Underground Siege stores have… well rotted away. If this place was attacked, your academy wouldn't last a day. John wishes to rectify that situation and try to refill them with supplies to survive a siege or a crisis. You agree. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have siege supplies.

Stewardship: You really hate it when you get ripped off… well time to make the most of it.

[]Get Supplies: You need to make sure supplies are continuing to flow into this academy. Chance of Success: 60% Reward: Student Mision rolls will not suffer from lack of food.

[]Hire Teachers: You have Vacant positions that need to be filled. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You see who's available to hire.

[]Repair the Academy: Your Academy is trashed, and you need to fully repair this place before you can think about making it better. Cost: 500 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Your Academy is fully prepared, and upgrades can begin.

Intrigue: You really wish you had a spymaster.

No Intrigue actions Available

Learning: Magic is one of those things that you really can't live without.

[]Headmaster Duties: As Headmaster, you have to be the one who does all the paperwork around here… Gods dammit. Chance of Success: 95% Reward:Students gain a +10 to mission rolls for this turn.

[]Zelda's Healing Problem: You need Zelda to be able to heal people with magic, not patching them up and praying for the best. You need her. Chance of Success: 80% Reward: Zelda is given a talking to.

[]Formilize class Schedules: Right now, it's a free for all trying to get students to memorize the class schedules, especially when there are students who cannot wake up before noon. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have a class schedule formalized. Students get a +5 to mission rolls for 6 turns.

[]Talian's Drunk Adventures: You sat down for a drink with Talian… You did not expect to wake up here. Chance of Success: 100% Reward: He had a what!?

Teacher Missions: Just because you are now a teacher, does not mean you haven't forgotten your true calling: Being a Hero. But your subordinates are heroes too.

[]The Merry Men of Elkhort: Why the hell is a band of robbers stealing from you! You need to deal with this now! Chance of Success: 65% Reward: Disaster Roll lowered by 5 for this turn, getting supplies will now be 100%.

[]The Marked Man: John has seen a few bounty hunters looking for him. He needs to deal with them before they come and attack the Academy. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: The Bounty Hunters are dealt with.

[]The Exiled Prince: Nero wishes to talk to you. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You speak to Nero.

[]The Curse of Elkhort (Part 1): It seems that the castle isn't the only thing wrong with the area. It seems the whole city is cursed by something, and it is making them all take to the drink. Chance of Success: 55%/???% Reward: You learn more about why the City is cursed.

[]The Vines Speak: Cillia wishes to talk to you about the Academy, and the students in it. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Cillia is spoken too.

[]Revenge is a Dish Served: You need to talk to Gin about her quest of Revenge. You do not want her running off and getting herself killed. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You speak to Gin.

Student Missions: You are Training Students to be heroes. That means sending them on missions to hone their skills. With proper supervision of course.

You have 8 teachers to supervise teams of students. Bellow the mission, you must put a teacher bellow the mission you send the students on.

As Headmistress: Amber grants a +10 to the mission roll when she is supervising.

As Deputy Headmistress: Cillia Grants a +5. To the mission roll.

The rest of the staff do not grant a bonus, as the staff is not at full strength yet, and upgrades are missing.

You also have 4 classes of students. Everytime a successful mission is completed, a d4 will roll to see which class gets the EXP. If you have a preference on which class should get EXP, please put them below the mission. You can only put your class preference for a mission once.

(Choose up to 8)

[]Guard Fields: The Local farmers need to protect their fields from wild pigs. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Care for Animals: Local farmers need extra hands for taking care of their animals. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Fixing Homes: The Local Carpenters are happy to take Students off your hands for a week of work. They will pay well/ Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Killing Slimes: It seems some slimes have left their dens and are terrorizing some local children. They aren't threatening them in any way, but the parents want them gone before they grow bigger. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Take down Wolves: It seems that a pack of Wolves has taken up residence in the local woods. Now you need to deal with them before they attack random travelers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Protecting the Roads: The roads of Elkhort need to be patrolled, and the guards are asking for volunteers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Street Sweepers: Drunks, Vagrants, and all sorts of unsavory people walk the Streets of Elkhort at night. The Guards are asking for more volunteers from the school. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Home on the Range: Cattle are passing through the Territory, and the boys want to have some extra protection from bandits and rustlers. Cost: 20 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Bodyguard the Magistrate: The Magistrate wants to have a few students be his bodyguards while he is hosting some of his friends and political enemies. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 70% Reward: 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP.

[]Patroling the Border: The Kingdom of Permia needs Heroes to patrol the border to Sano. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 50% Reward: 100 prestige. 1000 Gold, 500 EXP.

[]Bounty: Ako the Mad Axmen: It seems a great warrior from the Armies of Permia has deserted, taking a band of raiders with him. He is skilled, and not a foe to be trifled with, not without help or experience. Chance of Success: 25% Reward: 500 prestige. 3000 Gold, 1000 EXP.

AN: Enjoy and Vote in plan format.

 

[Magoose]

Turn 1 Results.

The great academy for Heroes, one that you had hoped to build was not getting off you a good start.

For one thing, the castle you were gifted, was a dump. A dank, dirty place that hadn't been used for centuries at least. But it was remarkably resilient, to still be standing with only minor damage after all these years.

But it was dangerous, both to you and the students.

"Talian," You stated. "The Students can't live here."

"Well you were given the castle for free, what do you expect. It's a tax dump that the magistrate no longer has to pay for." Talian replied. "I mean, we also have powerful mages among us. This should be a quick fixer-upper for you."

You looked at the so-called powerful mages that were under your employ. Zelda was staring off to the south, fearful of anything that came from there, Nero was standing in the shade, his red eyes looking at you like with curiosity. And Cillia was standing next to John, eating an apple.

The only one you could trust was Cillia, but she had other duties to attend to than repairing the castle. And you needed to make sure the local magistrate does not decide to sell the castle off before you could get the deed that proved your ownership from him.

"We can't delay with repairs, not with the students waiting for us to begin classes," Jasper stated. "Unless you wish to send the Magistrate a seething letter of disapproval… Because I'm sure there's another castle that he's willing to sell."

You sighed. Dammit, you knew getting a castle for free was too good to be true. "Alright then. Nero." You spoke to the dark mage. He stepped forward out of the shadows, looking at you with curiosity. "Take Roche and clean this place out of any spirits, and make a note about any rooms that are capable of housing our students without issue, along with a place to house our supplies so John and Zelda can refrigerate it."

Nero nodded, and he looked towards Roche and both men walked towards the castle, Nero warping the shadows with every step he took.

That still creeped you out.

"Zelda." You looked at the white mage, who turned to look at you. Her face fearful at your stern tone. "Set up your infirmary in the guardhouse, I doubt we will be using it for anything else for now.

She nodded and she ran over to the guard barracks.

"The rest of you," You looked at the rest of your staff. "Set up your classrooms, and prepare to teach. We have students coming in… We should be ready for them."

They nodded and they began to unpack their equipment and the equipment used for training.

Except for Cillia, she remained by your side. "You weren't expecting this when you retired from hero work… weren't you?"

"Up shit creek without a paddle. I should have known it would never be this easy." You frowned. "This reminds you of anything?"

"That brothel in Vanton that was so run down you were hired to destroy it?" Cillia replied.

"No,?" You replied. "This place is far too steeped in magic to remind me of that cesspool."

"The moving one that was a temple to the gods?" Cillia replied. "The one controlled the weather? Weathertop I think it was called?"

You snapped your finger. "That's the one."

"Yeah, I can see the resemblance. All run down but with only minor damage to the castle." Cillia said.

You sighed and smiled. "Well, we'll be better than the last occupants were."

Whoever they were, you said with a gaze of confusion. The castle still looked far better than others that had been abandoned for centuries. A magical barrier of curse perhaps. It was annoying, but nothing you could not handle.

"So what do we call our academy?" Cillia asked.

Oh shit… You forgot to name the academy in your letters and recruiting posters.

"I'll think of one." You replied.

Academy Name: Sunrise Academy

Diplomacy: You hate it when you have to meet with that Drunk magistrate.

-[X]Get the Deed of Ownership: The Magistrate, in his most infinite wisdom of drunkenness, did not give you the deed that proved your ownership of the castle. You need to get it, otherwise, your Academy might come under new management… And you do not want that. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You get the deed of Ownership. Rolled: 1D100 => 6

You were almost too late. The magistrate was just moments away from handing over the deed to the Academy to a weird merchant who wanted the castle.

Reward: You have the deed, now you cannot lose the castle to crazy crap.

-[X]Meet with the Magistrate: You need to meet with the magistrate regarding missions and territory rights surrounding your castle. You want to know if you can work the land for your own purposes. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: Land surrounding your Academy will be handed over to you. New Upgrades become available. Rolled: 1D100 => 39

The merchant smiled as he looked at you as if he was expecting you to arrive. He then looked to the magistrate. "I will be back to discuss our debts." He bowed to the magistrate and turned to you. "After your meeting with the headmistress."

You did not know why, but the merchant's voice sent chills up your spine as he spoke, and even as he walked away, you felt power radiating from him.

An unnatural power.

You then looked at the Magistrate. "Who was that?"

"Someone whom I will be able to deal with my lady." The magistrate stated. "Why are you here?"

"I wish to speak to you about the land surrounding the castle." You replied.

"Ah yes… the estate of Castle Grymont, that was not included with the deed." There was a pause. "It's yours as well."

"Why?" You asked.

The Magistrate tried to smile, but it was strained. "Consider it a gift from the city, and from myself."

Reward: You now have the lands surrounding castle Greymont. New Upgrades available.

Academy Defense: The Castle has to be under some sort of Magical Spell. There is no way it could have lasted two hundred years without something keeping together. You need to find out if the place will harm your students.

-[X]The Curse of Castle Greymont: You need to know if this castle will be the death of you. The walls still are strong, and the wood is still pristine. The walls talk in whispers and the night howls. The Curse this place has is strong, and it has kept the place intact… But not deadly. You will make sure that it will stay that way. Chance of Success: 65% Reward: You learn more about the curse of this place, and how to break it. Rolled: 1D100 => 100

The Ghosts were surprisingly friendly, and happy that someone took up residence in the Castle after so long. (Continued in Castle Greymont's Ghostly inhabitants.)

Stewardship: You really hate it when you get ripped off… well time to make the most of it.

-[X]Get Supplies: You need to make sure supplies are continuing to flow into this academy. Chance of Success: 60% Reward: Student Mision rolls will not suffer from lack of food. Rolled: 1D100 => 41

John got the supplies but was nearly spotted by bounty hunters and bandits. He needs you to stop sending him on dangerous assignments when there are bounty hunters around.

Reward: Supplies for this turn gained, the students will not be hungry going out on missions.

-[X]Repair the Academy: Your Academy is trashed, and you need to fully repair this place before you can think about making it better. Cost: 500 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Your Academy is fully prepared, and upgrades can begin. Rolled: 1D100 => 28

It was a long month, with the students helping you more than you wanted. But they were happy that they no longer needed to worry about getting rained on.

Reward: The Castle has been repaired, upgrades can now be started on.

Learning: Magic is one of those things that you really can't live without.

-[X]Headmaster Duties: As Headmaster, you have to be the one who does all the paperwork around here… Gods dammit. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Students gain a +10 to mission rolls for this turn. Rolled: 1D100 => 40

Gods, you hated the paperwork you had to do.

Reward: +10 to the student mission rolls.

-[X]Formilize class Schedules: Right now, it's a free for all trying to get students to memorize the class schedules, especially when there are students who cannot wake up before noon. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have a class schedule formalized. Students get a +5 to mission rolls for 6 turns. Rolled: 1D100 => 1

It was all destroyed… DAMN THOSE GHOSTS!

Failure. +5 to the disaster roll for this turn.

Teacher Missions: Just because you are now a teacher, does not mean you haven't forgotten your true calling: Being a Hero. But your subordinates are heroes too.

-[X]The Merry Men of Elkhort: Why the hell is a band of robbers stealing from you! You need to deal with this now! Chance of Success: 65% Reward: Disaster Roll lowered by 5 for this turn, getting supplies will now be 100%. Rolled: 1D100 => 50

"So… are we going to bring them in, or take out their-?" Zelda asked. "What are you doing?" She asked as Nero walked in front of her, towards the bandits.

Nero's eyes glowed crimson red. "I'll deal with them."

"Wait! Nero!" Zelda shouted.

The Bandits did not stand a chance against a prince with a bloodlust.

Reward: The Bandits dead. Disaster Roll lowered by 5 for this turn, getting supplies will now be 100%

Student Missions: You are Training Students to be heroes. That means sending them on missions to hone their skills. With proper supervision of course.

-[X]Guard Fields: The Local farmers need to protect their fields from wild pigs. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, 100 EXP. Rolled: 1D100 => 67+10=77 Class: 1D4 => 3
--[X]Zelda

Zelda found guarding the fields a relaxing, if not boring task. She enjoyed being in nature.

The Students, however, were forced to deal with a boar on their own…

Students needed to learn that they were not going to be protected by the teachers forever, and they should learn that lesson now than in the field.

Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, class three gains 100 EXP.

-[X]Fixing Homes: The Local Carpenters are happy to take Students off your hands for a week of work. They will pay well Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 44+10=54 Class:1D4 => 3
--[X]Tallion

"Come on! Put your backs into it!" Talion shouted as he took a sip of his tea.

"Yes, sir!" One of the members of class three replied, which earned him a dirty look.

"It's all about responsibility and getting the job done. You'd be a shit hero if you left things half done!" Talian shouted.

Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, class three gains 100 EXP.

-[X]Killing Slimes: It seems some slimes have left their dens and are terrorizing some local children. They aren't threatening them in any way, but the parents want them gone before they grow bigger. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP. Rolled: 1D100 => 52+10=62 Class: 1D4 => 2
--[X]Nero

"I can't believe I went from killing bandits to slimes." Nero said to himself as he watched the students cut down the slimes with their weapons. "I hope Roche is doing well..." He saw a student in a sloppy form. "SEPARATE THOSE FEET!"

Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, class three gains 100 EXP.

-[X]Take down Wolves: It seems that a pack of Wolves has taken up residence in the local woods. Now you need to deal with them before they attack random travelers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled: 1D100 => 63+10=73 Class:1D4 => 2
--[X]Roche

Roche took a sip of the tea that he was drinking, as he talked to the wolves. "So you're saying that your pack abandoned your family, so you fled south for greener pastures and to not get killed by hunters?"

"Yes, Master Roche." The wolf responded, looking down in shame.

"I know a guy who can help you," Roche stated. "Just don't eat anyone, and head south to Boulderdur and whisper the name, Vladimir. He will take you in, and you will get the holy gift of the gods. Bacon."

The wolf nodded. "Yes, master."

Roche looked at his group of students. "Sometimes, you can talk your way out of a problem, instead of fighting. For animals, it's always nice to have fluency in beast tongue, but having some magic will also help if their rabid or scared. For a person… Well, speaking their language helps, and sometimes a show of power works as well."

Reward: Wolves Delt with. 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for class 2.

-[X]Protecting the Roads: The roads of Elkhort need to be patrolled, and the guards are asking for volunteers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 43+10=53 Class: 1D4 => 1
--[X]Jasper

"Eyes front. Even if it's boring, you must remain vigilant. God's knows what would happen if you aren't paying attention." Jasper stated.

He did not like these roads. Something was off about them, like a bubble that was sucking the life from something. He did not know what it was sucking from, or who, but it was powerful enough to keep his hands on his sword for the entire patrol.

Reward: Roads patroled. 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for Class one.

-[X]Street Sweepers: Drunks, Vagrants, and all sorts of unsavory people walk the Streets of Elkhort at night. The Guards are asking for more volunteers from the school. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled: 1D100 => 17+15=32 Class:1D4 => 2
--[X]Cicillia

This town seemed infected with some sort of disease. Every night for two weeks she witnessed the same thing. Drunks fighting each other, speaking in tounges from the north, and trying to kill each other.

Two of the students were hurt, but the streets were free of fights after they left.

But the only words she understood was 'Mirror. Mirror, Mirror'

Reward: The Streets are clean: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for Class two

-[X]Home on the Range: Cattle are passing through the Territory, and the boys want to have some extra protection from bandits and rustlers. Cost: 20 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 43+10=53 Class:1D4 => 3
--[X]Gin

The cattle passed through the county with haste, being chased out by some magical force.

She did not know magic… but Gin was not stupid. The curse of this city was real.

And something had come here and made it worse.

She needed to be sure her students stayed safe.

Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP for class 3

-[X]Bodyguard the Magistrate: The Magistrate wants to have a few students be his bodyguards while he is hosting some of his friends and political enemies. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 70% Reward: 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 92+20=112 Class:1D4 => 2
--[X]Amber

You saw the merchant who was talking to the magistrate steal spoons from the party. But when you tried to follow him and get them back, he disappeared. You did not hear a crack of a Teleporting stone, nor did you see a shimmer of a shadow of an invisibility spell.

He vanished without a trace.

Reward: What the hell? 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP for class 2.

Disaster Roll:1D100 => 98+15-5= 108

Nothing really happened to you. And it scared you.

The city has seeped into darkness by a power that you have never seen before.… and you don't know how to help it.

Reward: The Curse is getting worse. Every two turns, the disaster roll will increase by 5 until it is broken.

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

Well, I was going to post it tomorrow, but because an omake is involved, here it is (Very briefly might I add):

Cultures (Briefly.)

Shwazen: Great soldiers have always been produced in the harsh lands of March and Schland, where men are trained at birth to wield the spear, the sword, and the shield. From the age of 6 to when they are 18, they are drilled in soldiery, discipline, and strategy, along with agriculture, carpentry, blacksmithing, and architecture so that they can expand their empire across the continent, as to complete the Dream of their first Schwarzen king: Freidrik the Unifier, to unify the continent, so that they may live the rest of their days in peace.

Every Schwarzen strives to complete that dream, as it is their destiny to bring order to the continant.

Their leaders of the Schwarze Family have been known to respect strength, courage, and bravery, with much of its government centralized around the emperor.

They hate the Talian's because of the decentralized nature of their republics, and for believing that everyone is born free.

Romian: The Great Minds of the Romain only set their sights on greatness in all things construction. Through the great coastal cities of the Romain Confederation, Halnor, Raven helm, and Dragon's Tooth, great monuments and structures of stone, marble, and even the great redwoods of the Fangshire forests.

They exploit the resources of the land to build monuments to human achievement, believing that man needs to carve his own destiny without the gods. As they are small, isolated from anyone who would be their allies from the Schwarzen's, they band together in times of war, and even in times of peace, they are close as brothers to one another.

They hate the Rusanic's for believing that their goddess will save them from all ills, and not taking it upon themselves to craft a better world.

[]Tallian: The Great City States and Republics are your home, where the citizens of all walks of life, debate their issues, in public forums, where great councilors elected by the citizenry steer the ships of states. Amongst their greatest asset, their diplomatic ability is legendary the world over.

Their disunity, however, has led them to conflict and war with each other, as each ideology brings its own problems, and they all can't stand each other.

Even with all the conflict and strife, they believe that every man, women, and child are free to make their own destiny, and have an equal say in running the state, no matter how ludicrous their ideas may be.

It has led them to conflict with the Schwarzen empire, who view that freedom as unnecessary, and dangerous to the order they wish to bring.

[]Rusanic: As the Legend goes, the Great Lady Meria breathed magic into her people to protect them from the harsh wilds of an untamed land. Soon their powers grew, until they needed it no longer. But the goddess let them keep their gifts, for the coming wars and for her return. The mages here are not as skilled as those across the sea, but their power stems from nature… and nature the Rusanic's value more than anything else.

This attitude has led them to not build many great cities of stone and brick, instead, they made them out of fireproof ironwood and Greenwood, and raise great castles of earth and mud, and magic.

They despise the Romains for believing that mankind has a choice in the great problems, and can fix them. They believe only the gods can fix the problems of their world. And they will force anyone who says otherwise to taste steel.

[]Angshire: The Great kingdom Flokland was home to the great sheep and cows of the Iaban, which have fed the nation for centuries. Their fields are filled with dogs, sheep and cattle. In that sacred trust between land, cattle, and man, they have thrived. And in their such close bond, they speak to the animals themselves.

Their bond with animals has developed a system of animal and human representation between both species, with each animal voicing their concern about the fact they might be eaten by humans, and vise versa, which leads to very interesting conversations.

The Hantzu believe that the Angshire are possessed by demons and animals spirits from the east, and they must be cleansed before they are destroyed by those spirits. by murdering them.

[]Hantzu: The Refugees from the east, they landed in Xunzhou, where they built their home. But the shadows across the sea, are where they come from, and in the shadows, they will always remember. And they will never be slaves to it again.

Since they are from the east, they have a distinct style of government and building, taking more after the kingdoms to the east, and having a figurehead emperor who lets the bureaucracy runs everything. And they believe the spirits guide people.

The Angshire dislike them because they are easterners, who have kidnapped them by the thousands to be sold as slaves, and who want to eradicate them.

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

The Ghostly Residents of Castle Greymont.

"Cillia, grab Talion, we're going to exorcise the place." You stated as you picked up one of your holy books.

"Yeah.. about that," Cillia stated, pointing towards the staff dining room. "We've got bigger problems."

You turned to look at the dining room and saw several specters quietly raising their hands as Talion drank from a keg of beer.

"How did I not notice this Cillia?" You asked.

"It seems the ghosts have enchantments on the walls and foundations of the castle," Cillia stated. "Though, that's just an educated guess at this point."

"Just like Weathertop." You sighed. "By the god's why does this always happen to us?"

"Because you can never shut up about our luck being terrible Amber" Cillia replied bluntly. "That and we were worried about the students breaking something important."

"Let's just deal with these ghosts before they break something important." You replied, feeling frustrated that you missed these damn ghosts.

You and Cillia crossed the threshold of the room, and immediately, sounds of celebration erupted into your ears. "CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" The voices shouted as Talian slammed down the keg.

"Is that the best you got you undead shits!" He shouted.

"YEAH!" The ghosts shouted as a keg began to float over. "MORE!"

"What the hell is going on here?" You asked, your voice silencing the room.

The blue spectors all moved as Talian stood up. "Drinking contest." He stated.

You frowned. "Okay… better question: Who is in charge of the ghosts?" You asked.

"And no I am Harald bullshit," Cillia stated. You gave her a dirty look. "What, it's a good play."

"I am." A deep voice stated. The blue Spector was an armored figure, his armor worn and damaged from battle. "I am the lord of the Castle, Joshua Greymont."

"My lord." You bowed your head slightly. "I wish to inform you that your castle, and all the lands surrounding it, have been placed under my care, and the care of Sunrise Academy."

The ghost nodded. "Ah, you wish for us to leave this place, to free this place for your purposes… You believe we will cause harm to your students and your fellow teachers?"

"Yes." You replied.

"I am afraid we cannot do that." Lord Greymont replied.

"And why is that?" You replied. "I am skilled at exorcism."

The lord nodded. "You are correct, but I, my family and our servants who choose to stay are bound to this castle, for it is the only home any of us know. And we will never leave to the afterlife until this castle is destroyed."

"So your family is bonded to the castle and you will protect it from all threats?" You asked again.

"Yes." Lord Greymont stated. "And those who occupy it, as long as they show the castle the respect it deserves."

You smiled. "I believe we can come to an agreement about the castle."

Cillia frowned. "Why are you making a deal with the ghost?"

"Are you going to maintain the castle and defend my students if we are attacked?" You asked.

"If you can bring the castle back to working order, and make it the pride of Permia, we shall." Lord Greymont stated.

"Than we are in agreement." You stated. "Talian, get up and sober up. We need to tell the students and our colleagues the news."

"He's asleep Amber, drunk off his ass." Cillia stated.

"Well wake him up then, we don't have all day." You replied.

Reward: Academy maintenance expenditure slashed in half. The Ghosts of Castle Greymont are now defenders of the Academy.

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

Turn 2

"We have a problem." You stated to your staff.

"What else is new?" Nero snarked.

You frowned but tried your best to face your staff. Now was not the time to stutter or forget something important. "The City of Elkhort is being cursed, and we have to get to the bottom of this."

"Why should we care about a city that's gone to shit and got itself cursed?" Gin asked. "We have bigger things to worry about."

"And where do you think we get our food, you moron?" Talion stated as he took a sip of his drink. "And they're the ones offering all the missions to us, without them, we'd be bleeding money until one of our genius mages repairs the mage tower so we can do far away missions. We can't exactly force students to walk for a year to hunt some wolves in the Montral?"

Gin was silent, and Zelda tapped her feet. "So… What do you think the curse is?" She asked.

"I don't know." You stated. "And I don't like it." You then took a deep breath, the thought of an unknown curse reminding you of your former master before he went insane. "Go back to your duties. We'll figure this out."

Hopefully.

Prestige: 430 (Cannot Recruit another Class of Students)

Diplomacy: You hate it when you have to meet with that Drunk magistrate.

[]Meet with other Kingdoms: You need more missions for your academy, and that means setting up a line of communication between the other lands, and their leaders. Hopefully, it goes well. Chance of Success: Unknown. Reward: More missions in faraway lands. Linetail the nation you wish to speak to bellow this option. Every nation costs one action.
List of nations:
Permia, Horopylia, Sano, Campo, Flokland, Newbury, Hathe, Xunzhao, Midinia, Bretlla, Kaplodia, Inzhiem. Apria, Dragons Tooth, Raven Helm, Halnor, Romain Confederation, Holmgaurd, Pistia, Montral, Harbachland, Mergadia, Narochia, Ranterra.

[]The Merchant of Mirrors: It seems the same man you have been seeing has invited you to dinner. You're going to be prepared for an ambush. Chance of Success: 100% Reward: He has a very strange name.

Academy Defense: The Castle is now safe, as the ghosts do not really need to rest, but that does not mean the Academy is safe.

[]Ghost Weapons and… Lord Greymont?: You want to know what the Ghosts can do when defending the Academy and students. Lord Greymont has an idea. Chance of Success: 70% Reward: Well… Students, meet your new master at arms and Blademaster.

[]Repairing the Walls: Now that You have the ghosts on your side, you are going to start repairing the breaches in the walls. Cost: 300 Chance of Success: 65% Reward: You repair the walls. Defending the castle will be easier.

[]Traps, Bells and Hunter Towers: While you are not rich enough to rebuild the walls and you do not have the time to set up magical defense so this academy could withstand a siege, you can set up a layer of defenses beyond the walls, hopefully, it will be enough to keep the Academy safe. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 85% Reward: Defenses established beyond the Academy's walls.

[]Siege Stores: The Granary and Underground Siege stores have… well rotted away. If this place was attacked, your academy wouldn't last a day. John wishes to rectify that situation and try to refill them with supplies to survive a siege or a crisis. You agree. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have siege supplies.

Stewardship: Now that the Castle is repaired, you can focus on other parts.

[]Get Supplies: You need to make sure supplies are continuing to flow into this academy. Chance of Success: 100% Reward: Student Mision rolls will not suffer from lack of food.

[]Hire Teachers: You have Vacant positions that need to be filled. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You see who's available to hire.

[]Castle Upgrades: The Mage Tower: It's been centuries since Elkhort had a mage maintaining their tower, and most of it was moved to the Academy when you were gifted the place by the Magistrate. Hopefully, it still has its teleportation stone. Cost: 200 Chance of Success: 95%/55% Reward: The Mage tower is fixed, you can now teleport students onto missions outside Permia.

[]Castle Upgrades: Stables: While the lands surrounding the Castle has been great for Jasper's Pegusus, they are not the safest place to keep the horses, what with the wolves that are fleeing south. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: Stables Built, You can now safely store horses for the students.

[]Castle Upgrades: The Armory: The Academies Armory is full of destroyed weapons and armor. But with the right cleaning and storage racks, they can carry all the weapons and armor of your students. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: The Armory is repaired. You can now hunt for artifacts that boost stats.

[]Castle Upgrades: Student Dorms: While the Castle is big enough to accommodate the students, most students have to sleep with eight of their classmates in the same room, and it gets very uncomfortable. You're going to make it more comfortable. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 80% Reward: The Students now only have to sleep with three other of their classmates, and in age separated groups. +10 to Student missions for 3 turns.

[]Castle Upgrades: Refrigeration: Cillia has an idea. She thinks that if she can cool the foods to a near freezing temperature, she can make food last longer. It's worth a shot. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 55% Reward: Food can now be stored for longer. Buying supplies will only need to be taken once every two turns.

Learning: Magic is one of those things that you really can't live without.

[]Headmaster Duties: As Headmaster, you have to be the one who does all the paperwork around here… Gods dammit. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Students gain a +10 to mission rolls for this turn.

[]Zelda's Healing Problem: You need Zelda to be able to heal people with magic, not patching them up and praying for the best. You need her. Chance of Success: 80% Reward: Zelda is given a talking to.

[]Formilize class Schedules: Right now, it's a free for all trying to get students to memorize the class schedules, especially when there are students who cannot wake up before noon. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have a class schedule formalized. Students get a +5 to mission rolls for 6 turns.

Teacher Missions: Just because you are now a teacher, does not mean you haven't forgotten your true calling: Being a Hero. But your subordinates are heroes too.

[]The Marked Man: John has seen a few bounty hunters looking for him. He needs to deal with them before they come and attack the Academy. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: The Bounty Hunters are dealt with.

[]The Exiled Prince: Nero wishes to talk to you. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You speak to Nero.

[]THe Winged Knight: Jasper hopes that he can talk to you about the local Pegusus Population. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You talk to Jasper.

[]The Curse of Elkhort (Part 1): It seems that the castle isn't the only thing wrong with the area. It seems the whole city is cursed by something, and it is making them all take to the drink. Chance of Success: 55%/???% Reward: You learn more about why the City is cursed, and if you can stop it.

[]The Vines Speak: Cillia wishes to talk to you about the Academy, and the students in it. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Cillia is spoken too.

[]Revenge is a Dish Served: You need to talk to Gin about her quest of Revenge. You do not want her running off and getting herself killed. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You speak to Gin.

Student Missions: You are Training Students to be heroes. That means sending them on missions to hone their skills. With proper supervision of course.

You have 8 teachers to supervise teams of students. Bellow the mission, you must put a teacher bellow the mission you send the students on.

As Headmistress: Amber grants a +10 to the mission roll when she is supervising.

As Deputy Headmistress: Cillia Grants a +5. To the mission roll.

The rest of the staff do not grant a bonus, as the staff is not at full strength yet, and upgrades are missing.

You also have 4 classes of students. Everytime a successful mission is completed, a d4 will roll to see which class gets the EXP. If you have a preference on which class should get EXP, please put them below the mission. You can only put your class preference for a mission once.

(Choose up to 8)

[]Guard Fields: The Local farmers need to protect their fields from wild pigs. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Care for Animals: Local farmers need extra hands for taking care of their animals. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 50 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Fixing Homes: The Local Carpenters are happy to take Students off your hands for a week of work. They will pay well/ Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Killing Slimes: It seems some slimes have left their dens and are terrorizing some local children. They aren't threatening them in any way, but the parents want them gone before they grow bigger. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP.

[]Take down Wolves: It seems that a pack of Wolves has taken up residence in the local woods. Now you need to deal with them before they attack random travelers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Protecting the Roads: The roads of Elkhort need to be patrolled, and the guards are asking for volunteers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Street Sweepers: Drunks, Vagrants, and all sorts of unsavory people walk the Streets of Elkhort at night. The Guards are asking for more volunteers from the school. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Home on the Range: Cattle are passing through the Territory, and the boys want to have some extra protection from bandits and rustlers. Cost: 20 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP.

[]Bodyguard the Magistrate: The Magistrate wants to have a few students be his bodyguards while he is hosting some of his friends and political enemies. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 70% Reward: 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP.

[]Patroling the Border: The Kingdom of Permia needs Heroes to patrol the border to Sano. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 50% Reward: 100 prestige. 1000 Gold, 500 EXP.

[]Bounty: Ako the Mad Axmen: It seems a great warrior from the Armies of Permia has deserted, taking a band of raiders with him. He is skilled, and not a foe to be trifled with, not without help or experience. Chance of Success: 25% Reward: 500 prestige. 3000 Gold, 1000 EXP.

[]Bounty: Linus the Deserter: A mercenary company has gone rogue, and has been pillaging the countryside. The Magistrate has asked you to deal with it. Chance of Success: 55% Reward: 200 prestige. 1000 Gold, 500 EXP.

AN: Enjoy and Vote in Plan format Please.

 

[Magoose]

The Knight of The Wings

(Jasper POV)

You always wanted to be a good knight. Ever since you were a boy, you had dreamed of mounting a pegasus and flying in the air, facing off against other knights in tournaments as you made yourself a legend to echo through the songs and annals of history.

You did not remember your life before your master took you. You remembered the smell of warm food from your mother and leather from your father. You remembered your mother's large pregnant belly, and the kicking from it, to show that life was going to be born.

You remembered the day your master took you into his care like it was a dream, how shiny and clean his armor was, how tall he was on his mount, whose wings could bring you down onto your back just from a single flap.

Too bad that it was like entering a nightmare. A nightmare you could never wake from.

Your master felt cheated out of a job he did, the heads he provided were not ample enough proof of the slain monsters.

Instead of gold, silver, food or other supplies, he tasked for you, saying you were a strong boy. And your parents protested. You remembered the screams they made as your master cut them down, burning your home to the ground as he dragged you from their corpses, tieing you to the pegasus as he rode away. Ignoring your tears and protests.

The dreams of being a noble squire were replaced with the reality of being a slave to mercenary.

Every day was the same monotony. Cleaning you masters armor, repairing saddle and walking from one side of the land to the next, hoping that you did not have to spend the next hungry because your master ate the all the food you prepared.

When he deemed you old enough, he began to train you. Somedays he made you carry his armor, in addition to all your own supplies on your back. Other days, he beat you with a stick while you were blinded, fine-tuning your instincts to make you aware of even the slightest change in the wind.

But every day, your body broke, you begged for the pain to stop. And every day, his answer remained the same.

"A Knight is a killer, nothing more!"

You did not believe that. Even in the grim reality, you had to face every day, you held onto the one thing you could never lose. Your master was wrong.

A knight was more than a killer. They were noble, kind and just. And no matter the pain you felt, You kept those words in your mind and in your spirit, and they endured until your adulthood when you found your own mount, Kailvin, and was knighted when you were 16 on the battlefield.

The thought of your old friend was a happy memory that you cherished. A black pegasus that was seen as cursed by the knights and riders alike for being cursed by the gods. You remembered him flying away in fear as the knights came closer to him, hoping to remove his wings so they could adorn some lord's wall.

You proved diffrent… as always. You went closely, gently, and through the days, gained his trust, much to the amazement of all the other boys and knights who saw.

You sought to take him as your own, to claim him to put Kailvin under your protection as your mount. But before you could, you were called upon to serve, to stop a band of marauders by one of the local lord's.

You were ambushed… You would have died if Kailvin hadn't swept in and knocked the bandits over, and the momentum of the battle swung to you and the lord.

You remembered Kailvin protecting you as the Lord made you a knight, his steely gaze meeting his.

And then you flew around Mdinia, keeping your promise that you made to yourself to help the innocent, and the weak.

You became the ideal you strived to be, and you always maintained that image.

Then, you attracted the eye of the king. King Saren the Kind, who took you into his service.

The best and worst mistake of your life.

At court, you were a teacher of combat and knightly virtues to the children and squires, along with one of the King's many bodyguards. You wanted to teach the same virtues and lessons that you had held close to your heart. To change the knights that you were now apart of, from the killers that they were, to something far greater than such titles and such mockeries and distinctions.

Knights were not little better than mercenaries. Knights were something more, an ideal to be strived for, not to be scoffed at while getting paid.

Your students agreed. They wanted to be the heroes and legends of song and cheer, not the gritty reality that all knights became.

And then Sara Von Elzenbeth came to court.

She wished to be a knight like you, talking about how you were the first man in a generation who believed the code of honor and chivalry that the knights preached but never practiced.

She was going to be a real beauty, you could see it in her the day she came into with her father. She danced gracefully, spoke elegantly, and fought fiercely whenever she got the chance.

But the king saw it as well. At first, it was innocent, tap on the shoulder after a spar, walks around the hallways alone, kisses on the cheek and hand during the balls.

And then she refused his advances, and more and more, the king grew angry, erratic and violent. You tried your best to temper his rage, but in the end, it failed… The king requested to spar with her during one of your lessons. He beat her with practiced ease. But instead of stopping when she yielded, he continued beating her, shouting profanity after profanity before Sara begged and cried for him to stop. She screamed your name in pain, but you were ordered not to interfere by the guards, who held you back.

The orders of the king were absolute, and your honor as a knight demanded you listened.

Then her body went limp, sickening crack coming from the sword as it shattered against her skull, blood leaking out from the open wound... bits of the skull falling off of her head.

Then, you acted, without hesitation, or emotion.

In front of your students, in front of Sara, you cut down the king, and all twenty of his guards with one swift dance of your sword and feet, saving the king for last. He ordered you to stop, to lay down your arms and surender to him, if you had any honor.

His head flying across the room, blood splattering everywhere.

Knowing the severity of your crime, you had to flee.

But your students would not leave you. They were willing to follow you because they believed in the message that you preached.

Knights were heroes, and they wished to be heroes too.

That was why you were here.


You could not save one girl from the tyrants who ordered you to stay put when she begged for help with her dying breath.

You wouldn't let it happen again.

Not while you drew breath.

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

Turn 2 Results

"We have a problem." You stated to your staff.

"What else is new?" Nero snarked.

You frowned but tried your best to face your staff. Now was not the time to stutter or forget something important. "The City of Elkhort is being cursed, and we have to get to the bottom of this."

"Why should we care about a city that's gone to shit and got itself cursed?" Gin asked. "We have bigger things to worry about."

"And where do you think we get our food, you moron?" Talion stated as he took a sip of his drink. "And they're the ones offering all the missions to us, without them, we'd be bleeding money until one of our genius mages repairs the mage tower so we can do far away missions. We can't exactly force students to walk for a year to hunt some wolves in the Montral?"

Gin was silent, and Zelda tapped her feet. "So… What do you think the curse is?" She asked.

"I don't know." You stated. "And I don't like it." You then took a deep breath, the thought of an unknown curse reminding you of your former master before he went insane. "Go back to your duties. We'll figure this out."

Hopefully.

Prestige: 430 (Cannot Recruit another Class of Students)

Diplomacy: You hate it when you have to meet with that Drunk magistrate.

-[X]The Merchant of Mirrors: It seems the same man you have been seeing has invited you to dinner. You're going to be prepared for an ambush. Chance of Success: 100% Reward: He has a very strange name. Rolled: 1D100 => 8

"Hello, Headmistress. Take a seat… We have much to discuss." (Continued in The Merchant of Mirrors)

Stewardship: Now that the Castle is repaired, you can focus on other parts.

-[X]Get Supplies: You need to make sure supplies are continuing to flow into this academy. Chance of Success: 100% Reward: Student Mision rolls will not suffer from lack of food. Rolled: 1D100 => 43

John was happy to carry all the supplies to the Academy without anyone attacking him.

Reward: Supplies for the Turn.

-[X]Castle Upgrades: The Mage Tower: It's been centuries since Elkhort had a mage maintaining their tower, and most of it was moved to the Academy when you were gifted the place by the Magistrate. Hopefully, it still has its teleportation stone. Cost: 200 Chance of Success: 95%/55% Reward: The Mage tower is fixed, you can now teleport students onto missions outside Permia. Rolled: 1D100 => 97

Thank Gods that Talion had the Teleportation Stone… It would have taken forever to make a stone otherwise.

The mage tower itself was very easy to clean up, some reinforcement magic here, and some new wood there, and ha! It was as if no one ever abandoned it.

Unfortunately, Nero already claimed it as his classroom before you could claim it as your office.

Dammit.

Reward: The Mage tower is repaired, and Teleportation stone is there. You can now send students on missions outside of Permia.

-[X]Castle Upgrades: Student Dorms: While the Castle is big enough to accommodate the students, most students have to sleep with eight of their classmates in the same room, and it gets very uncomfortable. You're going to make it more comfortable. Cost: 100 Chance of Success: 80% Reward: The Students now only have to sleep with three other of their classmates, and in age separated groups. +10 to Student missions for 3 turns. Rolled:1D100 => 46

The ghosts repaired all the rooms with ease, and now you could actually separate the students by age, and make them only have 3 other roommates, instead of seven.

It was nice to not hear complaints of no space and worry that half the student body was screwing each other every other day.

Teenagers and their hormones…. You did not miss it.

Reward: +10 to student missions for the next 3 turns. Students will now no longer complain to you about space.
Learning: Magic is one of those things that you really can't live without.

-[X]Headmaster Duties: As Headmaster, you have to be the one who does all the paperwork around here… Gods dammit. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: Students gain a +10 to mission rolls for this turn. Rolled:1D100 => 33

Finally, that paperwork is done. Now to do some hero work.

Reward: +10 to student mission for this turn.

-[X]Formilize class Schedules: Right now, it's a free for all trying to get students to memorize the class schedules, especially when there are students who cannot wake up before noon. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: You have a class schedule formalized. Students get a +5 to mission rolls for 6 turns. Rolled:1D100 => 69

Well, at least you got that done without someone ruining it with a gust of wind.

Reward: +5 to student mission rolls for 6 turns.

Teacher Missions: Just because you are now a teacher, does not mean you haven't forgotten your true calling: Being a Hero. But your subordinates are heroes too.

-[X]The Marked Man: John has seen a few bounty hunters looking for him. He needs to deal with them before they come and attack the Academy. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: The Bounty Hunters are dealt with. Rolled: 1D100 => 81

John dealt with the bounty hunters.

Swiftly.

Reward: There are no more bounty hunters looking for Roche.

-[X]The Curse of Elkhort (Part 1): It seems that the castle isn't the only thing wrong with the area. It seems the whole city is cursed by something, and it is making them all take to the drink. Chance of Success: 55%/???% Reward: You learn more about why the City is cursed, and if you can stop it. Rolled:1D100 => 78

"I will not be threatened by you demon." You stated.

"But I am not threatening you, Headmistress." The Merchant stated. "I am telling you what I am going to do to you and your students if you do not do as I say." (Continued in The Merchant of Mirrors)

Student Missions: You are Training Students to be heroes. That means sending them on missions to hone their skills. With proper supervision of course.

-[X]Fixing Homes: The Local Carpenters are happy to take Students off your hands for a week of work. They will pay well/ Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 29+25=54 1D4 => 1
--[X]Talion

"Come on, I thought you enjoyed being a hero!?" Talion shouted.

At least the homes would be sturdy for the winter.

Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP for class 1.

-[X]Killing Slimes: It seems some slimes have left their dens and are terrorizing some local children. They aren't threatening them in any way, but the parents want them gone before they grow bigger. Chance of Success: 95% Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 36+25=61 1D4 => 3
--[X]Zelda

Zelda sipped some of her tea as her students cut down the slimes. It was nice and relaxing because she didn't have to do anything.

Reward: 5 prestige. 100 Gold, 100 EXP for class 3.

-[X]Take down Wolves: It seems that a pack of Wolves has taken up residence in the local woods. Now you need to deal with them before they attack random travelers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 5+25=30
--[X]Roche
--[X]Class 4

"For the love of… Who sent you?" Roche asked.

"Fenir!" The wolf stated.

"Gods dammit," Roche swore. "Someone else deal with this shite, I need to get drunk."

The students had no idea why their teacher needed to get drunk… all the wolf said was Fenir.

Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for class 4

-[X]Protecting the Roads: The roads of Elkhort need to be patrolled, and the guards are asking for volunteers. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 65+25=90 1D4 => 4
--[X]Jasper

The roads are getting quiet… as if something was preventing people from coming in.

Or leaving.

Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for class 4

-[X]Street Sweepers: Drunks, Vagrants, and all sorts of unsavory people walk the Streets of Elkhort at night. The Guards are asking for more volunteers from the school. Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 70+25=95
--[X]Nero
--[X]Class 2

Nero felt something was wrong… His powers were growing far more powerful than before.

And he needed to get drunk to ignore it.

Thankfully, his students stopped him.

Reward: 50 prestige. 100 Gold, 200 EXP for class 2.

-[X]Home on the Range: Cattle are passing through the Territory, and the boys want to have some extra protection from bandits and rustlers. Cost: 20 Chance of Success: 75% Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 57+ 25=82 1D4 => 2
--[X]Gin

The land was dead, scorched by the terrible curse that was choaking Elkhort to death.

It still looked alive, just poisonous to all that passed through.

At least the students were okay.

Reward: 15 prestige. 150 Gold, 200 EXP for class 2.

-[X]Bodyguard the Magistrate: The Magistrate wants to have a few students be his bodyguards while he is hosting some of his friends and political enemies. Cost: 50 Chance of Success: 70% Reward: 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 52+30=82. 1D4 => 1
--[X]Cicillia

Cicillia could feel nothing but darkness around her. Now it was cold, empty and dark.

Cut off from the rest of the world, and the only thing she could do was drown herself in whatever she could drink.

But then her students snapped her out of it.

Reward: 250 prestige. 200 Gold, 300 EXP for class 1

-[X]Bounty: Linus the Deserter: A mercenary company has gone rogue, and has been pillaging the countryside. The Magistrate has asked you to deal with it. Chance of Success: 55% Reward: 200 prestige. 1000 Gold, 500 EXP. Rolled:1D100 => 100+40=140
--[X]Amber
--[X]Class 3

It seems someone in Class three has done something amazing.

(Continued in The Deserter and the Squire)

Disaster Roll: 1D100 => 94+5=99

Roche is in a coma.

(Continued in: The Curse Begins)

AN: Enjoy.

 

[Magoose]

The Lightbringer's Story

Lucifer Morningstern had seen many monsters of Grimm in your life, in hundreds if not thousands of forms. But Salem was easily the most frightening thing you had ever seen. Unlike the apparition he faced in the Ulang Tankor, she was not holding back or handicapped. And she became darkness and death incarnate.

She cut her way through your friends and allies like they were nothing. Their weapons doing nothing and their semblance only mildly annoying her as she invaded Vale… and his home. And his powers did nothing to stop her. Every time Lucifer brought the light of his silver eyes to bear, she would just withdraw for a few hours, and throw hordes of Grimm at him, forcing him to expend more of that power just to stay alive.

In the end, Lucifer was staggering in his throne room, clutching the wound on his side, towards the throne his both loved and hated.

They were all gone now, every one of them cut down trying to fight that monster who for so long, was just toying with all of humanity. Reggie, Ivory, Ordo, the Palles'... and all his children.

Only in losing them did Lucifer fully realize how much they really were a part of his family. Amber had run to Patch to get Ruby and the others. Take them back to the central palace, run away to one of the other kingdoms, find someplace in the wilds to dig down and hide, she would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

Then Salem had showed up at Signal with her protégée Cinder.

Amber's final fight could be seen from all over Vale, the fire and light of the Fall Maiden's wrath unleashed. Then the broadcasts of the Signal students hanging from the lighthouse started and with his wife... Cinder Fall had the Fall Maiden's power after that, and whatever promises Amber and the Maiden had meant nothing to Salem's control. It was a message to all: Nowhere was safe. Nobody was safe. Nothing was safe.

It was then his hope died. It was then, he gave up and wished to die.

When Lucifer reached his throne, He took a weary breath and slide back down. He couldn't fight anymore. He had lost.

"Do you really believe it is over Lucent?" A voice spoke. Lucifer looked up to see a man floating above the center of the room.

It was an old man… no, an ancient, positively wizened man hovering above the center of the room. And you felt a power that was older then Salem… Than anything that you have ever felt before. His waving hair was silvery white, moving slowly as he touched the ground. The robes he wore were like the Archivists, brown drabs that belonged to priests. On his side was a blade, held to his side by a leather strap. The blade was without a sheath and it black as the night, yet it had a glowing dots in it that was almost unmistakably starlight.

"Who are you?" Lucifer asked, trying to prepare himself for another fight. But his pain was too great, and he slumped back into his throne.

"I am Solaris of Valinor… or, I was of Valinor." The man responded with sadness. "I am the Guardian of Death that first wanted to take your soul to the afterlife. The same one whom your mother bargained with to save your life."

Sadness overwhelmed you as your mother's face and the memory of her departure surfaced in Lucifer's mind. "What do you want?"

"I want to help you save humanity from Salem." Solaris replied.

The way he said it made Lucifer's heart beat a little faster. "How!?" He demanded.

"I can use my powers to send you to other worlds, where you can learn from the mistakes of others… And maybe be the one who can help them save their world from their own mistakes." He replied. "And find out what Salem's true weakness is. Your Silver Eyes are a piece of a puzzle that can kill her… but alone, they will just wound her."

"But I want to save Vale! I have a duty!" Lucifer shouted back. "I can't abandon my people in their hour of need."

"A noble sentiment. I hope you will remember that duty in the future for other worlds. But you cannot save Vale and everyone you love if you're dead, your Grace." Solaris said.

The way he said it made you look away from him, towards the picture of your family. For a moment, you thought you saw the specters of your parents were looking at you… judging your every move and action.

"What do I need to do?" Lucifer asked.

Solaris smiled and walked forward, holding out his hand."Grab my hand."

"Yes." Solaris replied. Then as if the world was trying to increase the parallels of your Soulscape, a door appeared. It was a simple wooden door that had a small sign on it.

The sign read. "We DareTo Walk With Destiny." The motto of the Morningstern family.

Lucifer reached for the door when Solaris stopped you."I will be there to help you Lucent. It's the least I can do for you after your mother spoke in my defense." Than Solaris disappeared. A moment later Lucifer felt a sensation in the back of his mind and Solaris hummed. "Take a leap of faith my friend, I shall be with you always."

Lucifer smiled before he grabbed the door, charged through, and fell from the sky.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lucifer took a breath as his eyes fluttered open and he gazed upward. The blue sky was bright, with not a cloud in sight.

He sat up and smiled. He was free.

"HELP!" A woman's voice screamed.

He turned to see the monstrous creatures surrounding a farm.

"Shall we make our entrance?" Solaris asked.

"YEAH!" Lucifer shouted into his mind as his sword was drawn.

AN: Enjoy.

 

[JAGwin]

Student Days: The First Month​

Two people, one a boy of seventeen years and the other a girl of twelve, stared up at the tall tower in front of them, a pair of rucksacks slung over their shoulders.

"So . . . this is it," the boy said, his voice one of forced calmness. He was dressed in dark blue robes with a hood pulled over his head, partially obscuring his black hair. He was also, rather obviously, taller than the girl, though not by as much as the difference in their ages would lead one to expect, as he was slightly short for his age. Nevertheless, his gaze was firm, and the grey eyes behind his round glasses showed no hesitation or fear. On the contrary, he seemed almost eager, as though he wanted nothing more than to march into the tower right then and there, but was holding himself back for a moment.

"Yeah . . . yeah, it is," the girl agreed. In contrast to the boy, her voice was nervous and slightly unsure, as though she were having second thoughts about what they were about to do. Also in contrast to the boy, her robes were lighter, though still blue, and her blue eyes, filled with the innocence of youth, were uncovered, as was her equally dark hair.

"You can still go back," the boy noted.

"I'm coming with you," the girl responded, determination briefly drowning out her nerves.

"You're sure?" the boy asked, concern in his voice. "Once we leave, there's no turning back."

"I said I'm coming!" the girl shouted. "I made up my mind weeks ago. You know that."

"You didn't sound like you'd made up your mind," the boy noted, then sighed. "Vio, you don't have to come if you-"

"I want to!" the girl interrupted. "Isaac, please, just . . . stop worrying so much. I'll be fine."

Isaac looked at his sister for a moment, eyebrow raised. Viola looked back at him, defiant. Eventually, Isaac sighed.

"All right, all right, I'll stop nagging you," he said in resignation, then held out his hand to her. "Let's get going, then."

Viola smiled and closed her hand around his, and with that they were off.

"I just hope no one is standing where the stone sends us," Isaac commented.

"That can happen?" Viola asked, suddenly nervous again.

"I wouldn't be surprised."

Viola shuddered, opened her mouth to say something, decided against it, and instead merely tightened her grip on her brother's hand.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

When they arrived at Elkhort's Mage Tower, the siblings found themselves standing in a circular room with a handful of other people around them. All of them were older than Viola, a few looked like they might be a year or two older than Isaac, and there was one woman near the door in her early twenties.

Said woman was looking right at them, concern written on her face. Then she sighed, seeming relieved, before turning back to a girl who looked to be slightly older than Isaac, a raven resting on her arm.

Isaac tugged on Viola's hand. "Come on, we better move before someone else gets here."

They took a few steps to away from where they had arrived, before stopping as Viola spoke. "Who is she?" she asked, looking in the direction of the woman.

"Probably one of the teachers. I'd imagine she's here to make sure no one gets hurt . . . or worse . . . before they even make it to the school." The girl with the raven seemed to finish her conversation with the woman, walking out a nearby door and chattering happily at her pet. "Come on, we need to find out which direction the school is in."

As they walked up to the woman, Isaac couldn't help but take in her appearance. Long golden blonde hair, blue eyes filled with kindess, and pointed ears. Dressed in blue and brown with golden highlights. She was also quite beautiful in Isaac opinion . . . not that it mattered, since even if he had been interested, she was almost certainly a teacher and he was most certainly a student. The problem was obvious.

"Hello there, students," she said as they reached her. "I'm Professor Zelda Greyback, Sunrise Academy's medic."

Isaac had heard of her, though he had never expected to meet her. Still, he knew her reputation. Zelda Greyback, exiled White Mage, healer, and accidental summoner and intentional vanquisher of demons. The headmistress had made a wise choice in hiring her.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

After finishing their conversation with Professor Greyback and being told how to get to the school from the mage tower and where to find the infirmary, the siblings had set out.

After about two miles of walking, however, the comfortable silence they had been enjoying was broken.

"Hey there!" the siblings heard someone call from behind them. Isaac did his best to glance backwards, but it was difficult with his hood up. Still, he was able to see a tall boy who might have been a year younger than him jogging to catch up with them. He was wearing black armor -- not particularly good armor as far as he could tell, but not bad either -- and a visorless helmet of the same color on his head, with a few locks of fair hair poking out from under it. Strapped to his back were a shield and spear, while at his waist was a sheathed sword. Overall, aside from the rucksack thrown over his shoulder, he looked the part of a soldier, perhaps even a knight. "You're here to attend the academy too, right?" He didn't even wait for them answer his question. "I'm Philip, from Mergardia, who are you?"

The siblings looked at each other for a moment before answering.

"Isaac Marcallas," Isaac said, before gesturing to his sister with his free hand. "This is my sister, Viola."

"Oh, you're brother and sister? I didn't realize." Philip said cheerfully, then peered at Isaac's face under his hood. "Though, when I look closely . . ." He shook his head, then asked, "Where are you from?"

Isaac paused, hoping that not answering would make the other boy lose interest. When he saw him opening his mouth to speak again, he realized that that plan wasn't going to work and answered, "Springbury."

"Where's that?"

". . . Pisatia." Isaac wasn't really in the mood to talk to this boy, not when they hadn't even reached the school yet, but unfortunately, it seemed that he had no choice but to participate, as Philip had taken up position beside him and seemed unlikely to leave in the near future.

And so they continued, Philip attempting to make conversation with the siblings, Isaac doing his best to provide satisfactory responses to what Philip was saying in as few words as possible, if a response was needed at all, and Viola occasionally chiming in as well.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun was setting by the time they reached the school, and Isaac had to admit, when he first saw Castle Greymont, it was . . . less impressive than he had been expecting, and from the look on Philip's face he had been expecting more as well, although his brand of surprise seemed like it was less forcefully polite. Nevertheless, there was no turning back now, so Isaac continued forward, tugging his sister along on his left, Philip following shortly after on his right

Ahead, he could see a man in his early thirties just exiting the castle, his dark hair shaved almost bald on one side and styled so that it almost obscured part of his hard, bearded face on the other. He was also wearing armor that appeared to be partially made from scales, and there was a sword at his waist and a shield on his arm.

"More students," he commented when he saw them, nodding. "I'm Professor John Roche. I expect you'll be looking for the dorms now that you're here."

John Roche. That name sounded vaguely familiar to Isaac, but he couldn't quite place it. Beside him, Philip startled, his armor clanking, before staring at the man with an unreadable expression on his face.

"We will, although it would certainly go much more quickly if you could tell us where they are, " Isaac said.

"Well, I've got good news and bad news for you," Roche noted. "The good news is, some of the dormrooms here are still liveable. The bad news is, nowhere near enough of them are, so it's going to be eight people to a room."

Viola froze, more clanking anounced that Philip had startled again, and Isaac frowned.

"You're joking," the bespectacled boy said flatly. "You must be joking."

Roche smirked at them. "Nope. Hope you didn't pack much, because there's not gonna be much room for you if you did."

After he'd finished speaking, he turned and began to walk away, pausing only long enough to give them directions to their rooms.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The siblings stopped as they reached the fork in the corridors where they would have to split up before heading to their respective dorms, Philip pausing as well a few steps later.

"Is something wrong?" the armored boy asked, turning around to look at them.

Viola looked up at her brother nervously, and Isaac, knowing exactly what the problem was, said to Philip, "Oh, nothing serious. Go on ahead, I'll catch up in a few minutes."

". . . Well, all right, if you're sure . . ." He still looked concerned, glancing at Viola's face, but seemed to have decided that Isaac was better suited to handle whatever was wrong than he was, and so turned around and continued on towards his and Isaac's room.

When he was out of sight, Isaac turned to face his sister, bending down to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What is it, Vio?"

Viola looked him in the eye, took a deep breath, and asked, "Do we have to . . .?" She did not need to finish the sentence.

Isaac sighed. "Yes, Vio, we do," he began. "Firstly, I'm not the only one who's going to be in the boys's dorm, and secondly, we can't be together forever. Sooner or later, our paths will take us to very different places, and we both need to be ready for when that happens."

Viola didn't look like she liked that idea.

"I'm not going to be that far away, and we can still see each other any other time," he told her. "We'll hang out and study magic together like we always do, just not as much."

Viola gave him a pleading look.

Isaac stood firm, then sighed. "It's time to go, Vio." And with that, he pushed her, gently, towards the corridor that would take her to her room.

Sadness colored the younger Marcallas's face, but she seemed to realize that there would be no winning this argument, and so took a few steps forward, before pausing. "See you later," she said.

"At dinner," Isaac noted. "We still haven't had that yet today."

Viola smiled slightly, then continued down the corridor.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Come in!" a voice came from inside Isaac's room after he knocked on the door. Opening it, he saw three boys inside, including Philip -- who was attempting to prop his spear against the wall -- along with two sets of bunk beds and four sleeping bags on the floor.

"The armory is out of order," one of the other boys said in response to Isaac's quizzical glance at the Mergardian. He was tall, taller than Philip, and visibly stronger. Older, too. Isaac guessed him to be at least eighteen. His black eyes gazed out from a head that was as bald as an egg, and there was a suit of armor visible under one of the lower bunks that Isaac had a sneaking suspicion belonged to the larger boy. As it was, he was dressed rather casually in a tunic and trousers, leaning back against the far wall, arms folded. "Name's Vincent," he said.

"Isaac Marcallas," Isaac replied.

"Philip here mentioned you," the other boy said from his position on one of the lower beds. "Said you had a sister?" The look on his otherwise handsome face set off a number of alarms in Isaac's head.

"She's too young for you," the bespectacled boy said warningly.

"Dammit!"

This boy looked to be the same age as Isaac, his watery blue eyes contrasting well with his auburn hair, upon which sat a feathered green cap. He also wore a green coat and some leather armor that looked as though it had seen plenty of use. Beneath the bed he sat on, Isaac could see a bow and quiver of arrows.

Conversation flowed from there. Apparently, the other boys they would be sharing the room with had not arrived yet, and Vincent and the other boy, Chester, had already claimed the lower bunks, with Philip taking the one of the sleeping bags.

From there, the conversation had turned towards where they were from. Apparently, Vincent was another Schwarzen, although he was from somewhere in Schland called Sirton. He also didn't talk much, keeping his answers short and to the point.

Chester, on the other hand . . .

"I am from the most honourable, most noble city of Falvale, in Mdinia, where-"

"Mdinia!?" Isaac repeated in surprise, looking up (or rather down, since he had claimed the bed above Vincent's) from his rucksack. "You're a Rusanic?"

"Indeed!" Chester said proudly. "The most noble, most pious people in all of . . ." He trailed off as he noticed the look of contempt on Isaac's face. "You're a Romain, aren't you?" he asked, sounding resigned.

"From Pisatia," Isaac confirmed.

Philip looked between them with a clear lack of comprehension on his face. "So? What's the problem?"

"'What's the problem'?" Chester repeated as though it was the stupidest question he had ever heard. "The Romains abandoned the gods and seek to cast mortals in their place!" He paused to glare at Isaac, then continued, "I don't know what the headmistress is thinking to be letting such blasphemous scum as you into her noble institution, but-"

"Presumably the same as what she was thinking when she decided to hire a Romain to keep her staff and students, including you, alive in the event of something unfortunate happening," Isaac cut him off.

Chester floundered, mouthing something that Isaac thought was 'I actually flirted with . . .?' before the mage decided to add more.

"I'll not deny that we would carve our fates with our own hands rather let the gods dictate our lives, or that some Romains have been arrogant enough to believe themselves above the gods," he admitted. "But we are better than you Rusanics," he all but spat the word, "who would sit and wait for your goddess to absolve you of your sins and fix your troubles, and kill any who would dare attempt to better the world themselves!"

They glared at each other, the age old rivalry between their cultures all but physically manifesting as sparks between them. Then, after a moment, Isaac took a deep, steadying breath, and sighed. "Look," he began, "I don't like you or what you stand for. You feel the same about me. Nothing either of us says will change that. But we are not here to argue about the place of gods in the lives of mortals." He took another breath. "We are here to learn. And if that means I must tolerate your presence, so be it. I already came here expecting to be taught by Rusanics. Living with one can't be that much worse.

"Are you willing to do likewise, Rusanic?"

Chester continued to glare at him for a moment, before sighing as well. "I suppose I am," he said. "Barely."

Isaac nodded, and silence decended on them until the door opened to admit another roommate whom Isaac found to be far less memorable.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the first day of classes, Isaac considered himself much more fortunate than the day he had arrived.

On the one hand, he had not been assigned to the same class as his sister, and he still had a Rusanic roommate.

On the other hand, his first class was being taught by the deciding factor in why he had opted to attend a school run by Rusanics in the first place, and he would not be attending that class with the aforementioned roommate, who had been assigned to Class 3, along with Philip.

Although he did wish that Class 2 would be a bit quieter in its pre-lesson chatter.

"Did you hear?" asked a blonde haired girl to the one with the raven. "They say this place is cursed."

"Cursed?" a small boy repeated, sounding scared. "They set up a school in a cursed castle?"

"Not just the castle," the blonde girl corrected. "The entire city."

"Rubbish," said another, larger boy, waving his hand dismissively. "The castle's haunted, sure, but not cursed, nevermind the city."

The small boy didn't look like he found that statement all that comforting, but before he could say anything in response, the door banged open, and all conversation died instantly.

A young man stepped in, dressed in almost regal attire, one eye as red as blood, the other covered by an eyepatch. His hair was dark, but not as dark as the shadows that warped and twisted at his feet with every footfall as he strode towards the opposite end of the classroom.

Most of the students were silenced by, if not fear, then certainly caution, wary of this new and highly dangerous man.

Isaac was not one of those students. He was not afraid or even wary of the Dark Mage in the room. On the contrary, he felt eager as the exiled prince opened his mouth, and began to speak.

"I am Prince Nero Schwarze, and I have been hired to teach you the ways of magic . . ."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Not many days after the lessons began, Classes 2 and 3 were being assigned field work.

Some were surprised, having expected at least a few more lessons before they were supposed to actually put their skills to the test. Isaac was not, as this the only way he could see for the Academy to even hope to sustain itself.

That said, they were apparently starting small, most likely to make sure the students didn't bite off more than they could chew when they were still so inexperienced.

Class 2 had been assigned to kill some slimes that had left their dens, an easy task. Some of them were having trouble even then.

Isaac had just frozen another slime when he heard the shout of "SEPARATE THOSE FEET!!!" He jumped slightly, then quickly glanced around at the rest of the fight, and saw the small boy who had expressed fright at the idea of a curse on the city being knocked off his feet as a slime colided with his shield, falling to the ground with the gelatinous creature on top of him.

Isaac conjured a fireball, preparing to throw it at the monster that was currently attempting to harm his classmate, only for another student to knock the slime in question off of the less skilled one with the blunt end of a spear. Then she twirled it around in her hands before stabbing into the slime's core, killing it. Then she offered her hand to the boy and helped him back to his feet.

Isaac glanced at his fireball, shrugged, and tossed it over his shoulder at another slime that had been preparing to attack him while he was distracted. He could only hope Viola didn't have so much trouble with her first field mission.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"What are you smirking about?" Isaac asked at dinner that evening, Viola happily eating some potatos next to him.

Sure enough, Philip was grinning broadly from the other side of the table. "Killed a boar."

Before Isaac could even ask why he was so proud of that, he heard a shout of "May I have you're attention, please!"

Turning to face the head of the dining room, the students saw the headmistress, Amber of the Seasons, standing there along with the deputy headmistress, Cicilia the Vine Princess, Professor Talion Tall Talker, who looked like he had a hangover, and . . . a ghost?

Almost immediately, murmurs broke out among the students, some wondering why there was a ghost next to the headmistress, some exclaiming things like 'I knew it!' and 'I told you so!', and some expressing their concern/fear about the fact the castle really was haunted.

Then the headmistress opened her mouth, and began an explanation that Isaac took a moment to mentally summarize.

Essentially, the ghost, Joshua Greymont, along with his undead family and servants, considered the castle to be their one and only home, and would willingly defend it from any and all threats to the best of their ability, and they were also willing to extend that protection to its inhabitants on the condition that they repaired it and gave it due respect.

"Well . . . that's a thing," someone commented from somewhere to Isaac's right. Isaac found himself nodding in agreement.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two days later, Class 2 had more field work to do. This time, they were supposed to deal with some wolves that had taken up residence in the woods with Professor Roche. Slightly more challenging, but Isaac was confident they would be able to deal with it.

That said, he had not expected the professor to bring a teabag and kettle.

Isaac stared, as did several other members of the class.

"Well, come on then," Roche said as though nothing was out of the ordinary. "Those wolves aren't gonna leave on their own . . . probably, anyway." And with that, he turned around and walked off into the trees.

Whispers started among the students as they followed, many wondering why their teacher thought he would be able to brew tea while hunting for wolves.

They recieved their answer when they found a few of the wolves . . . and Roche simply strolled right up to them, saying something in a language that Isaac couldn't understand and holding up the kettle.

The wolves glanced at each other, growled back and forth, then turned around and began to walk away. Roche followed, gesturing for the students to do likewise.

"What's going on?" someone asked in confusion even as the class began to move.

"They're taking us to their leader," a female voice said confidently from right next to Isaac. He looked in that direction, and saw the girl with the raven standing there. Said raven was perched on her outstretched arm, looking quite at ease.

"How do you know that?" Isaac asked.

"He was speaking in the Animal Tongue," she said, as though that explained everything. Isaac gave her a look of uncomprehension, and she elaborated, "It's the language we Angshire use to communicate with animals."

"I thought that was a myth," Isaac admitted.

"Oh, it's no myth," the girl said, looking ever so slightly offended. "But if you still have doubts, then just wait and see for yourself."

And with that, they continued walking for around another fifteen minutes, before reaching a small clearing. The wolves stopped, and howled long and loud.

"They're calling for the rest of the pack," the girl said, and Isaac could hear similiar things being said by a handful of the other students in the crowd.

A few minutes later, more wolves started emerging from the woods, one of which, larger than the others, stepped forward and growled something at Roche while a few more brought some wood and placed it between them.

Roche responded with more unintelligible words, placed his teabag and kettle on the ground, sat down, and began to start a campfire.

And for the next hour or so, the rest of the humans watched as Roche made his tea and talked to what was presumably the alpha. After which, the wolves left, and Roche turned around to face them.

"Sometimes, you can talk your way out of a problem, instead of fighting. For animals, it's always nice to have fluency in beast tongue, but having some magic will also help if their rabid or scared. For a person… Well, speaking their language helps, and sometimes a show of power works as well," he told them. "Now, let's get going, we've not got much daylight left, and I'd rather we not stay out after dark." And with that, the class began the trek back to the castle.

"Told you," the girl said smugly, though not to Isaac. Instead, she was looking at the tall boy who had doubted the claims that the city and school were cursed.

"I didn't say anything!" he protested.

"Who are you, anyway?" Isaac asked her as though the other boy hadn't spoken.

The girl smiled at him. "Sylvia Alden."

Now that Isaac actually stopped to take in her appearance properly, he could see that Sylvia had green eyes, and her hair was as dark as the feathers of her bird. She was also wearing a few pieces of light armor over a simple shirt and pants. And she was also slightly taller than he was.

"And this is Terry," she continued, gesturing to her raven with her free hand. "Say 'hello', Terry."

"Hello, Terry."

Isaac jumped, staring at the bird in disbelief, as did a few other students who were nearby. Sylvia laughed.

"No, Terry," she said. "Say 'hello' to, uh . . . What is your name, anyway?"

"Isaac Marcallas."

"Marcallas?" Sylvia repeated, sounding surprised. "You wouldn't happen to have a sister named Viola, would you?"

"You know her?" Isaac asked, surprised.

"Yeah, we met on the first day. She's a nice girl, even if she is a bit shy . . . and quiet."

And so they continued on, Isaac asking Sylvia to look after his sister in the girls's dorm, Sylvia promising to do the best she could.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another two days later, Class 2 had been given its first multi-day assignment, and they were not the only ones.

Apparently, Class 3 would be away from the school for a while, protecting some passing cattle with Professor Gin. Classes 1 and 2, on the other hand, would be patroling the city's streets for the next two weeks, Class 1 taking the day shift with Professor Jasper, Class 2 the night shift with Professor Vine.

Part of Isaac envied Class 3, since they were working with a Talian rather than a Rusanic. The more rational rest of him, however, was merely resigned. While he doubted he would ever like Jasper or Vine on account of them being Rusanics, they were still his teachers, and he was there to learn, so he would do his best not to let his personal feelings cloud his judgement regarding their tutelage.

That said, he could not help but fear that the late nights spent patroling would make it more difficult to make it to his classes on time. He was already having trouble remembering when all of them were . . .
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eight nights into the Class's assignment, Isaac, Vincent, Sylvia and Terry the Raven were patroling near the lake. So far, nothing particularly bad had happened. At least, not that particular night.

The previous nights, it had been the same story over and over again, various students encountering drunks getting into fights, speaking in tongues that a few recognized as being from further north, and/or attempting to kill each other. By now, the rumors about the city being cursed had reignited, and Isaac was starting to believe them and wish he had not brought Viola with him to this place.

Even so, they had a job to do, and do it they would.

It was around eleven o'clock at night, near the end of their shift, when they heard it.

A commotion. More drunks attacking each other.

The three humans rushed off, Sylvia raising a spear, Vincent hefting a massive shield, while Terry flew off to fetch Professor Vine.

One was on the ground when they got there, two more standing over him, one holding a broken bottle, the other pulling out a knife. Another two were brawling with their fists nearby, screaming words no one could understand.

Isaac blasted the one with the knife with electricity as Sylvia rushed the one with the bottle, reaching him in just a few powerful bounds and whacking him a few times with the blunt end of her spear. Both men collapsed, and they turned towards the other two.

Vincent had interposed himself between the two brawlers, one of whom was clutching his fist, a look of agony on his face, Vincent's shield between him and his opponent. The other was futilely attempting to liberate his hand from Vincent's iron grip, spitting as he hissed unintelligibly.

Isaac sighed. Just another night on the job in Elkhort, it seemed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

It was not long after their last night of patrols that Class 2 received one last field assignment for the month: Bodyguarding the Magistrate. This time, they would be working with the headmistress herself.

On the one hand, she was a Rusanic. On the other hand, she was a famed hero and Nature Mage. On the third, mutant hand, it was unlikely Isaac would interact with her in person, so it mattered little.

Still, as they stood watch over the party a few days later, Isaac couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. He just wished he knew what.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Phew, finally done, and with nearly 5K words to boot. Now to work on the next one and delve into Class 3.

Personally, I think Chester should have said a bit more to prompt such a long reaction from Isaac, but I couldn't think of anything else for him to say about Romains (at least, not anything that flowed well). If anyone has any ideas, I am open to suggestions.

I'm also open to suggestions regarding the title, since I drew a complete blank and went with something that I personally feel isn't accurate enough.