CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Plan Meditations on Elder Binns' Wisdom
Hogwarts Sect of Witchcraft and Wizardry
- Thread starter Karf
- Start date
- Fantasy
This is intentional, much as school has become sect and professor has become elder, etc. However in hindsight it's probably not the best choice of replacement and I might change it back.
Sure. The short of it is basic-beginner-apprentice-intermediate-proficient-expert-master.
You might notice that there are 7 levels; the original intent being to cover one per year. As you can see, that's changed somewhat from the very first draft, and the latter levels won't need fleshing out until much later, so don't take what's below as gospel.
As for the mechanical functions, the total required is 750 points for apprentice, with milestones every 200 points in beginner. I'm still thinking about more interesting benefits where you could have actual choices, but I think I need to know where Rei stands at that moment before I can commit to something solid.
- General structure
- Basic
- Bare minimum required to have any related actions
- Essential competency
- One tier
- No branches
- Bare minimum required to have any related actions
- Beginner
- Has some exposure but needs supervision
- Two branches
- Theoretical
- Practical
- Apprentice
- Occasionally needs help
- Three branches
- Theoretical
- Two practical specializations
- Intermediate
- Capable of autonomous practice
- Three branches
- Practical
- Two theoretical specializations
- Proficient
- Able to conduct personal experimentation
- Five branches
- Personalized specializations
- Expert
- Can lead in the subject matter
- Three branches
- Unifying theory
- Esoteric practical
- Mastery project
- Master
- Can provide consulting or act as a reference
- Two branches
- Combined theory
- Combined practical
- Basic
Last edited:
The first adventure I
- [X][Training] Spiritual cultivation 3x
- History I - pool: [18, 11, 7] > rolls: [22] > total: 22/150
- History II - pool: [15, 10, 1] > rolls: [45] > total: 67/150
- History III - pool: [15, 5, 7] > rolls: [53] > total: 120/150
Maybe it's just because History was your first class, or perhaps Elder Binns' cryptic remarks stuck with you more than you thought, but cultivating your spirit seems like the logical first step. All the talk about being able to seize more opportunities is appealing, and since it's effectively a core subject, you know you won't be wasting your time.
With that decision out of the way, you are left with two lines written on the page. Progress! Now if only you could've gotten more than that in the last hour, instead of the lovely doodles your hand subconsciously drew on the margins.
The core tenet, insofar as you believe, is that of comprehending the world, not merely knowing about it. Which, as it turns out, is easier said than done, especially when you don't know so much in the first place.
Idly, you stretch, squinting out of the window in front of your impromptu writing station on the window sill. Then you twist and turn, casting your gaze across the Ravenclaw common room, filled with books. Big, thick, ancient looking but well maintained books full of arcane knowledge. Clearly, if you have managed to miss the obvious starting point in the very room you're in, maybe you truly do lack enlightenment.
'What was that expression again? Can't see Mount Tai? Indeed, my seniors are wise beyond belief.'
With a self-satisfied smirk, you dive into the library of the Ravenclaw tower.
By the time you've missed dinner, your enthusiasm has dwindled to bare embers. You started with the first thing that caught your attention, a colossal book titled "Meditations on trigram shaping", reasoning that if it mentions meditation, you could glean a baseline approach to compare and contrast with. The first paragraph was enough to make you go cross-eyed, and trying to meditate after chewing through the first page of tiny script was a resounding failure. Still, no one can say you don't learn from your mistakes, and, having placed the tome back in its place, you dove deeper into the shelves.
By bedtime, you're left with three books you think might put you on the right path. The fact that the smallest of them contains the words 'brief pamphlet' in the title while being heavy enough that you need both hands to lift it doesn't exactly fan your enthusiasm, but damn it you had a plan and you're sticking to it.
Thus, for most of September you settle into a sedentary rhythm: after your morning rituals and breakfast, you pore over one of the texts, making careful notes and occasionally hunting down previously mentioned concepts until lunch time. In the afternoon, you find a comfortable place to sit or lie, usually in the Ravenclaw common room, but sometimes the Great Hall or even outside, and try to figure out what you'd just put yourself through.
At first you were worried that you were doing something wrong, but after a week of solid effort and mounting dread, you slowly start to see improvement. Your choice seems further vindicated during the second week, when you decide to branch out to the actual library, and spot a group of five Slytherin students loaning out books you yourself had looked at. Considering that according to your understanding, they're all from well established clans, you can only assume they know what they're doing.
With September dragging to an end, you fail to make some mind shattering breakthrough, but your meditations are no longer just you squeezing your eyes shut. Instead, you think you're starting to feel... something, settling in your belly when you manage to lose yourself in a particularly engaging thought.
- [X][Social] There is a one-time introductory class about flying, and that's not something you are going to miss.
- Roll: 97
You wave at the trio of Hufflepuffs, recognizing both Susan and Hannah, but not the third girl with them. From your own house, Anthony and Mandy are present, and you think you saw Roger waiting for a staircase just before you exited the castle. A few minutes later you're proven right as he runs to join you.
"First time flying?" Anthony asks with an easy smile on his face. The question is mainly directed at Mandy, as you've made no secret of your muggle upbringing, and you think Roger Malone is completely muggleborn.
"Yeah."
"Too bad, then we'll all be starting from ground zero."
He pauses, and you let out an entirely involuntary giggle while Roger groans. "I swear to god, I'll get Peeves to wake you up every morning for the rest of your life if you keep puns like that coming."
"Oh, cheer up, just letting time fly by." This time he thankfully doesn't pause for effect. "My auntie once took me to Devon on her guandao. It's a heavy weapon, but she said something like it might suit me well. Although I'm not sold on joining the team anyway. Don't have the temperament for it, is all."
Seamlessly, he continues when no one else speaks up. "I think Mandy and you have good builds for chasers. All wiry and limby. You really can't go wrong with a classic longsword, I think. As for you..." he turns towards you and gives you a once-over. You return the favor out of principle: Anthony towers a head over you, and probably has at least two stone on you, weight wise.
"Perhaps a seeker? Maybe try some daggers or a rapier if you've got the balance."
To be fair, you had known that flying class involved flying weapons, but somehow you thought the descriptions were metaphorical. However, you're saved from formulating a reply by a sharp whistle, its source appearing just as suddenly as the noise, floating over your group on a large scythe.
"This one is Madam Hooch! Now, apparently I've been lax in impressing upon your young minds just how dangerous domain weapons can be!"
She jumps down nearly fifteen feet, landing on her feet without so much as crouching.
"You will do exactly as I say, and you will not attempt to get injured. You will also not try to show off, no matter what you might have heard about auspicious signs."
You've heard nothing about any such signs, but wisely keep that to yourself. The woman meanwhile pulls out a bag vaguely similar to the one in your own pocket.
"Today, you'll be flying on blunted training spears. Do not expect them to handle like a snitch. If - If! - you behave yourselves, there might be a follow-up lesson with different instruments." She reaches elbow deep into the fist-sized sack and retrieves a thin stick tipped by a point of gleaming silvery metal.
"These are the Comet Crafting Guild's javelins. All you need to do to get started is place your hand over the shaft and say strongly and firmly, 'Up'. Get to it now."
Spreading out in two rows, you copy the Elder - or is her title Madam - and say, "Up!"
As if you had dropped the spear, except in reverse, the handle jumps off the ground and you almost flinch as it speeds into your palm, only for the weapon to slow to a sharp stop right before smacking your hand. You blink, confusion giving way to elation, and look around to see how the others are doing. Only one other person has their javelin in hand, directly opposite you, and you share a wicked grin with Susan.
"When you've managed that, you'll have attuned to the artefact. You'll then need to imagine it moving while understanding the connection. The better your mental image matches reality, the better the spear will respond. If you imagine yourself on top of the weapon, it'll help you keep your balance. Lose your concentration and you just might find it flying off without you."
Whether its the long hours you've spent meditating, or those auspicious omens or just divine luck, once again the spear perfectly follows your will, circling around you and spiraling down to your shins. Boldened by your success, you tentatively step onto the shaft.
Nothing happens. It's as if you had climbed a single step of a staircase, the spear beneath you perfectly supporting your weight and balancing you on the arches of your feet.
"Madam Hooch," the third Hufflepuff girl calls out at the other end of the row, "it it supposed to be doing that?"
"Doing what, let me see?!" the teacher whirls around and hurries over.
You carefully try moving upward. Nothing major, just a foot or two, and still the weapon continues to obey. You half expect it to feel like an elevator going up, but even that slight pressure on your knees is missing. Further bolstered by your success, you once more glance over to Susan.
Apparently, she's not doing as well as you. Her face is scrunched in concentration and she's biting her lip, her hands reflexively extended for balance as she stands on the spear. A spear that's gradually rising upward, and barely perceptibly speeding up. Somehow, you don't think that's what she's trying to do.
"Uh, Susan?"
She tries to rise her face and give you a smile, but before she can twist her facial muscles to fake the reassurance, she's forced to lower her gaze again as the spear keeps creeping up, now nearly eye level with you, if were you on the ground. Madam Hooch still hasn't noticed.
Then Susan wobbles, throwing her body back, and the javelin shoots up like a spring released, her mind trying to compensate by pushing it harder against herself. Or perhaps she keeps picturing herself higher up than she really is.
Almost in the blink of an eye, she's up two stories and falling with her back to the ground. Someone screams, someone shouts, and for a brief moment you can imagine yourself darting forward to catch the hem of her sleeve, spinning her around. You doubt you would be able to hold her, so you'd just guide her fall, letting her land astride your own spear. It would probably still hurt, but much less than cracking her back on the ground. Considering that adults can surely also ride on the artefacts, you have to assume that it could take two children.
Of course, the moment passes and you quickly refocus on your surroundings as you feel your balance waver for an instant. Except... you're much too high, and there's a redheaded girl clinging tightly to your thigh, looking up at you with wide eyes. A few feet below you, Madam Hooch stands on her own scythe, her face a grimace of exasperation as she rubs the bridge of her nose with a gloved hand. 'At least I'll die with a clean conscience.'
"Phenomenal!"
You startle at the high pitched shout, the situation crashing home for you. Elder Flitwick is floating towards you on his charmed pillow. 'Or is that also a flying weapon?'
"Absolutely stunning, Miss Young. The heavens themselves are blue and bronze today. A point! A point I say, for excellent imagination!"
"Disciple Young, return to the ground, now!" Apparently Madam Hooch is nowhere near as pleased. "Elder Flitwick, while this one acknowledges that honored elder continues to be favored by the heavens, could you perhaps not include this one in your games?"
"Oh, don't trouble yourself so much. I'm positively confident you had the situation well at hand, Madam." With a clever line, your head of house comes to your rescue. Still, you don't push your luck, not with Madam Hooch or the javelin beneath you, and lower yourself and Susan to the courtyard. The spear remains perfectly stable under your feet, and it's actually more difficult to convince Susan to release her death-grip than it is to pilot the weapon.
As soon as you touch down, you're rushed by the other first years, but before you can pull a single coherent sentence out of the mixed cheering, a strong gust of wind seems to part the masses for an older disciple.
"Bloody fast that was, missy! Especially for a literal antique weapon. Been dreaming of flying for a long time, have we?"
"Sorry, it's my first time."
Pressure you can clearly deal with just fine, it's the aftermath where you flounder.
"By the Dao! Of course there's two of you - a fated rivalry! Can't say Gryffindor would be my first choice, but I'm sure we can beat the lions blue. Listen, we desperately need a keeper. The team is just starting to gel, but without Egwu we're missing that special something."
You're not at all sure what to make of that, but once again Elder Flitwick bails you out.
"Now, now, Mr. Stretton, not everyone shares our love of death defying high stakes aerial jousting. Let's give Miss Young a moment to breathe, and I'm sure that the Lady Bones will want to be well on her way to the infirmary when the adrenaline wears off and the tenderness sits in."
The older boy bashfully pulls back, only for Hannah to take Susan's hand.
"Honored Elder, Madam, by your leave, I'd help Sister Bones to the infirmary. To make sure everything is alright."
From the shine in her eyes, and the minute upturn of Susan's lips, you think she's rather more making sure not to miss her opportunity to visit the doctor's office, but Madam Hooch waves her along.
"Go on, then. The lesson's over anyway, and unless Ancestor Dumbledore himself ordains it, there won't be another this year. Just because the chips fell in our favor this time doesn't mean it's wise to tempt fate."
With a sharp flick, she draws her wand and another wave sees all of your spears flying back inside her bag. It might have been a more effective exit if she didn't have to wait nearly half a minute for the final weapon to return, slamming into the opening like a thunderbolt from the clear sky.
Elder Flitwick likewise pats you on the shoulder before floating away with a few parting words. "Think it over, and remember that we're not Gryffindor. There's no shame in deciding one way or another. That said, do get back to me by the end of the month. Some might say that us elders are far too busy, but I truly do enjoy conversing with the youth."
With a truly blessed roll granting you a natural talent for Quidditch, do you wish to take up the sport?
[][Quidditch] Yes
Mechanically, you will lock two social actions for November, February and May. However, competing with the Boy-Who-Lived himself for the title of the youngest Quidditch player of the century is sure to open doors and generate prestige.
[][Quidditch] No
Your passions lie elsewhere, and you have no desire to commit this early. Not to mention the dangers involved.
Poor Susan... out of all 32 students, she's the only one to roll all zeroes across the board. Also, I swear this thing writes itself - Neville got a total of 2 progress. The next lowest is at 67. For reference, the highest is 349.
Still on the to-do list: Ravenclaw study group and Hogwarts exploration
Still on the to-do list: Ravenclaw study group and Hogwarts exploration
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X][Quidditch] Yes
We really are the protagonist lmao
We really are the protagonist lmao
WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
[X][Quidditch] Yes
[X][Quidditch] Yes
Wouldn't have been my preference but hey, gotta follow our Dao.
Wouldn't have been my preference but hey, gotta follow our Dao.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Why not both? Let's use a stiletto to really style on Harry
[X][Quidditch] Yes
[X][Quidditch] Yes
I'm equal parts happy and disappointed. Quidditch is great, but Keeper?! That's the least interesting position, and not very in line with our strengths as creative thinkers and clever artists. At least in the o.g. sport... it might be different in the Xianxia version, who knows? That said, I have my eyes set on the Beater position, since I've never seen that done before in a story. Maybe we'll end up showing more promise there, or one of our teammates will graduate and leave the spot open? Fingers crossed!
120/150 is kind of unfortunate and awkward for next turn. Do we trust we'll reach the threshold in one action, or do we play it safe and assign it two? I guess we'll see, and we might even think differently after the other two social actions are resolved. May the Heavens bless us with another high roll that allows us to find a cultivation site, a miraculous pill or even those 30 points we're missing! XD
Speaking of rolls, was it 1d100 for the flying lesson, and is that the norm for social actions in general, @Karf ?
I'm equal parts happy and disappointed. Quidditch is great, but Keeper?! That's the least interesting position, and not very in line with our strengths as creative thinkers and clever artists. At least in the o.g. sport... it might be different in the Xianxia version, who knows? That said, I have my eyes set on the Beater position, since I've never seen that done before in a story. Maybe we'll end up showing more promise there, or one of our teammates will graduate and leave the spot open? Fingers crossed!
120/150 is kind of unfortunate and awkward for next turn. Do we trust we'll reach the threshold in one action, or do we play it safe and assign it two? I guess we'll see, and we might even think differently after the other two social actions are resolved. May the Heavens bless us with another high roll that allows us to find a cultivation site, a miraculous pill or even those 30 points we're missing! XD
Speaking of rolls, was it 1d100 for the flying lesson, and is that the norm for social actions in general, @Karf ?
- Location
- France
[X][Quidditch] Yes
The current plan is to have a simple 1d100 for socials. Think of it more like what happens in general, not how you can do better. This might be subject to change, but as I said, I'd like to get through year 1 and make changes then, not before.
Also, perhaps predictably, you'll be signing up for the Quidditch team. Since there's no way I'm rolling up another 27 stat blocks for the other players (for now, at least), I'll just be adding 7 baselines together for the match rolls, with Ravenclaw getting the benefits of your own stats. I am, however, quite open to suggestions on how to improve your own impact on the team further.
Hard to say without knowing what system/stats you're using, but I'm sure it'll be fine. It's not a Quidditch-centric quest, either (although now that I'm typing it, I kinda want to play one), so something simple should/could suffice.
The first adventure II
[X][Quidditch] Yes
- [X][Social] Your housemates tend towards the quiet side, but Anthony Goldstein is doing his best to make up for it. He's invited all Ravenclaw first-years to a "social study group, emphasis on the social," his words, not yours.
- Roll: 49
However, your focus would drift each time another student walked by. Not that they were being loud or intrusive, you just found yourself engaged in people watching. If you extrapolate from your own year size of nine, you can comfortably place the upper bound for the size of house Ravenclaw at seventy disciples. Yet the common room never seems to become crowded, despite looking like it could seat perhaps twenty people. You have seen at least that many arrive and far fewer leave. Older students would come in through the entrance, giving you a nod when they caught you looking, then disappear between the shelves or towards the dorms. You'd eat your notes if they were going to sleep in the afternoon. Something fishy is going on, but at the same time, it seems to be working in your favor.
Moreover, your purpose for staying in the common room today is twofold. Anthony had found you yesterday at breakfast and extended an invitation to pool knowledge and get to know each other a bit better. The meeting is supposed to be tonight, and if you just so happen to be present early, all the better. Considering how easily you lose track of time while meditating these days, missing the gathering would be a real threat.
That's nearly what happens. When you next open your eyes, the magical candles have lit and five of your classmates are lounging around you. Most are absorbed in a book, but Anthony immediately notices your open eyes.
"Hey, Rei. Glad you've decided to come. We're far too young for closed cultivation."
"Indeed," Padma nods, "I believe that's all of us for tonight. I saw Mandy heading out in her gi earlier."
Anthony nods, "Yeah, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of Sue. Michael is also either asleep or out already. Here, we saved you some of Terry's cookies."
You blink, and your stomach rumbles as you realize you missed dinner - again. With a mumbled thanks you grab a pastry from the bowl passed over to you and bite in.
"Mmh, th's ar' good!" A sweet taste explodes in your mouth, the cookie having just the right amount of crunch and crumbliness, the sugar dominating, but not overpowering the slight tang of something lemony.
"I aim to please." Terry says as you blush when you nearly spray the mouthful out with your exclamation. Thankfully you're saved further embarrassment - and manage to sneak another cookie - when Anthony claps his hands together.
"Right. Thank you all for coming. I'm not going to bore you with a whole speech about house unity and how we're basically a clan away from family. Instead, how about we all properly introduce ourselves, and share what we've decided to work on now that we're all formally cultivators. I'll start."
He clears his throat and stands up. "I'm Anthony Goldstein, or just Tony for short. My father's a mortal financial advisor, but I've spent most of my youth with mother, who's an immortal. For the last week, I've been working on my training routine, although progress has been... dissatisfactory."
He sits down and shoots another smile to his left, where the dark-skinned Roger sits on an armrest.
"Roger Malone, completely muggleborn. I've, uh..." he pauses, trying to find the right words, "had an encounter with a spirit. I think he liked me, and I've been meditating on his... peculiar brand of wisdom on my morning runs."
Next is Padma, playing with her dark braid of hair.
"This one is Padma Patil, of the Patil clan. I'm an enchanter in training, so I'm focused on charms."
"So am I," the girl next to you in your loose circle exclaims, her round glasses nearly falling off her nose. "Everything is just so fascinating, I started with potions, but got sidetracked by the pill furnace. The symbols looked so pretty, so I just had to look them up, only one thing led to another, and..." she trails off when she realizes her outburst brought her to the center of attention. "Sorry. Lisa Turpin, muggleborn."
Then it's your turn.
"Rei Young. Technically my mother was a cultivator, but she passed away when I was very little, so treat me like I was also from a mortal family. I've been looking into meditation and spiritual cultivation."
You pass the now empty bowl back to Terry.
"Right. I'm Terry Boot. Celestial chef, someday. For now, though, I've been seeking a good place for cooking rituals. Oh, and my mother's a mortal, so I know what a microwave is."
The last remark is aimed at the other two boys, who chuckle good-naturedly. With introductions made, you proceed to recount your experiences in more detail. Although you don't really learn much that you could immediately apply, at least it's heartening to know that you're not hopelessly falling behind your peers.
- [X][Social] You intend to go exploring, not for cultivation but just for fun. See if you can't find someone who might want to come along.
- Roll: 93
From what you've heard over the rumor network - gossip exchanged between bites of food at mealtime - the girl recently visited Elder Flitwick, and even you had noticed her beaming for the rest of the day.
"Hey, Lisa, what's with the rush? I thought you'd be taking a breather after reaching beginner charms."
"I am," she smiles, "The Elder gave me a point, and I traded it at the library for a guide about the gallery in the southwestern tower. D'you wanna come with me?"
"Do I ever. Just let me put my stuff away and I'll be right down."
You dash to your trunk and back to the entrance in record time, joining Lisa as the two of you exit into the corridor at the base of the Ravenclaw tower. You follow after her as she takes a turn to a part of the castle you haven't yet visited. The way is lined with squat granite pillars, each recessed into an alcove and wide enough that you'd need another three copies of yourself to completely hug them. Lisa flicks through her booklet filled with pictures on one side of each page.
"Eight, nine... Here!"
She drags you into one of the alcoves, and behind the pillar. Instead of the smooth stone you expected to see, a small door is hidden from the corridor on the backside of the column. With a light creak, Lisa swings it open, revealing a spiraling staircase. Well, when you say spiraling, you mean it - the steps revolve upwards like a corkscrew.
"What is it with Hogwarts and moving stairs?" you ask.
"I know, right? Come on, it should be up here."
The two of you step onto the escalator, which silently takes you up and around the bend. The ascent is smooth, but quite slow.
"So, you traded a point for an art guide?"
"Yeah. I love painting, and sculpting, and movies. Do you like drawing?"
"I do," you nod, "but just for fun."
"You've got to let me see some. I love to look at art, but I'm rubbish at composing anything myself. I promise I won't critique your works or anything, I just want to see. Did you notice how the parchment makes everything so much more detailed than normal paper?"
Without pausing for your answer, she launches into a rather informative monologue on the effects of the canvas on pen and pencil drawing. You rise past another closed door, but you assume she knows where you're going, so the entrance slides by without note. Another minute passes as you nod and 'hmm', before an open door appears around the bend. In fact, you're pretty sure that's the same door you came in from.
"Crap, I got distracted, sorry!" Lisa says when you interrupt her to point out your suspicion. "At least now we know how to get back, there should have been another door above us. Or is it below us?"
"There was... Wait, now we know how to get back? What do you mean now?"
She's saved from providing you with an explanation when the other door swings into view again, granting her a convenient escape route. You follow after her, stepping into a large hall, dominated by a miniature model landscape.
While the rolling hills of the English countryside writ small catch your attention, Lisa nearly runs over to the walls, which are covered in massive tapestries showing various battle scenes. From overarching wide paintings of ominously dark skies occasionally flashing with thunder, where two armies stand ready to clash to a trebuchet crew rushing around the siege machine, launching a boulder out of frame. Another shows a rather jarring closeup of a young soldier hiding behind a tree, hands held over his ears, his look haunted and scared. Yet another displays an aerial view of a formation of soldiers being dismantled by a single figure dashing about in their midst, blasts of fire and metal flying from their hands - a cultivator fighting against medieval pikemen.
"The Battle of Hexham, 1464," Lisa reads from her book, "The Yorkists general had recently mastered a water aspected technique, which enabled his army to cross the river and catch the Lancastrians by surprise."
On the model in front of you, there is indeed a rushing river on one side, little lifelike men scrambling out of tents and arranging themselves near the bank against a larger force looking down on them from the other side of the model, on top of a hill. Floating over a larger army is another figure, you can only assume the immortal general in charge.
Something is his demeanor seems to change, and you can't help but hold your breath in anticipation.
"I think it's starting!"
Lisa rushes over to you, and you point to the general for her. However, as she bumps into you and your hand gets pushed over the table, some unseen force pulls your finger just a bit to the right. Like a vacuum, your finger, then your arm gets sucked forward before you have any idea what's happening. You barely manage to let out a yelp, trying to grab hold of the nearest thing - Lisa's robe - before both of you are tumbling through air for a brief moment. Then the ground breaks your fall none too gently.
Around you, the air is thick with the smell of ozone, and shouts fill your ears, accompanied by the occasional horn blast.
"Oww..." Lisa says next to you, deposited to the ground just like you. Your shoulder and hip are sore from the fall, but careful movement shows that nothing is broken.
A crack of thunder startles you into action, and you push yourself up, turning to Lisa.
"Are you okay?"
"I think so," she replies through a swelling lip.
You help her to her feet as you take in your surroundings. You don't need to be an expert on magical charms to figure out that you've fallen into some strange recreation of the battle in the gallery. The good news is that you're near the hedges, off to the side, not caught in the middle of the action. The bad news is that you can see a shimmer in the air above you, far out of your reach.
"D'you think this is real?" Lisa asks, her voice wavering.
You really, really hope not.
"Do you still have that book?"
Her eyes go wide as she casts about, letting out a relieved sigh when she spots it a few feet away. Quickly the two of you huddle over the pages, flipping though them for an explanation. As you reach the end of the book, nothing jumps out.
"It's just descriptions of the history and each painting. Nothing like this."
"Wait, go back to the beginning," an idea is starting to take form in your head.
The first page is a wide spread of the valley before the battle commenced. Lifting the book up, the resemblance is easy to see.
"Look, everything lines up."
Lisa traces her finger across the pages, the storm-clouds overhead flashing in perfect synchronicity with the ones on the picture.
"On the brink of battle. Eastern view, seven AM. It's the first tapestry in the gallery."
"And the viewpoint is right above us." You motion to the slight shimmer in the air. "We must have fallen in through that."
Lisa sucks on her lip with a hiss. "We're not getting back out through there."
As if to cement her statement, the shimmer disappears just as the floating cultivator, still as tiny as before, except now because of distance, blows another horn, this one deep and reverberating, followed by a shout echoing across the field.
"You don't think we're just supposed to sit it out and observe?"
You flip back to the end of the book, finding a shot of troops crossing the river, banners flying in the wind. The caption reads 'The victors march from Hexham. Three days after the battle, midday.' You don't intend to sit around for three days. Provided of course, that your theory is correct.
Most paintings for the day at hand are of the thick of battle or aerial shots. Considering you really don't want to test what happens when you get stabbed, neither is particularly useful for you. You find the picture of the scared soldier, but the caption brings you dismay.
"Routed Lancastrian. Eastern forest, eight PM." you read aloud.
"That's the whole day," Lisa rubs her arms, "and it's going to rain soon."
She's right. Plenty of images have a truly torrential downpour in them. Some, but not all, you remember. The image of the trebuchet was from the ground level looking up, and the men in it were dry. Quickly, you page back to the start of the book.
"Yorkist war machine in action. Eastern hilltop, quarter past eight AM."
"Look, there."
You squint at where Lisa's pointing, spotting a wagon coming up over the crest of the hill on the other side of the plain.
"I think we can make it."
You're not sure if you tell it to her or yourself.
What follows is equal parts terrifying, exciting and grueling, as you keep low in the grassland, darting from shrub to shrub, circling around the back of the forces clashing in the valley below. Several times you have to lie completely flat on the ground behind a wind-torn clump of grass as you feel Qi surging around you, dragged on the air towards the cultivator in the sky. What makes matters worse is that you have no way of telling time. For all you know, you've long since missed your window, the view of the trebuchet now obscured from you by the landscape.
Still, despite being out of breath, sweaty and covered in mud, you manage to reach your destination without anyone spotting you, and can breathe a sigh of relief. The soldiers are still working on the final bits of framework when you reach the base of the slight highrise they've chosen for their staging ground.
Finally, you have a moment to breathe and really take in your surroundings, as there's nothing left but to wait for the tell-tale shimmer to appear. Lisa's crouched right next to you, and the two of you share a slightly manic smile. Over time, the whole situation has stopped being deadly serious and taken on a feeling of a surreal game. If you really wanted to reason with yourself, that's probably some defensive mechanism from your subconscious, but one you'll gladly accept.
So you use the moment to truly take in the valley below, the sound of combat washing over you. The clashing of steel and shouts, the shake of the ground as horses cycle around, harrying the sides of the melee, thunder striking the floating cultivator who directs it with a clarion shout, the sound of waves breaking as someone on the opposite side blasts bolts of lightning with spurts of water.
Then, with a twang, the trebuchet fires. Perhaps it's some quirk of the strange realm you're in, but you could swear you can see the floating cultivator smile as the stone flies unerringly towards his opponent, who has a look of exhaustion and despair. You're pretty sure you don't want to see what happens to him as the boulder draws near, but thankfully the spell binding your attention is broken when the shimmer appears just as the crew start to reload.
"Go! Go! Go!" you grab Lisa's hand and burst into a sprint.
"What the?!" a guard manages to shout, part of the squad positioned to defend the artillery, before you tumble through the portal, Lisa right behind you.
You wish you managed to keep your balance as you exit the painting in Hogwarts castle, but a banged knee does little to dampen the release of joy within you. You descend into a fit of giggles on the stone floor, limbs entangled with Lisa, who follows you into gasping laughter.
It takes you almost a minute to calm down.
"Did you see his face as we disappeared?"
Well, maybe two minutes.
The trip back to the common room is silent as the adrenaline wears off and you realize just how sore and tired you actually are. By mutual agreement the two of you shamble into the dorms and collapse into your beds. Sleep is quick to claim you.
It's only the next morning, as you completely deservedly lay in bed for a while, that you really think back on what you just did. And what resonates with you the most.
-[][Adventure] The battle
The flows of Qi, the way men moved, the sound of combat, the smell of damp earth and ozone, all the intricate details that you surely missed. It's swirling in your head as something truly experienced. You have a lot to think on.
Gain an extra die to your pool for the next time you train Spiritual Cultivation.
-[][Adventure] The sneaking
You wanted to stretch your legs, and you certainly got a workout. From the falls to the running to the crawling, you feel a good kind of sore all over. Still, you're pretty sure a higher level cultivator could have made the jump to the first portal.
Your next Physical Cultivation training pool is rolled twice, keeping the higher success count.
-[][Adventure] The gallery
The whole experience has shown you just how amazing magical locations hidden in Hogwarts can be. An art gallery dedicated to a true-to-life reenactment of a medieval battle is surely only the tip of the iceberg, and you have a newfound appreciation for the art of rituals and places of power.
Immediately gain 1d100 progress for Astronomy.
As September draws to a close and you reflect back on your progress, you can't find anything to beat yourself up over for. From the intermittent meeting of the Ravenclaw study group, you gather you're solidly in the middle of the pack in terms of progress. Considering that you've had no previous contact with the world of immortals, you'd say that's a perfectly reasonable result. Especially as it includes people like Lisa, who are apparently naturals at Charms, winning another point for herself by making the most headway in the subject out of all first years, despite her mortal roots.
While the fact that your house had more top scorers doesn't surprise you, the subject does - Mandy comes in first for Defense, despite it apparently being a heavily contested field. Although she still looks a bit ragged from her effort, she accepts your congratulations on completing the early physical realm with grace.
Another two points are granted to the person making the most progress overall, going to a Slytherin girl called Pansy Parkinson. She stand next to her head of house, Elder Snape, with a bored expression, as if her accomplishment was only natural.
Earning points in Hogwarts is usually achieved by either making the most progress in a single subject or by coming in first across all subjects. The latter is worth two, the former one.
In addition, rolling extremely well on a social action may net you more points if you catch the eye of an elder. 90+ is the usual threshold, but for example purposes, the above snippet has you immediately cashing in your roll via the proxy of Lisa Turpin.
But what good are points?
You can use points on social actions to guarantee that they generate mechanical benefits. While some choices may lead to benefits or maluses depending on the circumstances, story arcs, dice, or my whims as I write, spending points guarantees you get something out of it (see example above).
You may spend multiple points in one go to get better magnitudes for the options.
Points are committed before you know the roll, as part of your plans, eg:
[*] Plan proper nutrition
-[*][Social] Commit to never miss breakfast this month
-[*][Social] Get Terry to make you cookies
-[*][Social] Find a hibernation art for food storage
-[*][Points] 2 points 1st social
Just make sure others can understand which option you're putting the points towards.
You lose your points at the end of the year, but there is the house cup to consider. Of course, no one really expects the ickle firsties to meaningfully contribute, but your donations are welcome if you do.
There may be other ways to earn or spend points, but for now, this should do.
In addition, rolling extremely well on a social action may net you more points if you catch the eye of an elder. 90+ is the usual threshold, but for example purposes, the above snippet has you immediately cashing in your roll via the proxy of Lisa Turpin.
But what good are points?
You can use points on social actions to guarantee that they generate mechanical benefits. While some choices may lead to benefits or maluses depending on the circumstances, story arcs, dice, or my whims as I write, spending points guarantees you get something out of it (see example above).
You may spend multiple points in one go to get better magnitudes for the options.
Points are committed before you know the roll, as part of your plans, eg:
[*] Plan proper nutrition
-[*][Social] Commit to never miss breakfast this month
-[*][Social] Get Terry to make you cookies
-[*][Social] Find a hibernation art for food storage
-[*][Points] 2 points 1st social
Just make sure others can understand which option you're putting the points towards.
You lose your points at the end of the year, but there is the house cup to consider. Of course, no one really expects the ickle firsties to meaningfully contribute, but your donations are welcome if you do.
There may be other ways to earn or spend points, but for now, this should do.
Pick 3 training actions, you may pick the same one multiple times:
-[][Training] Spiritual cultivation
-[][Training] Physical cultivation
-[][Training] Herbology
-[][Training] Potions
-[][Training] Charms
-[][Training] Transfiguration
-[][Training] Astronomy
Not all of your time is spent on the path to enlightenment, your peers also demand some of your attention, and when you one day look back, some events would stand out. Pick 3 social actions:
-[][Social] There are rumors abound that two ancient pureblood clan children are going to put on a display. Ron Weasley versus Draco Malfoy might not show you the highest peak of cultivator combat, but you're still quite interested.
-[][Social] Mandy Brocklehurst received a pretty big package recently, and you'd like to write a letter home. Surely, she knows how to send out mail from Hogwarts, if you just asked. Oh, and you'll write the actual letter too.
-[][Social] Although you've been assured that you'll get to choose your flying weapon soon, and training ramps up before the actual match next month, you'd still like to get a head-start. Go and find the captain, one Jeremy Stretton
-[][Social] This talk of portents and omens has got you curious. Divination, you distantly recall, is an elective after you've started forming your core, but surely you can at least glean a basic understanding from somewhere.
-[][Social] Susan Bones is not looking nearly as cheerful as she did on the train ride over these days. Track her down and find out what's wrong.
-[][Social] The Halloween feast has the whole castle abuzz and decked out in holiday decoration. You wouldn't want to miss the event.
-[][Social] Padma and her twin are nearly inseparable, but somehow you managed to end up lost in the same place on your way back from the library.
-[][Social] You're still somewhat shaken and intimidated by all of this. The perfects were supposed to be your liaisons and supports, and you feel more partial towards Senior Sister Penelope Clearwater, you'll seek her out and see if she has any tips to offer.
-[][Social] You're almost attacked by an owl one afternoon, only to receive a letter from a Mr. Finch-Fletchley, inviting you to a gathering for those of "good old-fashioned mortal descent," sweetened by the promise of food and the secret of the kitchen.
-[][Social] You've had enough time to settle in, and you still remember the girl who shared your mother's name from the sorting ceremony. Locate one Daphne Greengrass and introduce yourself.
-[][Social] Write-in (will do my best to accommodate)
Optional point expenditure (You currently have 1 point)
-[][Points] Write-in
Please vote in plan format, including the adventure bonus above.
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Let's not miss the feast. we don't want to risk a troll? or do we?