SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
Inserted tally
-
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Magical (A Quest of Vacations, or Starsigns, or Something Else)
- Thread starter SeekerofDreams
- Start date
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
Okay, let's see where this goes...
At the very least, something will probably end up happening.
-Vote Closed!-
At the very least, something will probably end up happening.
The Meditation Room
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
This room is used for meditation, isn't it? The unlit candles around the room look like they could contain some kind of incense, though you don't have enough experience with them to be sure. Having so many guests, who generally all have different senses of smell, means that lighting them isn't really an option a lot of the time.
You don't think it's really an option here, either. You can tell because the candles that are currently lit are actually melted down most of the way, and you assume they'll be replaced by the time that all of the other students show up. The others look like they've only been lit once or twice.
Still, despite your complete inexperience with the things this room is supposedly meant for, you may as well at least try and use it for its intended purpose.
...You have no idea where to start. Still, you suppose you should begin by getting comfortable- or, more specifically, by testing out those soft-looking beanbag chairs before someone else can.
It turns out that, besides being soft, they're also heavy to pick up, and it takes some effort to get one far enough from the rest that hearing everyone else talking won't be an insurmountable distraction. This is not helped by the fact that a felin has decided to activate one of the magical dolls to spar with, leaving you more than a little nervous of the razor-sharp blades of wind at his clawtips.
Still, he's not letting his spells get away from him, and the active doll is not venturing anywhere near you, and the others are still discussing things quietly, so you sit down on your soft green beanbag chair and resist the urge to watch the fight while you try to clear your mind.
...With an emphasis on the word try. It's not like they make handbooks for this kind of thing, and one of the local users of Wind Magic is being very distracting at the moment. Still, you lean back, and close your eyes, and the worst that can happen is that you accidentally fall asleep, right?
Your eyes tightly shut, you run through, in your mind, the materials that make certain spirits stronger. Wood Spirits draw power from pinecones. Insect Spirits gain strength from gummy worms, while Stone Spirits get power from gummy frogs. You aren't sure why the specific type of creature matters, but apparently it does. Love Spirits gain strength from kind acts, while Dark Spirits are strengthened every time they are defeated.
You know that Beast Spirits and Poison Spirits both can draw power from the tails of certain creatures, but you've never been able to remember which ones. You'll just have to hope you never make one mad enough to need to make an offering.
Most spirits, however, have their magic made more potent by metal. Gold or silver, but only specific kinds, and it's different for everyone. All of the metals are referred to as gold or silver, so you can't always keep it straight in your head, but Uncle Al tells you that the Blade Spirits like Camti gold, and you've seen musicians carry coins from the old vox civilization because it's an easy source of Harmonic gold for the Sound Spirits. Another easy one to remember is that Machinery Spirits like Alti silver, though you mostly recall that because most modern machinery is made of Alti silver in the first place, and that's why antiqua coins are so valuable.
And, of course, the Water Spirits are empowered by the presence of Crescent silver, though just about nobody carries coins made of it nowadays and you have no idea where you'd even find any. You think there might be some on Cassia, but what are the odds that you're ever going to go to Cassia?
Wood and pinecones. Insects and worms. Stone and frogs. Love and kindness. Dark and defeat. You don't normally see those spirits, but it's good to keep in mind... though you don't expect to ever have to worry about offending a Love Spirit, and defeating a Dark Spirit probably isn't something you'll ever be able to do.
You open your eyes, and for just a moment, the candles seem to be looking at you expectantly. But they're gone once you blink, and you aren't sure what you'd offer them, even if you had coins on hand. You know they like some kind of metal, and you're pretty sure it's a type of gold, but... which one?
Something to look up later, you suppose. Odds are you're never going to simultaneously encounter a strong enough Fire Spirit for you to see and have the right kind of metal on hand to offer, but that's still no reason not to keep it in mind, just in case.
...It's only been about an hour, but you can already tell you can't stay like this for the rest of the afternoon. You should try and find something else to do...
[ ] Go see if the pond has any spirits attached to it. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to.
[ ] ...Seriously, what is Mokka doing here?
[ ] Try and join in on an existing conversation.
-[ ] Sorbet, Sugar, and a yellow rabbitfolk girl.
-[ ] Merlot, the vox girl, and the felin who was fighting the magic doll earlier.
-[ ] The purple creature from the bus, and a pair of humans.
-[ ] A pair of humans and Chai.
[ ] Well, the dolls are free... you suppose you could try and fight one, but you're not sure how well you'd do.
You don't think it's really an option here, either. You can tell because the candles that are currently lit are actually melted down most of the way, and you assume they'll be replaced by the time that all of the other students show up. The others look like they've only been lit once or twice.
Still, despite your complete inexperience with the things this room is supposedly meant for, you may as well at least try and use it for its intended purpose.
...You have no idea where to start. Still, you suppose you should begin by getting comfortable- or, more specifically, by testing out those soft-looking beanbag chairs before someone else can.
It turns out that, besides being soft, they're also heavy to pick up, and it takes some effort to get one far enough from the rest that hearing everyone else talking won't be an insurmountable distraction. This is not helped by the fact that a felin has decided to activate one of the magical dolls to spar with, leaving you more than a little nervous of the razor-sharp blades of wind at his clawtips.
Still, he's not letting his spells get away from him, and the active doll is not venturing anywhere near you, and the others are still discussing things quietly, so you sit down on your soft green beanbag chair and resist the urge to watch the fight while you try to clear your mind.
...With an emphasis on the word try. It's not like they make handbooks for this kind of thing, and one of the local users of Wind Magic is being very distracting at the moment. Still, you lean back, and close your eyes, and the worst that can happen is that you accidentally fall asleep, right?
Your eyes tightly shut, you run through, in your mind, the materials that make certain spirits stronger. Wood Spirits draw power from pinecones. Insect Spirits gain strength from gummy worms, while Stone Spirits get power from gummy frogs. You aren't sure why the specific type of creature matters, but apparently it does. Love Spirits gain strength from kind acts, while Dark Spirits are strengthened every time they are defeated.
You know that Beast Spirits and Poison Spirits both can draw power from the tails of certain creatures, but you've never been able to remember which ones. You'll just have to hope you never make one mad enough to need to make an offering.
Most spirits, however, have their magic made more potent by metal. Gold or silver, but only specific kinds, and it's different for everyone. All of the metals are referred to as gold or silver, so you can't always keep it straight in your head, but Uncle Al tells you that the Blade Spirits like Camti gold, and you've seen musicians carry coins from the old vox civilization because it's an easy source of Harmonic gold for the Sound Spirits. Another easy one to remember is that Machinery Spirits like Alti silver, though you mostly recall that because most modern machinery is made of Alti silver in the first place, and that's why antiqua coins are so valuable.
And, of course, the Water Spirits are empowered by the presence of Crescent silver, though just about nobody carries coins made of it nowadays and you have no idea where you'd even find any. You think there might be some on Cassia, but what are the odds that you're ever going to go to Cassia?
Wood and pinecones. Insects and worms. Stone and frogs. Love and kindness. Dark and defeat. You don't normally see those spirits, but it's good to keep in mind... though you don't expect to ever have to worry about offending a Love Spirit, and defeating a Dark Spirit probably isn't something you'll ever be able to do.
You open your eyes, and for just a moment, the candles seem to be looking at you expectantly. But they're gone once you blink, and you aren't sure what you'd offer them, even if you had coins on hand. You know they like some kind of metal, and you're pretty sure it's a type of gold, but... which one?
Something to look up later, you suppose. Odds are you're never going to simultaneously encounter a strong enough Fire Spirit for you to see and have the right kind of metal on hand to offer, but that's still no reason not to keep it in mind, just in case.
...It's only been about an hour, but you can already tell you can't stay like this for the rest of the afternoon. You should try and find something else to do...
[ ] Go see if the pond has any spirits attached to it. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to.
[ ] ...Seriously, what is Mokka doing here?
[ ] Try and join in on an existing conversation.
-[ ] Sorbet, Sugar, and a yellow rabbitfolk girl.
-[ ] Merlot, the vox girl, and the felin who was fighting the magic doll earlier.
-[ ] The purple creature from the bus, and a pair of humans.
-[ ] A pair of humans and Chai.
[ ] Well, the dolls are free... you suppose you could try and fight one, but you're not sure how well you'd do.
Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Try and join in on an existing conversation.
-[X] Sorbet, Sugar, and a yellow rabbitfolk girl.
-[X] Sorbet, Sugar, and a yellow rabbitfolk girl.
- Location
- Michigan
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Try and join in on an existing conversation.
-[X] The purple creature from the bus, and a pair of humans.
My initial thought was to go for the pond, but then it occurred to me that we should probably get to know our fellows instead of being an asocial recluse. So I went with the group we know the least about.
-[X] The purple creature from the bus, and a pair of humans.
My initial thought was to go for the pond, but then it occurred to me that we should probably get to know our fellows instead of being an asocial recluse. So I went with the group we know the least about.
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
Inserted tally
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
And... defaulting to spending time with the people you already know.
Now, let's see what kind of discussion you get yourself pulled into.
-Vote Closed!-
Now, let's see what kind of discussion you get yourself pulled into.
Magic Comparison
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
You decide to keep the beanbag chair, for the time being, even if dragging it over to another group is more difficult than you were hoping. Given how you've seen others simply kick the lumpy things across the room, this is very annoying.
Thankfully, Sorbet and Sugar aren't that far away from you, so you can just plop down again close to them and a yellow-furred rabbitfolk girl who Sugar is in rapt conversation with. Sorbet glances up at you. "Oh, Rye. What are you doing here?"
You shrug. "Meditation wasn't working out." All it did was get you wondering where you could find a deposit of Crescent silver, and there are much better things you could do with your time than pondering the location of rare metals. "What are they talking about?"
"Well, you know Sugar can talk to Wind Spirits. And Lassi has the Starsign of Puffoon. They... I think they're comparing what they can do with it?"
She sounds oddly unsure, and you pause for a moment to listen in to the conversation. Sugar appears to be attempting to explain various concepts to the other wizard, whose main words for the kind of things she does seem to be sound effects. At least, that's what it looks like. Honestly, you don't fully understand some of those concepts, either, but you guess it's more important to know that kind of stuff when controlling wind is your main power.
"There... might be a bit of a knowledge gap involved," You observe. "I mean, there can't be that many differences between type of wind magic compared to... say... ice and liquid water."
"I don't just use ice," Sorbet insists. "I can use liquid water, too. Just... very cold liquid water... and I think it's just my power keeping it liquid... but that's not the point." You're not sure there was ever a point to begin with.
"But it still probably acts differently from warm water," You point out. "Or those people who can make it rain. Not that you see them very often..." From what you can tell, they mostly set up in places that already get a lot of rain, since otherwise they won't be able to stay for very long without wrecking the climate.
And then there's the ones that make rain clouds indoors. Those people are just showing off.
"But you never see anyone who can make it snow," Sorbet observes. "I mean, I could make hail if I had a cloud to start with... But I don't, because I can't make clouds." And the only place where you'd have that many clouds readily available in the first place is the Wind Planet. Capital of the solar system or not, you can't see any real reason for her to ever visit the Wind Planet.
"I'd help, but I can't control water vapor, either." Spirits might appear in the fog, but it's nothing you've ever had a real grasp of. You're pretty sure it's a rare power, but you've never been around enough other mages to check before. Maybe once the school year starts up.
The next morning, Miss Ketchup's brother has an announcement. You aren't sure why he's the one giving it, with how tired he looks, but his sister seems to be in deep conversation with Professor Maplewood, so he's clearly not getting any help on that front. And you can't see Mokka or Principal Biscotti anywhere... you know the school has to be better staffed than this, but apparently they think three people is enough to control your group of students.
"I'm sorry to say that the rest of the week's normal activities are cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control," The man states, his hat, which is slightly burnt at the edges, slipping down over his eyes for a moment. "Until the start of term, all students are to remain in either their dormitories, the cafeteria, the library, or the meditation room. Those who do not know or remember where the latter rooms are should ask for help from a returning student. Travelling with at least one other student is not required, but it is highly recommended. In addition, my sister will remain on duty in the library until further notice. If you need assistance with anything, I will remain here, Professor Pistachio will be in the meditation room, and Miss Madeleine will be around the living spaces. That is all."
This announcement sets off a flurry of conversation around the room, wondering what could be such a big deal that this would be necessary. Sugar frowns and places her spoon back in her overly-sweetened oatmeal. "What do you think's going on?"
[ ] Something important, clearly, if they don't want students getting underfoot.
[ ] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
[ ] You have no idea. You just know it has nothing to do with you.
Thankfully, Sorbet and Sugar aren't that far away from you, so you can just plop down again close to them and a yellow-furred rabbitfolk girl who Sugar is in rapt conversation with. Sorbet glances up at you. "Oh, Rye. What are you doing here?"
You shrug. "Meditation wasn't working out." All it did was get you wondering where you could find a deposit of Crescent silver, and there are much better things you could do with your time than pondering the location of rare metals. "What are they talking about?"
"Well, you know Sugar can talk to Wind Spirits. And Lassi has the Starsign of Puffoon. They... I think they're comparing what they can do with it?"
She sounds oddly unsure, and you pause for a moment to listen in to the conversation. Sugar appears to be attempting to explain various concepts to the other wizard, whose main words for the kind of things she does seem to be sound effects. At least, that's what it looks like. Honestly, you don't fully understand some of those concepts, either, but you guess it's more important to know that kind of stuff when controlling wind is your main power.
"There... might be a bit of a knowledge gap involved," You observe. "I mean, there can't be that many differences between type of wind magic compared to... say... ice and liquid water."
"I don't just use ice," Sorbet insists. "I can use liquid water, too. Just... very cold liquid water... and I think it's just my power keeping it liquid... but that's not the point." You're not sure there was ever a point to begin with.
"But it still probably acts differently from warm water," You point out. "Or those people who can make it rain. Not that you see them very often..." From what you can tell, they mostly set up in places that already get a lot of rain, since otherwise they won't be able to stay for very long without wrecking the climate.
And then there's the ones that make rain clouds indoors. Those people are just showing off.
"But you never see anyone who can make it snow," Sorbet observes. "I mean, I could make hail if I had a cloud to start with... But I don't, because I can't make clouds." And the only place where you'd have that many clouds readily available in the first place is the Wind Planet. Capital of the solar system or not, you can't see any real reason for her to ever visit the Wind Planet.
"I'd help, but I can't control water vapor, either." Spirits might appear in the fog, but it's nothing you've ever had a real grasp of. You're pretty sure it's a rare power, but you've never been around enough other mages to check before. Maybe once the school year starts up.
The next morning, Miss Ketchup's brother has an announcement. You aren't sure why he's the one giving it, with how tired he looks, but his sister seems to be in deep conversation with Professor Maplewood, so he's clearly not getting any help on that front. And you can't see Mokka or Principal Biscotti anywhere... you know the school has to be better staffed than this, but apparently they think three people is enough to control your group of students.
"I'm sorry to say that the rest of the week's normal activities are cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control," The man states, his hat, which is slightly burnt at the edges, slipping down over his eyes for a moment. "Until the start of term, all students are to remain in either their dormitories, the cafeteria, the library, or the meditation room. Those who do not know or remember where the latter rooms are should ask for help from a returning student. Travelling with at least one other student is not required, but it is highly recommended. In addition, my sister will remain on duty in the library until further notice. If you need assistance with anything, I will remain here, Professor Pistachio will be in the meditation room, and Miss Madeleine will be around the living spaces. That is all."
This announcement sets off a flurry of conversation around the room, wondering what could be such a big deal that this would be necessary. Sugar frowns and places her spoon back in her overly-sweetened oatmeal. "What do you think's going on?"
[ ] Something important, clearly, if they don't want students getting underfoot.
[ ] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
[ ] You have no idea. You just know it has nothing to do with you.
- Location
- Michigan
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Burnt hat, beyond their control, travel in pairs? Yeah, probably something dangerous.
[X] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
[X] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
- Location
- Argentina
[X] Something dangerous, clearly, if they want everyone where they can find them.
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
Inserted tally
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
Okay, going straight for the obvious response.
As for the actual reason... let's just say it involves some last-minute staff changes, and leave it at that.
-Vote Closed!-
As for the actual reason... let's just say it involves some last-minute staff changes, and leave it at that.
A Simple Precaution
SeekerofDreams
Aspiring Farmer
- Location
- Selphia
"It's probably something dangerous," You point out. "They could just be trying to keep us out of the way, but in that case, we probably wouldn't need to travel in groups."
"Technically, we don't even have to do that now," Merlot speaks up, drumming their fingers on the table.
"But they said we probably should," You reply. "They need to make sure they know where we all are. It's sort of like when something dangerous shows up in the fields, and we have to close off the inn." It doesn't happen all that often- the Realm of Light is a generally peaceful place- but you have had to lock the place down once or twice.
"Our village does something similar," Sorbet notes. "The monsters in the Realm of Darkness are pretty powerful, and we're on a major migration path, so we have to pretty much shut the place down for a while every Cassian year or so." This information would probably be a lot more useful if you actually knew how long a year is on Cassia. Still, if you spend enough time around Sorbet, or others bearing the same Starsign, you're sure you'll figure it out eventually.
Admittedly, that's mostly because you just have to work out how long they end up glowing for and multiply it by five, but the inner planets have been known to behave erratically at times. It might not be a perfect calculation.
Chai blinks. "Someone actually built a village on a migration path? And people stay there?"
"Not everyone can just dig out a new den whenever they like," You remind him. "I can't imagine it's good for businesses, though..."
Sugar and Sorbet both wince. Merlot and Chai don't seem to notice. You decide against bringing it up- it's probably not something they want to talk about.
"I think I'll head back to the meditation room," The salamander decides, as the babbling about Mustard's cryptic warning starts to die down. "What do the rest of you want to do?" If you didn't know better, you'd think he was worried about following people he doesn't know.
"Well, we're getting free access to the library now," Sugar remarks. "And we can't... really go anywhere else." She seems more than a little disappointed by this.
"I have something I need to look up," Sorbet agrees. Merlot just slips away from the table and goes off to join their vox friend on the other side of the room. You guess they don't plan on leaving the cafeteria today.
Everyone seems to be preparing to leave that wants to, so you should probably decide what you want to do, as well. If only so, if some sort of incredibly powerful monster has gotten loose in the school or something, it doesn't find you wandering the halls on your own.
If there's a monster around, it probably hasn't gotten into the building, but it's best to be safe, especially when you don't have any combat magic.
[ ] You may as well look something up in the library...
-[ ] Vanilla Nighthawk.
-[ ] How to appease certain spirits.
-[ ] The early years of Will-O-Wisp Academy.
-[ ] Basic information on other planets.
-[ ] The various metals that can be found in the solar system.
-[ ] Monsters native to Kovomaka.
[ ] You may as well return to the meditation room...
-[ ] ...And spar with a magic doll.
-[ ] ...And see if there's a spirit in the pond.
[ ] You may as well return to your room... if anything dangerous comes up to the school, you'll be able to see it right from the window!
[ ] Staying in the cafeteria will give you a good chance to interact with other students.
-[ ] Merlot and the vox girl.
-[ ] The felin user of wind magic.
-[ ] Lassi and a large figure made of stone.
-[ ] A human you vaguely recall as having the Starsign of Night.
-[ ] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.
"Technically, we don't even have to do that now," Merlot speaks up, drumming their fingers on the table.
"But they said we probably should," You reply. "They need to make sure they know where we all are. It's sort of like when something dangerous shows up in the fields, and we have to close off the inn." It doesn't happen all that often- the Realm of Light is a generally peaceful place- but you have had to lock the place down once or twice.
"Our village does something similar," Sorbet notes. "The monsters in the Realm of Darkness are pretty powerful, and we're on a major migration path, so we have to pretty much shut the place down for a while every Cassian year or so." This information would probably be a lot more useful if you actually knew how long a year is on Cassia. Still, if you spend enough time around Sorbet, or others bearing the same Starsign, you're sure you'll figure it out eventually.
Admittedly, that's mostly because you just have to work out how long they end up glowing for and multiply it by five, but the inner planets have been known to behave erratically at times. It might not be a perfect calculation.
Chai blinks. "Someone actually built a village on a migration path? And people stay there?"
"Not everyone can just dig out a new den whenever they like," You remind him. "I can't imagine it's good for businesses, though..."
Sugar and Sorbet both wince. Merlot and Chai don't seem to notice. You decide against bringing it up- it's probably not something they want to talk about.
"I think I'll head back to the meditation room," The salamander decides, as the babbling about Mustard's cryptic warning starts to die down. "What do the rest of you want to do?" If you didn't know better, you'd think he was worried about following people he doesn't know.
"Well, we're getting free access to the library now," Sugar remarks. "And we can't... really go anywhere else." She seems more than a little disappointed by this.
"I have something I need to look up," Sorbet agrees. Merlot just slips away from the table and goes off to join their vox friend on the other side of the room. You guess they don't plan on leaving the cafeteria today.
Everyone seems to be preparing to leave that wants to, so you should probably decide what you want to do, as well. If only so, if some sort of incredibly powerful monster has gotten loose in the school or something, it doesn't find you wandering the halls on your own.
If there's a monster around, it probably hasn't gotten into the building, but it's best to be safe, especially when you don't have any combat magic.
[ ] You may as well look something up in the library...
-[ ] Vanilla Nighthawk.
-[ ] How to appease certain spirits.
-[ ] The early years of Will-O-Wisp Academy.
-[ ] Basic information on other planets.
-[ ] The various metals that can be found in the solar system.
-[ ] Monsters native to Kovomaka.
[ ] You may as well return to the meditation room...
-[ ] ...And spar with a magic doll.
-[ ] ...And see if there's a spirit in the pond.
[ ] You may as well return to your room... if anything dangerous comes up to the school, you'll be able to see it right from the window!
[ ] Staying in the cafeteria will give you a good chance to interact with other students.
-[ ] Merlot and the vox girl.
-[ ] The felin user of wind magic.
-[ ] Lassi and a large figure made of stone.
-[ ] A human you vaguely recall as having the Starsign of Night.
-[ ] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.
- Location
- Argentina
[X] Staying in the cafeteria will give you a good chance to interact with other students.
-[X] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.
Either he is the protagonist and or an idiot.
-[X] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.
Either he is the protagonist and or an idiot.
- Location
- Michigan
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I'm not sure what I want to do, and I've been hoping for some discussion before making a choice.
- Location
- Argentina
Staying in the room in safer but also ruins chances to socialise so is a bad idea. Besides the cafeteria has more warm (or not) bodies to distract whatever ends attacking.
The library probably helps to learn stuff but if it's anything like a certain Digimon Quest learning is kinda useless without the right bonuses.
Besides anything we are learning might get interrupted by an attack and there is less warm bodies (or not warm) in the library.
And why pick the human to talk with? We do know more about humans than about other beings, less chance we say something wrong... Hopefully.
Last edited:
- Location
- Michigan
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Works for me!
[X] Staying in the cafeteria will give you a good chance to interact with other students.
-[X] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.
[X] Staying in the cafeteria will give you a good chance to interact with other students.
-[X] An unfamiliar human talking quietly with an Envoy of Love.