The College of Jewels (Magical Academy Quest)
- Thread starter Lexica
- Start date
- Original
Avoiding Problems
Lexica
Persevere
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Talk to the TA about the Tournament schedule
The TA... Where would she be at this time on a Saturday? You doubt she gets much time off, and she's probably involved in organizing the tournament somehow. You figure you might as well start with her room.
After knocking at her door, checking the dining hall, the lecture hall where she teaches the dimensional science class, and then going back to knock on her door again in case she came back, you're well and truly at a loss, and decide that you might as well get an early lunch. As such things go, the moment you stop looking for her you run into her in the hall on the way to the dining hall. She seems to be in a bit of a rush, carrying with her a large stack of books. She doesn't seem to see you, so you try to catch her attention.
"Ah, excuse me," you begin.
The TA startles slightly and pauses in her fast walk down the hallway to look around for a second before spotting you.
"Oh, Saphira. Always a pleasure."
"Why are you actually carrying all those books?" You wonder, momentarily distracted by the fact that she hasn't put such an obvious burden in a dimensional pocket.
"Ah, well. Most of them are at least slightly magical and could be contaminated by exposure to that kind of magic. One in particular would become useless if I exposed it to such a spell."
You nod, then begin to ask about the tournament, but before you can she interrupts you. "Actually, you aren't doing anything important right now, are you?"
You barely get out the "No-" before she's placed half of the stack of books into your hands. You glance at the cover of the one on top. 'Circumvention and Avoidance: The Theory of Dimensional Intrusion By Dishevel Vino.'
"Thank you for the help. Please follow me to my room so we can get these put down."
Not seeing any real point in arguing now that you're already holding half the books, you trail along behind her, trying your level best to not run into her back or anything else as you just barely peer over the top of the thick stack.
When you finally get there and pile the books on top of the bed, she turns to you and says, "Now, did you need anything? I'm afraid I don't have very much time for tutoring today, so..."
She trails off, looking at you expectantly.
"Actually, I was wondering if you could possibly influence the schedule of the tournament in some way so that Ruby and I are as far apart in the schedule as possible. I talked with her, and she thinks that that's my best bet to avoid the Dragon of Wealth's attention."
The TA nods along to your explanation.
"Yes, I see. While I don't exercise any official authority in that area, I am certain that there's something I can do to help you out. In the worst case I could possibly get you out of the tournament entirely, but that might get me in a bit of trouble, so we shall endeavor to avoid that if at all possible."
"Thank you. I really appreciate all the effort you've gone to to help me."
She nods again at that.
"Yes. Don't be overly worried about imposing on my good will however. I find our tutoring sessions far too intellectually stimulating for me to be upset about the lengths to which I have so far gone."
With that, she waves you away, citing her busy schedule. Before you fully exit however, she snaps her fingers and says, "Oh yes. Sammy was telling me how she enjoyed speaking with you when I was in the library. She rather likes telling stories apparently. She wanted to know if you were coming by again sometime soon."
You give a noncommittal answer as you leave. You enjoyed Sammy's stories too, but your schedule always seemed to be busy, so it was hard to say if you would have the time.
[] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
[] Talk to Henry about how things are going with the archmage's volunteer.
[] Try to figure out exactly how well known you currently are in the College and what people think about you.
[] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
[] Get in some last minute study and practice. (Gain 1 point in anything and get to practice. Skip directly to Tournament)
[] Write in
Apologies about the long delay between updates. I've been pretty busy lately (and sick as well), but at least the break has given me an opportunity to figure out some future plot stuff and get some more planning done, so the quest will probably be much more coherent for it at least.
The TA... Where would she be at this time on a Saturday? You doubt she gets much time off, and she's probably involved in organizing the tournament somehow. You figure you might as well start with her room.
After knocking at her door, checking the dining hall, the lecture hall where she teaches the dimensional science class, and then going back to knock on her door again in case she came back, you're well and truly at a loss, and decide that you might as well get an early lunch. As such things go, the moment you stop looking for her you run into her in the hall on the way to the dining hall. She seems to be in a bit of a rush, carrying with her a large stack of books. She doesn't seem to see you, so you try to catch her attention.
"Ah, excuse me," you begin.
The TA startles slightly and pauses in her fast walk down the hallway to look around for a second before spotting you.
"Oh, Saphira. Always a pleasure."
"Why are you actually carrying all those books?" You wonder, momentarily distracted by the fact that she hasn't put such an obvious burden in a dimensional pocket.
"Ah, well. Most of them are at least slightly magical and could be contaminated by exposure to that kind of magic. One in particular would become useless if I exposed it to such a spell."
You nod, then begin to ask about the tournament, but before you can she interrupts you. "Actually, you aren't doing anything important right now, are you?"
You barely get out the "No-" before she's placed half of the stack of books into your hands. You glance at the cover of the one on top. 'Circumvention and Avoidance: The Theory of Dimensional Intrusion By Dishevel Vino.'
"Thank you for the help. Please follow me to my room so we can get these put down."
Not seeing any real point in arguing now that you're already holding half the books, you trail along behind her, trying your level best to not run into her back or anything else as you just barely peer over the top of the thick stack.
When you finally get there and pile the books on top of the bed, she turns to you and says, "Now, did you need anything? I'm afraid I don't have very much time for tutoring today, so..."
She trails off, looking at you expectantly.
"Actually, I was wondering if you could possibly influence the schedule of the tournament in some way so that Ruby and I are as far apart in the schedule as possible. I talked with her, and she thinks that that's my best bet to avoid the Dragon of Wealth's attention."
The TA nods along to your explanation.
"Yes, I see. While I don't exercise any official authority in that area, I am certain that there's something I can do to help you out. In the worst case I could possibly get you out of the tournament entirely, but that might get me in a bit of trouble, so we shall endeavor to avoid that if at all possible."
"Thank you. I really appreciate all the effort you've gone to to help me."
She nods again at that.
"Yes. Don't be overly worried about imposing on my good will however. I find our tutoring sessions far too intellectually stimulating for me to be upset about the lengths to which I have so far gone."
With that, she waves you away, citing her busy schedule. Before you fully exit however, she snaps her fingers and says, "Oh yes. Sammy was telling me how she enjoyed speaking with you when I was in the library. She rather likes telling stories apparently. She wanted to know if you were coming by again sometime soon."
You give a noncommittal answer as you leave. You enjoyed Sammy's stories too, but your schedule always seemed to be busy, so it was hard to say if you would have the time.
[] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
[] Talk to Henry about how things are going with the archmage's volunteer.
[] Try to figure out exactly how well known you currently are in the College and what people think about you.
[] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
[] Get in some last minute study and practice. (Gain 1 point in anything and get to practice. Skip directly to Tournament)
[] Write in
Apologies about the long delay between updates. I've been pretty busy lately (and sick as well), but at least the break has given me an opportunity to figure out some future plot stuff and get some more planning done, so the quest will probably be much more coherent for it at least.
- Location
- Rochester, NY
[X] Talk to Henry about how things are going with the archmage's volunteer.
chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] See if she can get or suggest something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
She's really good at this whole fighting thing. Might as well.
-[X] See if she can get or suggest something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
She's really good at this whole fighting thing. Might as well.
Cybandeath
Lord Darkness, and Representative of Mad Science
- Location
- The United States of America
[X] Get in some last minute study and practice. (Gain 1 point in anything and get to practice. Skip directly to Tournament)
- Location
- Brazil
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] See if she can get or suggest something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
-[X] See if she can get or suggest something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
PhDEevee
Mathematician and Questgiver
- Location
- Sydney
The current Sammy vote feels to me like trying to cheat the vote and do two things at once. Sure, we could potentially talk about fighting stuff, but unless she has a convenient item on hand? Not likely. That said, Sammy seems lonely, and she'll probably have some helpful tips.
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Sorry to hear that you've been sick. I was worried you'd dropped this quest!
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Sorry to hear that you've been sick. I was worried you'd dropped this quest!
- Location
- Rochester, NY
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Swapping to this.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Swapping to this.
chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
It's not cheating, it's using our time effectively.
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
- Location
- Voidbetweenstars
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Yeah, Sammy is a perfect trainer, and whatever practive we've got from a single Arena session, though encouraging, is not particularly helpful. Not sure how much an advice from a warrior is applicable to a mage duel, but the overall principles might be similar enough.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Yeah, Sammy is a perfect trainer, and whatever practive we've got from a single Arena session, though encouraging, is not particularly helpful. Not sure how much an advice from a warrior is applicable to a mage duel, but the overall principles might be similar enough.
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RedV
Refuelling
- Location
- Right here
[X] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
-[X] Flashbangs or chilli powder
Nets probably won't work if even Apprentice Elemental Control can create powerful effects which can destroy it, but I doubt they can instinctively protect their eyes.
-[X] Flashbangs or chilli powder
Nets probably won't work if even Apprentice Elemental Control can create powerful effects which can destroy it, but I doubt they can instinctively protect their eyes.
Malaquez
[MUFFLED EUROBEAT]
- Location
- Singapore
The bandwagon never ends![X]Try to figure out exactly how well known you currently are in the College and what people think about you.
Break the bandwagon!!!
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
Get well soon, dude.
PhDEevee
Mathematician and Questgiver
- Location
- Sydney
Because not killing someone is harder when you're dropping rocks on their head. And because it's better to have both options available, as opposed to being forced to kill someone because you can't do anything else.
A weighted metal net or something of that sort will be troublesome to deal with though. Even if they could melt or cut the net, the blowback from such a close range spell might hurt them without elemental protection. And even if they do, it's arguable whether melted metal classifies under fire elemental protection.
If nothing hurts them, it'll still be troublesome enough to slow them down.
Alternatively, we grab stuff like caltrops, scatter these road spikes around to limit their mobility so they can't physically rush us or to trap them.
Stuff like flashbangs, smoke bombs or tear gas bombs would definitely be useful too though. And less expected. But let's remember to grab protection, might be embarrassing otherwise... :3
Nice idea.
Thank you for all of your hard work, and Best of luck for a speedy recovery!
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
'At some point' is probably better than 'from the get go'. There is a difference between having to resort to it because your hand is forced, and doing it for fun or just because it's easier than subduing your opponent.
Also, I imagine the girl that tries to fix someone else's problem (two problems if we add Henry's) is less likely to murder people on a whim.
Also, I imagine the girl that tries to fix someone else's problem (two problems if we add Henry's) is less likely to murder people on a whim.
The return of the pepper spray option as an all-purpose solution?
Until someone figures out how to blow it away with wind magic
Clearly we must use magic to turn pepper spray into a
EDIT: Come to think of it, dropping slimes on people might be a hilarious way of subduing them.
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chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
Yeeeeeeeeesssssssss...
An Offer
Lexica
Persevere
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Go to the library and talk to Sammy.
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
In the end, you decide you will go talk to Sammy after all. You do get the impression that she's maybe kind of lonely, and besides, she probably could give you some good advice on how to fight in the tournament without killing someone, which you were a bit worried about.
The library is emptier than it usually is when you arrive. You're not sure it that's because of the tournament or just how things normally are on Saturdays however. Regardless, Sammy appears before you like she normally does just as you're entering the library proper.
"Saphira, nice to see you."
You raise an eyebrow. "Not going to ask for my library card?"
She shrugs. "Eh. Not feeling it today. It might be a good a good way to pass the time, but the librarian thing does wear on me after a while."
Her armored helm tilts up towards the skylight above the both of you, and you're not really sure how to respond. She's got a weird air about her today, as much as her suit of armor can convey an emotion. Whatever it is, it's definitely different then how she was feeling when you saw her before.
Finally, she speaks again, her helmet still tilted towards the skylight. "So. What are you doing here today?"
"Well, the Dimensional Science TA mentioned to me that you apparently enjoyed talking to me, and I wanted to ask for some advice about how to fight without killing someone in the tournament, so I thought it would be a good idea to stop by."
You wait, but Sammy doesn't reply. She's still looking up at the skylight, but you don't get impression that she's really looking at it.
"Sammy?"
You wait again, but there's still no response from her.
You reach out to poke her incorporeal form. "Sammy?" You try again.
She doesn't startle, but you still somehow feel as if her attention has rapidly shifted back to you from somewhere far away.
"Yes?" Her voice sounds as focused as ever, but still...
"Ah, I was asking you if you could give me some advice on how to fight in the tournament without killing my opponent. Because my primary method of attack is going to be dropping a bunch of rocks on their head."
"Oh. Sorry. I have been... somewhat distracted of late."
A pause, before she expands upon her statement.
"I received some news that should make me happy... And yet..."
Her helm finally tilts down to look at you once more and she makes a considering noise.
"On the topic of your problem though. If we had more time perhaps I could give you some training on that kind of thing, but with the tournament happening in a couple of hours the most I could do is-"
She cuts off abruptly, but before you can even open your mouth to question it she's speaking again. This time her tone is different. Almost smug.
"No. I have a better idea. Follow me."
Her ghostly form moves through the library at a rapid pace, you hurrying after and struggling to keep up. Eventually you reach some kind of supply room tucked away behind the intersection of a few shelves.
Her voice still carries that same almost-smugness, but it has some impatience to it as well now.
"Clear off the floor will you? And grab those candles."
You move to comply, but you're questioning her as you do it.
"Uh, what exactly are we doing?"
"You don't want to kill anyone even though you're going to be dropping rocks on people's heads. That's basically impossible. Even if I had time to train you and you had time to practice, someone in that equation could very easily get unlucky and then someone is dead. Not killing someone with a tactic like that would require- heh," she pauses to chuckle. "A miracle."
"You mean-"
She nods. "Exactly. Such things fall under the Goddess of Conquest's purview after all."
"I didn't know Gods and Goddesses really... did things like that."
"They don't, or at least they don't for just anyone. They do like to play favorites however. And if her favorite devotee is putting in a good word for you, the Lady of War will surely smile upon your battles."
"Just like that?"
Those words seem to finally slow Sammy down.
"Well. Urgh."
Her massive armored figure begins to pace back and forth in the small room. You're pretty sure if she were corporeal she would be tearing chunks out of the walls with all of those spikes. She makes to kick a wall, then curses loud and long when it just passes right through with no resistance.
Finally, she focuses on you again. There's an intensity to her voice that honestly kind of scares you.
"Listen. A God or Goddess intervening on your behalf carries a lot of implications I don't really care to explain right now. What you're asking for is fairly small in the grand scheme of things, but it's the kind of thing people take notice of, for good and ill. But I want to do something. So I'm offering this opportunity to you right now. Just know that I'm doing it in good faith, because I like you and I've got a good feeling about you. Make whatever of that you will."
[] Take Sammy's Offer
[] Don't
What do you do after?
[] Talk to Henry about how things are going with the archmage's volunteer.
[] Try to figure out exactly how well known you currently are in the College and what people think about you.
[] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
[] Get in some last minute study and practice.
[] Write in
-[X] Tips for your first 'real' fight (particularly winning without killing people).
In the end, you decide you will go talk to Sammy after all. You do get the impression that she's maybe kind of lonely, and besides, she probably could give you some good advice on how to fight in the tournament without killing someone, which you were a bit worried about.
The library is emptier than it usually is when you arrive. You're not sure it that's because of the tournament or just how things normally are on Saturdays however. Regardless, Sammy appears before you like she normally does just as you're entering the library proper.
"Saphira, nice to see you."
You raise an eyebrow. "Not going to ask for my library card?"
She shrugs. "Eh. Not feeling it today. It might be a good a good way to pass the time, but the librarian thing does wear on me after a while."
Her armored helm tilts up towards the skylight above the both of you, and you're not really sure how to respond. She's got a weird air about her today, as much as her suit of armor can convey an emotion. Whatever it is, it's definitely different then how she was feeling when you saw her before.
Finally, she speaks again, her helmet still tilted towards the skylight. "So. What are you doing here today?"
"Well, the Dimensional Science TA mentioned to me that you apparently enjoyed talking to me, and I wanted to ask for some advice about how to fight without killing someone in the tournament, so I thought it would be a good idea to stop by."
You wait, but Sammy doesn't reply. She's still looking up at the skylight, but you don't get impression that she's really looking at it.
"Sammy?"
You wait again, but there's still no response from her.
You reach out to poke her incorporeal form. "Sammy?" You try again.
She doesn't startle, but you still somehow feel as if her attention has rapidly shifted back to you from somewhere far away.
"Yes?" Her voice sounds as focused as ever, but still...
"Ah, I was asking you if you could give me some advice on how to fight in the tournament without killing my opponent. Because my primary method of attack is going to be dropping a bunch of rocks on their head."
"Oh. Sorry. I have been... somewhat distracted of late."
A pause, before she expands upon her statement.
"I received some news that should make me happy... And yet..."
Her helm finally tilts down to look at you once more and she makes a considering noise.
"On the topic of your problem though. If we had more time perhaps I could give you some training on that kind of thing, but with the tournament happening in a couple of hours the most I could do is-"
She cuts off abruptly, but before you can even open your mouth to question it she's speaking again. This time her tone is different. Almost smug.
"No. I have a better idea. Follow me."
Her ghostly form moves through the library at a rapid pace, you hurrying after and struggling to keep up. Eventually you reach some kind of supply room tucked away behind the intersection of a few shelves.
Her voice still carries that same almost-smugness, but it has some impatience to it as well now.
"Clear off the floor will you? And grab those candles."
You move to comply, but you're questioning her as you do it.
"Uh, what exactly are we doing?"
"You don't want to kill anyone even though you're going to be dropping rocks on people's heads. That's basically impossible. Even if I had time to train you and you had time to practice, someone in that equation could very easily get unlucky and then someone is dead. Not killing someone with a tactic like that would require- heh," she pauses to chuckle. "A miracle."
"You mean-"
She nods. "Exactly. Such things fall under the Goddess of Conquest's purview after all."
"I didn't know Gods and Goddesses really... did things like that."
"They don't, or at least they don't for just anyone. They do like to play favorites however. And if her favorite devotee is putting in a good word for you, the Lady of War will surely smile upon your battles."
"Just like that?"
Those words seem to finally slow Sammy down.
"Well. Urgh."
Her massive armored figure begins to pace back and forth in the small room. You're pretty sure if she were corporeal she would be tearing chunks out of the walls with all of those spikes. She makes to kick a wall, then curses loud and long when it just passes right through with no resistance.
Finally, she focuses on you again. There's an intensity to her voice that honestly kind of scares you.
"Listen. A God or Goddess intervening on your behalf carries a lot of implications I don't really care to explain right now. What you're asking for is fairly small in the grand scheme of things, but it's the kind of thing people take notice of, for good and ill. But I want to do something. So I'm offering this opportunity to you right now. Just know that I'm doing it in good faith, because I like you and I've got a good feeling about you. Make whatever of that you will."
[] Take Sammy's Offer
[] Don't
What do you do after?
[] Talk to Henry about how things are going with the archmage's volunteer.
[] Try to figure out exactly how well known you currently are in the College and what people think about you.
[] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
[] Get in some last minute study and practice.
[] Write in
- Location
- scrabbling
[X] Take Sammy's Offer
I'm pretty interested in the Divine side of things, and Sammy is making an especial effort for Saphira. The downsides are attention and...special attention for being in the books of the Lady of War, who the shakers of Diadem might not be all that fond of.
Not too sure about the other thing.
I'm pretty interested in the Divine side of things, and Sammy is making an especial effort for Saphira. The downsides are attention and...special attention for being in the books of the Lady of War, who the shakers of Diadem might not be all that fond of.
Not too sure about the other thing.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Yeah, sure. Sammy looks alright, and people taking notce is not necessarily a bad thing.
[X] Take Sammy's Offer
[X] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
Miracles are good, but backed up with something other than rocks they tend to work even better. Now, where to find those slimes..?
[X] Take Sammy's Offer
[X] Get something special to store Somewhere for the tournament (I.E. nets, ect)
Miracles are good, but backed up with something other than rocks they tend to work even better. Now, where to find those slimes..?