In the media of the mundane world a common theme of stories featuring the fantastical is magical schools or Academys. A place for those beyond normal humans to learn and develop such abilities in the first place.
And it's always tickled your fancy just how unknowingly right they are.
You muse on this as you are currently standing before the Mystic High Council. The surroundings as far as the eye can see a great white void besides the councilors themselves and their grand podiums.
They had summoned you here because appearantly you have been chosen as the headmaster of the soon to be constructed newest approved magical academy.
Though why you specifically were chosen for this honor? Welll....
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Character Creation:
Age:
[ ] Senior
You are old in many senses of the world. You have been practicing before some members of the council were born and it shows. Really having been around the block as much a you have you've built up enough of a reputation that few doubt your worth for such a prestigious position.
[ ] Middle Aged
Your not ancient yet but most of the population wouldn't consider you particularly young. Some of the old fashioned types will grumble about you not having a few more years in before being considered but otherwise you won't raise any eyebrows.
[ ] Young
Your barley out of school yourself! And while few would deny your a once in a generation prodigy few would expect this kind of door opened for you so early...
Specialization:
[ ] Generalists
To be a magic jack of all trades means to either be one of the strongest of the strong, able master multiple disciplines with ease...or fodder who can't get past the basics in any individual field. You lay in the middle, while undeniably formidable, in any straight contest of purely one of your styles vs a master of the individual art you'd stand no chance. But hey, that's what the others are for...
[ ] Alchemist
Alchemy, while widely accepted accepted by the larger magic community as a valid and at times powerful art form, is still seen as lesser by some more old fashioned or traditionalist types. Regardless it's allowed you to build up a great deal of knowledge about what almost everything's base components are, though admittedly it can take you a bit longer than others to achieve the same feats due to Alchemy's more methodical nature.
[ ] Shamen
You commune with spirits and have a in depth hands on understanding of the world beyond the physical. Shamanism is one of the oldest and most respected forms of magic. However, one who practices it must never allow themselves to become complacent or arrogant, less they make a deadly mistake against the wrong spirit.
[ ] Magician
While in the mundane world this refers to simple illusionists with no true mystic aptitude, in your's it has been adopted by true casters of illusions. You can't affect the physical world much, but never underestimate what can be accomplished when going for the mind alone....
[ ] Magus
You are what many would consider a standard mage. You work with incantations and tomes and what not more than most but you make up for it by the field having more baseline work and solid clearly written fundamentals than any other. On the flip side this also means that all of your most basic spells had counters created before you were born.
Name:
[ ]Write in
Gender
[ ] Male
[ ] Female
[ ] Write in
Last edited:
A young adult shall lead them (Academy Creation P1)
5 votes
[X] The greatest show woman
-[X] Young
-[X] Magician
-[X] Henrietta Young
-[X] Female
4 votes
[X] Plan: With the right luck, youth and exuberance can sometimes beat old age and treachery
-[X] Young
-[X] Generalists
-[X] Morgan Black
-[X] Male
3 votes
[X] Plan old man still jacked
-[X] Senior
-[X] Generalists
-[X] Amos Wayne Xion
-[X] Male
3 votes
[X] Plan Golden Flower
-[X] Middle Aged
-[X] Shamen
-[X] Anacaona
-[X] Female
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Yes this certainly is a surprise for you. Still it's better not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Thank you, oh wise high council" you say doing something between a bow and a curtsy.
"But, if I may ask, why me?"
The figure at the head of the council. An old bearded man with seemingly no distinguishing features besides old, spoke
"Miss Young, you are mayhaps the most talented Magician in your generation. This is a fact we cannot deny. However be aware, you are being given this position not due to anything you have performed yet, but what you may perform not yet."
And suddenly it hit you. A prophecy. Future prediction has always been the most finicky and imperfect of the Mystic arts. Unreliable and confusing seemingly by design, it's not a uncommon joke that the average receiver of a prophecy has no better odds of interpreting it correctly than a mundane has of accurately predicting with tarot.
Still, regardless of initial interpretation prophecies has have a long history of coming true one way or the other. And it would appear the councils plans for you stem from one...
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And so here you are, overlooking the place where your school shall be built, being put in charge this early in the process means you've actually been given some serious say in placement and design.
And you've decided...
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Academy Creation P1:
Design:
[ ]Castle
An old classic, massive and ornate. A historic feel despite being brand new.
[ ]Mansion
The way this is built most walking by would think it's a hotel instead of a school.
[ ]Modern
Some would call this boring, you call it practical. Goodness knows you won't stick out much to any really lucky lost mundanes.
Location:
[ ] Arcadia, America
A massive forested area in the northeast area of North America. Temperate and moderately isolated.
+Large area of Mystic and mundane wilds for students to explore and learn in.
×but it also means a higher likelihood of them running off and getting in danger.
+Hard to find for mundanes
×But not impossible
Bermuda Triangle
A Tropical paradise that's long been a getaway for the magicals of the world.
+Large diversity of mystical species for study
×Some a rather unfriendly and could endanger students.
+Academy has a small island to itself and is basically impossible to be found by mundanes.
×Students WILL find a way to sneak out and party at the tourist traps and resorts on nearby islands.
[ ] Tokyo
Some would call it ill advised to try and hide in plain sight in a incredibly populated mundane city, you call it genius.
+Students have fast access to all sorts of mundane amenities.
×They are very likely to cause a few incidents with the mundane population when unattended.
+Strong Mystic tradition and various local organizations of hand for potential aid.
×Same for less savory groups.
5 votes
[X] Tokyo
2 votes
[X] Arcadia, America
2 votes
[X] Bermuda Triangle
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You wipe some sweat off your brow as you take a seat in your finally complete office.
It took a good amount of illusion placement to hide European styled medieval architecture In the middle of a Japanese metropolis, but you did it.
But just because the constructions done doesn't mean you are.
The Academy would only be truly self sufficient if it had an array of complex and expensive spells and enchantments.
Which it did not.
So it fell to you to get access to a full live in staff for basic things like cleaning and more, you have a few options...
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Academy Creation P2:
Live in staff, choose 1:
[ ]Golems
Sturdy artificial beings animated through magic.
+Versatile with what materials are used in their creation.
×Complete lack of individual decision making ability.
[ ]Imps
Small demonic creatures summoned and bound.
+Not intelligent enough to knowingly exploit loopholes in binding contracts.
×Physically weak and not too bright in general.
[ ]Kobold
Lizardlike beings half the height of the average man.
+Helpful and dutiful by nature.
×Mischievous and may get into the habit of giving some students and staff minor trouble.
[ ]Shoggoths
Eldritch entities from a distant world.
+Shapeshifting and bodily manipulation allows them to move through tight spaces and adjust to environments.
×Can be unnerving to some.
You declare triumphantly as the last of the golems is animated. You may not focus on the physical world but the basic animation spell and programming are simple enough that it was no trouble.
You put your hands on your hips and overlook your current workforce. They're mostly stone golems styled after Samurai. They'll be able to handle cleaning, simple maintenance and security to a degree.
While by no means advanced in their combat enchantments, they have enough to hold their own in emergencies.
You nod and walk back to your office knowing that the truly difficult part is now to come... hiring.
You sit down and contemplate the various resumes of potential staff members who will be able to actually think.
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Academy Creation P3:
What applicants to go over first?
[ ]Vice headmaster applicants
Your potential second in command within the school, will need to be able to communicate with you effectively and deal with students and paperwork alike.
[ ]Teachers
The ones who shall guide your students most. By far the most crowded category.
[ ]Specialized Staff
The Golems can only do so much. This category covers security officials, grounds keepers and chefs.
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Sitting at your desk in your office you look over the applications.
You have three applicants. Each with specific strengths and weaknesses.
First was one Arthur Blaze. An accomplished young monster and criminal mage hunter. Despite climbing up the ranks to true prestige in only his early 30s, he's for some reason looking to take up a academic position.
Next was Madame Akari, the leader of a local group of exorcists, though if local rumors are anything to go by, she's considering stepping down from the position to pass it on to her daughter, could this be part of it?
And last but not least was...Calamitos, a legendary necromancer turned lich. Despite the generally negative associations necromancy has, Calamitos, Despite his name has proved largley benign. Focused on his own mysterious research, until now...
Now, who to interview first?
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who to interview first?
[ ]Arthur Blaze
[ ]Madame Akari
[ ]Calamitos
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One of your Golems opens your office door to welcome in Madame Akari.
She is an older woman in mabey her 50s with long pure white hair and dark brown eyes dressed in a traditional Japanese miko outfit.
She sits before you and gives you a calm yet stern look over.
"Hello Madame Akari it's nice to meet you."
She bows lightly "And you headmaster."
"I trust the Golems were helpful?"
"Indeed. A very nice homage to this lands histor. Though..."
You tilt your head in confusion "Though what?"
"Though I must ask, why a European castle instead of a Japanese one? While still not exactly common in urban areas like Tokyo it would still raise less questions and require less illusions."
You sweat and let out a light chuckle "O-oh yeah...hehe, geuss it would..."
She simply shakes her head and says "Well that's enough pleasantriesfor now."
you nod.
"Right, so first question, what exactly has you interested in this position?"
"Well as you've no doubt heard I've long been considering stepping down from my place as head of the local exorcists. I firmly believe my own daughter is more than competent enough to take my place and some of the other members of the organization have become...concerned-"
As she says this a hint of bitterness enters her Voice.
"That my advanced age may be slowing me down and thus less effective against more powerful spirits. But I'm not one to simply sit still for anything but work or meditative purposes. Plus my own granddaughter has plans to enroll here."
"Interesting, and what would you say you specifically bring to the table in terms of aiding the Academy?"
"Well I have decades of experience in leadership and training others already, my own daughter is just one example. I can also provide various specialized anti dark Spirit protective Charms and talismans to aid in keeping the school safe."
You nod.
Do you have anything else to ask?
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[ ]Ask something else (Write in)
[ ]End interview
[X]Ask something else (Since I am foreigner in these lands, what can you tell me about the local area as well as the magical factions here? Any potential problems that we may have to deal with like evil spirits and the like?)
[X] How would you handle the situation when a student is possessed by a strong malevolent spirit which poses a significant threat to the school's safety?
[X] Can you share an example of when one of your subordinates failed to meet expectations or wasn't performing well? How did you handle it?
[X] In your previous role, you led a group of exorcists, which is rather specialized and uniform. How would you adapt your style of communication to managing a diverse educational institution? Describe your approach.
[X] Given your extensive expertise in exorcism domain, can you provide a proposal for a course to be included in the curriculum?
[X] If your granddaughter enrolls here, how do you plan to balance your personal and professional commitments, particularly in the event when your granddaughter's interests may conflict with those of other students? How would you avoid any perceived favoritism?
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"Well since your the first local candidate I've spoken too I figure I should ask, what are local issues or groups I should keep an eye out for as a foreigner running a new institution?"
She folds her arms and let's out a light hum.
"Well the general scene of local malevolent yokai and other dark spirits can vary. Most are fairly weak and require a mid level exorcist at most, the groups primary big work has always been emergency calls to areas outside the city."
"I see, and any local organizations other than yours I should keep an eye on?"
"Well the Yakuza-"
She practically spit the word
"Have always had a division of Mystics and gifteds so keep your eyes peeled for their fingerprints in any shady dealings you discover."
You nod.
"Alright, thanks for the warning. So moving on, say a student was possessed by a strong malevolent spirit and became a threat to the rest of the school's saftey, how would you deal with it?"
"Simple, I would bring out my always on hand equipment and go through the most useful incantations and sutra's to if not banish it outright at least contain it until reinforcements could be called in."
Smiling and nodding you respond "A very concise answer."
She let's out a light snort
"With all do respect, I have been doing this since well before you were born."
You chuckle lightly and and rub the back of your neck "Fair enough. So moving on how in the past have you handled your subordinates not meeting expectations?"
"I subscribe to the hard but fair school of tough love. If at first they don't succeed? Work them until they do."
Madame Akari declared crossing her arms.
"I see, well leading a group of exorcists is a rather specialized role. How would you adjust to this academy's more general a diverse curriculum?"
"The way I see it? There is no real difference. Work is work and the Mystic is the Mystic, so long as I can instill some discipline into the next generation I'll consider my time here a success."
"Interesting. Given your expertise in the subject, would you propose a class in it perhaps be added to the curriculum?"
"No."
"Why?" You ask, tilting your head ever so slightly.
"I can instill upon them the basics and offer sny I see promise in an opertunity to join my organization post graduation. But my style of exorcism is as you yourself have said, a very specialized art that requires a very specific kind of training to master."
"Understandable I suppose. So finale question. How do you plan to balance your attention if your granddaughter does enroll here? How would you counter potential accusations of favoritism?"
Madame Akari let's out long low hum.
"I will not lie, I would likely have my door more open to her then to any other student. And I would certainly spend more of my off time aiding her. Family comes first for me, always has."
"A admirable trait to a degree." You nod.
"I believe that is all for this interview. I shall contact you later should you get the job."
"Very well, thank you for hearing me Headmaster Young."
The two of you shake hands and she departs.
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Not an hour later your next candidate appears before you.
Calamitos.
The majority of his body is hidden in a regged black cloak. Draped over it is a number of jewelry made from various types of bones.
Calamitos himself is barley recognizable as once human. On his head you can see that only his jaw stil has flesh on it, said fresh being rotted and the color of ash. Everything above that is bone. In the eye sockets of his Skull you see to silver orbs of flame.
"H-hello Mr Calamitos. Welcome! Have a seat!"
No thank you.
"O-ok, then let's begin the interview!"
Very well.
You let out a deep breath and Steele yourself before asking "Ok. Mr Calamitos for most of your known time as both a necromancer and a lich you have had a reputation for keeping to yourself and staying mostly uninvolved in the affairs of the living world magical or no. So what I'm wondering is, why now? Why my school? What do you want?"
I have become in many ways beyond. But I have yet to reach the summit, even after so long. Though my body may break, I have means of coming back. But I do not have an answer to those few that have the power to wipe away mine very soul.
"And you think you'll find that here?"
He moves his Skull in what might have been a shake.
No. I believe that all I have found already shan't go to waste. I believe that until I find and answer to mine dilemma I shall have a contingency in those I gift my accumulated knowledge to. I believe that while a poor substitute it is still immortality in a form.
[X]Ask something else
-[X] Necromancy is shall we say "controversial" practice, what will you do if an student or another teacher wants to impede your work.
-[X] Given your extensive expertise in the necromancy domain, can you provide a proposal for a course to be included in the curriculum?
-[X] what are the ways you would like to procure corpses for you're personal experiments and/or for educational purposes.
-[X] If one of your students uses Necromancy in an unlawful way (for example: rasing people family members without consent, using skeletons to assault other students) how would you Deal with them.
-[X] Can you provide an example of when you positively collaborated with others, specifically with those of diverse magical backgrounds, to achieve the common goal? How do you plan to foster cooperative communication with the faculty members?
-[X] Suppose our school undergoes the period of financial troubles, and you're tasked with determining the areas to reduce and eliminate. How would you approach the task and which criteria would you use?
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"Well moving along, Necromancy is shall we say...controversial with some. How would you deal with students or teachers who desire to impede your work?"
They may try. They will fail.
A silence stood in the air and you sweat lighty
"Gotcha, so moving on. Considering your ability with the art of Necromancy. Can you provide a proposal for a course focusing on it to be added to the curriculum?"
Calamitos simply raised a single skeletal hand and in a flash of black flame of your desk appears-
...A suprisingly detailed yet flexible lesson plan covering the basics of Necromancy and up.
Will this suffice?
"Uh, ya looks like it" you nod politely filing it away.
"Now this actually leads me to my next question, how would you procure corpses for educational purposes and your own experiments?"
I have a standing understanding with many a mundane doctor that they are to send those who donated their bodies to science to who they believes is named Professor Cal M Toss
You blink once.
"Alright, now If a student was to use Necromancy in a immoral or unlawful way how would you handle it?"
I would take them aside and inform them firmly but clearly that whatever their sin is not mine way and I will expect better of them onwards. And should their ways not change I am more than prepared to put a stop to such undertakings personally.
"Fair enough. Have you ever had to work alongside others with different Mystic backgrounds to yourself towards a common goal?"
When I was but a man and concentrational mortality still bound me, I worked and studied alongside numerous a Magus to hone my Necromancy and Shamen to understand the workings of spirits and the soul.
"Interesting. So, say the Academy were undergoing financial difficulties and you were in charge of deciding what got cut to save on expenses. What would you pick and why?"
I would sell those golems and use various wraiths and ghouls of mine own creation to supplement material costs
"Makes sense I suppose. Well Calamitos I believe that will be all. I'll inform you if your chosen."
You blink and he is gone.
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Last was Arthur Blaze. The 30 something walked into your office with a calm down to earth demeanor. He had brown hair, blue eyes and a beard. Wearing a tan jacket.
"An honor to meet you properly headmaster."
You shake his outstretched hand.
"Feelings mutual sir. So first things first, what brings a relatively young but o so distinguished agent of justice to up and apply for a teaching position?"
He slumps into his seat.
"To be completely honest? I'm exhausted."
You raise an eyebrow "And you thought teaching would be a good change of pace?"
He let's out a bitter laugh "Compared to almost getting my throat ripped out by a vampire with a chip on his shoulder or a Rogues Shamen attempting to bind my soul to a random rock he plans to throw into the ocean on the daily? Definitely."
"Well if nothing else you certainly have some stories to tell."
Arthur gives you a sad look before saying
"I've been in your shoes before ya know."
"Funny, I could have sworn your resume painted you as rather new to academia?"
"No, I mean as a young prodigy getting way to much responsibility dumped on ya. Most men in my field need at least two decades on the job under their belt before they hit my rank. I started at 21 and I'm 33 now, you do the math."
"I see..."
"My point being? You need somone on your side who can help guide you through all the bullshit politics your not ready for. And I'm offering."
"Alright. I can see where your coming from..."
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[ ]Ask something else (Write in)
[ ]End interview
[X]Ask something else
-[X] As someone that's no doubt as well travelled as you, Mr Blaze, have you been to Japan? And if so, how do you know about the local culture, both supernatural and mundane.
-[X] What type of class are you planning to teach Mr Blaze?
-[X] If you find one of your students tangled up in dangerous magical practices willingly or not, how would you deal with them?
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"But for now we should get back to the actual interview."
He shrugs and nods.
"Now, your no doubt rather well traveled Mr Blaze so tell me, have you ever been to Japan before and if so, how much do you know of the culture both Magical and mundane?"
"I've been all over including to Japan a few times and I'm pretty confident I've picked up enough local culture to fit in."
"Very well, and what type of class would you teach?"
"Eh, probably some standard stuff about self defense and combat. I've been put in charge of training enough rookies that it shouldn't be that hard."
"Ok. And if hypothetically one of your students got tangled up in dangerous magical practices willingly or not, how would you deal with this?"
He let's out a sigh "Same way I always do. If they're innocent save their arse if willingly participating put them away or put them down depending of the crimes severity."
"Very well I believe that's it for the interview. I'll contact you if you get the job."
Arthur nods, shakes your hand and says "Alright, but seriously think about my offer."
With that he walked out of your office.
Ok, you've looked over and personally talked to each candidate, time to finally make a decision.
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Vice Headmaster
[ ]Madame Akari
+Very experienced and could provide warding against local dark spirits.
×But also very speclized and not experienced in training other types of magic users.
+Very honest and straight forward.
×Has admitted to potentially being susceptible to playing favorites.
[ ]Calamitos
+Probably the applicant with the most actual desire to teach.
×What he'll be teaching is Necromancy which could rub certain parties the wrong way.
+Could use raised dead to supplement the Golem work force.
×See previous negative.
[ ]Arthur Blaze
+Seems genuinely interested in helping you.
×Seems to be underestimating the undertaking that teaching is in the process.
+Skilled and versatile
×Seems rather exhausted and teaching probably won't actually help with that.
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Alright, looking at everything you've settled on Madame Akari for the vice headmaster.
Now for the main teaching staff.
While respectably high in number the Mystic population *is* smaller on average than the mundane and thus your academy will require less teachers than a normal school.
In terms of teaching staff you'll need to keep track of you have 5 spots available for the major classes most magic schools would expect as a requirement.
Best to take this one at a time...
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[ ]Potions and chemicals teacher
The job of both rooting out potential talented alchemists and ensuring the rest have a basic enough grasp to never make accidentally make the supernatural equivalent of mustard Gass.
[ ]Magi Zoology teacher
To ensure they have a basic understanding of the magical beasts of the world and where to find them...and how not to be killed by them.
[ ]Enchantments and incantations
General knowledge for any verbal spell caster.
[ ]Elementalism
A guide to bending the building blocks of the world to ones wims.
[ ]Spirits and planes beyond
A course of knowledge on the none physical.
