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0.4 - Apologies and Class Lists
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    • Breakfast was a quiet affair, and Ulos didn't say much. Madavian was quiet as well. Eggs and bacon served on freshly-made bread,

    "Hey, Madavian. I'm going to go check out the class list. See you later, all right?"

    Madavian nodded.

    "Sure thing, Ulos. I'll see you later?"

    "Yeah. See you later. I'm heading up to my room first, though, I need a notebook, just in case they don't have any paper there to write stuff down on."

    The events of last night ran through his head. Sure, Madavian had screwed up, but they'd gone and learned things. He'd figured out the basics of a spell! The guy had helped him out a lot, and he shouldn't have been so cruel. So what if Madavian had been excited and forgot about dinner? It was his first day at a school where you learn magic! That's the sort of thing that makes you forget. Nodding to himself, he resolved to apologise at the first available opportunity.

    (Crafting an Apology: 11 + 10 = 21 vs DC 60. Moderate failure)

    Entering his room, Ulos unlocked the cupboard and took out one of his precious notebooks. Paper was expensive, but having notes on every class and being able to talk to Madavian about them before tomorrow would be valuable. He didn't have the same background a lot of the students had, and knowing the best classes for his particular personality and abilities would be crucial to getting ahead early.

    The door swung open, and Madavian walked in.

    "Hey."

    "Uh, hi, Madavian."

    "I'm just getting some stuff, and I'll be out of your way, don't worry."

    Ulos winced.

    "No, wait. I, um, I want to apologise."

    The other boy looked at him, his eyes suddenly focused on Ulos's, watching him intently.

    "Oh?"

    "Well, um... yesterday. Calling you an idiot wasn't right. I'm sorry. I don't care if you're stupid, you're still a good guy."

    "You don't care if I'm stupid?"

    "I mean, um..."

    Ulos's voice trailed off, and an awkward silence hung in the air. A few seconds later, Madavian laughed, breaking the mood.

    "It's okay. I'm sure when you say that sort of thing in the Empire it's just considered blunt, but in Vorstal we're a little more subtle. Even if you think someone's stupid, don't say it, yeah? My father always says if an idiot knows you think he's an idiot, then you're the real idiot."

    "Thanks. Sorry, I'm not good at this."

    Madavian laughed again.

    "It's okay, it's okay. If you were another member of the Families I'd have to do something to protect my reputation, but nobody heard us and you didn't mean anything by it. Water under the bridge. I'd come with you to check out the class lists, but my father has already given me a list of the classes I'm enrolling in, so not much point for me. Plus as much fun as you are, one of the girls at breakfast was really pretty. I think she might be from the Pact, and you know how they are."

    He winked.

    "See you later, Ulos."

    (Relationship with Madavian improved one step. Back to where they were before Ulos's poor choice of words.)

    Ulos made his way down to Enrolments, which was surprisingly close. Only a few buildings away, he expected the line would be out the door for people just like him. Instead, when he wandered in he found small clusters of people around the second and third-year boards. With his notepad in hand, he saw pencils tied to the various desks and things around the boards. The first-year board had no-one else there, as he studied one side carefully.

    (Check out the class list - 80 vs DC 80. Bare pass! Gain benefit - social opportunity)

    A moment later, a girl stepped out from the other side. She was tall, and pretty in a sort of angular way. Her hair was drawn back, and through it was a dyed blue streak.

    Ulos looked at her.

    "Here to look at classes too?"

    She eyed him for a moment.

    "Empire?"

    "Am I from the Empire, you mean?"

    "Yes."

    "I am, but-"


    "I'm a Narubite. We don't generally associate with you, you know."

    She smiled for a moment, almost mocking the statement.

    (Diplomacy roll: 1 + 10 (CHA) - 20 (Narubite) + 10 (Fortunate Encounter) = 1 vs DC 50. CRITICAL FAILURE)

    "Well, there's good reason for that."

    Ulos tried to joke in return, but his words fell flat, sounding accusing even in his ears.

    "Pardon?"

    "I mean-"

    "No, what is the good reason? You think you're better than me, Empire?"

    Ulos snapped. Who in the Primordial was this Narubite, and who did she think she was talking to? He'd given up everything to be here, she was probably here on a free ride from her government so they could get another mage! Anyone in Narubar could become a mage if they had the gift and some desire to work, he'd given up his power, his family, his life to be here. He could've spent that money to live comfortably forever, but he'd chosen otherwise.

    "Well, for one, your nation is barely two hundred years old. You're ruled by savages who kill anyone researching the Higher Magics, you-"

    "The Higher Magics? You mean Necromancy? There's a good reason we put necromancers to death in Narubar. We're equal there, and anyone can learn. Let me guess, Empire, you're from a pretty wealthy family who sent you here because the King of Bones decided not to teach you. Well, I worked to get here, and I-"

    "You worked? I worked myself to the bone! I did everything anyone could to get here! You think you know about work in Narubar, your little barbarian nation that's going to collapse in the next hundred years? You know nothing about work."

    "My little barbarian nation is going to smash yours into the dirt and your Liches, too. You tried to kill innocent people in the Archipelagean War, and you'll-"

    From the desk nearby, a throat was loudly cleared.

    An older girl stood up, and walked over.

    "You two. Narubite, you've gotten your class lists copied down, yeah?"

    "Yes."

    "Then get out. Empire, copy yours down and get out as well. Some of us are trying to think about our futures here, and I don't want a pair of petty, squabbling children to ruin them."

    "But-"

    In a moment, the girl traced a symbol in the air, and it flared briefly. The Narubite girl's hair suddenly turned a bright Imperial orange.

    "Get out, or that hair will last a week instead of a day. Am I clear?"

    She squeaked, and ran out.

    (Gained Rival: Laila Cartier. Rivalry level - dislike)

    "As for you, Imperial... well, I'm Imperial myself, so I can't say you're wrong, but there's a time and place for everything. If you don't learn that, you won't last long here. Tell me your name."

    "Ulos."

    "Well, Ulos. If I find you embarrassing us Imperials again, I may have to educate you. So don't."

    Ulos nodded.

    "Do you understand me?"

    "Yes."

    "Good. Now copy down your class lists and get out."




    The class list is fairly large, so I'll put it and the next vote in a separate post. Be up in 5-10.
     
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    • Vote: Class Choice
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    • Ulos has obtained his Class List.

    Rather than take any future actions for the moment, take some time to look over the classes and electives and formulate a plan. There's no real reason to delay enrolling (and the better electives will close as you do), so I'm not going to bother putting waiting to a vote - it's a stupid decision and Ulos has clearly shown he wants to get in early. You have one Mandatory Action tomorrow (Orientation), and I don't see the point of voting for the second one, given that the thread has chosen to find out what the Class List is early.

    There are six electives available. You may vote for up to two.

    Magisterium: Practicum & Combat (Mandatory): This Magisterium is focused around creating and empowering spells, but more specifically, the exact hand-or-wand-or-penwork that goes into it, as well as being able to cast spells on the fly. As such, this class also teaches magics for combat. While most mages will not need these, being able to defend yourself, even against just a man with a club is a worthy skill to have.

    [ ] Magical Practice and Combat: Learn to attack, defend, and practice magic sigils. You'll learn basic self-defense skills and even learn to incapacitate your opponents. All students learn Spell: Kinetic Shield, Spell: Thermal Shield, Spell: Magical Bludgeon, Spell: Magical Blade, Skill: Spellweaving, Combat Skill: Magical Offense, Combat Skill: Magical Defense.

    Locked - Character must have Channeling 4 or above.

    [ ] Magical Practice and Defense: Learn to defend and practice magic sigils. You'll learn basic self-defense skills. All students learn Kinetic Shield, Thermal Shield, Skill: Spellweaving, Combat Skill: Magical Defense.

    Locked - Character must have Channeling 2 or above.

    [X] Magical Practice and Awareness (Mandatory) - About one-fifth of the year has a low magical potential. This is less unusual than it seems, many wealthy or influental people prefer their children even if they have only a smidgeon of magical talent to learn to practice magic. However, someone with so little power simply cannot maintain a Kinetic or Thermal Shield, and a Magical Bludgeon is well out. Magical Blades can be used by those of low potential, but mastering them to the point where they use little mana is difficult and requires great willpower. As such, this course is an alternative to the other two. If weaker mages cannot fight, they can at least know where a fight is, and how to avoid it. They are also taught how to leave a fight quickly, and find avenues of escape above all else. All students learn Spell: Thermal Awareness, Spell: Kinetic Awareness, Spell: Burst of Light, Skill: Spellweaving, Combat Skill: Retreat.

    Magisterium: Magical Theory (Mandatory): How do spells work? Why do they work? What is the Primordial Ether? What sort of equations do you need to know to modify a spell? How do you create a new spell? This magisterium is focused on teaching theory, but without it a lot of the skills mages rely on would cease to function.

    [X] Magical Theory (Mandatory) : Learn the hows and whys of magic. Mandatory for all students. Good performance in this class in the first term sees the year sorted into streams, with the most talented theorists taken on by actual magical theorists, while those less capable or less interested are sorted into lesser streams. All students need to know the theory in order to modify spells on the fly, develop new spells, and understand how spells work. All students learn Lore: Magical Theory. After the first term the students are divided based on exam results. The bottom quarter are sent to Magical Theory (Remedial), the next two quarters are sent to Magical Theory (Standard). The top quarter is divided again two times. The 75-95% cohort go to Magical Theory (Advanced), and and the top 5% of students (generally the top 5 students in a year) go to Magical Theory (Personal Tutoring).

    Electives: (First Term) Not every elective is available every time, as the needs of the first-year students are subordinate to those of the upper years. Each term, on average eight electives are made available, though depending on the term it is sometimes more and sometimes less.

    Basic Alchemy: Often filled with the stubborn and the magic-deficient, Alchemy has the advantage of not requiring great magical power (though it does require some) to do well in. Alchemy is more trial-and-error than it is leaps of brilliance, with the Smokestacks filled with experiments day and night. Of course, the university only provides basic materials, so becoming a great alchemist tends to go hand-in-hand with either great wealth, or a wealthy patron. All Alchemists are taught to create the various important materials of their craft here, as well as to brew and distill pure alcohol, a crucial ingredient to most alchemical recipes. All students learn Craft: Alchemy, Craft Item: Wakeful Tincture, Craft Item: Soothing Poultice, , as well as Lore: Alchemy.

    + Requires low magic
    + Willpower-bound
    - Requires money for better potions
    - Has no relation to other schools of magic whatsoever, if you don't take Alchemy in later years it'll be relatively useless.


    Runic Theory: Letting a student craft runes before they can craft spells is seen as foolish by almost all magical institutions worldwide. Still, the theory of runes is quite interesting, and learning said theory will give a student a leg-up when it comes time to actually craft. All students learn Lore: Runes at twice the rate of regular Runes class later on. Students who excel at Runic Theory may take Runic Practice early, and advance their Runic studies quickly.

    + Runic Theory is applicable to spells a lot of the time
    + Intelligence-bound, as most Theory subjects are.
    - Has no practical application right now.
    - Runes tend to require a fair bit of magic to empower.

    Artifact Use and Identification: A fairly basic class, Artifact Use and Identification is about being able to discern an artifact, carefully activate one, and so on. While not particularly interesting, for anyone who might dabble in magical archaeology or alternatively want to try and buy artifacts on the cheap from the markets it is invaluable. In combat, being able to identify the Artifacts your opponent is using might very well be the difference between life and death. All students learn Lore: Artifacts.

    + Might get good bargains on artifacts. Knowing how an artifact works at a glance might let you turn it on its user.
    + Intelligence and Willpower bound
    - Not really practical outside of combat, archaeological digs, or buying and selling.
    - No synergy unless you decide to become a magical archaeologist or artifact merchant.

    Theory of Souls and Spirits: You've already snuck in to something like this! Students learn about the theories surrounding Souls and Spirits. May be valuable in regards to your curse. All students learn Lore: Souls & Spirits.

    + Understanding Souls and Spirits is applicable to basically all magic.
    + May help understand your curse
    + Theory is Intelligence-bound
    - Souls and Spirits is ultimately Cha-based magic
    - Binding most souls or spirits is reliant on Magic Pool.

    Theory of Illusions: Kind of niche, as illusions tend to be easy to see through and hard to set up. They are very impressive though, and also very useful against those not trained to see through them. Against your untrained classmates, though, it might also give you a temporary but powerful edge... All students learn Lore: Illusions. All students learn Skill: Perceive Illusion

    + Illusions are light on Magic Pool use.
    + For people who can't see through them, they're devastatingly useful.
    - Almost all mages can see through them after being trained.
    - Not a lot of synergy with other schools of magic.

    Magical Inheritance and Breeding: How does magic get passed from mother to daughter, father to son? Why did the Mage Blood laws of the Empire fail to produce a powerful class of mages? How does magic impact on one's personal traits when used, and what effect does magic have on children growing up? All students learn Lore: Magical Inheritance and Lore: History.

    + Mostly taken by Imperial students, more likely to make a friend.
    + Knowing history makes you seem less like a member of the lower classes.
    + Might help understanding why you were born with such a massive Magic Pool
    - No spells to learn.

    Continental History: History of the Continent, from the rise of the Undying Empire to the creation of the Saint's Bay and Saint's Archipelago, to the collapse of the Undying Empire and it's moderate revival under the King of Bones. All students learn Lore: History, Lore: Undying Empire and Lore: Six-Fox Pact.

    + Three Lore skills, all with some use in diplomacy
    + Knowing history makes you seem less like a member of the lower classes.
    + Willpower-bound. Boring to memorize.
    - No spells to learn
    - No spell-applicable lore to learn.

    Remedial Spellcraft: Have poor dexterity? A tiny Magic Pool? Well, Remedial Spellcraft is here to save the day! Teaching you better Spellweaving, more efficient ways to cast spells so you don't use up that tiny mana pool of yours too quickly, or cast spells too poorly with your shaky, shaky hands! All students learn Skill: Spellweaving, and gain Improvements to all spells taught in Magical Practice and Awareness. Students can choose the form of said improvements (easier to cast, cheaper to cast, more range, etc).

    + Augments your horrible combat abilities.
    + Having a few spells you know really well can be very useful.
    - No theory learned.
    - People will.. well, look down on you for taking more Spellcraft. Does a true mage really need to?


    Vote for TWO electives. Voting will last thirty-six hours or until a few options have taken a decisive lead.
     
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    • 0.5 Orientation - Day One
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    • Saint, what a day!

    Ulos spent the rest of the day hiding in his room, too embarrassed to come out and risk humiliating himself further. Madavian said a few kind words, and was then gone until dusk. He came back and brought Ulos down to dinner, where he ate, sitting far away from the Narubite girl with the blue streak in her hair.

    They climbed back to the Perch to go to bed. Lying there in the dark, Ulos worried. What if everyone else hated him? What if Madavian was only nice to him because he was his roommate? He shook his head, trying to get rid of the thoughts.

    "Madavian."

    "Hmmm... yeah?"

    "What classes are you taking? I mean, I know you said your dad picked them, but what did he pick, and why?"

    "Hah. He's got me doing Runic Theory and Artifacts. I mean, obviously my father is important in Junotrin, and we're involved in the artifact trade. Haven't quite cornered it, but he wants me to learn more so when I come out I can make sure we capture the market completely. I mean, it makes sense. I hope Runic Theory is better than Theory and Practice of Runes when we snuck in, but... well, let's just say I doubt it. How about you?"

    "History and Souls."

    "Really? I mean, I get history. No offense, but you're a flit, and I know the Empire doesn't bother teaching you to read mostly, let alone history. Why Souls, though?"

    Ulos hesitated. No, it didn't feel like the right moment to tell Madavian. Not when he barely knew him.

    "Well, I was only really interested in those two along with Alchemy."

    "Why not Alchemy?"

    "Well, it just... it just didn't feel important, you know? You never hear of a great mage being an alchemist."

    Madavian chuckled.

    "My father employs an alchemist. She sets up in her laboratory and does things for days, and if anyone bothers her, wow, she snaps at them. Of course, she mixes up his gout cure, so he doesn't care. I think maybe alchemists are too busy chasing after eternal youth to care about what other people think of them, maybe."

    'Maybe. Anyway, we better sleep. Orientation tomorrow, yeah?"

    "Yeah. Night."

    The two fell asleep quickly after that.

    Waking up at dawn the next day, Madavian jumped out of bed and quickly returned with an outraged look on his face.

    "Ulos, Ulos, get up."

    "Wha-"

    "The hot water is out. I bet whoever charges the rune didn't want to climb the stairs last night. We better head downstairs and find one if we want to get clean before we go."

    They scrambled downstairs to Building A, and entered the shower rooms. Each shower was enclosed by tiled walls, and it looked like there were three left unused. As they headed towards them, a familiar voice rang out.

    "Imperial. I see you couldn't get enough of stealing our land, so you came to steal our hot water, as well. I didn't even know they washed in the Empire."

    Ulos looked up. It was the girl from yesterday, though she looked smug now, more than angry.

    (Roll Diplomacy: Retort. 66 + 10 Cha + 25 Madavian Assist (high enough Relationship value for Madavian to step in) = 101 vs DC 80 [Base DC 50, +10 for unfamiliar territory, +20 for surprised]. Failure without Madavian assist. Solid success.)

    "We do wash in the Empire."

    The retort sounded weak, even to his ears. Suddenly Madavian spoke up.

    "I didn't know they ambushed young men in the showers in Narubar."

    Madavian winked at the girl exaggeratedly.

    "Maybe I should come visit."

    Suddenly she blushed, and looked away.

    "Are you with him?"

    Madavian smiled.

    "Well, we haven't been together for long if you know what I mean, but I think we were always fated to end up together. I mean, that's how soulmates work, right? I can't say I'm unhappy, either. I mean, look at him!"

    Ulos spluttered but couldn't think of a thing to say.

    The girl stared at them both for a few moments longer, and looking angry and utterly confused, stormed out of the showers.

    "Did I say soulmates? I meant roommates. Ah well, more or less the same thing, right Ulos?"

    Ulos suddenly laughed.

    "I can't believe you said that to her!"

    "I can. Who was she, by the way?"

    "Um, well..."

    The two hopped into their respective showers, and continued their conversation through the wall. Ulos told Madavian all about his encounter yesterday, and Madavian laughed.

    "I'm glad I got you as my roommate. Everyone else would know how to suck up to a Scion, you know? But you're a flitter and you have no idea, and it's great. The only people who don't suck up to me usually can boss me around, so it's a nice change of pace. My father said I'd make friends here, but I figured he meant friends I'd do business with."

    The two quickly finished up and hopped out, getting dressed and heading downstairs.

    Ulos looked at Madavian and spoke. His roommate had just saved him from looking like a complete idiot, so he felt pretty good towards him.

    "So, I'm going to go enroll today. Want to come with me?"

    "Yeah, I'd better come as well. If we get down first thing we can enroll before they start Orientation. Father would be pretty angry if I didn't enrol in what he wanted."

    They strolled down to Orientation, carrying completed forms with them. In front of them sat only two people, both checking out the class lists. It seemed nobody else had bothered getting in that early. The two walked up to the counter. Madavian spoke.

    "Can we hand in our enrolments yet?"

    The woman at the counter raised an eyebrow.

    "Isn't it a little early?"

    "Sure, but early bird gets their pick of classes, right?"

    She sighed, looking very unenthusiastic about the prospect of doing paperwork this early in the morning.

    "Hand them over."

    "Thanks so much. Sorry to impose on you like that, but my father - he's a Junotrin, he's really picky about what I'm doing and when I enrol in it. If I screwed it up, wow would he be angry. Thanks for helping us out!"

    As they walked away, Ulos looked at Madavian quizzically. That had been a little bit unlike him. Sure, Madavian namedropped all the time, but what he had said had seemed a little... pointed.

    "Why did you tell her you were a Junotrin? Wasn't it on your enrolment form."

    "Sure, but now she'll treat it seriously from the get-go. I don't want it to get put on a pile of paper, lost, and then have someone tell us we don't get our class choices."

    "That makes sense."

    They walked on for awhile longer in silence. They were to gather at the base of the Tower for Orientation. The Tower could be seen for miles around on a clear day, and it was easy enough to get there in a matter of a few minutes. The students were already lining up at the Tower base, almost a hundred of them grouping around a single woman. She looked like a mage out of fairytales, well over six feet tall, wearing a shimmering cloak and a broad-brimmed hat that seemed to both shadow and illuminate her face at the same time. Her hair was short, reaching down a little below her ears, and was a pure snow white. In one hand she held a metal wand, in the other, an open book.

    "Gather 'round, gather 'round!"

    Her voice carried easily and far, and she inscribed something in the air with her wand, a symbol flaring for a moment and disappearing. Suddenly Madavian couldn't even hear his own breathing - the entire world apart from her voice had gone silent.

    "Students. I am Senior Mage Tilbut, you may refer to me as Mage Tilbut or Senior Mage. I will be leading your basic Orientation today, which will cover the Library, the Smokestacks, the Runic Forge, and the Maze. Follow me."

    She lead them into the tower, walking up several winding flights of stairs.

    "The Library is the central part of the Tower. The upper Tower is teacher's accomodations and accomodations for the upperclassmen. The lower tower is accommodation for the upperclassmen as well. The remainder of the tower is the Preparatory Library. While the Libraries will remind you of these rules, I will tell them to you now. Books in the Open Section are permitted to be borrowed. A first-year student may borrow one book at a time for a week at a time, at which point the loan must be renewed. If a student from a higher year or a teacher requests the book, you must return it. You will all be issued with one Borrowing Chit, which entitles you to borrow one book. When you borrow the book, you pay with the Chit. When you return the book, a new Chit is issued to you. Needless to say, do not lose your Chit."

    As they entered, Ulos's eyes widened. The Library wasn't just big, it was huge. Concentric circles of bookshelves sat in front of them, each shelf twice as high as he was tall, packed to the brim with books. As he looked up, he saw more stairs, leading up to another floor. This floor along dwarfed any collection of books he had seen, and would have been sufficient to fit the entirety of Dorms into with room to spare.

    "There are ten floors in the Tower. The top floor is teacher accommodation, the second-to-top floor is student accommodation, the dungeon is student accommodation. The remaining seven floors constitute our Library. We bring new students here at first for two reasons. First, to tell you the rules. Second, to reassure you of the quality of the institution of learning you have enrolled in. It is our estimation that the Imperial Collegium has one-third the number of books we do, and Greystone merely an eighth. The Preparatory is well-known for its links to the Five Families, and the generous aid they give to our mission of magical education. Rest assured - for those of you who hail from one of the Families - this money is not wasted. The Librarium Arcanum itself has less books than we do, though admittedly more esoteric and rare texts."

    She took a breath.

    "Each class you enroll in will give you a Textbook Chit, entitling you to the use of the textbook for the term. This will not count against your ordinary borrowing limit. Unlike the Collegium, where you are expected to source your own copies of - often very rare and difficult to find - prescribed texts, here at Vorstallen we have systemised the books students use. There are no differences in texts, no superior version of a book given to a richer or more influential student. Here at Vorstallen, there is only talent and hard work."

    "Lastly for Chits, you may purchase a new Borrowing Chit for ten numismata if you happen to lose yours. If you are especially needy in terms of borrowing you may purchase another, though the second Chit will cost twenty numismata, the third thirty, and so on."

    "Secondly, there is the Closed Section. It is named Closed as books may not be taken in or out. You may study books there, however. Lastly, there are the Restricted Sections. There are a number of sections of the library behind locked and runed doors, that you are not permitted to access. If you require access to one section, a teacher may grant permission, provided that Section is related to their field of interest. Teachers may borrow books from the Restricted Sections. If you need to borrow a book from one of these sections a teacher may do so for you."

    She sighed.

    "Do not, for obvious reasons, bring a flame into the library, cast a flame spell, cast a water spell, cast a ink spell, or cast any magic whatsoever unless you are utterly certain it will have no physical impact on the books. Once you are utterly certain of this, confirm this with one of the librarians. If they permit it, you may then cast the spell under their supervision. If you cast a spell and damage the books here, you will be expelled."

    Tilbut clapped.

    "Follow me. We'll see the rest of the Library before we climb down."

    Seven floors. Seven floors of massive stairs upwards, each containing rooms and rooms of books. Ulos looked over. Yes, he'd be spending a lot of time here. Still, he didn't see why Tilbut needed to drag him up and down seven flights of stairs.

    Once they'd made it to the bottom of the Tower, she clapped her hands again. Something... when she did that, suddenly her voice cut through all the murmurs of his classmates and he could focus only on what she was saying.

    "Next is the Smokestack."

    She led them to a ramshackle building, with boards over windows and smoke billowing from a crack in one set of boards. It was large, though more sprawling than tall. While other buildings were squat and ugly, the Smokestack was not ugly in the same way. Rather, some of the bricks were cracked and falling out, the roof had tiles fallen off, the door had been taken off its hinges and was sitting propped-up next to the doorway, and now the smoke from the window was rapidly turning pink.

    "We will not be going inside. Unlike other buildings, the Smokestack is not enchanted for things like structural soundness. Alchemical experiments and runes do not always play well together in close proximity."

    (Roll Orientation Event - 12. Below 20 is negative event!)

    As he was listening, the smoke was getting closer and closer to him...

    (Roll Dodge! - 36 + 10 Physical vs DC 50. Fail!)

    (Roll Madavian Assist - 77 + 5 = 82 vs DC 70 (base DC 50, + 20 from Tilbut's Clap. Regular success, add +10 to associated roll)

    (Recalculate Dodge - 36 + 10 Physical + 10 Madavian Assist = 56 vs DC 50. Pass!)

    The wind took up, and blew the smoke right towards Ulos, standing a little away from the group. Pink smoke raced towards him. Madavian looked over and quickly grabbed him, pulling him out of the way.

    "What-"

    Madavian pointed.

    "Don't get with some residue from an experiment. Who knows what it could do?"

    "It's just smoke."

    "My father's alchemist had 'just smoke' coming out of her laboratory once. Lit all the tapestries on the wall outside on fire. That's when father moved her to somewhere less flammable."

    Tilbut clapped again.

    "If you have no reason to enter the Smokestack, we generally advise you do not. Alchemists can be peculiar. Never drink anything an upperclassman gives you without clearing it with a teacher first, even if they assure you it is safe. Even if they drink it as well."

    She strode on.

    Next was the Runic Forge. Rather than some grand impressive open fire, it was a large stone door built into a descending set of stairs.

    "This leads to the Runic Forge. You are forbidden to enter without explicit permission from a teacher. Any student found doing so will be punished."

    She quickly led them to their last destination.

    "This is the Maze."

    Ulos looked. It was a set of stone doors, not unlike those going to the Forge, built into a massive field. There were hedges growing all around, though it seemed more like a battlefield than a maze.

    "Most practical exams will be held here. Students wanting to practice combat magic in their own time are advised to use the above-ground segments of the Maze, though before you do, let your combat instructor know which spells you will be using, both defensively and offensively. We have not lost a single arm or leg in twenty-two years, and you should not be the class to reset that counter. Below is the Maze itself. You may not enter the Lower Maze without permission, just as you may not enter the Forge."

    They had been walking around for hours. Ulos just wanted to go eat. Sure, don't go to the maze, don't go to the Forge, whatever. Man, he was hungry all of a sudden.

    "That is all for Orientation. Lastly, for those of you taking Artifact Use this term, I will see you next week. Dismissed."

    The two made it back to the dinner hall, eating and heading upstairs. Ulos didn't want to risk another confrontation with the blue-haired girl right now, not when she might be able to embarrass him with Madavian heading to bed. They both went to sleep, tired from the long day and the endless stairs.

    Voting post will be up in a bit. Much simpler and quicker this time - what do we do tomorrow and the day after. There are four more days of Orientation, divided into two turns. Each turn will have two Free Actions and two locked Orientation Actions.
     
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    • Vote - Orientation Days 2 & 3
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    • Day Two: (can only take 1 of these)

    [ ] Meet and Greet (Madavian) -     Madavian thinks you're too shy. He'll use his charm to help you meet people. Offers two Diplomacy rolls for meeting people. In the event of a Failure, Madavian will step in and assist you. In the event of a Critical Failure, well... you're on your own. Still, having more than one friend would be nice. (DC: Variable. Depends on who you meet)

    [ ] Prank (Madavian) - That girl tried to embarrass you in the showers. What a dick move! Well, Madavian has some cool ideas for a prank... Increases relationship with Madavian. On success, increases relationship two steps. (DC ??? - opposed roll versus rival)



    Day Three: (can only take 1 of these)

    [ ] Watch the Duels - Magical duels are essentially magical combat sans death. They start up on Wednesday, with the Second-Years from the high-powered combat class facing off against each other, and the Second-Years from the low-powered combat class facing off against each other. The top low-powered mages are then sent up against the losers from the high-powered class. Gain a Learning Roll for Combat Skill: Magical Defense (DC: medium), gain a Learning Roll for Combat Skill: Inferior Magic Fighting (DC: very high).

    [ ] Watch the Combat - The third-years still in the magical combat stream divide into two teams and face off against each other once a week in Magical Combat. Rather than one-versus-one combat, you gain an idea of how entire teams of mages work against each other. Gain Learning Roll for Combat Skill: Awareness, (DC: high), gain Learning Roll for Combat Skill: Tactics (DC: very high)



    Generic Actions: (can take up to 2 of these)

    [ ] Start Studying (Write-In Subject) - You have Textbook Chits now. You can go borrow the books and start hitting them. Sort of nerdy, but hey, aren't you here to learn? Gain a Training Roll associated with the subject you choose. (DC: Low. You're smart, dedicated, and this is all basic theory).

    [ ] Scout out the Library -     Go figure out where the books that might help with your Curse are. I mean, they're almost certainly in the Restricted Sections, but if you can get a good idea of how the Library works and what sort of filing system it uses, you might be able to track down the knowledge a bit easier. No stat improvements. May gain a better idea of what books are helpful for your subjects, and which sorts of books might help with your curse. If you failed this roll the first time, the roll from the first time will be added to your second roll. (DC: Very High)

    [ ] Go Exploring - It's a big campus, and you haven't seen the half of it. Who knows what you could find? Roll 1D100 vs ???. Success offers ???, failure offers ???.

    [ ] Meet and Greet -     Madavian might not be there to help you, but you can still meet people, right? Right? Offers two Diplomacy rolls for meeting people. No help from Madavian. (DC: Variable. Depends on who you meet)

    Feel free to vote for as many options as you like from this point on - I strongly prefer people being able to vote for more options as it lessens strategic voting and allows people to vote their true preferences.
     
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    • 0.6 - Orientation. Days 2 & 3.
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    • Day Three

    Ulos looked down at his muffin. Bacon, a fried patty of ground beef, another layer of bacon, two fried eggs and two sausages sat between the top and bottom of the muffin, all slathered in sauce.

    "Are you sure this is fine?"

    Madavian looked at him.

    "Ulos, you're a stick. A rake. The snappiest twig on a tree made of fine china. You need to eat more."

    It felt a little wrong. That much meat would've been all a poor family could've afforded in weeks, but... well, Madavian hadn't been wrong on much so far.

    He gnawed at the side of it, unable to get his mouth around the entire thing. A few minutes later he'd finished, and Madavian looked at him.

    "Alright. Now you've met me, and I'm spectacular. And you met that Pact girl, and that went... well, not so spectacular. I think we need to get you out of your shell, meet some new people. What do you say?"

    "Umm... ok."

    "Alright, come with me. We'll go talk to those guys sitting at the table over there."

    Madavian pointed. Three girls and two younger-looking boys were sitting at a table together, with two seats at the end conveniently vacant


    "Um, maybe in a minute? I'll just get a drink to wash this down, my throat's a little dry."

    Madavian smiled.

    "Ok. I'll go introduce myself, come over once you've got the drink."

    He stood up, walked over there, and started talking to them.

    (Meet and Greet (Madavian Assist): 31 + 25 (Cha) = 56 vs DC 50. Success! Associated roll may use your Cha score.)

    (Meet and Greet (Ulos roll): 18 + 25 (Madavian Cha) = 43 vs DC 20. Solid success. Ulos meets two people [without Madavian assist, Ulos meets one person])

    Madavian sat down, and started chatting like they were old friends. Gesturing to Ulos, he waved him over.

    "Ulos! You should meet these people. This is Abraham Mazhov, he's from the Empire like you!"

    "Hi."

    Abraham smiled at him. Short blonde hair and blue eyes, an angular face, and whoa, he was tall. He stood up to shake Ulos's hand, and towered a foot over him.

    (Meet and Greet (Ulos & Abraham) - 88 + 10 vs 50 DC = 96. Great success! Two steps above standard success. Gained one step in Relationship, gained new Action!)

    "Hey, I'm Abraham. Not an Undying Clan member, before you ask. My great-aunt moved to Vorstal and became a pretty powerful mage, and she sponsored me when she found out I had some talent. So I'm a flit - just to get it out of the way."

    Madavian smiled back.

    "Yeah, I'm a flit too."

    "Wait, really? I don't really meet other flits, I mean, ever, here."

    "Yeah, I studied hard."

    That was technically true. He'd been illiterate four years ago. Just bringing himself up to the level where he could take the entrance exams had been difficult. If he'd been educated nearly from birth, like these people were... he wouldn't have even needed to pay tuition.

    "Hah, fair enough! Hey, I'm taking History and Theory of Runes. How about you?"

    "History and Souls. See you in history, I guess."

    "Yeah, I can't really let my great-aunt down. She's paying for my place here, but if I screw up..."

    Ulos nodded.

    "Yeah, fair enough. Hey, um.."

    "Hm?"

    Ulos decided to just ask.

    "Look, I figure we're both flitters. Gotta stick together, right? Do you want to go study some time? I mean, Madavian, he's a great guy, but if he screws up, he's fine. If I screw up.."

    "Your scholarship, gotcha. Yeah... look, I figure no-one from the Empire likes us much, almost everyone from Narubar I've met - present company excepted, Tom - can be a little... well, hostile. And all the Vorstallens, well, you guys are always on the look out for a profit, right Madavian?"

    (Unlocked relationship - Abraham Mazhov (Friendly acquaintance). Unlocked Action - Study History with Abraham.)

    Madavian nodded.

    "Yeah, I'm thinking of starting a business where I help you awkward Empire types summon up the courage to talk to one another. Five hundred gold solidus membership fee. Hey, speaking of, I heard you two starting up your own little study group. I'd join, but I figure I want to leave the intensive studying till at least exam time, right? Still.. hey, Sunette!"

    A short fat girl looked up. Her hair was short and cut back, and her eyes were purple, which was unusual.

    "Yeah?"

    (Second Diplomacy Action unlocked by Madavian assist!)

    "You're doing History, right? Come talk to these two booklovers."

    She raised an eyebrow.

    "Everyone should be a booklover."

    "Sure, I agree in theory. I mean, I don't love books, but I love the idea of them. Or something. Still, I think it'd be a good idea, right?"

    Sunette stood up, and came and sat next to the two.

    "Junotrins."

    Ulos looked at her, momentarily worried.

    "Junotrins?"

    "Oh, they're all like this. Come look at my artifact, it's a good deal! Come check out this cool dig we found! Hey, wouldn't it be good if we went to search for artifacts? The next thing you know you're fighting a twenty-foot tall scorpion statue in a battle to the death. When you wonder where it all went wrong... Junotrins."

    (Diplomacy roll: 64 + 10 vs DC 50. Solid success! Upgraded Action option!)

    "Are you Vorstallen as well?", Ulos asked.

    "Yeah. Family Kerek. I'm not a Scion like he is, though. I mean, technically I'm not a Family member at all, my parents just work for Kerek so we were given the name. Good on you for getting a scholarship, by the way. I'm the same."

    "Um, thanks."

    "So, this study group. I'm taking History and Inheritance. I figure we pool our knowledge. History is good, but I think Ulos can bring in Souls and Spirits, Abraham can bring in runes. I'm pretty keen to dominate Magical Theory. Getting personal tutoring would get the Family's notice proper, and it'd work out well for me. How about you, Abraham?"

    "Well, I want to pass. I'm more interested in combat, so.."

    "That's fine. Bring in your perspective on History and work with us on Theory, and we'll take this year by storm. Am I right, Ulos?"

    Ulos felt enthusiastic. Twenty minutes ago he'd known one person, and now he knew three.

    "Yeah. Let's take the top spots!"

    (Upgraded Action - Study History with Abraham to History Study Group!)



    Orientation today took the form of the librarians taking them through about fifty different rules, issuing them with a piece of paper that stated them, them signing a piece of paper to say they understood, and being issued with their Chits. Ulos figured he'd wait to use his regular Chit when he found a book he wanted.

    One Library Slot unlocked - you can borrow one book.

    Gained Item - A History of the Undying Empire and its Provinces (History Textbook)
    Gained Item - Elementary Magical Theory (Magical Theory Textbook)
    Gained Item - Four Hundred and Twelve Spellwork Exercises (Magical Practice Textbook)
    Gained Item - Those From Beyond - The Spirits of the Primordial Ether (Souls and Spirits Textbook)

    Given they were in the Library anyway, Ulos decided to explore. None of the floors were forbidden, and any room that was forbidden was locked.

    He started to ascend the stairs, and -

    (Scout out the Library - 2 vs DC 70 for class books, 2 vs DC 90 for curse books. Critical failure!)

    "Get out!"

    One of the librarians had seen him.

    "Josh Figgerian, you are banned from the Library! You know this! Get out right now!"

    "But-"

    "No buts. Turn yourself around and leave. If I see you in here in one minute your ban will be extended to two months. Now leave!"

    Ulos beat a hasty retreat. He'd come back later, maybe wearing something different. He didn't want to get in this much trouble early on. He could explain it all to the Librarians, later.

    (Will need to explain what has happened to the librarians or risk this happening again. Gained Trait - Banned Doppelganger (10% chance of failing any Library Action automatically. Goes away after a month.) Action - Explain the Library Situation unlocked! This action will remove this Trait.)


    Day Three:

    "Alright Ulos, let's go see the magical combat. One set of us get to see the duels, one the combat. I figure for you and your magic power, you're never winning a duel. So combat might be better."

    "Actually... I'd like to see the duels."

    "Really? Well, ok."

    They went down. Apparently there were a few duelling fields - they'd watch the winning duelist from each of their duels progress through the ranks to the finals. There were only eight duelists today, the top eight of the class apparently being chosen to duel publically to show the new students what it was like.

    They just sort of milled around, and suddenly the dueling fields changed color, some mauve field rising up around it, presumably to cut it off.

    Two mages walked in, bowed, and began.

    The first one was shorter, the second tall and lanky. The moment they bowed, the first mage pulled out his wand and inscribed something in the air in less than a second, shooting a tremendous wave that rippled through the air towards his opponent.

    (Duelist one roll: 37 + 30 (Skill: Magical Combat) - 66)

    (Duelist two roll 24 + 23 (Skill: Magical Combat) - 47)

    The second mage used both hands to inscribe symbols, the wave of force terminating a few inches before his wave, and sent a bolt of lightning at his opponent.

    The first one had already completed another symbol, the lightning stopping just in front of him, and he sent it back again, followed by a wave of force.

    His opponent blocked the force, but the lightning seemed to have thrown him for a loop. It hit him, and he went down.

    "Match!"

    (Duelist one roll: 66 + 30 (Skill: Magical Combat) - 96)

    (Duelist three roll: 52 + 38 (Skill: Magical Combat) - 90)

    The first duelist walked on to his next match. The two bowed, and suddenly Ulos couldn't even follow what was happening. Waves of force, lightning bolts, sprays of earth were flung up, occluding most of the field. The duel went on for five, ten minutes, fire spitting between the two, as the two nearly even-matched mages tried time and time again to breach the other's defenses. Finally, the duelist from the first match sent... something at the other, Ulos couldn't even see what it was, and the third duelist just collapsed, eyes rolling back in his head.

    One of the upperclassmen nearby whistled appreciatively.

    "Wooow. Looks like Ukkon might have overtaken Selene for first. He's really improved over the summer."

    The final match was after a few minutes, as all the other matches had long since concluded.

    (Duelist one roll: 50 + 30 (Skill: Magical Combat) - 20 (Exhausted from close match) = 60)

    (Duelist four roll: 47 + 22 (Skill: Magical Combat = 68)

    If anything, this match was even closer, if less exciting. The sheer levels of power being thrown around the last match did not eventuate, the two mainly trading the waves of force and lightning, back and forth. The match got slower and slower, each participant digging deep to find an easier attack to throw, something to block the opponent's attack, until the first duelist they'd seen put his hands above his head, signalling surrender.

    "Yeah, expected. After a match like the last one, no way he'd have the power to take down even Birstad. I mean, Ukkon is a better duelist than Birstad any day of the week, but he'd be running on mana fumes at that point."

    Ulos wondered why the first combatant had not used the same defensive spells he'd seen earlier, blocking attacks for longer so he could use more attack spells.

    (Learning Roll: 54 + 20 (Int) = 74 vs 50 DC. Solid success! +1 to Combat Skill: Magical Defense)

    Then it came to him. Duration had to be linked to a defense spell's cost. All things being equal, better to use a defensive spell for longer, but if you were good enough, you could time an opponent's attack, use much less mana to gain the same effect. It took more time and effort, but saved on your magic.

    He wondered how he could use that. He thought on it for a few minutes.

    (Learning Roll: 20 + 20 (Int) = 40 vs 90 DC - Failure!)

    Nothing really came to mind.


    Later that day, Madavian went out. He didn't know where the other two people he had met was gone, and, well, he was bored. He thought about studying, but going back to the Library now seemed terrible, and he didn't want to open those textbooks just yet.

    He decided to go exploring.

    (Exploration Roll: 86 vs 50 DC. Solid success! Over 80 on Exploration Roll unlocks better location!)

    He wandered around for a good amount of time, scouting out the Dorms, wandering the paths of the Preparatory. He had wandered a few kilometres when he found a bunch of bushes, hedges growing near the great fence that surrounded the campus.

    Under the bushes, though, he was sure he could spy something. He got down on his hands and knees, crawling inside the hedge. Inside the hedge, almost five metres of crawling, lay a little colony of mushrooms, planted in straight little rows. He couldn't say for certain, but he thought some of them glowed. He decided not to take any now, just in case they'd be missed. But it was a useful spot to know.

    (Unlocked location: Hidden Mushroom Colony)
    (Unlocked Action - Gather Mushrooms)

    He looked up. Wow, it was getting back. Time to head back and have dinner and get to sleep, the next two days were going to be busy.


    Voting post will be up in a little bit.
     
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    • Vote - Orientation Days 4 &5
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    • Voting formatting. If you vote for an option with a Willpower Upgrade, post it like Option (Willpower). So if we took an option called Go Study A Lot with a Willpower upgrade, you'd vote for it like this:

    [X] Go Study A Lot (Willpower)

    Current Willpower is 5. Willpower will regenerate after the Weekend Turn is taken.


    Day Four: (can only take 1 of these)

    [ ] Try out Alchemical Concoctions -     You're able to head down to the Smokestack, where a few upperclassmen will be putting potions and poultices on display. A good chance to try the results of Alchemy with a teacher supervising. You won't learn much about Alchemy as such, but you might be able to learn a few things about the item you use. Roll vs DC 40. Gain partial knowledge of one Recipe. Roll vs DC 80 if successful. On success, gain full knowledge of one Recipe. (Int-bound)

    [ ] Use Some Runes - The upperclassmen are displaying various runes. While you may not have the magic to charge them, you could learn a thing or two by studying their examples. Gain a learning roll for Lore: Runes vs DC 52. If successful, roll vs DC 101 for Craft: Runes. (Int-bound)



    Day Five: (can only take 1 of these)

    [ ] Go to the Illusionist's Show - Literally as it sounds. Illusionists putting on a show with their Illusion magic. Not very popular among the non-first years. However, both of your new friends are going to be there. You could hang out! Gain a Learning Roll for Craft: Illusions vs DC 90. Gain a Diplomacy Roll (DC 50 vs Cha) to increase Relationship by one step with either Sunette or Abraham.

    [ ] See the Binding - The third-years are showing off a basic Spirit Binding. Not terribly impressive, but you're generally not allowed to take risks with Spirits, especially not with First Years around. You'll get to see the whole thing, though! Gain Learning Roll for Lore: Souls and Spirits vs DC 50. On critical success (100 or over), gain minor (random) improvement to Spell: Bind Spirit.



    Generic Actions: (can take up to 2 of these)

    [ ] Start Studying (Write-In Subject) - You have Textbook Chits now. You can go borrow the books and start hitting them. Sort of nerdy, but hey, aren't you here to learn? Gain a Training Roll associated with the subject you choose. Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain 2 Training Rolls.

    [ ] Scout out the Library -     Go figure out where the books that might help with your Curse are. I mean, they're almost certainly in the Restricted Sections, but if you can get a good idea of how the Library works and what sort of filing system it uses, you might be able to track down the knowledge a bit easier. No stat improvements. May gain a better idea of what books are helpful for your subjects, and which sorts of books might help with your curse. Gain +2 from prior failed roll to next roll. (DC: Very High) - Has an additional 10% chance of failure due to a Trait.

    [ ] Go Exploring - It's a big campus, and you haven't seen the half of it. Who knows what you could find? Roll 1D100 vs ???. Success offers ???, failure offers ???.

    [ ] Meet and Greet -     Madavian might not be there to help you, but you can still meet people, right? Right? Offers 2 Diplomacy rolls for meeting people. No help from Madavian. (DC: Variable. Depends on who you meet) Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain 3 Diplomacy Rolls.

    [ ] Hang Out With A Friend (Write-in Friend) - It's good to spend time with people you know. Maybe take a break, and hang with one of your friends. Available options include Madavian Junotrin, Abraham Quincey and Sunette Kerek. Increase Relationship by one step. Roll against DC (Variable, depending on friendship level). On success, increase Relationship by another step.

    [ ] Explain the Library Situation - The librarians are pretty mad at you. Well, not you. That's the problem. Time to go explain. Roll against DC 25 vs Cha. On success, remove Trait: Banned Doppelganger.

    [ ] Study Group - The Study Group needs to get going if you're going to dominate your subjects. Get your books, get your bag, and head on over to the Library to get the librarians to let you into a study room. Gain a Training Roll for Lore: History or Lore: Theory of Magic (50% chance each). Possibly gain a step in relationship with Sunotrin or Abraham (20% chance each). Cannot be taken while Trait: Banned Doppelganger is active. Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain a Training Roll in both subjects.

    [ ] Gather Mushrooms - Unlocked by your knowledge of the Secret Mushroom Colony. Self-explanatory. Roll against DC ??? using either Lore: Alchemy or Lore: Magical Plants. On success, gain ???.


    Feel free to vote for as many options as you like. I strongly prefer people being able to vote for more options as it lessens strategic voting and allows people to vote their true preferences.
     
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    • 0.6 - Orientation Days 4 and 5
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    • Try out Alchemical Concoctions


    The last visit to the Smokestack had been somewhat negative. Now, with half the year milling around the front, and the various Alchemy students essentially hawking their wares, Ulos felt a little safer.

    One of the students grabbed him.

    "Hey, come try my Philter of Awareness!"

    "Uh, sure."

    Ulos walked over. On the table sat tiny doses of a green liquid, each one in a tiny glass.

    "It's a small dose, it'll only last for a few minutes. No lingering effects, promise. It's been okayed by the teaching staff."

    Ulos shrugged, and downed the glass quickly. Ugh. It tasted vile, like cough medicine mixed with fish guts.

    A few moments later the world changed. Not physically, his perception of colours was the same. Every little movement gained his attention, every flash of light and every noise called his attention over to it. Things he had not heard previously became impossible to block out, and the relentless flood of sensation chewed through his mind. His head swivelled, looking left to right, trying to identify every bit of noise, every sound and every movement. A few blessed minutes later it wore off.

    "That was... unpleasant."

    "Haha, yeah. It's not great in crowds. If you're being hunted, though, nothing like it. Or hunting, I guess. It's pretty potent, but being able to notice any noise is useful in some circumstances."

    "So... how is it made?"

    "You doing Alchemy?"

    "Not yet. Might in future, though."

    "Well, it'll probably go a bit over your head, but..."

    (Alchemy Roll - 84 + 25 = 109 vs 40 DC. Spectacular success! Gain + 15 on your next Alchemy roll. Gain partial knowledge of Recipe.)

    "    So a rabbit's ear, an alyssum grown in magical soil, and a human ear hair?"

    "Sure, if you transfer the awareness you want to transfer it to a sympathetic awareness organ, and you're not going to get better than ear to ear. It's not that potent, so you can use a weaker reagant like alyssum."

    "What about the process?"

    "Really interested in Alchemy, huh? Well, you could get it out of the Library eventually, so it's not like I'm telling you a secret."

    (Alchemy Roll - 91 + 25 (Int) + 15 (prior roll) = 131 vs 90 DC. Critical success! Gain full knowledge of Recipe. Gain 2 Variations on Recipe.)

    "... so the main thing is to keep the heat variable. It's not really time-dependent, so if you have some way of cooling the recipe rapidly - without direct application of magic - you can churn it out really quickly. It is important that you use copper, though. Bronze will make it one-fifth as powerful, which can be ok if you just want a general awareness booster for everyday stuff, and iron will potentiate it, making the entire effect happen much more rapidly. You'll gain so much awareness you'll have trouble differentiating anything from anything, but I guess it could be useful if you needed a way to spy on someone, or something. I mean, it's a bad way to go about it, but whatever. I mean, it's a really simple recipe, it's just that you've got to be careful with the heat. Just before boiling, not boiling. Ninety-nine point two will work. If you can get ninety-nine point five you'll get a better result, but that can be tough. If you go over just once you'll ruin the entire thing, and if you cool it below twenty-seven degrees it'll be ruined as well. You need to cool it to at least thirty, though."

    Ulos nodded, committing all this to memory. Probably not something he would use all that often, but useful. At the very least, he knew rabbit's ears had some value now. Magical soil, though... no idea where to find that. But if plants growing in magical soil made good reagants, it might be a good thing to look into.


    Explain the Situation

    Next was the Library. He walked in confidently.

    "Um, excuse me?"

    (Library Roll: 45 + 10 (Cha) = 55 vs 25 DC. Success!)

    The librarian on duty looked up. A stern-looking woman, at least it wasn't the one Ulos had seen yesterday.

    "Yes?"

    "Um, well... yesterday I got chased out of here. One of the librarians thought I was someone called Josh? Figgerian?"

    She looked him up and down, sternly.

    "Yes, I see the resemblance. Figgerian is a menace. But you look like a good boy, even I can see that. I'll let the other librarians know."

    "Thanks. I'd really appreciate it."

    Lost Trait - Banned Doppelganger


    See the Binding -

    It was amazing. He hadn't been able to sense the first part, of course, where they'd coaxed the Spirit out of the Primordial Ether and into the real world. Even looking at it now, Ulos couldn't quite look at it. When he saw it out of the corner of his eye, it was a whorl of colours, reds and whites and greens all mixed together. But when he looked at it straight-on, his mind just slipped away. It was definitely there, his mind just refused to grapple with whatever it saw.

    "To Bind a Spirit is not easy. Many prefer to bargain with a Spirit, and to be honest, this is preferable. A Spirit serving willingly will always be superior to one Bound. This particular Spirit is a rock Spirit, one that prefers to take the form of a rock or a boulder in the corporeal world. I am going to Bind it into the form of a great statue. The amount of magic we have spent has given us enough power to command this Spirit to take the form of a great swordsman, towering twenty metres above us all in height!"

    The students surrounding the Spirit began to weave their spells, sketching diagrams in the air, all of which joined together to form a great combined diagram surrounding the Spirit.

    (Binding Impressiveness Roll: 4 vs DC 60. Critical failure!)

    The Spirit flashed, tremendous in its light as it began to take shape in the world. For a moment Ulos thought he saw something watching him behind the lights, but that moment passed and the thought was gone.

    A great crack like thunder pealed through the grounds, and a rock fell to the ground.

    Not a particularly big one. Just... a rock. About the size of a fist, maybe big enough to hurl at someone's head if you were angry enough.

    Ulos didn't start the laughter, but he joined in. That was... the least impressive thing he'd seen since he'd come here. The students were looking at the rock, some flushed, and was one... crying? It almost looked like he was. Poor upperclassmen, Ulos thought. Imagine being picked as the best in your class to come impress the new students and having that happen.

    (Learning Roll: Souls and Spirits - 57 + 25 (Int) = 82 vs DC 50. Solid success. Gained +1 Lore: Souls and Spirits).

    He'd learned something, though. Even with all the preparation in the world, the top of your class, a Spirit didn't always do what you wanted. Ulos saw the other first-years making fun of the upperclassmen, but he thought it wasn't incompetence. You didn't get picked like that if you were just incompetent. No, that had to be on the Spirit's end. Maybe all the power and study in the world wouldn't work if the Spirit really didn't like you.


    Study Group (Willpower)

    Ulos met the two there. Sunette and Abraham had arranged to come with him to study, and they'd decided to get an early start on Magical Theory at first. Sunette looked at him and nodded.

    "Let's get to work. Let's all read through Chapter 1 of the book, and come back to each other with our thoughts. Ask questions, strengthen each other. Alright, let's get to it."

    Ulos read through the first chapter of Elementary Magic Theory. Most of it was just magic and why it needed to be shaped into two-dimensional sigils. Not really any answers, just questions. Why didn't magic work as a three-dimensional construct? Why were runes and sigils different? Why did Alchemy even work? Why did it require temperature differences and movement when all other magic was solely a two-dimensional glyph, whether drawn in the air or on iron. Why did runes differentiate between the materials they were drawn on, but sigils did not? It didn't really teach him anything, just give him a lot of questions.

    (Training Roll 1 (Lore: Magical Theory) - 2x5 Int. Next level is 5 steps away! Gained + 2 Lore: Magical Theory (0/5 next level).)


    The three sat down.

    "Well, I think we've learned we don't really know much."

    Sunette laughed, a short bark.

    "You're not wrong. I didn't even know a rune to do the same thing as a sigil was drawn completely differently. And Alchemy doesn't even fit! It's like the universe has two really similar branches of magic and a third one that operates on completely different rules!"

    (Sunette Relationship roll - 4 vs 80 DC. No failure penalty for this sort of roll.)

    "Yeah, it's interesting, what do you think, Abraham?"

    (Abraham Relationship roll - 46 vs 80 DC. No failure penalty for this sort of roll.)

    "    It's... way too complicated for me. No way I ace this."

    Ulos shrugged.

    A few hours later, they'd exhausted the subject, and any questions they had they definitely didn't have any answers to.

    Sunette spoke.

    "We ready to pack up? I mean, we're not learning anything."

    Ulos frowned.

    "Two days ago, you were there to dominate this subject. We were going to take the whole year by storm. Are we giving up because we're not getting anywhere? No. Let's turn to History."

    "Ok, sure. Damn, Ulos, you're into this."

    "Yeah. Only way to get ahead is work harder than everyone else."

    (Training Roll 1 (Lore: History) - 1x5 Int. Next level is 5 steps away! Gained + 1 Lore: History (0/5 next level).)

    They sat down, learning about the history of the Saint's Archipelago. Nobody really knew how it had happened. The Saint turned up one day at the gates of Vorstal, and threatened to sink the city unless all the people in the expanse north of Vorstal were given their freedom to go with the Saint. The Undying laughed at her of course, and sent assassins to remove her. They never heard from the assassins again, and a few months later, the Saint's Bay was created. She sank the old city of Vorstal and all the lands north of it to create a path to sea, and everyone who wasn't a flit in that part of the northern expanse died with the city. Modern-day Vorstal, as it turns out, was built on the coast - right next to the sunken ruins of Old Vorstal.

    The capital was destroyed, though the Liches all lived.

    A month after that, the Saint brought a fleet to the coast north of the eastern end of the Empire, and raised the Saint's Archipelago from the sea. That was five hundred years ago. A few hundred years after that, the Saint disappeared, and nobody had seen her since.

    "Wow."

    Ulos spoke. Abraham looked at him as well.

    "Yeah, wow. I mean, everyone knows the story of the Saint, but to hear it so clinically put out... not even the King of Bones could do that, and he's the most powerful mage in the world by far."

    "Yeah. Crazy. Do you think she called a Spirit?"

    Sunette shook her head.

    "No. Nobody knows how she did it. That's why the Islanders call her the Saint. They think she was a conduit for the divine."

    They looked out the window. The sun had gone down some time ago.

    "Anyway, we better get to sleep. I mean, we don't have to, but it's our first full weekend, right? We should be able to do something cool."


    Story post is up, though I'm really tired. Voting post will either be up in a few minutes, or in eight hours or so.
     
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    • End of Turn 0 - First Weekend Vote
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    • Weekend Actions (Character will take 4)

    [ ] Start Studying (Write-In Subject) - You have Textbook Chits now. You can go borrow the books and start hitting them. Sort of nerdy, but hey, aren't you here to learn? Gain a Training Roll associated with the subject you choose. Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain 2 Training Rolls.

    [ ] Scout out the Library -     Go figure out where the books that might help with your Curse are. I mean, they're almost certainly in the Restricted Sections, but if you can get a good idea of how the Library works and what sort of filing system it uses, you might be able to track down the knowledge a bit easier. No stat improvements. May gain a better idea of what books are helpful for your subjects, and which sorts of books might help with your curse. Gain +2 from prior failed roll to next roll. (DC: Very High)

    [ ] Go Exploring - It's a big campus, and you haven't seen the half of it. Who knows what you could find? Roll 1D100 vs ???. Success offers ???, failure offers ???.

    [ ] Meet and Greet -     Madavian might not be there to help you, but you can still meet people, right? Right? Offers 2 Diplomacy rolls for meeting people. No help from Madavian. (DC: Variable. Depends on who you meet) Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain 3 Diplomacy Rolls.

    [ ] Hang Out With A Friend (Write-in Friend) - It's good to spend time with people you know. Maybe take a break, and hang with one of your friends. Available options include Madavian Junotrin, Abraham Quincey and Sunette Kerek. Increase Relationship by one step. Roll against DC (Variable, depending on friendship level). On success, increase Relationship by another step.

    [ ] Study Group - The Study Group needs to get going if you're going to dominate your subjects. Get your books, get your bag, and head on over to the Library to get the librarians to let you into a study room. Gain a Training Roll for Lore: History or Lore: Theory of Magic (50% chance each). Possibly gain a step in relationship with Sunotrin or Abraham (20% chance each). Cannot be taken while Trait: Banned Doppelganger is active. Willpower upgrade - spend 1 point to gain a Training Roll in both subjects. Can only be taken twice per Week max.

    [ ] Gather Mushrooms - Unlocked by your knowledge of the Secret Mushroom Colony. Self-explanatory. Roll against DC ??? using either Lore: Alchemy or Lore: Magical Plants. On success, gain ???.

    [ ] Search for Ingredients -     You don't know about a whole lot of Alchemical Ingredients, but you can go looking. Even if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, you can scout out good places. Roll against DC ???. On success, find Ingredients. On critical success find a Location with Ingredients.

    [ ] Prepare for Class (Write-in) - Skim over the text, ask what the teacher is like, go look at the classroom so you know how to go there and don't get lost. No skill gains. Strongly improves your chance of making a good first impression in that class. Continental History, Theory of Souls and Spirits, Magical Theory and Magical Practice and Awareness are all valid here.

    [ ] Map out the Dorms -     Knowing who is where, asking your friends about who has which room and how to get to places quickly. Sort of creepy, but also might come in handy. No skill gains. Roll against DC 65, on success gain Item: Map of Dorms (Unfinished). +10 bonus to pranks and similar actions taken within the Dorms.

    [ ] Relax, Chill Out - You've worked hard enough. Why not kick back, have a nap and look out the window at the other students and the trees? Recovers 1 Willpower point.

    Feel free to vote for as many options as you like. I strongly prefer people being able to vote for more options as it lessens strategic voting and allows people to vote their true preferences.
     
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    • 0.8 - End of Turn Zero. The First Weekend.
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    • Study Group (Willpower) - 11


    The final weekend. The last chance Ulos had to prepare for his first week of lessons. He knew that in the long term, perhaps the first week didn't matter very much. Didn't matter to Madavian, who's teachers would love him for his father no matter his efforts or lack thereof. They mattered for him, though. If he failed, he was simply a flit, some magically weak child who had made his way here through luck and shown up at the first requirement of skill.

    He strode back into the Library he had left the night before.

    Sunette was already there.

    "Sunette. Magical Theory first?"

    "Sure. Wait for Abraham?"

    "Five minutes. Then we'll start."

    They waited five minutes, looking over their books. Abraham had not turned up.

    The two of them worked through the second chapter of the book, a short chapter describing the "Magical Forms."

    ...All magic must be shaped into a Form that allows it to manifest in the physical world. We will study Reinald's Theorems later in in this text, but Reinald's Third Theorem states that all magic must take a Form, and the Form itself is unchangeable. Or rather, a Form can change, but then it is no longer the same Form. It will have a different effect. Each Sigil does one thing, and one thing only. Sigils may be altered to alter their effect somehow, but there is no known grand unifying Theory. Runes are similar to Sigils, though Sigils exist only moment-to-moment, Runes exist in time. Lastly there exists Alchemy, which alters the Form of a particular piece of magic. It takes a mundane property, and uses a transformative ritual and a reagant to suspend that property within time and space, allowing it to be consumed by a human being. The Form is changed, rather than drawn from the Primordial Ether. Theoretical Alchemy tells us Alchemical Recipes need not take the form of something liquid or indeed something that effects human beings, but very few such Recipes have been discovered...

    (Training Roll 1 (Lore: Magical Theory) - 5x5 Int. Gained + 4 Lore: Magical Theory (0/10 next level). Current Lore: Magical Theory is 6. Critical success! Sunette is impressed by your progess. Gain +10% to Relationship Roll.)

    "    Hm. Sunette, this makes sense. Alchemical Theory doesn't require magical input because it's simply shifting existing magic. I suspect Spirits do the same thing as magic, only they take a Form of their own choosing which allows them to manifest in the physical world."

    "That's.. that doesn't sound quite right. Can't Spirits only manifest as a few different things?"

    "Sure, but think about it. Spirits aren't all-powerful, and probably not all-knowing. They might only have the power or knowledge to manifest as a few different things. Maybe that's why the Binding failed yesterday..."

    "I see."

    Sunette flipped through the book, looking for something on Spirits.

    "Spirits, Spirits, Reinald's Fifth Theorem... Well."

    (Sunette Relationship roll - 96 + 10 = 106 vs 80 DC. Roll over 100! Critical success! Gain 2 Relationship steps. New Relationship Rank Friendly (Friendly Respect).)

    Sunette looked at Ulos with new eyes. Before she had seen him as ambitious. Now she saw something else as well.

    "You got that independently?"

    "What do you mean, Sunette?"

    "Reinald's Fifth Theorem. Basically, Spirits are Formless in the Ether but take Form in the physical world. They are limited either by power, knowledge or desire in taking those Forms, though Reinald hypothesises that it's knowledge. You haven't been reading ahead, have you?"

    "I just got up, Sunette."

    "Call me Su. It's just a hell of a conclusion to draw from that chapter."

    "Well, it follows logically, right?"

    "It does, yeah, but... don't worry about it, Ulos. Let's just study together more."

    A few moments later, Abraham came in, clothes damp and water dripping from his hair.

    Ulos looked at him, concerned.

    "What happened?"

    "Damn Narubites. Decided to get me with a bucket of water after I left the shower. Told me to go back to the Empire. Well, I'm not going anywhere."

    They opened their History texts, looking through bits and pieces of history. Ulos learned a few bits and pieces, that the city itself had been ruled by a succession of Mayors for the last two hundred years since independence, though for the last hundred the Five Families had set all real policy decisions.

    (Training Roll 1 (Lore: History) - 5x1 Int. Gained + 1 Lore: History (0/5 next level). Current Lore: History is 2.)

    Abraham was in too foul a mood to learn much, though. Ulos tried to cheer him up, but the bigger boy just muttered about getting the Narubites back.

    (Abraham Relationship roll - 57 vs 80 DC. Failure.)

    The lunch bell rang, and they left. They'd been up since six in the morning, and six hours of study felt like enough for the three.


    Start Studying (Theory of Souls and Spirits)(Willpower)

    Still, Ulos wasn't done yet. He returned his room. Madavian was out doing who knew what, so he had the place to himself. He took out his copy of "Those From Beyond - The Spirits of the Primordial Ether", and prepared to study. That was the rest of his day.

    ...So the fundamental thing about Spirits isn't that they're unpredictable, it's that they are hard to identify. If all your friends were identical twins you might find them to be hard to tell apart, but you would still know each one as an individual person with their own wants, desires, hopes and dreams. So it is with a Spirit. One of the Spirits used to raise the Walls of Bastion Durran is named Durran, and was used by the Undying Clan of Durran for over eight hundred years, failing and remanifesting in the world. One might consider the Clan to have had something of an agreement with that Spirit, helping it reincarnate into the world in Forms that suit it more perfectly each time, becoming walls of sublime perfection. Durran did not fall in the Six Fox Uprising, though Clan Durran was later destroyed by the Prince of Bones. Bastion Durran has since been renamed Karranda, and is a border fort occupied by Narubar. The Walls are falling into disrepair though, and it is believed Durran is leaving the Walls. Without that personal knowledge of the Spirit, Bastion Durran will become a simple fort with walls rather than a defensive position that approaches conceptual perfection...

    Yes, it made sense. Especially in light of what he had learned in Magical Theory.

    (Training Roll 5 (Lore: Souls and Spirits) - 5x5 Int = 25 progress gained! Gained + 4 Lore: Souls and Spirits (5/10 next level). Current Lore: Souls and Spirits is 5.)

    He continued writing, noting things down in his notebooks, writing in his precise, tiny cursive that allowed him to save so much space and paper. Hours passed without him noticing.

    Madavian came in.

    "Hey, Ulos. Coming to dinner?"

    Ulos looked up.

    "Mind bringing me something? I'm... busy."

    Madavian smiled at him.

    "Sure thing. Just remember me when I need someone to get me through my exams, ok?"

    Ulos grunted.

    Hours later, he continued to study.

    The Primordial Ether is theorised to be the primordial precursor of all things. A Spirit is Ether given sentience, though perhaps not more than a dog or cat in most cases. It is given desire, as well. Some say a Spirit desires to take a certain Form. This is possible, but inaccurate. Spirits desire many things, and to take a certain sort of Form is among them. Sometimes they desire certain ends accomplished, or to embody certain concepts. The Knife Cat Spirit of Tien-Long took the form of a cat covered in knives, and eventually became a lion covered in knives for its Master, the Undying Bial-Achi. However, this only occurred after Bial-Achi managed to discern that it desired the destruction of wooden forks above all else. Not the reduction of the number of wooden forks, but rather their destruction. This too, Bial-Achi tested. Three prongs were necessary, two-pronged forks had no effect on the Spirit, and those of four prongs seemed merely to confuse it somewhat.

    Bial-Achi recruited many of the lower classes in the city, and turned out thousands of wooden forks that he personally destroyed. The strength this gave to the Knife Cat Spirit allowed it to play a pivotal role in the Conquest of the Naruben Kingdom (the ancestor of modern-day Narubar). The conceptual strength it gave the Spirit allowed it to perpetually renew its strength and move while forks were being destroyed, making it functionally impervious to attack and dedicated to protecting Bial-Achi. While the Knife Cat Spirit faded quickly from reality once the forks ceased to be destroyed, this goes to show the fundamental power of a Spirit coming into reality. Spirits do not seem to have the same limitations human beings do on drawing from the Ether, being made of it themselves.

    That made... no sense. Or did it? Spirits tended not to move, but perhaps because they were subject to a Binding. A Spirit that had not been Bound, presumably, had a wider variety of options open to it. If it were in the constant process of achieving its goals, it would continue moving. Yet the Spirit had faded once the forks had stopped being destroyed. Either because it had not wanted to stay, or it couldn't. Both made sense, but the Lich Bial-Achi had done Ulos a service. Spirits could be tested. Perhaps he would not have the strength to Bind one, but that did not restrict him entirely.

    (Training Roll 4 (Lore: Souls and Spirits) - 4x5 Int = 20 progress gained! Gained + 2 Lore: Souls and Spirits (5/10 next level). Current Lore: Souls and Spirits is 7.)

    Madavian was already asleep, and cold beef and potatoes sat on the plate next him. Grimacing, Ulos gnawed at it. He was hungry, but he wished he'd eaten it earlier.



    Prepare for Class (Theory of Souls and Spirits) - 8

    Ulos went and talked to people. He asked the upperclassmen what Souls and Spirits was like. They mostly ignored him.

    One smiled. "Wait and see, firstie. You'll love it."

    It didn't fill him with hope. He felt a little too shy to accost everyone walking around, and his books told him nothing. He went down to the building, the dark maze they had entered earlier, and saw nothing. Still dark. Still, at least he knew where he was, and where he was to go. That was something, though not a lot.

    (Roll: Prepare for Class. Rolled 10. No gains.)

    Hang Out With A Friend (Madavian Junotrin) - 5

    After scouting around for a few hours, he felt tired. He thought of studying, or reading, but found he didn't really want to. On returning to his room, Madavian was there.

    "Hey Madavian. Want to hang out?"

    Madavian looked at him, affecting suspiciousness.

    "The Ulos I know would never choose to hang out or eat dinner if he had a chance to study. But yeah, sure."

    The two sat down on their beds, luxuriating in the last truly free day they had. They lay there for awhile, Madavian chatting about all the pretty girls he'd met so far, and how Ulos was definitely going to end up with the prettiest one. Or the blue-haired girl who hated him. In fact, definitely the blue-haired girl. They'd get married and it'd be horrible.

    (Relationship increased by 1 step).

    "Madavian, you're a pretty good guy."

    Madavian laughed.

    "Yeah, I know."

    "No, I mean... you helped me out when you didn't have to. Couple of times, actually. With that girl in the showers, meeting people... I mean, I'm not good with words and things, you know. I just wanted you to know that. If you ever need a hand in anything, just ask. I'll help you out, no problem."

    Madavian went quiet for a bit.

    "Hey, thanks Ulos. I know you're not great at saying these things, but it means a lot to me that you did, y'know. Don't worry, I got to help you out early. You'll be cursing this day three years down the track when I ask you to tutor me in Magical Theory for the eight hundredth time."

    The two laughed, and went together to dinner.

    Ulos smiled. Madavian was a good guy. Sure, he was always looking for opportunities, but not in the same way someone from the Empire might've. He wanted to make more money, do more things, but Madavian never seemed to feel the need to take things away from others to do so.

    (Relationship Roll: 90 vs DC 80. Relationship increased by 1 step. One step away from Trusted Friend!)

    Tomorrow, though... they went to sleep, Ulos worrying. What would happen tomorrow?


    Next vote post will be on next week's Weekday Actions.
     
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