Test Drive #1

[magicademymods]

Test Drive #1



The Airship There

By carriage or coach, spellwagon or ship, perhaps even on the wings of magic, the Sundered heed the call to gather at the Tenzin High Dock of Vulbaria. On this, the appointed day, a great passenger airship sits in the dock, the seals of the six Houses fluttering from flagpoles along her length and her wooden planks atremble as if it is eager to be off. At last, the gangplank descends, and the Hand of Diatu opens her doors to the Sundered so they can take their first step on the path towards protection and salvation.

Inside, you may choose from long comfortable couches, broad circular tables surrounded by straight-backed, cushioned chairs, or viewing seats at the glass front of the ship. Sundered who need special accommodations are quickly provided for, ensuring everyone travels in comfort. Trays drift through the air periodically, offering snacks and drinks to the passengers.

This may be the first chance you've had to truly relax since being swept to this strange world. Certainly it is the first chance you've had to meet your fellow Sundered. As the airship lifts gracefully off from the High Dock, your journey to Diatu begins. Excited? Nervous? Simply angry? Or perhaps searching among the crowd here for a familiar face or some sign of hope?

Rain, Rain...

Welcome to Diatu Magicademy. It's raining.

Seriously raining. One of those downpours that feels like a curtain has dropped on you, that soaks to the bone within a second of stepping into it. Obviously, this won't do, and a civic-minded cluster of Purifeul students has taken it upon themselves to solve this problem. No sooner do you step through the gates then you practically run into a giant and complex runic diagram being drawn out with long staffs by several students, all of them speaking seeming nonsense about derivatives, limits, and equations. Magic! In action right before your eyes!

And yet, just as their mathemagics wind towards the center of the diagram and they all make their final stroke -- one student slashes his line off on a weird tangent, speaking an equation that sounds nothing at all like what his fellows utter. The spell completes... weirdly, as the students look in horror at each other. The temperature abruptly drops seventy degrees, and a cold wind begins to blow.

Welcome to Diatu Magicademy. Please get out of the blizzard before you freeze.

Thaumaturgy 101

After some fifteen minutes of grumbling from Professor Loshakle, followed by half an hour of theory and basics, the grouchy old man finally gets to drawing a magical symbol on the board. "This is straight out of Fundamental Principles of Wizarding," he says, writing Sense Magic next to the symbol. "As is everything you'll learn here. I'll emphasize yet again, you MUST know the name of the spell and the proper gestures. You can't simply wave your wand in any old pattern and say any old words. That isn't how it works," he says, glaring around the class as if daring someone to question him.

But he gives no one the opportunity, instead producing a wand and making the gesture to trace the symbol he'd drawn in midair. "Sense Magic," he intones, and the air and his wand both shimmer.

"Now. You all try." Just like that. What the Professor doesn't mention is that this spell can produce some very interesting results if the symbol is off, or the timing...

Bala-inlota Practice

Bala-inlota is the main interaction the Magicademies have with each other -- the sport of wizards! Two teams take the field, with the goal of heaving a ball through their opponent's hoop. The rules primarily revolve around not inflicting lethal injury, because bala-inlota is a free-for-all at best, where each team relies on both physical and magical might to win the day.

You kind of wish someone had told you this BEFORE you got hauled onto the field so the coach could see if you've got what it takes.

Now half a dozen players are charging down the field at your ragtag group of semi-willing recruits, while another half-dozen are preparing spells that you've been absolutely assured aren't as nasty as the ones deployed in actual play. On your side: the ball, your wits, your physical ability, and maybe three classes's worth of magical education.

On the upside, magic is pretty good at healing.

Comments

Eleven/Luminary | Dragon Quest XI

[bearshermark]

The Airship There

For the first little while aboard the ship, Eleven was determined to find his companions. If they were anywhere, he reasoned, they would be here. He pushed his way through the different rooms to perform a quick scan of heads, fighting both apprehension and relief whenever he thought he spotted one of them.

"Excuse m- ah."

Woops. There went that floating tray of snacks. Eleven stared at the fallen pastries, slowly turning red.

"S-sorry," he said, hastily bending down to pile everything back on the tray. "I did not mean for that."


Rain, rain..

Quite by accident, Eleven found himself roped into handing out towels and blankets to the other Sundered fleeing the blizzard. He was the right age to be a native student, but the towel draped over his hair and sword strapped to his back suggested otherwise. It gave him something to focus on, and he didn't mind helping, really. He wanted to, even.

"There's tea and a fireplace just there," he assured the next person he found shivering, and pushed a blanket into their arms. The smile came easier each time. "Take care not to fall ill."


Thaumaturgy 101

He was paying attention really, but Eleven chose to take a moment to examine the wand he'd been given.

"I've never used a wand," he admitted to the partner he was meant to be practicing with. He traced his fingertips carefully over the length of the wood and wondered where it came from. "Have you?"

Thaumaturgy 101

[perfectenn]

"No." Tenn admits, with the barest touch of hesitation. His wand also looks like it came from a tree branch; he expected something in ivory or metal. Is there a rule about wood being a good conductor of magic?

"When I played a wizard on stage, I was given a staff to use." That was a joke. Maybe. He narrows his eyes. "It was unwieldly for tracing sigils. This may be easier."

[bearshermark]

He smiles, imagining Veronica complaining about tracing sigils in the dirt with her staff. It's nearly twice as tall as she is, too.

"A friend of mine wields wands," he offers, turning over his for careful inspection again. Could they be made from a magic tree? "But hers are.. well, a lot longer. Around half the length of a walking staff. Her spells come from prayer."

[perfectenn]

"There is a prayer-based class later today." Tenn muses. Hm, given the wand's weight and balance, perhaps holding it like a conductor's baton would be good? Taking the end between his fingers, he checks the precision. (From the ruckus breaking out somewhere to the left of the classroom, it seems a clumsy drawing is its own undoing.)

"Have any of the other Curricula or focuses been familiar to you?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven nods, watching the ruckus with only a touch of concern, but the question brings to mind the other class he's been looking forward to.

"Forging," he says, eyes brightening and now thoroughly distracted from practicing. "I started to do a lot of it in my world, so I'm hoping to excel in those classes and learn how to make many different things."

[perfectenn]

"It's a difficult skill." There's a hint of a smile even as his gaze remains coolly focused on his work. "The works of master forgers endure for a long time. I've never tried it, but I look forward to watching the process. Step back a moment, please."

Tenn follows the order with a sharp, zig-zagging flick of the wand in the strokes of the sigil and a curt, "Sense magic."

And! Nothing happens. Tenn brings his free hand to his chin. "Hm. The third stroke was too short." This is not like painting kanji. Good to know.

[bearshermark]

Eleven is more than willing to get out of the way of unpredictable magic, and holds his breath the moment the words are spoken. He hopes nothing terrible happens.

Nothing at all seems to happen, though, and that's just as well. He checks himself over just to be sure, then looks over his partner. Nothing seems to be different, as far as he can see.

"You look practiced," he offers. "I'm sure you'll master it quickly."

He's a bit hesitant to try it himself, honestly. He's taken the caution about their innate magic as dangerous to heart, but it also follows that he'll never master anything if he never tries. Eleven studies the sigil and mimes the movements with his fingers rather than his wand. They're a bit unsteady.

"I might need to practice without a real wand."

Airship

[a_sharp_wit]

"No apologies needed, I assure you." Elizabeth even gives a smile as she kneels down herself to help with the fallen snack retrieval.

Her smile brightens as she admits with some playfulness to her tone, "I am fairly certain I have tipped a number of trays myself thus far. Or at the very least trod on a few toes which is infinitely more heinous of a crime."

The airship is quite bustling with activity after all.

[bearshermark]

He laughs and flashes a grateful smile for her help.

"Glad I'm not the only one, then."

The tray picks itself back up and hovers while they collect the treats he ruined. If it could make noise, he's sure it would be disapproving.

"It's true that don't think I've seen so many people in one place before. I was looking for my friends."

[a_sharp_wit]

"This seems to be a happy accident then for I was wishing for the very same thing myself." Not that she had any notion of anyone she knew being here but she could hold some hope, yes?

She stood then, rearranging the skirts of the plain and yet old-fashioned gown she currently wore. "I propose then that we be of service to one another. I shall aid you in seeking your friends and you might aid me in the search for mine as well. Surely four eyes must be better than two after all."

[bearshermark]

Dubious bounty restored, the tray seems satisfied and properly floats away.

Eleven straightens and dusts his hands off.

"Of course," he agrees, the moment before realization stops him short. "Oh, but what do your friends look like?"

[a_sharp_wit]

Elizabeth thinks on the question a brief moment. Who precisely might be here? She had been in Kent the last she knew, still reeling from the information she had found in Mr. Darcy's letter. Would she have simply found herself here with those who were nearby?

She fidgets a moment with her hands, her expression clouding a touch and brow furrowing.

"If I am to be honest, I am not quite sure who might have arrived here with me if anyone did. Perhaps I look more to assure myself they did not arrive than they did."

It sounds funny to her, to hope to be alone but so it was.

"I was staying as of late with a friend of mine, Mrs. Charlotte Collins. She is about my height with dark hair, though she is likely wearing a cap. Her husband is a much stockier. There was likewise her sister Maria Lucas who is somewhat shorter than myself and blond."

She pauses there and then lookes uneasy.

"I suppose there might be another as well. A much taller man, quite imposing at first glance, with dark hair that looks to have some curl to it."

He in particular is the one she does not wish to meet. At present she would almost accept Lady Catherine's sudden appearance first!

[bearshermark]

Eleven tips his head, and finds he can understand. While he finds her descriptions a little vague to work from, he decides he can at least escort her away if they happen across them. He still has his sword if the imposing man proves dangerous.

"There are people I would like to avoid, too. A slim man with very long blonde hair and shining armor, another with long purple hair and a larger build.."

And something like a demon, but he'd rather not frighten her. Yggdrasil forbid that Mordegon followed him here. Surely not, if this world is a trial meant to aid him in honing his power as he suspects it is.

Eleven adjusts his shoulder strap, then glances back to his new acquaintance. "Where would you like to start?"

[Airship]

[what_is_my_accent]

"Clumsy as ever, I see. Can't take my eyes off of you for even a moment."

The former thief bent down and began to aide in picking up the fallen pastries, putting them back on the plate while flashing his savior and traveling companion a large grin.

"Guess I'm meant to follow the Luminary no matter where he goes, huh? Glad to see you're unharmed. Though, wish I could say the same for these rich looking bits. A shame, I've been starving!"

!!!! HECK YES

[bearshermark]

Eleven stared, then bent back to the task at hand. Of course it was Erik. There were so many odd people on this ship, but so far no one else with that hair.

Something settled within him, and the uncertainty of being on his own vanished.

"We'll find you another tray," he promised, and came away with hopelessly sticky hands.

He stood and smiled. "I'm glad you're here, Erik."

NGL, been meaning to make an Erik journal and saw your Eleven and made it happen lol

[what_is_my_accent]

He clapped his hands together, brushing off the collection of crumbs that had made his mitts a tad too crumbly for use.

"Likewise, Mr. Guiding Light. But what sorta' mess have you gotten us into this time?"

Tilting his head and motioning a thumb over his shoulder, the blue-haired companion let out a soft sigh before speaking with his trusted friend.

"What do you make of this then, eh? Can't say I'm feeling completely at ease knowing we've still got things to deal with back home."

happy to be of service!

[bearshermark]

Eleven nodded, and after a moment, grabbed a napkin from the nearby table to clean his hands off with. It gave him something to do while he considered how to answer.

"I couldn't stop him," he said finally, words quiet. His fingers drifted toward his chest, then dropped. "It may be Yggdrasil's will that I hone my abilities here."

He tipped his head and gave Erik a considering look. "But I wonder if you're meant to learn magic here, too?"

Re: happy to be of service!

[what_is_my_accent]

If that were the case, the tree certainly had a lot more up its branches than leaves and laurels.

"Who knows? Won't be able to pin it until we find out a bit more about this place. Wonder if any of the other friends in our party made it here."

Erik wasn't the consoling sort, but when his friend looked in need of a boost he was more than happy to step in and offer his brand of encouragement.

"Couldn't stop him yet. We'll get you there. You're the Luminary after all, aren't you?"

But a sudden thought crosses his mind.

".. Speaking of, did you come here with anything on you?"

[bearshermark]

Eleven checked the back of his hand to be sure, and traced his fingertips over the Mark there. As long as he had it, he was still the Luminary, right? Even if his power was gone.

But he blinked and checked himself. His sword came with him, as did his bag, but last he looked..

"Some herbs," he said, peering into it. "A few forging materials.. Did you need something?"

In the courtyard

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik had just been walking up the stairs to meet with the High Lama with the Luminary. They'd met with His Holiness who had immediately recognized the Prince of Dundrasil. After getting a brief lesson, they'd agreed to walk to the Field of Discipline to learn more.

But going up the snowy stone steps out of the firelit cave proved to end him up here. Where he now was, the knight didn't know. But one moment he'd been on the way to meet up with the High Lama beside the Luminary, and the next thing he knew, he was standing in front of a fountain in a courtyard. What looked to be a castle lay ahead of it and the knight looked around in some confusion.

While his height helped him be able to see, the one person he did not see was the Luminary. And that was the one person he'd sworn to protect no matter what.

Whatever had happened, Hendrik had to find him and fast.

[bearshermark]

A month into his stay at Magicademy, Eleven had grown comfortable with his new life.

Dressed in the azure and cobalt blue robes of his house, he carried books in his arms as though he'd been born to life as a scholar. He chatted amicably with other students when morning classes let out, then bid his classmates a friendly goodbye and turned to head back toward Eiather tower.

But there was a reason he had yet to abandon his sword and carried it with him still. Eleven's peripheral drew his attention toward a familiar frame, body tensing as only a man knowing he was being hunted could. Surely, it wouldn't be..

Heart racing in his chest, Eleven's breath halted as his eyes fell on Hendrik for the first time in weeks. Disbelief speared through his limbs and his books tumbled out of his arms.

Why? For just a little while, his life had been peaceful, but it seemed that was now over.

His entire body yearned to flee, but he knew from experience that would only invite the knight to give chase, and he'd rather the other students weren't involved.

Eleven drew his sword and willed his hands to steady.

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik's blue eyes brightened as he suddenly caught sight of the man he had been searching for. But that slowly turned to confusion as he saw the Luminary dressed oddly. Had his companion dashed off and changed clothing while he wasn't looking?

No, that couldn't be right, they'd been side by side going up those snow drifted stairs to see His Holiness. And even as he watched the books tumble from the Luminary's arms, Hendrik's confusion only grew as he saw the boy draw a sword at him.

Not sure what to do in this situation, Hendrik had no wish to draw the other man into combat. Maybe during training, but this wasn't the temple on the mountain, and this was no time for training, there were far too many questions that needed answers. And one of them had to do with a sword being pointed at him right now.

Raising his hands in deepening confusion and surrender, Hendrik didn't know what to say. Had some spell been cast to turn the other against him? What happened to Angri-La? What about the pledge? Did his oath mean nothing?

All of these thoughts raced through his mind as he shook his head, never taking his eyes off of the other. Something was very very wrong.

"Honoured Luminary, I have no wish to hurt you."

[bearshermark]

Honoured Luminary? And was Hendrik offering surrender?

Eleven's brows drew together and he cast distrustful eyes over the man that had not only hunted him to every corner of Erdrea, but now to another world entirely.

His grip on his sword tightened, though he made no move to swing. When his voice made it past the pounding pulse reverberating through what seemed like his entire body, it was in a soft yet firm challenge that did not tremble.

"I thought it was 'Darkspawn'."

[unswervingcompanion]

Darkspawn?

Hendrik's mind went into overdrive, but he didn't dare make a move. His warrior's instinct of something being wrong had been correct. Something was very wrong or had gone horribly wrong in the brief..moment he'd last seen the Luminary. Just how long had it last been since the other had seen him? And how could this even be possible?

"I have mistakenly called you that in the past, but I had asked for your forgiveness for treating you poorly at Heliodor castle. Do you not remember?" Another thought passed and he spoke again. "I swore to protect you and kneeled before you in the Last Bastion pledging myself to your service. Does none of that sound familiar?"

And Hendrik wondered if it had it all come to or had all been for naught.

[bearshermark]

No. None of that sounded familiar. Last Bastion? The last he remembered of Heliodor castle was Hendrik sentencing him to death behind bars. And he'd certainly never pledged himself to his cause.

Eleven shook his head, stance widening. "You hunted me even to Yggdrasil. How can I believe a word you say?"