Kindled Magic: IC Thread, Book 1, Chapter 1

Fletcher · January 16

Szastuhastah

Szastuhastah bows deeply to Lumusi for her affirmation that these requests are not beyond them nor a burden. "It iss greatly appreciated. And cooked iss fine." Her smile is more confident and bright now that she has been assured that her stomach will not go empty, and she heads down to the aforementioned stew to give that a brave try. New foods in new places was something Szas had not fully considered during their trip, especially when she would be staying long-term. She takes the large bowl of mostly-meat pieces (but a few vegetables) and coils herself into a 'seat' with the others as she had when they first arrived. When they are finished, she diligently returns all of what she used to the kitchen.

Szas brings up the rear again - a common thing for her with her tail, traveling among bipedals - but stops short of entering the Powderpile when she sees just why it is called such. While she does not consider herself to be clumsy, especially with the measured, deliberate motions of her body as she moves, she can see this place being... problematic. Her own bead (with a small amount of "misbehaving" amusement) is rolled into a long, thin line and then manipulated to resemble a coiled-up serpent and then returned. He had said 'how you look' after all, right? In return, she receives the little bead and slides it into the growing collection upon her hair. There are still things about the nagaji that may come across as childish, but the others may soon understand that she's been cloistered for much of her life.

Taking her own two specifically separate sacks of supplies, she bows politely to Xhokan and Esi and follows Ras promptly out of the volatile building. From a distance, she watches the others finish up their own collection - and any potential shopping - and 'stands' next to the human. "I am alssso uncomfortable in thiss place," she murmurs, not looking at him but guessing his feelings. "I am easy to trip upon and thiss place sseemss unwise to trip in." There is an amused but self-aware smile on her lips.

"I may not sspeak for the otherss, but believe we would be pleassed to sshop for you, if it iss too disstressing." From his demonstration earlier, it was clear that his attunement to this elemental fire was difficult for Ras - perhaps even uncontrollable at times? - and she would not want to know something terrible had happened when they had the ability to help.

Kavonde · January 16

It takes Nyoka the rest of the meal and most of the walk to the Powder Pile to get past her embarrassment about eating with her bare hands, only to be given a more appropriately-sized utensil seconds later. She knows it was no one's fault, and doubts her new companions are judging her--all of them (save, perhaps, Cecilia and Adalet) seem to have physical challenges of their own to live with--but the moment still makes feel especially awkward and burdensome.

The sheer, overwhelming and obvious danger of the Powder Pile, however, replaces her self-recriminations with unadulterated anxiety. "This can't possibly be safe," she murmurs to herself. "There should be more ventilation, and why aren't these chemicals better separated?" Who on Golarion was in charge of this inevitable future crater?

The kobold Xhokan provides her answer. Oddly, he seems to be rather organized and fussy-looking, which makes her wonder how he can possibly abide the near-chaos of his domain. Still, it would be impolite to question him, so she simply lines up as instructed and waits her turn. When she receives her clay, she rolls it into a ball slightly larger than her fist, then uses a wooden finger to carve intricate, wavy patterns into it. She becomes so engrossed in the work that she almost forgets that she has to hand it back. The bead she receives in exchange seems disappointingly ordinary in comparison.

She's able to shoulder her supplies easily enough, but the coin purse proves more cumbersome. It's not that the weight is insurmountable; despite her minuscule size, Nyoka is a bit like an ant in regards to her carrying capacity, able to comfortable bear twice her weight or more. The problem is that the silly thing is so big that it keeps tangling with her legs and tripping her up. After a few unsuccessful attempts to wear it so it won't be in the way, she turns to Cecilia with a pleading look. "Um, I'm really sorry to bother you, but would you mind carrying this for me until we get back to the dorm?"

Since she's not yet sure what she might need beyond the equipment provided to her, Nyoka declines to make any purchases at this time. She's sure she'll be back, though--and hopefully when one of her larger dormmates is around to help her.

Edited January 16 by Kavonde (see edit history)

Toraka_Stormheart · January 17

Cecilia - Character Sheet

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 2/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture
Stabilize | ConditionsNone

The full meal did well to help Cecilia overcome her previous imbibement, but it was no surprise that her eyes were bigger than her stomach for this meal. Quietly groaning a little to herself, the young Taldane got up and shuffled along with the others to the Powderpile.

Taking her clay in turn, she quickly and deftly weaved it into a geometric shape before returning it, affixing the glass bead alongside the others about her neck. As she collected her stipends, the human glanced down towards Nyoka.

"Of course, anytime. Happy to help" She said with a smile, taking her two bags and combining them into one before taking the other bags in her now free hand.

Show Mechanics

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Mister Doctor · January 18

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 0/3 | Perception: +3

"Uh yeah, thanks," Ras said, seemingly a little surprised Szas was choosing to talk to him and not entirely sure about how to deal with it. He was considerably less cool and collected than she, glancing over at her nervously and then away when he realized her eyes were elsewhere. The next words tumbled out of him in a staggered effort to fill the space for a moment. "It seems like a bad place for there to be a fire and... I'm pretty much always a little on fire."

It probably was not purposeful but he reached down to rub the leg that he had been limping with as the little group navigated the campus. "It usually stays inside my body but there's a first time for everything and I'd rather not have that first time happen somewhere full of volatile powders. Even if they aren't particularly flammable, dusts and stuff can go up pretty dramatically. A spark in some sawdust will explode an entire sawmill."

Edited January 18 by Mister Doctor (see edit history)

ripleycat · January 18

With multiple students staying outside for safety, making sure his careful allotments all get to the right people absorbs all of Xhokan's attention. At first, only Cecelia and Adalet notice the soft sounds coming from a distant corner of the Powderpile, the tinkling of glass and muffled voices and the occasional rustling of something moving around behind the many crates and sets of shelves.

A creaking footstep alerts the skulking creature in the corner, which pops up in alarm, revealing... Ignaci, and moments later, a young, swarthy dwarf in colorful, flowing robes, who laughs at the absurd situation. Both are loaded to the gills with sacks and bottles of contraband. Behind them, a small hidden passage has been cut through the wall and cunningly disguised.

"Stall Xhokan! Keep him outside! We're almost done!" The Spire Dorm's alchemist hisses, eyes wide with alarm and then relief as he recognizes the new students. "Oh! This is Haibram. He was off in class when you moved in. He's in our cohort too."

"Indeed! Haibram Thodja. Well-met and hi new neighbors! Did they give you any black powder or popdust in your welcoming pack? I'll trade for it!" The dwarf introduces himself cheerily - and loudly. Ignaci's facepalm threatens to detonate the Powderpile.

"Not now! Oh no, Esi's here too? Run! Run for it while we can!"

The looters flee before the academy's ace student can devour them alive.

“Hrm? What are you doing back there? Anyway, I need to get back to the kitchen, but I’ll be around if you need anything, o? Your Perquisite starts tomorrow! It’s not as scary as they might have made it sound. A few extra responsibilities. Mine was fun! It’s getting to know the academy and community as much as anything.” Perhaps not as reassuring as it could be, coming from the woman who already seems to run half the school as an initiate.

“The lore-speakers asked us to help you settle in, get started, so you'll have help from the senior initiates if you need it. They want your Perquisite service to also give you a feel for what the different branches are like, what sorts of things they value, even the ways the lore-speakers teach. It’s all a bit different from what the dry old books say. More thoughtful, lively.”

It is then, and only then, that Esi looks around at the new students and realizes that some of you might not be the sorts of people who research pedagogic structure in your spare time for fun.

“…You do know about the branches, right?”

In the background, the observant can see Ignaci and Haibram's luck run out, as they flee down the path with Xhokan in frantic pursuit. "Stop! Stop! Thieves! Miscreants! Get back here! Those aren't signed for!"

Show this

The rest of the day is yours. We'll do a jump to next morning and your first day of service when you're ready.

Buying gear is a player choice, so no need to feel pressed on that. Assume you have the time to swing by, and you just pay what it says in the books.

As for the branches, the Academia thread lays out the rather formidable mechanical side of all this, the perks and feats and requirements, but for Esi's purposes, a successful roll (DC 10, Society, Arcana, any Lore that could do with the school or Nantambu) reminds you of the following:

Magaambyan scholars believe in many fundamental values of scholarship. Key among them are adaptability, camaraderie, imagination, knowledge, and valor. The school’s faculty and lessons are divided into five branches, each emphasizing one of these values.

Cascade Bearers esteem imagination, from the dreams of the most visionary magical theorists to the innovations of creative problem-solvers of all stripes.

Emerald Boughs emphasize camaraderie, the sense of community and connection to fellow Magaambyans; they also interact with those outside the Magaambya and spread the academy’s message.

Rain-Scribes value adaptability in thoughts and deeds, as well as a willingness to admit errors and learn from past mistakes.

Tempest-Sun Mages inspire valor, not only the physical courage to stand up for friends and the school, but also the intellectual courage to consider opposing viewpoints and widen one’s understanding rather than staying entrenched in a single paradigm.

Uzunjati understand that knowledge lives in stories passed down through the generations and also is earned every day through personal experience.

While all Magaambyans are expected to embody these values to varying degrees, and members of the different branches work together on and off campus, every student joins one primary branch to shape their academic understanding. In addition to this choice, you’ll also select a secondary branch that influences the expression of your primary branch and supplements your education.

The Perquisite is a series of mini-adventures, so in practice, you'll probably have weeks of real time to pick which branches you want to focus on.

Mister Doctor · January 28

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

Having actually read the welcome pamphlets the school gave out, Ras could actually answer this particular question and even seemed grateful to have something a little more structured to react to. "There's, uh, there's five of them right?"

Cringing internally as he became uncomfortably aware that he had started two separate interactions with an uncertain 'uh', he tried to forge ahead and make up ground. "Cascade Bearers, who are big into imagination. Emerald Boughs are big into friendship and diplomacy. Rain Scribes are about flexibility. Tempest-Sun do the whole valor and bravery thing. Then there's Uzen... Uzung... the storytellers."

Ras stumbled over the last of the names, his Mwangi still not exactly perfect.

Edited January 29 by Mister Doctor (see edit history)

Fletcher · January 29

Szastuhastah

Szastuhastah offers a sympathetic smile to Ras, only barely understanding the great plight that has defined his life. Still, the constant threat of self-immolating would be quite clear to anyone. She is about to respond further when Esi returns with the others and begins to describe the next step of their journey... or perhaps sort of the first step.

The nagaji is fully unaware of the structures of the Magaambya and appreciates Ras taking the initiative to explain what he knows of them. Being sorted into these 'branches' was not something she'd have expected from a new group, perhaps never actually seeing the others if their interests differed too much. On the other hand, perhaps the point was for a cohort to be diverse because they would potentially be solving problems together and benefit from different approaches. Though his descriptions are minimal, the ones that stick out to her for investigation are the Cascade Bearers and Emerald Boughs - her musical inclinations and goals of cultural learning seeming to fit with them. She looks down the line of the others and wonders what their callings are.

"Perhapss we sseee why Ignaci iss charging modesst pricess for sservicess..." she comments aside, seeing the pair make off with unpaid goods from the Powderpile.

ripleycat · February 1

The Next Day

It's early as our new students begin gathering on the Spire Dorm's sheltered porch, but not painfully so. The dorm began humming with quiet activity as dawn rose. The early birds are thoughtful about their presence, but by the time everyone's dragged themselves out of bed, the clamor and chatter is unavoidable. Those with an appetite have time to brave the still-pouring rain and visit the cafeteria for breakfast before your first assignment.

Esi, with her spare umbrellas, and Haibram Thodja, perched on the roof's edge above you, unbothered by the weather, are waiting to greet you.

“Ah, the green shoots blossom in the rain,” a well-muscled and, curiously, clean-shaven dwarven man calls out with a smile. He gives a friendly wave and introduces himself to those who weren't witnesses to yesterday's theft. “Haibram Thodja. Rain-Scribe, for now. It was meant to be me and Root meeting you, but I guess not?” He peers down under the eave and leaps down from his perch with a loud thump and an acrobatic landing, where the wrong student awaits.

“I swapped with Anchor Root,” Esi replies, literally brushing the point aside like it was a fly buzzing around her head, before addressing the new students. “So, over the next five days, you’ll be helping with each of the school’s five branches. Haibram and Anchor Root seek to join the Rain-Scribes. It’s the branch that explores the world and helps other travelers make their way through uncertain territories. That means Rain-Scribes have to work well with both nature and people, o?”

Haibram continues, “We could really use your help. The Kafesi Market won’t deal with anyone they know is part of the Magaambya. Since you’re new, you should be able to get in without a problem. Hide your beads. You’ll be looking for, er, chickens. Did you know there’s such a thing as endangered chickens? Of course, any chicken that comes too close to me is endangered,” Haibram grins. Esi sighs.

“A farmer outside of Nantambu, Bisola, said her family used to keep Ojofiri chickens. Said they could hatch anything, even a dragon egg! I don’t know about that, but she wants to raise Ojofiris again, so we’re going to get her some. Now, Ojofiri eggs aren’t very hardy and the birds aren’t very good layers, so they mostly got put in soup, and now there’s hardly any left. Well, we caught wind that someone at Kafesi has a few chicks. Go and bring some back.”

"Ojofiri chickens are small fowl with white faces, dark blue feathers, and lavender combs; chicks should have dark blue feathers with a white underbelly." Esi carefully reads a passage she's copied from somewhere into a little leather notebook. "Ideally, we need at least four. Hopefully, that will give us at least one male and one female. Oh! Here." She hands whoever is willing to take it a small purse. "It should be enough."

"Should. Kafesi merchants are shrewd and hard-nosed, and some are just dishonest. They won't be kind if they find out you're students here. Be careful!"

OOC

Small timeskip to the next day, as noted. We're kicking off the first assignment of your Perquisite, the week of public service that precedes your regular classes. First up, the Rain-Scribes.

You are on a soft timer for all of these assignments - you're expected to complete them by nightfall, give or take. I'll keep track of your comings and goings, within reason. It's currently mid-morning, call it 9:00 am.

Society (DC 15), relevant Lore (DC 13), and Diplomacy (DC 17, Gather Info) can give further insight into the situation with the Kafesi market.

Esi passes on 20 gp to pay for the requested chicks. You can pay for more, or simply pay more, but that will come out your own pockets.

Mister Doctor · February 1

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

Ras returned from the cafeteria, carefully holding three sausages in buns with different toppings on them in one hand and a jug of cool fruit juice in the other. Judging by how his satchel bulged, he had likely crammed about half a tray of baked goods into it. He seemed in a markedly better mood now that he had a night's sleep under his belt and no one had decided this was all an elaborate prank. The limp from before seemed to be better as well, though his posture was stiff, the preternatural embers having decided that the small of his back was a better resting point for today.

He politely waited for the briefing to finish, two of the three sausages vanishing alarmingly quickly. "So why do these Kafesi guys not like the school?" He asked once Haibram had finished and between bites of the third sausage. "Are they going to try anything if they find out we're students?"

The lad seemed awfully blasé about dealing with someone taking exception to his presence in a strenuous way. Granted, if they made it socially awkward, he might have a harder time with that but angry merchants with sticks did not appear to worry him too much.

Toraka_Stormheart · February 3

Cecilia - Character Sheet

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 2/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture
Stabilize | ConditionsNone

In the time between when the morning arose and when the group had gathered for their first Perquisite task, a few things had happened with regards to Cecilia.

One, she overslept, and it was the cacophany of birds that (tried to) be courteous enough to let even the less than early risers awake before starting their songs.

Two, she had realized she had skipped dinner, and after hastily dressing dashed off to the kitchens for a full and hearty meal, trying to make up for lost time in the process.

Three, she got lost on the way to the meeting spot.

So, eventually, a few crumbs of food on her cheek, the Taldane human scrambled upon sight of the others, her face flushed as she shook some of the rain water off of her. "Whoo. Sorry. Huff. So what's the plan?"

Listening to Esi and Haibram, Cecilia took stock of the situation...a trade, but a subtle one. Smiling, she took the proferred pouch with one hand, the other stuffing the necklace of beads she wore under her blouse for concealment. "Seems simple enough. I have no questions!"

Show Mechanics

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Kavonde · February 5

Nyoka's first night in her dorm is not the most pleasant she's had in her two years of existence. For one thing, her bed is far too big. The pillows alone are the length of her entire body. For another, it's far too quiet without the comforting sounds of Teacher Ot snoring blissfully in the next room. Every creak of settling wood or light footstep in the hall pulls Nyoka out of her slumber and into a horrible feeling of being too small and very alone. Fortunately, the dancing lights cantrip she learned this morning lets her dispel the darkness and reassure herself that the threatening, alien silhouettes she sees are mundane pieces of furniture rather than threats looming in the darkness.

When the sun finally rises, Nyoka, as little sleep as she may have gotten, is more than ready to start her day. She carefully makes her way to the cafeteria for a light breakfast, then returns to the dormitory in time to greet Esi, Haibram, and her other classmates.

The discussion about the Kafesi Market's hostility towards the Magaambya makes her frown and try to recall what she knows about the Kafesi and their history with the school. Something about Haibram and Esi's story doesn't quite sound right.

"I think you are mistaken, o? It is not that the Kafesi Market refuses to sell to Magaambya students; it is that Magaambya students are not supposed to shop at the Kafesi Market because of all the dangerous things they sell." She frowns at the pair of them, suddenly suspicious. "Are you sure we should be going to this place? I do not want us to get in trouble on our first day."

Edited February 5 by Kavonde (see edit history)

Fletcher · February 7

Szastuhastah

Szastuhastah rises early and sees to her own morning cleansing when (she hopes) the baths will be relatively empty and none have to contend with her significant bulk taking up space. When she is prepared, she glides out from her room in a similar-fashioned, yet slightly less formal ruqun like the day before and makes her way to breakfast. She makes for an amusing sight, really, seeming to composed and put-together while being soaked through by the pouring rain. It had never bothered her at home... though at home it was just as likely for her to eschew coverings entirely in such weather. That did not seem to be appropriate in this new place, among new friends. Maybe later, if custom permitted.

Taking some small amount of reprieve beneath the entryway to the dorm, Szas is waiting early as well, greeting the rest as they arrive and quietly measuring whether she had overdone it this first day or not. Of course, after listening to their first proposed task for this Perquisite week, she is uncertain about how discrete she could possibly be. Surely an exotic specimen such as herself could be nothing but a student of the Magaambya. "Thiss sseemss admirable, doable... but perhapss I am not ssuited to thiss ssubterfuge?" she asks, not from the perspective of getting out of helping, but being concerned for any trouble her obvious ancestry might cause. "Unlessss there iss a way to asssisst from afar?" This she poses to the other students, though just how she could be helpful from afar remained to be seen.

Waltzing into the market with a long snake-girl seemed like it would raise the alarm bells in those who were grumpy with the school. But perhaps she could help from the outskirts... or even be an obvious Student, there to misdirect the merchants' attentions from the others... "...or perhaps as diversion...?"

ripleycat · February 16

"They shouldn't." Esi's normal confidence doesn't apply to her response to Ras's pointed questions. She squirms in place, arms behind her back as Nyoka corrects her. As kind as the poppet is, it's still torture. "Y-Yes. That's more accurate..."

"They'll probably kick you out long before anyone gets it in their skull to actually kick you." Haibram takes the correction in stride. He finds this whole thing hilarious. "That's what happened to me. Didn't even get to browse any of the good stuff. Most merchants there are just merchants, though. It's not some sinister black market in Katapesh. If you're buying chickens instead of cursed scrolls, they probably won't cause a fuss." He waves off Szas's worries. "You're dressed in finery and you're not from Nantambu - they'll probably be clambering over themselves to sell to you!"

"Besides, this is part of the branch. Rain-Scribes help people. Sometimes that means breaking some rules, especially silly ones like this. Greater good, kindness over petty order, you know? You're not going to get expelled for following instructions, promise." Those close to the patio can hear Esi's teeth grinding as she fights the urge to interrupt Haibraim's somewhat unorthodox reading of his branch's ideals.

"Ugh. You... you should get a move on, o? Kafesi Market is mobile, it moves around the city almost every day, and I don't know where they are this morning. It's probably best if you go ask people who aren't from the Magambaaya, for a start."

theredshirtwholive · February 16

Title

Adalet Bladeseeker - Character Sheet

AC: 16 Fort: +7 Ref: +4 Will: +5

HP: 24/24 Hero Points: 1/3 | Perception: +3

| ConditionsNone

Adalet frowns. "I don't know if I like the sound of deceiving these people like this. Yeah, we've got a good reason for wanting the birds, but surely the merchants have a good reason to charge a high price. They have to eat, too. I'm not saying we just let ourselves be walked all over, but I don't think we should do anything too shady." Then, she smiles like a shark. "Besides, I learned to haggle from my Aunt Funmila...and that woman could convince Abadar himself to give her a discount."

Show Mechanics

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Mister Doctor · February 16

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

"We're not going to cheat them out of a couple of birds," Ras said, taking and jingling the purse full of coins, "And these are chickens, not cursed rings and haunted dolls. Can they really complain if we pay for everything fair and square? C'mon, let's get this done before lunch."

He turned and started walking towards the edge of campus to start the errand. This must still be something along the lines of orientation,. They had not even learned any magic yet save for the weird gift they all had gotten on the first day. Ras had not had any occasion to try the spell pressing at the edge of his mind just yet and the idea of a situation arising on campus where he would need it seemed faintly absurd.

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Kindled Magic: IC Thread, Book 1, Chapter 1

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