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10.2.7
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10.2.6
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Open RP Q&A
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Post by
Adamsm
So can I get a link to where the teachers are explaining things again?
Post by
oneforthemoney
So can I get a link to where the teachers are explaining things again?
For which course?
Post by
Adamsm
Battle and Techno.
Post by
Behelich
Stefan turned away from the students; he clapped his hands in front of him once, then slowly spread them apart. Beginning from a single, brightly shining thread in the thin air, a wide portal easily twice as tall as the highest of students sprung to life, its surface shimmering, its edges seemingly clinging to the taskmaster's delicate fingers as it unfurled.
"Keep to the purple zone and kindly form three orderly lines once on the other side," Stefan spoke over his shoulder. "Tallest in the back, shortest in the front. I trust you are able of performing this simple task without further interference, yes?"
Nodding to his thoughts, the pallid instructor stepped through, Siber hot on his heels.
On the other side of the rift, a large circular chamber awaited. The first thing to catch Siber's eye after he went through the portal and moved out of the way was the room's floor: what appeared to have the consistency of finest sand covered it, the right half indigo blue, the left one fiery red. To the far right a majestic banner hung on the wall - on a field of blue, a white hand with the fingers splayed, surrounded by a circular halo. Across the room was the banner's twin - a clenched fist, black against red, the circle around it shattered.
Siber looked down and realized that not all of the chamber was dominated by one of the two warring colors - he was standing on a narrow purple segment, and already he could see that somehow, the colored grains never mixed with each other, the division between blue, red and purple perfect. The term 'narrow' was being used liberally, and only in relation to the entirety of the grand hall - the segment was easily large enough to house all of their course.
Hugging the wall behind him and the portal stood numerous mannequins of all heights and girths, and each mannequin was resting a hand on a large wooden crate.
At the center of the hall a large sphere of some stone Siber could not recognize hung, its marble-like surface covered by an intricate network of thin grooves; the sphere was attached to the ceiling by a thick metal beam, and it was so far above Siber doubted he could reach it without a stepladder.
Stefan Meszaros was standing at the very edge of the purple segment, looking up at the sphere of stone, his arms folded on his chest.
Shortly after the last student went through the dimensional door, it faded out of existence, leaving the Hall that much dimmer for the absence of its glowing. Stefan continued to contemplate the stone sphere, paying seemingly no heed to his charges as they finished forming three orderly lines.
Eventually, one of them - a squat, thickset human youth standing in the front row next to Grintham - spoke up, rather boldly, "Hey, Mister, what's going to happen now?"
A thunderous, impossibly loud crack shattered the air, overriding any and all idle chat between the students. One moment the Taskmaster had his back turned to the course, the second he was facing the one to speak, his dark eyes boring into the boy's skull.
His barbed lash was wrapped now around the youngster's neck, stifling any possible cries of pain. The boy's immediate neighbors found drops of his blood splat on them when the instrument of torture bit into his flesh.
"And you thought my lash is just for show, Androw Kavendish," Stefan spoke, his thin lips stretching into a hungry smirk. Never did his voice grow even a little bit louder. "Remember this, students: you will show proper respect to ever member of the faculty. Be it a humble janitor or the lauded headmaster himself, regardless of their rank and gender, when speaking to someone so above your worthless self, the first and the last word to leave your mouth will be 'Sir', and it will be loud."
Androw gagged and wheezed, struggling not to fall to his knees.
"Consider this the beginning of your education, children," Stefan continued, raising his his left hand, the lash held firmly in the right. As he spoke, he bent his fingers for every point he made.
"Never underestimate a potential threat. Always prepare for the worst. Accept that from this day forward, pain shall be your constant companion. And remember - in presence of your betters, silence is golden, unless stated otherwise."
The pallid Taskmaster wiggled his hand, easing the pressure on Androw's throat just enough for him to gasp loudly.
"Now, students, let us see if my lessons are getting through. Do I have now your complete and undivided attention, class?" he asked softly.
"Sir, yes, sir!" Siber barked.
"Capital," Stefan nodded. He took a deliberate pause, to see if anyone would try and speak up.
Siber gulped, then mustered his guts and spoke, "Sir, permission to speak, sir!"
"Granted," the taskmaster inclined his head to the side, eying the scarred youth intently.
"Sir, I request permission to escort Kavendish to the infirmary, sir!" Siber said, already partly regretting his recklessness.
"To your untrained eye, Antares, his wounds require immediate attention," Stefan hissed. "However, I can assure you he is more than capable to endure until the end of the lecture. Or perhaps you would like some painkillers, Kavendish?" he asked, retrieving the whip.
Androw choked down a whimper and mumbled, trying to stand straight, "Sir, negative, sir."
"See?" the taskmaster let out a short cackle. "Your compassion for the fellow student, Antares - who is a nascent mage, if my judgment is any good, - is duly noted."
Siber bit down a sharp exhale of surprise - it seemed that the instructor had done some background check, at the very least on him and Androw. He gulped again and uttered, "Sir."
"There will be time for questions later today, so do attempt to hold in memory those you have already," Stefan continued, as if forgetting about Antares and Kavendish entirely.
"You have to understand one simple fact. Undoubtedly, you heeded every word of our lauded headmaster, and thus are aware of the rule that forbids you from using your abilities outside of class. The other two courses are not like you - they are scholars, starry-eyed philosophers and tinkerers. You, on the other hand, came here to become killers. Refined machines of war and destruction, capable of wreaking havoc on truly cataclysmic scale.
You are not worthy of using that kind of power yet. At least, not until you have proven otherwise through arduous work and complete dedication. Some of you may very well never earn that privilege.
That is why you cannot be trusted yet. That is why we cannot rely on your word alone. That is why, from this moment and until you pass a very specific trial, the Overseer shall be with you at all times."
Stefan took out a metallic eight-pointed star with a ruby embedded into its center and pointed it at the large stone sphere hanging at the center of the Hall. A thin beam of blood red energy was loosed from the gemstone, hitting a vortex of converging grooves on the surface of the monolith. Gradually, they lit up with the same eery light, the shining spreading smoothly as if molten metal was being poured onto the sphere. The construction began to rotate ever so slowly, all the while emitting a soothing, barely audible, low hum.
Siber shook his head. At the back of his cranium he now felt a presence; somehow, he knew that if he closed his eyes, he would be able to point in the Overseer's exact location. The sensation was not unpleasant, far from it, but it was completely alien to the boy. Even Androw gasped in surprise, almost forgetting about the thin lines of blood trickling down his neck - though, true to Stefan's word, it seemed like none of the major blood vessels were damaged, with only the topmost layers of skin punctured.
"Not only shall you be left writhing on the floor in agony for minutes if you try to use your abilities, however developed they may be, with the Overseer in effect, I shall know of it personally. And believe me when I say it," Stefan paused and smiled meaningfully, "You do not want that to happen."
"This," Stefan held the eight-pointed star above him so that the students could get a better look, "Is a Ruby Lens. I am using the indefinite article 'a' because more than one of them exists. Some of them are used by the faculty members, whereas several others are scattered across the Collegium.
Undoubtedly you have heard that there is a facultative Infiltrator course you may enroll in. Only those with exceptional talent are accepted, and the rite of passage is obtaining a Ruby Lens by any means necessary short of killing and/or causing grievous bodily harm. Slip drugs into a janitor's drink, knock out a cook, sleep with a librarian - anything goes so long as you do not get caught. In case you botch your attempt, you will be permitted to stay and continue your education, but the Infiltrator course will remain unavailable for a year, and you will be publicly flogged. It is up to you to decide if the prize is worth the risk.
Now, I see that quite a few among you are carrying weapons on their person. Children should not play with fire, and as with your supernatural power, you will first have to prove your worth and maturity. You will now surrender your armaments. Anyone caught concealing a weapon will regret it.
Moreover, some of you are wearing battle armor, whilst others strut around half-naked, as if longing for a gang-rape. This is completely unacceptable. You may have noticed the mannequins behind you - each corresponds to the size of the uniform stored in the crate at its side. You are permitted to flaunt your flamboyant clothing at your free time, but during classes each and every one of you will be wearing uniforms."
Stefan raised a hand, pointing over the student's heads, and loosed a sparkling bolt of energy from his index finger. After it slammed into the wall behind them, a wide hatch opened seamlessly and a conveyor belt with open crates fastened on it rode out of the wall.
"We are exceptionally lucky that none of you are exact namesakes, this speeds up the process considerably. Starting from the front row, one by one you will walk up to the conveyor belt, deposit your weapons into an empty container, then take a step back and say your full name, loudly and clearly. Afterwards, you will pick up your uniform from one of the crates and return into the row.
You may begin."
Almost immediately afterwards, Androw - who was, indeed, standing at the end of the front row, - bolted towards the conveyor. He took off his leather shoulder-belt, to which a scabbard with a long dagger was attached, and tossed it into the nearest container.
"Androw Kavendish!" he declared after stepping back. A lid sealing the container off appeared out of thin air, connecting with a dull 'thud', and the idler pulley rotated once, moving the crate one step into the wall.
The squat youth stared at the machinery, rubbing his by now almost healed neck in thought. He then shook his head and ran to a mannequin almost exactly mimicking his physique. In the bag he took out of the crate there were seven sets of linen small-clothes, socks and tunics, as well as two pairs of combat boots and two gray body-covering jumpsuits.
"You will clean your uniform when it gets dirty. You will mend it when it is torn up. The students of the Collegium are expected to be a model of efficiency and neatness," Stefan spoke as Androw returned to his place.
Finally, Siber stepped up to the conveyor belt and deposited the scabbard with his shortsword into a container. He felt a hint of sadness - after all, this was his first and only real weapon, he had truly called it his own, and he had slew many a thieving kobold to try and pillage his parents' farm. Still, he did not let this attachment to a material object show. The boy stepped back, growling, "Siber Antares," and like so many others before him, watched the container being sealed off and moved away.
Antares nodded to his thoughts and, after grabbing a bag with uniform, returned to take his place in the line.
After every student had given up their weapons, the conveyor belt quietly slid back into the wall; after the hatch closed, it was hard indeed to pinpoint its location, so masterfully it was worked into the wall.
"I have every confidence that while many among you are giddy with anticipation of learning to master the arcane arts, many more still wonder, why exactly have they been summoned to this academy," Stefan continued his lecture. "You have not sprouted a fountain of sparks, you have not accidentally levitated a piece of cutlery - the magic has been conspicuously absent from your life.
The truth is simple: only a half of your number shall study to become magi of war, with cold steel and ruinous power inside you working in accord to obliterate those that would stand in your path, flaying your enemies with a glance and reducing their minds to a wreck with a word."
He paused, letting the prospects sink into the youngsters' minds for several seconds, before carrying on with an unpleasant smirk, "The rest shall learn to overcome the destructive sorceries of the first half, and to crush their body and soul."
The taskmaster unsheathed his spear-staff and slammed its blade into the sand under his feet. A single quake shook the hall, and along the edge of the purple segment they all were standing on several statues rose out of the floor, all alike and evenly spaced. Each had the form of a human - or rather, if the size was any indicator, a vrykul, - arm, petrified through some mysterious magic, and in its hand a crystal orb as large as an dwarf's head was resting. The orbs were made of glass or some similar substance, and within, in a murky cloud of smoke, a wisp of light danced, emitting quiet, chiming music.
"Antares, Kavendish, step forth," Stefan commanded. The two boys obeyed the command, walking up to the orb near the instructor.
"You," the pallid taskmaster pointed at Androw, "Rest your hand on the orb. Carefully."
Androw gulped audibly, causing one of the freshly healed cuts on his neck to open, and slowly lowered his palm onto the crystal sphere. The wisp inside grew larger, and likewise the music coming from it became louder, carrying now unmistakable tones of joy and recognition. Androw allowed himself a happy little smile, which quickly gave way to a gasp as a ring materialized on his fourth finger; enameled with indigo blue and carrying a white sigil of a splayed hand, it bore more than a passing resemblance to the banner hanging in the right section of the Hall.
"A battle mage. I expected as much. This ring is a recognition of your talent, a key to your room and, last but not the least, your very own copy of the Overseer. Though the latter function only activates on the occasion you leave the Battle Magic territory - for instance, visiting the library or going out to Lyrasium on weekends. Do not attempt to remove it if you value your life. Do not worry about blood circulation in your finger - it will not be slightest bit disrupted."
Stefan took a pause to sneer at the cocktail of emotions on Androw's face, the most prominent being excitement and fear vying for dominance, then finished, "Gather your possessions and move under the blue banner over there."
"Sir, yes, s-sir," the Kavendish boy stuttered nervously, removing his hand from the orb and scurrying away. With mixed feeling, Siber watched him go until Stefan beckoned him forth.
"I trust you can deduce what to do, Antares," the instructor hissed. Siber took a deep breath and brought his hand down onto the orb. In sharp contrast to the previous encounter, the wisp inside shrunk to half its size, the music becoming distorted and cacophonous, as if in pain. Just as Siber by now expected, a red ring with a black fist appeared on his finger.
"A nascent spellbreaker. Equally unsurprising. Take your place under the banner," Stefan nodded.
"Sir," the boy saluted and hurried away.
"Now, I expect the rest of you to do the same," Stefan declared.
"In nine cases out of ten, Fraser, one of the two paths inside you is much stronger," Stefan said, sheathing his staff and folding his arms across the chest. "The creature trapped inside the orb recognizes the dominating side and delivers the according ring. There have been documented cases of people with a stronger talent for spellbreaking trying to become magi, and vice versa; most of them ended disastrously.
However, there is another option, rare though it may be. Once in a while, a man or a woman is born standing in the middle, whose path may take him either way. It is even possible for such a person to master both disciplines - but, the modern techniques only allow them to be learned one at a time.
This means that either way, you will be sorted into one of the two subclasses. And if indeed you belong to this rare, fascinating breed, then I can only suggest you focus on the path you wish to take at this moment.
Do you understand, Fraser?"
A smirk stretched Stefan's lips as he responded, evidently pleased someone had asked this particular question.
"Precisely. To most, the whip is unpredictable, and thus seeds of uncertainty are sowed in those I fight even before the battle has begun. The number of those that wield it is small indeed, which is why it is rare that one's training would prepare them for facing it. It is a very versatile weapon, capable of disarming, lacerating, tripping - and it can also serve as a conduit for my power. The image of a barbed whiplash is a strong one, firmly associated with torment and domination of the one to wield it - those connotations are hard to let go of.
Moreover, if I am to fight a demon, it would sense the echoes of agony carried within this whip, for in its making I have flayed an Annihilan, known colloquially as a Pit Lord, alive."
"Once the whip is wrapped around an enemy, or perhaps an inanimate object, I concentrate the energy I intend to loose in my hand before sending it down the length of the whip. Upon reaching the tip it is unleashed through the barbs in immediate contact with my target, allowing for a precise spell-casting that would otherwise require more effort at such range," Stefan explained.
"This energy manipulation is, of course, not limited to a whiplash - but as a rule of thumb you must spend a prolonged period of time using a weapon before it can serve as a conduit. A bond of familiarity needs to be established, if you will. Likewise, it is not your hand alone that you are able to direct the energy to. Knee, elbow, forehead - most anything goes if you are imaginative enough, and in due time you shall learn to do so. Or, at the very least, be given ample opportunity for learning.
Last but not the least, not only the conventional battle mages can perform this technique - as the simplest example I might cite a spellbreaker focusing their power in their shield, to protect themselves and possibly their allies from hostile magic."
Post by
Gumballs
That was thorough haha. Good morning everyone!
Post by
Morec0
*inhales*
Ahh, the smell of geeks is strong with this place... It will be good to return to it.
Just officially announcing my return, which shall begin it's true initiation this Thursday (May 9th) and be fully complete by (at most) Saturday (May 11th).
Why so long? I intend to make a bit of a big comeback with a fanfiction story that I've had in mind for a bit of time right now (the first of two, I should add). What and who it will revolve around I'll leave up to debate, but once you see the title it'll probably be PRETTY obvious. I also intend to start up a new RP, though looking at the current active ones I'm not sure how well that will go down.
Also; it's my birthday today! Twenty years old! I am officially merely one year away from legally being able to wake up in a roadside ditch covered in god-knows-what with no recolection of how I got there or what happened in the previous night aside from a few fuzzy recolections about something involving a crowbar... and a night club...
I'll see you all this weekend (unless you have Steam, in which case you'll see me later today)!
Post by
Gumballs
Happy birthday Morec!
How strange it is to me that I'm the same age as you and have been legal drinking age for a year haha. Gets me every time.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to your return! Any hints about the potential RP? (: (:
Post by
morginar
That was thorough haha. Good morning everyone!
good afternoon gum, just enjoying my afternoon
tea
coffe.
Happy birthday Morec! Hope you enjoy the right to buy alcohol, and to no longer be a teen.
Post by
Morec0
Anyways, I'm looking forward to your return! Any hints about the potential RP? (: (:
Maybe one, but after...
You know, I think I already have, come to think of it.
EDIT: Also, I'm noticing a LOT of new names. Did people get name changes or are those all new people? If so, how many of them are running around in the RPs?
Post by
Skreeran
*inhales*
Ahh, the smell of geeks is strong with this place... It will be good to return to it.It runs deeper than you think.
I read a Spark Notes analysis of Franz Kafka's
The Metamorphosis
in my spare time this morning. For fun.
Post by
Behelich
Anyways, I'm looking forward to your return! Any hints about the potential RP? (: (:
Maybe one, but after...
You know, I think I already have, come to think of it.
EDIT: Also, I'm noticing a LOT of new names. Did people get name changes or are those all new people? If so, how many of them are running around in the RPs?
We have some fresh blood, yes. Most of them in Collegium Arcanium, too.
*inhales*
Ahh, the smell of geeks is strong with this place... It will be good to return to it.It runs deeper than you think.
I read a Spark Notes analysis of Franz Kafka's
The Metamorphosis
in my spare time this morning. For fun.
Kafka was a bloody emo. His works are just depressing.
Post by
oneforthemoney
Character: Richard Grindgear, Mark Zalek
Location: Tech dormitory
Class: Techno
"Welcome to the techno dormitory. The door over there will lead you to two more doors. The blue one will lead you downstairs to your rooms while the red will enter into the main floor of the school where you will find the cafeteria the library and the other classrooms." He said and stood up.
"And now for a few rules. First rule is that you are free to create anything you want within this room. These books contain every facet of information pertaining to engineering and you are free to use them however you wish all I ask is that if you are going to use anything that explodes please either get me or another teacher to supervise so you don't kill yourself. Behind the portal that will close soon you will find a set of doors that will lead to a part house that you will be using during your studies. If you take anything from there please tell the mechagnome at the door so it may be replaced so other students may use it." He said pausing for a second to make sure the students where paying attention.
"Now for some general stuff." Richard said scratching his head. "There will be mechagnomes around here and the other classes to keep you all from doing something that could kill you." He said and looked down at Clink and Clank that had walked threw the portal and where now standing beside him. "Any thing else?" He asked them.
"The other classes." Clink said.
"Depthcharge." Clank added.
"Oh right." Richard said nodding and looked back up at the students. "Please be respectful of the other teachers and students and all that." He said. "And if any of you are walking around the grounds and notice a titansteel plated diving suit walking around don't freak out he's actually very tame and is probably just looking for flowers or something." He added.
"Now you are free for the rest of the day to explore the grounds and get something to eat in the cafeteria up stairs. Classes start tomorrow morning." He finished.
Post by
Behelich
Adams, your char in Battle Magic has to choose a sub-course. Or, rather, you have to choose which one your char gets sorted into.
Post by
Adamsm
She'll make a choice....just haven't decided on one yet.
Post by
Behelich
She'll make a choice....just haven't decided on one yet.
Well, it would be appreciated if you had made the decision sooner rather than later. Still need to show the students around past the Hall.
Post by
Adamsm
Fine; removing the Kai'tai portion of the post; do what you need to keep it moving while I think on what I want to do with her.
Post by
Aimsyr
*inhales*
Ahh, the smell of geeks is strong with this place... It will be good to return to it.
I hate that word so much I'm gonna impale you...
Edit: Also Gum, it's your turn to post in CA on Meeba.
Post by
Gumballs
Edit: Also Gum, it's your turn to post in CA on Meeba.
What time zone are you in? It seems that you're posting just as I am going to sleep :C
Edit: I just got a call from my boyfriend asking if I can come in to help at his work. There was a fire there on the weekend so they have rented a trailer and are cleaning it and prepping it to be the temporary workspace while insurance kicks in and renovates the old space. They need an extra pair of hands so it looks like I won't be posting today after all!
Post by
oneforthemoney
Edit: Also Gum, it's your turn to post in CA on Meeba.
What time zone are you in? It seems that you're posting just as I am going to sleep :C
Edit: I just got a call from my boyfriend asking if I can come in to help at his work. There was a fire there on the weekend so they have rented a trailer and are cleaning it and prepping it to be the temporary workspace while insurance kicks in and renovates the old space. They need an extra pair of hands so it looks like I won't be posting today after all!
Unfortunate, but good on you for helping out.
Post by
Monday
Edit: Also Gum, it's your turn to post in CA on Meeba.
What time zone are you in? It seems that you're posting just as I am going to sleep :C
Edit: I just got a call from my boyfriend asking if I can come in to help at his work. There was a fire there on the weekend so they have rented a trailer and are cleaning it and prepping it to be the temporary workspace while insurance kicks in and renovates the old space. They need an extra pair of hands so it looks like I won't be posting today after all!
He's in the eastern time zone, I believe.
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