A Return to Avalon
Jun 19, 2015 14:40:30 GMT
Post by MaddiroseX on Jun 19, 2015 14:40:30 GMT
As the first post, this will be the longest, since it includes character and story introduction. An average turn will only contain the final part of this post, ‘Decisions’.
Over the course of the game, the administration staff will bring any information to you that they feel you need, and a series of decisions will need to be voted upon.
The Return
“No part of this situation can be called ‘ideal’, exactly,” Sir Tieval says grimly.
It should be an amazing and inspiring feeling, standing in the presence of the five most powerful sorcerers in the world, the founders of the world’s first Magical School, Avalon. The awe to be in their presence is slightly mitigated by the fact that it is in the deep and dead of the night, that the founders have summoned you all here from the different corners of the globe on urgent emergency, and that they all of them look worried, even Lady Amaya who rumors say is physically incapable of showing the emotion after a small but explosive magical experiment some time ago.
“Oh don’t be so grim, Alter, don’t call it a ‘situation’, call it an ‘adventure’!” Atticus Pelt says brightly.
“Call it what it is; a disaster,” Gabriel Tempest snarls, “a disaster from which the school will most likely never recover.”
“That is what we aim to avoid,” Mica Eyetooth has been staring at the five of you in a way that suggests he’s seeing far more than just your appearances.
“Stop talking in riddles and someone tell them why we’ve brought them here,” Lady Amaya says quietly, her cold voice and only nearly human.
“The Lady is quite right. As I’m sure you all know, Avalon was founded nine years ago, nine years and two months exactly, as it happens, and it remains the most prestigious magical school in the world. We’ve had our bumps and bruises of course-”
“Bumps and bruises like extreme Founder stupidity,” Amaya says bitterly.
“The Eldritch Ancient attacking us from underground,” Eyetooth chuckles.
“The divine slut Calistria’s machinations,” Tempest frowns.
“That one semester The Lady rebelled and took over the whole school by force,” Pelt reminisces fondly.
“Pelt’s friend Tortured Twin enrolling a younger version of herself from the past and trying to pass it off as her daughter...but anyways,” Tieval shakes his head, “the point is that we’ve weathered them all because we’ve somehow managed to stick together and keep the best interest of Avalon at heart. The five of us are so different that we should’ve killed each other years ago, but...Avalon is our home. Our child. I don’t think I speak for just myself when I say it means everything to us.” Tieval becomes so choked up that he cannot continue.
“And now we must leave it,” Eyetooth finishes bluntly. “The story of the founding of Avalon is told many times, but most do not know of a...mistake...that was made during its founding. The waking of a creature in a place like, yet unlike, our school. We gained the attention of the spirit of a plane, one that had been sleeping so soundly it has taken a decade to fully awaken. It calls itself Ydras.”
“Well technically it calls itself “Sardy”, the backward-talking freak,” Pelt says cheerfully, “the point is, we made a boo-boo, and now it quite literally wants to eat the fabric of time itself. Now that part is nothing for you to worry about, we’ll handle that, and in fact that’s where we’ll be going right after this meeting.”
“But while we’re there, we won’t be here, minding the school,” Tempest cuts in, “so we’ve chosen you to take over. It was a very difficult choice.”
“There was much disagreement about the best candidates,” Eyetooth says wryly.
“Some...rather heated....let’s say ‘discussion’ did occur,” Tieval admits.
Lady Amaya silently and absentmindedly strokes a long twisted scar on her wrist that glows with black light.
“Do you know of Pater Calahasil? No, never heard of him? That’s how intense the discussion was!” Pelt chuckles genially.
“Yes, well,” Tempest says dismissively, “founders who may or may not be erased from time aside, we have all begrudgingly created a system that we think will work.” He points to the small crystal embedded in the ceiling of the meeting room. “The crystal contains fragments from each of us, and determines exactly what Regents will best carry on our legacy in this school. It has picked you five. It may yet pick more, if the need arises, and it may yet send some of you away...but by that time it will no longer be our problem.”
There is a pregnant pause.
“Right! Well, we’ll just be on our way then! You’ll find all of the paperwork you need in the Hall of Records,” Pelt waves in a chipper manner and rises to leave. Rather than stopping him the other founders follow suit.
“Wait...is there any further information we should give them before we leave?” Tieval asks, glancing at the spherical watch that hangs from his wrist, “any last-minute tips?”
“Yes, don’t trust any of Amaya’s Brights, they’re subversive and a menace, and always have been,” Tempest snaps, “nor is the Cult of Calistria anything but trouble.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear about Outsiders, they’re really not that bad,” Pelt taps his nose.
“Do be gentle with the plants and the Wellbeings, they can sometimes be the students that require the most patience,” Tieval says.
“I’ve left a series of clues that lead to my storehouses,” Eyetooth says enigmatically, “but it’s just as available to any student as it is to you, if the student is more clever.”
“There is a sign in my office that says ‘Lady Amaya’s Office’, don’t take it down or your veins will come alive and attempt to claw their way out of your body,” the Lady says matter-of-factly. “Also, I’ve placed all of the tuition I’ve collected over the years in the library vaults. Please use whatever you feel you need, if you truly need it. If I come back and disagree with why you’ve used anything, I’ll make you take the sign down from my office.”
“That was the sweetest and most helpful thing I’ve ever heard you say M’Lady,” Tieval brushed a tear from his eye, then looked at his watch again, “but now I’m afraid we have to go, we have far too much time. Don’t worry about a thing.You’ll do just fine. Have fun, in fact! Don’t die please.”
And just like that, at the exact stroke of midnight, the Founders of Avalon are gone, leaving behind them the silent, sleepy, and incredibly bewildered five new Regents of Avalon.
The Regents
If the Founders were telling the truth and not simply insane, the Choosing Crystal has summoned you Regents as the five best people in the world to manage the school of Avalon. After the Founders leave, a few of the administrative staff bring in cups of coffee and slajma, and the Regents spend the rest of the night sleepily getting to know each other and going over school paperwork.
Isocrates - [melonmonkey]
You were manufactured by Hampletrack Corp 14 months ago, one of their new lines made of marble, a very rare edition. You were imprinted with a wide array of profiles as befitted a limited-run model, the most notable of which being the -MiddleAgedScholar12.1-, -Administrative7.3-, -Head4Numbers0.1- and -SocialAuthority3.1-. Unlike the majority of Golems, the last profile allows you to avoid going out of your way to please others or become what they wish.
Your ability to go above and beyond the line of duty has made you excel even for a Golem, enough so that two months ago you were able to make enough extra income to rent yourself from Hampletrack Corp at a quite reasonable fixed annual rate. Now here you sit, made to surpass expectations and free to be your own man (subject to the terms and conditions of the standard Hampletrack rental agreement, of course).
You were literally built for a chance like this.
Nrojbreh Herbjorn - [Foy]
You were born in the heart of the sea, but your nomadic family has wandered enough that no one is quite sure which sea or where. Such was common for a water elemental, of course, just as common as it was to leave your family and set off on your own. A vast amount of adventure and danger lies in your past, but you have been able to handle such things due to your talent for magic. The draw of magic is so important to you that it was enough for you to leave your seas and make your home on land.
Small flurries of sand and shells, each a memento of an important person, place or memory, waft gently in your inner currents, your excitement visible to all who may look at the clear blue water that makes up your form. Magic is your very life, and now you have the opportunity to make your life about magic.
You wouldn’t miss this chance for all the seas.
EeeeeeB - [Tempest]
From the second you emerged from the large boulder that was your birthstone, already dressed in a sharp black pinstripe suit and matching blindfold, you knew that you were destined for great things. Not fame or fortune for yourself, of course, no that was certainly not the Goblin way. No, you were destined to subtly and carefully maneuver the heroes and powers that be, to be the Goblin in the shadows just to the left of the evil king or the chosen ones. Not many species understood it, how powerful the unnoticed and hidden could be, but here you were, about to have almost direct control over the education of the most powerful sorcerers.
You knew about the Choosing Crystal of course, your cousin’s friend’s wife’s sister was in charge of constructing it, and she had been happy to sneak you in to take a look and a rummage. It had come as quite a shock to you, when you were attempting to clandestinely force the Crystal to add your name, to find that your name was already there.
It seems you really are destined for great things.
Katharyn Falleta - [BillyHiggins]
The founders had spoken of the school’s founding, nine years ago, and just hearing about it was enough to bring back fond memories. A part of you had hoped they would have recognized you, but of course they’ve seen thousands of students arrive and leave these halls since your time as a student of Avalon.
Your education at Avalon certainly had its rough patches, as the Founders had said, but you had learned well. Being in the first year of graduates from the first school of magic had made you an exceedingly attractive prospect for employment, and as a human no one had any problems hiring you; at this point you are quite comfortable financially. Emotionally, on the other hand, you have craved something like this, a real challenge to stretch your skills and work your magics to their limits. When you attended, Avalon was a quite good school, but you just know that, with your help, it can be something even better.
With your help, you know it can become incredible.
Master Aldran Henry Granthom the Third - [Coy]
It was the human philosopher Democritus who said “Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul,” but human or no the words have resonated with you throughout your life. Even as a young child, playing at philosophical debate and calculus on the playground, you were the most content of all of your playmates, and that quality has followed you wherever you go.
It has never bothered you that Trolls are considered “lesser” species, and it does not bother you now, even knowing that your appointment as a regent will come with much resistance from certain quarters. The thought of instilling knowledge into young minds, and indeed of gaining knowledge from the younglings of every culture in return, brings you a familiar peace, and even a bit of excitement.
What a happy, peaceful place to call home.
The administrative staff arrives in the morning, and they prove far more helpful at summing up the school situation than the Founders were, in that they only present you with items that need immediate attention.
For a typical Avalon school year, tomorrow the school is open for the students to arrive. The Founders usually make an appearance in the crowd and give small speeches in the dining hall on the first day the students arrive.
[] Attempt to reassure all of the students without giving specifics
[] Explain the truth of where the Founders have gone
[] Do not engage, let the students slowly figure out the change on their own
As far as the staff know, Duke Colona and the village of Prodigioso have not been informed of the Founder’s decision to leave. The village technically falls within the ownership of the school, residing on the same island, and it has a symbiotic relationship with Avalon.
[] Explain to Duke Colona the specifics of where the Founders have gone
[] Give Duke Colona a vague explanation of why the Regents are now in charge of Avalon
[] Let Duke Colona find out in his own time
There is great trepidation in the staff as they bring you a report of the new incoming students. It wouldn’t have been so last-minute, but these particular students had taken advantage of their half-human heritage when applying, and staff had missed it. It seems that 22 of the 268 new students this year are in fact not human but Demigods; children of the Goddess Calistria and mortal men she has bedded. Their development to adulthood seems to be double that of humankind, which means that this year they have reached 18 years of relative species age...the age at which they may apply to Avalon. The students have already been accepted, and they all applied under either the Amaya Guidelines or the Eyetooth Edict, both of which allow classified ‘Dangerous’ species attendance.
[] Allow the Callistrians to attend as is allowed by the application rules.
[] Deny Callistrians from attending, making specific changes to attendance rules to prohibit them.
Over the course of the game, the administration staff will bring any information to you that they feel you need, and a series of decisions will need to be voted upon.
The Return
“No part of this situation can be called ‘ideal’, exactly,” Sir Tieval says grimly.
It should be an amazing and inspiring feeling, standing in the presence of the five most powerful sorcerers in the world, the founders of the world’s first Magical School, Avalon. The awe to be in their presence is slightly mitigated by the fact that it is in the deep and dead of the night, that the founders have summoned you all here from the different corners of the globe on urgent emergency, and that they all of them look worried, even Lady Amaya who rumors say is physically incapable of showing the emotion after a small but explosive magical experiment some time ago.
“Oh don’t be so grim, Alter, don’t call it a ‘situation’, call it an ‘adventure’!” Atticus Pelt says brightly.
“Call it what it is; a disaster,” Gabriel Tempest snarls, “a disaster from which the school will most likely never recover.”
“That is what we aim to avoid,” Mica Eyetooth has been staring at the five of you in a way that suggests he’s seeing far more than just your appearances.
“Stop talking in riddles and someone tell them why we’ve brought them here,” Lady Amaya says quietly, her cold voice and only nearly human.
“The Lady is quite right. As I’m sure you all know, Avalon was founded nine years ago, nine years and two months exactly, as it happens, and it remains the most prestigious magical school in the world. We’ve had our bumps and bruises of course-”
“Bumps and bruises like extreme Founder stupidity,” Amaya says bitterly.
“The Eldritch Ancient attacking us from underground,” Eyetooth chuckles.
“The divine slut Calistria’s machinations,” Tempest frowns.
“That one semester The Lady rebelled and took over the whole school by force,” Pelt reminisces fondly.
“Pelt’s friend Tortured Twin enrolling a younger version of herself from the past and trying to pass it off as her daughter...but anyways,” Tieval shakes his head, “the point is that we’ve weathered them all because we’ve somehow managed to stick together and keep the best interest of Avalon at heart. The five of us are so different that we should’ve killed each other years ago, but...Avalon is our home. Our child. I don’t think I speak for just myself when I say it means everything to us.” Tieval becomes so choked up that he cannot continue.
“And now we must leave it,” Eyetooth finishes bluntly. “The story of the founding of Avalon is told many times, but most do not know of a...mistake...that was made during its founding. The waking of a creature in a place like, yet unlike, our school. We gained the attention of the spirit of a plane, one that had been sleeping so soundly it has taken a decade to fully awaken. It calls itself Ydras.”
“Well technically it calls itself “Sardy”, the backward-talking freak,” Pelt says cheerfully, “the point is, we made a boo-boo, and now it quite literally wants to eat the fabric of time itself. Now that part is nothing for you to worry about, we’ll handle that, and in fact that’s where we’ll be going right after this meeting.”
“But while we’re there, we won’t be here, minding the school,” Tempest cuts in, “so we’ve chosen you to take over. It was a very difficult choice.”
“There was much disagreement about the best candidates,” Eyetooth says wryly.
“Some...rather heated....let’s say ‘discussion’ did occur,” Tieval admits.
Lady Amaya silently and absentmindedly strokes a long twisted scar on her wrist that glows with black light.
“Do you know of Pater Calahasil? No, never heard of him? That’s how intense the discussion was!” Pelt chuckles genially.
“Yes, well,” Tempest says dismissively, “founders who may or may not be erased from time aside, we have all begrudgingly created a system that we think will work.” He points to the small crystal embedded in the ceiling of the meeting room. “The crystal contains fragments from each of us, and determines exactly what Regents will best carry on our legacy in this school. It has picked you five. It may yet pick more, if the need arises, and it may yet send some of you away...but by that time it will no longer be our problem.”
There is a pregnant pause.
“Right! Well, we’ll just be on our way then! You’ll find all of the paperwork you need in the Hall of Records,” Pelt waves in a chipper manner and rises to leave. Rather than stopping him the other founders follow suit.
“Wait...is there any further information we should give them before we leave?” Tieval asks, glancing at the spherical watch that hangs from his wrist, “any last-minute tips?”
“Yes, don’t trust any of Amaya’s Brights, they’re subversive and a menace, and always have been,” Tempest snaps, “nor is the Cult of Calistria anything but trouble.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear about Outsiders, they’re really not that bad,” Pelt taps his nose.
“Do be gentle with the plants and the Wellbeings, they can sometimes be the students that require the most patience,” Tieval says.
“I’ve left a series of clues that lead to my storehouses,” Eyetooth says enigmatically, “but it’s just as available to any student as it is to you, if the student is more clever.”
“There is a sign in my office that says ‘Lady Amaya’s Office’, don’t take it down or your veins will come alive and attempt to claw their way out of your body,” the Lady says matter-of-factly. “Also, I’ve placed all of the tuition I’ve collected over the years in the library vaults. Please use whatever you feel you need, if you truly need it. If I come back and disagree with why you’ve used anything, I’ll make you take the sign down from my office.”
“That was the sweetest and most helpful thing I’ve ever heard you say M’Lady,” Tieval brushed a tear from his eye, then looked at his watch again, “but now I’m afraid we have to go, we have far too much time. Don’t worry about a thing.You’ll do just fine. Have fun, in fact! Don’t die please.”
And just like that, at the exact stroke of midnight, the Founders of Avalon are gone, leaving behind them the silent, sleepy, and incredibly bewildered five new Regents of Avalon.
The Regents
If the Founders were telling the truth and not simply insane, the Choosing Crystal has summoned you Regents as the five best people in the world to manage the school of Avalon. After the Founders leave, a few of the administrative staff bring in cups of coffee and slajma, and the Regents spend the rest of the night sleepily getting to know each other and going over school paperwork.
Isocrates - [melonmonkey]
You were manufactured by Hampletrack Corp 14 months ago, one of their new lines made of marble, a very rare edition. You were imprinted with a wide array of profiles as befitted a limited-run model, the most notable of which being the -MiddleAgedScholar12.1-, -Administrative7.3-, -Head4Numbers0.1- and -SocialAuthority3.1-. Unlike the majority of Golems, the last profile allows you to avoid going out of your way to please others or become what they wish.
Your ability to go above and beyond the line of duty has made you excel even for a Golem, enough so that two months ago you were able to make enough extra income to rent yourself from Hampletrack Corp at a quite reasonable fixed annual rate. Now here you sit, made to surpass expectations and free to be your own man (subject to the terms and conditions of the standard Hampletrack rental agreement, of course).
You were literally built for a chance like this.
Nrojbreh Herbjorn - [Foy]
You were born in the heart of the sea, but your nomadic family has wandered enough that no one is quite sure which sea or where. Such was common for a water elemental, of course, just as common as it was to leave your family and set off on your own. A vast amount of adventure and danger lies in your past, but you have been able to handle such things due to your talent for magic. The draw of magic is so important to you that it was enough for you to leave your seas and make your home on land.
Small flurries of sand and shells, each a memento of an important person, place or memory, waft gently in your inner currents, your excitement visible to all who may look at the clear blue water that makes up your form. Magic is your very life, and now you have the opportunity to make your life about magic.
You wouldn’t miss this chance for all the seas.
EeeeeeB - [Tempest]
From the second you emerged from the large boulder that was your birthstone, already dressed in a sharp black pinstripe suit and matching blindfold, you knew that you were destined for great things. Not fame or fortune for yourself, of course, no that was certainly not the Goblin way. No, you were destined to subtly and carefully maneuver the heroes and powers that be, to be the Goblin in the shadows just to the left of the evil king or the chosen ones. Not many species understood it, how powerful the unnoticed and hidden could be, but here you were, about to have almost direct control over the education of the most powerful sorcerers.
You knew about the Choosing Crystal of course, your cousin’s friend’s wife’s sister was in charge of constructing it, and she had been happy to sneak you in to take a look and a rummage. It had come as quite a shock to you, when you were attempting to clandestinely force the Crystal to add your name, to find that your name was already there.
It seems you really are destined for great things.
Katharyn Falleta - [BillyHiggins]
The founders had spoken of the school’s founding, nine years ago, and just hearing about it was enough to bring back fond memories. A part of you had hoped they would have recognized you, but of course they’ve seen thousands of students arrive and leave these halls since your time as a student of Avalon.
Your education at Avalon certainly had its rough patches, as the Founders had said, but you had learned well. Being in the first year of graduates from the first school of magic had made you an exceedingly attractive prospect for employment, and as a human no one had any problems hiring you; at this point you are quite comfortable financially. Emotionally, on the other hand, you have craved something like this, a real challenge to stretch your skills and work your magics to their limits. When you attended, Avalon was a quite good school, but you just know that, with your help, it can be something even better.
With your help, you know it can become incredible.
Master Aldran Henry Granthom the Third - [Coy]
It was the human philosopher Democritus who said “Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul,” but human or no the words have resonated with you throughout your life. Even as a young child, playing at philosophical debate and calculus on the playground, you were the most content of all of your playmates, and that quality has followed you wherever you go.
It has never bothered you that Trolls are considered “lesser” species, and it does not bother you now, even knowing that your appointment as a regent will come with much resistance from certain quarters. The thought of instilling knowledge into young minds, and indeed of gaining knowledge from the younglings of every culture in return, brings you a familiar peace, and even a bit of excitement.
What a happy, peaceful place to call home.
The administrative staff arrives in the morning, and they prove far more helpful at summing up the school situation than the Founders were, in that they only present you with items that need immediate attention.
For a typical Avalon school year, tomorrow the school is open for the students to arrive. The Founders usually make an appearance in the crowd and give small speeches in the dining hall on the first day the students arrive.
[] Attempt to reassure all of the students without giving specifics
[] Explain the truth of where the Founders have gone
[] Do not engage, let the students slowly figure out the change on their own
As far as the staff know, Duke Colona and the village of Prodigioso have not been informed of the Founder’s decision to leave. The village technically falls within the ownership of the school, residing on the same island, and it has a symbiotic relationship with Avalon.
[] Explain to Duke Colona the specifics of where the Founders have gone
[] Give Duke Colona a vague explanation of why the Regents are now in charge of Avalon
[] Let Duke Colona find out in his own time
There is great trepidation in the staff as they bring you a report of the new incoming students. It wouldn’t have been so last-minute, but these particular students had taken advantage of their half-human heritage when applying, and staff had missed it. It seems that 22 of the 268 new students this year are in fact not human but Demigods; children of the Goddess Calistria and mortal men she has bedded. Their development to adulthood seems to be double that of humankind, which means that this year they have reached 18 years of relative species age...the age at which they may apply to Avalon. The students have already been accepted, and they all applied under either the Amaya Guidelines or the Eyetooth Edict, both of which allow classified ‘Dangerous’ species attendance.
[] Allow the Callistrians to attend as is allowed by the application rules.
[] Deny Callistrians from attending, making specific changes to attendance rules to prohibit them.