<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=205751.msg11245511#msg11245511">Quote from: Skynet on 13-05-2015, 08:11:00</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Aha, so you do know!  And you were at the party in the <em>magnificent mansion</em> a week ago, too!  Where an enchantment-fueled orgy between Redhurst and Allainian students broke out!  Are you trying to sabotage the school?!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Bwah--no!  I might have attended, but I had nothing to do with that, I told you!  There was a demon or something inside, we had to get rid of it!  I'm trying to help you here!"<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"This room's not scry-proof just for privacy reasons; there's a saboteur operating within the school grounds.  I don't know if it's a student, a teacher, or even some outsider who's managed to remain unseen, but the last option's unlikely due to the fact that he or she seems to have a knack for exploiting Redhurst's facilities.  It's not an Allainian, the incidents go back to last year even!  One of the magic circles in Aegis School didn't work, letting loose some fiendish animals.  Later inspection revealed sabotage.  Nammor School used to have a water elemental responsible for beautiful displays in the pool, and I found traces of a <em>banishment</em> spell cast in the waters a few days after the incident.  One time in the Left Dorm, I caught someone trying to break into one of the rooms.  They were <em>invisible,</em> too, and with a <em>magic aura</em> to conceal the illusion.  I only heard the person when I accidentally bumped into them by the door, and they went running away.  Now this...I...other than the Headmaster, I haven't told anyone else my suspicions, not even my fellow prefects!  It could be potentially anyone!  I'm in over my head Kleris, do you have any words of advice?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Hmm, I had no idea that these incidents have been going on for so long.  I might attribute<em>some</em>of them to student shenanigans, like sneaking invisibly into a dorm, but banishing school property or messing with wards is certainly more deliberate than simple childishness or even incopentence.  I didn't think the professors would be under suspicion, but I suppose they would have more knowledge of the facilities than a student.  I think you have to open up some trust to<em>someone</em>, or you won't make any progress at all just running around on your own.  If you could somehow vet Professor Yarminda, having an experienced diviner would be invaluable for investigating the problems.  Other than that, are there any passive divinations in place that could give warning if someone is messing somewhere they shouldn't?  I don't want to suggest surveilling everyone all the time, but if there was some sort of magic eye sitting in dangerous or delicate places, that could help give clues.  Though preventing future mischief would be more useful.  Magic alarms might be good too.  If it gets too bad, a curfew might cut down on potential suspects all running around..."  Kleris mused, trying to think of what he'd do if he wanted to screw up the school, and what might prevent that.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"If you're free, maybe we can arrange a meeting with the Headmaster.  The end of the month, once we <em>plane shift</em> to Eberron, should be an opportune time."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I'll let you know if I think of anything else, or discover something."<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">Day 49, Date with Rensha</span></span></div><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Hey there, Kleris.  Do you have anything in mind for today?  If it's alright with you, I was thinking of participating in something different than normal for a change.  Lillin and pals are participating in a card tournament over at the Auditorium; it could be fun.  Maybe we can also get something to eat at the Dragon's Flagon, too, unless you've already had dinner."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I haven't eaten.  And that sounds fun.  I haven't played cards with anyone for a while, though I've heard of a few good games."<br/><br/>Having learned the basics of a few different games from travelling merchants and traders, Kleris picked up the rules quickly and worked on optimizing the new exploits.  With the ability to affect the game outside the basic rules and new options to bluff, it really was in Kleris' favor with both a quick mind and innocent face, cleaning up the gambit by flight, bluff, or outright theft.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Wow Kleris, have you played this game before?" Andrei exclaimed.  "That's the third time you won!"<br/><br/>"I hope you're not going to hoard your ill-gotten wealth to yourself now," Rensha teased, taking a chocolate coin from Kleris' pile and eating it.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I've learned the rules of a couple gambling games.  I guess I just have some luck with them," he grinned, keeping his insights and hidden bluffs to himself in case they played again.<br/><br/>Kleris gasped, "How dare you, do you want to wake the dragon?!  I stole that gold fair and square, and here you come eating it just because you're a little bigger..."  He grinned, giving her arm a soft punch.  Sweeping up his winnings, he opened another candy and offered to feed it to her.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Kleris, there's something I need to tell you.  Look at the sword, Kleris, and tell me what you see."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>[Spellcraft 12+12 = 24<br/>Arcana 10+12 = 22]<br/><br/>Kleris respectfully held the sword in two hands, holding it up to the light, looking down the length and into the metal.  "Hmm, longsword, enchanged, black metal, not quite steel.  And in the hands of a mage, probably a 'black blade?'  It helps fuel your power, and vice-versa, like a familiar..."  As he was examining the blade, he saw his eyes reflected in it, and felt like something was looking at him, but he shook it off.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"This is one of the fabled black blades.  It is a treasured artifact, worth more than a kingdom's worth of gold pieces... in terms of sentiment, anyway.  The orcs of the True Ice Peaks found three such weapons in an abandoned mountain forge upon settling in their home thousands of years ago.  Never once had they dulled nor corroded, not even by magical maladies.  <em>No warrior fights alone,</em> the clan elders said, and they mean it literally.<br/>"As an exemplar in both sword and spell, the blade called out to me the next time the clan gathered for it to pick its next wielder.  This may sound crazy, but the blade speaks to me, advising me not just in the art of war, but in judgment for everyday situations and matters that can't be settled with violence.<br/>"I don't tell this to anyone; the world is full of folk who'd mock me or take the sword for themselves.  But the black blade is a friend of many years, and it was he who set me on the path to coming to terms with myself.<br/>"My mother told me to listen to the blade when in doubt, that it will guide me to truth.  This is the same mother who also expects me to bear the seed of an honorable orc warrior, and a man at that.  But a swords-woman who lies to herself becomes her own greatest enemy."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris listened with awe, not realizing the long heritage of not only black blades, but of this particular one as well, being passed down years and generations of warriors, and now to find its way to Rensha.  He could understand her reverence for both the blade and her heritage.<br/><br/>"That's amazing.  You're very blessed, and I suppose so is the blade; I don't think it could be in the hands of one more worthy.  I think its been advising you well."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">The orc stares down at Kleris, as though ready to do the most important thing in her life.  "Kleris...you're the nicest woman I've ever met.  There are many things I worry about, but right now I want to focus on us, while we're still fledgling mages at Redhurst.  I've heard the rumors around school, of you being with others such as Lillin and Artaxes, and sometimes I'm sad... wondering when you'll focus your attentions on me, but cursing myself for never coming forward!"<br/>Her eyes are watering.<br/>"Well no more!  Whether as a friend or more than a friend, Kleris, I will stand beside you!  Even if you love another, the hope that you may love me as well will be enough!"<br/>Tears are now streaming down her face.<br/>"Kleris, I love you!"<br/>And with that, she comes forward and locks lips with Kleris, embracing him under Nammor's Arch as her black blade clatters to the ground...</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Looking up at Rensha, he could tell she was struggling internally, and perhaps listening as well?  He felt a little guilty somehow, having relationships while Rensha was apparently watching.  He didn't have much time to mull over it though; when she finally broke and confessed her love, Kleris could only gasp slightly at the power of it before she swept him up and kissed him hard.  His head tilted back, leg lifting even as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, returning it with passion as well.  He didn't know where things might go from here, but he certainly couldn't reject her feelings, and his own affections for her as well.  It seemed to go on forever, though it felt good to be held by the strong woman, and he let her take her win.  After finally separating slightly to breathe, his eyes went wide, "Rensha, your sword..."  In her passion for him, she'd dropped it, and he felt guilty about that, after learning it was an ancient priceless heirloom.  Sure it had seen worse, but he still disentangled himself from her and picked it up gingerly to return it.  "Why don't you put this somewhere safe, and we can continue what you were saying just now...?"  He grinned hugely, still a bit light-headed at the kiss.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">Day 50</span></span></div><br/>[Will 15+6 = 21, DC 20<br/>Gather information 9+15 = 24, DC 20<br/>Diplomacy 5+15 = 20, DC 15]<br/>There were the usual hints of sexual nightmares in the night, but when he awoke in the morning, he could mostly only remember more peaceful dreams of kissing Rensha and rolling around in the grassy lawns.  Finding a letter waiting, he curiously cut it open to find a personal invitation from “Ellen” Yarminda.  It was odd to see her personal name, it seemed to indicate this was a much more informal party she was throwing.  A girls' slumber party was it?  He'd heard of such gatherings before, they sounded like fun.  Boys often tried to sneak over, or at least speculated on the Sapphic eroticism of innocent girls exploring their budding sexuality together.  He never put much stock in such adolescent fantasies, but he supposed he'd see.  He didn't know what kinds of party games they'd try, but it was worth a thought.  The best divination students together should be an interesting audience, however.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Hmm, the 20th...  Isn't that like... today, on the Midgardian calendar?  Heehee, it's a good thing my parents' letters are monthly.  By the way Kleris, have you written to your mother lately?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Looking out at the delivery girl, Kleris made her own calculation.  “Oh my, I suppose you're right.  Girl, foreign calendars and dimensional time zones are going to be the death of scheduling.  Hmm, now that you mention it, it has been a while, I'd better get on that while I have the chance.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>”Dear mother,<br/><br/>It's been nearly two months since I've come to Redhurst.  It's been quite busy, as you may have guessed.  There are so many foreign and strange students here, not only from other races and countries, but other material planes even.  I've made quite a few good friends here, and we've all been a great help to each other studying and having fun.  While there are some potentials for danger with magic, the professors are all quite careful to fully inform us on theory and monitor our progress in controlled environments.  And I'm not even taking any evocation or necromancy, so you don't have to worry about me being blown up or necrotized.<br/><br/>I'm doing well in classes, learning a lot about magic theory, history, and practical spellcraft, as well as several useful and interesting spells.  Mostly cantrips, but I've learned a few more nice things too.  I can even levitate!  The professors are all very good, both teaching us and watching out for us.<br/><br/>There are a lot of clubs too, from Spellflag (a field sport with magic), to dueling (with careful rules for practice sparring), and a theater!  I made a short foray into that, it was pretty fun to be theatrical with magic.  I may have to try out again for any organized productions.<br/><br/>I hope you're well.  I'm sorry I can't help with the shop, but when I get back, I can help a lot more with magical services or even making new products!  I miss you, and I find myself thinking about dad a lot.  I read about so many adventures and exotic places, I can't help but imagine what he must have done, where he could be now, where he got this ring.  We're in Midgard right now, and we'll be heading to Eberron at the end of the month, so if there's anyone who might have known dad, let me know.  Or if you want anything you might only get there, too.  I hear Eberron has some neat exotic woods and things like that.<br/><br/>I've got to take care of business and do some studying now.  I love you, and I'll write again soon,<br/><br/>Love,<br/>Kleris”</em><br/><br/>For good measure, he captured an image of his face to attach with the letter and sealed it up to deliver.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>After getting obligations out of the way, Kleris got dressed and started his morning rounds asking about the illicit party pictures.  After his successes yesterday, he had a few leads making it easier to track them down.  He explained how it wasn't right to take advantage of people not in their right mind, and that several other students had already given up their prizes, so shouldn't they as well?  They fortunately listened to reason and did the right thing, handing over their own copies, some of which had been reformatted to numbered collectible cards even.  From what he saw, he had almost collected them all.<br/><br/>With a productive morning behind him, Kleris got ready for the slumber party, making sure he had some supplies ready:  pillow, blanket, pajamas, gambling candy, pack of cards for some friendly wagers.  He asked around for some ideas of what to do and wrote them down.<br/><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Games: Truth or dare, Twister, Pillow fight, Magical telephone message conduit</li><li>Entertainment:  Scary stories, Music and songs</li><li>Activities:  Fashion show, Talent show, Spa and makeover, Crafting jewelry/magic trinkets</li><li>Prizes:  Scavenger hunt, Commemorative pictures and frames, White elephant gift exchange</li></ul>