[2025/11/10 14:06] Sapphire: the general plan is getting your mages (re) introduced to Castra Solis and some of the other recently Gauntleted apprentices who will be participating in the wizards duel tournament sponsored by the local Flambaue magi
[2025/11/10 14:06] Sapphire: Flambeau*
[2025/11/10 14:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay...
[2025/11/10 14:09] Sapphire: ....question, Sonja
[2025/11/10 14:09] Sapphire: did we take logs of last session?
[2025/11/10 14:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: was I supposed to... I thought that was a practice thingy
[2025/11/10 14:10] Sapphire: ah, fair, I did kinda mix in a start at the end which probably took you a bit off guard....
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sapphire: so I guess another question would be... how much of the practice session made sense to you to?
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sapphire: two*
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: uhm
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: >.>
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: <.<
[2025/11/10 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: enough to continue if you hold my hand?
[2025/11/10 14:12] Mecha: A bit of it did, might have to help a bit more as we go through rolls until we are more comfortable
[2025/11/10 14:13] Sapphire: /me nods. "Is also part of why the opening sessions are duels for sport, so that messing something up is much less of a big deal."
[2025/11/10 14:17] Sapphire: /me starts typing up opening set!
[2025/11/10 14:17] Sapphire: if only i had good wizardly magic to set playing....
[2025/11/10 14:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CBTfCjuDyA
[2025/11/10 14:19] Sapphire: thank you :D
[2025/11/10 14:20] Sapphire: hmmmmm
[2025/11/10 14:21] Sapphire: /me ponders if i have you run your Gauntlets really quick or not...
[2025/11/10 14:21] Sapphire: the test your master gives you to confirm that you know enough magic to conclude your apprenticeship
[2025/11/10 14:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: ...idk...
[2025/11/10 14:22] Sapphire: I think I'll start after that, dodge the risk of failing them orwatever
[2025/11/10 14:23] Sapphire: It is usual, once you Gauntlet/graduate, to choose your wizardly name
[2025/11/10 14:23] Sapphire: ....Mecha, you there? you haven't said anything for like 20 mins
[2025/11/10 14:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: probably wishing she was at the QK robot conversion scene with the evil corporation
[2025/11/10 14:25] Mecha: *As you look into Mechas eyes all you see is static*
[2025/11/10 14:25] Sapphire: /me leans over and pokes Mecha's shoulder
[2025/11/10 14:25] Sapphire: is tonight a bad night?
[2025/11/10 14:25] Mecha: Mistress if this one was wishing she was there it would be with a corrupted power core and a countdown timer
[2025/11/10 14:26] Mecha: No, it's okay :) Gaming would be good, and this one was looking forward to it
[2025/11/10 14:29] Mecha: Also... 20 minutes? This one has not been quiet that long
[2025/11/10 14:30] Sapphire: alright, ready to start?
[2025/11/10 14:30] Mecha: /me nods
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: 11 minutes.
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: -☼- -🌓︎- -☼-
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: It is early March, 1220 AD, at the wizard-owned castle of Castra Solis, or castle of the sun. Even as the mountain snow slowly melts, the fields around the castle are busy being plowed and seeded with the years crops. The castle has walls washed with bright white, and the towers are shingled in copper that catches the sunlight with expensively beautiful set of bronze and green lighting.
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: The details of which crops exactly are below your notice as newly Gauntleted Magi, having proven your magical capabilities to satisfactory degrees to your Parens, or masters. Partly at their suggestion, and because four years ago you participated in the last one, you are here to attend the quadrannual Wizards Tournament here at the castle.
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: Last night, you made it in and were shown to some guest rooms. Soon it will be morning and time to follow the scent of baking bread and sizzling sausage down to the dining hall.
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: - ☼ Sonja, your mage apprenticed here for the past decade or so, what might be your favorite room in the castle?
[2025/11/10 14:31] Sapphire: - 🜨 Mecha, your mage apprenticed up in the mountains south of here. What supplies did you choose to bring with you?
[2025/11/10 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: One of the rooms in a tower, looking over the fields
[2025/11/10 14:32] Mecha: Clothes, food. Something preferably hearty since she is used to cold of the mountains. A walking stick / staff, and basic travel supplies *Tent bedroll blanket.*Again, it gets cold*
[2025/11/10 14:34] Mecha: Figure froim the mountains she would be a basics kinda person
[2025/11/10 14:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, a valley girl.
[2025/11/10 14:37] Sapphire: is the opposte of a valley girl a ridges girl?
[2025/11/10 14:37] Mecha: yep
[2025/11/10 14:37] Mecha: If you will pardon the pun she is rather down to earth
[2025/11/10 14:39] Sapphire: Likely a middle room in the tower for both of you, the roof is the domain of the watchman. The castle staff come to your doors, knocking and informing you that breakfast is ready downstairs. While slightly stiff and practiced, their manor is quite polite.
[2025/11/10 14:39] Sapphire: Heading down to the dining hall for breakfast? Anything you wish to check on?
[2025/11/10 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Naa, just the menu.
[2025/11/10 14:42] Mecha: Eggs,potatoes and meat
[2025/11/10 14:49] Sapphire: It's 1200s France, they have eggs, sausage, and can grill up turnips or some leftover carrots.
[2025/11/10 14:49] Sapphire: Several of the staff and guards are eating at the cold end of the hall, a slightly raised table with twelve chairs is reserved for the mages. One at the end, a spindly old bearded man with haunted eyes is reading from a wax tablet over his plate of eggs, using a stylus to inscribe notes. At the other end, two magi your age sit, both of whom you recognize.
[2025/11/10 14:49] Sapphire: The first is a young Bonisagus once known by the oddly English name of James, though you've heard he now calls himself Vortex. Mecha, four years ago he tried to flirt with you after the tournament, why did you turn him down?
[2025/11/10 14:49] Sapphire: The second is a Tremere witch, Pythagora, who always wears a dark hat with a wide brim, after Sonja managed to set her hair on fire in the last tournament. Was that intentional on your part, or an accident?
[2025/11/10 14:51] Mecha: So many name changes he was just flighty. If someone wishes to flirt, prove they are in it enough to do so.
[2025/11/10 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: it was accidentally on purpose, because she kept going on and on about right angled triangles with unit sides and the hypotenuse being a never ending number. There's only so much a Girl can take.
[2025/11/10 14:53] Mecha: *SNERK*
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: You also notice one servant heading in and out of the kitchens with plates and a pitcher of probably half-beer, passing by the wizards table semi-often.
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: "So by intoning the spell in the third declension instead of the second, you can sharpen the winds into a vicious point backed by your will, but leveraged to a strength great enough to catch an ax blade with even wintery air," the young wizard is explaining.
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: "Surely the twisting of air, even if you forged it into a blade of some kind, would not also be able to block an incoming strike?" Pythagora asks of the young mage, "Wouldn't you be better off..." she pauses, turning when she notices the approaching other mages. "Oh, its you again. I suppose it was unavoidable seeing you here while still attending the tournament."
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: "Oh, don't be so frigid, 'Gora, the cold belongs outside this time of year."
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: "It's Pythagora. In any case," she looks mostly the young Flambeau over. "What are you styling yourself as these days?"
[2025/11/10 14:58] Sapphire: Vortex nods, and sends a curious smile to
[2025/11/10 14:59] Sapphire: Vortex nods, and sends a curious smile to implicitly inquire the same of the young Ex Miscellania.
[2025/11/10 15:03] Mecha: /me keeps eating, most likely working on something of her own. She has an idea to test out later
[2025/11/10 15:06] Sapphire: Vortex's eyebrow lifts at the lack of response. "Are you alright there? Are you still going by Immaculada?"
[2025/11/10 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: (who, me?)
[2025/11/10 15:07] Mecha: *No this one Forgot the damn name and everything*
[2025/11/10 15:07] Sapphire: ( Pythagora was addressing the question to you, yes Sonja. )
[2025/11/10 15:07] Mecha: Looks up from breakfast and thought."What? What'd I miss?"
[2025/11/10 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: "I'm going by the name of what's for breakfast. Say, what's that smell? Smells like burnt hair."
[2025/11/10 15:12] Sapphire: Vortex's eyebrow lifts at the lack of response. "Are you alright there? Are you still going by Immaculada?"
[2025/11/10 15:12] Sapphire: "She's nearly as cloud-headed as you are, Vortex," Pythagora says offhandedly, before smirking at the answer. "Breakfast ex Flambeau. Delightful, your voting sigil could be an egg and sausage." Hers is probably a triangle of some sort.
[2025/11/10 15:12] Sapphire: "I was wondering what name you'd chosen for yourself after your Gauntlet, Imma," the Bonisagus inquires.
[2025/11/10 15:12] Sapphire: (( Dang it, strike that repeat ))
[2025/11/10 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: I was thinking Post Gauntlet Hoc, Proctor Hoc
[2025/11/10 15:15] Sapphire: "Hmmmm, if you're too pretentious about it I'll nominate we call you Breakfast instead."
[2025/11/10 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Long as I get fed before listening to more triangular arguments.
[2025/11/10 15:18] Sapphire: She smirks and pushes forward a plate of bread slices in triangular cuts. The helpful servant does come by and deposites a plate of sauages to go with it, other hand holding a pitcher while they check if you have your own mug
[2025/11/10 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Just leave the pitcher. You never know when a fire needs putting out.
[2025/11/10 15:19] Mecha: Mm Can I get more eggs, these are good."
[2025/11/10 15:19] Mecha: please
[2025/11/10 15:20] Sapphire: "Of course, Miss and Miss," He sets the pitcher down and heads back to the kitchens in order to fetch some extra eggs before something catches fire. A fairly common occurance in a castle run by the house of fire mages.
[2025/11/10 15:21] Sapphire: "So," Vortex changes the topic. "Looking forwards to the dueling? I'm still a bit nervous after last year, but I'm hoping I can get at least the lowest prize."
[2025/11/10 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, the least you can get is nothing.
[2025/11/10 15:27] Sapphire: Pythagora laughs sharply. "She's got you there! But I'm going for the top. First place, even before we hear what the prize is. Should be a good one with so many gauntleted magi in the running. A bunch of the older mages are gonna be trying to outdo each other with the prize pool I think."
[2025/11/10 15:27] Sapphire: A third young mage comes down, in robes of white and blue horizontal stripes, with a swagger as loud as his robes. An ice focused apprentice. "Ah, late to breakfast I am, well, I'll just have to make up lost time." He slides into a chair, nodding to each of the mages present. "Ladies, Gentleman. Off to a good start already? I think I've finally settled on what name I'll go by."
[2025/11/10 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me munches on breakfast, then looks up after a minute. "Say what now? do I have to do anything?"
[2025/11/10 15:36] Sapphire: "Just be newly introduced to..." He poses with one arm high, "First Frost Ex Flambaeu!" Pythagora responds with a disinterested mini-clap to that.
[2025/11/10 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: "I see."
[2025/11/10 15:38] Mecha: Names and names and names. Never understood the new names every time. Keep it simple and move on.
[2025/11/10 15:40] Sapphire: "Oh? Going to just keep your current one? I suppose if you have a pretty sounding one, why switch?" He smirks and shrugs. Pythagora pipes up, "Because then you have a common name, not one referring to great deeds, or that could show off your true self."
[2025/11/10 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: "But at least, not burnt hair."
[2025/11/10 15:41] D10: Sapphire rolls 5
[2025/11/10 15:42] Mecha: Looks at pythagora."My name is basic. I am not. If I were in a fight or competition and I had a big flamboyant name you expect big and flamboyant. You see, Sarah you dont expect big and flamboyant and get surprised when you get buried
[2025/11/10 15:42] Mecha: oh and can I get more eggs and meat please. Not sure why I've been so hungry lately
[2025/11/10 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: "not eating for two, are you?"
[2025/11/10 15:45] Mecha: /me nearly chokes ona bite of egg."What *Sputter, what do you mean? No.. I've never even.. WHAT?!"
[2025/11/10 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: "You've.. never...?" *arches eyebrow*
[2025/11/10 15:47] Mecha: NO! Never. No one in my village liked me so I didn't like them, then there was my teacher and.. no, thank you, then here. And believe me someone tried." as she looks at Vortex."Still never knew why you would fancy me."
[2025/11/10 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Hashtag valley girl problems."
[2025/11/10 15:49] Mecha: Valley what, what?
[2025/11/10 15:49] Sapphire: Pythagora tightens her expression for a moment, flicks her wrist and gestures to flash a middle finger to the bonfire girls comments, seeming on the verge of actually casting something before Sarah answers, calming herself.
[2025/11/10 15:49] Sapphire: First Frost grins. "Oh! Already? Well, congratulations! To both of you," he elbows Vortex who blushes rather heavily before Sarah has the chance to clarify.
[2025/11/10 15:49] Sapphire: Put on the spot, Vortex stammers, "Well, you were so... polite and strong all together, and..."
[2025/11/10 15:50] Mecha: She smiles at Vortex. While I was not interested in romance... thank you for saying that today :)
[2025/11/10 15:53] Mecha: truth be told I am kind of at the point where I am less interested in if it happens or not.
[2025/11/10 15:57] Sapphire: "Um, any time," Vortex answers, still blushing. "Maybe, ah..."
[2025/11/10 15:57] Sapphire: "Such is the way of Longevity Rituals," First Frost bowls over Vortex's stumbling, referring to the associated sacrifice of fertility the life-extension technique entails with a dramatic gesture. "Truely, the way of mages is to have Apprentices rather than children."
[2025/11/10 15:57] Sapphire: The sound of several other people, presumably more wizards making their way down the stairs approaches.
[2025/11/10 15:57] Sapphire: Pythagora uses the distraction to reach out and tap Breakfast ex Flambeaus plate while muttering some sort of spell, attempting to frost over her food in retaliation for the insults about her hair.
[2025/11/10 15:58] Sapphire: ( minor spell, spontaneously... perdo ignem plus the local aura... )
[2025/11/10 15:58] D10: Sapphire rolls 3
[2025/11/10 15:58] Sapphire: Only a bare edge of the plate evidences meaningful chill
[2025/11/10 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Time I was gone - got an early start to tomorrow
[2025/11/10 16:00] Sapphire: ok then, let us pick up next time with the arrival of the elder magi... and their explanation of the dueling tourney rules
[2025/11/10 16:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: yus
[2025/11/10 16:01] Mecha: Sounds like fun