Canon does all right on the section about owlbear behaviour. His people had never considered the idea of attempting to domesticate the creatures, though, so the second part of the test is a bit of a disaster.
Turning over the test Robin is a bit nervous, as Animal Handling is not her strong suit by any means. She is smiling though as she finishes the exam and turns her paper back over. Nature is a 17 and Animal Handling is a 16, both rolled in the game log.
Though his mind is occupied with thoughts of home and of hanging out with his new pals in the athletics club, Jedavii still manages to finish on time, confident he had done pretty well.
His study one-act stuck in his head, Marius easily breezes through the test, rapidly answering the multiple choice and then writing long, elaborate essays. When the time is up and the tests are collected, he begins half-skipping towards the door, humming showtunes.
(Jedavii, Marius, and Robin ace the test; Canon gets a passing grade. Nobody failed! Love to see it. Go ahead and note that you have additional student dice to add to your next nature and animalhandling checks.)
"Alright, pens down, that's time!" Professor Lang calls out. "Your grades will be posted in a few hours. Oh, and would Robin Holdcrest, Marius Stargem, Jedavii Fairblossom, and Canon please see me before they head out? Thank you, everyone, see you next week. Class dismissed."
The four of you make your way to the front of the room, where Verelda Lang waits as her fractal moths gather the tests left on the desks. The dryad greets you all with a smile.
"I have news for you regarding that substance you gave me. It's a substance those of us from Witherbloom College are quite familiar with: eldritch balm. It's an alchemical salve made from the waters of Sedgemoor, the bayou that encompasses the Witherbloom campus. Once these waters undergo an alchemical process in Witherbloom’s faculty laboratories, the resulting eldritch balm is used to magically treat and strengthen objects. The balm’s effects differ depending on the objects treated, but it typically provides resistance to certain types of damage or other protections. What's odd is no faculty member has been authorized to create any balm, and there's no record of anyone requesting authorization to do so. Whoever did this had access to the labs and has, so far, avoided detection. The Witherbloom deans, Lisette and Valentin, are currently investigating; they wanted me to thank you for bringing it to our attention."
Marius's already pale skin pales several shades as the professor speaks. "'Is there anything we can do to help?" he asks immediately once she finishes.
"Not at this time, Marius. You've all done enough just bringing this to our attention. We'll take it from here. You all just focus on your studies, alright?"
"Of course. Now, you're dismissed. I need to grade these tests. I'll post your scores this afternoon. Good day, students."
After a couple hours, Professor Lang posts the grades outside the classroom. It looks like all of you passed, with Robin, Marius, and Jedavii tying for the highest score in the class! Even after such a short time at Strixhaven, you feel you are learning so much. But there is still a long way to go; the only thing to do is keep on walking down the path before you to further success. Who knows what may lie ahead?
While you're all looking at the scores, Jedavii feels a hand slip into his pocket. When he turns around to look, he finds several people - it's impossible to know which one tried to steal from him. He reaches into his pocket instinctively and finds that nothing was taken out; in fact, something was put in... a crumpled piece of paper. A note!
"Big heroes on campus! You’re the talk of the school, what with your monster-dispatching ways. But can you recover the legendary Sassy Sally Jane? Many have tried. All have failed. Meet us outside Captain Dapplewing’s Manor at midnight tonight and see if you’ve got what it takes!”
Jedavii yawns as the test results get posted. "Hoo boy... I'm beat. Could use a good sleep after today, good job to you all. That was a har-hm? Hey! Thief! Get out of my... oh. Huh. Hey guys, check this out!"
He shows the group the letter. "Sounds exciting! Shall we go?"
"I say we at least look into it. I am curious why the note was left in such a surreptitious manner, but learning more can't hurt. Robin? Canon? What do you think?" Marius puts in, a bit of leadership experience creeping into his voice, but generally looking around for the group consensus.
"A challenge has been issued; I will not dishonour the northern mountain clan by ignoring it." Though to himself Canon thinks, I used to hate the stupid challenge games people played back home, why do I feel like I can't back down now?
"My only concern is why us." Robin points out. "Someone has to be behind these strange monsters after all. Seems like the ones that took care of the monsters would be a target now." She frowns as she stares off into space for a moment. "Regardless I say we follow up on it, just keep our wits about us as we do so."
You all part ways and relax, eventually reconvening to head to Captain Dapplewing’s Manor. A well-lit path winds its way up to a two-story mansion surrounded by verdant gardens on the northwest edge edge of Central Campus. Beneath a massive oak tree in the front yard, you spot a group of your friends: Rosie Wuzfeddlims, Greta Gorunn, Aurora Luna Wynterstarr, and Larine Arneza.
"Ha! I told you they'd show up," Greta barks, prompting a quick shush from Rosie. "Oh, sorry. Hi Jedavii! Long time no lift, dude!"
"Good to see you, Canon, darling," Aurora greets her fellow musician with a wink.
"Hello, Marius. Thank you for helping me get to rehearsal on time earlier; I could have stared at that fish pond for hours,"Larine giggles.
"Hiya Robin! Good to see you buddy! Good to see all of you, really! You guys have done some pretty cool things since you got here, and we wanna put your skills to the test. So, trunk-slayers, frog-chasers... We present you with a challenge!"Rosie announces, striking a dramatic pose. “This is it. Sassy Sally Jane is up there in the attic. For years, people have tried to liberate her. For years, they’ve failed. But we think this year is different. This year, you’re on campus.”
"If you can bring her back, you'll be campus legends! Plus we'll pay for your lunches for, like, a week... no, a month!" Greta adds.
(These are all NPCs you guys are friends with via jobs or extracurricular activities - if you need refreshers on who they are, check out the 'Fellow Students' section of the Strixhaven Book.)
"Well, this is not quite what I was expecting..." Robin says as she tucks some read hair behind an ear. Some strands of her hair had escaped from the tight brade she wears. She looks from the greeting committee to the tower and then shrugs. "What can you tell us about this personw e are to liberate?" Robin asks finally. "Why has no one been able to do it before now?"
[... really.]
Canon does all right on the section about owlbear behaviour. His people had never considered the idea of attempting to domesticate the creatures, though, so the second part of the test is a bit of a disaster.
Turning over the test Robin is a bit nervous, as Animal Handling is not her strong suit by any means. She is smiling though as she finishes the exam and turns her paper back over.
Nature is a 17 and Animal Handling is a 16, both rolled in the game log.
Jedavii strolls into the test room, humming to himself.
Nature: 7
Animal Handling: 14
(That's a pass for both!)
Though his mind is occupied with thoughts of home and of hanging out with his new pals in the athletics club, Jedavii still manages to finish on time, confident he had done pretty well.
Nature: 4
Animal Handling: 7
His study one-act stuck in his head, Marius easily breezes through the test, rapidly answering the multiple choice and then writing long, elaborate essays. When the time is up and the tests are collected, he begins half-skipping towards the door, humming showtunes.
(Yay! Aced it!)
(Jedavii, Marius, and Robin ace the test; Canon gets a passing grade. Nobody failed! Love to see it. Go ahead and note that you have additional student dice to add to your next nature and animal handling checks.)
"Alright, pens down, that's time!" Professor Lang calls out. "Your grades will be posted in a few hours. Oh, and would Robin Holdcrest, Marius Stargem, Jedavii Fairblossom, and Canon please see me before they head out? Thank you, everyone, see you next week. Class dismissed."
The four of you make your way to the front of the room, where Verelda Lang waits as her fractal moths gather the tests left on the desks. The dryad greets you all with a smile.
"I have news for you regarding that substance you gave me. It's a substance those of us from Witherbloom College are quite familiar with: eldritch balm. It's an alchemical salve made from the waters of Sedgemoor, the bayou that encompasses the Witherbloom campus. Once these waters undergo an alchemical process in Witherbloom’s faculty laboratories, the resulting eldritch balm is used to magically treat and strengthen objects. The balm’s effects differ depending on the objects treated, but it typically provides resistance to certain types of damage or other protections. What's odd is no faculty member has been authorized to create any balm, and there's no record of anyone requesting authorization to do so. Whoever did this had access to the labs and has, so far, avoided detection. The Witherbloom deans, Lisette and Valentin, are currently investigating; they wanted me to thank you for bringing it to our attention."
Marius's already pale skin pales several shades as the professor speaks. "'Is there anything we can do to help?" he asks immediately once she finishes.
"Not at this time, Marius. You've all done enough just bringing this to our attention. We'll take it from here. You all just focus on your studies, alright?"
Canon nods seriously. "Thank you, Professor. I hope you can get to the bottom of this quickly, this stuff could have badly hurt our friends."
"Of course. Now, you're dismissed. I need to grade these tests. I'll post your scores this afternoon. Good day, students."
After a couple hours, Professor Lang posts the grades outside the classroom. It looks like all of you passed, with Robin, Marius, and Jedavii tying for the highest score in the class! Even after such a short time at Strixhaven, you feel you are learning so much. But there is still a long way to go; the only thing to do is keep on walking down the path before you to further success. Who knows what may lie ahead?
While you're all looking at the scores, Jedavii feels a hand slip into his pocket. When he turns around to look, he finds several people - it's impossible to know which one tried to steal from him. He reaches into his pocket instinctively and finds that nothing was taken out; in fact, something was put in... a crumpled piece of paper. A note!
"Big heroes on campus! You’re the talk of the school, what with your monster-dispatching ways. But can you recover the legendary Sassy Sally Jane? Many have tried. All have failed. Meet us outside Captain Dapplewing’s Manor at midnight tonight and see if you’ve got what it takes!”
Jedavii yawns as the test results get posted. "Hoo boy... I'm beat. Could use a good sleep after today, good job to you all. That was a har-hm? Hey! Thief! Get out of my... oh. Huh. Hey guys, check this out!"
He shows the group the letter. "Sounds exciting! Shall we go?"
"I say we at least look into it. I am curious why the note was left in such a surreptitious manner, but learning more can't hurt. Robin? Canon? What do you think?" Marius puts in, a bit of leadership experience creeping into his voice, but generally looking around for the group consensus.
"A challenge has been issued; I will not dishonour the northern mountain clan by ignoring it." Though to himself Canon thinks, I used to hate the stupid challenge games people played back home, why do I feel like I can't back down now?
"My only concern is why us." Robin points out. "Someone has to be behind these strange monsters after all. Seems like the ones that took care of the monsters would be a target now." She frowns as she stares off into space for a moment. "Regardless I say we follow up on it, just keep our wits about us as we do so."
"It looks like we agree, then," Marius says. "We stay aware and investigate tonight."
(You may all take a long rest!)
You all part ways and relax, eventually reconvening to head to Captain Dapplewing’s Manor. A well-lit path winds its way up to a two-story mansion surrounded by verdant gardens on the northwest edge edge of Central Campus. Beneath a massive oak tree in the front yard, you spot a group of your friends: Rosie Wuzfeddlims, Greta Gorunn, Aurora Luna Wynterstarr, and Larine Arneza.
"Ha! I told you they'd show up," Greta barks, prompting a quick shush from Rosie. "Oh, sorry. Hi Jedavii! Long time no lift, dude!"
"Good to see you, Canon, darling," Aurora greets her fellow musician with a wink.
"Hello, Marius. Thank you for helping me get to rehearsal on time earlier; I could have stared at that fish pond for hours," Larine giggles.
"Hiya Robin! Good to see you buddy! Good to see all of you, really! You guys have done some pretty cool things since you got here, and we wanna put your skills to the test. So, trunk-slayers, frog-chasers... We present you with a challenge!" Rosie announces, striking a dramatic pose. “This is it. Sassy Sally Jane is up there in the attic. For years, people have tried to liberate her. For years, they’ve failed. But we think this year is different. This year, you’re on campus.”
"If you can bring her back, you'll be campus legends! Plus we'll pay for your lunches for, like, a week... no, a month!" Greta adds.
(These are all NPCs you guys are friends with via jobs or extracurricular activities - if you need refreshers on who they are, check out the 'Fellow Students' section of the Strixhaven Book.)
"Well, this is not quite what I was expecting..." Robin says as she tucks some read hair behind an ear. Some strands of her hair had escaped from the tight brade she wears. She looks from the greeting committee to the tower and then shrugs. "What can you tell us about this personw e are to liberate?" Robin asks finally. "Why has no one been able to do it before now?"
Canon greets his fellow students warmly, then ponders their challenge. "Liberate? Then this person is somehow incarcerated?"