Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure

Then, [Guardok's] posture straightens, and a spark of genuine excitement lights up his eyes. "But when I go back, it’s going to be different. I’m working on a sword dancing routine. I want to elevate the drama to new heights—literally and figuratively. I’m certain that by being here at Strixhaven, I can learn more about myself and the stone I’m created from, and weave all of that into a great act! Imagine... a dance where the earth itself rises to meet the blade".

After that, Aspen settles back slightly, listening as Guardok continues conversing with Shin. Her attention lingers on him as he describes the circus and the act he hopes to build one day. A dance with the earth itself... it sounded poetic. "That sounds like a thrilling dance." She smiles.

"I share Aspen's subjective estimation of your aspirational earth-driven swordplay as wondrous to imagine."  Shin grins, unsettlingly as always.  "At once slightly similar, yet vastly different in its inspiration from the Bladesinging mastery that my mentor bade me aspire to.  In truth, this academy seems to boast an improbably high concentration and variety of potential talents, though not so improbable when considering intentional selectivity."

As Naevyn returns, the goblin's off-putting smile grows in magnitude as the fairy relates his conversation with his fellow Silkballers.  In answer to his roommate's final question, Shin sighs.  "The vector of time, unlike motion in spatial dimensions, extends ever forward.  We newcomers to Cloudblower Hall have less than an hour left before returning to meet Shuvadri, likely leaving no time for further exploration, but perhaps a bit more for conversation."

The purple-skinned tiefling gives Mina a smile and a small wave and watches as she returns behind the counter. He the turns his attention back to those still at the table.

"Well, yes, they are not as large as most gardens I suppose, but areas within the main Biblioplex where you can lie back and study among plants. I suppose they too need tending." He says the last part more to himself. "Anyway, never really tried studying there myself, have always preferred studying by a desk, althoughI I have admittedly done some studying in the commons with Aurora when the weather was too nice to avoid. Speaking of Aurora, can I ask where you saw her perform? Was she famous back then? She hasn't really said much about her career as a musician before coming here." He asks the half-orc dancer.

Arinchu listens to what Malvyn has to say about the Book Gardens. She nods as he describes them as not being large but still wonders at the thought of a library having a garden inside. She answers his question about Aurora in a soft voice. "I first heard her perform in a place called the City of Storm. It's in the Tor-Kathorra Desert, which is where I am from originally. I mean, the desert is where I was from, not the City really."  She pauses, hoping that explained things well enough, and not seeming to want to go into more detail. "I also had a chance to see her later in Thompson Mound, a village south of Silkmeadow."  She glances around a moment, not having really realized Aurora had left. "Umm, she was pretty well-known then, that was maybe almost two years ago. She could definitely command a pretty large audience. It's such a unique sort of music."

Quote from Culuril >>

Myala watches Chierhy, momentarily worried until she chuckles. "Well, it's easy to miss something in such complicated calculations. Perhaps we can review the equations at some point when we have some time."  She glances up at the massive stones, floating in mid-air in near perfect alignment. "I've heard there's a snarl inside the Biblioplex. Perhaps its presence so close by has an influence?" 

Both she and Kadyr listen as she talks wistfully of splitting herself into two. "As much as I love the natural world, I think I might choose the math and research to just watching trees grow all day," Kadyr says with a grin. "Well, maybe research and not so much math, but still, I'm not sure how long I could just stare at one tree!"  

Chierhy smiles at the idea of working with Myala on the Star Arch calculations. “I would love that.” The Wagaduan’s gaze drifts downwards from the suspended stones, taking in the shape of the Biblioplex, the causeway or path leading to its entrance, and dwells there for a moment as Myala speaks of the snarl. “Do you think we can see it from inside?,” she asks, stepping ahead again with the others if they join her, compelled to find out the answer to her question with her own eyes, whatever Myala’s answer might be.

To Kadyr’s remark about boredom staring at a single tree, Chierhy reacts graciously, but shares a grin with Myala. She says, teasingly, “Don’t worry. Nothing until now has suggested you’re a ‘one tree’ kind of person.” She says this in good humor, but is careful, aware that having just met Kadyr, she’s testing the waters with such a barb.

"The only way to know if we can see it would be to go in and find out," Myala agrees, moving along with Chierhy. "That would be amazing to actually see the snarl up close." 

In response to the remark, Kadyr merely smiles. "Yea, let's go take a quick look so we'll still have time to get back for the meeting." 

The group continues along up the marble steps to a raised entryway nearly 40 ft. by 25 ft. The two large doors stand open, giving a glimpse of the inside. As you approach, there is just a single human in a first-year uniform walking briskly inside. You all follow to find yourself inside. The marble continues within, with the half-dome ceiling at the entrance soaring up to nearly 50 ft.  About 30-40 ft ahead is what looks like an information desk, a woman with long almost elf-like ears wearing a professor's uniform stationed there. To the left is a lounge area and then a small room that seems to be a shop of some sort.  To the right is a seating area with a service counter and a little kitchen area behind. There are perhaps 4 or 5 students sitting at the tables, some sipping a drink, and a couple eating a sandwich. 

Further past the information desk is a nearly 30 ft. wide passage that appears to lead further into the library. In the distance is a semi-enclosed hall that is hard to make out. To either side seem to be row upon row of bookshelves stuffed full of books. 

"Indeed, I find her music quite...captivating. While I'm not surprised she had a following before coming here she has not lived the life of a star here at Strixhaven I would say, and while certainly being appreciated for her recurring performances at the Bow's End I would say she has been quite modest about it, also finding time for studies, the show band and tending to the stadium field." Malvyn explains with a warm smile as he thinks about the raven-haired performer. "Anyway, I suppose I will see you tonight at the tavern then. I ususally sit at a table near the stage, you are most welcome to join me there, well, unless you prefer to sit by yourselves of course." He says with a small smile, looking between the half-orc and the fox-eared girl.

Chierhy notes Kadyr’s relaxed response to her remark with an internal smile of her own. She’ll have be careful of Myala’s sense of pride, which is fine. But Kadyr could be… entertaining.

As they enter the Biblioplex, her eyes follow the sweeping architectural highlights with interest. There aren’t many buildings in Wagadu that can compare with its grandeur. Well, the interior, similar to libraries she’s whiled away many a day and night, is understated though grand in its way. But of course the exterior could hardly be more extraverted, wearing a tiara as it does. ‘Speaking of which, why am I still wearing this? It’s making my head itch.,’ she thinks, while inconspicuously scratching the back of her head just at the edge of her gele.

“I suppose it would be downstairs?,” she suggests to the others before advancing with poise to the information desk. There, if the woman at the desk, whom she judges to be her elder, gives her her attention, Chierhy makes a two-kneed curtsy, dipping three inches, spreading her palms, and turning her head fifteen degrees to eight o’clock in formal demureness.

“Good afternoon Madam.”

Guardok nods slowly as Aspen explains the Witherbloom philosophy. The idea of rot feeding the soil seems to resonate with his own heavy, geological patience.

"That’s beautiful way to frame it, Aspen," he says. "I like the idea that there is this rhythm of letting go and starting over. A constant cycle where all things are intertwined"

He turns to Shin, his expression brightened by the mention of Bladesinging.

"I can't wait to see your bladesinging, Shin. I guess to hear it as well" he says with a chuckle. "I wonder what will happen when we take our different inspirations and see what happens when they collide".

He looks at the clock on the wall.

"Very true, keeping time is quite important here, what with lectures and all. Although, with the year coming to a close, I am not sure what I will be doing with my time. I never really thought about how much time off there is between years", he wonders.

Arinchu nods to Malvyn, "Yes, we'll be there tonight." She casts a very quick glance at Aspen when the Tiefling invites them to sit with him near the stage. She has no idea what the cat-eared woman might want. A table near the stage though sounded like quite a luxury though. "Do you have a table near the stage reserved?" she asks. "That seems like quite a great seat for the show. I just..."  She pauses, still uncertain, but finally says, "It is such a very generous offer, but can we let you know when we get there? Is seating usually hard to get on nights when Aurora Luna Wynterstarr is performing?" 

"You see a downstairs?" Kadyr asks as he glances around the place. But he follows Chierhy when she heads to the information desk.  

Chierhy does indeed judge the woman to be a little bit older than her, though certainly far younger than her parents would be.  Her hair is long and very dark black. But beyond that, it seems to have a strange smoky and shadowy quality to it that almost appears to shift right before your eyes. Her features are elegant and her skin rather flawless. You suspect she is an Aasimar.

The woman watches the formal greeting closely, a small smile on her face. "I am honored to meet you," she replies, making a very small bow.  While not the exact protocal for Wagadu, it does seem to closely mirror the small, polite response of someone who was a superior in terms of age. "I am Professor Flintwind. How might I help you?"  There's a slight pause before she adds, "Do I infer correctly that you, and your companions, are new to Strixhaven?" There's a bit of a grin on her face as she looks over towards Myala. 

Myala has lingered back a bit when the others had moved forward to the information desk. She seems to be in awe of the place. At first it was the hint of well-filled bookshelves in the distance. But now she seems to be focused on the seating area of the little cafe. "Oh my! Do you see that? It's moving," she says. 

Kadyr, who is not actively engaged in talking to someone like Chierhy, turns to see what Myala is talking about. He seems to agree with her assessment. "That's amazing. Oh! Did you notice the squirrel?"  He points towards the wall. 

[Aspen's] fingers trace lightly over the berry-toned blossoms tied around her wrist, adjusting one petal where the thread had shifted. “Where I’m from, plants were simply… part of living.” She explains. “Food, medicine, shelter, dye, tea. You learn their uses because they’re there, and because people before you learned them.”

Her mismatched eyes lift again toward Guardok. “But the more I studied them, the more I realized how much there still is to understand. How they heal. How they restore. How some can harm if used poorly.” She hums softly, thoughtful.

At the mention of Witherbloom, her expression warms rather than darkens. “A lot of people hear ‘life and death’ and think it means something grim.” She says gently. “But it’s really just the cycle. Growth, decay, renewal.” Her tail sways once, slow and calm. “Rot feeds soil. Fallen leaves become the next season’s life. Healing isn’t just about preserving something forever… sometimes it’s about knowing when to let something return to the earth so something new can grow.” A small dimple touches her cheek again. “I think Witherbloom simply studies that balance.”

Shin closes his beady red eyes and listens to Aspen, smiling and imagining himself back in the woodlands even now.

"Admittedly, not all who dwell in or near the forest live and learn their surroundings the way Aspen speaks of.  Most of my goblin clan for starters.  Though I find myself wishing that they had.  And that I myself had more fully, for that matter.  Though I did try to listen to what my elven bladesinging master taught me of existing in harmony with our surroundings.  The work of a lifetime, as Aspen alludes to.  It is Witherbloom for me as well."

[Guardok] turns to Shin, his expression brightened by the mention of Bladesinging.

"I can't wait to see your bladesinging, Shin. I guess to hear it as well" he says with a chuckle. "I wonder what will happen when we take our different inspirations and see what happens when they collide."

"Oh no," the goblin chuckles.  "No, no, no.  I am no bladesinger yet, not even a rudimentary one, let alone proficient at it.  Perhaps one day if I can continue my training and drills, with your help, I hope, yet it is improbable that the day is in the near future.  I have found that my blind impatience to leave my master and see the world has been matched only by my sheer dumb luck in stumbling into a place such as this."  Shin gestures all around.

"I merely hope I can provide you some modicum of challenge tomorrow at dawn."  he grins good naturedly at Guardok (in his unsettling goblin way).

Guardok is a little surprised by Shin's admission that he intends to join Witherbloom. He had wrongly assumed the obviously intelligent goblin would be destined for Lorehold or Quandrix. The elven master perhaps has had a great influence on the goblin.

"It is not about challenge, Shin. I do not expect us to fight as such. More practice balance and technique. Perhaps there will be some sparring so we can see how to implement those techniques. And remember, I am still learning too. Perhaps you can show me what you remember of your master's instructions as well. Assuming that is allowed of course", he mentions, even as a curious expression settles on his face. "How did you come by an elven master, Shin? I bet there is a great story in that".

"No, no reservation..." The purple-skinned tiefling says. "...I guess I'm simply there early enough to have the table anyway." He says with a shrug and a small smile. "And there is nothing particularly generous about it, it would be nice for me with some company there, but you don't have to decide now, just know that I will be there early and have seats for you if you would need them." He explains.

Aspen listens closely as Arinchu speaks about dancing, her ears tipped forward with genuine interest. When the half-orc adds the quiet “yet,” Aspen’s dimple appears immediately. “I think dancing for the joy of it is the best reason to dance.” She says gently, her tail swaying once behind her chair.

“Ballet forms... There’s something very… deliberate about them. Grace, balance, control, intention in every movement.” She tilts her head slightly. “I do really look forward to seeing you dance sometime.”

At the unfamiliar name, Aspen's ears lift with curiosity rather than confusion. “Rootha Squallheart...” She repeats thoughtfully, committing it to memory. “I’ll have to learn more about her.” It was nice to learn of who inspired Arinchu, as well as learning more about where she was from through her conversation with Malvyn. 

When Malvyn adds the mention of the Book Gardens, Aspen’s attention shifts back toward him. “Gardens inside the Biblioplex? Really?” She hums softly. That idea clearly delights her. “That sounds wonderful. We must check it out when we go.” Her gaze drifts briefly toward the direction of the library as if already imagining it. “Plants and books seem like good company for one another.”

Ears tip toward Shin when he mentions Witherbloom as well. “Harmony with the world takes practice.” Aspen says softly. Something she's still learning every day. Her mismatched eyes settle on him with quiet reassurance. “But the fact that you’re listening for it, already means you’re learning.”

Aspen’s ears tilt toward Guardok as he reflects on the rhythm of letting go and beginning again. A quiet smile warms her expression. “It’s comforting, I think.” She says gently. “Knowing that nothing truly disappears. It just changes form and becomes part of something else.” Her tail sways once behind her chair. “Stone understands that better than most things.”

When Malvyn later mentions the table near the stage at the Bow’s End, Aspen glances toward Arinchu at the same moment the half-orc looks to her. Her ears tilt thoughtfully. It was an opportunity for Arinchu to get a front row seat to someone she admired, while also being able to share a table with them prior, or post, performance. And that was all the reason Aspen would need to accept Malvyn's offer.  “That sounds very kind of you.” She says to the tiefling with a warm smile. “Thank you.” Her tail gives a small easy sway. “We can find you when we arrive tonight.” A dimple touches her cheek.

At Naevyn’s return and the talk of time slipping toward their meeting, Aspen glances toward the café windows again, gauging the afternoon light. “We should probably start making our way to the Biblioplex soon.” She says gently to the table in support of the others musings as she brings her mug to her lips to drink her mocha in preparation to finish the last of it.

Quote from VolcanoLair >>

Guardok is a little surprised by Shin's admission that he intends to join Witherbloom. He had wrongly assumed the obviously intelligent goblin would be destined for Lorehold or Quandrix. The elven master perhaps has had a great influence on the goblin.

"It is not about challenge, Shin. I do not expect us to fight as such. More practice balance and technique. Perhaps there will be some sparring so we can see how to implement those techniques. And remember, I am still learning too. Perhaps you can show me what you remember of your master's instructions as well. Assuming that is allowed of course", he mentions, even as a curious expression settles on his face. "How did you come by an elven master, Shin? I bet there is a great story in that".

"I will remember," Shin responds to the first part of Guardok's words.  "It is allowed to show others, I think, though it may not work for everyone, in the same way that any endeavor by you to imbue my very bones with rock as you possess in yours has a low probability of success.  And even trained by a master as I was, the bladesong itself is something I have not properly grasped yet, like trying to shape wind with my voice.  Though I feel close..."

"As for how we met, well... it was my fortune, for better or worse, to stumble into the path of a orc war party on a raid," Shin very studiously does not glance at Arinchu, "as I was out exploring, having grown weary of my clan's subterranean, small-minded bickering, as I viewed it.  My master noticed my feeble attempts to conceal myself..."  (Shin waggles his fingers and briefly, an image of ferns and underbrush seem to provide the goblin momentary cover - Minor Illusion.)  "... and apparently decided I was worth saving.  And teaching.  To this day, I could not say whether he regrets his choice."

Ears tip toward Shin when he mentions Witherbloom as well. “Harmony with the world takes practice.” Aspen says softly. Something she's still learning every day. Her mismatched eyes settle on him with quiet reassurance. “But the fact that you’re listening for it, already means you’re learning.”

With a brief, crooked grin of appreciation at the fox-eared young woman, Shin turns back to Guardok.  "In truth, I remember him often sounding a bit like Aspen does.  Which provides me at least an iota of hope that he does not regret attempting to grant his tutelage to the lost goblin!"

At Naevyn’s return and the talk of time slipping toward their meeting, Aspen glances toward the café windows again, gauging the afternoon light. “We should probably start making our way to the Biblioplex soon.” She says gently to the table in support of the others musings as she brings her mug to her lips to drink her mocha in preparation to finish the last of it.

At this, if it looks as if his Ninth Floor Cloudblower Hall newbies are ready to venture out of the Firejolt Cafe, Shin hops off his chair to join them, Pinky-toe flapping her wings once in annoyance to maintain her balance on his shoulder.

Arinchu's smile broadens when Aspen comments about the joy of dancing being the best reason to dance. "I agree!" she says enthusiastically. Her smile fades a bit as she seems to mull a question over in her head.  Finally though she asks, "Do... you like to dance?"  When it seems the cat-eared woman does not know of Rootha Squallheart she explains. "She was a Prismary student who combined dance and elemental magic. She's a Half-Orc too."  

She nods to Malvyn about sitting with him, "We will look for you tonight. Thanks." 

When the conversation turns to the Biblioplex, the Half-Orc agrees they should get moving. "We just have a bit of time to go there and get back to Cloudblower Hall. We should go."  Having finished her tea, she slowly stands. Looking to make sure Aspen is coming, she adds, "We could at least find these gardens in the library and can always go back later if we want to see more of them." 

With the talk of going, Naevyn and Bretira also seem ready to head on to the Biblioplex. 

For all those going to the Biblioplex, it doesn't take long to walk along the avenue and across the bridge near the grand building.  It's just a few steps up to the entryway, and soon you are before the double doors, leading inside.                         

Guardok watches the brief shimmer of Shin’s illusion with a nod of appreciation. Even if the goblin considers it feeble, he sees the discipline behind the trick, having used the same magic for effects at the circus.

"It seems your master had a keen eye for potential, Shin", he says warmly. "The wind is a difficult thing to catch, but you already have the patience for it, I am certain. And don't worry about the probability of success — I think we will both find that Strixhaven has a way of making the improbable quite regular".

He pauses, his expression softening as he addresses the mention of the war party. He speaks to Shin, though his voice carries a deliberate, steady weight that extends to Arinchu.

"History is full of clashing stones and hard edges, but we aren't the shadows of our kin. A person's character is carved by their own hands, not by the group they happened to be born into. I am proof of that if ever anyone was, because my parents are both human!". He pauses for a brief moment before adding, "I'm glad your path led you here instead of staying under that mountain, Shin. And that goes for all of you; it is good to have you all in Strixhaven".

When Aspen speaks of the memory of stone, Guardok lets out a low, appreciative hum that sounds like deep earth shifting. "You have a fine way of putting it, Aspen. Stone does remember, but you're right—it is never truly still. It is just a very slow kind of dancing. I shall have to remember that next time I feel too stationary", he says with a deep chuckle belying his small stature.

When Arinchu mentions Rootha Squallheart, his interest is visibly piqued. The idea of a half-orc combining elemental magic with dance strikes a resonant chord with his own goals.

"Rootha Squallheart... a half-orc who dances with the elements", he repeats, as if committing a formula to memory. "That is a path I also find fascinating, Arinchu. Combining elemental power with that kind of grace and intention... it is exactly the sort of harmony I hope to study here. I shall definitely look for her work in the library. And I expect I might find out about her at the Prismari campus when I move in".

As the others begin to rise and gather their things for the Biblioplex, Guardok remains seated, offering a wave of his hand.

"I might see you all at the Bow’s End later. I don't attend as often as Malvyn - mind you, no-one does if Aurora is singing!", he says, giving Malvyn a friendly nudge. "Safe travels to the gardens, everyone. Try not to let the books bury you on your first day".

Quote from Culuril >>

"You see a downstairs?" Kadyr asks as he glances around the place. But he follows Chierhy when she heads to the information desk.  

Chierhy does indeed judge the woman to be a little bit older than her, though certainly far younger than her parents would be.  Her hair is long and very dark black. But beyond that, it seems to have a strange smoky and shadowy quality to it that almost appears to shift right before your eyes. Her features are elegant and her skin rather flawless. You suspect she is an Aasimar.

The woman watches the formal greeting closely, a small smile on her face. "I am honored to meet you," she replies, making a very small bow.  While not the exact protocal for Wagadu, it does seem to closely mirror the small, polite response of someone who was a superior in terms of age. "I am Professor Flintwind. How might I help you?"  There's a slight pause before she adds, "Do I infer correctly that you, and your companions, are new to Strixhaven?" There's a bit of a grin on her face as she looks over towards Myala. 

Myala has lingered back a bit when the others had moved forward to the information desk. She seems to be in awe of the place. At first it was the hint of well-filled bookshelves in the distance. But now she seems to be focused on the seating area of the little cafe. "Oh my! Do you see that? It's moving," she says. 

Kadyr, who is not actively engaged in talking to someone like Chierhy, turns to see what Myala is talking about. He seems to agree with her assessment. "That's amazing. Oh! Did you notice the squirrel?"  He points towards the wall. 

 

 Straightening up and raising her chin to face the woman squarely, Chierhy reciprocates. 

“I am pleased to meet you, Professor Flintwind. I am Chierhy Nbenbe, daughter of Lanre, of Koumba Saleh, Wagadu.

"Yes, Professor, we are new students, having arrived less than two hours ago. The campus grounds are truly extraordinary, and this building, which I read about in my faraway home, does not disappoint. I’d like to ask, if I may…”

At this moment, Myala and Kadyr are distracted by something outside of Chierhy’s field of vision and she hesitates momentarily, glancing back at them and whatever it is they saw. But she only spares a glance, extraordinary though it may be. Her eyes bright, mirroring their enthusiasm (and perhaps her own, depending on what they saw), she continues.

“...I beg your pardon… as you see, we truly are excited by the newness of what we find here. And that is the theme of my question… we had heard that there is a snarl of arcane energy lying just beneath the Biblioplex. Is it possible to see it, perhaps in a basement or lower level?”  

"You can certainly see the snarl, but it is not in a basement. It is straight ahead in the Hall of Oracles," Professor Flintwind replies to Chierhy. 

Glancing over at what the others were looking at, you catch a glimpse of motion along the wall. There is a mural there depicting tree roots, which then reach up into branches along the ceiling, sprouting tiny spring-time blossoms.  Near one of the roots, you see a drawing of a squirrel.  Except, as you watch it scurried up higher towards one of the branches. 

Chierhy thanks the professor, and takes a moment to enjoy the magical mural with Kadry and Myala, but only a moment. Her excitement is too great. "It's over here!," she says, her voice uncharacteristically squeaky with excitement. "The snarl. Let's look?" She beams at the other others, wrinkling her nose in anticipated joy, then turns and strides in the direction Professor Flintwind pointed, slowing to dazed, thunderstruck awe and fascination as she enters the Hall of Oracles.