Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure

Aspen lingers just a heartbeat longer as the painted squirrel darts along the roots. Her ears perk and twitch, tracking the movement. A soft, instinctive chitter escapes her. "Hello." It was quiet and quick, the kind of sound made without thinking when something small and lively catches the eye. Her head tilts slightly, watching. Waiting, just for a moment… as if half-expecting a response. Her tail gives a small, hopeful flick behind her.

At the sound of the professor greeting Shin, one ear tilts that way, catching the exchange. That's when Aspen’s attention shifts fully, not away from the mural, but deeper into it. “…memory.” she echoes softly. Her gaze returns to the roots, slower this time. More deliberate. Not just watching now, but considering. “The roots remember…” She murmurs, almost to herself. Her fingers hover a little closer to the wall, still not touching. “And the rest is… drawn from that.” A faint breath leaves her, somewhere between wonder and recognition. Her tail gives a slow, thoughtful sway. The idea settles into her rather than passing through. “Growth built on what came before. Even in something shaped by magic.” Her dimple returns, small but certain. “I like that.”

Another series of soft chitters come from Aspen towards the critters. It was gentler this time, almost conversational. "Do you remember the student whose memory you were shaped from?" Her gaze lingers on the movement of root and branch, attentive. Curious. She waits. Only for a breath or two, but long enough to feel like she’s listening.

But then at the mention of the gardens, she nods her head firmly. "Yea. We should find the gardens while we still have time. Let's go."  She continues to move towards the hallway that leads deeper into the library, pausing only to make sure Aspen is with her.  

Only then does she shift, turning slightly back toward Arinchu as the half-orc urges them onward. The pull of the gardens, and time, returns. Aspen nods once, light and eager. “Yes! Before we run out of it.” She casts one last glance toward the mural, committing it to memory in the quiet way she does. “Maybe it will look different when we come back?” Then she trots up beside Arinchu. “Lead the way.” She says with a sway, a hint of playful trust in it.

(Speak with Animals Essentially Aspen habitually/instinctively tried speaking to the squirrel/bird as if they were real ones. Wondering if communication could work the same. Even if not, she'd have been curious to try, and to learn one way or the other. I indicated speaking with animals through italic and strike out coloured text. If it's possible she could have ritual casted it as if standing there for 10 minutes, great! Of course no worries if not, I can use up a spell slot if need be.)

Kadyr seems content with Chierhy's response as his eyes start to drift more about the room.  Myala does not seem to notice Chierhy's attention as she still seems to be focused on studying the snarl.  

"I wonder who all those statues are?" Kadyr asks, though he's already glancing over at the archways heading out from the hall opposite to where you entered. "Wonder what other wonders they keep in this place. Shall we continue our exploration?" 

None of the creatures seem to respond to Aspen's chittering. At least, none of the painted squirrels or birds do.  Arinchu watches and listens with interest, though not saying anything while she does it. When she says to lead the way though, the Half-Orc quickly moves along past the information desk. 

Past a second information desk you see a large hall in the distance. Near at hand there are numerous tables set up to both the left and right, with row upon row of shelves loaded with books just beyond.  You spot a couple of wheeled automatons carrying books to replace back on the shelves as you look.  Farther to the right seems to be even more shelves, though far more densely packed together. 

Far to your left, you catch a glimpse of greenery.  Arinchu heads off in that direction, making sure Aspen is with her. "That must be one of the gardens," she says. 

Cogwork Archivist

Quote from Culuril >>

Going in that direction, the see Shindo is already at the information desk speaking to the woman there with the oddly smoky/shadowy hair. She smiles when the Goblin introduces himself. "Shindo!" she says with a sense of familiarity. "It is good to meet you. My husband has mentioned you several times. I'm Professor Flintwind. I do know the mural was the work of several hands. It combined the work of scholars from both Witherbloom and Prismari. I understand that there are actual roots involved beneath the floor. The natural energy of those roots are enhanced with mana drawn from local sources of instability in the Weave. I understand it is a common technique here around Strixhaven to power various magic effects. In any case though, somehow the artists and mages involved used the inherent memory within the roots to derive the rest of the tree and branches and blossoms. They change with the seasons you know, just as a real tree would."  She grins, "The squirrels and birds I've heard were just extra additions from a couple of the students."  

She takes a breath, looking down at the short-statured young man. "Sorry, I hope that wasn't too much. As for other sights and sensations, the Biblioplex has many, and I always think that it's best to experience it. Feel free to roam about a bit.  But you'll have a chance to see much tomorrow during Orientation.  I will say though, this is a library. One of the most entrancing things in the universe is a good book!  Now, which book is going to be the great enchantment for you? That you'll have to figure out for yourself!" 

Shin is taken aback as the professor at the information desk introduces herself as being the wife of the Professor Flintwind to whom he owes his admission to Strixhaven in the first place.  He lurches into an odd bow and smiles his genuine but unsettling goblin smile.

"An honor, Professor Flintwind.  I hope to justify your gracious husband's decision to provide me the opportunity that he has here.  The mural's magic seems far beyond my current grasp, though as an aspirant to Witherbloom College, it is a wondrous paradigm shift to think of the roots of great trees as having memories.  It fuels my immediate speculation at the possibility of gleaning wisdom and memory from ancient living trees themselves."

"As for the exploring the Biblioplex, I hypothesize that I, and my fellow newcomers there, winged Naevyn, fox-eared Aspen initiating communications with the depicted mammals, Dax of both prodigious inventions and sweet tooth, my fellow gymnast Arinchu, and Bretira here, we all shall return to do just that.  And peruse books as well!  Though today, our time has a boundary condition of meeting with Resident Assistant Shuvadri soon..."

The goblin notices Aspen and Arinchu possibly heading to the gardens and can't help but smile, though he does consider how soon the group should turn back for Cloudblower Hall so as not to miss the 3-o'clock meeting with the owlin Resident Assistant that he speaks of.