Field Mission 6: A Day in Thay, Part 1

[balancemod]

oh man best of luck out there dudes NAVIGATION Click here for the RNG thread! Ready or not, rested or not, it's time to get moving, Reclaimers. You've got a very, very long day ahead of you. And another one. And another one. And, you get the joke. Early Friday morning, with the Director there to see them off, the Reclaimers load up into the Bureau's transportation orbs for the sixth time since this whole ordeal began, and make their way to about a mile or two outside of Thay. It's important to try to stick to the story, at least — that you're all visitors from a faraway school, here to spend some time with the students and faculty of Boarbumps. As much as Lucretia would have liked to join you, she can't. None of the other leading members of the Bureau of Balance can. Whoever enters Thay, after all, is entering a bubble, after all. A time trap. Nobody will be able to leave until the Relic, the Lamp of Undoing, is either retrieved or destroyed. Someone needs to be able to continue if you all can't. 1. SEVEN O'CLOCK ALREADY As we noted in the OOC post, prompts on this log will be a quick few sentences of specific things happening during each hour. It's expected that Reclaimers will be seeing all of these events multiple times! So feel free to play with them as you see fit. If you're not sure if something you want to do would warrant a roll, please ask us in the RNG thread. ○ The Reclaimers have arrived in Thay, much to the curiosity of the highly intelligent, occasionally highly ... suspicious ... residents. Nevertheless, they recognize you as visiting, esteemed students, and, though perhaps still suspicious, welcome you into their fold. Also, as a note: Every time the relic is used, time is reset to this moment. ○ Boarbumps Academy for the Magically Inclined opens its doors to the Reclaimers. This is your first opening to explore the school — afternoon classes begin in an hour. ○ Rainer Arunsun, The Regent of Thay and Highest of the Hermetic Order of Red Wizards, can be seen watching the new arrivals by the entrance to the Red Keep. It's difficult to discern any emotion on her face. Shortly before 1 p.m., she retreats back inside. ○ Afternoon classes at Boarbumps begin, starting with a lecture on the magical circuits of the common toad. If you happen to sit in on this one, as a visitor from another school, you may be asked to assist in the dissection. You will be heckled by the rest of the class as deemed fit. ○ Erinne and Adriel can be seen within the hallways of Boarbumps arguing in a very heated manner. Some... less than choice words are exchanged between the two before one, or both of them take their wands out and begin throwing magic missiles at each other. No one knows why the fight starts, but the two have had bad blood before, and this isn't the first quarrel to happen at Boarbumps between them. A staff member arrives on the scene and is accidentally paralyzed by a misfire. ○ The town proper, surrounding the Red Keep, is open for a farmer's market. A bountiful harvest of goods are on display, but in particular, Thay is known for its amazing quality of medicinal herbs and magical reagants, many of which are rare without travel to the area. The merchants typically shoo students off, unless they have a hall pass provided to them by the faculty to retrieve something of import for class. ○ The second afternoon class at Boarbumps begins. Are you three or four time loops in and in desperate need of a nap? This class, The History of Boarbumps, is for you. You will be treated to a long and droning lecture about how the students attending during Boarbumps' very first semester banded together to stop a particularly plucky troll. Which you'd think would be an interesting tale. It is not. ○ Someone's enchanted several books at the library to begin rattling and shaking from the shelves themselves. All over the racks, spines pop out from their homes and fall to the ground, magically lift up and return to some other, non-Dewey decimal approved locale. Other books begin dancing — yes, you've read this correctly — dancing on the tables. Leon would be going into cardiac arrest at the moment, but it looks like someone's playing a prank in here. Again. This librarian looks far less tilted by this. It must be a somewhat normal afternoon for her. ○ Over in the center of town, music, a single violin playing a mournful tune, begins to play. It's unclear where exactly it's coming from. ○ The third and final afternoon class at Boarbumps — Fighting with Fire — begins. The professor, known to be slightly more unorthodox in her teaching methods, will recruit any Reclaimer who happens to be there to defend themselves from the students' incoming fireball spells. The potency of the fireballs themselves range from the tickle of a candle, to that one time you ate a ghost pepper, to one particularly fiery spell that might actually hurt you. ○ There's a scream in the girls' bathroom on the 3rd floor of Boarbumps. Anyone who enters realizes, very quickly, that no one is actually in there. Apparently, this particular lavatory is haunted. ○ Szass Astrosz dips class to go visit the local shrines within the town of Thay. He's been known to skip class before, so his departure from the halls of Boarbumps is rather nondescript. He spends time there praying quietly to his god. ○ There's a slight catastrophe over in the Town Square. That is to say, a giant spider seems to have escaped from Boarbumps and is terrorizing the vendors, to everyone's surprise. Subdue or dispatch it, it's up to you. ○ There's a scheduled council meeting to take place within the Red Keep, a usual weekly affair where Rainer, Casariel, Onerion, Gromph, and the rest meet to discuss matters of the town. Today's is canceled, as Gromph is called out to take care of the arachnid chaos currently convening around the Town Square. ○ Someone places a standing mirror around the corner of Boarbumps. If you happen to stand in front of it, it doesn't show your reflection — rather, it shows the person that you desire most. The mirror is gone by 5 p.m. ○ Cleanup of whatever damage the spider did is underway. In the meantime, the faculty of Boarbumps and the Hermetic Order of Red Wizards invite the Reclaimers to a small dinner in one of the public meeting rooms at the Red Keep. Every member of the Red Wizards are present, aside from Onerion Wyvernspur and Brian Darling. ○ The shops around the town of Thay begin to close for the evening. People are somewhere between annoyed and blase — the spider escaping was new enough, but weird Magic Things are, as you can imagine, pretty commonplace. ○ Over at The Sleepy Willow, cozy, fluffy pillows are arranged on the floor around a large fireplace. The owners will also serve you dinner, if you decide to skip the meal at The Red Keep. This may be one of the only peaceful moments you have to study everything that you've learned thus far. ○ No matter where you are in Thay, you'll feel the ground rumble underneath your feet. The residents largely pass it off as an earthquake, but will note that they have become much more frequent lately. ○ Towards the latter half of the hour, the rumbling within the school grounds causes several of the animal cages used in Onerion's Wondrous Beasts class to come unfastened as they begin to escape. Shortly thereafter, various beasts of all shapes and sizes are set free and begin running for freedom. None of them seem intent on hurting students, but they look to make an exit out of town in the quickest way possible. ○ Droves of the skeletal undead that are used around town seem to freeze in place, no longer retaining their animation. Whatever they're holding currently falls to the floor. Whatever task they're working on comes to a halt. No one understands why that is, but even the best necromancers around town can't seem to wake them back up. ○ With a sudden loud roar, the ground of the town square suddenly begins to split. People, shops, and everything else begin to drop into the chasm, despite the Red Wizards, and everyone else's, attempts to save them. ○ In the last split second you remember, if you happen to look down in the chasm, you'll notice a pair of bright, glowing eyes. Whatever exactly is down there begins to claw its way to the surface. ○ And then, just as suddenly, your vision turns white, and you're briefly overtaken by dizziness. When the haze clears, you are standing at the entrance to Thay. The sun hangs directly overhead in the sky. You have returned to 12 p.m. 2. OOC: A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT You are welcome to keep track of how your character experiences these time loops as much or as little as you're comfortable with — we'll also be tracking what you all are doing! Our Minato player Kel came up with some extremely snazzy coding if you would like to track how each loop plays out for your character more closely. Thank you, Kel! Of course, this is completely optional. Keep up with as much as you'd like, have fun as you see fit, and we hope you enjoy this mission! blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

occasional odd-numbered loops ♥ OTA

[hxppythxughts]

[Wow, Sayori sure is looking attentive in this class, for someone who constantly whines about homework and studying. She's not taking notes or anything, but her eyes are bright and alert and she has a smile on her face. There is at least a notebook open in front of her, with...what may be notes in it?

But she really hasn't moved. Like...at all.

...Is she even breathing?

The answer is yes.

Under the minor illusion which she has crafted to disguse her actual form from the waist up, napping soundly while hunched over the desk.]

A - [This works great in the super dull History of Boarbumps class, though you could still choose to wake her there if you wish. Maybe you do not appreciate this disrespect to history. Or maybe you also want an illusion to nap under.]

B - [However, the frog lecture...]

You, there! With the red bow.

[Uh-oh!

The Sayori illusion obviously doesn't respond as the instructor continues.] Come on up and help us with this one, won't you?

[Yeah, she's still super asleep underneath that fakey wakey smiling Sayori. Save her?]

B

[philoxenia]

[ Oh no.

Luckily, Mira is seated right next to her, and when Sayori's called on... She nudges the other girl's foot with hers while saying to the teacher, ]

Um, give her a moment, she's just... very engrossed in the lecture!

[ She hopes Sayori wakes up soon. Because she's an absolutely terrible liar, and this surely can't end well the more she attempts to cover. ]

[hxppythxughts]

[Unfortunately with a 5 the gentle nudge doesn't quite do it. Sayori's legs shift a little, but she doesn't wake.]

Very engrossed. [There is a dubious tone to the teacher's voice. Understandably.] Well, if she's that engrossed, then she won't mind assisting in this demonstration.

[Some of the other students have turned in their chairs to look at Sayori and Mira.]

[philoxenia]

[ Oh no. An even bigger oh no, along with a stronger nudge. ]

M-- maybe? [ She's well aware of the fact that she's the least convincing person on the planet, but she's committed to this. She won't let Sayori go down by herself....! ] Just, um, let her collect her thoughts?

[hxppythxughts]

[This time, Sayori does stir; however, it's slow, and go figure, the illusion gets a little dicey in the confusing space between awake and asleep. It wobbles awkwardly as Sayori drawls out a tired questioning noise and sits up.

Snickering ripples through the class and the professor does not look impressed. They address Mira again.] Maybe you two can partner up for this one.

[philoxenia]

[ They're getting there!! Mira pats Sayori on the back, hoping to wake her up a little more in the process, and she gives a nervous smile. ]

I-I'm sure we'd be happy to! It's just, um-- my foot is asleep, so please give me a moment?

[ It's not the best excuse but she doesn't exactly do well under pressure. ]

[hxppythxughts]

[It does drag Sayori further out of the grips of slumber, and she wipes the drool from the corner of her mouth with the cuff of her sleeve (gross) as she tries to piece together—quickly—what's going on.



Oh god why is everyone looking at her???

Suddenly she's very awake and she turns her head to give Mira a panicked glance, the question clear in her eyes. But, bless that maxed CHA, she bluffs:] Ahaha! S-sorry! I'm really shy!

[She is not. But none of the students in this class know that yet in this loop.]

[philoxenia]

[ Oh, god, this is a disaster. At least Sayori's awake now. Mira clears her throat and laughs a little. It's only slightly hysterical! ]

Th-that's okay, that's why you have me here! [ yeah, sure. ] Um, are you ready to help with the-- the dissection?

[hxppythxughts]

The wh—?!

[Oh no, that is what this class is, isn't it?

She catches the rest of the word in the air that puffs out her cheeks, suffocating it before she can totally reveal that she didn't know what was happening. After a moment, a manic grin replaces it and she stands up quickly, her chair scraping loudly as she does so and her hands slamming down on the desk.] Yeah! Okay! Ahaha, I'm— I'm totally ready! Are you ready?

B

[parfaitgirl]

[ Ah, jeez.

Natsuki reaches over to kick the leg of Sayori's chair, hoping it'll wake her up.

... She might have kicked a little too hard, though ... was that a crack just now? ]

1/3

[hxppythxughts]

[It was, indeed, a crack.

The good news is that it's enough to jolt Sayori awake!

The bad news is that Sayori's sharp, sudden movement jostles the weak leg of the chair and—]

2/3

[hxppythxughts]

[Crack!]

3/3

[hxppythxughts]

Uwaaah—!!

[The illusion dissipates as the chair buckles on that side and dumps Sayori right onto the floor. But at least she's awake to catch herself so she doesn't knock anything too hard.]

[parfaitgirl]

[ Natsuki grimaces when she ... yells. There's got to be some way to quickly cover for this without getting the teacher too pissed off, right?

Besides, she doesn't even really want to be in this class anyways. There's better places to nap! ]

Oh no, she's having, uh ... trouble with her stomach! This happens all the time! I'll take her to the nurse!

[ Natsuki swiftly gets up and moves to pull Sayori out the door. ]

[hxppythxughts]

[Natsuki is the MVP.

Sayori has no idea what's happening. Neither does anyone else in the class, the professor included. They start to speak as Natsuki hauls Sayori to her feet:] She seemed fine—

[But Sayori, with that good old maxed out CHA, picks up on the charade after a few seconds and wraps her free arm around her stomach with a dramatic groan. She stumbles after Natsuki until they're free of the classroom and the puzzled whispers of the Boarbumps students inside.]

[parfaitgirl]

[ Once they're safely out in the hall and a little ways away from the door to the classroom, Natsuki stops and just sighs. ]

You know there's, like, beds and stuff, if you're tired ...

[hxppythxughts]

[Sayori vaguely pieces together what happened along the way, at least. While Natsuki is making total sense, Sayori just laughs in response to this very logical point.] But it's fun to practice my illusions!

[She makes a little arc with both of her hands as she speaks, demonstrating "illusion" with some gold sparkles that dissipate into the air quickly, like the lights off a firework.]

[parfaitgirl]

[ Oh god that's -- oh. Oh right. Illusions. Yes.

She puts her hands on her hips. ]

Then why weren't we in illusions class?

[usamin17]

A
[Nana wasn’t understanding any of this lecture at all. Any time she tried to concentrate, she’d notice something unsettling in the corner of her eye. She looked around for help, since this lesson could be important for the mission.]

Ah, Sayori-chan!
[She speaks in a hushed tone, but can very clearly be heard by everybody nearby]
You look like you’re enjoying this. Are you taking any... notes...?

[Nana is very puzzled by the Sayori’s lack if movement. She must be taking notes through some form of magic?]

[hxppythxughts]

[It takes a moment as Nana's voice reaches slowly into Sayori's sleep-addled brain, but...somehow...these words cause her to stir.] Huh...?

[Weird, though, how her mouth doesn't move at all as she makes that very sleepy noise!]

[usamin17]

[Uwaaa! She's trying to talk but still not moving! Has Sayori been petrified?

Nana herself is becomes petrified in fear. Should she interrupt the lecture to ask for help? Maybe it was somebody in the class who caused this? Maybe they're trying to set Nana up to interrupt the lecture?!

Nana begins to shake as she stares nervously at Sayori, accidentally casting Hideous Laughter on her.]

[hxppythxughts]

[Well, that does wake Sayori up!

And, somehow it doesn't go as terribly as it should. Probably because it's not nearly as bad as half the shit Sayori saw and dreamed about in Wonderland.

Still, she startles awake sharply, bolting upright in her seat. The illusion dissipates so smoothly around her that it'd be hard for anyone to tell anything just happened. Unless, like Nana, they're sitting right next to Sayori, and can see how abruptly she went from smiling and attentive to panicked and slightly pale, the corners of her expression pinched like she's hearing something way too loud.

Which she is, in her brain, and she glances around frantically trying to determine the source before her eyes finally land on Nana with a clear question in them: do you hear that?]

[usamin17]

[Nana sighs in relief as Sayori turns to her, but quickly freezes back up upon seeing her expression. Something must have happened to her and something wrong is DEFINITELY happenning!

Nana leaves her quivering eyes locked onto Sayori, focusing extremely hard and trying to discern any abnormal changes. After staring for a while, by COMPLETE coincidence, Nana's Gibbering Orblet familiar gently floats by and lands on top of Sayori's head, gibbering all the way.

Nana lets out an alarmed squeak and reaches her hand out to the top of Sayori's head.]

[hxppythxughts]

[Nana's expression doesn't really give Sayori an answer, but after a moment the laughter subsides anyway and Sayori's shoulders relax. She begins to explain quietly.] Sorry, I thought I heard—

[...

There's something on her head.

It doesn't sound like something good, from the way Nana is reacting, so Sayori freezes with a nervous smile as Nana reaches towards her. A whisper:] What is it?

[usamin17]

[Nana doesn't quite undertand how to describe her familiar, but it is... friendly? It's not a huge problem that it's on her head, but it IS really gross. Nana ponders yanking it off of her head, but she really doesn't want to touch it.

Nana gives Sayori a not-very-assuring thumbs up. The blob starts to lightly bounce up and down on Sayori's head, blabbering a little bit louder.]