University of Magic - Entrance Thread

[Tristam]

Hall of Ages
Once through the grand gate, visitors often stared at the hall in mute wonder. This place was nothing short of impressive, large and aesthetically pleasing. Ahead, stairs lead to the base levels of each of the twenty three spires, and the rest of this place was like a museum.
Paintings, sculptures and such made up the more artful of memoirs, but all sorts of items reminding the wizards of their pasts have been put on display here. More toward the back, space has been reserved for those who wish to study.

Off to one side was a medium sized reception desk with a small counter. A thin man with gray hair sat behind it, and he gazed attentively at those that entered the Hall.

[Tristam]

Paying due awe as she entered the gates and indeed even the doors to the reception, Fialessa was quite amazed. She'd seen nothing like it in her life, though nature had its own beauty – but it was nothing like this...

Of course she had reasons to come here, else she likely never would have bothered. But here she was and oh my... She nearly couldn't speak as she stood before the man at the desk. “Ah now... what was it now... oh yes. I'm sorry, I'm a bit scattered and a little overwhelmed, I'm sure you see it all the time... But where was I... Oh yes, I was supposed to have an appointment the other day, but you see I overslept, and well. In any event, I was wondering, if it isn't too much trouble, do you know if Mentor Motrice is available to speak with. My name if Fialessa Valenstri if it helps – from the temple, he would know about that, yes...”

“Or possibly if he isn't, perhaps my brother is, he should be a student here, Kis'loren Valenstri...” It had been sometime – in her mind at least – since she had seen her dear elder brother. Before he'd come out here, leaving Pan's Isle, and his family behind.

-----

The registrar looked kindly upon her as Fialessa made her requests. "Mentor Motrice is currently unavailable, Miss Valenstri. I know of your connection with him and so will crave your pardon that I cannot tell you more at this time. I would be happy to convey a message to him if you like." The registrar offered. "As for your brother, he is a student here. Kis'loren should be in the alchemy labs about now if he is sticking to his usual routines. I would be happy to provide a guide to them."

The registrar turned from Fialessa to take note of Haldane and Lyra as they entered the Hall. From the examination of Haldane the previous night, the registrar knew exactly why they were here but gave his usual greeting. "Good day to you both. What do you seek here at the Univeristy?

[Haldane]

As Haldane rounded yet another corner, he was instantly greeted by a man who was comfortably seated behind a desk which abounded in papers of many sorts. Hearing the man's question reagarding his choice of magick study, he promtly answered, or at least tried to. " Well sir, I wish pursue something in the general milieu of magick, something that I can tailor and mold to my liking, something that I can make my own. Elementalism is a tantalizing choice, but would you have any suggestions as to what best fits my previoously stated prefference?" Haldane turned and looked at Lyra saying with his eyes-and a smile-we're finally here, we are actually going to become magick users.

[Fialessa Valenstri]

The registrar's kindness put the young adhiel woman at ease, a smile showed brightly on her features. “Well and it is to be expected that Mentor Motrice would be very busy. I suspect under the circumstances it is best I leave him a message that I have been here...” Fia sighed thoughtfully, and noticed the others waiting for the registrar's attention. Fleetingly she gave them a smile, she imagined they were wanting to be students.

Kis' is here... A measure of relief filled her to know that she would soon see her elder brother. “Yes, that... a... a guide would be nice. Thank you.” Fia replied and awaited such, standing a little to the side, as the registrar turned to the two others. Hearing the man speak, she learned indeed that he was interested in some bit of scholarship at the University.

[Tristam]

The registrar gestured and a scroll of parchment and a freshly dipped quill floated over to Fialessa's hands. "Write out your note and I will be sure he gets it. I shall then conjure your guide." He assured her.

He then turned to Haldane. A wave of his hand causes another scroll to unroll and a second quill to hang poised over the scroll. "Every magician that enters these halls hopes to grab the strands of magic and weave them in a way no other has done before him. That is a matter of intellect, diligence and creativity, not magical discipline. Some come here seeking mastery over a particular element: fire, ice, time, death. They then work that element to perform whatever magics they desire. Others have a practice in mind. I wish to defend my land. I wish to conquer my enemies. I wish to explore the depths of the Aether. And having so decided, they learn whatever energies might aid in their quest. Does that focus your own desires any?" The registrar inquired.

[Haldane]

"Hhhhhhmmmmmmmm..... Well, i do wish to journey around the lands, discovering what I may. But I also wish to study something of the elemental sort, unless this is if you have any furthur suggestion as to what might aid me in my adventures." Haldane posed this question with a supreme delight for he was drawing ever nearer to his dreams of magick. Waiting for the Registrar to process the question, he began to think. I really have never considerd what exactly I have wanted to do in magick. What do I want to do?

[Fialessa Valenstri]

Taking up the quill and parchment she was given, Fialessa copied out a bit of a note for Elvin. She wrote in adhiel...

Mentor Motrice -
I do greatly apologise for missing the meeting you arranged the other day. Sadly I think the night before had taken much out of me adding in that I had only just gotten off a ship from my journey here and waited in an excruciatingly long line to enter the city properly.
I do also hope that we might be able to meet and puzzle out what brought me to your acquaintance. I am still staying at the Dragon should you need to seek me out, or like as not you can inquire after me at Pan's temple...
Fialessa Valenstri

Waiting for the registrar's attention again, Fia held the parchment and listened in a bit more at what the prospective student was discussing...

[Tristam]

"I think you would do well with a generalist to focus your thoughts upon what you wish to do before study with a specialist would do you any good." The registrar decided. "I shall send you to Professor Redgrave for initial evaluation and if you should pass then he will take care of you signing the official contract. Good fortune to you."

The registrar summoned a ball of yellow light and with a gesture the scroll that been recording their conversation rolled up and flew into the center of the ball. "Just follow this glow, young man, and it will take you directly to the Professor.

The registrar than turned to Fialessa and accepted the note from her. "I shall make sure that Mentor Motrice gets this." He assured and then conjured a ball of blue light. "If you will just follow the glow, it will lead you to the alchemical labs. Good day to you, miss."

[Haldane]

A simle flicked across the face of the excited Haldane. "Well tehn, I guess I'll be off, thank you very much sir!" With that Haldane hiked his sack over his shoulder and waved to Lyra. " I guess we'll be seeing eachother soon then," then he turned and followed the globe to his destination.

[Tristam]

The ball of light led Haldane to another thread. Please continue here.

https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.php?p=179975

[Fialessa Valenstri]

The young adhiel grinned at the man as he bid her follow the blue ball of light... “And a good day to you as well sir. And thank you...” She returned in a friendly tone.

She looked at the light and went where it led with a certain amount of apprehension. Fia hadn't seen her brother for some time, she hoped he wouldn't be angry with her.

[Guest]

Although she had woken and dressed early that morningtide, a few candlemarks had passed by the time Amy’s mother and father had let her out into the big wide world. Numerous broody hugs had encircled the girl, her clothes meticulously patted and straightened once and again. Her chortling brothers found the whole business quite hilarious, of course - Amy’s cheeks were flushed like red apples as her parents waved her goodbye, calling out words of encouragement and warning to their ‘little girl’. Gods, she loved her parents dearly, but how embarrassing!

It hadn’t taken Amy long to reach her destination, even on foot. Now it was early tradetide, and the aspiring sage stood before the University of Magick, her face soft with admiration as she gazed up at the towering walls. By Illuminatus, it was a marvellous sight to behold. Although her bedroom windows framed a wonderful view of the spires, Amy had rarely been allowed to wander too close to the University – her parents worried that it would give her ideas. Even as she’d set out that day, they’d warned her not to get her hopes up.

After a moment of tense deliberation the dark-haired girl walked beneath the grand entrance arch, perceiving the university square before moving on. What a bitter disappointment she would suffer if she was turned away! Still, it was better not to guess at fate – Amy was determined to make a favourable impression that day, and if she failed in her venture, then at least she’d tried her best.

She was dressed especially neatly, not wanting her appearance to condemn her before she uttered a word. A simple blue dress of rough silk modestly covered her body, and her long dark tresses had been brushed until they shone. For a moment she let her gaze fall across the Hall of Ages, observantly noting its artworks and artefacts as she marshalled her courage. Then with a steadying breath, the girl offered a polite smile to the registrar as she approached the desk.

“A pleasant tradetide to you, sir.” she began softly, testing the reverent air of the room. The girl then spoke up a little. “My name is Amy, and I wonder if you might help me? I seek instruction and schooling here, if it is possible. If so, might I ask how to achieve that aim?”

Amy’s features were calm, and there was little about her bearing that would suggest internal anxiety. However, a perceptive eye could read the signs of concern in the glimmer of her brown eyes. Her nails dug into the strap of the leather satchel slung across her body – within it were a purse of coins and her writing materials, and other essential items. Amy was not so arrogant as to assume that she’d secure a place at the university, but if she did then the rest of her possessions could be easily collected.

No, sadly, the young scholar could not divine the future; such things were beyond her powers for now. And so Amy waited patiently for a reply, hoping for the best.

ooc: Hi there! Are colours in posts a no-no? I sure don't mind editing it, but I have slightly impaired vision - it helps if I distinguish dialogue text from the body of the post. Thanx either way!

[Tristam]

OOC: I don't mind it so long as you choose another color. I view the site as white letters on a blue background and that green is completely unreadable for me.

IC: The face of the registrar peered down at the young lady before his desk. Before answering her query, he waved a hand and a scroll of parchment unrolled itself before him. A beckoning gesture caused a quill to hop into a pot of ink and then over the waiting parchment. It skritched the word Amy at the top and then waited patiently.

"You have come to the right place, Miss." The registrar informed her. "The first step is an initial examination with me. Then once I have properly gauged your skills and interests, you will meet with a faculty member to determine your worthiness to study here. Should the professor find you an acceptable candidate, you will then sign your contract, make arrangement for payment of dues and begin your studies." He informed her.

"Now, to begin at the beginning. The standard three questions." The registrar ticked them off on his fingers as he asked them. "Why do you wish to study sorcery? What preparations have you made for such studies? What aspects of sorcery do you wish to learn here?" The registrar and the quill waited for her answers.

[Guest]

[Samheen 29th TT]

Amy’s gaze was dragged away from the registrar for a flicker, as the scroll took off to glide across the parchment. How ingenious, she found herself thinking, before realising how she must look – she was standing in the University of Magic, after all. Relaxing the surprised tilt of her brows, the girl turned back to grey-haired clerk with the barest hint of sheepishness in her smile. Save for the odd magician passing by her father’s shop, Amy had never formally interacted with sorcerers at all - it would be fair to say that she was a bit of a green sapling where arcane matters were concerned.

Nodding in comprehension as the thin man explained the process of enrolment, the aspiring mage brought a thoughtful hand to her chin. She wondered briefly if she could afford the fees that the University might require. Still, the questions she could certainly answer, albeit somewhat abstractly. Amy had spent the night before considering how she might present herself, but even then she was not specifically sure what her motivations were – perhaps that was a question that would take a lifetime to answer.

“Please forgive me sir if my answers seem vague or longwinded, I’ll gladly clarify or elaborate on them.” she began, after a pause to compose her thoughts. Amy was keen on clarity of thought - it was the quest of all alchemists to perfect and refine matter, so why should the mind be any different?

“Broadly speaking, I suppose my interest in sorcery comes from a desire to understand and replicate the feats that magic can produce. Your quill would be a good example.” she said, nodding with a small smile towards the airborne writing implement – the young woman was diverting from her prepared speech a little, having found the perfect metaphor for her meaning. “While the workings of it might be common knowledge to you, I myself wonder by what means it is enabled to levitate like that – I feel the need to know how such things are possible. I confess, for that reason I find magic absolutely fascinating. I want to learn and test the limitations of what it can do.”

Taking a small breath, Amy paused once more, rather surprised at the sentiments that had overcome her usual reserve. Perhaps she was better able to express her thoughts away from the protective nest of her home? Shaking off the notion, the scholaress continued.

“As for preparations, I am literate, and have a little experience with mathematics. In addition, I’ve gained some modest knowledge of alchemy, herbal lore and astrology during my time working as an apprentice apothecary. My interests primarily lie with these crafts, especially with the creation and perfection of potions and alchemical essences, be they medicinal or otherwise. If it’s possible though, I’d really like to try a little of everything, with less emphasis on martial magic.”

That said, there was only one more matter to address - a rather embarrassing matter that caused Amy to blush a little, and lower her voice.

"I'm sorry to mention this sir, but before I potentially waste your time, might I ask about payment? If I don't have enough money to provide for tuition, may I pay the dues in installments?"

[Elvin Motricé]

It wasn't the registrar who answered her last question but an Adhiel that had entered the Univeristy only shortly after her and had waited patiently to talk to the registrar: "Most of our students are unable to pay the entrance fee the first time, Miss Amy, most of them pay by delivering services to the University in the time they're here, pay in installments or do both. I do hope you forgive my intrusion," Elvin turned towards the registrar, "Are there any messages for me today?"

The stranger stood tall for an Adhiel, his total length somewhere around 6 feet. Long, silver hair reached to his shoulders, neatly bound in a ponytail. The clothing he wore was practical: black leather pants, a black tunic and a black cloak. And, as with most of his race, his features didn't give a hint to his true age.

[Tristam]

As Amy spoke the quill dutifully recorded the key points of her recitals along with comments in a curious shorthand that she could not make head or tails out of. The registrar nodded in approval at her various responses. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again as Elvin answered her last question.

"Mentor Motrice speaks correctly." The registrar confirmed. "If you have the necessary talent to study here and are willing to work hard, then payment is no obstacle."

He then turned to Elvin. "There is one message for you, Mentor Motrice." With a wave of his hand, a folded piece of parchment lifted from the desk and floated over to Elvin's hand. "Miss Fialessa Valenstri sought you here this morning." He explained.

[Guest]

So intent was Amy upon the indecipherable notions of the quill and the registrar’s imminent reply, that she only noticed the presence of Elvin a few flickers before he began to speak. Turning her gaze to the tall adhiel, she bowed her head politely and offered a small smile of greeting – the girl was clearly caught off guard, but too well trained and inherently disinclined to reveal much of her surprise. Instead, she listened intently to his explanation.

All in all, what the adhiel had to say was of great relief to the young scholar. As the Registrar seconded Elvin’s words, Amy grinned with something more than the usual politesse. Of course, the hopeful youth could not be sure that she possessed the prerequisite skills of a magician, but she was a diligent sort and not one to shy away from a bit of work – the marks upon her clasped pale hands would attest to that fact.

Strange how life works out, the girl thought. In hindsight she needn’t have been so furtive about the issue of remuneration, if most aspiring wizards approached the University under similar circumstances. It made Amy feel better in herself – she had somewhat imagined that a great deal of the students would have been able to pay for their own admission, or at least been lavishly funded by their parents. Neither route had ever been an option for her.

“Really?” she said with barely concealed cheer, forgetting herself a little – the young woman was slightly amazed that her primary worries had not yet manifested themselves. “Oh, I mean that’s wonderful, really it is.”

With that, Amy fell silent for as long as it took for the two men to conclude their business. After all, if this Mentor Motrice was a tutor of some sort, then likely he would be a very busy man – if there was one thing that Amy didn’t want to do, then it was annoy the faculty with her impatience and excitement. Still, there was a flicker of a cautious smile on her lips even as she waited. Things were going well, so far, but it was always best not to get ahead of oneself.

[Elvin Motricé]

Elvin took the note and nodded: "Ah, I had expected her but not today... Thank you!" The Mentor took a few steps backwards but lingered still, he was curious to see how the new student would do and who she'ld be assigned to. "Allies can be found in the strangest of places and with her interest she might be getting herself into some dangerous situations if she doesn't receive proper training. She wouldn't be the first turn to the dark arts out of a thirst for knowledge..."

[Tristam]

The registrar was silent as the quill skritched away at the scroll. It then rolled itself at a gesture from the man and floated in Amy's hand. A second gesture caused a ball of silver light to appear and bob before her.

"The light will lead you to Professor Pralix in the Alchemical tower. I think he would best determine your aptitude for entry into the University. Good luck." The registrar bid her.

[Guest]

EDIT: Only just noticed the Hall of Ages thread further down the page. Should I post there instead, since there are people there already?

Having deposited her belongings at the Burpin' Dragon, Elissan entered the University much refreshed and lightened. It took no little effort to not stop and stare at the architecture of the building, built almost as though it were a palace rather than a place for study. Scanning the room, she could see - amongst stairwells and relics - what looks to be a reception desk off to one side. With nothing else to indicate where she should go, she decided that the desk with the man behind it was her best bet.

"Namaste," Elissan greeted him as she strode over. The counter was sized for the human, and so a little large for her; a trend she would have to get used to outside of Kislovan. "I am seeking entrance to the University; would I be correct in presuming this is where I should enquire?"

[Tristam]

OOC: No, this is the proper place to enter. Good luck!

Timestamp: Chyril 23rd, MT

"Namaste, young one." The registar replied. "You have come to the right place." With a wave of his hand, a scroll unrolled itself before him and a second gesture brought a quill hopping out of an ink well. It poised itself over the scroll and waited.

"I shall need to know your name and your reasons for wishing to enroll in the University." The old man explained. "Also, state any training you have done to prepare yourself for study here."

[Guest]

"My name is Elissan Lestelle," she replied, momentarily eyeing the magically motivated manuscript before she returned her gaze to the registrar. The half-truth she had rehearsed often rolled easily off her tongue. "I am here at the behest of my family, and at the insistence of my own personal interests; I wish to study magic both for the joy of learning and so that I may one day return to Kislovan and use it to help in the running of the estate.

"In preparation, I tutored myself to find inner peace and calm under stressful situations, as well as reading as widely as I could of my family's library, limited though it may be on the topic of magic."

[Tristam]

The scroll skritched out shorthand versions of her answers and many other words and symbols besides. "There are only two requirements for enrollment in the University." The registrar informed her. "The first is the gift for magic in your blood and soul and the second is the more mundane issue of tuition. We shall establish the first before talking of the second. No sense in worrying about paying for what you can't use after all." The registrar smiled slightly.

"Were you interested in any particular school or style of magic?" The registrar inquired. "Academic vs battlemage training for example?"

[Guest]

"As well as being interested in magic that would be of aid in running an estate - divination and such - I am keenly interested in learning offensive and defensive spells of a subtle nature; Kislovan is not the most quiet of places in these times, and I wish to be able to defend myself should the need arise without having to have a twenty-man bodyguard or muscles like a soldier."

The self-defence story was her cover for why she would be training in areas not normally associated with adminitrative noble's daughters; with any luck, she would be able to freely devote herself to multiple fields of study, all with the one common goal of honing herself to find and kill the leadership of the Brotherhood of the Wolf.

"How, may I ask, does one determine whether the gift of magic is in my blood and soul?"

[Tristam]

"You will be evaluated by one of our Professors." The registrar answered simply. "Under his or her instruction you will attempt to see into the Aether and possibly manipulate it slightly. If you are successful they will then guide you through the enrollment process." The registrar did not find it necessary to bring up the process for failure.

"From the description of your wanted course of study I can suggest two different evaluators." The registrar went on. "The first is Professor Clearwater in the Tower of Occult Symbolism. He is our leading diviner and you can work in offensive and defensive magicks as your schedule permits. The second option to petition for entry into the Battlemage program. There your studies will be equal parts honing of the body and honing of the mind. They have a divination school focused on the practical art of determining the outcome of events in the near future particularly battles. For that program, you would be evaluated by Joachim, the Battle General. Which appeals to you more?" The registrar asked.