Mar 17, 2019 9:43 pm
Chapter 1: Departure
(The Courtyard of the Main Hall, School of Seven Stones)
For most of you, the experience of being summoned to the School of Seven Stones is not unusual. Always a bit disconcerting, certainly, but there is often a perfectly good reason. After all, you spent a number of years in and out and through the gates. At times, it's been a home, a burden on your shoulders, a source of joy, and a thorn in your side.
For some, the School is a home, but one that makes you yearn to be free of the petty squabbles between the overeducated, the constant reminder that this was meant to be a temporary arrangement, one that the War of the Mage Kings turned into shackles with no key in sight. One more meeting is just a normal part of your day, no matter how much you'd like it to be otherwise.
For some others, this is a first, the opportunity to set foot inside its famous walls, maybe an opportunity to change a fate many years in the making. That feeling of nerves and excitement and fear all wrapped up in your stomach might go away someday, if such summons prove to be commonplace, but for now, uncertainty is all you have to go on.
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The summons came to each of you two days ago by courier, an acolyte of your school, if you have one, bringing you the written message. For the town girl Ember, the summons came from a human boy who couldn't be a day over 10, dressed in the formal white robes of Whitestone College.
Questioning the courier as to the nature of the request was futile. The wide-eyed acolytes knew nothing of the summons, other than that they were instructed to deliver it without delay and without fail. You got the distinct feeling there was a thinly veiled threat offered to the youngsters as well, given the fear in their eyes. The summons was authentic; the Seal of the Masters glowed from the bottom of the page, and no one would dare use it without permission.
Entering the School of Seven Stones isn't hard -- the gates are open, and many people flow in and out of the campus without issue. Arriving at the Main Hall, it's a slightly different story. The gates may be open, but the Shining Guard of Meriava is posted there and checking each person as they pass. For those familiar with the School, you know that this restricted access is a newer policy put in to place just in the last few months. Showing your sealed invitation gets you a personal escort inside the Main Hall building, where you are shown to a room on the first floor. It has tall ceilings, dark wood-paneled walls, and is comfortably appointed, with several comfortable chairs placed about, all facing one another in a rough circle. Floor to ceiling windows in the east wall look out onto the Courtyard of the Main Hall; the business of the School seems to be going on like it does every other day.
Since it's not always easy to see the details of the full picture, when I make a post with pictures, I'll include the full size image in a spoiler tag. I just like the look of having the text wrap around the picture...
(The Courtyard of the Main Hall, School of Seven Stones)
For most of you, the experience of being summoned to the School of Seven Stones is not unusual. Always a bit disconcerting, certainly, but there is often a perfectly good reason. After all, you spent a number of years in and out and through the gates. At times, it's been a home, a burden on your shoulders, a source of joy, and a thorn in your side.
For some, the School is a home, but one that makes you yearn to be free of the petty squabbles between the overeducated, the constant reminder that this was meant to be a temporary arrangement, one that the War of the Mage Kings turned into shackles with no key in sight. One more meeting is just a normal part of your day, no matter how much you'd like it to be otherwise.
For some others, this is a first, the opportunity to set foot inside its famous walls, maybe an opportunity to change a fate many years in the making. That feeling of nerves and excitement and fear all wrapped up in your stomach might go away someday, if such summons prove to be commonplace, but for now, uncertainty is all you have to go on.
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The summons came to each of you two days ago by courier, an acolyte of your school, if you have one, bringing you the written message. For the town girl Ember, the summons came from a human boy who couldn't be a day over 10, dressed in the formal white robes of Whitestone College.
Quote:
The Masters of the School of Seven Stones request your presence two days hence, at the tolling of the second bell. Present this message at the gates of the Main Hall and you will be escorted to the proper location. You need bring nothing other than yourself. Your timely arrival at the Main Hall is important. Do not be late.Entering the School of Seven Stones isn't hard -- the gates are open, and many people flow in and out of the campus without issue. Arriving at the Main Hall, it's a slightly different story. The gates may be open, but the Shining Guard of Meriava is posted there and checking each person as they pass. For those familiar with the School, you know that this restricted access is a newer policy put in to place just in the last few months. Showing your sealed invitation gets you a personal escort inside the Main Hall building, where you are shown to a room on the first floor. It has tall ceilings, dark wood-paneled walls, and is comfortably appointed, with several comfortable chairs placed about, all facing one another in a rough circle. Floor to ceiling windows in the east wall look out onto the Courtyard of the Main Hall; the business of the School seems to be going on like it does every other day.
OOC:
Go ahead and post in whatever order you come in. No one is here when the first person arrives, and after that, the PCs that have posted so far will be present.Since it's not always easy to see the details of the full picture, when I make a post with pictures, I'll include the full size image in a spoiler tag. I just like the look of having the text wrap around the picture...
[ +- ] Courtyard of the Main Hall, School of Seven Stones