Attention σ cadets: The game

Having landed the leap the second time, Torch looks at the maces with a hard gaze.

Hit again. Ouch. But Torch is unshaken in their resolve.


And finally advances to the final piece of the course.

On coming out the other side, Torch looks pretty lively for having fallen. Their face is a little flushed, and they cheer other cadets on a little louder.

Frug knows he has some disadvantage from his size, but hopefully he can make up for some of that.

The explosions were disorienting, and Frug fell over at the sound of one of them that seemed close by. His second attempt, he was able to run through.

He did not have much trouble jumping from platform to platform.

Then was the ropes with maces. He narrowly avoided the maces, but fell, so he had to try again, which he did well.

The pole was, by far, the hardest thing for Frug, since he doesn't have much upper-body strength. He tried to over-extend himself, and lost his grip on 3 separate occasions, falling and hurting his legs each time. The 4th occasion, he learned from his mistakes, bit down on his lip as he headed up, and finally rang that gong at the top.

Johnny watches the others giving encouragement as they go. Finally he steps up to the mark nervous and yet excited at the same time, he takes a breath and bull rushes at the first challenge . . .

Using his sheer bulk to juggernaut ahead through everything in his path, before attempting to slow his momentum for the leaps . . .

The Kids hooves find purchase as he pushes off almost clearing the obstacle in one great leap. His grin becoming a snare as he focus to navigate the ropes and maces . . .

He struggles momentarily as he adjusts his bulk and weight through and is clipped by the swing mass of metal, only his straining grip strength allows him stay the course. "Sink me the old briney deep almost got me there!" He cry’s out as he hits the decks running. He feels like a swashbuckler as he turns towards the final obstacle and gives a grunting "Yo, Ho, Ho as he attacks it . . .

No quarter is given as the hulking Minotaur tears up the pole, almost ripping the bell off as he rings it, yelling "Shiver me Timbers! Me buckos!"

Frug runs up and jumps with his hand out to give the minotaur a high-five!

"YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!"

Still catching her breath, Acaelia looks up at the sound of thunder going through the gymnasium.
It is a minotaur on the loose. Running a perfect course. She smiles in appreciation.

Slipping down the pole Johnny Crouches returning Frug’s high five, "Great job me buckos, we all passed!" A big smile on his snout he moves amongst the group giving everyone a fist bump.

Torch claps and cheers, happily accepting the giant fist bump. "Way to go, Johnny!!! See, nothing to be worried about, Acaelia!" she says.

As the Boatswain points him out, Quintis smiles awkwardly and raises his right hand. Upon first regarding the human, one would probably note his height, taller than average by a hand, and the slender besides it. Perhaps some would conjure the adjective, gangly to describe him. The more attentive would certainly note two further observations - the locks of thick, seemingly self-willed hair that frolicked beneath the helmet, and the large, summer-blue eyes that darted from one object to the next, like a frightened deer.

"Hello fellow students, it’s very nice to meet you. My name is Quintis Fabia, but my friends tend to refer to me as ‘Q’. I’m latterly come from the Artificer Guild in Lantan to study at the academy. I.. hmmm…"

The young artificers eyes alight upon the Boatswain’s darkening expression and he concludes that he has said enough.

As Q finishes introducing himself a hulking mass of hair, horns and muscles clip clops over a smile on his snout and flaming red braids bouncing. "The name is Johnny, Johnny Kidd me bucko. And if the Boatswain Feels you are fit to join us then welcome to the crew." his booming voice fill of genuine warmth as he extends a ham like hand towards you.

As Q’s hand disappears into the huge mitt of the Minotaur, the Artificer replies, "Thank you, Johnny Kidd"

Torch claps Q's shoulder. Welcome, Q!

Curious about the crate Torch asks "Who's up to help carry?"

"Well met, mr Fabia....Q," Acaelia says and extends her hand to him.

As Torch asks who will carry the crate, Acaelia can't help but unvoluntariliy glance at Johnny.

Johnny smiles at Acaelia walking over he places a hand on the create and examines it for hold points. "Chan’t be a problem."

The gnome walks up to the new one and says, "Welcome to the fun!"

What a pleasant cadre of fellow students!, Quintis muses to himself.. and how very odd they all appear to be

With golden security helmets, you are not challenged as you make your way to the top of the academy. The amount of stairs in this place is ridiculous!
On arrival at the door to Mirt’s quarters, you hear loud snoring within. Knocking or pushing on the door reveals that it’s partly ajar and causes it to creak open

Mirt’s quarters are sumptuously decorated with velvet curtains, gold fittings, and oak panels. A cauldron-sized fishbowl stands along one wall, filled with squirming octopuses. On the opposite wall, a table bears a topographic map of the Sword Coast. Nearer the door, a walk-in wardrobe stands partly open, golden light spilling out from within.

Peering in, you see the Old Wolf himself, sprawled over a giant, leathery bed—and snoring loudly.

"Shall we knock?", Quintis asks

Johnny holds the crate up, "Probably best you don’t want a cranky Cap’n."