Act 0: Just off the boat

"Teamwork! Teamwork! What should our team name be?" blurts out Charlotte.

Afterward, she sits down in an oversized stuffed chair that seems like it could swallow her whole. She pulls her backpack of books onto her lap, taking comfort in the tomes as she works through the awkward 'make new friends' stage. She's never been good at this.

Evelyn looks at Dot's attempt to shake hands. But that potato covered hand....
Instead she'll fold her hand into a fist and offers a friendly fist bump greeting to Dot instead.

If Dot accepts she'll try to secretly, afterwards, clean her hand on a napkin.

"Right then. We're all a team now for the game. Now get a name and try to not get flogged. As for a name... uhm... they all name themselves after animals, don't they? "

Evelyn tries to focus on the game's future outcome, but it's probably too uncertain or to important for her visions to give an opinion on.

Dot holds out a piece of sausage. "You have to try this. It is really good" she takes a bit and keeps talking. "Dad said they had healers on standby for the bad injuries. He is fine but got a little limp still. She shoves a spoonful of mixed vegetables in her mouth. "What about something fun. Weasels or Foxes or Ravens? She wipes her dirt hand on her robe and grabs a chunk of nearby cake.

Phantom Foxes? Bex asks taking a bite of his own sausage. Fieros paw shoots out to snag another piece of turkey forcing Bex to move the kitten from sleeve to lap.

Seraphina senses Charlotte's outburst as that of a shy girl overcompensating. It was part of the prefect's job to make the students feel welcome.

"Phantom Foxes sounds great and yes everyone, teamwork is absolutely the key to a winning team. You've got that right."

Evelyn's fastidiousness didn't get by Seraphina's notice either. All these traits would be squirreled away for later use. A harmonious group was an easy group to handle and that meant heading trouble off at the pass before it developed into an incident. Being a perfect prefect was very important to Seraphina.

"We'll need a captain of course. But we should get to know each other better first, and I can help with any questions or advice," including teaching Dot a little about personal cleanliness, she thinks.

"Phantom Foxes it is then. Our first bit of teamwork. Cheers on us!"

Empty trays and dishes floats up and gathers in a single line that takes it all out of the hall. The other students returns to their sleeping area in different areas of the castle.
Once all the dinnerware have left the grate hall your luggage lift off as well, but only about a meter off the ground. As you walk near it, the luggage starts to move, enticing you to follow it.

Following the bouncing chest of her belongings it leads her down a long hallway& up a flight of stairs before going down another shorter hallway. It stops in front of a large oak door. Dot quickly opens it up leaving a smudge of mash potatoes on the handle.

Inside lies a shared room for four. The spacious chamber is adorned with four large, ornately carved beds, each draped in scarlet and gold embroidered curtains.

The room is abundant with assorted furniture; a set of vintage wooden trunks rests at the foot of each bed, serving as both storage and seating. A majestic, circular rug woven with intricate magical symbols and patterns lies at the center of the room, enhancing the mystical ambiance.

A series of elegant writing desks stand against the walls, laden with quills, parchment, and various mystical tomes, each adorned with personalized nameplates and enchanted inkwells. Nearby, a cozy fireplace crackles softly, exuding warmth and radiance.

The wall of windows, adorned with lavish crimson and gold drapes, offers a breathtaking view of the school's vast, enchanted grounds. The windows are enchanted to adjust their opacity based on the time of day, letting in a soft, golden glow during the day and revealing a star-studded sky at night.

Additionally, ornate wardrobes line one side of the room, where magical robes and attire hang neatly on brass hooks, shimmering with hints of subtle enchantments. The magical ambiance is further enhanced by flickering floating candles and intricate tapestries depicting legendary wizards and magical creatures that adorn the walls.


Dot rushes over to one of the beds in the corner, strips her robes off and throws it on the ground behind her. She plops down onto the bed and stares out of the window. With the robes gone she has on a simple silk blue dress shirt and some khaki pants.
"Dibs on this bed!! The chest follows behind her and plops down next to her bed.

Bex follows his luggage as well, tired, but still excited. Not really knowing what to expect, he noticed that he followed the girls, then passed their door. Disappointed, he entered his door, the next one down the hall, and found a room with a set of bunk beds.
Sitting by the fireplace in large comfy chair was another boy about his age, nose buried in a book.
Beyond two chairs by the fire and the beds, were two desks, two dressers, and a cat tree, where a rather fluffy black cat lay asleep.
A chandelier supplied the light for the room. A locked door stood on the wall beside the set of desks, making Bex wonder if it connected to the girls room.
Hey, Im.Bex" he called and shrugged his outer robes off.
Fiero happily scaled the tree and curled up on the platform below the black cat.
The other student waved a hand in acknowledgedment grunted the name "Bruce"
and continued reading.

Following her bouncy luggage with the other students, Seraphina checks out her single dorm room. As a prefect, she was afforded certain privileges including her own bathroom, a larger bedroom/study decorated with inspirational quotes, and bookshelves crying to be filled with wonderful tomes of magic and history. A large comfy bed was tucked underneath a large widow. Above the fluffy pillows stood an ornate headboard inscribed with glowing initials representing the prefects that had come before.

Seraphine calls out to the others before they disappear into their rooms. "See everybody later!"

Immediately behind Dot, Charlotte stops and peaks shyly around the open door as if making sure the room isn't going to bite her. Getting past her shyness, she entered the room.

"I guess I'll take this bed," says Charlotte, waltzing over to a bed opposite Dot.

Charlotte's chest drifts in and collapses onto the floor with a thud, louder that you would expect. "Uh, I brought a lot of books," says Charlotte, turning red.

You all settle in and drift off to sleep, your dreams are about this very old, very kind benevolent huge creature. It rubs the grime off a doorknob, with a slight asperation, but otherwise looks over you, to make sure that you are safely in your beds.

Thus ends the first day of many in Avalon Academy of Arcane Arts.

After breakfast, you are directed to your first class. You are shown the way by a small orb of golden light that take your to a classroom door, where it disappears.

The classroom is a spacious, well-lit, and welcoming space within the Astoria Academy of Arcane Arts. It is located on the second floor of the academy, overlooking the beautiful enchanted forest that surrounds the school. The room has high vaulted ceilings with intricate wooden beams, and the walls are adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of magical creatures and spellcasting. Tall arched windows on one side allow natural light to flood in, creating a warm and inspiring atmosphere.

The classroom is furnished with sturdy wooden desks and chairs, neatly arranged in rows to facilitate group discussions and interaction among the students. Each desk is equipped with an inkwell, quills, and parchment, ready for note-taking and spell practice. A large chalkboard spans one wall, and it is enchanted to move and display intricate magical diagrams and symbols when needed.

In one corner of the room, there is a magical whiteboard where the professor can display diagrams, spells, and notes using a special wand. The professor's lectern is centrally positioned at the front of the room, adorned with ancient spell books and mystical artifacts. A cozy fireplace on one side provides warmth during colder days, and there is a bookshelf filled with magical tomes and scrolls.






Welcome all. Today we will be discussing "Elemental Conjuration."

The students are engrossed in the lesson as Professor Thaddeus, a charismatic and experienced magic teacher, stands at the lectern. He is discussing the intricacies of conjuring elemental beings and the importance of understanding their unique attributes, strengths, and weaknesses.

The chalkboard displays intricate diagrams of elemental circles and symbols associated with the four primary elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Professor Thaddeus explains the rituals and incantations required to summon and control these elements, demonstrating the gestures and intonations necessary for a successful conjuration.

In the corner of the room, a controlled magical summoning circle has been drawn on the floor, where a small flame elemental dances under the professor's guidance. He emphasizes the need for precision and concentration when dealing with elemental magic, as well as the importance of respecting and cooperating with these powerful entities.

Throughout the lesson, students take notes and occasionally practice elemental gestures and incantations under the professor's watchful eye. The classroom resonates with a sense of wonder and excitement as students prepare to master the art of elemental conjuration in the magical world of Astoria Academy.

After lunch, you will visit our library. There you will acquaint yourself with the librarian and prepare a short presentation of an Elemental conjuration of note, from our history

Seraphine feels like she knows the school well. Her parents spoke non-stop about it her entire life and to say much of the place was imprinted on her brain would not be an exaggeration. The current subject matter was a sore spot with her, however. A few years ago she had found a book describing the very spells Professor Thadeus was teaching today. Being young and silly she tried the conjuration herself but when she closed her eyes in concentration ... and as it turns she didn't have to do that ... her kitty had wandered into the circle and was singed down to the poor thing's skin.

Now she was nervous and as a leader in the school, this simply would not do. She'd have to get a hold of herself and be the confident, often haughty, girl that she was.

Feeling a bit sluggish after eating a hearty lunch, Charlotte picked up her school bag and said to her friends, "See you at the library!"

Wandering through the halls of the Academy, Charlotte finally found the library. She'd seen it from the outside but had never gone in.

Pushing her way through the large double doors, Charlotte entered the library. She dropped her bag on the floor and gasped, her jaw dropping in astonishment. Being ever the bookworm, this place was like heaven!The library is vast, with towering shelves that reach up toward the ceiling. The shelves are carved from dark, enchanted wood that whispers secrets of the arcane to those who listen closely. Ladders on rails allow access to the highest books, and the ladders seem to move slightly on their own, as if eager to assist.

The books themselves are an assortment of leather-bound tomes, scrolls wrapped in shimmering ribbons, and ancient manuscripts that glow faintly with enchantment. Some books are flittering above the shelves, held aloft by a gentle levitation charm. There are cozy reading nooks with plush chairs and small tables, lit by floating candles that hover in the air, casting a warm, flickering light over the area. Most of the tables were oddly shaped and asymmetrical. The atmosphere is filled with a subtle scent of parchment, wood, and a hint of something mysterious, like a distant storm.

The room extends into additional wings, suggesting a labyrinth of knowledge waiting to be explored.

In the center of the library stands a large, ornate table with a detailed map of the magical world that moves and shifts, showing live happenings in different regions. The library is mostly silent but for the soft murmur of students whispering incantations over their books and the occasional rustle of a page being turned by an invisible hand.

Charlotte stared for far too long, snapping out of her reverie once the librarian cleared her throat to get Charlotte's attention.

"Uh, hi!" Charlotte picks up her bag and makes her way to the librarian. "My name is Charlotte, and I'm very pleased to meet you." Charlotte does an awkward curtsey.

Bex happily entered the library, hoping that he'd have a chance to find a secret bit of info. About what could have made it so no one seemed to remember his sister.

But first work.
Conjuring elements was not something he had done, and it felt odd entering the school as a new student when he had been to a different school before now. He did like that everyone started a bit older here though. Less childish drama that way.
He slid an apple into his satchel as he walked into the huge room, spying at least 2 of the others, and his roommate, he waved a hand in silent greeting.

Dot enters the Library and follows behind the others. She runs around the library grabbing a books that she thinks are interesting and starts collecting a large stack taller then herself on a single table...

She waves to the others as she sees them while collecting the books.