[hr][hr][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/01989753-c0d4-751e-94b6-ac932f65638b.webp[/img][hr][@Achronum][@Trainerblue192][@Morose][@Blizz][@Kirah][@PatientBean][@Teyao][@KazAlkemi][@kittyluna45][hr][h3][color=57F287][b]Late Morning - Fri. Nov. 1st, 2040 [/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]


[H1][center][color=Red]The Statue of Ardyon[/color][/center][/h1]
[sub][center]Connie, Barty, Jake[/center][/sub]


Croan watched as his students fumbled through their inital observations. One was missing. He would expel him if it was for anything shy of death and even that may not save him. Croan circled the room, glancing at Connie's notes critically, watching the simpleton try to offer comfort to the statue, and the MacLeod twin pluck at the magic. “Not incorrect, Mr. Macleod. The magic imprisoning the thief does not present as a curse; however, it behaves like one. Curses are malevolent intent made manifest through sorcery and their presentation to those privileged with sight are often coiled, tortured things. Why do you suppose that is, Ms. Withrop?”

He slapped Jake's hand off the statue. “Do not linger. Mr. Macleod explained it pulled at his magic - what can we surmise as a result of that observation?”

[H1][center][color=magenta]A Trip through Magic[/color][/center][/h1]
[sub][center]Willow, Nicky, Callaghan, Cassiopeia[/center][/sub]

The faintest [i]squeaking[/i] could be heard outside the door, growing louder as it approached. The door burst open with a flair of vibrant magic and Professor Mikkail entered, bright eyed and bushy tailed, pushing a moderate sized chalkboard on small, squeaky wheels. The board had clearly been abandoned in some storage room or another, the faintest etchings of previous lessons still visible and the green faded and sun bleached. Still, the Professor looked at the thing like a child at candy and placed a piece of chalk and an eraser on the unstable shelf at the bottom before he beamed with clear pride at the group in his sitting room. 

“Good morning, my little mystery seekers! Welcome to my sitting room. While you are part of this coven, you are most welcome any time even if I am not around. I do love surprise visitors!” Mikkail looked at where the journals once were. “I see we have broken into our presents already! I made these myself as a welcoming gift. I do not dare assume your note taking habits, but I always find a new adventure needs a fresh start so please fill it with what you will and I hope it makes the start of this journey we are taking together feel exciting!” With a wave of his hand, steam curled out of the tea pots spout. 

“Please enjoy some of the refreshments. I always find it easier to concentrate with a soothing cup of tea.” Mikkail gestured at the coffee table before he picked up the chalk and wrote on the board. “Our mystery will be a walk through time. I find that as those who explore the mysteries of magic, so too are we entrusted with its stewardship. Recording and preserving the twists and paths that magic takes through the ages is equally as important progress and innovation. For without knowledge of the past, how will we avoid blundering blindly into the future? So our mystery will be one even I have been stuck on for quite some time. A branch of magic, dark and bloodied indeed, was lost on this planet centuries ago and I have not yet been able to locate where its first grimoire vanished.” Mikkail finished writing and underlined the name. 

[center][u][b]Malleus Maleficarum[/b][/u][/center]

“Can anyone tell me what this is and what it was used for?”

[H1][center][color=gold]Into the Unknow[/color][/center][/h1]
[sub][center]Rohan, Finley/Dysphoria, Frankie, Annika[/center][/sub]

“Imaginitively named Anchors, these artifacts stabilize pathways on the surface of the Neverish. These ones are those the school uses - both to safely sit on top of the Neverish and to connect to various places around the world.” Sariel explained as she continued around the first gate, gesturing for those to follow. “The magic employed branches from sympathetic magic, wherein a symbol is charged with the intent and power of a place and acts as a placeholder for magical effects. This is incredibly convenient for two major reasons. Can anyone tell me?”

Sariel nodded at Finley as she pulled out a small set of keys and removed a loose section of the wall beyond the gate, revealing a keyhole. “There is a little bit of randomness to the coven selection process - mysteries aren't assigned entirely based on skill set, but rather as a way to challenge you to grow in both your specializations and your critical thinking. It may seem confusing, but be patient and approach this as an opportunity to develop a facet of yourself that has gone unnoticed!” 

Sariel slid the key in the keyhole, turned it, and a series of cogs behind the door whirring loudly. Two other spots popped open above the keyhole. One was a small, pointed spike that Sariel cut her thumb on and let blood drip down to the base before shutting it. Another was a small scale and Sariel pulled out a feather from her pocket and placed it in, sealing that one as well. She turned the first key again and a section of the wall slid out of the way. Beyond it was a hole in the wall barely four feet tall and stale air rushed out. 

“This is where you will be working today.” Sariel ducked into the next room and the strike of flint and steel and the warmth embers of a fire began to build. Inside a massive cave, a variety of work station was available: a furnace and anvil, a kiln and potter's wheels, a loom, a leatherworking bench, a carpenter's bench, a jewelers table, and an alchemist furnace all.looking as if they'd been made hundreds of years ago. Next to each, was a variety of materials and fuel supplies. Sariel lit torches set into the wall. 

A hexagonal table in the center of the room hosted a raised center and a variety of reading materials. 

“Your task is to craft an anchor that represents the four of you.” Sariel informed them. “This will guide you back when you dive beyond what you have traversed so far. It can be anything you can imagine, and make, and once you have completed it, I will inspect it to ensure it won't explode during the final step. There is some literature available here about them as well, but this is a connection between the four of you - if you can't craft an anchor together, your chances of surviving the Neverish are disastrous."