Session 267 – The Magical Academy

- GM’s note: Continuing the adventures of Ethan, Isabelle and Hilda. I am struggling to find time to repost Sessions 1 - 200. I have all of the content, it just takes time to format and post. I’m very tempted to just post a webarchive version that I have for the lot and just be done with it.

From the Athaeneum to Delos

- Ethan continues to look over old maps. None of them excite him - they are interesting but nothing that would inspire him sufficiently to go looking for these places. Hilda is more interested in these relics than he is. He notes that Schrodinger keeps a close eye on her. He makes an attempt to talk to the Cat, but the Cat pointedly ignores him. 

- Ethan would prefer to investigate another room but he promised to stay with Hilda so he passes the hours looking vainly for something to pique his curiosity. 

- The monotony is broken when Isabelle announces that she has finished work for the day and she wants to take them out for dinner. She promises Hilda that it will be fun - and there will be games to play.

- Getting into the Athaeneum, the so-called ‘Heart of the Stair’ is exceptionally difficult, but leaving it is easy. It is connected to many places. Isabelle leads them out onto the Stair and takes them into a high tech world which she refers to as Delos. The population appears to be almost human but they seem to be in the minority, outnumbered almost ten-to-one by androids. Isabelle appears comfortable here and she buys tickets for all three of them to travel on a transport shuttle. When Hilda asks whether the pilot is a robot, the android coughs and corrects her, saying that he is as sentient as she is. She is most embarrassed and apologises.

- Their destination is the “World Park”, a complex based around a single large structure with four towers. They see many vessels coming and going, floating down without any visible means of propulsion. Hilda asks many questions about what sort of place they are going but each time Isabelle tells her to be patient. Upon arrival, it is clear that they are expected as an android of female appearance named A-17 welcomes them to “World Park” and escorts them through a number of large chambers filled with beings from many worlds. Some of them are humanoid and some of them are very alien. Hilda tries hard not to stare. Some of the people here are being led by other androids and some are watching the many view screens that hover above the throng. 

- They are led up two flights of escalators and along walkways with transparent barriers on both sides. It is clear that Isabelle has been here before. Isabelle confirms with A-17 the details of her reservation and they are led into a room which is windowed and looks out across the city. A-17 gestures and a number of screens materialise in the air above their heads. She explains simply that these are the games that are currently in progress - she thought it might be helpful for Isabelle’s guests to view while she organises a meal for them. 

- A dining table is prepared for them and menus distributed. Isabelle makes suggestions and they order a mix of food that they can recognise and some ‘chef’s suggestions’. 

- Hilda is still waiting patiently for an explanation as to where all of the games are, but she’s distracted by the screens above. One shows a family being chased by dinosaurs. Another shows a boy in some sort of starfighter facing off against a horde of enemy starships. It’s like watching ten exciting movies at once.

- When they have ordered, Isabelle freezes the screen displays with a gesture and explains that this place has many immersive ‘games’ which customers can play - from pretending to be adventurers in a mediaeval setting, to being space adventurers. It’s designed to feel ‘real’ but you can’t get hurt in this place. The games can be short, or they can be long. You can even stay in these Worlds for a time, like having a vacation. It’s up to the customers whether that stay should be peaceful and quiet, or exciting. She thought it might be fun to have dinner together, and then play a game.

- Ethan has already realised that all of this is for Hilda’s benefit. It doesn’t take her long to pick up on the concept. She asks how it works - if she wanted to be a wizard, would she have powers? What if she wanted to look different - like different coloured hair? Isabelle smiles and explains that she can be anything she wants to be in the game. It will feel real.

- Anything she wants to be? Clearly Hilda is thinking over the possibilities. She likes the idea, but what to choose.

- Ethan asks if Hilda wants to play a game by herself or whether she wants company. Hilda’s brow furrows as she mulls that over. Isabelle reassures them both that they can all play the same game if Hilda wants, or play separate games. 

- She is still thinking when A-17 and two other androids bring in the first course of food. A-17 then starts giving them the spiel about the games that are currently running, those which are popular with other customers, and the best rated games. A-17 is not emotionless - she behaves with human-like emotions - she displays interest in helping them to find a suitably enjoyable game to play.

- Unfortunately the first thing that Hilda chooses is Harry Potter, and A-17 has no idea what that means. She starts explaining in detail and A-17 listens carefully.

- Ethan and Isabelle eat quietly while Hilda explains. She is so intent on specifying what she wants for this game that she almost forgets to eat. It is pretty clear that she wants to be a child-sorceress and go to school with other child-wizards, so this sounds like a solo adventure until Hilda suggests that Ethan and Isabelle also go to the same school.

- This isn’t quite what either Ethan or Isabelle were expecting but they agree to the idea of being child-wizards at a magical academy for ‘Witchcraft and Wizardry’. When dinner is finished, A-17 explains about the adventure that is being prepared for them.

The Magical Academy

- What follows is a four hour adventure at the Magical Academy for Personal Enlightenment. Ethan, Isabelle and Hilda play thirteen year old budding sorcerers who have to solve a perilous mystery. Each of the players finds themselves in a thirteen year old body. Ethan plays Torrent, the bashful water-mage with a heart of gold. Isabelle plays Arielle, an air-mage who has a reputation for mischief and pranks. Hilda plays Varna, a fire-mage who survived an attempt on her life when she was only a baby. The Witch King continues to hunt her, but she is determined to acquire the knowledge that she needs at the Magical Academy to keep safe, avenge her family and bring down the dark lord.

- It is not Harry Potter, but it is certainly an immersive interpretation of it. They get into trouble with the teachers (particularly the Fire Teacher who has flaming red hair and a tendency to send rebellious students to detention), have to deal with bullies (Brutus, the earth-mage student who seems to hate them all, and is particularly jealous of Varna’s ‘celebrity status’), deal with strange beasts (the Gorgon that lurks in the labyrinth beneath the Magical Academy), solve fiendish puzzles, and of course work together as a team to defeat Melkis, the Earth-Teacher who is secretly working for the Witch King.

- Of course, Varna (played by Hilda) is the lead protagonist of the adventure. However, she has to be helped by her two trusty associates, Torrent and Arielle in order to be successful.

- Hilda loves being the hero, and she is a little deflated when the adventure comes to an end. Isabelle kindly tells her that they can play again when they next come to Delos, and then she realises how tired she is. She yawns and accepts that it is time to go.

Return to the Athaeneum

- The route back to the Heart of the Stair takes longer. There is a precise route to walk, and there is more than one hidden Door to expedite progress (and Isabelle has the Keys). Ethan carries Hilda on her back for the last few miles - she is not yet asleep but she complains that her legs are tired.

- Ethan puts Hilda to bed when they reach the Athaeneum. She thanks Isabelle for the game before she drifts off.

- Returning to the kitchen, Isabelle pours a glass of wine for each of them. Ethan jokes that he had fun being a thirteen year old, and he thanks her for taking them to Delos. He thinks that Hilda will remember ‘the Magical Academy’ for a long time to come.

- Isabelle sips at her wine and asks him about the silver ring on his finger. She’s been wanting to ask about it. Ethan explains that this is Lord Wynterlyr’s ring and he explains how he came to acquire it. He explains that Lord Wynterlyr is imprisoned at the bottom of a faerie well and he needs this ring to be free. Isabelle asks about Beethania and how he came to know her - he never told her what happened in the Shadow Courts. Ethan gives a sigh at this and says that it might take a little while to tell. He suggests that they talk about it another night. Isabelle accepts this.

- Ethan says that he wants to take Hilda back to Scarlet in the next day or two. She still wants to go north for the Tournament at Tyvar and he sees no reason not to take her. Isabelle would prefer that Ethan stay but she promises to contact him when she discovers new information about the Stair. Ethan asks if she’d like to come with them - she considers this for a moment but she declines, saying that there is some work that she wants to do.

- The two of them head to the room with the golden machine. With a glass of wine in hand, Isabelle looks over what the machine has been monitoring. There is one change in the section of Stair that the machine was focussed on - a new Door connection has been made. This is of interest to both of them. Previously there was a Blank Door in that location but it has now been connected to a Realm in the last hour. Is this something that a Master of the Stair has done, or is this something that the Stair has done? There is no way to tell, but it is still interesting to explore a Realm that has only just been connected.

- A scan is performed and the machine looks through the Door to the Realm beyond. The other side is a dark structure with only faint bioluminescence being emitted from the walls. Ethan has never seen anything like it (GM’s note - Grant has, back in Session 38). Isabelle is able to identify it - they’re looking at the interior of a Dwimmerlaik voidship. She’s never been onboard of one but she’s seen pictures that Lucien has drawn from his experiences during the Great War. There is no sign of movement when looking through the lenses of Isabelle’s machine. Dwimmerlaik voidships are massive but this section seems to be unoccupied.

- Ethan voices the possibility that a Master of the Stair amongst the Dwimmerlaik has connected their ship to the Stair. Isabelle ponders this and suggests that they investigate. She uses the same tone of voice that thirteen-year old Arielle would use just before going to do something mischievous. Ethan points out that Hilda is asleep and Isabelle counters that Schrodinger will keep an eye on her. The sooner they leave, the sooner they come back.

- Isabelle wonders if the Voidship could be deserted. Ethan counters that there is no way that they could be that lucky….

Session 266 – Isabelle's Machine

 - GM’s note: Continuing the adventures of Ethan….

Isabelle’s Machine

- Ethan listens to Vala’s request for aid. She describes a realm ruled by House Barida, descendents of Lord Bastiano. They have vast planetary-level resources at their disposal. They are not Wardens of the Stair but they are certainly aware of it. There are multiple Doors in this realm, but they are spread out across many star systems. The Draconian Empire is starting to build forces in this realm and the Allax Brotherhood (sometimes called the Black Brotherhood) is also amassing power. Ethan asks about the ‘new Wardens’ that she has spoken of and Vala says that she’ll share more about those individuals when he has agreed to help. Ethan thinks of Hilda’s desire to stay in Scarlet and declines for the present time. Vala accepts this - there is time.

- Ethan returns to Scarlet and meets up with Hilda. He mentions the invitation from Isabelle - Hilda is interested in visiting Isabelle but she has heard that there are dwarves to the west, and elves to the north. She is more interested in exploring and meeting them. Ethan points out that journeying in the Kingdom of Ventar can be dangerous - they shouldn’t attempt the journey alone. Hilda assumes that Ethan is trying to enlist Isabelle’s help and she agrees to let her come. This wasn’t what Ethan was thinking but he says nothing further about it.

- They spend the next two days in Scarlet looking at options for where to go next. They hear word of a tournament in the northern city of Tyvar and Hilda is keen to make the journey. Tyvar is the major city between Scarlet and Northfort. Northfort is the gateway to the northern forests which are controlled by elves in one section, and trolls in another. Ethan talks to Heldane (of the Kingsmen) and asks for his guidance about travelling north. Heldane mentions that he is sending some men to the west to investigate rumours of some of the Necromancer’s spawn leaving the ruins of Ventar and moving into the surrounding forests. He would prefer that Ethan remain in Scarlet for the time being, but since he is not a Kingsman, Heldane cannot stop him from leaving. If Ethan wants to head north, Heldane says that he knows of some knights who will make the journey. He offers to introduce Ethan.

- It is over a hundred miles overland to Tyvar but there is no need to leave urgently as the tournament is still many weeks away. Ethan agrees to remain in Scarlet for the time being, much to Hilda’s annoyance. He is introduced to a Knight of Scarlet named Sir Athalos, a doughty fellow who sports a wide moustache and a broad smile. Sir Athalos plans to compete in the tournament and is only too glad to have Ethan and Hilda accompany them. He plans to travel with some of his fellow knights, their squires and entourage. This pleases Hilda a great deal and Ethan notes that her gaze lingers on Sir Athalos’ squire, Poe. She seems to like the young man, and she blushes scarlet whenever he is near.

- Ethan says nothing of this to Hilda - he has no wish to embarrass her.

- Returning to the Stair with Hilda, Ethan contacts Isabelle and they are brought through into the Athaeneum. Ethan has been here before but Hilda is staggered by the number of books. Books in every room, and room after room of books. Delighted, she asks Isabelle where to start. It is not long before she has a handful of books and she begins to read them. Schrodinger, Lucien’s pale-furred feline companion, glides by and Hilda hardly notices. She is too busy reading.

- As soon as Hilda is clearly occupied, Isabelle draws Ethan aside and kisses him. She is very excited - she wants to show him the project that she’s been working on. Taking him by the hand, she leads him to a cathedral-like chamber with high vaulted ceilings. The room is filled with an array of golden machinery, built around a golden throne. In front of the golden throne are a series of large multi-coloured lenses which can be swung into position before the throne. It looks very complex, and reminds Ethan a lot of Clockworld.

- It takes a while for Isabelle to explain the purpose of the device as the exchange between them is very flirty and they are frequently distracted by one another. Eventually she is able to explain that the device can be used to scry on the Stair, and the immediate vicinity on the other side of the Door. It’s long been possible to scry on the Stair itself, but the Stair is vast and it doesn’t always stay static - as Lucien has said many times, the Stair sometimes seems to have a mind of its own; a ‘guiding will’. She had been working on devices to ‘see’ what is on the other side of a Door, and she has been working to improve that further. With this device she can see not only the Stair but also to a limited degree what is on the other side of the Door.

- Isabelle doesn’t get any further in her explanation before she is carried off by Ethan to somewhere more private. Fade to black. Hilda doesn’t notice - many rooms away, she is too engrossed in her books to even notice the capital-C cat that is supervising her.

- Fast forwarding, Ethan is impressed with what she has built. He had helped with some of the early prototypes when she was building a device to scry through a Door to look at the other side but she has taken the idea so much further. Even though he thinks that Lucien would be impressed, Isabelle comments that she thinks there is much further to go. She’s almost certain that Lucien has tried to map the Stair before. She thinks she’s following in his footsteps for now, but in time she aims to go further than he has. Ethan wonders if the Stair has a finite ‘end’ or boundary to it, and she says that she hasn’t seen one yet. Using the machine is like looking at a small piece of a very large puzzle under a microscope. Even if she looks far and wide, she hasn’t yet seen the boundaries of the whole. Perhaps there is no boundary?

- Ethan says that she is the smartest person that he’s ever met and this pleases her.

- Over the next few days, Ethan, Isabelle and Hilda all explore the machine and see what can be seen through its many lenses. Ethan and Isabelle make some improvements to the machine. Hilda is more interested in reading books. She pats Schrodinger from time to time, which the Cat appreciates. Ethan notes that Hilda is a little subdued - which he assumes (correctly) is because she is thinking about his relationship with Isabelle, and thinking about Sir Athalos’ squire.

- Isabelle’s machine is quite a marvel. Not only can it view a section of Stair that looks to be many miles across, but by focusing on a Door, it can pierce not only the Door but also the veil that protects the Door on the other side. The depth of vision varies - sometimes it is a long way and sometimes it is only a short distance - but the view is clear and always insightful.

- As time goes on, Hilda reads more and more books; the pile gets higher. She goes for walks with Schrodinger, exploring some of the various chambers and looking for artefacts of interest. She seems fascinated by some of the artwork on the walls, especially the paintings. She asks Isabelle about Lucien, the man who normally dwells here - she would like to meet him some day. Isabelle doesn’t know where Lucien is - only that he’s away on ‘business’ and he will be absent for a long time. She doesn’t say it but Isabelle implies that he may be gone for many years.

- Isabelle continues to work hard on improving her machine, asking Ethan occasionally for advice or using him as a sounding board. However, the type of technology is way behind what Ethan is familiar with and he finds himself exploring the rooms of the Athaeneum and looking at esoteric relics and books that catch his eye.

- While on one of his wanders, Hilda asks him how long they intend to stay. Ethan asks if she is unhappy. Hilda explains that she is content, but Ethan can tell that isn’t true. He asks what is bothering her but she has difficulty explaining at first. Bit by bit it comes out that she is jealous of Ethan wanting to spend time with Isabelle. She knows that she shouldn’t be, and she’s trying hard to be happy for him, but the longer that she stays here, the more ‘left out’ she feels.

- Ethan gives her a hug and apologises. He promises that they won’t be late for the Tournament at Tyvar and that they’ll leave soon. He encourages her to make the most of the time in the Athaeneum and find places that they might like to visit and explore. He also says that when Isabelle is busy that they’ll explore this place together. Hilda likes this idea.

- When Hilda is in bed that evening (and still under Schrodinger’s watchful eye), Isabelle asks Ethan what has happened. She’s noticed the change in Hilda and is concerned. Ethan explains that his ‘little girl’ is growing up, even if she says that she doesn’t want to.

- That evening they talk about Isabelle’s machine and the potential applications. Ethan is wondering if it could be used to answer questions as to whether the Stair is truly endless and to understand more about its design. Isabelle has been thinking about this as well, - she’s particularly interested in understanding where the Stair is changing. If Lucien is right and the Stair is alive in some way, then the Stair doesn’t change randomly. It reconfigures itself in response to stimuli. Even the choosing of Wardens is a conscious act - so where do they appear and why?

- Ethan tells Isabelle about his intention to return to Scarlet and take Hilda to a tournament. He mentions Sir Athalos’ squire whom Hilda has shown interest in. Isabelle laughs lightly at this but Ethan points out that he has no idea how many years Hilda has been in a child’s form. She could be older than either of them. Ethan then goes on to describe Vala’s request for assistance. This piques Isabelle’s curiosity. She asks many questions as to what Vala said and promises to assist him when he chooses to help. Isabelle ventures that her machine may also be able to help.

- The next day Isabelle suggests that she take them ‘out’ for dinner, and Hilda swiftly agrees to this. While Isabelle uses the machine to explore the section of Stair described by Lady Vala, Ethan and Hilda explore an ancient map room, filled with old maps from thousands of different realms. Every one of them is hand-drawn and a work of art in its own right. None of them is dusty - dust doesn’t seem to accumulate in this place. Hilda wonders whether all of these places still exist, or whether these are places that are long since gone. Ethan doesn’t know but he suggests that if there are infinite possibilities in existence, then every map could be used in many different places, not just a single one.

- Hilda thinks for a moment and asks if Hogwarts Castle really exists somewhere. She wonders if she could meet ‘the real’ Harry Potter.

- Ethan is a little stunned by this. He has been to worlds that resemble places from fiction but he has never tried to find a fictional character. Choosing his words carefully, he says that it might be possible but it might take some time. Hilda muses over this - she’d love to have the Sorting Hat on her head, to hear it call out ‘Gryffindor’, and then maybe Harry, Hermione and Ron would be her friends. 

- Ethan offers to try to find such a realm if she would like that. Hilda smiles at this, and parks the thought.

- Exploring the map room, Ethan finds a smooth white stone in a velvet lined box. The stone is shaped like an elongated egg and is translucent, but it has a flaw in it. The stone has a large hairline crack running through it. 

- Ethan closes the box and moves on. Without thinking about it, Ethan places the translucent stone egg in his pocket.