Don't worry I'll gladly take the title of the Claude of this generation of students...

Alfi: *mid-stab* Oh.. you the new student? welcome!
the America: What. The. Actual-
Alfi: Oi, language!

Ironic because I bet Alfi gets in trouble for language all the time. Hehe.

This child is going to be the headmaster's buddy. I bet he will be sent to the headmaster a lot.

Alfi getting caught doing something he isn't supposed to.
Literally, Alfi climbed up onto the roof of the school to paint graffiti in the middle of the night.
A teacher catching him and dragging him to the headmaster.
Alfi: One. How could I get up there by myself? I'm blind. I barely can see. Two, I had green paint, not yellow, so it could not have been me.
Headmaster: Alfi, we know you are blind, but we know you can do way more crap than you let on. Stop taking the dumb route.
Alfi: Okay. I got my paint mixed up. I was just making the school look better. It needs to be a little more colorful.
Everyone: You barely can see anything.
Alfi: It would make me feel better knowing the school was more colorful and I was told I couldn't paint in my room, so I had to paint outside of it.
The Headmaster letting Alfi paint his dorm room so he doesn't paint the rest of the school.

As someone who’s been reading a lot of Roman and Greek history lately, I’m cackling at Caesar being your comparison point.

Well, it's not called the Holy Roman Empire for nothin'... even though the people aren't even Romans, at least the Byzantines are still Romans by nationality even though they're culturally Greek lol, close enough.

<Snipped quote by Izurich>

French revolutions are definitely WAY different than others, especially what Millie has in mind. If anything happens with France in the future, Alpheus might end up being nicknamed the "Red King" because he might lead the bloodiest revolution towards the royal family in France depending on how character development goes and if his family gets worse. Which I doubt they will get better, but god said we need to have faith in the ones we love. Alpheus just struggles with having any faith in the future of the French royalty every single day.

If slaughtering his whole family, extended and close, meant the people of France would prosper. Alpheus will see to it. I imagine France is in ruins in the sense that the majority of their people are currently in poverty, starving, homeless, etc... While the royal family gets to sit in their pretty and pristine estate behind safety from guards and iron-rodded fences.

Though he doesn't care about the royalty at all. He cares about the people.

Oh I see, well, then (Future) Kaiserin Karmilla "Millie" von Feuerstein will definitely be involved in that. So when the smoke clears (and her hands are still technically clean since it'd be Alfi who does all the killing), King Alpheus "Alfi" Pleiades Hoel can kiss her ring finger and swear allegiance to her. After all, it's for the people, right?

<Snipped quote by Izurich>

Perfect! I'm fine with those being part of the HRE. Let me know if the HRE has any beef with any of the surrounding countries.

Considering everything I've discussed with Savant, I'd say the HRE has always wanted vassalize France because in the long past (8th Century), they used to be under one banner, the Frankish Empire ruled by the legendary Emperor Charlemagne the Great.

Also, I'm getting hella Fire Emblem: Three Houses vibes from this, specifically Edelgard. And daaaamn these kids scary.

<Snipped quote by HylianRose>

Alpheus going on a murderous rampage for the royal family.
Pran: Look at what you are doing to your family! You just killed your cousin to get to the throne.
Alpheus: I can't see any of this, so I know it won't haunt my dreams.
Alpheus proceeds to kill his dad.

~ Alpheus should always stay in a good mood because he can be a very dark character.

I find it hilarious ironic that even though Millie is more "Edelgardy" by looks and personality, it's actually Alfi who fits the FE character's backstory and methods.

This is gonna get real awkward when the american runefencer that came here for spying and learning secrets shows up...

Or he/she/they could go, "Eh, just the Euros and their petty politics, nothing new."

Oh I see, well, then (Future) Kaiserin Karmilla "Millie" von Feuerstein will definitely be involved in that. So when the smoke clears (and her hands are still technically clean since it'd be Alfi who does all the killing), King Alpheus "Alfi" Pleiades Hoel can kiss her ring finger and swear allegiance to her. After all, it's for the people, right?

____

I find it hilarious ironic that even though Millie is more "Edelgardy" by looks and personality, it's actually Alfi who fits the FE character's backstory and methods.

They will be such great friends by combination ~ If that is how the IC works out for them.

Depending on how the revolution goes and how he and Millie are will highly depend on whether he gives his allegiance to her. Though if he knew that allegiance would better the people of France, he would do it.

Millie: So are you going to give your allegiance to me?
Alfi grinning like an idiot covered in blood: Am I allowed to get a title as high as one of your generals in your kingdom? And keep my line as a royal in France?
Millie: Let me think about it.
Alfi: Alright, let me think about my answer.
Millie: Fine. Those things can happen.
Alfi: YES! *does a, I totally achieved this shit dance*
Millie: Stop dancing or I am going to change my mind.
Millie walking away from his annoying ass.
Alfi: Fine but you will have to accept the invitation to the party and dance with me or the people of France will be so upset and SO OFFENDED!
Millie rolling her eyes.

Whilst ravenously consuming their fourth Big Mac, quoth; “Mmm they forgot about the Nukes. Shame.”

@HylianRose

As a clarity point, do you want our ‘knights’ to be of our same country or are we getting Foreign Exchange’d on this? I’m totally fine either way, I’m just asking to make sure if I start poking people what I’m offering/asking of them since the expressed preference is to ‘try’ and avoid ‘doubling’ on myself.

@HylianRose

As a clarity point, do you want our ‘knights’ to be of our same country or are we getting Foreign Exchange’d on this? I’m totally fine either way, I’m just asking to make sure if I start poking people what I’m offering/asking of them since the expressed preference is to ‘try’ and avoid ‘doubling’ on myself.

Hmm, I see what you're saying, but no, I think it's fine to mix countries for the knights. I would think that, on the part of the school, it may be a measure of building relationships between countries in their case? Mostly just trying to avoid backing ourselves into a hole regarding the pairing and what we can and can't do with it.

<Snipped quote by Fading Memory>

Hmm, I see what you're saying, but no, I think it's fine to mix countries for the knights. I would think that, on the part of the school, it may be a measure of building relationships between countries in their case? Mostly just trying to avoid backing ourselves into a hole regarding the pairing and what we can and can't do with it.

It could be hilarious if the school pairs countries that feud with noble and knights in hope to make those countries have a little more positive connection in the future.

@HylianRose Can I add eggs to Alpheus's habits with no further explanation till the IC happens?

@HylianRose Can I add eggs to Alpheus's habits with no further explanation till the IC happens?

... I suppose? LOL

<Snipped quote by The Savant>

... I suppose? LOL

I promise. You won't be disappointed. It's truly very anti-climatic on why I ask.

Don't apologies for questions! I'm happy you're interested enough to ask them! I haven't considered too deeply the limitations of magic. I was hoping we could just sort of do what feels right story-wise. But I am following DnD 5e ideas so to speak for the actual magic. I could, alternatively use rules like Fire Emblem where literally all the character needs is the spell book and possibly some components or maybe the spell book has limited uses? I just wouldn't be sure how that would work realistically? Hmm...

I'd be interested to hear your take on how magic should be handled! I just don't want to get bogged down in all the nitty gritty details that we miss the "cool/fun" factor of our story.

To keep the Cool/fun factor in the game I suggest a soft and hard magic system. What I mean by this is having a soft system for creative purposes, while having a hard system as the system of "spells known" and shared to those who show aptitude in magic. Most spells can be added to a list of forgotten spells as some are very powerful. I'm looking at you, silvery barbs. If possible, we could pull some elements from BG3 making some spells rituals that last all day. This way it can be like a ritual for some to cast a few protective spells. I mean it could be something suggested by the teachers for 1st year students. As it looks like there are gunslingers and runecrafters, it made me think of "casters" from Outlawstar. Ancient and/or forgotten spells placed in scroll like bullets. These are then loaded into the caster and used. Some work, some don't, and some have backlash on the person using them.

Making it so that players have to open and read grimoires in order to learn hard magic spells or spell theories. These are one time use consumables and imbue the reader with the knowledge required to cast specific types of spells or learn the basics of another school of magic. These limitations allow control over what could be considered overpowered spells, which allows the GM less room to worry. If you aren't worried, then this isn't required. It could also be a reward or choice for 1st year mages. This doesn't mean that players or NPCs can't learn magic by study. Study takes longer and helps the user to gain actual experience with the magic they are using. Muscle memory is a thing. Having Magic streamed into your mind is different than living and learning the experience yourself.

To the topic of how I think it should work; doesn't mean it will be the way. Would be having spheres of mana. While these spheres of mana are usually unspecified, a user can specify them as one of the schools of magic. This would be something that most of the players have already done. Mainly they would be trained by their family's techniques, have magical potions, tutors and the like while growing up. Usually, the wealthier one is the higher the base sphere value. This does create some unfair points, but privilege and wealth are usually shown as unfair to those without as much. This could create the atmosphere that some players have to do more to catch up. That some have innate talent while others have to work hard. It helps create drama between students and allows growth as well. However, I digress from my point.

Spheres of mana, mana is converted into a type of magic or teaching, and then the caster can cast spells specific to that school of magic. Conjuration = I make things appear from somewhere/nowhere? Evocation = I make things go boom! Transmutation = I make things into other things. Necromancy = I unalive people and make them my people. Divination = I see all but can do nothing about it?! Abjuration = I make us safe and can marry people! I mean marry them to one another not to myself! Enchantment = People just love me! You do as well... Schrödinger's School of Illusion = I make others believe something either exists or doesn't. Summoning = I call forth an army of creatures to tank damage for me! Mind you these are all loosely related and do not cover the actual power behind each one. I hope I hit all the points.

It is hard to make a hard/soft system. The difficulty arises from the definition of each school. Some spells could technically belong to 2 or more. Depends on how the user is using the spells. As for spell components, I recommend against them. Mainly it is because that is based on the perceived value of an object. While casting a spell that costs 1000GP worth of Diamond dust and the spell goes through. At the time if the Value of the object went down in the world, then the spell should have failed. However, it was the belief in the value that made it work. In another realm the spell fails thus making the user need to carry more than what is usually required just in case the value fluctuates. This goes into another conversation about locations and the different types of animals located in each. A chicken feather from one area could help the user cast levitation but from another area it could make them cast fly. If everyone is alright with going into magical theory and detail when they cast spells, I don't see this being an issue. However, I recommend that if you are going to use a single substance. In Critical Role's book, they have a substance harvested from the remains of a calcified Titan? Maybe that was something my brother added to the game. I can't recall 100% I think it was in the City of Whitestone.

Options. I hope this helped. I know it is a bit much. Thank you for your time.

Idk why we’d bother restricting ourselves to dnd schools of magic when this is an Earth fantasy?

There’s plenty of stuff ripe for using.

Idk why we’d bother restricting ourselves to dnd schools of magic when this is an Earth fantasy?

There’s plenty of stuff ripe for using.

I don't think the DM is just doing DND schools and such because my character is specialized in healing magic (which technically there is no school for).

I think the DM is just taking aspects of DnD for the system.

As mentioned in my post it would be a soft/hard system. This way people can have something to use, and others have freedom to make things up. I was just throwing out concepts as to how those system may have worked or been established. It wasn't meant as a way to step on toes. Just trying to help fill in the gaps as someone who has DM/GMed before; I know that it can be hard balancing many aspects of an RP or TTRPG. Especially when a game session lasts for an entire 24 hours. Having someone help fill in some of the blanks does help. While not always wanted. That is why it was a suggestion. A very big one or several. However, still just a suggestion.

@Aqutanama

That very much is a lot and while I did read it, I don't think I retained much of it simply because I'm home from work and my brain is shutting down for the evening. However, I don't want to restrict magic to a list. I'd rather it be a little hand-wave-y in how we approach it. Like Savant said prior. Aldi does healing magic which isn't exactly one of the schools in dnd 5 e. Hell, one of the examples I gave is just animating a teddy to fight for you for a short period. (Though that would probably fall under illusion? Idk)

I don't want to get bogged down in rules or set hard limitations. Magic in the world is probably a much looser definition than you're thinking of. I'm going to allow you the creativity to think through powers and how *you* want your character to use them. Just.. you know. Give them reasonable limitations. Can't heal fatal wounds, can only heal cuts, scraps, etc. Takes on the wounds healed as a draw back.

And yes, @The Savant is right, @Kero. I'm mostly using bits and pieces. It's no hard and fast rule. Just whatever feels right or sounds cool.

Though I will say I would veto necromancy for at least their first year. The skills wouldn't teach dark magic. Maybe how to defend against it. (Thank you Harry Potter lmao)

Edit: also realizing that what I said might come across as mean or rude which I did not mean at all. I apologize if it did. I asked for your thoughts which you gave and I very much appreciate that! I just wanted to respond to that one bit right now. I'll read it again tomorrow when I have more brain power and see if we can't use at least some of it for our needs!

The only spell my character knows is ‘Bitcoin Mining’. Do with that knowledge as you will.

The only spell my character knows is ‘Bitcoin Mining’. Do with that knowledge as you will.

They're the legendary Datamancer...

I'm so excited for this role-play to happen. I'm just lurking to spot the new characters when they are posted pre-approval and post-approval.

I said I'd at least have a wip so here. I need to elaborate on some parts (and I'm sure there will be some questions that will make me realize I need to add in other places too), and I'm kinda vague on some appearance factors (and no portrait yet) because I want to sketch her myself, so bear with me on those as I work them out

edit: added a sketch of Dakota and put a limited duration on enhancement power