Arcane Academy Ep 3

### YouTube VOD

***The Arcane Academy* Episode 3** was streamed on BrettUltimus' Twitch channel on July 30, 2020, and premiered on the World of Io's YouTube channel on Aug 2, 2020.

## Summary

*Written by JustAScrub, edited by Palladium*

“THE EXODUS DUNGEON!”

Professor Veneway explains that the dungeon will be a good test for their cantrips. He even puts forward the idea that some of the cantrips made today could become as famous as Fire Bolt. Veneway continues to explain that the Dungeon is an ancient ruin which the Academy uses to put their students’ abilities to the test. The threats below are very real and can fatally wound people. The class is given two days to complete this test, and everyone is suggested to go to the library to learn more spells. Veneway also suggests his students find something more elegant than a torch. There are several entrances to different parts of the Dungeon, which vary in difficulty. Each entrance is marked by a bucket of water of a different color. The freshmen’s bucket contains clear water, and it is suggested to not enter any other hallway. The class is then dismissed.

The party goes to their next class, *Defense Against the Arcane Spells*, where Gnome Instructor Codswin demonstrates the capabilities of the Shield spell against Aldoras’ Magic Missile. After the demonstration, Tremmer pulls a prank on the professor by sending a Mage Hand to knock off his hat. Codswin informs the class about the book, *The Cure All for Magic Missile*, the book that contains the knowledge for the Shield spell, and mentions that the library has plenty of copies of the book. After a lecture on the spell, Codswin assigns everyone to learn the spell, as he will test their mastery next week, and then class is dismissed. As they are leaving class, Elenora is greeted by Brunsbush, who asks her if they want to study together. Elenora refuses the offer, and the Orc wishes her the best in her studies and offers her hand. The two of them shake hands, and Brunbush thanks Elenora “for this social interaction”. Elenora also thanks her, which causes Brunbush to stare intensely at Elenora. As Elenora leaves the room, Brunbush wishes Elenora to not die in the Dungeon, and Elenora reflects the sentiment back, causing Brunbush to blush.

During lunch, Nigel reports that he will be doing the assignment with Malcolm. The party decides that they will study first, then enter the dungeon to complete their task. Aldoras slights Tremmer, who gets Otto to grab Oswin. Lumi manages to get the snail out and returns Oswin back to Aldoras, who warns Tremmer to keep Otto away from Oswin. Tremmer retorts, saying that Otto is just playing. Gideon mentions that the last time Otto played, Gideon almost killed someone. After lunch, the party goes to the library for a study session. There, they see head librarian Madam Hush and the entrance to the old archives, a place where students are forbidden to enter. The party gathers several texts and begins their studies. During their study session, the sun falls, so the party returns to their dorms, where they study even more. None of them decided to stay up and sleep the night away. However, all of them have decided to read the text more in the morning. By lunchtime on the final day of their assignment, they have added several new spells to their arsenal:

Elenora learns Familiar Bond, Spell Extraction, and Shield, and she has mastered Light; Aldoras learns Familiar Bond and Spell Extraction in addition to mastering Shield and Silent Image; Tremmer learns Familiar Bond and masters Spell Extraction, Mage Armor, and Shield; Gideon has a novice understanding of Spell Extraction, learns Familiar Bond, and masters Shield and Mage Armor.

At the beginning of lunchtime, Nigel bids everyone farewell as he heads into the Dungeon. After an uneventful lunch, the party enters the Exodus Labyrinth as well. In the first room, they find a lady and several tables with notes. One of the texts says that there is an Ankheg at the end of the first-year hallway. There is also a Potion of Acid Resistance with a note, stating that the owner is using it for a test, asking the reader to not take it. Tremmer ignores the note and swipes the potion. After Otto leads the woman out of the room, Tremmer swaps the bucket of clear water next to one entrance with the bucket of red water next to another. The party then enters the first-year hallway, where they encounter Malcolm, Nigel, and Shij. They have finished their task and are heading back up. Tremmer notices that Nigel is depressed and tries to confront him by grabbing his scarf. However, Nigel slips out of it and goes up the stairs, leaving his scarf in Tremmer’s hands. After Shij and Nigel pass by, Tremmer confronts Malcolm. Malcolm confesses that he told Nigel that the young boy is wasting both his and the Academy’s time and effort by being here. Malcolm then tells Gideon that he sees him as his enemy, proclaims that he will have him on his knees by the end of the year, and makes his leave. Aldoras casts Earth Goblin, and the party adventures into the hallway.

After passing by a mundane storage room, the party hears the sound of shifting sand coming from the next room. The Earth Goblin moves into the room, and a giant Ankheg pops out of the sand pit that covers most of the room. Aldoras sends the Goblin into the pit. Tremmer, Aldoras, and Elenora take turns to launch Magic Missiles at the Ankheg. Its outer surface cracks, and a darker Ankheg comes out of the shell. It immediately jumps right at the Goblin and takes a bite. Gideon enters the room at the edge of the sand pit and casts ???. The Ankheg then takes an action to launch an Acid Spray right at Gideon. Tremmer launches another volley at the Ankheg, bringing it down to low health. Aldoras then appears at the hallway and brings a Check to the table. However, it appears to be a checkmate as the Ankheg falls.

With Spell Extraction, Tremmer learns how to cast Acid Spray, and he shares this knowledge with Gideon and Aldoras. The Ankheg then transmutes into a piece of parchment that says “You pass. - Professor Veneway”. The party explores the rest of the hallway, finding more storage space. They then return to their dorm rooms, waiting for the next class day. During the night, each one of the freshmen feels as though a piece of them is taken away and jolts awake. Their familiars are taken from them.

## Cast

### Player Characters

* Elenora Mordove
* Lumi
* Tremmer Kushions
* Otto
* Gideon Snowfall
* Riske
* Aldoras Theletian
* Oswin