Nelloris Sullenclaw

Character art by Brahahaga

Nelloris Sullenclaw is an Owlin from a small druid circle in the feywild. Hee two passions are anime and mushrooms. She can be found with her nose in the latest manga on campus with her familiar sentient mushroom Shae Taki. Nell looks forward to experiencing life outside of her small circle and is excited to feel like she belongs somewhere. She loves her friends and the adventures she has with them and can't wait to see what comes next.

## Character Biography

### Acceptance

In a cozy grove, Nelloris was reading manga in a patch of mushrooms when an envelope bearing her name landed next to her.  She opened it to find an acceptance letter to Strixhaven University School of Mages.  Nelloris read the letter several times, finished the chapter she’d been reading when the envelope arrived and flew up to find her parents.  They read the letter calmly and agreed they had promised that Nelloris would be allowed to attend Strixhaven University if she was admitted. Nell’s parents wanted to accompany her and help her settle in, especially as Strixhaven was located on another plane of existence, but Nell wanted to go on her own.  Despite seeing two teleport scrolls, they agreed to her request.  Confident that she would make it to second year and enter Witherbloom College, Nell began looking for black feather dye to complement her makeup.  She told her parents that she would probably have manga subscriptions, asked them to forward them to her dorm and insisted they refrain from opening anything.  Nell and her mother came close to revisiting old disagreements (learning magic at an institution versus discovering it on their own, Nell chafing at the expectation that she would someday rule over (or run) her druidic Circle like her mother), but her father quickly intervened by suggesting they start packing.

Nell’s parents chose not to attend the Strixhaven parent mixer session, as they had already gone through their own soul-searching and did not need an academic institution to do it for them.

### Arrival and Orientation

Nell arrived in the Archway Commons with crates of books, just as Arlynn fell down a flight of stairs.  She met a human woman named Nora, who gave her her uniform, welcome packet and keys. Nell wondered if it was okay to put mushrooms on uniforms (maybe 20:18 and earlier?) and was told that was okay. She may have confused Nora by babbling about anime/manga.  Unfortunately, a particularly racy manga fell open to a scandalous image as another student arrived.

Nell took time to put up her posters and organize her manga before leaving for her mandatory orientation. In the hallway, she bumped into a humanoid student.  Celdryn was startled into his normal speaking pattern before assuming an affected tone, something that Nelloris noticed as they exchanged names.  Celdryn was about to ask if she was heading to Orientation when he noticed her manga. The two immediately bonded over their mutual interests.  Celdryn was so excited he forgot to concentrate on his image.  They were interrupted when Kai opened the door, commented on Nell being the one with the ‘porn comics’ and left without another word. Nelloris and Celdryn thought Kai was ‘so cool’.

Kai, Nell and Celdryn made it to Orientation and were directed by a minotaur to the Hall of Oracles.  Kai assumed he was asking for a tip and gave him a copper piece. Seeing that, Nell and Celdryn wondered if they were expected to tip as well.  Nell admitted she couldn’t afford it because she spent all her money on anime and manga, then proceeded to blurt out that she also wrote fan fiction in her free time.  Celdryn asked if he could read it sometime.

The three then entered the hall and met Arlynn and Telbron.  Telbron recognized Kai from a charity event they had attended two months ago.  After they exchanged names, Telbron recalled that Kai almost got kicked *out* of the charity event, after the two got in a fight, and approved of how thoroughly Kai irritated Telbron’s father.  He later confided that his father made him start working out after the altercation. It was at that point that Nell realized Kai was *the* Kai-El, recognizing him from his StonelyFans account.  She promised to show a confused Celdryn later.

The students were then greeted by the Snarl, who welcomed them to Strixhaven and told them that the orientation consisted of a scavenger hunt.  As a list appeared, the Snarl told them the list had clues leading to various places throughout the Biblioplex.  They had the rest of the day to solve as many as possible, with the opportunity to win prizes for each riddle they successfully completed.

Arlynn and Kai guessed the first clue referred to the Snarl itself.  They said ‘Snarl’ aloud.  Nelloris noticed pool underneath Snarl and ran towards it, with the others following.  When Nell stuck her hand in the pool, she retrieved a Potion of Healing.  The list automatically checked off the first clue, signaling they successfully solved the riddle.

The students consulted the map for the second clue.  Arlynn, using her knowledge of Strixhaven, guessed it referred to either the Art Gallery or the Student Activities Complex.  Nell then introduced herself to Arlynn and thanked Telbron for his assistance earlier. After some discussion, Arlynn excitedly led students to the Student and Alumni Art Gallery.  Reading the clue again and noting a reference to inspiration, they found a portrait whose placard included that reference.  Telbron felt around the portrait and found a switch that popped open a hidden compartment in the nameplate.  He retrieved five Strixhaven pennants and handed them out to each of the students.  When another team of first-year students came in, Kai pretended it took them a long time to solve the riddle.  Celdryn took a moment to catch on.  Arlynn was completely oblivious to Kai’s deception.  Nell excitedly thought this was like one of her mangas.  Celdryn used Prestidigitation to further conceal the hidden compartment, triggering a Wild Magic Surge that turned him invisible.  Everyone but Telbron noticed Celdryn had disappeared and called out for him.  Celdryn waved a hand in front of Kai before poking his cheek, prompting Kai to flail wildly and almost hit him.  He then gently shook Arlynn by her shoulders.  While Arlynn thought the gallery was haunted, Nell guessed Celdryn was trying to communicate. After Celdryn’s invisibility wore off, Arlynn stiffly introduced herself to the sorcerer.  Telbron distracted the other students with Thaumaturgy (specifically, the sound of crows cawing) so they could continue.

Looking at the next clue, students guessed it referred to the Biblioplex Café and headed over there. There was a gnome barista and a long lineup.  Nell grabbed the list and flew to the front of the line.  The customers protested, prompting Nell to try and elicit sympathy until Arlynn cast Sleep, knocking out twelve of them.  One of the students who’d remained awake yelled at them until Celdryn cast Friends.  Kai scolded the remaining two students for raising their voices in the library. Telbron Intimidated them with Thaumaturgy while Kai loomed over them, scaring the two away.  Now free, Nell and Arlynn presented the list to the gnome barista, who looked at the customers and silently handed goodie bags over to Arlynn. Arlynn took bags and pulled Nell away. Nell thanked Kai and Telbron for coming to her aid.  Kai bought coffees for the remaining thirteen students, while Telbron added a silver coin as tip.  They ran away as the customers woke up (or shook off the Friends spell).  Once they were safe, Arlynn handed out the goodie bags. Each held a scone, artisan mints and a 10% off coupon for the café.

The next clue led the students to the Book Garden.  All the flora reminded Nell of home, prompting her to sit down between some bushes. To her surprise, the bushes took turns poking Nell and waving hello.  At Kai’s prompt, Nell showed letter.  Nell suggested Kai and Telbron wade into the bushes, who promptly patted the two men.  When they returned the gesture, the bushes gave them stuffies (Kai got an art elemental stuffie (mascot of Prismari), while Telbron got inkling stuffie (mascot of Silverquill)).    Celdryn waded into bush and gave it a pat, receiving an inkling mascot as well.  Nell waded into the bushes, dragging a reluctant Arlynn after her.  After they patted the bushes, Nell got a pest mascot (mascot of Witherbloom), while Arlynn patted the bush and got a spirit statue (mascot of Lorehold)

Looking at the list, the students saw there was one final clue that made a reference to stars. After some quick brainstorming, the students headed to the amphitheatre.  Various other students were nearby, some of whom appeared to be part of a LARP club.  Kai-El and Telbron hopped up onto the stage, while Arlynn, Celdryn and Nelloris stayed behind, though they did not know what they were supposed to do.  At Nell’s request (echoed loudly by Arlynn), Kai-El took off his shirt.  Arlynn, Telbron and Nelloris cast Prestidigitation, Thaumaturgy and Druidcraft, respectively, to enhance the performance.  Kai gyrated for a moment before ripping Telbron’s shirt open. Remembering that a similar event occurred at the aforementioned charity event, Telbron punched Kai.   As Kai fell to the stage, some hooded lanterns popped out of the stage.  Seeing that, Arlynn assumed everyone else had to get on stage and remove their shirts. Getting up, Kai hit Telbron back. Nell was so overwhelmed by the drama that she fainted, though Celdryn caught her before she hit the floor. Coming to her senses, Nell reached out to Kai and Telbron, touched their abs and cast Cure Wounds.  Arlynn then climbed onto the stage and began to remove her shirt.  Celdryn saw her, experienced another Wild Magic Surge and sneezed a Fireball at the LARP club which exploded one of their chests.  While magical safeguards put out most of the fire, one of the flaming bits woke up a disguised mimic that began lashing out at anyone nearby.

Most of the students began attacking the mimic with various spells and cantrips. Arlynn was initially oblivious, focusing on removing her shirt as no more hooded lanterns popped up, but eventually joined the fight (with her bra protecting her modesty). Nell suffered a serious wound when the mimic bit her, but managed to avoid getting eaten. In the end, Arlynn killed the creature by using Catapult to hurl a book at it. Exhausted and grievously wounded, Nell sought permission to drink the Potion of Healing. Arlynn checked on Nell, unaware of her current state of undress. Nell admitted she was not prepared for university to be so eventful (episode 1).

### First Year

Arlynn helped Nell drink the healing potion, inadvertently revealing how well-endowed she was.  Nell seemed overwhelmed, either from the recent combat or the number of shirtless students.  Telbron and Kai also noted her confused state.  Arlynn offered to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before Kai reminded her about the lanterns.  After Arlynn summarily dropped Nell to the ground to retrieve the lantern she’d won, Telbron helped the stunned owlin up.
Other students began to congregate, drawn to the conflict, while the LARP club doused any remaining flames.  An owlin flew down and asked if everyone was all right.  Celdryn asked if it was common for the university to house mimics on the school grounds.  The owlin asked if that was the source of the commotion, prompting Kai to question her knowledge and competency.  She introduced herself as Professor Mavinda Sharpbeak and explained she had been sent to handle an incident at the café involving students using illegal enchantment magic, adding that could be an expellable offence, before being drawn to the ruckus at the amphitheatre.  Nell explained they were attacked by a mimic and defended themselves.  Celdryn added they were also protecting their fellow students, while Kai emphasized that they saved them.  Professor Sharpbeak asked the students to introduce themselves. Nell gave a long and meandering babble but, after being prompted by the professor, gave her name.
Seeing how Telbron’s shirt was torn, she cast a Mending cantrip.  Sharpbeak then urged Kai and Arlynn to put their shirts on, reminding them Strixhaven was a prestigious institution.  Arlynn complied, but accidentally mixed up her shirt with Kai’s, causing some confusion before Nell corrected them. Once they were clothed, Professor Sharpbeak repeated her earlier statements that casting enchantments on fellow students would normally be an expellable offence.  However, given their actions against the mimic, she was willing to overlook that incident.  She did instruct them to read over their welcome packet and school rules, as they did cover the use of unauthorized magic.  Sharpbeak also corrected their mistaken impression that the scavenger hunt was a form of competition.  When Nell realized she hadn’t gotten a lantern and asked if she had to take her shirt off, Sharpbeak hastily explained that she simply had to give some kind of performance.  A gnome girl from the LARP club came over and explained that the students had given a performance when removing their shirts, one that included dancing and fireworks, which the professor conceded would meet the requirements.  Sharpbeak also suggested they visit the Student Activities Centre and channel their energy into the clubs and extracurricular activities that were available at Strixhaven, requesting that they refrain from getting into any more trouble.  Kai was particularly interested in the Iron Lifters’ Club and urged Telbron to join him.  Kai also asked if Professor Sharpbeak was in charge of Prismari College, but was told that that privilege fell to the Deans.  Arlynn was embarrassed at the realization that she’d gotten into trouble with a professor.  Sharpbeak then bid them farewell and began casting more Mending cantrips on anything that needed it.

The gnome girl ran up to Arlynn, gushed over how she’d defeated the mimic and introduced herself as Rosie.  When Celdryn asked, Rosie explained she was also a first-year student, but knew people who had attended Strixhaven before and joined the LARP club as well.  Rosie asked Celdryn how he recognized the mimic before, thinking he must be a powerful mage to be able to cast something as powerful as a Fireball spell.  Kai made some boastful claims on Celdryn’s behalf, much to his embarrassment. Rosie urged them to join the LARP club and ran away, before returning to give them pamphlets.

Kai threw away Celdryn’s LARP club pamphlet before he could read it, dismissing it as too nerdy.  Nell commented on Kai’s attitude towards anything nerdy, told him she was a nerd herself, and asked if that made her bad.  Kai said she wasn’t bad, but she shouldn’t become nerdier, citing pornography as a perfectly acceptable pastime.  A confused Arlynn asked what pornography was.  The conversation went on to include the merits of different kinds of relationships, how everyone was feeling and Kai’s desire to check out the Iron Lifters’ Club and see if it could help him maintain his fitness regimen.

After being reminded that she hadn’t gotten her lantern, Nell got up and tried to take off her shirt.  Celdryn reminded her that Professor Sharpbeak had told them such measures were unnecessary, then, seeing that she was unconvinced, tried to stand between Nell and the professor.  Nell revealed to her friends that she was also well-endowed.  Celdryn chose to recite a poem about knowing who you were and being true to yourself, rather than take his shirt off, and was embarrassed by the resulting praise.  Spotting the crumpled LARP club pamphlet, he retrieved it and put it away.

The friends went to the Student Activities Club and found it was fairly empty.  While there were rows of tables, only a few of them were staffed with club members. Nell went to the Fantastical Horticulture Club, greeted the orc and asked what he was doing. After bonding with Nell over their shared interests in mushrooms, the orc introduced himself as Urzmaktok Grojsh, adding he also went by the simplified name Mak.  Nell was fascinated by the fact that Mak had just been accepted in Witherbloom and to hear about his other experiments, including the possibility of granting mushrooms sentience and turning them into familiars. He invited Nell to meet him the next day by the Book Gardens after fourth bell and handed him a pamphlet. Nell plucked a mushroom off her head and offered it as another specimen.
Nell later saw Mak rush away from his table. She wondered what he was up to and gathered her friends.  Arlynn told them that Celdryn was taking Nora to the amphitheatre where some of them had taken their shirts off (and, also, fought the mimic).  Kai was notably disinterested, as he was looking forward to the mixer.  After Telbron pointed out that would take place later in the evening, Nell suggested a round of ‘pre-drinks,’ which earned her Kai’s enthusiastic approval.  Arlynn revealed her limited experience with alcohol outside of a glass of wine she’d drank at the age of thirteen.  Kai told her she had a lot of catching up to do. Nell warned them that she could get a little crazy when she was drunk.  Shortly after, they decided to follow Celdryn, Nora and Mak.

The friends met up with Celdryn, Nora and Mak. Mak greeted Nell again and introduced himself to Arlynn, Kai and Telbron. Nora said hello to the other students. Mak then told the others that he had discovered the mimic corpse had some black goo that was not typically found in such creatures and that he would have to experiment on the sample to learn more. Celdryn asked if he could help.  Mak agreed, inviting him and Nell to join him the next day.  Nora thanked the group for showing her the mimic.  She also asked Arlynn if she could borrow a book from her, as she had (also) fallen afoul of Universal Planar Services.  After giving Arlynn some suggestions on what kind of reading material she was looking for, she commiserated with Telbron on their shared experiences with Universal Planar Services.  Kai offered his opinion on the rival Goblin Postal Service.  Nora then returned to her club table.

Nell then noted that Kai wasn’t looking well.  Kai admitted he was hungry, but what he really wanted was beer.  Celdryn was told about the party and, when asked, admitted he had never been to any parties.  A stunned Kai had to sit down and hyperventilated into a bag.  A helpful Nell told Celdryn it was like a particular issue of a manga they read before urging her friends to get their drink on.  Kai misheard her and wondered if Celdryn would have a carnal encounter before he would. Telbron rolled his eyes.  A worried Celdryn asked Nell if they had to pay for drinks.  Telbron assured them they could put it on his father’s tab, so long as they did not overdo it.

They made their way to the Bow’s End Tavern.  Nell walked up to the bar and asked for a Goblin Grenade, Kai ordered three Kinky Kenkus and a Genie and Tonic.  Telbron asked that the drinks be put on the Stevedore tab.  After they all finished, Kai ordered another round. Telbron decided to slow down while Nell resolved to keep up with Kai.  Celdryn nursed his first drink until Kai encouraged him to ‘open his throat’. Taking him literally, Celdryn enlarged his throat and poured the rest of his drink down.  Kai looked at his drink and wondered if he was seeing things in his inebriation while the other students expressed varying degrees of surprise. When a second round of drinks arrived, Celdryn downed his glass in a similar fashion.  Impressed, Kai wondered if Celdryn was the Chosen One.  Celdryn then grabbed another drink from a passing waitress and, in an uncharacteristically confident manner, finished it in one go and told the others they were two drinks behind. Shaking his head, Telbron declared he would not even try to keep up.  Kai eagerly chugged another drink while Nell asked for a Slippery Nipple. Celdryn needed a moment to compose himself, but assured the others he was fine.  He and Nell declared their appreciation of each other before agreeing to have more drinks.  Arlynn decided she wanted to join them and finished her drink.

Kai revealed that he saw Arlynn by the Cheer Table and told her she would look great in a cheerleader uniform.  By sheer coincidence, four cheerleaders came in and the friends took a moment to admire them.  Emboldened, Celdryn decided to walk over and asked the cheerleaders to help them navigate the various drinks available on campus.  As one of them began recommending the Strixhaven Strut, Celdryn interrupted her and invited them to join his friends, volunteering Telbron to buy their drinks.  Celdryn led the cheerleaders back and introduced them to his friends as J’dell (a halfling), Jeta Stream (a water genasi), Jetam (an elf) and Joy (a tiefling). Telbron wondered if this was the same Celdryn they had met at the beginning of the day.  Nell sidled over to Telbron and asked if he would be okay buying all these drinks.  Telbron reassured her that his father had encouraged him to make connections, but had not provided any limitations on how.
The cheerleaders bought some Strixhaven Struts and demonstrated how to drink them. Celdryn’s attempts to flirt with one of them failed as he became momentarily, and visibly, ill.  Telbron abstained, deciding to ‘babysit’ the others and cut Celdryn off from any more drinks.  Seeing this, Kai and Celdryn tried to encourage him to continue drinking. Kai also cast a Resistance cantrip on Celdryn so he could keep partying.  Telbron reluctantly agreed to join them in another round, only to regret it as the room began spinning.  Nell noticed his vertigo and apologized for all the peer pressure.  Arlynn declared she had a perfect performance and asked Joy the tiefling if she got a prize.  Joy agreed and suggested another drink, but Celdryn suggested a kiss instead. A drunk Arlynn agreed and kissed Joy. As the two began making out, Nell declared she had gained so much material for fan fiction, Celdryn was shocked at this latest development and Kai broadcast the whole thing to his StonelyFans with his sending stone.
More students began trickling in.  A well-dressed first-year student strode up to the bar and ordered a round of drinks for his companions like Telbron had done.  Celdryn then struck up a conversation with J’dell, suggesting Kai was already poised to become the next silkball captain.  Kai played along, asking her about Mage Tower before asking her opinion on various ales.  J’dell recommended the Witherbloom ales, explaining that students guilty of infractions often had to perform unpleasant tasks in Witherbloom’s Detention Bog, whose conditions were ideal for brewing ales.  Hearing about the creatures that roamed freely in the bog, Kai wondered if that was where the mimic came from.  He then summarized their mimic fight to the halfling, playing up Arlynn’s role with Celdryn’s help.  Arlynn mistakenly thought someone had mentioned more shots.  Celdryn obliged and asked for more shots with Thaumaturgy, only to be chastised by a bartender’s louder use of the same cantrip. When the drinks arrived, Celdryn used Mage Hand to drink his shot.

Nell sat in Kai’s lap, much to his surprise, and gave him a kiss.  Celdryn noticed.  Kai waved Bageira over and introduced everyone.  As Bageira sat down, an increasingly inebriated Celdryn commented on her height.  She explained how she just met Kai and asked whether he would also join the Iron Lifters. Celdryn tried to impress her by shapeshifting some extra muscle, but she easily discovered his deception and ordered water for everyone.  After Celdryn asked how she could help Kai, Bageira offered some tips… and suggested food would be a good idea considering how early it was and how drunk they were. She ordered a round of chicken wings after Nell was assured they wouldn’t eat *her* wings.

A group of musicians came in, led by a stunning elven singer who drew Celdryn’s attention.  The well-dressed student and his group cast judgemental looks at the friends’ table. More students were coming into the tavern.  Arlynn finally registered the order of food and agreed she could eat.  Kai and Bageira debated the merits of carbohydrates before he challenged her to an arm-wrestling match.  They exchanged some trash talk before Kai lost decisively. Kai good-naturedly agreed to have some fries.  Arlynn asked if she could have some and offered them to Joy, who declined as she was on a diet.  The cheerleaders said their goodbyes and left.

Nell and Kai sensed that the well-dressed student and  his group recognized Telbron.  Celdryn noticed they were looking at someone, but was so inebriated that Nell was worried about him.  Kai asked Telbron if he recognized the people looking at their table.  After turning his head, he recognized him as someone he had met at one of his father’s events, but he could not remember, or care to remember, his name.  Celdryn waited until that student went to the washroom, found a secluded hallway, morphed his face into a distorted version of the student, went to his friends’ table, faced the other table, wandered into the crowd, returned to his normal features and returned to his friends.  He bowed to Telbron before face-planting on the table.  The friends, clearly worried, tried to find the other student, who they called out Grayson, and queried him when he returned from the washroom.

After helping Celdryn up, Bageira revealed she was in Lorehold College and asked the group which college they hoped to enter.  Kai admitted his family had a legacy in Prismari and felt he had no choice but to go there.  Telbron revealed his famiy had a legacy in Silverquill.  Nell hoped to get into Witherbloom.  Arlynn gave her response through a mouthful of fries.  Celdryn mumbled ‘Goldfeather,’ but some of the students guessed he meant Silverquill.  Nell told Kai and Telbron they should go to whichever college they wanted to enter.  Kai claimed he wanted to go to Prismari because it was the best.  Telbron admitted he hadn’t really decided for himself yet, but wanted to stay on his father’s good side so he would be left alone while he was attending Strixhaven.  The others guessed Telbron might have some father issues.  Nell added he was surprised how many people seemed to resemble the characters she’d read about in her manga.

Celdryn kept admiring the elven singer, which Kai noticed.  A moment later, he saw the singer enthusiastically wave to a blonde elven first-year student.  To his shock, he recognized the other elf as Elowyn, one of his first friends and one of the few people who knew about him, his family and his life.  The others noticed him keeping his head down.  When Nell asked, Celdryn asked her to keep it down, insisted things were fine and claimed he was just drunk.  He asked that if they met the student talking to the elven singer (who he was clearly infatuated with), that they not trust anything she said. After some questions over how they knew each other (and some queries from Kai on whether it was sexual (which Telbron translated)), Celdryn reluctantly admitted they knew each other as children but she had since made his life miserable.

With that settled, Kai challenged Bageira to another arm-wrestling match while Arlynn sent a surprisingly legible text to Larine and asked if she was coming to the Bow’s End Tavern party.  After Larine confirmed she was coming in an hour, though, Arlynn responded with an incoherent series of emojis before dropping and cracking her stone.
Celdryn debated whether to confront Elowyn.  Arlynn offered to give her a piece of her mind.  Nell offered to cast a Chill Touch cantrip to spoil her beer, but Telbron advised it, considering her drunken state and the likelihood of getting the group into trouble again.  Celdryn was open to exploring other spells if they did not require a target.  Arlynn suggested another Sleep spell, which Kai and Telbron quickly discouraged.  Nell listed other spell options before Telbron distracted her with a question about manga characters.  Kai tried reading a manga for himself, only to read it backwards and bend the spine (much to Nell’s and Celdryn’s horror).  He then challenged Bageira again to an arm-wrestling match and won (due partly to Celdryn’s Silvery Barbs).
Kai and Bageira left just as Larine walked in.  Spotting Arlynn, she walked over and joined the group.  Arlynn apologized for not responding to any texts as she’d dropped her stone.  Larine noticed the lipstick on Arlynn’s face from her makeout session with Joy. Arlynn’s claims of having trouble applying lipstick failed miserably.  Celdryn’s attempts to wipe it off only made matters worse.  Laureen claimed to want to see her friends and said her goodbyes, but the group noticed she sat at an empty table before some other students eventually joined her.

Celdryn looked up again, only to meet Elowyn’s eyes and hurriedly turned his gaze back to the table.  He asked whether Elowyn was looking their way.  Arlynn declared that she was traditionally attractive, well put together and had a ‘resting bitch face’.  Upon further examination, she amended the last description to ‘active bitch face’ (to which Nell and Telbron agreed) as Elowyn was staring daggers their way.  When Nell asked, Celdryn admitted their relationship had shattered after he revealed who he was.  He then took a few deep breaths before looking at Elowyn.  After they exchanged glances, the elf looked in various directions before heading to the bar.  Celdryn declared he’d just made the worst decision of his life.  Nell tried to start a bet over how Elowyn would react. Telbron guessed she did not have enough gold, to which Nell replied she did… given the net cost of her manga collection.  Ultimately, Elowyn sat down with her drink at another table.  Celdryn concluded that first year would be more interesting than he thought before suggesting another round of drinks.  Telbron asked if Celdryn wanted to leave, but he declined as he thought Kai would return.  Nell corrected him, saying he had left with Bageira, prompting Celdryn to ask if they should look after him.  Celdryn tried to stand up, only to be forced back down by Telbron, who insisted everyone drink water as he could not carry the rest of them back to the dorm.  Nell tried to fly, only to fail mid-flutter. Expecting this outcome, Telbron was already in position to catch her as she fell, noting she seemed to enjoy being saved.  Celdryn commented on how light she was, due in part to her hollow bones.  Telbron responded that it was her eyes that caught his attention.  Celdryn whispered to Arlynn that they should give Nell and Telbron some privacy and led her away to find Kai.

Nell was thoroughly embarrassed but eventually asked if Telbron really liked her eyes.  After he confirmed his earlier statement, she complimented his eyes, causing him to be similarly embarrassed.  Seeing that she couldn’t find anything else to stay, Telbron concluded she had enough to drink and carried her out of the pub and back to their dorm.  Nell saw Celdryn drag Arlynn behind a building and drew certain conclusions for herself.  Deciding not to say anything, Nell talked Telbron’s ear off about anime as he brought her back to her room and tucked her into bed, which he allowed as his reading material was considerably less interesting.  She eventually dozed off against his shoulder (episode 2).

Nell woke up to find herself asleep on Telbron’s shoulder.  After seeing how much of her makeup had smeared on Telbron’s shirt, she tried to go back to sleep only to hear Telbron curse.  Hearing that, Nell asked Telbron if he was awake and the two exchanged greetings.  She was relieved to find she still had her uniform on. Seeing all the manga lying around, Nell asked if they’d talked about anime all night.  Telbron confirmed her theory and assured her he had a good time.  Nell then asked if he wanted coffee as she needed some to help her hangover.   Telbron offered her an alternative he had in his dorm and, after she agreed, carried her back to his dorm.

Arlynn, Nell and Telbron bumped into each other in the hallway.  Arlynn greeted them and observed Telbron had a ‘parcel’.  Telbron smoothly replied that it was an unexpected, but welcome, package.  Nell was visibly flattered, while Arlynn was clearly taken aback and asked if they had performed ‘shipping activities’.  While Telbron blushed, Nell explained they’d spent the night talking about anime.  She began reciting a list of anime, one of which Arlynn recognized.

They were interrupted by Kai, who was walking down the hallway carrying a bag and wearing nothing but a towel. Arlynn and Nell observed he had forgotten his shirt and pants, respectively.  Kai explained the only clothing he had was soiled.  At that point, they were joined by Celdryn. Hearing Kai, Celdryn offered to clean his clothes.  A confused Kai thought he was going to do his laundry for him, only to see him cast Prestidigitation and belatedly realize he could have cast the same cantrip himself.  Telbron told them he was going to leave and departed with Nell in his arms.  Nell shouted her goodbyes over his shoulder.

By the time Telbron returned to his room with Nell, he was so embarrassed that he accidentally kicked a package waiting outside his room.  After noting it was damaged and cluttered with stamps, he opened the door, kicked the package inside, entered his room and gently put Nell on his bed.  While Nell looked around curiously, Telbron noticed there was another package sitting on his desk.  He set that aside and made Nell some herbal tea that had helped him recover from hangovers in the past.  Nell drank the tea and immediately felt better.  Telbron was not surprised, admitting he didn’t handle alcohol well and had learned how effective the tea could be.  They agreed that the previous night was more exciting than any parties they’d had before.

Nell observed he finally got his uniform and voiced her hope that whoever had shipped it would get a refund.  Telbron looked at the stamps on the first package and agreed, marveling it had gone through twenty different planes.  When Nell examined the package for herself, she realized one of the stamps indicated the package had been sent to the Abyss.  Neither of them knew why his uniform had been sent there, but Telbron hoped it didn’t pick up any curses… or imps.

After a few seconds, Nell noticed the second package.  Telbron grabbed it and carefully opened it, as he realized someone had brought it into his room while he was out.   The package contained a ring box and a note that read “Watch your back.  This will put a target on it. –E.”  He recognized it was his brother’s writing and realized, with some shock, that he was alive.  Nell was confused until Telbron told her the package was from his brother… who had disappeared twelve years ago from Strixhaven.  Telbron told her they had much to discuss before opening the ring box.  Wind blew through their hair and feathers, respectively, accompanied by a crackle.  When things settled down, the two peered at the open box to see a golden ring, with three stylized air currents curling around a diamond.  Seeing a latch on the ring, he opened it and disappeared.

The ring dropped to the floor.  Nell was shocked and said aloud that if Telbron was invisible, that this was not funny.  She picked up the ring and found the latch was now shut.  After a few minutes, Telbron reappeared with the ring on his finger… and Nell holding onto both the ring and his hand. When Nell asked what happened, Telbron guessed he had gone inside the ring.  After realizing what had happened, Nell declared the ring could help them sneak in so many places.

Telbron asked Nell if she realized everyone thought they had had sex.  When Nell immediately agreed, Telbron guessed she knew very little about his family.  She promptly confirmed his suspicions, excited at the thought of being part of a torrid family affair like some of the anime she’d watched.  Telbron asked if any of the anime involved arranged marriages, much to Nell’s shock.  He begged Nell to keep his secret, expressing surprise Kai didn’t know, before going onto explain his brother was in an arranged marriage before disappearing twelve years ago.  Telbron was now expected to marry his brother’s intended fiancée and sought a way out of this arrangement like his brother had.  He was concerned that he’d now put a target on Nell’s back.  Nell surprised him with her willingness to be his ‘fake pretend girlfriend’ or ‘real girlfriend’ in order to disrupt any plots from his family.

They were then interrupted by Arlynn, who called out through the door to say Celdryn wanted to know if they had ‘anime’d’ each other last night.  Kai then repeated the question.  Telbron was embarrassed and turned beet red.  Nell pretended to look all disheveled before opening the door.  While Kai was fooled, Arlynn and Celdryn saw she was a little too unkempt and Telbron was not in a similar state of undress.  Arlynn then repeated her suggestion of breakfast and the five of them left the dorm. Telbron leaned over and quietly told Nell that he wouldn’t mind if they actually had sex, shocking and embarrassing her.

The students made their way to the Firejolt Café, only to hear someone call out Arlynn’s name excitedly.  Turning around, they saw Rosie the gnome charge up and ask if they were doing anything.  After asking if they were going to Firejolt, she urged them to follow, telling Nell she’d enjoy it.  When they arrived, Rosie told them she would go in first, and that the others should casually make their way to the back room later.

Heading inside, they quickly saw Larine sitting at a table with Grayson and a distinguished-looking girl.  There were several other students in the café including an owlin sitting by himself, Greta, an earth genasi, Nora and the elven singer.  At the coffee bar, Javanesh could be seen chatting with a barista.

Celdryn’s eyes were drawn to the singer, but the friends recalled he was fixated on the other elf who had talked to her.  They also wondered how he was able to drink so much without a hangover.  Kai was still confused as to why they had followed Rosie inside.  Nell told him the gnome had something cool to show them.  Arlynn decided to apologize to Larine, despite the fact that she was with friends, explained things had escalated faster than expected with the person who’d given Arlynn lipstick, and expressed hopes that they could hang out.  Larine’s friends gave Arlynn judgemental looks.  Grayson also glanced at Telbron.  Arlynn rushed away before Larine could say anything more.

Seeing the friends, Nora greeted them.  Telbron took the opportunity to tell her his uniform had finally arrived, after travelling through twenty different planes (including the Abyss).  Nora admitted she knew someone who had something similar happen and the incident ended with an imp hitching a ride in the package.  Telbron admitted he was not sure if there were any imps in his package as he had not opened it yet.  Nora assured him he probably did not have to take any precautions.  When Telbron asked if there would be any repercussions for attacking any imps, Nora suggested he make sure the devils were not actually university employees.

Nora then introduced Aurora Winterstar, who recognized him as she had performed at some of his family’s events.  Nell complimented Aurora on her voice.  Aurora recalled seeing them at the Bow’s End Tavern enjoying themselves.  Celdryn looked away awkwardly.  Aurora recognized Kai as well, through the messages they had apparently exchanged on StonelyFans.  After swapping compliments, Kai and Aurora agreed to meet up for drinks (and maybe more) some time.

Kai asked if anyone wanted coffee.  Nora and Aurora declined, indicating they already had some.  Heading over to the coffee bar, he ordered coffees for everyone (white chocolate mocha with extra caramel sauce and an extra shot of espresso for Nell; espresso deep roast with a long shot of espresso for Telbron (per his request for the strongest thing they had); espresso macchiato for Celdryn (despite his request for the cheapest thing they had and black coffee for Arlynn.  He paid for the coffees and added a tip.  Arlynn grabbed her coffee from the bar, having followed Kai without his knowing.  Kai brought the other coffees back and told Celdryn he’d made his drink a little more expensive as thanks for the soap.  After they got their coffees, they noticed Rosie trying to get their attention and trundled over to the back room.

They saw Rosie sitting with a blond elf who had a small crate.  There were many other people, including a dryad, Mak and a loxodon in military garb with a wealth of gold piercings.  Rosie waved them over and introduced them to the elf, whose name was Cadoras.  Cadoras whispered to Rosie that she thought they were inviting one person over, not five, but was assured it was fine.  Nell piped up that they were all as smart as one person, rendering Telbron speechless and offending Arlynn.  Telbron told Cadoras that Nell was still waking up.  Rosie told Cadoras that Nell looked like the kind of person who would know about certain things and urged him to open the box.  He slowly complied, revealing four glowing frogs.  Cadoras told them she’d found the frogs in a creek behind the café, but had never seen any creatures like them before and wondered if they were native to this plane.  Nell offered to cast Speak With Animals, picked one up and greeted them.  To her surprise, they belched and grew in size until they were the size of large dogs.

The students swung into action, casting various spells. Arlynn hid behind Rosie and asked why the frogs grew in size, but Rosie did not know. Kai scored the first frog with a Guiding Bolt from his eyes. Nell hid behind Telbron, who went down after two frogs latched on his arms. Arlynn killed two frogs with a flaming log that she launched with Catapult, while an injured frog died after botching an attack against Kai. Nell cast Spare the Dying by kissing Telbron, then kissed him again to regurgitate a healing potion into his mouth. Arlynn belatedly pointed out that pouring the healing potion into his mouth would also work.

Celdryn and Telbron were distracted for their own reasons.  The others noted the frogs shrinking back to normal size, leaving behind a oily black substance that Nell recognized was similar to the ooze from the mimic.  Arlynn investigated the black substance, going so far as to lick it, and concluded it was sweet to the taste.  Mak overheard, came over and took a sample.  He also looked at Nell and Telbron before suggesting that they put off any scientific experiments until the next day.  Nell assured him they did not need time to recover, so Mak decided they should begin his investigation at once.  Nell and Mak then wandered off (episode 3).

As Nell and Mak walked to the Witherbloom campus, a curious Celdryn caught up and asked if he could tag along.  Mak looked slightly disappointed, but masked his feelings and allowed him to accompany them.  He led Nell and Celdryn to one of the laboratory buildings and brought them to one of the rooms.  Mak led Nell and Celdryn to one of the buildings.  After taking them to one of the rooms, he asked them what schools they wanted to join.  Nell promptly told him Witherbloom.  Celdryn was overwhelmed by the smells until Mak waved a smelling salt under his nose, then answered Silverquill.

Nell and Celdryn helped Mak grab various pieces of scientific equipment.  Mak explained that the black ooze from the frogs looked similar to the substance taken from the mimic.  He was interested in testing the frog ooze for any magical residue, especially since the sample of mimic ooze was somewhat old by the time he’d tested it and it had no detectable magic.  Celdryn asked Mak whether the ooze mutated the frogs or turned some other fauna into frogs.  Mak suspected the latter.  While his experiment was incubating, Mak pointed out and explained some of the other experiments that were taking place in the building.  As they were talking, a large dryad opened the door for a beautiful elven woman.  Recognizing the elf as Aurora, Celdryn tried to hide behind Nell.  Mak gave him a look before glancing at Nell, who simply dismissed her friend’s behaviour as no consequence.

Once Aurora and the dryad left the room, Nell asked Mak about researching sentient mushrooms and their potential as familiars.  Mak believed some mushrooms, possibly on other planes of existence, could become familiars and had asked some Quandrix students of his acquaintance to bring back any specimens that might be suitable.  He also felt there was no reason mushrooms could not act as familiars, given that books and other non-organic items had been summoned for such roles in the past.  Mak revealed he had found a Find Familiar scroll and offered to give it to Nell, who eagerly accepted.

Seconds later, the experiment was complete.  Mak studied the findings and was disappointed to conclude that the ooze did not have any magical properties.  However, he did confirm it was the same substance as the sample taken from the mimic. He theorized the ooze might have mutated both the mimic and the frogs, though he admitted mimics were not normally seen on campus, and suggested they keep their eyes out for any more instances of creatures being affected by this substance.  Mak was visibly pleased when Nell gave thanks and expressed a desire to spend more time on the Witherbloom campus with him, but quickly added that Celdryn was welcome to return at any time.

Classes began the following day.  While the students had chosen their own electives, they all were expected to take Magical Physiology, a course scheduled for the end of the day (last class of day).  Kai showed up early in disguise (wearing glasses) and went to the front row.  Nell showed up with Telbron and dragged him to the front.  Arlynn joined them in the front door.   They failed to see Kai, not recognizing him in his glasses.  Meanwhile, Celdryn sat in one of the back corners, secretly practicing his magic and trying to cast levelled spells.

Nell spent the time before class reading manga, before Telbron asked her what she’d discovered during her experiments.  She brought Telbron up to speed and mentioned Mak would bring her a Find Familiar scroll later that evening.  She hoped she could use it to summon a mushroom familiar.  Telbron accepted her invitation to help cast the spell, adding he might have some of the ingredients she’d need.

Before long, the teacher arrived and went to the front of the lecture hall.  She introduced herself as Professor (Veralda) Lang and welcomed them to Magical Physiology. After taking attendance, she gave an overview and class outline, explaining that the focus this year would be on slaadi, owlbears and otyughs. Celdryn asked for the correct spelling of those creatures. Nell wanted to know Lang’s favourite mushrooms. Telbron asked which of the creatures she was teaching was her favourite.  Lang admitted she had never been asked that question but picked owlbears.  She thanked him for his question by name, which drew the attention of several students.

After class, Nell asked her friends if they wanted to go out for ice cream, wondering where Kai was. As if on cue, Kai walked behind a dryad, took off his glasses and joined them.  Nell wondered where Kai had been all day, but invited him to join them for ice cream.  Before they left, one of the condoms Telbron grabbed from the infirmary fell out of his pocket.  Celdryn retrieved it and, after Kai identified the brand, returned it to Telbron. Nell’s eyes widened before she flushed and hurried her friends to the ice cream shop.

At the ice cream shop, Kai tried samples.  He did not like the first few options (frankenberry, razberry (that was somehow spicy). Eventually, Nell got black licorice, pink bubblegum swirl. She chose the soft-serve option, as ice cream was one of the few things she did not like to be hard, and did various things with the ice cream while eating it… and looking Telbron in the eye.

Over the next month or so, the students would take their classes.  They spent some of their free time on extracurricular activities or picking up jobs around campus, with Nell getting a job as a lab assistant for magical experiments while signing up for the Fantastical Horticulture Club. Mak set aside a room for Nell to practice her spellcasting, having carefully made a copy of his Find Familiar scroll.  Once she received word from Mak that everything was ready, Nell went to find Telbron.  He was disappointed to find that he did not have any ingredients on hand as he’d promised, but Nell assured him that she and Mak could probably find the necessary spell components and mainly wanted him for his support, given that they were dating.  Telbron admitted he was amazed at how Nell was still okay with his family, prompting a meandering response from Nell about wanting to experience life before assuming her responsibilities as a princess.  When pressed by a surprised Telbron, Nell admitted she was supposed to become the leader of her (Spore) druid circle, but effectively abandoned her duties to attend Strixhaven instead.  The two commiserated on how they both had complicated families before leaving the dorm.

Mak happily received Nell and assured her that he had all the necessary components, including a second-hand brazier he’d inherited.  Telbron sensed that Mak was uncomfortable by his presence and disappointed that Nell had not come alone.  Nell, for her part, spent the next hour casting the spell as a ritual.  Mak took copious notes while Telbron, true to his word, provided moral support (and read a book).

At the end, Nell successfully summoned a large sentient mushroom and excitedly greeted her new familiar.  Mak congratulated her on her success and asked to hold the mushroom.  Telbron looked in awe, marvelling that he didn’t know such a thing was possible.  Mak lowered the mushroom so Telbron could get a better look and chuckled as they turned their back to the warlock.  He complimented Nell’s skills again before realizing he had a class to attend and quickly excused himself.  Mak complimented Nell’s skills before excusing himself and going to class.

Nell asked Telbron what he wanted to name the familiar.  Telbron began thinking of various names in Abyssal.  In the end, Nell decided to name it Shae Taki.

At some point, the friends went to the Firejolt Café for coffee. When Nell and Telbron arrived, Celdryn was already there, finishing his shift with the help of his notes and cue cards. As he had slowly improved his barista skills, Mina allowed him to make the occasional drink for his friends in order to gain more experience. Kai and Arlynn were already there, though the owlin was covered in soot from head to toe.

After Nell let Arlynn and Kai assume she was pregnant with Telbron's child, she presented her new mushroom familiar, Shae Taki. Arlynn was confused until Nell explained she had cast a Find Familiar spell. Kai was confused that Nell and Telbron were actually dating. Shae greeted the friends with burbling comments and happily accepted Arlynn's offer of coffee. Nell began taking notes as her familiar drank the coffee, becoming covered in Arlynn's soot, and greeted all of Nell's friends... with the notable exception of Telbron. Telbron wondered if Shae's aloofness was because they sensed he was a warlock. Nell asked Celdryn how his barista job was going. He told her it was going well, but became overwhelmed with shock when remembering his attempts to make latte art. Celdryn did bring one of his attempts over, which seemed to depict a horrified face mouthing 'Please kill me'. Seconds later, he experienced a Wild Magic Surge that transformed the latte into a unicorn with an equally horrified face. The friends—and Mina—were shocked and confused. Nell and Telbron wondered if there was something hallucinatory in their coffee. Kai tried to wipe his soot-covered hand on the unicorn and saw that its hide remained pristine. Arlynn offered the unicorn her coffee just as Kai slapped the unicorn's rear. The unicorn reared up, spilling Arlynn's coffee, and bolted out of the café, breaking down the door in the process. Nell decided to sneak out through the kitchen, but her efforts were thwarted by Shae's burbling (episode 4).

Nell, Arlynn (who was raised by owlin) and the other owlin had taken a few weeks off for the Owlidays, an event known for honouring ancestors (flying to the burial grounds, talking to deceased family members and leaving food out), spending time with family and various parties and gatherings.  It was also known as a time known for announcing engagements or unions.  Nell was going to leave Shae with Telbron, but changed her mind after Shae’s constant crying.  The university arranged to reschedule their exams (episode 5). For Nell, she had additional pressures as the Sullenclaw family enjoyed a position of prominence amongst their Circle. She grew frustrated as her family was less interested in hearing about her experiences at Strixhaven and her new familiar Shae, and more interested in talking when she would come back to assume her responsibilities and the folly of learning from sources outside of nature. She kept in touch with Telbron while she was home and told her family they were dating.  After exchanging looks, her father kept any thoughts to himself while her mother, Harriwen, gave a noncommittal response.

The Sullenclaw family was expected to have a celebratory dinner with one of the other families. This year, however, Nell’s parents had been uncharacteristically vague on which family they would be visiting. As an act of rebellion, Nell chose to wear black—and bring Shae—rather than the traditional silvers, golds and fey colours. She was subsequently surprised when she discovered they were going to the family of her ex-boyfriend, Ciras (an bald eagle aarakocra).  Nell awkwardly greeting Ciras, noting how he’d grown up.  Ciras told her he’d been spending a great deal of time in the forest lifting logs, invited her inside and, after being introduced to Shae, got them coffee.

Nell talked to Ciras about Strixhaven and how much she’d learned from stepping outside their circle. Her only complaint was that she did not have enough feather dye to maintain her look.  Ciras assured her the drugstores would probably have them in stock now that she wasn’t buying it regularly.  He also agreed with Nell that it was strange their families were sharing dinner, considering that the Sullenclaws traditionally rotated family visits, the Feathertons had strongly pushed to be hosts this year, and Ciras’s family had shared Owliday meals with them a few years ago.  Nell guessed that Ciras was not aware of any machinations that their parents might be up to.  She did admit missing the Owlidays and owlin food, such as the traditional worm lasanga, and how it was a challenge getting used to the ‘strange’ human food of Strixhaven.

She also told Ciras about the friends she’d made.  He was very excited to discover Nell went to school with Kai-El and was intrigued to hear about Celdron’s changeling abilities.  Ciras also thought it was cool that Arlynn was an eladrin adopted by owlin and suggested she come with Nell for the next Owlidays.  She hesitantly told him about Telbron and how quiet (and cute) he was.  All in all, Ciras seemed happy to hear Nell was doing well, considering how secluded she’d become before leaving for Strixhaven.  Nell asked if Ciras was seeing anyone, but he explained he was too busy with work and school.  Ciras did mention she was expected to come back, but he hoped she would bring back new ideas as he privately felt the Circle needed updating.  Nell expressed joy in how she could be herself as no one knew about her family or her future expectations.

As they drank their coffee, Nell noticed their mothers spying on them, only to quickly hide and whisper when she turned their way.  Irritated, Nell cast Create or Destroy Water to destroy their drinks.  Their mothers conveniently reappeared and asked Nell and Ciras to help set the table for dinner.

During dinner, Nell was asked if she would be returning after the year was over.  She told them she planned to stay at Strixhaven for the full four years, especially as they wouldn’t specialize in Colleges until second year.  This led to a polite differences of opinion where Ciras tried to back Nell up on the value of new perspectives, while the parents felt the Circle did not need new ideas or outside help.  Harriwen also made comments about about Galxi, Nell’s former mentor who was cast out of the Circle for practicing necromancy.

Nell eventually grew tired of the passive-aggressive arguments and pointedly asked what the mothers were up to, reminding them that the Sullenclaws had visited Ciras’s family two years ago.  Harriwen explained that since Nell had ‘abandoned’ them for her own ‘selfish’ purposes, Ciras’s mother, Florence, had stepped up and assumed additional duties.  She went on to add that Nell’s threats of following her own path, up to and including marriage, were empty as the Circle was where she belonged and no one would want her.  After an awkward silence, Nell accused her mother of constantly trying to force her to meet Harriwen’s unrealistic expectations instead of accepting her for who she was.  Harriwen replied that she needed to accept her role in life, and that to do otherwise was selfish.  She admitted that she’d originally allowed Nell to go to Strixhaven in the hopes that she would recognize the importance of home and family, rather than push them aside and get ‘brainwashed’ by strange ideas.  Nell replied that leaving had allowed her to see what she was missing and recognize that things were not as good as they seemed.

Throughout her argument with her mother, Nell apologized to Ciras’s family for their discord, complimented their cooking and expressed a willingness to rekindle her relationship with Ciras when she wasn’t being forced into anything.  This forced Ciras into blurting out that he was dating an individual named Ryland.  The admission shocked everyone but Ciras’s father—who had been seemingly unaffected and oblivious throughout the entire dinner—though Nell immediately expressed how happy she was for Ciras.  Nell and Ciras mutually agreed to leave, ignoring the protests of their mothers.

Ciras escorted Nell back to the Sullenclaw house and expressed regrets that the dinner had ended on such an acrimonious note.  Nell wished that things had changed and her mother might have missed her.  Ciras told her that he believed her mother had missed Nell but simply did not know how to properly express it, privately admitting that Harriwen had become increasingly bitchy in her daughter’s absence.  Nell hoped Ciras would not receive any blowback, encouraging him to tell any harassers that the future head of the Circle would come to their defence, and gave him her Strixhaven planar address if he needed a place to crash.

After receiving further support and good wishes, Ciras left to see Ryland.  Nell broke down and cried for how things had ended with her mother. She then quickly packed up and left a note on her father’s side of the bed thanking him for a nice week, regretting how things ended and expressed hopes that she might return home during the next Owlidays if things, including her mother, changed.  Nell then used her teleportation scroll to return to Strixhaven.

Nell arrived in a cloudy void.  She realized she was staring at the edge of the demiplane where Strixhaven existed before seeing Kai. Kai noticed Nell was upset and walked over.  Through barely contained sniffles, Nell told him she had returned earlier than planned due to family issues, which she did not want to talk about.  Searching for another topic of conversation, they saw sparkles falling like snowflakes.  While Kai found it pretty, Nell remembered her History of Magic and Art lessons that the Snarl occasionally caused flares that interfered with teleportation magic.  As a result, Strixhaven University had established outposts that teleportation scrolls would automatically default to in the event that they could not reach their intended destination.

As Nell tried to explain, Kai told her to stop talking and take in their surroundings.  They admired the view in silence.  Kai asked again if Nell was okay.  Nell admitted that she’d come home hoping her mother had changed, only to find she hadn’t changed and didn’t accept she wanted to go to school.  She’d returned to Strixhaven early after the two of them had gotten into a fight during dinner.  Nell then apologized for creating such a depressing mood, as she realized Kai had gone to a wyvernball game and assumed he had fun.  Kai told her that parents were sometimes stuck in their ways, while their children had the capacity to change.  Kai asked if Nell was okay not being like her mother. Nell said yes, feeling that her mother was stuck in a never-ending circle and refused to grow beyond their present pot or garden.

Nell noticed a glowing crystal Kai was wearing and, in an effort to change the topic of conversation, observed that she had not seen him wear it at school before.  As she came (much, much) closer to him to get a better look.  Kai told her it was superiite, a mineral that grew on his home realm, and explained it was a superion tradition to keep a piece of it when they lived offworld.  He added his mother did not really follow that practice, as she’d embraced the culture of his stepfather, but his father did. On a whim, he asked Nell how far down the void might go.  Nell was distracted by Kai, but replied that it probably went on forever.  Kai decided to test that theory and threw the crystal over the edge.  It fell out of sight, but Kai and Nell never heard it hit ground.

Nell thought Kai might have jumped over the edge too.  Kai said he would only do so once he could fly.  Nell immediately began flying despite Kai’s protests.  She told him flying felt calming and peaceful and suggested he could experience that with her someday.  Nell told him she wasn’t sure why Kai had come home early and wondered if it was also due to family issues.   Kai claimed he had returned because he sensed she was in trouble, insinuating that he found her attractive.  Before they realized how intimately close they were to each other, a horseless carriage arrived to take them back to school.  Nell insisted Kai go first as she was short and wearing a dress.  Kai obliged, carrying her luggage in.  As they went inside, Nell remembered she had deferred exams to take.  Kai wondered if he was allowed to talk about them given that he’d taken the exams, then hinted at how he’d tried to get Celdryn laid.

The two settled down, while Shae pretended to sleep.  During their trip, Kai gave her an account of his night with Celdryn and Telbron, though he initially focused more on Celdryn’s activities before overcompensating by describing Telbron’s actions.  Nell belatedly remembered to ask about Telbron at that point. Kai also mentioned how they had fought steam mephits in the Bow’s End Tavern kitchen and how they were drawn to a cauldron that seemed to have the same black goo they’d seen before.  He also mentioned that he, Celdryn and Telbron had seen Mak in the area and how he fled the scene despite them repeatedly calling his name.

Growing serious, he warned her against going out on her own and asked her to find him if she had to go anywhere after hours. He asked her to wait if he was ‘entertaining’ a woman at the time.  Nell admitted having limited experience in that area outside of what she’d read, but was assured by Kai that she would catch up in time.  She asked if Kai was up for coffee, as she needed a friendly face after suffering through a week of disapproval from her family.  Kai agreed as long as they didn’t go to the Firejolt Café, as the barista there hated him.  Nell suggested going to the Bow’s End Tavern after taking a shower.  They agreed to meet in the lobby in an hour.

After returning to her room, Nell took a quick shower, changed into casual flannel clothing and began drawing a manga of her and Kai at the train station.  However, she was interrupted by a message with the Stevedore seal.  Opening it, she found it was a message from Telbron that summarized his night at the Bow’s End Tavern with Kai and Celdryn.  Curiously, he left out any mention of seeing Mak and his suspicious behaviour.  He added that he subsequently came down with a case of spectrepox.  He assured her he’d contracted the disease seven years ago, it occasionally flared up from time to time and it was no cause for concern.  However, his father had insisted he return home for the necessary treatment, and Telbron had chosen to comply rather than risk his father prying into his life at Strixhaven.  He regretted that this would mean he would miss her return to school as he’d missed her.

Nell then noticed a hidden message in Illusory Script, explaining that he’d given his ring to Nell.  He asked her to keep it with her or hide it in his desk.  He also asked her to be careful, as he believed the ring was instrumental to his brother’s disappearance, his father had taken steps to ensure he did not affect a similar escape and he did not want to draw his family’s attention to himself or Nell.  Telbron concluded that he would be stuck at home for a few days, perhaps longer as his birthday was approaching.  She was then interrupted by Kai, who asked if she was ready.  Nell quickly threaded the ring onto a necklace and tucked it under her clothes before greeting Kai.  She revealed she had just received a message from Telbron, explaining he had gone home as he was sick with spectrepox.  Kai advised her to get a spectrepox vaccine if she had not already done so and admitted his surprise as Telbron had not appeared sick.  He added that his eyes had turned black during the steam mephit fight and asked Nell to be careful.  After some thought, he decided they could go to the Firejolt Café so long as he disguised himself.  Nell offered to buy the drinks.  Kai asked her to tell him about ‘porn comics.’

After their coffee, they returned to Nell’s room, where she introduced Kai to manga in general and hentai in particular before settling down to study.  Kai found manga confusing at first until he learned he was reading it backwards.

The following day, she was greeted by Mak, who explained he had stayed on campus as he did not have anything else to do.  She accepted his offer to help her study for her exams.  After the impromptu study session, Nell decided to go see Kai, who’d been left reading her manga in his room.  Mak admitted he’d looked into some manga himself after meeting her, even going so far as to check some material out of the Biblioplex.  He then awkwardly asked if Kai had mentioned anything about the Bow’s End Tavern.  Nell admitted he’d mentioned a fight with steam mephits and asked if Mak had witnessed the incident.  Mak claimed he was marking exams at the time, as he’d been acting as a Teaching Assistant for a Magical Physiology class, but Nell discerned he was lying.

She returned to Kai, only to be amazed at all the manga in the room.  Kai told her he’d finished the manga she loaned him and bought more with his Myrmidon account, using the Primal Shipping option to get it sent overnight.  Nell quickly realized that Kai had become a manga fan and had completely lost track of time.  She invited him to join her for pizza.

Nell took her exams and later received a note informing her she’d passed.  She excitedly gave Kai the good news and dragged him out to celebrate (episode 6).

Some time later, Kai and Nell were enjoying a coffee outing when they were greeted by Arlynn, Celdryn and Telbron. Arlynn came over and, noting some empty chairs at their table, wondered if anyone was coming back to occupy them.  Nell realized Telbron had returned, dragged a chair over and launched herself into his arms.  Telbron asked how she was doing, sensing she had not enjoyed her time home based on her letters.  Nell confirmed things only improved after she left her family and returned to Strixhaven.  She explained she’d passed the time hanging out with Kai.  Despite Kai’s efforts to silence her, Nell told the group she’d gotten him hooked on manga.  Kai then made some comments that offended Arlynn.

Nell reassured Telbron that she had kept his ring safe.  Telbron asked if anything weird had happened, as he was currently drawing his magic from the ring and his family did not know that yet.  Kai wondered if they were engaged.  Arlynn admitted she had not noticed as she was still processing Kai’s comments.  Celdryn hastily brought over the coffees in an effort to pacify the situation.  Kai added some ‘water’ (actually vodka) to Arlynn’s coffee as a (successful) peace offering.  As Celdryn handed out the rest of the coffees, Nell offered Shae to Telbron, only to be dismayed at the lack of enthusiasm her familiar expressed to her boyfriend.  Nell then admitted they’d been there for three hours, though she’d spent the time reading manga.  Kai had apparently spent the time coming up with names.  Celdryn recognized Kai and Nell were talking about manga, silently observed the chemistry between them, then asked how they had done on their exams.

After a pause, Celdryn asked how everyone had done on their exams.  Kai and Nell said they did well.  Celdryn admitted he couldn’t remember.  Arlynn asked Kai for some ‘spicy water’.  After he accidentally spilled some on himself, he left to clean himself up—but not before leaving the vodka at Arlynn’s request.  Nell recalled that Arlynn had spent a surprising amount of time in the exam room.  Arlynn made it clear she did not want to discuss it and asked about their vacations.  Celdryn replied he had an enjoyable vacation with his sister, as his parents were not around.

At that point, Rosie ran up to Arlynn.  She handed her a letter, only to stop and ask where Kai was.  The students gave various responses laden with innuendo until Kai came back.  He forgot who Rosie was, but eventually remembered she was the ‘LARP nerd.’  As a joke, he offered her vodka, which she took three times.  He then relented and gave her a bottle that actually contained water.  Rosie drank some before Alynn smacked the water bottle to the ground and cracked it.  Celdryn gave in to Kai’s indignation and Mended the bottle back together.  Arlynn cast Prestidigitation on the bottle and Nell cast Druidcraft on Kai.

The letter was addressed to the ‘big heroes on campus,’ challenging them to recover ‘the legendary Sassy Sally Jane’.  While the note was not signed, it told them to meet the sender outside Captain Dapplewing’s Manor at midnight.  Arlynn thought it sounded like a spooky caper, while Nell thought it might be fun.  Telbron, to Kai’s question, only knew it had nothing to do with his family as his father did not believe in fun.  Nell asked Kai if it came from his family, but he did not recognize the handwriting.  Nell and Telbron agreed that they were more disaster magnets than heroes.

Recalling what he read from the Strixhaven brochures, Telbron told the students that Captain Raymous Dapplewing was a military veteran and owlin mage who was one of Strixhaven’s first professors, holding faculty appointments in Lorehold and Silverquill.  Dapplewing had built the manor using his military pension, where he could retire in the evening and hold lavish dinner parties or seminars.  Upon his death, he bequeathed the manor to the university, who named it in his honour and preserved most of the original furnishings.  The upper floor libraries were converted to offices for esteemed dual-college faculty members, who met with students during the day.  The manor also hosted dinner parties and cocktail hours for those faculty members, their most promising students and visiting alumni.  As no one lived there permanently, the manor was locked overnight and security measures were in place.

The students guessed that breaking into the manor to retrieve the doll was against the rules, and might even be a form of hazing.  While Celdryn expressed some reservations, they ultimately decided to attend the meeting at midnight. Kai thought they should prepare by having frequent small meals to get enough nutrients and protein.  Arlynn and Nell agreed that they should eat, mostly because they were hungry.  Celdryn cast Mage Armor, followed by Arlynn, Kai and Telbron (through the ring that Nell was still wearing).

Nell changed into black clothing to better blend into the dark.  She also sported platform goth boots.  At some point, she returned Telbron’s ring.

They easily found their way to Captain Dapplewing’s Manor and saw a small group of students waiting underneath a massive oak tree in the front yard.  Rosie demanded Mina pay up, as she’d successfully bet that they would come.  Mina and Kai exchanged insults before Grayson emerged from the shadows.  Celdryn began asking questions, to which Grayson replied that he had Rosie transcribe the note and this challenge had nothing to do with the LARP club.  He observed that Celdryn was interested in joining the Entrepreneur’s Society but Telbron had not, to which the latter replied he was trying to step out on his own and follow his own interests.  Celdryn observed Grayson seemed to know a lot about them, to which Grayson replied that: a) he and Telbron moved in the same circles and b) the students had made a name for themselves.  Kai, after conferring with Celdryn, wondered aloud if that was a good thing, prompting Grayson to get to the point: if the students were successful, they stood to make a great deal of profit.

Grayson told them that Sassy Sally Jane was a talking doll with a proprietary animating intelligence magic that let it learn new things.  If the ‘AI’ could be reverse-engineered, it could be used for a great many things.  As such, Grayson offered gold and shares in a theoretical future company if the students retrieved the doll. Arlynn, Kai and Nell found him difficult to read, but felt he might be sincere.

The students quickly had a huddle.  Celdryn suggested keeping the doll for themselves.  Telbron assured them that Grayson was trustworthy.  Arlynn proposed giving a noncommittal response to Grayson’s proposal.  They ultimately agreed to break into the manor, though Celdryn added that they could negotiate arrangements once they acquired the doll.  Grayson agreed and provided the following information:

* Watch out for the Earl, an automaton that might offer hostilities to anyone caught after hours who was not a professor.
* The stairwells could adjust themselves to the strides of different people.
* They could ignore any glowing runes they might see.
* Sometimes the doll was on display, sometimes it was not.
* The doll was known to say some really inappropriate things, especially at the wrong time.
* There was a student storage area on the second floor.
* Some display cases could be found on the first and second floors.

The students began debating how to get in when Kai asked what stopped past efforts to acquire the doll.  Grayson admitted the Earl tended to catch most students in the act and alert the faculty.  Hearing that, Celdryn decided to shift his shape to resemble Professor Brenneth Blackstone, a dhampir Scriptology professor from Silverquill College.  He tried the front door, only to find it was locked.  Nell saw a key glinting from a nearby potted plant.  Pulling it out, she saw the inscription Prof. Eudora.  With Celdryn’s help, she opened the door.  Celdryn went in first to test any security measures while Telbron cast Light on his ring.  Seeing no reaction, the other students went in.

They saw coatracks carved into statues of various people.  Kai and Nell noticed nothing else as they were strangely distracted.  Arlynn, Celdryn and Telbron recognized them as Captain Dapplewing’s favourite military compatriots, some of whom were professors, while others were frequent visitors to the campus.  They also saw the dwarf statues were so lifelike that they seemed to be breathing.

As Celdryn approached one of the dwarves, it turned towards him, greeted him as ‘Professor Brenneth’ and offered to take his coat.  He declined, pretending he and his companions would not be long.  Celdryn tried to ask about any security measures and learned the Earl was online.  He tried to ask the dwarf to have the Earl make tea, only to learn the automaton was behind him.

Turning around, the students saw a clockwork butler setting a table.  Seeing that it had not noticed them, the students silently discussed where the doll might be.  Celdryn had the idea of approaching the Earl under the guise of the Professor.  Unfortunately, the Earl saw through his disguise, sounded the alarm and reached for Celdryn.

Arlynn tried to cast Sleep to no avail. Nell cast Shillelagh and awakened her Halo of Spores, which dealt necrotic damage to the Earl. The Earl then charmed Arlynn, who suddenly wanted to approach the Earl. Kai tried to punch the Earl, but slipped on the carpet. He hit Nell in the jaw instead on the way down. Celdryn Commanded the Earl to reset, but it resisted his spell. Shae glared at Kai, dealing him psychic damage in the process. Telbron cast Witch Bolt. Seeing it fail, he Hexed the Earl instead.

A Charmed Arlynn walked towards the Earl and hugged it. Nell hit the Earl with her Shillelagh'd quarterstaff. The Earl grabbed Celdryn and Kai and clanged them together like a set of cymbals. In the process, Celdryn clipped Arlynn and broke the Earl's charm. Celdryn then experienced a Wild Magic Surge that caused him to cast Fog Cloud on himself. Kai knocked the Earl's legs out from under it and destroyed it with one punch. The party found themselves trapped in the Fog Cloud... (episode 7).

The Fog Cloud proved to be somewhat problematic for the students.  Nell fumbled around and gripped Celdryn’s… parts.  Celdryn yelped and warned the others that there was a threat with them, causing Kai to hurt himself while trying to engage the ‘enemy’. Arlynn fell down near Celdryn while Nell tripped over the Earl and fell between Celdryn and Kai.  Celdryn fumbled around and bumped into Kai.  Realizing the fog was causing too many problems, Kai cast Gust and blew the fog away.  Telbron walked past Arlynn to help Nell up.  Kai helped Arlynn up after repeatedly asking if she needed help, then decided to carry her until she could walk again.

Looking around, Celdryn looked around and found a small velvet purse underneath a nearby chair. He opened it, only to close it after discovering it contained fifteen gold pieces rather than the doll they were looking for.  Telbron and Arlynn noticed his discovery but were not inclined to take it for themselves. Celdryn also found a poker with a silver tip and mentioned his unusual find to the group.

Meanwhile, Nell wandered off on her own, going to the second floor via the magical stairs, which magically grew and shrank depending on who was climbing.  Celdryn went behind her, followed by Kai, who was carrying Arlynn. Telbron used the runes to teleport to the top.  He chatted with Nell before Kai hollered for them to stop blocking the stairs.

Once everyone was on the second floor, they looked around. Nell entered one of the rooms after failing to hear anything through the door, discovering it was a storage room full of bankers’ boxes, filing cabinets and shelving.  She and Telbron began searching, though they soon abandoned their efforts in favour of making out in the back corner.  In the process, they bumped the wall and opened a hidden panel.  Nell saw something shiny within and looked closer. She saw a ring with an inscription said ‘V Lang’.  Telbron realized it belonged to their Magical Physiology professor.  They debated whether they should take it before Nell picked it up with the intent to return it.

Nell and Telbron returned to the others.  Celdryn noticed Nell’s lipstick was smudged and pointed it out.  Nell quickly cleaned herself and Telbron up. The students compared notes and realized they were in an interdepartmental office area for professors like Professor Lang that taught in more than one college.  Nell looked for Professor Lang’s desk and put her ring on it.  Telbron looked around and saw random coins here and there, but left the money alone as he felt he didn’t need it.

Panicked, Celdryn let loose a Wild Magic surge that serendipitously gave him resistance to everything. Arlynn sensed something was happening, launched herself from Kai’s arms, took cover by a doorway and held her action. Telbron entered the room, moved his Hex to the pteradon closest to Celdryn and Eldritch Blasted it. Shae got close to Nell and helped her. Nell flew into the room, came to a hovering halt near the pteradon attacking Celdryn and cast Poison Spray, then used her Halo of Spores to kill the pteradon. Arlynn realized the pteradon went down so easily that Sleep would likely affect one hostile. Casting the spell, she did indeed bring one pteradon down, though the other one came very close to succumbing. Kai pushed his way into the room, saw what was happening and tried to circle kick the pteradon, only to miss as it was falling asleep. Celdryn got up and cast Firebolt. A lone pteradon attacked Kai. Arlynn Phase Stepped in between two of the pteradons, Charming them in the process, and told Telbron to open the window as she had a plan. Telbron walked over, opened a window and ducked out of the way.  Arlynn encouraged one pteradon to fly out, then woke up the remaining live pteradon and shooed it out the window.

The students then noticed Celdryn looked shiny. Kai tried to stuff the dead pteradon into the couch.  Nell grabbed a bottle of alcohol and Celdryn put a book over its head to make it look like it passed out.  The students then split up to continue their search.

Nell invited Telbron to help her investigate another room.  Arlynn tried to follow them, only to be dissuaded by Nell who suggested she accompany Kai.  Arlynn wondered if Nell was trying to set her up with Kai and told her she wasn’t interested. Arlynn then followed Celdryn, who wondered what was going on.  Arlynn told him what Nell tried to do.  Arlynn and Celdryn wondered if Nell and Telbron wanted privacy to make out or something. Nell told Telbron to stop checking out her ass. Telbron protested that he couldn’t help it when she was in that dress.  Nell rummaged and found a Potion of Mind Reading, which she tried to sneak into her bag.  Telbron didn’t notice anything, nor did Arlynn and Celdryn, who walked into the room at that point.

Nell then entered a large office and asked what had happened.  Kai’s explanations only added to Nell’s confusion.

Hearing noise, Nell ran into another room, saw the oozes and cast Inflict Wounds, enhanced with her Halo of Spores. Arlynn attacked an ooze with a book. Shae ran away from Nell, waddled to Telbron (who had come in) and Helped him (by acknowledging he existed). Telbron made his way past Nell and Celdryn, moved his Hex to one of the oozes and cast Eldritch Blast. Celdryn cast Vicious Mockery, but got covered in ink. Kai came in, wondered what was going on, cast Guiding Bolt from his eyes and killed both oozes (though he was slightly blinded by the shot).

Celdryn was clearly in rough shape, so Nell cast Cure Wounds.  He thanked her and cast Prestidigitation to clean himself. However, he noticed there was one splotch that did not come off.  Looking closer, he thought it looked like the goo they’d encountered on and off during school.  Nell wondered where the package came from, only to discover it was mostly burned with radiant light.  Celdryn cast Mending to reform the package label.  He saw it was addressed to the Strixhaven campus, but the label was ripped beforehand.  All he could see of the sender were the initials “U.M.”

The students wondered where the doll was.  Arlynn, however, happened to be closest to the window and heard movement outside. Looking outside, she saw a group of professors opening one of the back patio doors.  Arlynn warned the others.  Nell advised they should find a place to hide.  The students began running up and down the hallway, frantically looking around for hiding places… and Nell noticed a crack in the centre pillar. She also noticed an open door leading into the pillar.  They saw a stairway inside the pillar leading up and quickly ascended.  Kai was the last student in and closed the pillar behind him.

They found themselves in a cramped attic with boarded windows with various oddities including dozens of dolls, a dress with wings made of bone and a rocking animal shaped like a roc.  Celdryn investigated the dolls while Nell rode the roc, finding a pink-haired doll dressed in tartan.  He asked the doll if it was Sassy Sally Jane and it gave a cheerful, if vague, response. Celdryn told his friends he’d found the doll, put it in a cloak pocket and began examining the windows.

Meanwhile, Arlynn noticed the doll underneath was a white-haired leonin wearing a suit, sporting an impressive mustache and gripping a coin purse.  Arlynn promptly claimed the second doll and named it Issacah. She then reached for the dress, which suddenly fired bone spurs at her. Kai cast Guiding Bolt, then moved near Arlynn to offer himself as a distraction. Celdryn cast Catapult to throw the creepiest doll he could find at the dress and shattered the wings that were attached to it.

Arlynn grabbed the dress, still intent on having it.  Nell desired it until she realized it was fitted for someone much, much taller than her. Celdryn told them he could Mend it later.  He then opened one of the windows facing the front, as the professors were entering through the rear door and carefully climbed out the window.  He only made it a short way along the roof before suddenly falling.  Nell and Arlynn both tried, and failed, to catch him, and watched helplessly as he slid down the roof and fell to the ground below.  Nell flew down and cast Spare the Dying on Celdryn.  Celdryn assured her he was (barely) fine, and deliberately fell on his back to cushion the impact to the doll.  Hearing Kai, she flew back up.

Meanwhile, Kai got impatient and jumped out.  He asked if Arlynn needed help.  When Nell came back up, Telbron asked her to hold on his ring and popped into it. Shae, who was perched on him, fell on the ground and looked unimpressed.  Nell flew down with Shae and the ring… but locked eyes with one of the professors. As the professors ran down the stairs, Nell urged the students to run.  Arlynn slid part of the way down with Kai’s help and Phase Stepped to the ground.  A stunned Kai began arguing with Arlynn about why she did not use that ability earlier, then cast Thunderclap on the roof as a distraction and jumped off the roof.  Arlynn caught his hand and helped him land safely.  Celdryn tried to compliment Arlynn.  Kai grabbed them and ran.  Celdryn offered to help her study.  Nell flew with the ring in her talons.

Unfortunately, Celdryn was so smitten that he tripped and fell.  The doll fell out of his robes and insulted him.  Celdryn cast Catapult on the doll to shoot it towards the students. The other students saw the doll land in front of them.  Looking back, they saw Celdryn surrounded by professors.  The students kept on running, with Nell scooping up the doll.

They returned to the campus and waited. Eventually, they saw Grayson emerge, escorted by another professor, who left after reminding him to report to the Witherbloom campus first thing in the morning.  The other students came out of the nearby bushes to join him once the coast was clear.

Arlynn declared Celdryn to be a fucking legend, while Nell thought the real Grayson would be very confused. Celdryn asked Telbron what might happen, who suggested telling the real Grayson what they did or continue pretending he was Grayson for now.  While Arlynn thought they should give up Grayson, Nell felt the best option was to masquerade as Telbron for a little longer, as fingering Grayson could backfire on them.  Kai asked whose description Celdryn would give if he met the professor.  Celdryn wondered if he could get away with a vague description.  Kai half-jokingly asked if Celdryn was planning on making some enemies to use as scapegoats.

As the students talked, a group of Mage Tower athletes shoved Celdryn aside and tried to get inside. Kai came to Celdryn’s defence, but his attempts to punch one of them wound up shattering the door glass instead. He then proceeded to confront the athletes until another professor called him out by name.  Kai realized she was Professor Uvilda Mistcoiler, the Prismari Dean of Perfection.  She told him he would be cleaning up the campus for a month as punishment for his actions, and to report to her office in the morning.  As the athletes went in, Kai glared at them until the Dean warned him to get his anger in check, pointedly telling him that his father’s status as a prominent donor would not shield him from the consequences of his actions.  Kai asked how much she saw and observed bullying was a serious problem on the campus. Dean assured him she had witnessed enough of the altercation and would report the athletes to their coach, who could closely watch them as well.

Once the students were inside, Arlynn took some of the ooze from Celdryn’s clothes and threw it at one of the athletes.  The athlete caught her in the act and went to the washroom to clean their attire.  Celdryn asked Arlynn for one of the mind reading potions.  He apologized to Kai for indirectly getting him into trouble and thanked him for his support.  A concerned Kai asked if Celdryn was okay as he could have been hurt.  Celdryn simply followed the athlete into the washroom.

Nell went back to Telbron’s room and wondered why Celdryn and Kai had snapped like that.  Telbron asked if Nell was okay after Kai accidentally hit her when fighting the Earl.  Nell wondered if things were going too far as she did not want anyone to get expelled. Telbron reminded her that Grayson had started the prank.  More importantly, they needed to be careful considering they were around for all the ooze incidents.  Nell then thought of something else: the Prismari dean who confronted Kai had the same initials as the ones on the package containing the ooze.  Telbron wryly observed they should be careful of the professors too.  The two then cuddled on the bed until they fell asleep (episode 8).

Nell tried to organize a study session for their upcoming exams through a group chat.  Arlynn replied that she was not feeling well and was at her mothers’ place.  The sheer number of emojis confused Nell, who thought Arlynn might be having sex for some reason.  Telbron confirmed he could make it via the group chat… while sitting next to her.  Kai initially said he did not see the need to study, but later explained he had been distracted sending lewd photos of himself.  He then sent the same picture to the group chat. Telbron caught Nell saving Kai’s photo. It was clear that Celdryn saw the chat, but he did not give any response.  Kai asked Celdryn whether he wanted to do a double photoshoot.  Celdryn remained silent.  Nell told anyone interested in studying to meet in fifteen minutes.

After talking some more about how the previous night ended, and the behaviour Celdryn displayed, Nell and Telbron decided to swing by his room and see if he was okay.  Along the way, they passed Kai’s room and saw, through the open door, that he was doing exercises.  Nell and Telbron eventually made it to Celdryn’s room and knocked on his door.   To their surprise, Celdryn appeared to have a pale colourless complexion with sunken eyes.  He assured them he would be fine but just needed some time alone.  Nell suggested he visit the nurse, which prompted him to concentrate and transform into a more normal appearance.  Celdryn partially confirmed Nell’s guess that his current state had something to do with his powers, adding he had a lot on his mind and promised to join them next time.  A concerned Nell reminded him that he had friends who were willing to listen if he wanted to talk.  Celdryn then started experienced a Wild Magic Surge that made the door flare with a blinding light.  Telbron tried to dim the light with Prestidigitation, only to add the sound of actual fire.  Seeing there was nothing they could to, Celdryn wrote a sign on the door to explain the situation to any passersby while Nell and Telbron left.

Nell and Telbron picked up Kai and they wandered around campus looking for a place to study.  They eventually wound up at the Firejolt Café.  Nell and Kai noticed Mac, who clearly saw the group and was doing a poor job of hiding it.  After hearing Kai call him out on his previous suspicious behaviour at the Bow’s End Tavern, Mac hastily gathered his things and left.  Nell felt Mac was not a bad guy, while Kai disagreed and Telbron felt he knew more about the ooze situation than they did.  The conversation devolved from Kai’s note-taking (or lack thereof) into questions about druidic beastiality, during which Mina was drawn into their talk and Nell Wild Shaped into an octopus.  Mina found this development hysterical but tried to maintain a straight face.  She took their order and left, but not before having another talk with Kai, who became convinced Mina was attracted to him.

Nell spent some time before exam to work on her own manga, which she called Slutshaven University.  At some point, Telbron told her he was trying to contact his new patron.  As he knew nothing except for the fact that it was probably a genie, she checked out every genie-related book out of the library.  Based on those books, and the wind and thunder observed when they first went in and out of Telbron’s ring, they became fairly confident that Telbron’s patron was a djinn. Telbron wondered why his patron had not tried to contact him yet.  Nell confessed she was not sure as she had little knowledge of how non-druidic spellcasters accessed their magic—which was partly why she found Telbron’s pact so fascinating.  She speculated that Telbron’s patron was either testing him or was preoccupied by other warlocks.  Telbron proceeded to experiment with minor elemental magics and found it was easier to cast spells involving wind, thunder or lightning, which seemed to fit his theory.

During one of her trips to the library, she saw a group of students from the LARP club.  Seeing Nell, Rosie ran over to see how she was doing and whether her group got into any trouble over breaking into Captain Dapplewing’s Manor.  Nell reassured her that they managed to escape, adding that Telbron sought refuge in his ring.  After talking about how Telbron, Rosie and Nell were all weird, Rosie invited Nell to take part in some LARPing.  Rosie and Cadoras took the time to walk Nell through some basic exercises and were impressed by how quickly she picked them up.  Nell admitted she was getting bored with cleaning up campus labs and thought the LARP club would be more fun.  They chattered excitedly before Nell remembered she was supposed to be helping Telbron.  Rosie bid the owlin farewell and suggested she bring Arlynn next time.

The students continued studying until it was finally time for exams.  They entered the lecture hall, where Professor Lang had exam packets laid out.  The first half was a multiple-choice section on owlbear hunting, eating, mating, fighting and living habits. The long form section was on owlbear companions—taming, training and handling owlbears.

After exams, the students went for coffee.  When they returned to their dorm, they all received papers.  Kai was surprised to discover he passed with the highest marks out of all the students.  Nell passed with flying colours, though she did better on the multiple choice section than the long form.  Celdryn saw a bit of red on the multiple choice, but made up for it by deducing how to answer the long form section.  Unfortunately, Telbron barely passed the multiple choice section and failed the long form—ultimately failing the exam as a whole.  When the students compared results, Kai’s delight contrasted with Telbron’s silence.  When asked, Telbron curtly told them he failed and slammed the door shut in frustration.  Kai wondered if Telbron’s spirits would be lifted if he saw Kai’s monkey.  Nell was confused, while Celdryn was very concerned until receiving confirmation that the monkey was a pet (sort of) rather than a euphemism.  Kai abruptly asked whether Celdryn got his text and what his shapeshifting could do.  In response, Celdryn shapeshifted an extra set of abs, which Nell found titillating.  This made Kai consider the possibilities of Celdryn using his abilities as a personal trainer.

Celdryn turned the conversation to more serious matters, wondering if Telbron thought he could retake the test.  While Telbron knew there were tutoring services available, he was more worried about his father, who expected his son to maintain a certain reputation.  The students saw Telbron was shaking in fear.  Nell held his hand and tried to reassure him.  After some thought, Celdryn expressed his gratitude to Telbron for all the kindness—and drinks—he provided and asked for the opportunity to return the favour.  Telbron allowed him to buy one drink.  Kai and Nell wordlessly agreed to follow and the students went to the Bow’s End Tavern.  As they entered, they saw Javanesh working—though he paused to wave at them—and Aurora’s band playing.

Once they had found a table, Celdryn went to buy the first round.  The bartender understood his request of ‘bad exams’ and began making dwarven drinks.   While waiting, he was joined by Elowyn, who declared it was time they talked.  Not looking at each other.  Celdryn wished things were different and offered apologies.  Elowyn returned the apology, acknowledging her hurt feelings and childish overreaction cost his parents their jobs.  It was implied that that incident forced them into a life of crime.  He reluctantly explained that his family was still struggling and barely managed to scrape enough funds together so he could attend Strixhaven.  Elowyn started to leave when Celdryn asked if she knew who he was.  She replied that he appeared to be a kind, generous and fun individual, but she did not know whether that was genuine or a façade that might hopefully become reality.  Celdryn commented that there were times where he felt she was the only one who truly knew him.  Elowyn told him that the ability to change his appearance did not mean he could change who he was.  The two said their goodbyes and returned to their respective tables.

After Celdryn passed around the drinks he ordered, Nell proposed a toast to friends and the support they offered each other regardless of their fathers.  After drinking, Kai voiced his opinion that they should do something fun.  Celdryn quickly became intoxicated.  Telbron tersely told Kai he did not have the luxury of enjoying the same activities as he had to help run the family business while at school.  Kai retorted that they were here for education and wondered if Telbron’s hair had gone prematurely white from stress.  Nell found those remarks rather insensitive while Celdryn tried to smooth things over.  After commenting that Telbron seemed tightly wound up, Kai got confirmation that the Stevedore family was paying for his schooling and he was the sole remaining heir.  Kai suggested he could turn the situation to his advantage as his family needed him more than he realized.  Telbron told him there were fates worse than death, thanked Celdryn for the drinks and stormed off.  Nell ran off after him.

As Nell ran after Telbron, she drank the Potion of Mind Reading.  She caught up with him as he entered the dorm and asked what was going on, trying to read his surface thoughts under the (mistaken) impression that he would not sense anything.  Telbron replied aloud that his family business was stressful, but secretly thought his father would beat the shit out of him.  Nell asked for more information so she could help.  Telbron said there was nothing Nell could do, but thought that he could not tell her as that knowledge would put her in danger—specifically, from his family.  Based on what she’d gleaned, Nell asked what was the worst thing the Stevedore family could do, Telbron replied his father had incredibly dark magic and specialized in mind manipulation.  Silently, he remembered an attempt on his life and how his father psychically tortured and broke the assassin, who was now a family servant.  Nell was so shocked at the visions she glimpsed that she swore out loud.

Telbron’s confusion turned to shock as he recognized Nell’s uncharacteristically slow responses as an amateur’s attempt at mind reading.  He asked how she was reading his mind and accused her of acting like her mother.  She admitted she found a Potion of Mind Reading at Captain Dapplewing’s Manor, accused him of lying about having spectrepox based on Kai’s description and revealed Kai had seen how his eyes changed during the mephit fight.  Telbron demanded to know what she saw in his mind.  Nell told him she only saw their present conversation.  She then saw Telbron remembering a conversation he had with his father when he was eighteen, where he learned he had to prove himself and set up his arranged marriage by killing someone.  This was followed by a vision of Telbron killing an assassin, who was hired by the Stevedore family to take out his former fiancée, before seeing everything burst into flames and passing out.

Nell voiced her disbelief that Telbron had taken a life.  He replied that his family was nothing like the stories she’d read, his father had taken everything from him and he felt lost under the masks and facades he’d been forced to maintain.  Telbron was so agitated, he lost control of his powers and revealed his true form.  As Nell watched, his eyes grew pitch black, his skin turned pale, his body became suffused in a necrotic shroud and skeletal, ghostly, burned wings emerge from his shoulders.  Nell was shocked at the sight but rallied at how it reminded her of her anime.  She cried out that he could have given her an explanation earlier.  Telbron stated his family would kill her if they found out she knew the truth, and that her death would devastate him.  Nell retorted that their relationship could not survive based on lies and half-truths and wondered if the person she’d fallen in love with was another façade.  Telbron admitted he did not know.

Nell told him his family should not torture him.  Telbron admitted he did not know how to escape and he did not want to see anyone hurt.  Nell asked him to let her make an informed decision and respect her choices.  He finally apologized for lying, explaining that his deceptions and facades were the only things that let him survive.  She quietly asked him to take down ‘one or two’ walls for her.  Telbron paused before covering his true form and taking off his shirt, revealing a heavily scarred back.  He implied that his father would beat him for failing his exam.  Nell began casting Druidcraft and placing mushrooms on his scars, while telling him broken things could be fixed.  Telbron tentatively asked if Nell would still stay and fix him.  Nell agreed, so long as he was honest with her, and apologized for using the potion when his father knew mind magic.  Telbron gave his own apology before breaking down in tears.

As she comforted her boyfriend, Nell saw that Shae was terrified.  Telbron saw the same thing, realized the familiar had sensed his true nature, but asked them to keep Nell safe.  Shae mimed that they would protect Nell by helping her escape, then tried to pull the owlin away.  Nell insisted they had to stay.  They commiserated on how they both came from dysfunctional families and tentatively agreed to run away after their schooling ended.  Nell began brainstorming aliases.  An amused Telbron observed that they would need to work harder.  They were pleasantly surprised when Shae began burbling one of the fake names Nell proposed for Telbron.

Telbron told Nell she did not have to stay overnight as Shae looked uncomfortable.  Nell agreed they needed some time alone and thanked him for opening up to her.  In return, he thanked her for staying and lending her support.  The two kissed, ignoring Shae’s dramatic expressions of disgust, before eventually parting ways. Nell kept her emotions in check until she was back in her dorm, at which point she broke down in tears (episode 9).

Nell made some morning tea using leaves she brought from home, not realizing she made it the way her mother taught her as it had become ingrained into her morning routine.  She shared her tea with Shae as she read some manga.

Shae bobbled to the window and saw Celdryn stepping through a portal.  Nell called and waved to him, but he did not hear him.  Before she could try again, a raven messenger arrived with an envelope in its beak and scratched at the window.  Nell let it in, took the envelope and thanked the bird with some birdseed from her drawer.  After Shae exchanged caws with the raven, the bird flew away.  Nell then examined the envelope.  She saw it was a plain envelope with her name on it.  However, when she turned it over, she saw the Stevedore seal.  With a sense of dread, she opened the note.  As she did so, a scroll fell out.

The letter was written by Telbron’s mother, Ophelia, who requested a meeting regarding her son.  She asked Nell to use the Scroll of Teleport she’d included in the note and told her not to say anything to Telbron.  Nell remembered Telbron spoke fondly of his mother, as opposed to his father.  She contemplated what to wear before settling on her school uniform.  After brushing her feathers, she took Shae and activated the teleport scroll.  The letter fell into her garbage bin.

Nell arrived in a gorgeously adorned library, directly in front of a merrily roaring fireplace.  She saw a tea table with tea cup and a stunning, but undeniably middle-aged, woman.  She greeted Nell pleasantly, sat patiently through the scattered reply and told Nell to call her Ophelia.  After inviting Nell to sit down, Ophelia offered some tea and asked what circle she was from.  Nell confessed she did not know whether her circle had a formal name.  Ophelia admitted she had found out where she came from and arranged to have some tea from her home plane imported.  Taking a careful sip, Nell was impressed by how it reminded her of home, though she gave some tips as how to properly make it.

Having satisfied the needs of polite conversation, Ophelia got to the point: she knew Nell was in a relationship with her son and wanted him to know how much he had shared with her.  Nell replied she knew some things, such as the fact he was betrothed to another woman, but Telbron was a hard man to read.  Ophelia then asked whether she knew about his ‘affliction’.  Nell admitted she recently found out after cornering him and forcing the truth out of him.  After considering that revelation, Ophelia told Nell she would not stop them from dating, but warned she would hold Nell responsible if Telbron broke off his betrothal.  As a compromise, she suggested Nell could be Telbron’s mistress.  Ophelia encouraged Nell to help Telbron improve his grades, as her threats were nothing compared to the wrath of Telbron’s father.  Having politely concluded her veiled threats, Ophelia requested that Nell stay in the library until that evening before using the teleport scroll to return to Strixhaven.  She assured Nell that she could make use of the library or summon the family servants to supply what she needed during her stay.  After Ophelia said her goodbyes and left, Nell clutched Shae in terror.

A short time later, a young tiefling with glasses softly knocked before entering the library.  He asked Nell if she had finished her tea and wanted lunch—or, basically, anything.  She admitted not knowing if she was hungry or terrified of eating and asked for treats as an alternative.  The tiefling gave an understanding chuckle, assured her that Ophelia had that effect on people and revealed they had a variety of baked goods on hand for guests.  He then asked how Telbron was doing.  Nell replied that Telbron was doing well, but had failed his last exam and had to retake it.  She also admitted that she was now a little scared at the prospect of meeting Telbron’s father.  The tiefling confirmed that Telbron’s mother was nothing compared to his father and agreed that Nell should follow Ophelia’s veiled commands.   Nell asked if she could read some of the library books and learned it was perfectly acceptable so long as she did not dog-ear the pages.  The tiefling then introduced himself as Levtari and told her he was glad Telbron had someone like her in his life.  Nell said she was grateful to have Telbron in her life and, despite the recent scares, hoped things would work out.  While Levtari politely agreed with her optimism, Nell realized he didn’t believe her.

Nell spent the rest of the day eating the pastries and meals Levtari delivered, reading and sleeping.  Levtari eventually woke her up and suggested she should return home.  Nell thanked Levtari for his kindness and asked if he wanted to relay any messages.  Levtari simply asked her to tell Telbron that they said hello.  They gave her a big bag of food, pointing out which ones were Telbron’s favourite.  After exchanging farewells, Nell and Shae teleported back to Strixhaven, finding themselves in the middle of the morning.  She tucked a couple pastries away for herself before writing a note for Telbron.  In the note, she expressed hopes that Telbron’s makeup exam went well and apologized for reading his mind given what his father had done in the past.  She also apologized that her recent observations of his family scared her and she needed a few days to process the experiences.  After reassuring Telbron that she would be there for him, she added that she met his mother and Levtari—the latter of whom gave him the pastries and said hello.  She concluded by saying they should talk.  Having finished writing, she left to drop the bag and note by his room.

As Nell headed to find Telbron, the bathroom door opened and Arlynn stepped out.  She waved to Nell, accidentally dropping the towel and asked how she was doing.  Nell was so shocked by Arlynn’s nudity, she ran away.  Arlynn thought Nell had taken too many laxatives.

Nell ran to Telbron’s door, dropped the bag and note by the door and left.  On the way back, Nell saw Arlynn returning to her room with a pile of clothes and Kai eating a banana in the nude.  She did a double-take at Kai’s nudity, but was distracted by her recent experiences and the emotions they brought up. Kai saw her and recognized she was upset.  Grabbing a pillow to protect his modesty, he asked if she was okay.  Nell admitted she wasn’t doing well, but guessed he had a good night and didn’t want to ruin his mood.  Kai told her to wait until he put on some boxers as he sensed she was upset.

Walking down the hall, Celdryn saw Nell outside Kai’s room, which was across the way from his own.  In his exhausted state, he simply thought Nell looked goth.  Nell marveled at Celdryn’s outfit and said he looked like he had a fun time.  Celdryn then realized Kai was naked.  Kai realized Celdryn went to Mirage.  Marveling at his fashion sense, Kai asked Celdryn if he had any connections.  Celdryn was too confused to answer.

At that point, Arlynn returned and asked if Kai was ready for coffee.  Desperately needing coffee, Celdryn went into his room and used his shapeshifting abilities to quickly change out of his Mirage outfit and into his school uniform before returning to the hallway.  Nell was very confused by the whole situation.  Arlynn gave Nell a hug and received a banana from Kai.  The friends then saw a monkey in Kai’s room, some for the first time. Having concluded any distractions, the friends went for coffee.  Celdryn repeatedly cast Prestidigitation along the way to remove the magical glitter that had transferred to his school uniform, with limited success.

At the Firejolt Café, Arlynn, Celdryn, Kai and Nell sat at a table.  Arlynn fed Oozac bits of banana.  Celdryn watched the ooze familiar in fascination.  Curious, Shae hopped off Nell’s shoulder and waddled closer to Oozac.  After the familiars burbled at each other, Shae asked for some banana.  Arlynn gave Oozac some banana to give to Shae.  Oozac took the banana and gave it to Shae, only to cover it in ooze.  Shae alternated looks at Oozac, Nell and the banana but—after some encouragement from Nell—eventually devoured the banana.  Arlynn asked if Celdryn had met her new familiar yet and held them out to him.  Oozac reached out and grabbed Celdryn’s face.  Celdryn patted Oozac back and saw a thin sheen transfer to his hand.  Curious, Celdryn licked it and observed it tasted like cinnamon and banana.

As Mina got the students coffee, they saw Nora walk up with a huge stack of flyers and exchanged greetings.  Nora saw Celdryn’s haggard look and wondered if the students had a rough time with exams.  Kai said no, while Arlynn declared she had a great time last night.  When Celdryn expressed curiosity, Nell bluntly told him that Arlynn and Kai had sex.  Kai chose that opportunity to stand up, completely oblivious to the conversation.  He asked Celdryn if he wanted any coffee, giving him an impromptu shoulder massage.  Celdryn complimented Kai while Nell made various sexual innuendos.  An increasingly confused and disturbed Nora admitted she did not know what she had walked into and had only come by to invite them to the Rose Stage Festival that was taking place next week as she was a member of the Fine Arts Guild and helped paint their props.  While Nell mimed sexual acts, a flustered Nora explained the festival was an annual improv show and thought Kai might be interested as he was planning to go into Prismari.  Celdryn assured her that Kai was going into everyone.

Seeing Telbron, Celdryn offered his congratulations, as he mistakenly thought Kai had slept with everyone.  Telbron observed that the conversation topics had not changed.  A distressed Nora explained to Telbron that she was handing out flyers for the Rose Stage Festival next week.  Celdryn took one of her flyers and showed it to the others.  Kai encouraged Nora to go on stage and perform, but she explained that she was too busy working behind the scenes on projects like painting a very lifelike owlbear.  After Nora left, the friends agreed that they would like to participate in the festival.

The following week, the friends went to the titular Rose Stage where the Festival took place.  They viewed the outdoor performing space, which consisted of a main stage—decorated with a huge rose—benches packed with spectators, an orchestra pit and an enclosed annex building behind the main stage.  Looking down, they saw Aurora and one of her bandmates, Rubina, in the orchestra pit.  They saw a few students in costume improvising an amusing, bawdy conversation on stage, with various props standing by for use near the stage’s edge.  In the shadows, they also saw Quentillius Antiphiun Melentor III, a member of the Playactors Drama Guild, directing the performance and sending new actors on stage from behind the scenes.

Kai and Celdryn wanted to go on stage.  Arlynn agreed to join them, but was leery at the prospect of going on stage.  When Kai reminded her she’d gone on stage at the beginning of the year, Arlynn admitted she had been uncharacteristically brave at the time.  She ultimately decided to watch from backstage and take things from there.  Nell decided to sit in the audience, as she had participated in enough drama recently, but promised to provide special effects if needed.  Telbron decided to give Nell her space and go backstage to provide sound effects with Thaumaturgy.

The performers on stage—a furious-looking ship captain and a cat in a business suit—continued acting until Quentillius grabbed Kai and pushed him into the scene.  As the cat ran off stage, Kai began improvising with the captain.  They exchanged a few words—punctuated by Telbron’s Thaumaturgy—before the captain traded places with Celdryn.  Kai and Celdryn put on a performance that grew increasingly bawdy and laden with innuendo as Celdryn opened up his shirt and bared his chest, Nell cast Gust and Telbron cast Thaumaturgy.  The audience found Kai and Celdryn hilarious.

Quentillius then pushed Arlynn onto the stage.  Amidst Telbron’s sound effects, she announced that she was an owlbear… and appointed insurance adjuster for the ship.  Kai called out for an owlbear, prompting Nell to Wild Shape into the creature and join them on stage.  Quentillius ran out on stage and showed Nell a note, telling her she was to play an adult in a toddler’s body.  Nell adjusted her Wild Shape into a baby owlbear, while Arlynn claimed she was her senior colleague.  One of the other students wheeled the giant owlbear prop on stage, prompting Telbron to cast more applications of Thaumaturgy.  The audience seemed slightly disappointed by the change in pace, but still found the performance highly entertaining.

However, things took an unexpected turn.  Telbron had problem seeing from the backstage, but the other students saw something weird from the owlbear prop.  The roars of laughter from the audience turned to sounds of confusion and fear as monstrous shrieks began to come from the prop.  As the friends watched, the owlbear prop turned into an actual, enraged owlbear that charged towards them… (episode 11).

The students looked at the owlbear, who had just come to life.  Meanwhile, they saw paper birds transform into real birds that attacked the audience and people backstage.  Furthermore, they saw prop swords become real swords and started attacking students.  After wondering if any of the students behind him made that noise, Telbron got out from behind the stage.  He Hex’d the owlbear before casting Shatter.  The owlbear shook visibly and almost turned back to wood and paint for a moment before recovering and shrieking at Telbron. Kai ran to the bottom of the stage, shouted at the owlbear to draw its attention, then fired a Guiding Bolt.  The owlbear exploded into bits of wood that rained down on the students. Remembering her classes, Arlynn had obtained a muffin from her backpack.  She expressed dismay that Kai had destroyed the owlbear before she had had a chance to apply her lessons.  Nell, still in her owlbear form, gnawed on a piece of wood.  They watched as several professors entered the Rose Stage and began dispatching the remaining hostile props.

Nell saw the bottom of the platform was covered in black goo.  Dropping her Wild Shape, she motioned her friends over.  Arlynn came over to investigate, sullenly eating her muffin.  She gave Kai half a muffin at his request.  As they looked, a professor hopped up behind them and asked what had occurred.  Nell explained the various props came to life.  Telbron said he didn’t see anything backstage.  The professor noticed the black goo and asked what it was.  Nell explained that they’d encountered the goo throughout their year.  Celdryn scooped some of the goo with a dagger, which he handed to the professor at her request.  The students cited various encounters with the black goo, causing the professor to realize they were the ‘underclassmen’ that the other faculty had referred to.  As the students watched, she pulled out a flask and poured some of its contents on the goo, causing it to bubble.  The black hue turned to smoke and vanished, leaving behind a semi-opaque mucus-yellow substance.  She rubbed the substance between her fingers, tasted it and declared it was what they expected. Celdryn, Telbron and Nell recognized the professor as Professor Johenne Totsky of Silverquill.

The professor asked why the students had never brought the ooze to the attention of the faculty.  Nell explained that Mak, from the Fantastical Horticulture Club, had been investigating the ooze.  She and her friends had assumed he had informed the other professors.   Totsky darkly guessed the Witherbloom professors had kept it under wraps for fear that others would learn their supply had been tainted.  She told the students that the substance was eldritch balm, which originated from an underground spring in the Sedgemoor swamp and was used to magically treat and strengthen a wide variety of objects.  The black ooze that the students had found throughout the year was actually eldritch balm that had been tainted in some way.  Totsky suspected that the spring had been tainted in some way and wanted the students to investigate, but realized they had no reason to enter Sedgemoor on their own as they were only first-year students.  Instead, she suggested they offer to collect magical ingredients and samples from Sedgemoor for Professor Lang, as she commonly assigned such tasks to first-year students who showed promise.  Totsky gave the students the flask she had used and directed them to find the spring, which was in the northwest area of the swamp.  If the spring looked unnatural in any way, she told them to empty the flask’s contents—holy water—into the spring.  Arlynn would end up carrying the holy water for safekeeping.

The professor decided to consult with the other professors and help the students calm down.  Before she left, she gave them her Cloak of Protection in case the students needed it.  Nell eventually accepted as she could not cast Mage Armour.  After some discussion, the friends decided to put off their next adventure in favour of studying, as their final exam was the next day.

Nell abruptly and awkwardly left her friends.  Rather than study, she spent her time reviewing her past artwork, redrawing some and tearing out others.  It was possible that she was experiencing confused feelings about Kai and hurt feelings about Telbron.  At one point, while ripping up pages and artwork, she realized the picture she drew of herself and Kai was missing.  She asked Shae if they had taken her picture.  The familiar waddled over to one of the manga she had loaned Kai and put a random picture inside.  Nell realized she might have accidentally put the picture of her and Kai in one of the manga she loaned him. At some point, she received a Message cantrip from Telbron.  Telbron said he knew she needed her space, he could not help her if he did not know what was bothering her, he would be waiting when she wanted to talk, and that he loved her.  Nell replied she was busy studying, asked to talk after the exams and said she loved him too.

The next day, the students took their final exam, which focused on otyughs. As this was their final exam, Professor Lang marked them then and there.  Once she had finished, she had the students line up to receive their paper. Nell passed the multiple choice section, but failed the written short essay. Hearing Professor Lang’s comments on Telbron's performance, and remembering her encounter with Telbron’s mother, Nell came to the conclusion that Telbron did not need her.

Professor Lang told Arlynn and Nell they would have to retake the exam.   She also offered them the opportunity of retrieving magical samples from Sedgemoor instead, explaining she normally granted this task to her most promising students.  After Arlynn and Nell chose to visit Sedgemoor, Professor Lang wrote passes for Arlynn, Nell and their friends.  Nell apologized and promised she’d do better… or prove her parents right.  Lang expressed her belief that Nell would prove everyone who doubted her wrong.  While Lang wrote the passes, Arlynn squeezed Nell’s hand and gave her some words of encouragement.

Lang warned them that they might need galoshes and directed them to a shed that contained tools suitable for harvesting magical ingredients.  Nell took the passes and handed them to her friends.  Kai was confused as he had little sleep the night before, but eventually remembered why they wanted to go to Sedgemoor.  Telbron made a remark about Kai’s memory, to which Kai cruelly made a reference to his previous failures.   Celdryn asked how everyone did on their exams.  Arlynn and Nell claimed they did okay.

After gathering whatever supplies they thought they might need, the students made their way to Sedgemoor.  Celdryn cast Mage Armour.  They got a guidebook of things to look out for.  Once they got to the swamp, Celdryn pulled a giant elk from his Bag of Tricks.  After some thought, he named the elk Antony.  Kai and Arlynn thought it was pronounced Anthony.  The students saw two broken-down docks and many islets to the north.  Celdryn, Telbron and Arlynn climbed on top of the giant elk while Nell flew above.  Kai decided to scout ahead and jumped to the central island, before Nell could cast Pass Without Trace.

The central islet had two wooden research sheds with a tree stump between them.  Kai landed and turned around in triumph, only to here a noise behind him.  Turning back, he saw two wargs emerge from behind the tree stump, their skin peeling off their faces.  They began stalking Kai.  The other students on the elk (or flying) took advantage of the distraction.

Celdryn moved up on the elk and Twinned Dragon’s Breath, casting the spell on himself and Antony.  They breathed fire on the wargs. Arlynn cast Chromatic Orb gainst a warg, poisoning the monstrosity.  Her familiar, Oozac, blinded the warg with ink. Nell flew over the wargs, activated her Symbiotic Entity and summoned her Halo of Spores, which had no effect.  She then cast Shillelagh on her quarterstaff. Kai rushed up and punched the unpoisoned, blinded warg twice.  It crumpled down into a heap.  Seeing its comrade collapse, the warg began talking.  As he spoke Undercommon, Telbron understood a few words ‘Power… evil… mine.”  The warg then Disengaged and dove into the swampy waters. Thinking the warg was going for reinforcements, Telbron blindly fired an Eldritch Blast.

Shortly after, Celdryn experienced a Wild Magic surge as the cold of the swamp hit him.  His clothes shrank to half their size.  Celdryn was embarrassed.  Kai thought he saw a previously hidden piercing.  The giant elk ran after the submerged warg.  After Celdryn and the elk breathed fire on it, the warg died and sank to the bottom. Nell admonished her friends to be quiet.  Telbron pointed out the warg might have been trying to summon reinforcements.  Due to her lifetime growing up in Strixhaven, Arlynn knew the swamp was generally safe.  The fact that wargs were here, though, meant something was seriously wrong. The party then split up.  Arlynn and Nell investigated the northernmost research building, while Kai and Celdryn investigated the southern one.

Meanwhile, Nell tried to help Arlynn investigate, cursing at how her friends were being so loud and unstealthy in a swamp full of potentially hostile dangers.  Arlynn found two Potions of Healing, handing one to Nell.

The students reconvened.  Nell cautioned the others to be quiet after Celdryn was loud.  Speculating about thing and Nell thought swamp was tainted.  Telbron finally revealed what he’d gleaned from the warg.  Celdryn then asked if anyone was good collecting plant samples, explaining he had a sample kit that might help.  Nell offered to trade the Potion of Healing for the kit, but Celdryn encouraged her to keep the potion as he felt she would need it more.  Celdryn then pointed to some plants and wondered if that was what they were looking for.  Kai and Nell realized it was, based on the artwork and Fantastical Horticulture club meetings, respectively.

Seeing a few more islets, Arlynn, Celdryn and Telbron rode Arlynn over to the northeast islet.  Kai followed by jumping, while Nell flew over.  As soon as the elk landed, though, several snakes darted out from underneath a rock and bit Antony, ignoring Nell’s Halo of Spores.

Nell expressed her irritation over the snakes.  Kai, having just arrived, had no idea what she was talking about.  Looking at the dirt released by the vines, she found a root that her guidebook said was quite useful and took a sample.  Kai was confused at why they were gathering samples.  Arlynn or Nell vaguely said they had reasons.

The students decided to go to the southernmost island.  This time, Kai chose to join the others on the elk.  However, as soon as the elk touched a hoof down, it began sinking.  The elk hastily reared back, sending Celdryn flying into the nearby water.  He clambered back on, lamenting that things should have been better considering he’d lost his pants and was now wet.  An oblivious Kai gave him a pep talk, which Celdryn rewarded with a muddy pat on the back.  Telbron and Nell found that very amusing.  Seeing that Kai did not appreciate the humour, Celdryn cleaned him off with Prestidigitation.  Telbron still seemed to find the situation amusing, even after an irritated Kai shoved him off Antony and into the mud.  Nell responded by using Druidcraft to put nice flowers over Telbron and stinky flowers over Kai.  Arlynn and Celdryn felt Kai had gone a little too far, with Celdryn pulling Telbron back on the giant elk and cleaning him off with another application of Prestidigitation.

After enjoying a short rest, the students (and Antony) then moved north.  As they travelled, they noticed the water getting darker and thicker.  Seeing a steady burbling in between two islets, they guessed that was the spring they were looking for.  The elk was visibly hesitant, slowing to a stop before they reached the spring.  The students hopped off and continued on foot, but failed to notice anything.  To make matters worse, Celdryn experienced another Wild Magic Surge, causing rocks and random things to bounce around him.  Kai noticed a waterlogged notebook with a green jewel on the cover bouncing towards him and his friend, and felt weaker and weaker as it approached.  Suddenly afraid, Kai backed up into the water.

Meanwhile, Arlynn felt the spring was being obstructed by something in the water.  A giant scorpion emerged, dripping black ooze, and advanced towards them. Nell activated Symbiotic Entity and cast Shillelagh on her quarterstaff. The elk charged the scorpion and landed a solid hit, flipping it on its back. Celdryn cast Dragon’s Breath on himself and Antony before breathing lightning on the scorpion. Telbron Hexed the scorpion, but missed with Eldritch Blast. The scorpion righted itself, seriously wounding and grappling Celdryn with its pincers, but failed to pierce him with its stinger. Arlynn cast Chromatic Orb, hitting the scorpion with acid.  She then Phase Stepped back next to Kai and charmed the scorpion.  She then had Oozac hand a Potion of Healing to Kai. Kai did not feel well, but gathered his strength and cast Rime’s Binding Ice, aiming carefully to avoid Nell.  Nell cast Wither and Bloom, hurting the scorpion and healing Celdryn. Antony tried to breathe fire on the scorpion, but it dodged most of the damage.  Celdryn breathed fire as well, dealing the killing blow.  He cursed as he fell from the dying scorpion’s grasp into the swampy water (again).

Nell urged Arlynn to pour the holy water into the spring before anything else showed up.  Celdryn asked Kai what was wrong.  A haggard looking Kai asked where the book was.  Hearing his mumbled reply, Celdryn grabbed the book and threw it as far away as he could.  Kai faintly thanked him, claiming the book must have had an evil aura or something.

Kai managed to stand up, despite Celdryn’s continued concerns over his wellbeing.  He slapped himself back into a more alert state, only to realize to his dismay that he’d splashed himself with swamp water.  Nell tried to help by dropping scorpion goo on his head, prompting Telbron to start laughing again.  Arlynn ignored–or missed–Nell’s jibe about Kai putting goop in Arlynn’s hair and used Mage Hand to pour the holy water into the spring.  They could see the radiance cleanse the spring and clear the water.  As they looked around, the edges of the surrounding islets exuding the balm that Totsky was talking about.  Celdryn tried to investigate the source of the ooze and found an empty leather satchel.  He also saw various books and items bounce around him.  More importantly, the cursed book began bouncing towards Celdryn, as if caught in a current.  As soon as Kai saw the book coming near, he began wading through the water away from it.  Telbron grabbed the book and opened it, noting it was bound in soft leather and filled with waxed, waterproof paper.  He saw that many words were washed away, but the remainder was written in some kind of language he could not read.  Given that he could read most languages, he guessed it was some kind of cipher.  His only clue was an ‘M’ on the front page.

Celdryn, Nell and Telbron thought the ‘M’ looked the same as the package they found in the teacher’s offices of Captain Dapplewing’s Manor.  They found that suspicious, especially when Telbron recalled the chest also had some of the black ooze.  Celdryn asked Kai if he was feeling any better, then took the book from Telbron.  He put the book away in a bag, after remembering that his shirt was now too tight to fit anything else underneath, and asked if that made Kai feel better.  Kai’s evasive response indicated he was still unwell.  Celdryn admitted he thought the book might be important, but did not want to take it if it made Kai feel unwell.  Nell wondered why the book affected Kai but not anyone else.  Kai was forced to admit that he was allergic to emeralds and they made him weak.  Celdryn pulled the emerald off and sought clarification that putting it in the bag still affected him.  Kai confirmed that he would notice if any emeralds came within fifteen or twenty feet of him.  Celdryn then threw the emerald away and returned the book to Telbron.

Nell declared that they had accomplished what they set out to do and that Arlynn and Nell could return the magical ingredients to Professor Lang without anyone else accompanying them.  Celdryn, Kai and Telbron saw no reason to question her motives.  Celdryn made Antony spit out the swamp flora it was eating and had the giant elk give the students a ride back to campus.

Arlynn and Nell went back to Professor Lang’s office and gave her the magical samples.  Nell casually mentioned that they had some holy water and purified the spring.  Lang was surprised to hear Totsky was right and alarmed to hear the number of hostile encounters they had.  As Nell and Arlynn walked back, Arlynn asked if they were okay, considering Arlynn and Kai had gotten involved.  Nell assured her they were okay, given that she was with Telbron.  Nell then asked Arlynn for luck as she had to have an awkward conversation with Telbron.  She also thought she’d need drinks afterwards, depending on the outcome of the talk.  Arlynn wished Nell good luck, then bought a keg of alcohol as she’d taken Nell’s request seriously.

Nell went to Telbron’s room, only to discover he was not there.  She then returned to her own room, where she found Telbron. Nell admitted she had been a bit flaky lately and understood why he was waiting outside her room.  She invited him inside, ignoring the bits of torn paper still strewn throughout the room.  Nell admitted she met Telbron’s mom, who had offered veiled threats throughout their conversation.  Telbron’s mother instructed Nell to make sure Telbron did well at school, revealed she knew where Nell came from and who her parents were, and allowed for the possibility of Nell being Telbron’s mistress.  However, Nell did not want to be hidden or the other woman, despite her earlier remarks.  She also apologized for reading his mind, while admitting she had been scared by the visions she saw.

Nell told Telbron that she loved him, but did not want to be trapped in his family drama as it was scarier than any manga she had read.  She also observed that he had done better on his exams without her, which made her question whether he needed her.  In the end, she could not deny the fact that he was engaged.

Telbron replied that he was not engaged by choice, and would rather be engaged to Nell instead.  He apologized as he had kept his secrets with the intention of keeping her safe, a tactic that had backfired.  Telbron disagreed with the idea that he was better off without Nell as she was the first person who treated Telbron as a person, not an object or a means to an end.  He felt he would likely die after gaining control of the family.  However, he was surprised to discover his father was unaware of Nell’s visit, which led him to suspect his parents had their own separate agendas.  He proposed that they fall in line with the family agenda or bringing his family down.  Nell suggested running away.  Telbron felt that even if he could run away, Nell would have to run away as well for her own safety and he guessed she didn’t want that.  Nell confirmed that, as she had something to prove to her own family.  Telbron assured Nell she wasn’t second place, said he wanted to escape, but admitted he couldn’t do it alone.  However, he would understand if Nell wanted to get out.

Nell reminded Telbron that they had a summer break and wanted to spend some of it with him.  Telbron had reservations about visiting Nell, as he sensed her parents would not approve.  Nell welcomed the prospect of Telbron visiting her, mouthing off to her mother and generally stirring up trouble.  Telbron agreed, as he knew his father was planning his summer for him and he might feel the need to sneak away.

Telbron warned Nell that he’d learned, through his father, that his fiancée was also coming to Strixhaven.  However, he sensed his fiancée did not want the arranged marriage either and wondered if they could turn her against his family.  He also wondered what his mother was up to.  Telbron assuredNell that his mother was terrifying in her own way, but she had also been kinder to him than anyone else who was still affiliated with his family, noting that there were several former members who had cut ties.  Nell and Telbron agreed to stay in touch over the summer before exchanging kisses.  As Telbron asked Nell for the doll they had retrieved from Captain Dapplewing’s Manor, Shae hopped off Nell’s shoulder, shuffled over and deigned to touch their foot to Telbron’s.

When Telbron eventually left, he was surprised to see Arlynn waiting outside with alcohol.  Telbron asked Nell if she ordered alcohol.  Nell told Arlynn their conversation went better than expected but they could still drink.  Arlynn said they had to drink as she’d prepared for the worst, apologizing to Telbron, and rolled the keg she bought into Nell’s room.

Arlynn and Nell proceeded to get drunk, posting various photos to the group chat.  Telbron, an unexpectedly curvy and feminine Celdryn and Kai eventually joined them and they all enjoyed the rest of the night together. The next morning, the friends received an invitation to dinner at Captain Dapplewing’s Manor.  That evening, they met various professors, received several gifts   feted as heroes of the Strixhaven campus (episode 12).

## Personality

* Socially awkward
* Enthusiastic when it comes to her interests

## Appearance

Nell is a 4' tall owlin with yellow eyes. Her coloration is generally brown, like her great horned owlin father, though she has some white feathers from her mother's (snowy owlin) side.

## Character Build

* Known ASIs/Feats: Spell Sniper
* Known Spells:
	+ Cantrips: Chill Touch, Druidcraft, Shillelagh
	+ 1st Level: Create or Destroy Water, Cure Wounds, Inflict Wounds, Moonbeam, Speak with Animals
	+ 2nd Level: Pass Without Trace, Wither and Bloom

## Trivia

* Subscribes to Kai's StonelyFans account
* Has numerous anime and manga subscriptions
* Writes fan fiction
* Expected to assume leadership role of her family's druidic circle
* Accidentally became the protagonist of her own harem anime in episode 1
* Took Magical Physiology, Arcano-botany for Beginners, History of Magic and Art and Inkomancy for Beginners in first year.
* In episode 4, Nell summoned a sentient mushroom familiar. They had a blue polka-dotted cap spanning 8-10 inches, a light grey-white stalk about 5-6 inches wide, four stubby legs and two black eyes. They were approximately 6-7 inches tall. After some thought, Nell named them Shae Taki.