The Neinhaus

[devilstongue]

● WHO: The Mighty Nein & Vox Machina (V9) + Friends
● WHAT: House Catch-All 2021
● WHEN: Comment Headers
● WHERE: The Neinhaus + Voxhaus + Wizardhaus
● WARNINGS: Comment Headers



CATCH-ALLS

Neinhaus
🔥 Caleb 🔥
🌊 Fjord 🌊
🌙 Mollymauk 🌙
🍄 Caduceus 🍄
🤜🏽 Beauregard 🤛🏽
🧁 Jester 🧁
🏹 Veth 🏹

Wizardhaus
✨ Essek ✨
💎 Gilmore 💎
🔪 Vax'ildan 🔪

Voxhaus
🔫 Percy 🔫
🎇 Pike 🎇
🌳 Keyleth 🌳
🐻 Vex'ahlia 🐻



HOUSE STUFF
Group House Logs
V9 Group Chat

Comments

[semicharmed]

[ As a starving grad student, Matt has learned to never turn down a free meal. He's already run into slight issues with that principle here, since some of the cafeteria food seems designed to inspire other types of hunger. But there's nothing risky about eating food provided by a stranger at a party where you know no one! Matt loads up a plate.

The feast-procurer himself is a little intimidating to him, as are most people who seem confident schmoozing. (Something wry flickers through Matt's head about his father's devotion to the power of networking.) But hey, people don't ask to be born extroverts. When their eyes meet, Matt smiles and lifts his glass. ]

[gloriouslygood]

[ That little raise of a glass is more than enough to get Shaun to saunter over, though he can tell this one's a little shy. He doesn't come on as strong as he would normally though there's not much hope of banking all his personality. ]

Hello. I'm glad to see someone enjoying the feast. [ Shaun sips at his wine. ] Shaun Gilmore. Are you one of the lovely folks who lives in this house?

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's smile broadens slightly. ]

Hi, Shaun. Good to meet you--I'm Matt. [ A shake of his head, a little rueful. ] I actually just washed up here a day or two ago? Beau's the only person I know here.

[gloriouslygood]

Really? What a twist. I washed up a few days ago myself. This is the first time I've had a good look at everyone and mingled.

[ He offers him a hand to shake or ignore, whichever he is most comfortable with. ]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Beau. She's very shrewd that one.

[semicharmed]

[ Beau is so shrewd that Matt briefly thought she might be a manifestation of his subconscious and immediately told her several of his darkest secrets. That might be more a reflection on him than on Beau, but he perks up anyway. ]

She's great.

[ Matt takes Shaun's hand when it's offered and shakes. He feels a lot more comfortable with physical contact than virtually any other form of socializing, frankly. His fingers are long and mobile, grip sure but not firm.

He huffs a soft laugh. ]

Okay, I thought I was the only one for awhile there. Nnnot that I want more people to get swept away from their homes at random, just.

[gloriouslygood]

Oh, I don't think the island much cares when it sweeps people up or from where.

[ This island had its needs and it will make sure they're met. Shaun's figured that much out himself in his short time here. Beau's not the only one who's shrewd. ]

You're not alone. Have you found a place to stay?

[ He's lucky to have friends here but he's seen the tents on the beach and the other accommodations available to new arrivals. ]

[semicharmed]

[ It's an interesting thought--whether the island is in some way cognizant of its own needs, the way an animal or inarticulate spirit might be.

Matt would love to ponder further, but Shaun's question prompts a smash cut in his mind to where he last left his tent in a crumpled heap on the sand. He smiles, abrupt and sheepish, and says possibly too quickly: ]

Oh, uh, yeah. [ Matt takes another sip from his glass. ] I'm more interested in exploring, though. I've never been anyplace that wasn't, you know, my home planet. Any interesting spots to recommend yet?

[gloriouslygood]

[ Oh, he's such an open book to someone like Shaun. It's rather endearing. This one probably hasn't done much adventuring or... lying. ]

Well, I enjoy the spa. [ It takes a lot of effort to look this good constantly. ] I don't think you can sleep there though. The gardens here at the house are also very pleasant. Certainly worth walking through. But... well, there's nothing like sleeping in a warm bed is there?

[ He smiles slyly. Yes, the island does encourage that, doesn't it? ]

[semicharmed]

[ It's true that thus far, Matt's adventures have been confined mostly to grad school, illegal spell-casting, and ill-advised hookups.

He's surprised into a laugh, returning Shaun's smile with a crooked one of his own. ]

I guess around here, a warm and non-rickety bed is sort of a rare attraction. Definitely worth at least a brief visit.

[gloriouslygood]

I'm a bit spoiled and prefer a nice soft mattress whenever possible.

[ He has yet to spend a night on the beach. His back would be miserable if that was the case. ]

Tell me, Matt, where are you from? I'm curious to learn more about the worlds and people brought here.

[semicharmed]

Oh--good question. [ Matt considers, hemming and hawing a bit. ] What's interesting about this is that, like, I only have my own world and this place to compare, right? So I'm sure this is gonna be rife with lacunae, but--

We definitely don't have robots this advanced where I come from, for starters. We do have a concept of your intention shaping outcomes--what you intend, and some sort of specific action or ritual. We'd call it magic, though, not eros.

[gloriouslygood]

Magic is mostly will and belief. Are you a wizard? Or sorcerer? Or do you not use those terms?

[ Shaun hasn't met any that aren't from his world so this is fascinating. ]

I suppose I might have to explain those, won't I? If they're not terms you use. Are you born with the innate magic in your blood or is it something to be studied like a discipline?

[semicharmed]

[ Matt experiences a brief spike of panic at being asked if he does magic. He'd thought his definition was distant and academic enough not to beg that question. But it couldn't be clearer that nobody here cares--there's no one left to care, even if at one time they did.

So he smiles, a bit nervy but bright and curious. ]

Ahhh, well--I've definitely had to study to grow my skill, or at least practice. But most of what we know supports that magic's passed down through families. [ His eyebrows arch playfully. ] I definitely didn't make a deal at the crossroads or anything.

What is the difference between a sorcerer and a wizard?

[gloriouslygood]

Fascinating.

[ Not just the idea of magic going down family lines but the obvious second of panic over Shaun's question. Why would anyone be afraid to do magic? ]

Well, the biggest difference is that a wizard needs a spellbook which they record spells and cast from. A sorcerer needs no such thing. The magic is innate and we can even modify those spells. Which wizard can't. Now, arguably a wizard can learn more spells but... well, I've found with a bit of practice and study a sorcerer can learn a lot.

[ He grins and winks at Matt. ] And a sorcerer just looks better casting.

[semicharmed]

[ The wink makes him smile, charmed, down at his glass. But Matt's chewing over the explanation as well; it's fascinating, the honeycombed way Shaun describes these traits. ]

I guess I would be sort of like a sorcerer, then. [ Thoughtful. ] I mean, I don't need a spellbook, but it definitely helps to write things down. Most people where I come from would just say I'm a witch and call it a day, though.

[gloriouslygood]

We like to be more nuanced where I'm from. [ There's nothing wrong with a witch, in Shaun's opinion. Especially if Matt's magic is more sorcerer than wizard. He is vastly out numbered here. ] What about components? Do you need say... a bit of some herb or material to cast your magic? Or would a simple arcane focus do?

[ Because that's another difference in sorcerers and wizards. Many spells Shaun could cast without needing the material bits. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt mouths "arcane focus" in some bemusement. ]

Herbs and materials definitely help. And diagrams or configurations? But if the spell's simple enough--like, generalized good luck, or finding car keys or something, I can just ...

[ He lifts his free hand between them, palm up, and focuses a moment. His breath catches slightly, and an orb of golden light appears over his cupped palm, casting a buttery light. ]

[gloriouslygood]

[ Shaun's focus is a golden ring with a lovely amethyst. He never takes it off. ]

Look at that. [ A smile blooms across Shaun's face. He does so love magic. ] How lovely. Like a little cantrip. What we call the most basic of spells.

[ He casts his favorite prestidigitation and makes his wine sparkle like it is made of stars and galaxies. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt supposes basic is the point: light and heat are, to him, the most accessible of nature's building blocks. The spark of life.

He breaks into a broad, disbelieving grin at the vision in the wineglass. ]

Oh, wow. [ Matt shifts closer for a better look. It's feels like staring into an aquarium made of stars. ] Oh that's beautiful, is that like ... some kind of illusion?

[gloriouslygood]

[ He holds the glass a little higher to give Matt a better view. ] Illusion is a good way to think about it. The spell can do little things that effect the real world but in this case yes, it's an illusion of stars.

[ It's always nice to see someone enjoy his magic. Showing off is one of Shaun's most favorite things to do. ]

[semicharmed]

They're so detailed ...

[ Matt reaches out with his fingertip, but doesn't actually reach the glass before remembering that's a weird thing to do. He straightens, dropping his hand, and shakes his head. ]

Well, that's super cool. I'm not gonna say I'm hopeless at manifesting images and illusions, but I can't do anything like that right now.

[gloriouslygood]

There are plenty of magic users here. Perhaps someone could teach you.

[ Just for show he sips the wine while it sparkles with stars as if he's drinking them away leaving only normal wine behind. ]

If they way their magic works is the way yours does. And if that's something you want, of course.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt tries not to get his hopes up. It's hard when there's a man swallowing stars in front of him, but--even though energy and breath are universal constants, as far as he can tell, he doubts anyone's magic really works like his does. Not all the way. ]

I didn't even think about the fact that I might learn more magic here.

As a sorcerer, what do you do exactly?

[gloriouslygood]

As a sorcerer? I enchant things for my business. Not out there adventuring like some people. Occasionally I use my magic to entertain or provide for friends.

[ He gestures to the feast that's laid out and what he conjured with magic. ]

I even use magic to help with little things all the time. It's... it's part of me.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's gaze flicks to follow the gesture and returns to Shaun, another smile warming his face. ]

Part of you. Yeah. That's how it feels for me.

I'd love to see something you've enchanted, if you have anything handy. I've got ... [ He hooks a finger under the collar of his t-shirt and fishes out a small silver locket. It looks old, out of step with the rest of Matt's extremely casual ensemble, but fastidiously maintained. It smells faintly of lavender. ] Just like, basic protection. I love enchanting things, but I can't always try what I want to.