Mycology Seminar - Class One [Tuesday Evening, 7th of October]

[tolpen]

The Selected Chapters from Practical Subterranean Mycology have a reputation of a laid-back class which more than anything else serves as a meeting spot for the naturalist freaks eccentrics of Benthic. Reader Guildenstern, who has been teaching this class for years, is known to use the allotted time to share dirt on personal anecdotes from the lives of his most respectable colleagues. Which is precisely the reason why no student is allowed to take up the class more than once in their lifetime – to prevent amassing of too much power in one pair of hands
But the day when all the classes are posted and signing up for them is available, there is, as the academics call it, a minor uproar. The aforementioned Selected Chapters are entirely missing from this year register. There are complaints. Bolder individuals threaten to demand back tuition paid.
After much fussing about, the Chairman of the Subterranean Mycology Department gives a public apology for this – and several other – clerical errors, and the omitted class appears with its lost compatriots on the bottom of the register. It now bears such disrespectful neighbours as Cellular Mechanisms and Crimson Genetics. Yes, we suppose those are alright courses to attend if you want to make money, publish papers and maybe push the quality of life forward for further generations. But this is a university, for grief’s sake! One’s primary goal is to increase their own social standing.

Because of this little clerical oversight, the class is held in one of the smaller lecture halls in the basement. It is not particularly hard to find if you know where you are going. The class is also held fairly late. Not awfully late, but certainly you are missing some of the happy hours in less secluded places, such as the Veilgarden.
There aren’t that many students. Most of them already have a busy schedule with the classes that were posted on time. But the door is not locked and the timetable clearly says that the Selected Chapters begin in a couple of minutes.

As far as lecture halls go, this one is nothing to write home about. Rows of chairs bolted to desks bolted to the floor, all in orderly rows, rows gradually rise as they are further from the three-winged blackboard. No windows; this is a basement. Minimal decorations. Electric lights bathe the room in warm light. Quite the novelty to have them installed here.
On the desks you find a variety of potted mushrooms. Some you know, common bolete, a marvelously orange chanterelle, this one whose name you have on the tip of your tongue and is used as a filler in bouquets. Some you do not know, although the one that looks like a cracked egg is somewhat familiar.
The man standing at the lectern – it is hasty to make such presumptions on sight, but you are going to verify them within moments anyway – is of unimpressive size. You note him for having a long braid of dark hair, a pince-nez with dimly blue lenses, and very soft smile with which he invites the first incoming to sign in the ledger, and by extension up for the class.
When you all are seated and no new foot enters the class, he closes the ledger with a very definite snap and steps to the lectern.

“I wish you all a good evening,” he addresses you all for the first time. He has a voice like velvet if velvet carried the clarity of a churchbell. Some people manage being heard in large rooms by shouting. Your teacher doesn’t have to resort to such tactics; each of you hears him as clearly as if he stood right next to you.
“I would like to inform you that Professor Guildenstern is dead and he shall not be holding any classes for the foreseeable future. I have been asked by our department Chairman to deliver the Selected Chapters from Practical Subterranean Mycology instead.”
The Soft-Eyed Mycologist writes his name on the top of the leftmost blackboard. At least you presume so. Remnants of Hudum in the Forgotten Quarter are pinnacle of legibility compared to whatever this is. That might be an E in the middle? Following the name is the number of his home-room, in slightly shaky Roman numerals.

“This class takes the standard course length and as such it requires standard grading. I have reviewed Professor Guildenstern’s syllabus from years prior, and decided for a more sensible approach: Your final grade will be the child of two components:
Firstly, you shall write an essay and submit. The topic is of your own choosing. Selection of a topic appropriate and related to the class, however, can make up to forty per cent of the score for it. Cite some sources, back up whatever you put down. Be persuasive, be shrewd, be convincing. Remember, these are respectable academic grounds; plagiarism and fabrication is entirely fair game as long as you do not get caught.
The deadline on this essay is the end of our fifth class together; if by then I don’t have at least something from you, however publishable, you fail by default. There will be no extensions and no resubmissions. Gone Hell or high water, the deadline stays. Plan your life’s catastrophes and cataclysms accordingly.”
He clasps his hands together before resting them on the lectern: “The second part of your grade will be the final exam, held during the last class. The exam will be practical and designed to test all you might have and might have not learned. I am going to be testing your skills, not your ability to cram the content of a book into your short-term memory. Some students tend to be surprised by that; I am stating it outright so you wouldn’t be.”
There is a brief pause for questions anyone might have before the class moves on to the actual lecture.

The Mycologist beams a bright smile at you all: “For our first exercise I’ve chosen something that highlights two of the load-bearing columns of science: Replicability and specificity. I am certain you all have noticed by now the potted fungi on your desks. Your task is to draw them, any of them, such that your classmates would be able to recognise them. You do not have to make a realistic life-like piece of artwork as long as the mushroom is identifiable. Whoever finds themselves without supplies, I have borrowed pencils from the mycology department, as well as paper.”
It seems that for the remaining 90-odd minutes, this is what you are to do.
 

Comments

Sign In

[tolpen]

There is a ledger by the door to keep track of the students' attendance. Please, sign your name neatly under the person that signed in before you.

((OOC: To keep things pleasantly organised, add your sign-in comment as a reply to the last person before you, creating one neat collapseable thread.))

Re: Sign In

[theubiquitousguest]

The Ubiquitous Guest kept his head ducked as he entered the class, steps as soft as they can be with the assistance of a cane. He found the sign in sheet and gave a quick scrawl of his initials, barely legible, but nonetheless present. He hadn't expected to be in so early, but it seemed he'd overestimated the punctuality of his peers. He'd just have to correct that next class.

Before Class

[tolpen]

There is still time before the class starts. Maybe you want to get a good seat or admire all the things which do not adorn this room. Maybe you want to be social with your classmates. Maybe you do not want to do any of those things, but will do them nevertheless.

Either way, now seems like a good time.

Re: Before Class

[theubiquitousguest]

The Ubiquitous Guest found a seat towards the middle back, out of the way and not in any sort of notable position. Unfortunately, his presence as the first one here left him utterly exposed. He swore under his breath a retrieved the supplies he'd acquired from his canvas bag. Aligning them correctly on the desk, he took the time to observe the room.

The electric lights were a pain, their static buzzing already causing the Guest to border a migraine, but he supposed he couldn't complain, what with this class taking place in a basement. He looked over the mushrooms at the front of the room from a distance and hummed. What an odd array. Not unfamiliar, certainly, having been born and raised in the Neath, but the Guest would admit that he knew the names of none of them. Nor their properties. He blushed subtly at the realization that he may not have had the cultural prerequisite for this class.

(The Guest failed to notice his hand twirling his stylo over and over between his fingers rapidly, skillful and fine.)

Re: Before Class

[falconz]

Once seated, Falconz inspects the fungi on the desk, observing, touching and tasting. Might not be the best idea - especially if your knowledge on poisons and toxins is limited - but he seems quite confident in his actions. Soon enough he begins sorting the ones he has already "inspected" by some system know, perhaps, only to himself alone. Though, those who are well-versed in fungal matters, or matters of wine for that matter, will be capable of parsing the method by which the sorting commences. One group is of fungi used for winery - sorted by blends and years of invention - another is a group of poisonous and toxic caps, third is of the ones that have a rather pleasant look to them. There are three more groups, though the criteria for them is harder to pinpoint.

Re: Before Class

[the_masked_hunter]

The Masked Hunter takes a seat at the very back of the room. Taking a few seconds to look over the room, he recognizes a good number of mushrooms by where in the Marshes they tend to grow. He even knows the names of some of them.
While waiting for the lecture to start, he takes a pencil, leather-bounded notebook, and sheaf of torn, weathered pages from his satchel. He writes and diagrams in the notebook using short, rough scratches. He leans and places his arms just enough to discretely hide his work, out of habit rather than any need for secrecy.
As more students file into the lecture hall, he recluctantly unbuttons his cloak and folds it over the back of his chair. A keen eye might notice empty loops lining the sides of the cloak's interior.

Re: Before Class

[ticktopis_observatorium]

The Chimeric Professor, as usual, finds a desk towards the front, displaying their note-taking implements then looking around. Of course, the decor is rather nonexistent (one could even say in the negatives) but they're used to it, many of their favourite classes they had to teach hidden from the more respectable sections of the campus.

The true subject of interest were the fungi in display! Diverse, those they could identify were little to no danger to one's health, and quite beautiful to look at, the selection being as skilled as expected from the lecturer. Of course, the secondary subject of interest are the classmates. So many new or barely-known faces! They hope it won't be as much of an adventure as the last one, but definitely will be fascinating in many ways.

Re: Before Class

[emeraldqueen]

The Cackling Authoress chooses a seat that is off to one side and in the back, but not too far in the back—a corner that’s not really a corner. Aside from her own fastidious introversion, the pots on the tables have also informed her decision. She parks herself behind a particularly whimsical mushroom and sets about admiring it. For just a moment, she allows herself to indulge in the fantasy of becoming a mycological genius—one whose invaluable and highly respected research characterizes fungi far and wide, each as unfathomably deadly as they are jauntily colored and pleasantly shaped. What fun! But when the professor starts talking, the truth will set in, she knows. She hardly has the inclination to do all of that, and most mushrooms are probably rather more beige and mundane than she would hope. But juuuust for now… what a cheerful little fungus. The brightest ones are the deadliest, you know.

Re: Before Class

[theanachronistictailor]

On finding their seat in the second row, the Tailor does two things:

First, they remove their messenger bag to set on the small desk and remove some contents. Pen, notebook of reasonable size, much smaller book with stub of pencil- these are set in organized fashion onto the desk.

Second, they remove their coat and sling it onto the chair. Doing so reveals the broad shoulders and clean cut of their shirt, not to mention the fit of their waistcoat and the straightness of their paisley tie. It's their preference to be without coat in an insider setting, regardless of the preferences of society. Gloves stay on, however.

Content with their arrangement, the Tailor sits and opens the little book, leaning back to examine the room. There's not a lot of time to study the other students as is their want, but they've a few moments and a quick hand. Is anyone in here particularly remarkable?

As for the shrooms on the desk, they keep them on the corner a reasonable distance away. A little doodle is already appearing on the pages of their book in replica, however. Mostly out of fun.

Re: Before Class

[the_maven_and_the_devil]

As the Brash Devil made his way to their preferred seating arrangement (around the middle), Maven hesitated. She had hoped whoever the teacher was would not be there yet. Every class she attended she started by leaving a gift of jasmine tea and biscuits as a show of appreciation for the teacher, but she preferred to leave it anonymously so they wouldn't think she was attempting to curry favor. This wouldn't be the first time she had to do it face to face, but...

The little detail of WHO the teacher was now made this awkward.

Maybe if she just left it by the sign in? Or perhaps she just shouldn't do this? No, that would be rude, she did it with every other teacher. Maybe...

Ugh, this was ridiculous.

She simply walked up to the lectern and greeted him politely, "Hello, I hope you are doing well." She held out the items, "This is a gift of appreciation for teaching us all this course."

Re: Before Class

[the_maven_and_the_devil]

After dealing with the gift, the Maven settled in her seat next to the Devil. The Devil, for his part, was already leaning back and not paying much attention to those around. Maven, on the other hand, was removing all that she needed for the course from her floral carpetbag, organizing it in easy to reach ways. It was obvious to see which of these two was the more academic-minded.

She also took a moment to examine the mushrooms at the desk. Even when surrounded by mushrooms as one is in the Neath, she still couldn't help but smile at the sight of them.

Re: Before Class

[theliedpiper]

After making the rounds to meet and greet as many of their classmates as they notice, Piper takes their seat. Was there anyone they missed? Anyone who still wanted to catch up with them? If so, you'd find them with only half of their supplies out of their holdeverything before getting distracted by a bright blue mushroom in front of them. It glows a bit when you poke it! How exciting! They start poking out a rhythm on the mushroom's cap, humming to themself as they do.

Re: Before Class

[bookwizard]

After taking a few moments to catch his breath and check his pocket watch, the Persistent Professor placed a valise on the chair beside him and pulls out a battered copy of 'Fungal Dangers and Poisons: A Guide for New Growers', along with a notebook and pencil. Only then did he look around the room at the other students already assembled and conversing with each other. Some of them he recognised -- he saw at least one other Benthic professor, and also another practitioner of the Glass arts.

What an interesting and eclectic collection of students! The Professor smiled to himself. Perhaps this wouldn't be just another series of lectures, but also a chance to meet some intriguing people.

Lecture

[tolpen]

It is a good tradition that the first class of the semester doesn't really bring any note-taking-worthy information besides the (dis)organisation. But right now this is a good moment to ask any questions if you have them.

Re: Lecture

[falconz]

Once the opportunity presents itself, The Studious Charmer raises his hand to present the lecturer with a list of questions, written in a small notebook they've pulled out of the inner pocket of their coat. Their voice was slow, warm and certain - honeyed words flowing with ease, showcasing the speaker's oratory ability refined to heights few can achieve.

In summary, their list can be distilled to:

1) What is a "mushroom" or "fungus" in it's essence? What defines them as such? What is the characteristic attributed only and exclusively to fungi? If Gods would challenge me to tell them what "mushrooms" are as concisely as possible, what would be the answer?

2) Are fungi susceptible to changes of that which is living? Is it possible to mold and shape them in accordance with one's design? And, if so, what would be required to do so?

3) Are fungi capable of... Love?

4) Do mushrooms dream?

5) Who is the craftsman that is responsible for the creation of such magnificent pince-nez? They look absolutely fabulous - especially when they are adorning such a charming image as this lecturer's.

Re: Lecture

[theubiquitousguest]

The Guest raised a hand and waited to be called. His voice was a low, Irish accent, at the lower register of tenor. His cadence was steady, even, almost formal. How else does one get respect in this goddamn city?

"Will we have an opportunity to pass our essay topic through your judgement? Would be horrid to write an essay, only to fail the grade because you didn't think the topic connected enough, aye? As well, will out of class work be graded? If so, how? If not, will there be a chance between class hours to confirm answers and get tutoring on topics we miss? What about in class work not related to the essay or final?" He stilled his spinning pen in his hand and positioned it over the page to take more notes.

Re: Lecture

[ticktopis_observatorium]

The Chimeric Professor raised a finger, asking the lecturing Mycologist if a question was in order. When given permission, they ask.

"Related to previous questions and the essay... Are lichens to be considered among the fungi as a subject to study within this course, or should we disregard their symbiotic nature for the sake of our limited time?"

Re: Lecture

[theliedpiper]

Piper raised a hand, but barely waited to be called on.

"Do we get to eat the mushrooms?"

Predictable. Though, honestly, a little surprising that they bothered to ask permission rather than forgiveness.

Re: Lecture

[bookwizard]

The Persistent Professor listens to the other questions asked by the students, and for the replies. He then asks about the activities to be done in class. "Will we be doing any mycological experiments? Or growing anything outside of class? I'm trying to improve my skills in mycological horticulture, so I'm hoping the class will cover aspects of that."

He cracks a smile. "Oh, and will we be doing any - ahem - observational experiments on the effects of mushroom wine? I'd be happy to supply some for all of us after the next class."

Activity

[tolpen]

Grab a flower fungal pot and a piece of paper and document this partially domesticated specimen. The mushrooms presented are varied: some are native to the Surface, some are found only in the Neath, and some you might find in both. Your task is to make a drawing descriptive enough that anyone might be able to identify the specimen, given that they have the knowledge to do so. Speaking of, do you know what fungus are you portraying on the paper?

((OOC: You do not have to actually draw a mushroom by yourself; describing your character doing it and the final end result is more than enough. You are also entirely encouraged to make up a neathy fungus, although none of the specimen presented today are particularly dangerous.)

Re: Activity

[the_masked_hunter]

The Hunter quickly sketches his mushroom. The linework is rough, with speed being vastly prioritized over aesthetic neatness. He includes the bare minimum amount of detail required such that if one were to look at his paper and his desk, they would be able to identify that the former is a representation of the latter. He spends some time waiting for further instruction, tapping his pencil with slowly but steadily increasing irritation, before returning to his prior work in his notebook.

Re: Activity

[falconz]

Once the task for this lesson is outlined thoroughly, The Studious Charmer nods to himself and... kicks back for a moment or two on their chair, their hands brought behind their head and their gaze raised into the ceiling. They remain in this position for a couple moments, before looking to one of the groups of mushrooms they have picked from the others, studying their features intently. Another five minutes or so later, Falconz pulls out a hand mirror out of his inner pocket the size a little bigger than his palm, and spreads a droplet of honey on it. As he reaches inside and rummages around, he soon pulls out a set of drawing implements - not quite solid and not quite liquid. He spreads a parchment on the desk and, after a deep breath, starts outlining his vision on the surface with a simple pencil. It isn't that easy when you don't have a reference image aside from the one inside your mind, but he tries his best at conveying his intentions for reality to understand. Some time later the sketch is complete. Now the most interesting part will begin.

First the Charmer uses a paint consistent of oil and grinded to a fine powder justificande. He traces out the shape of the once-to-be mushroom and colors the cap and stem with it to grant the image the sense of inevitability - this fungi is not yet born, but it will. One day it most certainly will. And any who see the image will be certain of that. Maybe that inevitability will be just plausible enough for reality itself to be convinced. Or, at the very least, the Is-Not part of it, where this beauty will bloom one day.

Next paint is not so much a paint, as an intriguing mix of prisoner-honey and liquefied Cosmogone - a substance of longing, warmth, joy and promise of a better tomorrow. The Dreamer carefully adds the "paint" to their vision, pinpointing the heart concealed by the cap and the veins on it's surface. This chitinous organism will not avoid the light, oh no, it will be the source of most promising and delicious light there might be - Cosmogone will shine as it's heart beats and it's veins ooze sweetest honey one could ever taste. It will promise delight, joy, satisfaction of the deepest longings and whims - if only for a moment or two. the process is slow and laborious - liquid light is a tricky thing to keep from dispersing and honey doesn't spread easily how one might wish it to, but The Dreamer is focused and concentrated, his eyes watching intently the light, not letting it subside, his hands coercing the honey to fill out the predetermined form. His breath is filled with promise, with obligation, his movements hiding the passion underneath.

This mushroom will make one feel loved. Needed. Wanted. It will fend off the darkness in one's heart with heat of promised false-sun. And when the darkest night of all encroaches onto your mind, it will be there, in your dreams, to save you and be your light.

It takes enormous effort on Falconz's part to construct his vision clearly enough on parchment, to ensure that the world understands his intent and promise, but he, eventually, achieves something he can call relatively confidently a success. He breathes out with relief and kicks back onto his chair, wiping away the sweat from his brow. From a passing sight the drawing won't look like anything special, but if you let your eyes linger, if you remember the pain you feel deep within yourself, it will comfort you with a promise. A promise that will, one day, be fulfilled. A faint smile spreads on his face, as he lets his gaze glide across his creation. Satisfied and fond of once-to-be little fungal hero of all those who are suffering, he writes "ONE DAY YOU WILL BE HAPPY" underneath the drawing before preparing his work to be reviewed by the lecturer.

Re: Activity

[theanachronistictailor]

The Tailor had already been sketching the mushrooms, albeit a touch loosely, when lecture began, although they had closed that small book to open their larger notebook and pay proper attention at the time. Now, they turn a more critical eye to the pot on their desk.

They are an old hand at drawing what they see. It's not a skill learned through a teacher but through time. Laying pencil to page, the Tailor hardly needs to look down to get the shape on the page, and then they allow themself to turn attention to details. There's a feathery quality to the skin of the mushroom, but the drips themselves shine in the lamplight.

There is something very like the shape of a woman's skirt to the body of the mushroom, they consider while they work. Imagine, if you will, a gown with a hem that has beads all around. Highly impractical, likely to be damaged. The sort of thing for dreams only. But still, there may be something to take away from a mushroom when it comes to designing clothing. It's the Tailor's work after all, and they're prone to seeing it in everything. How else to make it relevant to them?

After Class

[tolpen]

The Soft-Eyed Mycologist wraps up slowly, you might get a word with him before he leaves the class once it is over.

Furthermore, this is maybe an even better moment to get to know your classmates, now that you have an experience in common.

Re: After Class

[ticktopis_observatorium]

Once the class officially ended and before gathering their belongings from the desk, the Chimeric Professor stood up (a bit easier this time) and went towards the very lecturer of the course, smile pleased, very much lacking a proper, long tail to completely express the feeling.

"Such a pleasure getting to see you regularly again, my dear. I am happy you are considered as essential for your new employer as I know you are, but truly, leisure time has its benefits as well."

Okay, now it is time to perform the damned deed, steadying themself with a deep breath.

"I need to tell you something important. If this is a good moment, that is. Regarding both the project of memory retrieval and... Our other, older common project."

OOC

[tolpen]

Hello everybody, welcome to the fake mushroom fake seminar. I am thrilled (and not at all stage-frightened) to do this.

Today's class is extra verbose to ease you into the setting. You are under no obligation to write walls of text. I am definitely going to be writing walls of text. But please, whatever length, keep conversations threaded, it makes things easier to navigate in the long run. Don't worry about in what order the conversations happen; the Treachery of Clocks is on your side. Unless you'd prefer it not to be on your side (for example for comedic reasons), then it is definitely not on your side.

I am extremely happy to have new people here as well as people that I know. I hope you all have fun. Reiterating especially for the newcomers: Most of the enjoyment is from RPing with each other. The classes merely provide a structure.

I am going to be more active in the class the first week it is up, and then I am going to spend the other week preparing for the next class. If anything comes up that I should know (or shouldn't know), hit me in the DMs. I have high hopes of publishing the next class on 21st of October, around the same time as now.

Alright, that's all for now, I think. I am back to my banana energy drink.

P.S: While there isn't a dedicated Benthic University RP Discord, most of the players from the previous Correspondence Scholarship are to be found at Queer Little Novelties Discord server, which I in particular joined to complain about drawing too many sigils. It is a most excellent place where to be queer, little and/or novelty.

Re: OOC

[emeraldqueen]

Everybody, I am so excited to be here and so sad I missed the first one.