GET HYPE FOR: Symbology (& Other Things)

[peckishmods]

Howdy folks! In the lead up to game opening, we wanted to put the spotlight on a few of the things we've cooked up that are new or different from what's been done in the group. We're starting off today with Symbology, but have plans to explore Quodpot, Cheer and Elflock Falls. Our hope is that these posts are informative and inspirational while giving you a bit of a sneak peek of what we've got fermenting in the tub. If there's anything you'd like to see specifically explored in a Get Hype post, give us a holler. We'll be doing these at least through the end of July. So, without further ado, let's GET HYPED FOR...

SYMBOLOGY

Symbology is the study of the magical power of writing systems and symbols. We wanted to turn Ancient Runes into something that felt like a real course, and we wound up going, uh, way bigger than that. Our intention is to provide another not-wandy class as an alternative to Potions. Think magic scrolls instead of magic bottles, though Symbology goes far beyond putting spells to paper. Symbology is meant to blend well with Artificing, a sort of magical programming to Artificing's magical engineering. Because it is a field that requires magical materials, both Potions and Herbology are also important to the subject.

There are three main points of focus in Symbology:

• GLYPHS: Usually fairly large, ornate and geometric in appearance, Glyphs require a lot of focus and attention to detail to make, but can be quite powerful (or explosive, if done incorrectly). They are always triggered (by incantation, touch, wandwork or a specific action) rather than ongoing, and expend power each time they are activated. They can either be single use or multi-use, but will wear out, eventually. Glyphs are complicated, difficult and require a great deal of precision, and even most seniors will find them challenging. What can you use Glyphs for? Well...
  • Designate a specific spot on the floor of a classroom that activates Sonorous on the person standing on it.
  • Curse an unwanted interloper with Jelly Legs if they try to break into your closet one too many times.
  • Cheat at Quodpot or Quidditch with gloves that activate a sticking charm. (And then get suspended from the team.)
  • Protect yourself from Boggarts with a cool new tattoo that casts Riddikulus when you itch it just right!
  • Place a Glyph above your front door that plays a different sound depending on who comes in.
• SIGILS: An intention condensed into written form, Sigils are flowing things that require feeling and will just as much as precision to be effective. Sigils create ongoing effects that burn out on their own after a time. As with all Symbology, the power of a Sigil is highly dependent upon its materials, but generally speaking Sigil effects are never as powerful as Glyphs. Here are some things you can do with Sigils:
  • Get crafty!: Embroider a sigil into your pillow case for good dreams or an easier time getting to sleep.
  • Beauty Tip!: Incorporate sigils into nail art to keep the paint from chipping or your nails from breaking longer & give yourself an ethereal glow by drawing sigils with your foundation before you blend.
  • Scrawl a Sigil for focus on a sheet of paper and keep it in your pocket during classes you find boring.
  • Draw a sigil for balance on the bottom of your shoes, maybe you'll trip a bit less.
  • Clothes always tearing? If you put a sigil on the tag, holes will take a little longer to wear through.
  • Make your fruit last longer by keeping it in a container with a preservative Sigil on the lid.
• RUNES: A writing system with magical potential. Alone, runes are inert, but apply them somewhere together using magical materials, and you can create spell scrolls or Glyphs. For our purposes, 'Rune' is always going to refer to one of the Elder Futhark but you can assume that there are many magical writing systems like this.

In class, students will mostly find themselves using ink and a brush or quill for their practical work. Those aren't the only tools at students' disposal, though! You can paint, of course, or carve or burn. You can stitch or knit or crochet your Sigils and Glyphs, too. What matters is that the materials you are using are magical in nature. Potions, Herbology and Artificing can provide you with all the magical ink, paint, paper, thread or fabric you need, of course.

So, you love Symbology, what practical applications are there for a grown up out in the big wide world? The possibilities are endless, but let me just name a few big ones...

• Security: Glyphs and Sigils are used extensively in magical security systems. So if you're a Cursebreaker or a Cursemaker, Symbology is a good field to know a little bit about.
• Secure Organization: I'm 100% positive that the magical equivalent of blockchain technology is Symbology-based. Symbologists are majorly in demand anywhere sensitive information is held.
• Architecture & Construction: If you want something to be Bigger-On-The-Inside, you're going to need to use a ton of Sigils & Glyphs to knit those expanded walls into place.
• Preservation: If you've got something that you need to not rot, you can make it last a bit longer with a Sigil. Whether you're a grocer, a mortician or a murderer on a tight schedule, Symbology can help you make things last a little bit longer.
• Artifice!: Symbology goes hand-in-hand with Artificing and many of the most complicated magical tools employ sigils, glyphs or spells writ in runes. Magical journals heavily employ Symbology in their creation, for example, and administration requires a thorough knowledge of the field to do effectively.
• Art: Painters and make up artists can give their work a magical quality by painting over or incorporating Sigils and Glyphs.

The eminently intimidating Mr. Tulio Stirling is your instructor for the class and Peckenpaugh's magical journal administrator, as well. This Hogwarts graduate was rumored to have spent some time as an Unspeakable before winding up in our little holler. Mr. Stirling is assisted by his TA, Symbology nerd Oliver Goodliffe who just, gosh, really wants to see you do well in the class. They're both great resources if you're ever stumped on your magical symbols.

Whew, okay, so that's about it for Symbology! This Get Hype post will probably be the most robust of them, as Symbology's completely-made-up nature necessitates a bit more explaining. But we hope you're looking forward to hearing about our other topics, and let us know if you're dying to hear about something in particular. :)

You have two weeks left on your current holds! That's plenty of time and you're all doing great! We can't wait to see what you're cooking up. Remember, holds will expire August 1st, at which point you will need to rehold. From August 1st on, holds will follow the rules set out on the student roster page (1 hold at a time, 7 days, 2 day extension, 24 hour wait progressing up to 1 month wait for each rehold).

HEY ALSO if you've already been cleared, please don't forget to CLAIM A BED for your student and post your block to the ATHLETICS PAGE. Thank you!!

Comments

[ohwormhole]

Oh shit this is REALLY cool

[goodglyph]

How many concepts can we get you to roll through before Aug 1 8)

[ohwormhole]

I'm in serious crisis now. D:

[goodglyph]

I believe in u

[ohwormhole]

"fuck fuck fuck how do i jam every Cool Thing across three characters" is a question i am asking myself on a daily basis

[notpoison]

My list of "this will be for my third" is getting too long.

[goodglyph]

It is my earnest hope that we will burden everyone's lists further as we get closer to Sept 1

[necrodanseuse]

Preservation: If you've got something that you need to not rot, you can make it last a bit longer with a Sigil. Whether you're a grocer, a mortician or a murderer on a tight schedule, Symbology can help you make things last a little bit long

This is the only thing Chanel read before joining this class

[goodglyph]

Honestly back when I was putting Symbology together I was like "Oh I bet morticians use Symbology to preserve corpses and make them look natural." And that is 100% how Oliver was born.

[necrodanseuse]

AND THANK GOD FOR HIM :(

I mean that was
maybe def one of my first thoughts on READing the class so I'm sorry to play accidental baby idea duck/copycat

Again

[goodglyph]

H I V E M I N D

[themurderbird]

ahhhhh

[goodglyph]

:)))))