SEGNO Magical Education

*there are a number of buildings around the Channeled magic area. various 'temples', a number of places with ritual circles set up, a greenhouse for growing various plants, both with magical importance and mundane importance, some training dummies... an industrial sort of building, and a forest that has a river & a lake. there's probably plenty to explore if you wanted, but Rando is here to hear your take on informal vs formal*

"I'm not sure what is formal or informal actually. My granny said that she one day I would learn how to do many kinds of magic. She didn't teach me anything because she died from a fever. I took what I could and hid her stuff. A small table that folds up, Taro Cards, few scarves, few books and the crystal ball with a stand.
Are those things formal or informal kinds of Channeled Magic?" Esmeralda asked in a puzzled voiced.

{Rando} "Those are just tools. Formal vs informal refers to what type of Deity or being you request aid from. Formal Deities have lots of rules, and very little communication. if you study well enough on how to use the power of a formal Deity, and how to avoid incredibly strict punishment from one, it can be quite reliable. Informal however, only have a few rules, and are more likely to communicate with you. But if you mess up, then punishment may be somewhat unpredictable, if they do choose to punish.

For the most part, Formal Deities do not like their followers to follow any other Deities. Informal ones tend to be more... chill.

I will warn you though, that out of the two, I have been punished as a result of messing up tremendously in the past. As punishment from WRATH, I can only eat things that are still alive. Fresh Vegetables count, so it is only a minor thing, but it is a thing nonetheless."

"which of the two would you like to learn about first."

"I think that I will start with informal. But I don't know any Deities at all. But I think that the informal Deities will be easier to work with since I am just learning.
Why don't Formal Deities like a person to use other Deities?"

{Rando} "Formals tend to want to be exclusive so that they are the only answer to any problem. They don't like the attention of their followers to be just as dedicated to any others. And yes, informal tends to be easier with fewer consequences. We can get started with a simple request to SLOTH if you would like. A request for a restful night's sleep tonight. Does that sound good to you?"

"I do need a restful night of rest but I need to have a place to stay. I do like the to try that Deity. Should I take notes om what to do or is each Deity a bit different?" Esmeralda asked as she sat her satchel down beside her feet.

{Rando} "Well, the 'Sins' are all almost the same. but there are other informals. We can get to them in time if you have need of more options. And, if you need a place to stay, Dell Conagher has plenty of spare housing available in the engineering branch."

*leads to one of the ritual circles. He points out the three empty spots on the outer edge, and the 1 empty spot in the center*
"this kind of circle is used to contact the Sins. three sacrificial items need to be placed in the outer spots, then you need to set a focus in the middle. If you are ever lacking the proper tool, then an additional sacrificial object can be placed in the middle to call upon the Sin that has the domain closest to it. But we have special foci that don't get used up, and always sacrifice to the right Sin."
*going over to the shelves near the circle, he pulls out three little pillows, & a dull grey orb* "here. place the pillows, then use the orb in the center."

Esmeralda followed Rando after taking out a small notebook and pen. She jotted down the name of the person to ask for when she was ready to go to bed.
She quickly put the pen and notebook in her pocket.

"The three pillows are the Sacrificial Items and go in the outer circles. The grey orb is a Focus Item and goes in the center circle." she spoke as she took and placed each item in the correct circle.

"Where can I get an orb for a loci? " she asked when she stepped back from the three circles.

{Rando} *nodding yes as you put the items in the right spots,*
"Your own SLOTH foci can be created in time, if SLOTH chooses to recognize you as someone who frequently requests its aid. Or, if you have the money available, you can buy a SLOTH Foci from GREED. but for now, using the class SLOTH Foci is good enough. Place a hand on the orb, and try to communicate your intent to sacrifice to SLOTH."

"Ok. Thanks for letting me use the orb." Esmeralda knelt down and placed her hand on the orb to communicate with SLOTH.
She wasn't sure what was to happen but she would let what ever happen, happen. She just hoped that she could communicate with SLOTH.

*things seem to slow down on the outside. communication with SLOTH would seem near instantaneous from the outside*

*A view of an incredible throne, made of pillows, & blankets, and all things falling within the realm of SLOTH. the three little pillows you've sacrificed flying away to join the pile*

hmm? oh, thanks for that I guess. I guess maybe you wanted something in exchange? *a non-descript figure sits on the throne. SLOTH does not particularly care about appearance, and so seems anonymous*

"Yes, please, SLOTH. I would appreciate a restful night's sleep if you would be so kind to help me." Esmeralda spoke as she gazed at SLOTH and his comfortable throne. There were so many pillows that she could hazard a guess of how many pillows was there surrounding Him.

ok. I guess you've payed its worth. *the magic is granted. the ritual, complete. a good night's rest is yours*
*you return to your senses, standing in the ring with the orb, and the pillows missing*

{Rando} "how did it go. Does the term informal seem clearer now?"

"Oh, yes! Much clearer now. Sloth has so many pillows that I wonder how he keeps track of them all. But he did grant me a good night's rest. Will that be tonight? I didn't specifically say what night nor did he." Esmeralda looked around bewildered slightly.

{Rando} "Yes, it should be tonight. SLOTH is one of the most straightforward Sins. No trickery from them. But other Informal beings may rarely or occasionally re-interpret something for themselves. Most likely to do so, the God Loki. The Trickster. They are likely one of the strongest informals, but they can be... difficult."

"And as for Sloth's pillows, that would be the culmination of past sacrifices. It should also help you to get an idea of what informal and formal Gods tend to get out of their end of the bargain."

"I'd like to practice on the other 6 Sins, please. What is next to do? How many different Entities are there that are informal?" Esmeralda spoke eagerly as she jotted down a couple notes.

"It doesn't seem too difficult to do either."

{Rando} "The number can vary. Some beings are only available for limited times. For example, when Mars is aligned with the Earth, powerful spells involving the creation, manipulation, purification, & enhancement of Iron are available to be performed using the Emissary of MARS, among others involving Confidence & aggression. But any attempt to call upon their power at the wrong time simply fails. as if they don't even exist."

"As for the other sins, It would be better to only talk on how to sacrifice to Gluttony & Wrath. Gluttony can use some of your own Body mass as an aceptable sacrifice, & Wrath has 'old school' sacrifices. things have to die. Also, I hope you understand if I ask that you take care to help contribute to our supply of sacrificial objects. Please avoid burning through what we have without bringing in your own objects."

"A good one to try next would be PRIDE. PRIDE is actually relatively easy to Sacrifice for. Just using three pictures of yourself is enough for a good number of low cost spells. BUT, if you use the power of PRIDE to much, PRIDE can remove your ability to sacrifice to the other Sins. An affinity for PRIDE locks you out of the others. But affinity for the other Sins tends to lend only benefits. having access to low level spells without needing to Sacrifice, not needing a sacrificial ring to be able to sacrifice items to them... We can go over the exacts later. as of now, you are not even close to developing an affinity. Here, we have a Camera just for calling upon PRIDE. Maybe try asking for a Dazzle spell."
*Rando offers you a camera for you to take pictures of yourself with, and a PRIDE Foci*

"So there are many informal Deities but not always available. I'd have to have a list or chart or something to remember them all!

Of course I will contribute when you want me to. I should make a list of various objects that I might need so that I can get them when I can. Is there a book or anything that I can buy so that I can study from for the class?" she asked.

She smiled at the camera and took just 3 pictures of herself. She placed the pictures in the three outer circles and gave the camera to Rando before placing the Pride Foci in the other circle.

"Now I do the same thing for PRIDE?" she asked.

{Rando} "Well, I can get a list of all currently known formals & informals made, but there is something to be said for the difference between the right book, and an entire library. To answer everything is to give details that may never do anything but get in the way. But if you really want a list, I can get one for you. And as for the different kinds of domains that different items fall under, I can help with that to." *a bit more, wisdom, over intelligence*
"And yes, simply will to sacrifice the pictures, and it will do so."

"Thank you very much! I doubt that I will call upon all of them but I think that knowledge is a type of power." Esmeralda knelt down and placed her hand on the Foci and concentrated on contacting Pride.