D.A.M.M. - Monday 1st Period - Apotropic Items

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

"Greetings students. Today we're going to start talking in earnest about... Apotropaic Magic!"

Horns, glowing, you know the drill by now.

"'Apotrope' refers to objects such as amulets and talismans and other symbols or observances intended to 'ward off evil' or 'avert or combat evil'.

The word is of Greek origin and literally means 'turning away'. One example is the apotropaic eye, an exaggerated eye painted on drinking vessels in the 6th century BC to ward away spirits while drinking. Curiously, eyes were often painted to ward off the evil eye. The word is also used in fiction in reference to symbols such as crucifixes, the Holy Sacraments, silver bullets, wild roses and garlic that can ward away or destroy vampires. Other examples would include touching or knocking on wood, throwing salt over your left shoulder, and lucky rabbit's feet... Not so lucky for the rabbit..."

A handout about Amulets and Talismans is passed out.

"I suppose some of you might be given to wonder if such trinkets as a hand with an eye painted on the palm or a pair of sticks held perpendicular to each other really could hold anything resembling true cosmic power.

I assure you, they can. In many cases, the symbols themselves do carry inherent power. However, to create Apotropia of a power that really makes any baddy you happened across to WET HIS PANTS SHOULD IT BE WEARING ANY! ... The key to this is the same as the key to success in just about any endeavor... Attitude, ladies and gentlemen, is everything. FAITH! Faith in the symbols, faith in a higher power... These are good things. BUT MORE IMPORTANT THEN EITHER OF THOSE!!!

Faith in yourself.

Much of the Arcane Arts is about force of will. If you sit there creating a talisman and thinking to yourself..."

A small figure poofs into existence in the air before Byron, holding construction paper and a pair of safety scissors. Anybody looking at the figure sees themselves as the figure.

"This is stupid!" the little figure before poofing out of existence again.

"... Then that is exactly what it will be." Byron finished. "Stupid. If you can not have faith in yourself, or in an object that you create for the protection of yourself and those around you... Well, then you probably have no business combating malicious magics... Barring that, find somebody you do have faith in, or can accomplish the simple task of having faith in themselves and have them make an amulet for you."

Byron waved his hand to indicate a number of books on a shelf to the side as well as a table of art supplies.

"Your homework will be to create for yourself a protective item. You may use the rest of the period to check these reference materials. I would like a preliminary sketch by the end of the period of what you intend to make."

[[ooc: Please wait for ocd Open!

Comments

SIGN IN

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

Collapsy.

Re: SIGN IN

[sonofdragons.livejournal.com]

Tannim Drake

DURING LECTURE

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

"True, some of the beings you will come up against will bring a little something to the party. Their own faith, beliefs , or conditions can save the seat of your proverbial pants... I wouldn't bank on this however."

Re: DURING LECTURE

[2-twin-devils-2.livejournal.com]

Hikaru felt that this was certainly more interesting than some of the previous lectures had been. Still, between notes and little doodles in the margins of his notebook, he scribbled a note to Setsuna, waiting for an opportunity to slide it over.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[sonofdragons.livejournal.com]

Tannim scribbled down notes during the lecture.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[bound2blade.livejournal.com]

Setsuna grinned a little, not bothering to take as detailed of notes as she usually would. This was, after all, the area of magic she specialized in. She could do this sort of thing in her sleep.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[notawitch.livejournal.com]

Will took notes as Dr Orpheus talked. She tried to have faith in her note taking ability while doing so, hoping that it might get her a good mark in the class.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Chris doodled in his notes during the lecture.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow took notes. She already knew crosses could be a big help in the right circumstances, so she didn't have any problems following along with the rest of the lesson.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[likethegun]

Sam scribbled down a lot of notes during the lecture, some based on what Dr. Orpheus was saying, and some based on his own thoughts.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna took notes. Kind of?

Re: DURING LECTURE

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn took a lot of notes, although she did get a case of the giggles when there was such an emphasis put on having Faith.

Since she had a good handle on what the professor was talking about, she started writing a letter.

Dear Buffy--

Today I learned why Faith is so popular. Apparently, having her is the cornerstone to all magical defense...

Whether she'd mail it to her sister was debatable.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[notajar]

This is something she knows works, so even if she's not familiar with a lot of these specific symbols, Door nods as she takes notes.

Re: DURING LECTURE

[narglette.livejournal.com]

Luna took diligent notes.

By writing on bubble gum wrappers.

BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

None of the books are magical but have lots of information and diagrams.

"You may not take any of the books away with you but they will be available for perusal in my office between now and the next class."

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[notawitch.livejournal.com]

Will grinned a little as she started on the assignment. Technically, she already had a magical talisman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Kandrakar) of her own, so it made designing one a lot easier. She hummed a little to herself as she drew out a picture of the Heart of Candracar.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt instinctively sketched an amulet that resembled the symbol on the cover of the Book of Shadows.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[southernbender.livejournal.com]

Katara's doodles weirdly looked a lot like the design on her necklace. Funny that.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow was Willow. She started working on a concept on her computer.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[likethegun]

Sam's idea looked a whole lot like Dean's amulet. Funny how that worked.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna's ideas looked a lot like doodles with random patterns of vines in between.

Re: BOOKS! PAPER! PENS! GLITTER!

[2-twin-devils-2.livejournal.com]

Hikaru looked over the instructions Setsuna had given him, plenty of scratch paper set to the side as he attempted the spell she'd given him.

Focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus...

TALK TO BYRON OR THE TAs

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

Teacher and TAs ping in here, students ping off those.

Re: TALK - Byron

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

Please don't get glitter on the Cape of Floating.

It's a bitch to get out and he will charge you for the dry cleaning bill.

Don't scoff, magical clothing require some seriously specialized dry cleaners.

TURN IN YOUR CLASS ASSIGNMENT

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

Link me to a picture or use this (http://artpad.art.com/artpad/painter/).

Re: TURN IN YOUR CLASS ASSIGNMENT

[notawitch.livejournal.com]

Will cheerfully turned in her assignment picture (http://pics.livejournal.com/notawitch/pic/0003b4e8). It was a little shaky, but still did a pretty good ob of capturing her talismans.


(OOC: Uploaded to my journal because ArtPad wouldn't save the link. Also, I'm disappointed that they don't let you color in pink.)

OOC

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

Detention? Comments? Goofy icons?