Absit Omen RPG

Anyone with even the briefest lesson in stranger-danger would have pegged these two individuals as 'suspicious.'  Or, they were right from the script of some sitcom featuring the world's most mis-matched roommates.  Paul Bunyan and the Emo.   

She eyed the pair cautiously, her hand on the doorknob, as the pair approached.  Shirley's frantic barking continued but Laverne had transitioned from barking to leaping straight up at the big burly man's feet, her hesitancy instantly replaced with a need for attention. 

"Do you live here?"

Though she assumed the answer was obvious, Amanda hesitated until the man explained his reasons for being there.  Understanding then surprise registered in quick succession across her features.  "That school," she said, with a nod of understanding.  "Oh yes - come in," she offered as she pushed the front door open and dragged the two Dachshunds over the threshold. 

"Momma - papa.  There are people here.  From Micha's school," she called up the stairwell in German, stepping aside to let the two men step inside.  "They want to talk to you and Micha.  The dogs are being stupid - can you text Micha?"[/i] 

A chorus of replies floated back down the stairs along with the soft shuffle of feet coming down the stairs.  "People?  From the school? " 

Lorenz Schäfer reached the bottom of the stairs first and extended a hand in greeting to the strangers, followed a few moments later by Hanna. 

Buhr-ruf-ruf-ruf-ruf-ruf

Shirley was first to spot the pair of strangers standing by the side of the road a few doors down and had immediately irrupted into a flurry of high-pitched barking.  Laverne had followed suit immediately, resulting in both long-haired dachshunds scrambling at the end of their leashes to voice their alarm at the strangers. 

Amanda, the middle child of the Schäfer household, made a valiant attempt to quiet both of the dogs - she even tried dangling a piece of chicken jerky in front of their noses.  But there was no winning against the stubbornness of dachshunds.  As the pups continued to yap and jump and clamor over each other, Amanda tried to coax them fruitlessly towards the front door. 

"Sorry.  So sorry," she called towards the strangers.  "They're a bit dumb.  Even for dogs."  Though, admittedly, the two strangers did seem quite the mismatched odd-couple.  Amanda couldn't quite put her finger on what it was (and she liked to think she wasn't one to pass judgement) but they looked peculiar and out of place enough that she couldn't completely blame the dogs for barking. 

Except, they barked at everything. 

With painfully slow progress, Amanda finally managed to wrangle the pups to the front steps and turned, fully expecting the strangers to continue on their way to whatever they had planned. 

Anton's hands started to provide a translation of Tessa's pop culture references but, for a brief moment, the flurry of gestures paused.  Micha's own attention flickered from his bigger brother's hands to the look of uncertainty on Anton's face and finally towards Tessa.  When his gaze finally returned to Anton, his brother quickly prefaced with 'no clue which of this is real or joke but... before he proceeded to finish translating what had come before. 

As long as we don't accidentally stumble into Jurassic Park, Anton relayed to the group for Micha.  I'd definitely end up as raptor chowder.  Micha grinned broadly before turning his attention to the brick wall that had fallen back in place after the previous shoppers had passed through. 

One day, he'd be able to command those bricks out of the way - a thought which was simultaneously daunting and exciting.  Until that day ... well ... Micha stepped up in front of the wall and reached out to touch several of the bricks in sequence.  It was closest to what he remembered from last time but, of course, the bricks wouldn't move - whether or not he'd gotten it right.  His fingers alone weren't magic enough. 

A tap on his shoulder drew Micha's attention to Anton and he, finally, looked towards older boy trailing behind Tessa.  Micha grinned broadly at Jack and waved, lifting up on his tip toes in the hopes of being seen over the edge of the book.  Then, Micha poked eagerly at Anton's shoulders, impatient for him to translate. 

Oh Hufflepuff - my brother ... me ...  Micha saw Anton roll his eyes and point at his own chest.  and his friend have bets on which house I'm going to end up in.  His friend wagers I'll be in Hufflepuff.  Micha continued to sign but noticed Anton had stopped talking.  This was the problem with family acting as aides - they were much more prone to censoring when they didn't agree with Micha.  It drove him crazy.  And was exactly why Micha would have to be sly when teasing Anton about his horrible crush on Tessa.  He'd definitely edit anything obvious.

He kicked Anton's foot and glared at him, repeating his signs with more force.  He ignored his brother's eye roll.  I'll happy to be able to get into any one of them, if that means they let me go. 

You know that feeling of being certain you heard a familiar voice amidst a crowd of chatting people?  You heard it, you're sure it's there but you have to listen really closely to convince yourself.  Then, once you find that person, that voice comes in loud and clear. 

That's what finding the Leaky Cauldron was like for Anton.  He knew it was there but the anti-muggle charms still tried to throw him off.  His eye kept wanting to track to the neighboring building and it wasn't until he really focused that he saw it. 

Of course, Micha just saw it right away.  Lucky kid. 

Anton tapped Micha's shoulder on the sidewalk right outside the pub to get his attention and signed a quick reminder for his younger brother to turn off his cell phone.  With a flicker of regret and uncertainty, Micha nodded and powered down his phone.  Mobiles had become such an unquestionable part of every kid's identity these days - or ... muggle kid's identity, at least ... but for Micha, it was his primary means of communicating with those who couldn't sign.  Anton understood his worry. 

The problem was mum and Micha were constantly feeding off of each other's worry. 

Micha tucked the phone away safely in his pocket before leading the way into the Leaky Cauldron and the magical world beyond.   

---

After patting his pocket to make sure the phone was safe, Micha stepped through the doorway and scanned the interior pub for Tessa.  Tessa, as Micha understood, worked for the Ministry of Magic and Anton had convinced her to be their guide to the magical world.  They'd explored Diagon Alley once back in the spring but Anton had recommended a pre-school return visit. 

Anton spotted the blonde witch before Micha had and, with a slight tug to his shirt sleeve, had pointed Micha in her direction.  Micha grinned at Tessa and then waved shyly at the boy who was with her before turning to Anton who signed a translation.  He grinned and nodded before shrugging, slightly, before waving a flattened palm in a gesture of ambivalence. 

It's back in the alley, Micha signed as Anton translated.  You poke the magic bricks with a wand.  I don't remember which bricks, though.  Micha dropped his hands but his brother seemed to keep talking, despite the fact Micha was done.  Or, where you end up if you hit the wrong bricks.  Is that the way to Narnia? 

Micha glanced down at his phone but, again, gave up trying to follow any of the conversation.  There were too many at once and the phone was transcribing little snippets of each - which was all very confusing.  After the phone started repeating something about vicious monkies Micha gave up and turned back to his own character. 

His pointy-eared Vulcan was casting curious glances towards the female Paladin that was acting ... sporadically at best.  His dusty blue Chief Science Officer uniform (more Next Generation style than the original Star Trek) sported a very generic combadge, despite Micha's desperate attempt to convince Sasha that CBS would have to discover the wizarding world before coming after him for copyright infringement.  Sakkir, the Vulcan, had withdrawn his very tiny scanner from his pocket and was waving it over Fauna's Paladin when Micha's mobile rumbled on the table top. 

Looks like Fauns might need help the text from his brother read. 

Micha glanced over at Anton, caught the nod towards Fauna next to him and the quick wink.  Quickly, Micha set the phone closer to her so the phone's translator app picked up mostly her fussing.  She was leaning over to look at the page of the fuzzy-haired guy sitting on the other side of her. 

As Micha's Science Officer desperately scanned the Paladin who was walking into the bars, Micha shook his head and tapped on the edge of the paper to get her attention. 

Are you going to be more Healer or Tanker? he scribbled on a pad of paper, shifting his phone closer to her.  If you're going to fight mostly, priorities are Strength, Constitution, Charisma, Intelligence.  If healing and magic, Charisma, Intelligence, Strength and Constitution.

Micha wasn't prone to shyness but the friends of one's older brother were always a bit intimidating.  Past encounters often reinforced one's role as kid brother; not the most rewarding role to play.  And, assuming Anton hadn't turned this into one big prank (which wasn't that hard to imagine), everyone else here was like him.  Magical. 

As such, Micha had been careful to not attract attention to himself.  He figured that the more casual his entrance was, the easier it would be to avoid the immediate branding as 'Anton's Kid Brother.' 

He'd managed to sidle into one of the peripheral seats about the time Anton had climbed up onto one of the food tables.  As he watched his brother's hands dance through gestures of what was bound to be an exciting explanation, something warm and fuzzy hopped up into his lap.  In surprise, he looked down at the cat in his lap before glancing around the room to see if anyone was ... well, looking for a cat. 

But, no one seemed bothered so Micha shrugged and grinned down at the cat before bopping it lightly on the nose.  Cat snoots were always so cute. 

"No - no goblins.  I left out creatures that might ... well ... be offended by the game," Print scrolled across Micha's phone as it transcribed the explanation into text as Sasha got up and joined the explanation.  "And, sure you can be a goat.  Or one of the traditional DnD roles-" Micha glanced up to catch Sasha nodding to someone in the group when there was a pause in text.

"You can also pick some more muggle-y roles, if you want to play as a Police officer or Cowboy or Traveling Salesman.  Here ... um ... one sec."  Micha glanced up to watch as Sasha slipped out of the room and returned a few moments later with a large plastic tub.  From the inside, he fished out a folder and the printed pages from inside. 

"Here's a list of what's currently available - feel free to pick something and we'll go from there."

---

The remnants of the food had been consolidated on a side table and the largest of the tables set up in the middle.  The game mat had been unfolded on the middle of the table and the sides had folded and morphed into the stone walls of an underground prison cell.  A miniature, gruff looking figurine was sitting just outside the bars, fondly wiping a wooden club with a dirty rag. 

Sasha leaned over and set his tiny Paladin in the cell before glancing around the table.  Despite (or perhaps because of) the quick introduction to the basic concept of tabletop role playing, this could go well or horribly.  Luckily, magic did help simplify some of the mechanics - they didn't have to worry about explaining how to add bonuses to rolls or how to determine concentration checks for magic users.  That was all worked out between the magic dice and the figurines. 

"Alright - once you'd written your stats on your piece's playing card, go ahead and set your piece somewhere in the cell.  You can make up your character's backstory as we go but the last thing you all remember is having a drink at your local tavern and falling unconscious.  You all awaken in the cell, feeling something akin to a weird hangover."

Sasha's Paladin began pacing the cell, his arms crossed over his chest.  Tiny shivers could barely be seen trembling across his shoulders. 

Your Nickname: Mai
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
Are you over thirteen? Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? RPG Directory
If you have written other characters here: Yes
If Yes, list them all:
Sasha RW Snow
Mairead ó  Fearghail
Tulojow Nagde
Migs Nagde
Anton Schäfer
Deaglan McDonough
Hanna Schäfer
Cinaed Tawse
Elaine Bellamy
Bran Byddir

Is this a Primary or Secondary Character?: Primary

Full Character Name: Micha Jurgen Schäfer
Character Birthday & Age: May 1st - 10 years of age
City & Country of Birth: London, UK
Blood Purity: Halfblood
Alma Mater: N/A
Job/Position: Middle School Student

Wand: N/A - hasn't been obtained, yet

Physical Description:
Much to Micha's relief, even at 10 years of age, it was already clear he was taking after his father in the vertical department.  He was even the second tallest in his class - well, second tallest boy in his class.  The girls all seemed to be speeding past them in the height department and, even if his mum insisted that was normal and he and his mates would catch up, Micha was a bit impatient about the matter.  He couldn't wait to be tall - being tall had so many advantages. 

Truth be told, Micha is of the opinion that he very much takes after his father in many different ways.  People tended to overlook those similarities, on account of his father being whiter than a sheep in a snowstorm.  That was what people tended to notice first.  But, despite his obviously darker tone, Micha definitely thought he'd inherited his dad's bean stalky, gangly physique and quirky smile.   Not to mention his dimples and prominent ear lobes.  The brown eyes and curly dark hair, though, definitely came straight from him mum. 

Micha's mum jokes that he's her easiest child to shop for with his fashion style of choice falls squarely in the 'casual utilitarian' category.  When not wearing pajamas or school uniforms, jeans with t-shirts or sweats or active wear predominant his wardrobe.  He was a broad array of trainers, athletic shoes and boots with pairs for practically any activity. 

Personality Description:
There's a ongoing-running family joke that personalities in the Schäfer household are a sex-linked genetic trait.  While his sister takes after their mum in seriousness and academic talents, the boys seemed to have inherited their father's easy going personality and sense of humor.  Of course, that doesn't completely work, given Anton and Amanda had a different mum.  But, at the end of the day, it was an paradigm that worked. 

Micha is outgoing, good-humored and prefers to seek friendships rather than conflict, though not nearly as impulsive as his older brother.  Nor is he anywhere near as nerdy - not that he has anything against nerdiness.  He likes the occasional action-adventure, hero movie and has nothing against playing video games for an hour or two when there's nothing else to do.  But, his personal interests lean much more towards being outside and active or exploring.  He loves to kayak, play sports or hike but rock climbing is one of his favorite past times.  If he's not playing football or rugby with mates after school, Micha can often be found kicking back at the rock wall gym. 

His academic performance can generally be described as 'fair-weather.'  He has the potential to excel at anything he sets his mind to, as his mum is always reminding him, but he wouldn't say he meets every class with the same degree of motivation.  Maths and literature are definitely his better subjects; science and history fall squarely in the 'do enough to not fail' category.  Except when it came to dinosaurs - since he was a young kid, Micha has always had a thing for dinosaurs.  Not that that will matter much in a few months, after Micha starts at his new school.  Apparently, they have all different classes there - like brewing potions and playing with weird animals. 

Though Micha has known about his magical abilities for over a year, it still very much feels like an abstract concept.  Like having wisdom teeth.  He knows they are there.  He knows that not everyone has them but he hasn't used them, yet.  His mum tries to hide her worries but she's never managed to do a very good job of it.  His older brother clearly tries to hide his jealousy but, again, he's been pretty rubbish with it.  As a result, Micha doesn't know what to make of the whole thing - and he's not sure how easy it'll be to fit in.   

History:
Until a year ago, if someone had asked Micha to explain his life, he would have shrugged and said it was just pretty normal.  He was born on his birthday to his mum and dad.  Presumably, he crawled and ran around the house doing the typical baby and toddler things until he started going to school.  Then, he went to school when it was term and played with mates, went out to do fun things at their vacation home during the holidays or did sports.  Holidays.  Birthday presents.  Sibling rivalries and shenanigans.  Getting excited for World Cups and then pretending not to care when your team got bumped out way earlier than they should have. 

Sure, there were some not-like-everyone-else details along the way.  Like, Micha's mum wasn't really his brother and sister's mum.  Theirs died in a car crash when they were both really young; Micha's mum was his dad's second wife.  Especially when he was younger, Micha would occasionally worry that that would make it weird, especially after watching some particular movie or sitcom.  But, there had never been any reason to worry.  Their family had always worked and felt like a proper family - more so, it seemed, then some of his mates whose parents always fought or were divorced or should have been divorced. 

There was also the whole being a premie bit.   The story, apparently, involved his mum getting sick late in pregnancy and induced labor and Micha being on a ventilator for a month or so.  Of course, Micha couldn't remember any of this and it would have fallen to the wayside as 'amusing life factoids' if it hadn't been for the hearing loss.  But, being deaf had never gotten in Micha's way.  Reading lips wasn't that difficult, unless the person tended to slur or had a thick, lip-deforming accent.  Though his school-assigned aid during grade school had been a bit of a mar on his social life, his aid in middle school was a hip, young bloke who had blended in better with his mates. 

All in all, until a year ago, life seemed by and large normal.  But, then, a year ago ... well, a year ago, Micha had been clamboring over some steep rocks near their vacation home when he'd lost his grip and started falling.  A moment before his head was about the connect with a jagged rock just submerged in the lake water below, he'd ... stopped falling.  He'd simply hovered in thin air, staring up at the clear blue sky above until he'd shifted to the side and completed his fall into the harmless, yet cold water. 

He'd expected his mum to dismiss his story as 'fanciful' when he returned dripping wet but, instead, she'd explained to him that her parents - her real parents, she had been adopted - had been witches and wizards.  While she couldn't do magic, Micha must have inherited their ability.  She'd explained the same to Anton, Amanda and their dad but had also explained that it was best - and safer - not to let people know.  Like his mum's parents - whom Micha had never met - he could do things others couldn't do, though it was probably best he didn't.  Those that could do magic lived in a different world and the worlds never crossed paths.  Her real parents had sent her away when they discovered she couldn't do magic.  She didn't want her birth parents learning that she'd had a son who was capable of magic, just in case they thought it was best he be raised by those who could do magic. 

So, they kept it mostly quiet over the last year.  At least until Anton came home one day and told Micha, very excitedly, that he'd met some other wizards.  Anton told Micha - and their mum - that Micha would probably get accepted to some magical school and would learn to use his magic.  It was clear that mum didn't entirely buy Anton's story - he was, after all, a little prone to excited exaggeration - but it was also clear that she was trying to hide her anxiousness from Micha and the rest of the family.  Micha hoped Anton's story wasn't just excited exaggeration - Anton had been trying to convince their mum to let Anton take Micha to meet some of these witches and wizards. 

Describe your job duties and how you go about them:
Go to school.  Climb rocks.  Play football or Rugby.  Goof off with mates.  Ride bikes.  Hike.  Swim.  Revise, when there's time.  Pray, last minute, the night before exams.  Rewatch Jurassic Park, again. 

Elaborate on your expertise in your field:
Micha is absolutely at the top of his field.   Well...on the kid part.  Being a student is a little more hit and miss.

Writing Sample:
N/A

Sum up your character in one paragraph:
Easy going, friendly and with a good sense of humor, Micha is the youngest in a family of five.  Though the first nine years of his life seemed mostly normal (mixed family and being born deaf, aside), he's recently discovered that he's a wizard, thanks to his mum's family.  He still hasn't had a lot of experience with the magical world but he's cautiously eager about exploring it.