#alioth saga

[nevermoorpolls]

Of the known members of the Hollowpox Task Force, who do you think deserves the longest nap after Everything That Happened?

Jupiter North

Holliday Wu

Alioth Saga

Sofia

Valerie Bramble

Malcom Lutwyche

Inspector Rivers

Voting ended onJun 15

[yoursassybookwormfriend]

        Hey I’m back with Day 6: the Wundrous Society. It’s a bit late, but the spirit of Mogtober isn’t in deadlines!

        “We are the new Elders of the Age,” Elder Quinn declared, “We must govern the Society as well as we can. Learn from our predecessors. We must raise the Society up, improve it, make it better than before. We have a great responsibility, to be the Elders that our members can count on-” 

        “The point?” asked Elder Saga in his deep voice. He sat back in his chair, his arms crossed. Elder Wong sat beside him, trying to be more polite with his boredom, pretending to be pleasantly curious, though really, he couldn’t agree more with Saga. Elder Quinn had insisted they have a meeting as soon as they were elected, though it was delayed until after the mandatory Elder’s briefing, where they learned only the most closely guarded secrets of Wunsoc. 

        Nonetheless, Quinn was determined to hold their meeting as soon as possible, and that meant sitting in the Elder’s Hall at half past midnight, listening to yet another inspiring speech from Quinn. It was late, and Wong wanted to sleep. Truly, it was really starting to seem to Elder Wong that Elder Quinn’s speeches were going to be a regular thing. Oh great, thought Elder Wong. More speeches. 

        “The point, Saga, is that we have duties,” Quinn continued. She paced along the edge of their combined desk as she spoke, ignoring the hulking statues that, to anyone else, were mere curiosities. Only the Elders ever got to know what they really were, a secret so powerful that only the Elders and the Scholar Mistresses knew. Wong shivered at the thought of the hidden secrets of the figures. He didn’t quite want to think about what they meant for Nevermoor, for all of the Unnamed Realm. 

        “With all due respect,” huffed Saga. “I know that we have duties, you don’t have to say it,” 

        Elder Quinn shot him a withering look. “What I meant to say is that we have important duties. Ones we must complete right away. If we do, there will be less uncertainty, therefore Wunsoc will be stronger. These decisions cannot wait.” 

        “What decisions do you wish to make?” asked Elder Wong, looking at the clock on the wall. 12:38. 

        “As you well know, each member of the Wundrous Society is important, and each individual makes our organization that much better or worse.” Quinn stopped pacing for a moment to inspect the great turquoise statue of a blindfolded man. 

        “Of course,” grunted Elder Saga. “They elected us. They have the power to impeach us.” 

        “They protect the citizens of the Free State and keep them happy and healthy,” added Wong. 

        “Precisely.” Quinn agreed. “Then you know that with each year we add nine brave new students, who can make or break the Society?” The Elders nodded. “We, as Elders, now must decide the Trials for the next year, and the years afterwards.” 

        “Ah.” Wong nodded sagely. “So this is what you called us here for. The Trials are very soon. What changes are you thinking about making?” 

        “I want to change all of the tasks.” stated Quinn. “The qualities they encourage are not the ones I deem important, and the patrons know the strategies.” 

        “I agree.” said Wong. “The Knowledge Trial was unfair, and never did what it was supposed to. The children with the most knowledge are not always the kids that are eager to learn.” 

        Quinn smiled. “I’m glad you think that way, Helix. I also believe that the Money Trial should be taken away. It appears to me that it only cultivates the love of money, not the planning and problem-solving that we want. Furthermore, the Race Trial worked somewhat, but I believe we should tweak it so that it doesn’t only favor the athletic.” 

        “But what should we replace them with?” asked Saga. “I vote for some sort of honesty Trial. Lies only lead to devastation.” 

        “Book Trial it is.” Elder Quinn concluded. “We shall have a book that asks the candidate the usual three questions. Why do you want to join, what is your greatest fear, how you will overcome it. Good?” Saga stomped his hoof in agreement. 

        “If I may,” interrupted Wong. “You want a trial like the Race Trial that favors strategy and problem-solving? What if we made it the Chase Trial? We already did it a few Ages ago.” 

        “Brilliant!” said Elder Quinn. “Now we have one space for my suggestion. Now I know this might seem drastic, but I want a trial that tests the candidates. I want to make sure that they are strong, that they can face terrible things, look horror in the eye, no matter how scared they are. I want scholars that persevere, who are willing to do the vital work of the Wundrous Society.” 

        “What do you suggest?” asked Saga, frowning. “Surely it can’t be that bad,” 

        “What I’m suggesting is a previously banned trial. It was banned for good reason, but I think the benefits outweigh the cost.” she paused. 

        “Go on,” urged Wong.

        “I want to bring back the Fright Trial,”