#aurstory

[malfattifortuna]

There is something off about that Professor Harold guy... everyone tells me he's just some lonely old grump, but personally, mans seems kinda diabolical. (I also flipped the coin, and you guessed it, it agrees)

[malfattifortuna]

From Catacombs to Cappuccinos: The End (for Now)

And just like that… the catacombs are closed, the book’s gone, and somehow, we’re all still standing (barely).

Who would’ve guessed our cursed little scavenger hunt would lead to actual magic, a half-mad professor’s redemption arc, and me—Lucky Fortuna—finally being taken seriously. (Okay, semi seriously.)

To the crew: thanks for trusting me even when I led us down the wrong corridor—twice. To Iris: we’ve got a long road, but I see you trying. To Professor H: still side-eyeing you, but Nonna’s forgiven you, so I guess I can too. Just don’t make me cry at Archi’s, I swear.

The book may be ash, but the bonds? Solid. What started as a wild goose chase became something way bigger—our first real adventure. I’ve got a feeling it won’t be the last.

To everyone who followed the chaos: grazie. You made this ride even better.

Until next time (and there will be a next time),

— Lucky

Still flipping that coin. Still chasing secrets.

[aurstorytelling]

And just like that, our story came to an ending. You can look at it and consider it a happy ending, but don’t be too fooled by it: there is still a lot of work to be done. Professor Harold came to his senses and apologised to the students, but he will need to regain their trust after all of these games and tricks. Iris understood how much her actions hurt the others and vowed to never betray them again. The rest of the students soon came out of the shock of being stuck in the catacombs and finding an ancient magical relic. In the end, everyone agreed that such a book is too dangerous to be left in the world, so they decided to burn it.

The students can now look back at this adventure as the first one, just the beginning of their story. The bonds they created will be there for a long time, even with the professor and Nonna Angela. Speaking of them, they started having daily coffee in the mornings at Archi’s and sharing memories with one another. Who would have thought they would become friends?

Thank you to all that played and followed our story, we are grateful to have such a lovely community while doing our first transmedia project!

[aurstorytelling]

Professor Harold wasn’t always this grumpy, mean, borderline evil man. Once, his heart was full of love for his beloved wife, Mirabella. They would go on picnic dates during the hot afternoons of summer, drink hot tea and read history books when the rain would force them to isolate from the outside world, and have a peaceful and normal life for almost 30 wonderful years. But nothing can last forever, not even happiness.

When Mirabella died, so did a part of Harold, the part that made him look at the world and see its beauty. Ever since then, he became obsessed with folklore tales and ancient myths talking about rituals and artefacts that could bring back the dead. For two long years he only spiralled further down the rabbit hole but to no avail. That’s until our main characters came to study at AUR and he learned of a mysterious book called ‘The Book of Knowledge’ that would give him back what he lost. So he started skimming and planning an intricate plan to get his hands on the book, making 8 innocent students do the dirty work. But this time he would not do it alone.

It was such a fantastic coincidence that one of his students, Iris, was failing his class and was begging for some extra credit, willing to do anything to pass the class. He manipulated her into being his helper, and the two were on their way to uncovering the secrets of the catacombs.

[malfattifortuna]

🕳️✨ Today’s Mood: Entering the catacombs like absolute fools.

Update from the land of questionable life choices: We found the entrance. (It smelled like "regret" and "ancient pizza.") 🍕💀

Nonna begged us not to go. Phil tripped on the first step. Farren put together pieces of a map. Minerva is stress-solving puzzles at light speed. Caleb is pocketing rocks "for his mosaic project" (??). I flipped my lucky coin and, shocker, it said GO FOR IT. 🪙😇

The air is super weird down here. Like... heavy. Old. Like the walls have secrets they’re dying to tell. I swear I heard whispering, but it might’ve been my stomach. (Note to self: do not enter ancient underground labyrinths hungry.)

First Impressions: ✅ Dark ✅ Dusty ✅ Definitely haunted ✅ 0/10 recommended for claustrophobics

If you don’t hear from me in a few hours... send snacks and maybe a priest. 🙃

(PS: Found some weird markings already. Might post later if we survive.)

#BookOfKnowledge #AURSecrets #NotAFraidYoureAfraid #LuckyStrikesAgain

[malfattifortuna]

📍UPDATE: Apparently… I found a MAP. Because obviously the janitor’s office is where ancient mysteries go to chill. 😳🧹🗺️

Behind the world’s oldest mop and a poster from 2009, there it was—framed and half-hidden like someone wanted it to be found eventually. And it’s not just any map. Not of campus, not of Rome. Farren thinks it’s tied to something deeper—like underground deeper. She swears she saw this exact thing in a book somewhere. Minerva says that’s “logically improbable.” Meanwhile, I’m wondering why there are tiny wolf symbols and what looks like a trapdoor drawn on it.

🌀First piece = found. But there are more out there.

And HUGE shoutout to the first five puzzle-solvers who already cracked the riddle under the stairs and claimed their HomeBaked reward—y’all are legends. 👑☕️ For everyone else, the puzzle’s still live if you want in on the mystery. Just no more free cappuccinos (for now…).

📚 Word on the street is Farren’s heading to the library next. If that map is part of something bigger, that’s probably where we’ll find answers—or at least more confusing riddles. Stay tuned.

-Lucky 🍀

SomethingIsBeneathUs #JanitorOfficeLore #MapDrop #WhatEvenIsThis

[aurstorytelling]

From April 15–May 2, something strange is happening at AUR. A cryptic message. Hidden secrets. Clues scattered across campus, blogs, and social media. This is a live interactive mystery created by students in the Transmedia Storytelling class at The American University of Rome. Follow along. Solve the clues. Win prizes. ☕ Free coffee & lunch at Homebaked 🎁 Amazon gift card 🔥 More to come Are you ready to join the game?

[kpalana4]

And just like that, campus grows quiet. Spring break began the moment I let my last class out running and screaming. Actually, they seemed happy enough. My candle has been burning at both ends lately with my art business, teaching at the university, and being available for my online students. Today I taught FOUR instead of my usual three Tuesday/Thursday courses which makes me a bit punch drunk now that it's 5PM.

It's also strange to be back in Italy after eight years in Asia and Africa. I really did not expect to ever live in Rome again so the whole thing has a deja vu quality.

One thing that surprised me is that finally the AUR campus is about to expand. I hope they will give us faculty the tour... especially the secret underground bits. OK. I know it's just a rumor amongst the students, but a little birdie on the faculty and another staff member said there IS something to it. I'll have to dig a bit deeper. Maybe treat some of my peeps to a coffee.

Well, I'm excited to hear about all the cool places my students will travel to during their spring break. Can't say I'm not a little jealous. Me? I can't wait to be a FULL TIME artist for 11 whole days. Pure bliss. A dopo!