Matias’s A Study of Relics [Windermere]

August 13, 2025

Date: 2025-08-12 13:02

(Matias’s A Study of Relics [Windermere])

[Tue Aug 12 2025]

A Musty Basement Seminar Room/span
The Plymouth Seminar Room occupies a windowless corner of the basement, its
low ceiling supported by exposed pipes that occasionally emit soft clicking
sounds as they expand and contract. Fluorescent lights cast an uneven glow
across rows of wooden chairs with attached writing tablets, their surfaces
marked by decades of student use. The walls, painted institutional beige,
display water stains near the corners where moisture has seeped through the
foundation. A heavy wooden table sits at the front of the room, its dark
surface reflecting the overhead lights in distorted patterns. The air carries
a persistent mustiness despite the ventilation grates set into the walls, and
the temperature remains several degrees cooler than the floors above. Cork
boards line one wall, their surfaces dotted with faded announcements and
peculiar symbols drawn in chalk that seem to shift slightly in peripheral
vision. The door, reinforced with a small wire-glass window, closes with a
weight that suggests its age and the settling of the building around it./span
It is about 75F(23C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At Carnation and Lake/span

Justine frowns, looking around as if she sniffed something out, like an emotional fart but can’t quite place it.

Jenny perks up just abit, as she pulls out her notebook starting to write down something in it

A voice rings from the back of the classroom, where Arachne has inserted themselves behind Hester, taking on a pretentious, brown-nosing accent to pitch their voice over toward Matias, “Relics are old manifestations of power with origins that are as vast as the mythos that surround them, themselves. They’re forged from the bones of greater demons, bargains with demons, bad deals with fae, strange and crazy torture and research, and all manner of means.!”

Kai loops his arm around Sophie’s shoulders and gives a little wave to Noel when he spots the fellow, he looks to the front of the class and then over his shoulder at someone, rolling his eyes a bit at her before he faces forward again.

Kai loops his arm around Sophie’s shoulders and gives a little wave to Noel when he spots the fellow, he looks to the front of the class and then over his shoulder at Hester, rolling his eyes a bit at her before he faces forward again.

Justine pushes off the wall, deciding to find a place to sit after all

Ekaterina shakes her head. “I am security. I step in to learn of relic.” the brunette mentions to Matias, rhotic accent thick.

Hester startles when her seat at the back is apparently occupied, practically jumping out of the spot. “What the??” she squints at the seemingly empty chair, but moves to another one altogether, still in the back row. This time, she pats the seat first before sitting, lest she accidentally squash a dwarf or something.

With his usual bare feet softly tiptoeing into the classroom, Noel smiles a bright and equally polite smile to the class, waving his hands to the students, specifically twiddling his fingers at Kai and blowing him a kiss, complete with a wink of those pretty blond lashes. “Bonjour, class! I will join you all shortly, I only need to pass an item to Professor Matias!” he insists, chirping pleasantly and then side-stepping to interrupt the lecture by approaching Matias at the chalkboard. “Here, you requested this, non?

Matias looks away from Ekaterina for the time being and goes to write on the board, MAGICAL / HIGHER POWER, “Correct Miss Flanagan.” because who is going to be that discerning about answers from the back of the room. “Relics are normally a result of a higher power either created by them, created from them, or the knowledge is traded for from them. This is not always the case but it is often the case. It is also true that the majority of relics are old, but not all. Relics can be created fairly recently.” and turning back to Ekaterina, “My lessons are normally not open to the public unless you are a student or faculty. Windermere has their own security so we certainly do not need Temple security. You may stay for this lesson, but if you try to attend any of my future lectures I recommend you get an invitation or enroll.” he says bluntly with a disapproving look at the sit in. There is a look around the room and then Noel as he approaches, “Hm? What did I ask for?”

Kai lets out a loud, “Uh huh huh huh,” imitation of a French laugh that isn’t particularly good, once Noel’s attention is more on Matias.

Justine gives a ‘what the fuck’ look to someone, then ducks down to check under the chairs.

Justine gives a ‘what the fuck’ look to Hester, then ducks down to check under the chairs.

Raising a brow, Ekaterina offers up a shrug. “Is joke.”

Apparently having not thought Matias would accept that, she responds easily before settling in. “I a faculty. Physical education, da.”

Nemi nods softly as she starts immediately taking notes in her notebook with a smile, not turning head as she hears someone speak from behind as she still focuses on Matias with a soft smile.

“Oh yeah? Where’s your whistle?” Kai heckles Ekaterina.

Matias looks down at something balled up in his palm and then tucks it into his pocket seeming at a loss for words for a few moments before he recalls he has students look at them all some of them are even taking notes. Shaking his head he looks back at Ekaterina and seems skeptical, “I do not recognize you, but we can speak after class if you are faculty.” and then to the rest of the room. “Alright so we have established relics are normally old and often associated with higher powers, some but not all. Can anyone give me an example of a relic? Perhaps something from myth an item renowned for its power and origin?”

Kai shoots his hand straight up into the air, “Yes sir! For example, a little athame, that’s like a ritual dagger, that steals the lifeforce of those it cuts. Which I happen to know about and if anyone’s interested, I’m willing to sell that knowledge after class,” he waggles his brows and drops his hand.

“You must have forgotten, silly man,” Noel tells Matias as he trails away from the chalkboard, hips swaying subtly as he makes his way up the tiered seating and drops down beside Kai in a separate chair, crossing his left leg over his right and observing the class quietly with a smile.

“Excalibur?” Justine shouts from the back rows, meanwhile walking from chair to char to turn them up.

“Why would I wear whistle to lesson not in gym.” Ekaterina snorts, ending that interaction with Kai before it can continue. Matias is given a nod by way of answer, not vocally interupting the professor’s lecture any more than needs be.

Nemi hums, leaning back and thinking for a moment as she also puts a few things out there. “I mean- Maybe an obvious one but- Pandora’s box? Or possibly as well The Golden Fleece Heracles obtained-…”

Hester doesn’t have much to contribute to the lecture, neither does she have much enthusiasm today. Whatever disturbances go on in the back row just get her lethargically blinking at the seats before turning back to the board, listening to Matias and the voices of others that volunteer thoughts and answers here and there. She rubs drowsily at an eye and brings out her notebook, jotting stuff down. Usual shit.

Late, naturally, August wanders in with his usual, casual ease past the tiered seats. He initially veers into the middle rows, but before he sets his bag down, it looks like he’s struck by a desire to not do that at all, and he ascends higher to usurp one of the seats at the far back. Drop his duffle with a thud, and retrieve a notebook from ti to throw it onto his desk he settles into afterwards to attend the lecture.

“August,” Noel greets August as he enters the classroom, those hazel eyes trailing towards his deep greens with a faint smile on his face, as though unsure of himself and his greeting. “If you want bonus points, you may want to raise your hand and say Solomon’s Needle, to pretend you were here the entire time,” offers the petite Frenchie in that softly seductive accent, the devil in his eyes despite all of the hesitance he shows, an incubus through and through even if his blood is diluted. He hums, then twiddles his thumbs in the Pierce’s direction after his helpful little hint, before turning his gaze back to the teacher at the front.

“Ah I see that Ashford asked for this class to pawn his relic research. Well by all means mister Ashford.” Matias says in a dry and disapproving baritone while writing EXCALIBUR on the board and then PANDORAS BOX and GOLDEN FLEECE. “Alright thank you class… These are good. So these are mytholigical items, relics so great and powerful they have come through history they do not need to be researched they are part of our folklore. Pandora’s Box holds all the terrors and woes of the world and hope. It was created to hold them. Excalibur is attributed many mystical qualities but more importantly it gives the Divine right to rule to whomever holds it rightfully… Finally the Golden Fleece which was renowned for its quality and links to rule.” there is a pause then as he continues, “Less well known artifacts like the one Ashford describes essentially are magically charged items which supercede the normal limitations of bloodlines, magic, or physicality. You might have a knife which drains the life essence of those it hits which would enable you to cast rituals by bleeding someone a type of ritual casting that is restricted to the conclaves ritualists as a hidden art. There are other relics that might provide the ability to perform sorcery to those without the innate power or knowledge to do so. Yet other relics might give superhuman strength and enable you to throw them only to return to your hand but the trade is you cannot use modern weapons like guns or your mancing does not function while attuned to the relic. There are very few rules with relics and there are hundreds or not thousands that have been lost to history but can be rediscovered… So any questions about the basic of relics so far?”

Sophie listens and leans on Kai, legs crossed at the knees. She looks around, for anyone with questions and just to generally see the room as she lets her gaze flit back to Matias.

Matias looks up at the back of the room and spies Lorelei with a quiet *tut* , “It seems we have quite a bit of external interest in relics as well.”

“No professor, I really wanted to learn because I’m getting into the relic business is all,” Kai protests and raises his hand afterward, “Also, I would think something like Pandora’s Box would be an artifact right? Or maybe not. I don’t really know the difference between artifacts and relics, probably,” he calls, “Can you explain?”

Matias scowls a bit longer at the back of the room and shifts his attention to Kai and then confirms, “Relics and Artifacts are different but they overlap. Mostly it is the source by which they are obtained and how they are powered… One is a short term activation in which the user supplies a jolt of life essence to gain the benefits. Whereas relics tend to be activated for quite awhile and need to be re-energized via more abstract methods.” he writes off to the side ARTIFACTS and puts a line between RELIC and ARTIFACT. “Now the primary and most well known source of relics are prior cities in-between. That means accessing them required delving into these forgotten cities with all the risks associated. All of them are some varying level of dangerous and the deeper they are the less moored to reality they tend to be and the more metaphysical it can get. So relics need to be researched in most cases. They are almost always in a former city in-between waiting to be taken. They are not Artifacts but are similar. They are not always powered by life essence but something abstract in most cases and they can be active for months at a time.” he writes some of this down as bullet points. “They tend to ignore normal limitations on bloodline, training, or physical prowess when they are used. They can have both benefits and restrictions such as an inability to use your Mancing while using it or inability to use firearms because of the aura of the relic… Any questions beyond the basics?”

Kai makes a small o with his mouth and nods a couple of times at Matias in understanding, he slouches down a bit, keeping his arm around Sophie’s shoulders and leans over against her as he listens, hazel eyes bright with interest.

Arachne raises a hand high from the back of the class. “Professor Alejandro, I have a question, and some points for clarification, if you don’t mind?”

“If you have something to correct than by all means.” Matias says after a pause and a long look at Arachne before stepping aside from the board and making a ‘go on’ gesture as he stands to the side. “What is your question?”

Arachne clears her throat lightly and readjusts herself in her seat, sitting up to allow her squeaky little voice be heard clearly from all the way in the back of the classroom. “You mentioned that delving into the former Cities In Between were the only way to attempt to find a relic, but I wanted to point out that it isn’t the only way. Visits to the Other, Godrealm, and Hell itself can offer the same chances, which is important for us to know, right? We don’t want to be shoehorned into one attempt when, often times, these relics probably aren’t going to be horded into El Dorado.” A beat, before leaning back. “Are there going to be examples of relics that you teach to the class as a show on what is out there? Or are we purely hypothetical?”

Nemi turns her head to look at Arachne as she hums softly, curious as to the question after she finishes her notes.

Perhaps bored with his company, or maybe going where the gossip is, Noel lifts up from his seat beside Kai and trails towards the back, finding an empty chair and listening in without speaking. His slender right leg drapes itself over the shapely left, and he remains upright in his chair, shoulders ever squared, chin ever in the air, those pretty golden lashes blinking slowly as he watches Matias from afar now, rather than his prior position.

Lorelei drags her pink nails against her bruised midriff, cringing protectively as she huffs softly and decides not to poke at it. She has the grace to tuck her flip phone away in her bra and pay full attention.

Kai perks up a bit, his gaze ticking between Matias and Arachne as the latter starts to speak, he looks to Matias, brows lifting a bit as he tilts his head.

Matias sighs quietly and corrects Arachne, “I said the primary and most well known source of relics are prior cities in-between and the means of accessing them requires delving. I did not exclude other options.” and then to the question, “Unfortunately Windermere does not keep relics on hand, but if you happen to have one you would like to display for the class we will have to keep to the hypothetical and the one which Mister Ashford is trying to sell the location of.”

Lorelei makes a clatter of sound as she drops a notepad, bending down to pick it up and spilling her flip-phone out of her bra with another flurry of commotion and a scrabble of long nails on the floor to scoop everything up.

Kai turns in his seat, puts his index finger to his lips and lets out his best Karen shhhhhh to Lorelei before turning back to the front.

Hester spares a weary look over the new people taken up space in the back row. A faint grunt leaves her when earlier curiosities are sated, whether it be of lesson or of other. Her writing hand just keeps going, adding more information to pages of her notebook. Something on her phone is checked for the briefest moment, but she just tucks it back away and scratches at her nose, listening to what all’s being discussed for class.

Arachne returns her chin to its rest in her palm, a shoulder rising and falling in light shrug toward Matias. “I apologize, professor. Perhaps I may have misheard you and worried it was missed,” she replies demurely, before offering, “If students are interested at the end, I’d be willing to demonstrate something if there’s time for it, with your permission.”

“Our ‘auditors’ is correct. Relics can be found outside of places inbetween, this where be where your research to find the lore and resting place of the relic will resolve any question of where to look.” Matias turns back to the board and writes ANGELIC SPEAR, SHIFTERS COLLAR, and SORCERORS FLASK. “Examples of relics that are likely to exist based on thematic elements of folklore… A spear which can be thrown any distance, returns to ones hand, provided the ability to leap long distances almost akin to flight, and probably some form of fiery enchantment at the loss of being able to use any other weapon or modern tools. A collar which allows the wearer to attune to one or more animal forms, mythological or otherwise, but they are unable to use Battle Mancing, Warding, or other supernatural combat abilities. The mythological forms which they can attune can be of incredibly large or small sizes. Finally the sorcerors flask. Giving the ability to use energetic attacks such as flame, ice, lightning, or void magic. At the expense of being unable to wear any mundane armor and having to rely solely on supernatural defenses.” and then he goes over to ARTIFACTS. “Since it was raised normally artifacts can be created by regular supernatural with the right facilities and talents. They have a much more narrow set of things they can do normally improving the wearers abilities for a short time, often obeying restrictions such as affinity for fire magic going to angelborn will hold true when using an artifact but not always with a relic.” and then checking his watch he looks over the class. “Now if there are no pressing questions I am sure everyone wants to see a -real- relic and our auditor has offered to show it. So questions or shall we invite our auditor down to demonstrate?”

“Demonstration!” Kai calls out in encouragement to Arachne and Matias.

“Professor,” August begins to stand up from his seat, hand on the lid of his laptop to slowly push it shut and it’s near-silent whirring stops. That look in his eyes, however, it first skips across towards the students lodged in the backrow seats, then the rest in their travel to gaze up at the board. At Matias, specifically. It’s the usual stoic distance etched into his expression with which he speaks, “I think our auditor, and alma mater, misspoke in her request to offer a demonstration, and it wouldn’t be right of us to force their hand under a pretense like social etiquette to show what, if any, relic they have. These things are aces in someone’s sleeve, sometimes their bread and butter, and hiding what they are is winning half the battle. Personally, I’m against for anyone to have access to this information without any form of equivalent exchange.”

Just to be seen, he steps outside of his desk to stand next to it, keeps a hand drifting the edge of his fingers on it when he moves to his next position, and continues, all with that cumbersome look in his eyes, the natural Pierce stare of a caustic gleam and demeaning vigor, “This is your lecture, and as the person on stage, I think it should be your wisdom that we take advantage of as students of Windermere. You’ve spoken of old, mythical examples that even children have heard of in limericks or stories, and none whatsoever beside plausible ones as opposed to what is actually out there. If you don’t have a relic of your own, or a display that you yourself can show,” August pauses, hangs his words for half a breath before tipping a brow and speaking again, “What are we doing here listening to you?”

“I do not know Mister Pierce, you are free to leave and find someone with a relic to speak with?” Matias says with a simple shrug before turning back to the board and proceeding. “So no demonstration, but we appreciate the attendance.” and steps to the side of the RELICS and ARTIFACTS. “So with so little known about relics the most important thing is researching them. I personally recommend the Endless Library for research and not the Windermere library. Factions and Societies often have access to their own troves of knowledge and certainly if you are looking for a relic that is particularly Fae or Vampiric you might seek the aid of the Illusium Court or maybe the Hand. If you are looking for something which neutralizes supernaturals perhaps the Temple or Vigil. Access to these troves of knowledge are normally obtained via favor both abstract and the actual exchange of favors.”

Noel rises to his feet almost immediately as August poses his final question, a stern and yet stoic expression on his usually cheerful features. He turns towards the Pierce then, addressing the student in a firm tone and saying, albeit politely, “Monsieur Pierce.” He clasps his fingers together before his waist, intertwining them as though he might bow, but he does not- he remains straight-backed and square shouldered, continuing. “Though I agree that Professor Matias might be unreasonable in requesting that this person show off any relics they may have, it was not a demand, and she is perfectly capable of saying ‘non’, might we agree?” he asks, his hazel eyes sharpening somewhat. “But what you will not do is disrespect your educators in the comfort of their own class and demean them with questions that quite obviously are intended to cause embarrassment. If you do non like his approach to teaching, I may suggest you do non show, or at the very least, remain quiet.

“If any student wishes to organize an expedition. I would be happy to research a relic for such a field trip. The only requirement being once you obtain the relic that we catalogue its abilities and lore in the Windermere archives and Endless library. You would be free to keep it thereafter.” Matias adds and then looks back to Noel and makes a ‘there you go motion’ to the man. “I have nothing to add to his critique. If anyone does want to organize an expedition and use me as your researcher and you are a -student- please reach out to me after class.”

Leaning against the back wall, Lorelei draws in a soft yet theatrically carrying gasp at the sharp turn the exchange has taken, blue-green eyes flicking between the speaker and the board. Arms fold loosely under her chest, posture relaxed but intent, the faintest curl at the corner of her mouth betraying a exaggerated faux intrigue and disbelief as the room absorbs the sting of the words.

There is a subtle twitch to the corner of August’s mouth. Is that a smile? Hard to tell with the way he still stares, but after a simple dip of his head and as Matias continues, he simply returns to his seat to pull up his laptop. Or he would. He stops, mid-motion, and that look slowly turns upon Noel. “I am the Student Council President, the representative of the students of Windermere. It is wholly and perfectly within my right when any educator veers off-course or does something that approaches a topic that threatens to border civil rights, such as privacy. I’m perfectly cordial in the manner I offer my words,” Another one of those pauses, and this time, he does actually smile. Something wan and distant and completely enhancing the inherent cruelty by nature that’s lain within those muted green eyes in their contrast, because they don’t show a shred of amusement. “If I were scathing or meant to ridicule, I would do exactly that. I don’t make exceptions.” Then, something else, while he slides into his seat — in perfect, complete french, offered quieter without looking but meant for Noel.

“One hopes the Student Body president would hold some meetings and create some campus activities inbetween critiquing the professors, but we live in hope Mister Pierce.” Matias adds at the end before checking his watch. “Six minutes. Any questions before the end of class?”

“And I can hope that at least one educator could make a lecture that manages to draw my interest long enough to hold a proper, intellectual argument, but it seems we’ll both be disappointed.” August answers flatly from his taken seat again. He doesn’t say anything else towards Noel either, after what he’s said hushedly. Only organizes and folds the piles of paper he’s stacked to tuck them into his bag, his laptop following suit.

Justine appears annoyed by the direction which this lecture has taken. She pushes up from her seat, making her way to the exit. “Thanks for hijacking and wasting people

Arachne doesn’t bother lifting her head from where she sits in the back, legs crossed and sunglasses hiding her eyes, but her voice carries just enough for all to hear when the lull between words allows it. “The art of the right time and place seems to be lost on many students, and there is a way of making a point without turning yourself into the show for people who actually took an interest in seeing Matias teach, regardless of anyone’s opinion. I expected more from the bright minds we’re patroning,” she murmurs, rising lazily from her seat, and smoothly pushing it in before she simply fades from view.

Justine appears annoyed by the direction which this lecture has taken. She pushes up from her seat, making her way to the exit. “Thanks for hijacking and wasting people’s time.” she comments to someone in passing (fix)

Hester throws out a question from the back of the room, in the deadest of voices, “Do you research specific names of stuff or what they do to find any sort of inkling of whatever?”

Matias looks around the room, adjusting low set glasses back to the bridge of his nose before putting the chalk down. “If anyone would like to contact me privately about relics I have open office hours on tuesdays I do not have class by request. Students can contact me any time. Expedition and offer of research stands. You may all – even Mister Pierce, have a good afternoon.” and then Hester chimes in and he offers, “You do not start with a specific name. You normally start with a theme. You need to broaden and then narrow. So you may initiate your research looking for an item, nordic, which is a weapon, which imbues a warrior with great power. The more specifics you add the more likely you will exclude a potential relic.”