A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe
Somewhere in the library, in all its towering shelves, near a dark little corner, hidden amongst books on magical creatures, on the lowest shelf, lies a small, leather-bound journal. It's barely larger than one's hand spread out over the cover. It's a brownish-red, with "Journal" embossed on the front cover. The journal, as well as most of the books around it, look freshly disturbed. However, the surrounding shelves carry a fine layer of dust on them.
If the time is just right, only moments before the younger years' curfew, one might hear light, hurried footsteps leaving the library. Or- perhaps there is the sight of fiery red-orange hair disappearing around a corner, or the glint of gold metal reflecting candlelight onto the walls and floor.
Flipping the journal open, one can see that the pages are worn, with the first few ripped out entirely, save for the very first page. That first page, decorated with the messy doodles of someone far younger than any student, has the words "VIKING DRAGONS AND THEIR EGGS" written out in a similarly messy, childish scrawl. However, the words have quite clearly been erased, with only traces left behind, even if it is still readable. Just below that, in a script far more befitting of at least a first year, are the words "A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe" and a little lower, in smaller letters, "By Pyce D. Rotanski"
If one looks even further down the page, there are more words that have been erased, but most are still readable. At the very least, the entire end of whatever sentence was there is still intact. In the child's writing from earlier, it says "-translated from the Old Norse by Helios Dior Rotaski the First" The "n" from the surname has noticeably gone missing, there is no space between the "a" and the "s" that would imply that the "n" had simply been erased. One must wonder how young Pyce had been when they first wrote this.
If the time is just right, only moments before the younger years' curfew, one might hear light, hurried footsteps leaving the library. Or- perhaps there is the sight of fiery red-orange hair disappearing around a corner, or the glint of gold metal reflecting candlelight onto the walls and floor.
Flipping the journal open, one can see that the pages are worn, with the first few ripped out entirely, save for the very first page. That first page, decorated with the messy doodles of someone far younger than any student, has the words "VIKING DRAGONS AND THEIR EGGS" written out in a similarly messy, childish scrawl. However, the words have quite clearly been erased, with only traces left behind, even if it is still readable. Just below that, in a script far more befitting of at least a first year, are the words "A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe" and a little lower, in smaller letters, "By Pyce D. Rotanski"
If one looks even further down the page, there are more words that have been erased, but most are still readable. At the very least, the entire end of whatever sentence was there is still intact. In the child's writing from earlier, it says "-translated from the Old Norse by Helios Dior Rotaski the First" The "n" from the surname has noticeably gone missing, there is no space between the "a" and the "s" that would imply that the "n" had simply been erased. One must wonder how young Pyce had been when they first wrote this.
"The only thing stopping me from having a dragon living in my backyard is the law. Absolutely nothing else."
A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe
The first page after the ripped section has, in large lettering, the title "Hecate Arcana Rotanski" Opening to this page causes a torn bit of sketch paper to fall to the ground. On it is a colorless pencil sketch of what can be presumed to be Hecate. If one has seen Pyce before, the resemblance is uncanny. The sketch is surrounded by doodled dragons of no particular or recognizable breed. The slightly bent edges of the page imply that it frequently falls out of the journal.
The words on this page are printed clearly. The font, though handwritten, seems distantly familiar, as though Pyce was attempting to emulate a similar font, likely found in a children's book. In fact, the entire page seems to be emulating something else.* If one knows Pyce well enough, they'd probably be able to tell you what Pyce had been going for.
*This page, as well as the rest of this journal, is supposed to look like the "Viking Dragons and Their Eggs" pages from the How to Train Your Dragon book series.
The words on this page are printed clearly. The font, though handwritten, seems distantly familiar, as though Pyce was attempting to emulate a similar font, likely found in a children's book. In fact, the entire page seems to be emulating something else.* If one knows Pyce well enough, they'd probably be able to tell you what Pyce had been going for.
Under these words, there is another sketch of Hecate, this one much smaller. Unlike the page that fell out, this sketch seems to be newer, with Hecate having smaller glasses and longer hair. There is a little note by the sketch, written much messier than the other words. "Often found trailing the illusive Mori."HECATE ARCANA ROTANSKI
A prankster of the highest degree. Befriending this mischievous specimen should be done so at your own risk, as once he considers you his friend, he is fiercely loyal. Which has its drawbacks, considering this soon-to-be Slytherin's love language is tomfoolery. Take heed as he will drag poor, unsuspecting friends into pranks that will get them in trouble.
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COLORS: Naturally ginger, but blonde, most of the time. Can be convinced to dye his hair white lol
COMPANION: Wex Half-Crup with the full name "Moxy Alchemist Rotanski." Or just Moxy or Alc . . . 3
ARMED WITH: 33.5 cm red oak and phoenix feather wand, surprisingly swishy . . . 6
MAGIC: No spells yet. Set to change in a few months . . . 1
RADAR: None. He ran into a wall once. And needs glasses . . . 0
POISON: None. Don't let him into the potions . . . 0
SPEED: Faster than me . . . 4
FEAR AND FIGHT FACTOR: He's always got glitter in his pockets. No one knows where it comes from . . . 12
*This page, as well as the rest of this journal, is supposed to look like the "Viking Dragons and Their Eggs" pages from the How to Train Your Dragon book series.
"The only thing stopping me from having a dragon living in my backyard is the law. Absolutely nothing else."
A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe
The third page looks remarkably similar to the second. At the top, it has a name. That being "Stella Drake." However, unlike the last page, the writing is messier, and there are spots on the page where the paper had gotten wet and dried, warping it a bit. There isn't a sketch on this page. In place of one, there is a small note that just says "drawing on Stella's copy" implying that this page is not the original. There isn't a ripped page between Hecate's and Stella's, so her original entry must have been earlier, having been removed some time ago. Certain lines have been crossed out and replaced, but who knows if these changes were made when Pyce had to rewrite it, or after.
STELLA DRAKE
An energetic and bouncy creature. She loves adventures and attention, and has a startling knack for talking herself into and out of situations. You can find her most anywhere that there is a rumor of dragons, where she will undoubtedly be looking for the elusive creatures. She is often accompanied by her close friend, Pyce Rotanski. If you encounter her, it is advised that you ensure she is not causing trouble. She is fairly easy to distract so long as you have food.
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COLORS: Brunette
COMPANION: None . . . 0 Gray Rat named "Sir Nibbles n' Cheese." Or Nibs for short . . . 2
ARMED WITH: Teeth! She bit me once! . . . 7 29.7 cm chestnut and phoenix feather wand, stiff . . . 5
MAGIC: None . . . 0
RADAR: It feels like she sees and hears things before anyone else . . . 3
POISON: None. But that drink she made me one time was something close . . . 1
SPEED: Very fast . . . 6
FEAR AND FIGHT FACTOR: Really good at climbing things. She can scale my house and crawl into my room at unwanted hours of the night . . . 10
"The only thing stopping me from having a dragon living in my backyard is the law. Absolutely nothing else."
A Personal Guide to Friend and Foe
The fourth page remained unfinished for a few weeks after school started, a line or two being added as time went on, until it was completely filled out. It took a while, but the page eventually got its own sketch to match Hecate's page. For someone who knows Pyce, the name and sketch here shouldn't be completely unfamiliar.
The first PC character entry, specifically of @Katelyn MagnoliaKATELYN MAGNOLIA
First sighted within Diagon Alley, Katelyn is notably new to the world of magic. However, she is a good friend with a good heart. Her endless curiosity and enthusiasm for magic means that she is right at home within the walls of Hogwarts. It is unsurprising that she is a Hufflepuff, as she is incredibly well-meaning, kind, and loyal.
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COLORS: Ginger
COMPANION: None . . . 0
ARMED WITH: 23.6 cm walnut wood and snallygaster heartstring wand, unyielding . . . 4
MAGIC: Quickly getting the hang of it . . . 5
RADAR: None . . . 0
POISON: Not unskilled with potions . . . 6
SPEED: Undocumented so far . . . ?
FEAR AND FIGHT FACTOR: Less likely to get someone in trouble compared to other entries, no need to be too cautious . . . 1
"The only thing stopping me from having a dragon living in my backyard is the law. Absolutely nothing else."