Plot
Aug 21, 2011 1:05:46 GMT -5
Post by Ysa ♥ on Aug 21, 2011 1:05:46 GMT -5
Welcome to St. Gertrude Academy for the Gifted, where those with abilities and afflictions beyond the explanation of common society and science are sent to learn to control their Gifts.
H i s t o r y | t o | P r e s e n t | D a y
Founded in 1839, this academy was founded on a single principle: None shall be left behind. This means, roughly, that all of the Gifted are people, and they will not be left behind by society, left to kill or be killed in the streets of the world. The Gifted, also hatefully and sadly referred to as The Cursed, are unable to control their abilities at first, and may risk harm to themselves and others if not taken in and taught how to control not only the errant ability to read minds or freeze a cup of tea, but also the occasional demonic possession that comes their way.
The Academy was built far from any city, village, town, or homestead, but one day the professors, graduates, and their families began to build houses to live near the Academy. Somehow, a town started to develop. This is the town currently known as New Tatum, where there is now a thriving community of Gifted and Ungifted alike, all coexisting in a manner that the original founder of St. Gertie's, as the community casually refers to the school, would be proud to see.
But then there is the darker side of the Academy, and the world surrounding it. There are people that despise or fear the Gifted, and
believe they are inhuman, or abominations. Worse, there are those who wish to enslave the Gifted, to use their abilities and take control of the worlds.
"Worlds?" you say. "I think you mean world. There's only one world, right?"
Apologies for not explaining to you earlier, but what you have been taught about the universe is wrong. There are four worlds. These worlds are in the order as follows: Overrealms, the land of the Angelically Inclined; Human Earth, the places Humans dwell; Ghoulin, the areas where spirits float about; and Underworld, as they've taken to calling it, the place Demons come from.
The Gifted are what happens when humans are born that can see or feel those worlds. The question is, are you using your Gifts for good?
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REVISION:
Welcome to St. Gertrude Academy for the Gifted, where those with abilities and afflictions beyond the explanation of reason or science are sent to learn to control their gifts.
HistoryThe Gifted are thought to have existed for just as long as Ungifted humans. Some speculate that they may have even been around for longer - since the creation of the Dwellers (demons, angels, and spirits) that are responsible for the Gifts - but that possibility is far too extreme and unproven for most Ungifted to accept. For many centuries, the Gifted and Ungifted coexisted, for the most part unbeknownst to the Ungifted. Gifted families passed down secrets and trained each other in the art of control and secrecy. It wasn't until 1835 that the existence of the gifted came to light.
A grainy, old, unclear photograph revealed an unusual image: A young girl, smiling, with what appears to be flames in each hand. When this photograph was found, news spread throughout the city. Not long after, people started hunting for the girl and those like her. Superstitions spread throughout the country, causing general unrest between the Gifted and Ungifted. Solutions were proposed: Witch trials, mandatory branding, isolation... Some Ungifted took it upon themselves to execute anyone suspicious.
St. Gertrude Academy provided a viable solution in 1839. In the mountains, far away from any city, village, or town, this academy was founded on the principle that "None Shall Be Left Behind." This meant that the Gifted were people, worthy of life just as the Ungifted were, and deserved to be safe. The photograph that started it all is now on display in the entrance hall. Although the Academy was originally far from any civilization, professors and graduated Gifted students eventually began to build houses nearby, forming a thriving community in a town called New Tatum. Here, Gifted and Ungifted coexist in a manner that the original founder of St. Gertie's, as the community casually refers to the school, would be proud to see.
The emergence of schools for the Gifted around the world kept general, tentative peace between the Gifted and Ungifted for many years. But there are still obstacles for the Gifted. The announcement of the school, when it was originally founded, was said to be a place to train the Gifted and keep the Ungifted safe; The Gifted know better. They know that the school walls were designed to protect them from those that would wish them harm. There is still a population, which has grown in recent years, in the world that would wish to see the Gifted dead, enslaved, or experimented on. Some want to find out what causes the Gifts in order to eradicate them. Some want to learn to control the Gifted, and their gifts, in order to take control of the Worlds.
"Worlds?" You may ask. Yes, worlds. It's not exactly a widely known fact to the Ungifted, although news is spreading quickly with the technological age, but there are four worlds. There are the Overrealms, the land of the Angels; Human Earth, where you and I dwell today; Ghoulin, the in-between realm where spirits float about; and Underworld, the place where demons originate. The Gifted are merely humans that are born with the ability to tap into the unearthly worlds.
Current DayA few things have happened in recent years that have significantly impacted the world of the Gifted.
First, Adrien Ivanov came to New Tatum. Adrien was a transfer student from the Russian School for the Gifted, with the ability to create portals. He hardly ever used his ability, and no one ever really knew where the portals lead. In fact, hardly anyone knew anything about Adrien, aside from the basics on his paperwork.
Second, many staff members began to quit or retire. Most were very old and now live in the village surrounding the school. Of those that were young, many transferred to the London School for the Gifted - as the surrounding country has become much more accepting of the Gifted than most in recent years. And as for a select few... No one knows where they went, and remaining school administrators have had a hard time contacting them.
Third, and most important, Adrien used his gift. In the courtyard of the school, amongst a small group of students, Adrien opened a portal. No one knows where he or the other students were taken.
Obviously, a mass disappearance of Gifted students that were supposed to be either (depending on the opinion of who you talk to) contained to keep others safe or kept safe from harm, caused a huge outrage. The families of the Gifted were shocked and upset. Administrators are working around the clock to find the missing students. The U.S. government is working tirelessly to keep the situation under wraps. The Ungifted aren't necessarily clueless to the event, but they aren't exactly sure what happened, either. Still, knowing that the Gifted caused "something bad" has been enough to largely revive a previously almost-extinct population of those that fear and hate the Gifted, and would like to see them executed.
Students need the Academy to keep them safe, now more than ever. But after the situation with Adrien and the portal, some are unsure that St. Gertrude Academy is capable of such a responsibility.