The Royal Academy of Magic

## Description

While the nation of Thale is not particularly focused on the magical arts, its rulers are not ignorant and believe it is better to channel mages into something productive than to let them run wild, with all the possible disasters that may bring. For this reason, Queen Elaida’s grandmother had founded the Royal Academy of Magic in Insdale. Like the Unseen University of Onkh-Morpark, it is a place of learning and training for mages, but it differs in several key ways.

Firstly, the Royal Academy places much more importance on performance and progress. Both students and faculty are expected to continously study and finetune their art and to keep themselves fit and alert. A student is not likely to be turned away because of lack of talent, but it is not an excuse for laziness or nonchalance, and neglecting ones studies can lead to expulsion.

Secondly, the Academy is a state institution and all tuition is given free of charge. The most talented students are even given scholarships with which to fund their research. In return, students and faculty members are considered public servants, even after graduation. While it rarely happens, this means they can be called upon to serve the nation in times of emergency or war.

And thirdly, the Academy does not cater to a single type of mage, unlike Unseen University, which only teaches Wizardry. Sorcerers, Clerics, Bards, Druids and many others are welcome. The exception are Clerics of St. Cuthbert, who have their own training facilities. Students, whether they are arcane or divine mages, are instead divided into one of eight Orders that follow a specific philosophy called a Lore, and specialize in a particular type of magic.

These eight Orders are:

* **Amber Order**: These mages study the Lore of Beasts and specialize in the fighting, training and summoning of all manner of monsters. Their members are mostly Druids with the occassional Sorcerer, Ranger or Cleric.
* **Amethyst Order**: The most feared of the Orders, these mages study the Lore of Death and specialize in the dark art of necromancy. Their members are usually Clerics, Wizards, True Necromancers and Warlocks.
* **Bright Order**: Students of the Lore of Fire, these mages specialize in harnessing the destructive power of fire. They are the most militant Order and many volunteer for service in the armies of Thale. Their membership is the most varied, but many are Sorcerers, Warmages and Shugenja.
* **Celestial Order**: These mages follow the Lore of the Heavens and specialize in divination and travelling to other Planes. Most of their members are Clerics or Wizards.
* **Gold Order**: The mages of this order adhere to the Lore of Metal and are specialists into transmuting stone and metal. Their ranks are mostly filled with Wizards, Druids and Shugenja.
* **Grey Order**: Masters of the Lore of Shadow, these mages are adept at illusion and using magic to influence the mind. Many of them are Bards, Sorcerers or Beguilers.
* **Jade Order**: Learners of the Lore of Life, these mages master the forces of nature. Because of this, they are also often called Weather Mages. Only Clerics and Druids seem to join this Order.
* **Light Order**: As adepts of the Lore of Light, these mages are the most skilled at healing and protective magics. They are also great seekers of knowledge. The Order tends to attract many Clerics, Archivists and Wizards.