The Arkanus Academia

**\*Notice: This page is currently a work-in-progress and therefore nothing is finalized.\***

Studying the weave is a dangerous prospect to say the least, and carries with it an abundance of risks. From the ever-present threat of demonic possession to arcane overload; many believe that the use of magic should be monitored, and those who overzealously follow their archaic religions believe that mages are but a step away from descending into heresy and sin, and should therefore be oppressed. The latter is the reality that dominated much of Zefher Morgen's early life, and these close-minded beliefs influenced many of his decisions later in life, especially those after his adventure in the Feywild.

Ever seeking to expand his knowledge on the weave and foster a greater appreciation for the arcane, Zefher would work alongside a group of like-minded individuals and establish the Arkanus Academia. Located within a demiplane created by its founders, the Academia is a place of enlightenment and learning where promising mages with the talent and drive to master the arcane are welcome, so long as they possess the wit to find it.

*The mission of the Arkanus Academia is to responsibly push the boundaries of what is known about magic, to irrevocably prove that the arcane is not inherently evil, to ensure that the knowledge discovered is documented and taught from one generation to the next, and to better the lives of others through the use of the arcane.* - Arkanus Academia mission statement

## The Academia's Founders

The Arkanus Academia was founded by five master arcanists, each one with a different view on the applications of the arcane but sharing between them the desire to teach and disseminate knowledge throughout the different planes. That being said, due to their different application and style of magic, each established their own colleges which focus on specific combinations and styles of magic.

**Founders**
 Ilucean
 Dunarix
 Androsia
 Quitaran

## Magical Study in the Academy

The central dogma of the academy centres around the application of magic in the pursuit of academy study. And while the study of the arcane is the main focus of a student's study, the academy does also teach a wide range of additional topics with the caveat being that magic is tied in some way to furthering every facet of a student's studies.

The different colleges and curriculum at the academy are centred around the central philosophical principles of their founders. Each one of the founders was a master arcanist in their own field, and the ten deans that presently oversee the colleges in their place seek to embody the different aspects that make up their founders' interests.

Those who graduate from the academy are expected to understand the basic principles behind the ideology of a college, although it is widely understood that only master arcanists can truly master the core principles. With that in mind however, graduates are expected to identify, challenge and argue these core philosophies in order to prove that they have truly grasped the reason behind their arcane education.

## Faculty

The faculty members of the Arkanus Academia are made up of mages and scholars who are dedicated to the advancement of their research and to educate the generations of students who seek to follow in their footsteps.

Members of the faculty begin their careers as instructors who primarily teach classes and craft different curricula. Their performance is then evaluated by the administration, and if successful they are promoted to professors. Professors occupy a full-time position within the academia and are granted access to a wide array of resources to aid them in their research. Those professors who distinguish themselves through their research are granted the title of esteemed professors.

Upon retiring, a professor receives the title of mage emeritus. Mage emeriti are held in high esteem and welcomed to the campus as guest lecturers.

## Students

Students spend their first year in a course that is dedicated to general magical studies, this serves to introduce students to the basic principles of magic, giving them a basic idea of each school of magic. This allows them to lay the foundation necessary for more specialized studies into different fields of magic.

During this year, students live in dormitories which are located within the central campus, they then move to dormitories in their chosen colleges, although some students may choose to continue living in the central campus, this usually occurs when students decide to pursue studies in different colleges. Before starting their second year of studies, students choose one of the five colleges - Archavius, Ilucean, Dunarix, Androsia, or Quitaran - to be their academic home for the remainder of their education. From this point onwards, students wear uniforms which feature the colours of their respective colleges.

After choosing their preferred college, students are tasked with planning out a course of study which focuses on their preferred disciplines of their college's magical fields. This is done with the help of two professors, who serve as counsellors in order to provide each student with advice on how to best plan their course of studies.

## Administration

The day-to-day functioning of the academia relies on hundreds of labourers, clerks, coaches, administrators, and others. The majority of these personnel are made up of the inquisitive owlin, many of whom serve as professors or pursue their personal studies within the academy's halls. However, one finds a wide variety of individuals making up the academy's personnel, one also finds a wide variety of arcane constructs and familiars, which serve a variety of roles from assistants to security.

All these operations are managed by an administration overseen by the ten deans, two from each college. Each dean is an esteemed professor who embraces one of the main school of magics that make up the dichotomy of their college. The deans view it as their role to disagree with one another, providing in-depth arguments which are then used to decide on the best course of action when it comes to leading their college. Should they fail to chart a coherent course for their college or the academy, then it falls upon the founders to step in and settle the dispute. This is rarely done directly, with the founders commonly relying on a mediator to speak on their behalf.

## Campus Overview

The demiplane within which the Arkanus Academia is located occupies hundreds of acres, over which the different campuses are spread out. Each different college has its own campus which are connected by the central campus

### Central Campus

The central campus is the heart of the Academia, as the largest campus its extensive grounds include residence halls for first year students, dining halls, administration buildings, classrooms, and various social spaces. It's also where one finds the Lexicanum, the academy's main library which houses within it the combined knowledge of generations of mages who have attended the Academia.

#### The Lexicanum

The Lexicanum is a massive library, its massive halls filled with piles of books that reach up to the high ceilings. The Lexicanum's interior is vast with long hallways, archive chambers tall enough to have their own weather, and even pools and moat-passages crossable only by boat. In the centre of the library is the Arkanian Index, created by Hossarian Goldenfeather, the index is a massive tome sitting atop a stone pedestal which contains the location of each and every scrap of lore contained within the library. The library's exterior is equally grand possessing qualities that represent each of the five colleges, its outer walls decorated with clockwork gears, and constantly shifting illusions. Zefher himself insisted upon these enchantments being placed upon the Lexicanum, after being inspired during his time as a visiting lecturer at the Arcane University of Guldahrim.

#### The Commons

The area surrounding the Lexicanum is referred to as the Commons and is made up of a verdant garden filled with a variety of exotic plants of all shapes and sizes (most of which are safe). The park is a favourite spot for students to socialise, and plays to host to various social and sporting events.

#### The Wizard's Brew Tavern

At the eastern end of the Central Campus one finds the Wizard's Brew, a cozy tavern which is a favourite spot for students to meet up, cram information and overindulge in caffeine. The tavern is owned by Twix Spellhammer, a faerie wanderer and self-proclaimed master of the arcane who is known for his legendary Spellhammer which is prominently displayed above the tavern's fireplace. The tavern's name comes from its trademark beverage known as the Wizard's Brew, a mixture invented by Twix during his travels and which is known for its fiery taste and excessive amount of caffeine (and possibly aether).

#### The Arkanian Stadium

At the western end of the Central Campus one finds the Arkanian Stadium where thousands gather to watch students take part in a variety of competitive sports and is also the site where officially sanctioned magical duels are held.