University

The **University** is an imposing structure, its monumental size allowing it to be clearly seen from all the way across the already-expansive town. Serving as the setting for "The Way of Roses", it is an enormous building once dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, now since conquered by the Inquisition. It is here that Amicia has traveled across the town to retrieve a book of forbidden alchemical knowledge: the Sanguinis Itinera.

## History

### The Way of Roses

Entering the University via either the main entrance or the less conspicuous side door (depending on player choice at the end of the previous chapter, Amicia immediately notes the building's vacancy... as well as lack of books. Proceeding down the long, vertical main hall, she recalls Lucas' instructions that the path to the Sanguinis Itinera is "lined with roses". Sure enough, a trio of banners at the end of the hall beckon Amicia onward, each prominently displaying three crimson floral patterns.

Amicia does not have to venture far, however, until she catches up with the Inquisition. Realizing that they also seek the forbidden book, Amicia continues through the various chambers, now ransacked by the invading soldiers and alchemists. Arriving at the upper level of one such library, Amicia observes Grand Inquisitor Vitalis undergoing a blood transfusion, shortly before an alchemist also administers an injection of Episanguis. Moments later, the Inquisition's soldiers bring in a prisoner: a young blacksmith named Rodric, whose father built and designed the door leading to the University's underground levels, in order to protect the Sanguinis Itinera. Though the Inquisition has since murdered Rodric's father, the soldiers are instructed not to harm Rodric before he can open the door for them.

Following at a safe distance, Amicia trails Rodric and his escort into the chamber where the vault-like door awaits. Seeing that one of the soldiers is garbed in heavy armor, Amicia drops a chandelier on him, allowing Rodric to strangle the remaining guard. The new allies do not have time to get properly acquainted, however, as Amicia's distraction has drawn the attention of additional soldiers. Holding them off while Rodric now willingly opens the door, Amicia quickly joins the young smith in fleeing the Inquisition through the University's underground.

To Amicia's surprise, the basement tunnels ultimately lead to "another library... underneath the library". Rodric explains that this new chamber holds "forbidden books", which is why he and his father built the door sealing it off in the first place. Sure enough, an ornate crimson volume waits on a pedestal just above the door through which the two children enter.

With Rodric's aid, Amicia climbs up the towering shelves, which double as platforms that can be raised or lowered using the levers in the center of the chamber. No sooner does she obtain the Sanguinis Itinera, however, than the Inquisition catches up with them. Claiming that he can "save the world" using both Hugo and the forbidden tome, Grand Inquisitor Vitalis sends his guards after the children as Amicia and Rodric flee back toward the surface through a hidden exit.

By this point, the soldiers posted throughout the University proper are on high alert, forcing Amicia and Rodric to work together to escape. Applying his muscle once more to quietly subdue and strangle soldiers from behind, Rodric leads Amicia out into the University gardens. Here, he introduces her to a solution known as Extinguis, which douses nearby torches and other sources of flame. Putting this new concoction to good use, Amicia and Rodric subdue the nearby guards and make their way back toward the main hall. Yet while freedom looms ever closer, so too does newfound danger: Amicia's earlier distraction of dropping the chandelier started a fire in that chamber, and the ensuing inferno has since spread throughout the University. Fleeing the remaining soldiers through the now-flaming libraries, Rodric and Amicia finally manage to escape as the University burns behind them.

## Gallery

The University's imposing facadeThe side chamber, if Amicia infiltrates the University via side doorThe University's main hall, entered via the main entrance or the side chamber - note the rose banners in the distanceThe Inquisition also seeks the Sanguinis ItineraClearly, the kitchens have seen better daysOnce a nice spot for a stroll overlooking the garden, the upper halls have become a place of gloom in the wake of the plagueHere is where Grand Inquisitor Vitalis receives his treatmentsThe door that only Rodric can openThe forbidden library where the Sanguinis Itinera awaitsThe University gardens provide a suitable training ground to test ExstinguisThe libraries burn