The Lyceums

**The Lyceums** are institutions of learning and training for those with an inclination for magic. Often called the **Wizards Schools** or **Mage Colleges**, they teach the basics in magic use and applications. When one has reached a certain level of skill, they then can advance into the higher levels of learning in the halls of the lyceums. There are several of these institutions located around the world of Valen'Dria.

## Lyceums of the World

* The Lyceum of Order - located in the upper city of Calabras. Produces mages with an aptitude in Order and Law.
* Arcana Hall - located in the sea known as the Ley Lines. From here, the order of the Lighthouse watches the world. Many of the rarest magical items and tomes are secured here, deep in the vaults of the college. Most mages here learn the use of elemental magic.
* Thronescorn - located in Tamariel, works in association with the Hawkthorn Empire. Produces War Mages.
* Shadeholm - located in Yamira, in the Burning Sands. Works with the Dragonborn city of Val-Tar'guth. Mages here are taught in the magics of life and death. Many becomes traveling mages that sell their services to merchant trains travelling the deserts.
* Sablehold - located in the mountains of Athica, near the mage town of Bridgetown. Mages here are taught in the ways of charismatic spells, often helping to become mediators and ambassadors to powerful factions.
* Underbloom - located in the underdark, teaching magics that allow mages to survive in the Underdark, and in the ways of shadow magic.

## Founding of the Lyceums

During the Era of Change, after the Elven Empire of the Blessed Mother was defeated, a war for power by the powerful mages of the time rose up. This caused extensive harm to the land, killing many and shattering the Hawkthorn Kingdom. In the end, a group of Mages banded together and defeated each of the Magic Lords, bringing them to justice. After the Mage Wars, the surviving Mages brought forth the Lyceums as schools to teach and train wizards so they would be better prepared and ready for the world, and to avoid a repeat of the Mage Wars.

When the Lyceums were proposed, the newly formed Hawkthorn Empire granted them a large swath of land, seeing the advantages of ensuring mages were trained properly. Other Lyceums had a harder time to be established, but eventually the Lyceums were populated all over the world, with the Thronescorn Lyceum being the first made.

## Seeking out the Potentials

Mages are sent out that are known as 'Seekers'. These seekers are specially tasked by the Lyceums to find those who have the potential to use magic, so that they may be invited and brought to the lyceums. These seekers also serve as sponsors for those that are inducted to the Lyceums. Seekers are so trained to be able to work without staying in contact with the Lyceums for years, if not a decade at a time to find those they seek.

## Teachings and Curriculum

The lyceums of the world all teach the same set of basics, the ethical use of magic and their place in the world. The institutions often take a neutral view on world events, not taking part in any major power unless directly threatened. Each of the institutes has classes that teach each of the primary schools of magic, starting with the basics in the first year, and advancing in complexity and power with each passing year.

The Lyceums all run a standard four years for each students that arrive to learn. From there, they begin the first year taking introductory classes that build the foundation of the future mages. Students have required classes that they much take, while they can take electives that allow them to expand their knowledge in other ways. Other classes also teach the tools of the trade, from wands and staffs, to spell books and other arcane focuses.

## Graduation and Afterwards

Once a student graduates from the Lyceum, they are a full fledged member of the society of magic. They are given the title of **Vagus Magi** (known as the Wanderer Mage), and allowed to travel the world, offering their services across the lands. Mages also carry with them the expectation that they continue to teach and expand the knowledge of magic, and the responsibility of the power that they wield.