Havenhurst Academy

**Havenhurst Academy**, formally known as **Havenhurst Academy for the Unseen Arts** and previously known as **L'Académie des Arts Mystiques - Saint-Louis**, is a private magickal research college located in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. It was established in 1810 by founder Joseph des Grottes and is the third-largest such institution in the United States, sanctioned by the international CMP Department of Education. The school is renowned worldwide for its advancements and breakthroughs in various fields of magickal knowledge and understanding. Its curriculum is largely based around European magickal systems, though coursework pertaining to the various systems of Africa, Asia, and Latin America is also offered on a case-by-case basis. The school's current namesake is former dean Hezekiah Havenhurst, a hero of the War of Ill-Intent.

## History

### Founding

L'Académie des Arts-Mystiques - Saint-Louis was established as the first institution of higher magickal education in the territory of the United States by Joseph des Grottes, a French-born witch who immigrated to the U.S. in 1804. Des Grottes, a direct descendant of disgraced dark witch Maurus des Grottes through his father, initially intended and attempted to establish a practitioners' school in the west of France, but he and his entire bloodline were barred from using magick on the European continent. The administration of the L'École Occidentale de Sorcellerie - the embattled, official French school of the Craft - issued a formal complaint against des Grottes to the Ordre de Magie (the supreme French governing authority, regarding all things magickal). The OM subsequently issued a warrant for Joseph des Grottes' arrest for breaking the covenants banning him from practicing magick, a warrant he evaded by boarding a ship bound for the New World. With explicit approval and endorsement of the Council on Magickal Practice, des Grottes began recruiting renowned and well-versed magickal scholars to aid in the creation of a North American school upon his arrival in the States. In accordance with the International Covenant of the Veil, he then established the academy on the banks of the Mississippi River in modern-day Missouri, in plain sight yet hidden away from the non-magickal world.

### Early Years (1810 to 1855)

The first year of school operations was opened with a ceremony conducted by CMP Chancellor Philbus Flannory, who traveled from the Council headquarters in Georgetown to attend. Chancellor Flannory gifted the fledgling academy with an eternal flame, to be housed in the school atrium. The opening ceremony was met with grand fanfare, though the Chancellor would later note in his memoirs that he had reservations about entrusting the likes of Joseph des Grottes with the CMP's glowing endorsement. Without any existing extradition agreement between the governing authorities, the OM instead urged the Council to decline des Grottes' charter application. The OM's request was ignored.

Thirty-six students were admitted during the 1810-1811 school year. Joseph des Grottes served as the academy's first dean, and he worked to establish most of the the school's curriculum that year and for several years following. All thirty-six students advanced to their second-year during the 1810-1811 school year, much to the Council's delight. The school's charter was subsequently renewed for a period of ten years, upon which a thorough review of the school's academic effectiveness would be subject to audit. The 1811-1812 school year saw the first-ever implementation of the academy's house system, with all second-year students being assigned a house placement on the basis of their overall performance and aptitudes during the year prior. The first formal graduation ceremony of fourth-year students commenced on 18 September 1814, with the entire group of first-years from 1810 receiving their degrees.

Chancellor Philbus Flannory attended the school's tenth-anniversary feast in 1820, remarking how proud he was to have personally overseen the school's first ten years in his office. The CMP then concluded its audit of the academy and permanently authorized its charter. Dean des Grottes and his staff celebrated and rewarded the student body with new robes and vouchers for local restaurants. The school grounds underwent its first set of expansions between 1820 and 1826.

During the 1834 school year, several notable practitioners attended their first year. Hezekiah Havenhurst, son of the late Sethodus and Mirabela Havenhurst and future school namesake, was among their number. A large group of students from New Orleans also joined as first-years, in preparation for transfer to the then-under-construction Southern College of Sorcery. Among them was Julian Éverard, the third child of discredited soothsayer Delphine Éverard. Clothilde Caspar, born to non-magickal German immigrants in Illinois, was also enrolled. It was during this school year that convicted killer Gallis Holt had his sentence overturned by freshman CMP Chancellor Dorian Kindling's administration. Kindling was the immediate successor to Chancellor Flannory, who passed away in 1833. Holt advocated staunchly for his own children's inclusion and pre-registration to the academy following his release, and the academy was forced to comply upon order of the Council. Averis Holt was enrolled at the school, though he began his term nearly two months later than the rest of his class.

In 1835, third-year student Nandy Monroe was murdered on school grounds, becoming the subject of a formal Council investigation. While her death was initially ruled an accident, Professor Harrington Kelso later admitted to murdering Monroe on behalf of Gallis Holt - retaliation for the student's parents testifying against him at his previous murder trial. Kelso, a known practitioner of dark magick, had been a close associate of Holt's prior to his arrest. The Nandy Monroe Award was established in the victim's honor - awarded to the first student to best Nandy Monroe's score of 205 on a timed elective test each academic year. That same year, Gallis Holt was once again apprehended, after attempting to gain access to the academy grounds via self-transfiguration. The purpose for this intrusion was to extinguish the eternal flame and gain access to a source of ancient magick stored deep within the academy, itself. He took several members of staff hostage when his plan backfired, hoping to gain concessions and amnesty from the CMP. Once apprehended by Dean des Grottes and Hezekiah Havenhurst, Holt managed to place a curse of unknown origin on the academy in the hopes that his own children might one day fulfill his wishes in his stead. For the curse, Gallis Holt paid with his life, and died just beyond school grounds. Following this incident, Averis Holt swore to avenge his father and take action against the academy. Naturally, these credible threats culminated in Averis Holt's expulsion from the school altogether.

Upon his thirtieth year as dean in 1840, Joseph des Grottes made the decision that he would retire upon the school year's end. He oversaw the graduation ceremony of the Class of 1841, which included fifth-years Hezekiah Havenhurst, Clothilde Caspar, and Julian Éverard. Immediately after the ceremony, Joseph des Grottes announced Deputy Dean Dalziel Mayfair as his immediate successor for the 1841-1842 academic year. He retired to a cottage on school grounds, where he lived-out his remaining days. He passed away in 1846, shortly after entrusting Havenhurst, Caspar, and Éverard with safeguarded knowledge regarding the Pilot Light, the school's direct link to the Source - the innate origin of all magick - via the school's eternal flame. Éverard and Havenhurst, specifically as alumni of House Equilio, were entrusted with the first of three Cornus lockets - designed by des Grottes to channel the strongest kinds of protective magick in an emergency.

A number of changes in leadership and grounds expansions would occur between 1846 and 1855, when various deans saw their way into and out of office at the academy. This rapid succession of deans led to a soft souring of relations with the CMP, who itself was attempting to quell rising tensions between itself and dark practitioners. Added security measures were introduced to protect the school against further intrusions at this time, as well.

### Havenhurst Administration (1860 - 18TK)

#### United States Civil War

Upon the sudden death of then-Dean Millicent Kreek, acting Dean Gerda Geoffrey sought-out a proper successor. Dean Geoffrey ultimately recruited Equilio alumnus Hezekiah Havenhurst, who reluctantly agreed to wrap-up his studies of minkworms and mudbrawlers in New England in order to attend to the school. Dean Havenhurst 's first year in-office was the 1860-1861 school year, whereupon he implemented a number of immediate changes upon entering office, including the sacking of professors with exceedingly low performance review scores, and a strict "no bullying" policy for all members of staff and the student body. Intolerance toward non-magickal-born and other minority students was at an all-time high. Havenhurst sought to weed this behavior out at the source, rather than to allow it to breed and grow. It was during this first year as dean that the U.S. Civil War officially began, jeopardizing the safety and livelihoods of many of the school's staff and students.

At the start of the 1861-1862 academic year, the academy was gifted a flowering dogwood sapling, which was planted squarely in the school's central courtyard. It was a gift from the Southern College of Sorcery, which - in the buildup to the Civil War - sought to reaffirm its commitment to all magickal students, regardless of background. The tree was delivered by then-SCS Deputy Headmaster Laurine Métairie-Dubois, an ardent supporter of the Union cause. It was not an empty gesture, as both schools had long-served as havens for Black students and escaped slaves with magickal aptitudes. As for the SCS, this was not to last, as its administration was massacred and overtaken. The day this happened, the academy's dogwood sapling wilted, prompting attempts by Professor Yarrow Greene and her students to save it. The SCS was taken by members of the Devil's Hand - a dark coven, previously operating entirely underground, with access to vast varieties of dark and chaos magick. The coven, later that year, installed themselves upon the Council of Magickal Practice. Their publicly proclaimed leader, the ostracized Averis Holt, declared L'Académie des Arts-Mystique as a rogue entity defying the Council's will, and ordered a siege upon it.

Numerous attempts by the Devil' Hand-run Council to breach the walls of the academy in St. Louis failed. Several dark practitioners, close allies of Averis Holt himself, were inadvertently killed in their attempts to enter the grounds. By this time, the conflict had already been assigned a formal name - the War of Ill-Intent. Just as the Civil War raged in Missouri and throughout the eastern and southern United States, so too did the magickal world find itself embroiled in conflict. St. Louis, at the crossroads of the two longest rivers in the continental US and a sort of dividing line for Union/Confederate support, faced its own battles. Despite the danger posed to students venturing out into the world at this time, it was at times necessary to do so to procure supplies and various other items for the school. Several students even enlisted in the war, some never to return to their studies, while others volunteered in the many medical encampments located in the St. Louis area. After 1863, several academy students were instrumental in delivering supplies to the Benton Barracks Hospital.

#### Siege of L'Académie des Arts-Mystique

In March 1865, a final siege on the academy was ordered by the illegally-seated Council. This time, the attack would be carried-out by Averis Holt, himself, and his accompanying phantoms. The siege likely would have succeeded, if not for the efforts and actions of Clothilde Caspar, former Professor John Batty I, and CMP secretary Suzannah Revere, all of whom had been acting as spies within Holt's network of dark covens. Batty, posing as Deputy Underchancellor of the CMP, first uncovered the plan and forwarded his information to Caspar. This, unfortunately, broke his cover, and he was executed at the Georgetown headquarters complex. Caspar and Revere released the information to the academy, willing to suffer the same fate if it meant they had a chance at saving the school. Scores of others were killed by the Devil's Hand and their affiliates, notably unknown thousands of non-magickal-born and Black practitioners. Upon receiving Caspar and Revere's information, preparations were hastily made to save the school.

Evacuations of students to the lower corridors and offices were performed by school staff and student officers. Various scores of other practitioners from the St. Louis area had gathered at the school with them, attempting to flee the Council's attacks. A powerful and violent thunderstorm that blocked-out all light enveloped the area. Julian Éverard was tasked with deploying the magick contained within the first Cornus locket, successfully doing so in the school atrium only moments before Averis Holt and his phantoms breached the school. Éverard and Havenhurst then confronted the intruders, knowing those in the lower levels were safe. While Holt was successful in murdering Éverard, Dean Havenhurst managed to stave-off the attacks for as long as he could. In the end, and as Holt attempted to call reinforcements, his phantom servants abandoned him at the eleventh hour. His confidence shattered, Dean Havenhurst managed to subdue him. In his only-ever use of the *occido* curse, Hezekiah Havenhurst killed Averis Holt to prevent further harm and devastation.

#### Restoration of the CMP and SCS (1865 - 1866)

Following the death of Averis Holt, then considered the strongest dark wizard of his time, the illegally-seated Council on Magickal Practice scrambled to enact damage control. A writ of prohibition was received by the academy and subsequently ignored. The flowering dogwood on school grounds had been saved and gone into bloom, the academy utilizing it for its protective magickal properties. Dean Havenhurst led the charge in planning a siege on the CMP's Georgetown headquarters to oust the dark practitioners occupying its offices and instate a new regime. He requested the assistance of the British Offices of Magickal Authority (B.O.M.A.) - then the premier magickal regulatory agency overseeing all of the British Isles, Canada, the British Raj, Australia, and various other territories of the British Empire. B.O.M.A., having faced their own troubles and come-out on the side, agreed upon the condition that their assistance remain secret to the non-magickal government of the United States.

Professor Selene Sallington was appointed as the new Deputy Dean of L'Académie des Arts-Mystique in the wake of Professor Éverard's death, charged with the care of the staff and students while Dean Havenhurst and others participated in the 1865 CMP Georgetown Siege. Deputy Dean Sallington placed emphasis on protecting the school's eternal flame and flowering dogwood, projects that the school undertook more than willingly. Ever an effective caretaker, the deputy dean kept the school safe from various small attacks attempted on its grounds.

While Dean Havenhurst's efforts beyond the school were valiant, and the impostor Council were removed from power in the end, he ultimately was killed in battle at Georgetown. Professor Sallington immediately assumed the position of dean, and she received a glowing endorsement from the new, interim Council body. Forcing down her sorrow, Dean Sallington took charge to the best of her ability, and oversaw repairs to the school grounds. The 1865-1866 school year began late due to these repairs, but students and staff were allowed to remain on-campus during. This move would later be praised by the CMP, awarding a Medal of Integrity to the dean for her continued higher service to the school.

In January 1866, the College of Southern Sorcery was sieged, and the false administration was removed from all authority over the school. With the restoration of both bodies, Dean Sallington waited until the end of the academic year to pen her recommendation to the Council that L'Académie des Arts-Mystiques - Saint-Louis be renamed to Havenhurst Academy of the Unseen Arts, with the late Dean Havenhurst posthumously awarded both the Medal of Integrity and the Honor of Highest Duty. These recommendations were formally accepted and adopted by the Council, approved with the signature of new Chancellor Mercival Meander.

### Reconstruction (1866 - 18TK)

Under the leadership of Dean Selene Sallington, Havenhurst Academy was effectively rebooted, with both internal and external audits of school curriculum and operations conducted. Students with parents and extended families found to have been loyal to the illegal Devil's Hand occupation of the Council on Magickal Practice - directly or indirectly - were asked to submit detailed applications to continue their education at the academy. The application process was designed to weed-out those with impure intentions, including CMP-sanctioned questioning for those with family involved in exceptionally grave offenses during the War of Ill-Intent. Dean Sallington, herself, held reservations about parts of this process, but ultimately allowed them under the belief that they were "for the greater good". Several students found themselves expelled as a result of this vetting process, and even members of staff were removed from the premises for inadvertently supporting the actions of the Devil's Hand. The House Equilio vow of secrecy was established prior to the 1867-1868 academic year.

Professor Gideon Rummelhart was among the first batch of new-hires to replace outgoing members of staff displaced by the CMP-sanctioned vetting. Rummelhart, whose life experience was largely untouched by the War of Ill-Intent (as he was living in Alaska at the time), was totally unencumbered by the Devil's Hand influence. Because of this, and at the request of the dean, Professor Rummelhart was selected as the school's first Chief Cornusero - i.e. protector of the eternal flame and flowering dogwood. Dean Sallington and subsequent deans were tasked with placing an incredibly strong memory charm upon the chief cornusero, wherein they would outwardly possess no knowledge of their role until such time that: a.) the school's magickal wells were threatened; or b.) a new chief cornusero had been inducted.

## School Houses and Paths

### Servitian

House Servitia, also known as the "First Path", follows the Path of Service. This is the most common placement for first-year graduates, as careers in the various magickal service industries are the most common type of career.

Servitian students are typically quite dutiful, whether they recognize it or not. They possess an inherent talent for service, and are quite reliable friends. Though others may seek to abuse their willingness to go above and beyond, they can usually spot them from a mile away. Resourceful and punctual, they work well under stress and go about their daily lives with a calm sense of agency. They are usually the first to react when in a pinch, though these actions might not always be the best thought-through ones to take. They are open to constructive criticism, something that helps many Servitians to rise through the ranks in their respective careers.

A sometimes unintended side-effect of Servitian practitioners' willingness to serve is the influence of others, particularly those with malicious intent. In the guidance or stewardship of a dark practitioner, they can be led astray under the guise of serving their communities and loved ones well. It is often said that a good Servitian demonstrates strong mental clarity - to the extent that they are unwavering in the face of dark magick. In any instance, you'll never see a Servitian student shy away from a challenge without first giving it an honest go of things. They are loyal to their causes and peers, typically without fail.

House Servitia is represented by the black bear, and their house color is navy.

Notable alumni of House Servitia include the late explorer and Inquisitor Clothilde Caspar, former Potionmakers' United union president Keion Noble, Sr., Professor Verena Scales, and Dr. Rory McVeigh - Administrator of the Potts-Wigg Botanical Gardens.

As of 2018, House Servitia is led by Professor Quaintance Bromley, .

* Baylor Bishop
* Peter Pryzbylski
* Lauren Cobbler
* Evelyn Kohl
* Emilie Kohl
* Hayden Huntington
* Lynn Scales
* Kimberly May
* Nathan Gomez

### Gaudien

House Gaudia, also known as the "Second Path", follows the Path of Emotion.

Gaudien students are in-tune with strong, fluid, and impulsive magick. While the ultimate effectiveness of a Gaudien practitioner relies upon their own emotional maturity, one would do well to never underestimate them at any point in their magickal journey. Many notable healers and conjurers have emerged from House Gaudia, their powers sometimes far exceeding that of those on different paths. However, they are not without fault. The saying, "Gaudia good, Gaudia bad, you'll know in the end which you had," stems from a tendency for Gaudien practitioners to be blinded by their own emotions in moments of great consequence - often to their discredit or demise.

The magick wielded by House Gaudia practitioners is a very primal magick at the very core of human existence and collective experience. Emotions, as with anything else in life, can be fickle and difficult to grasp. Gaudien students seek to master and regulate their own emotional impulses, as well as those of others. It is often noted that House Gaudia alumni maintain the highest percentage of lasting marriages, and for good reason. A solid grasp of one's own emotional capacity is essential for success in all aspects of life. In the magickal and non-magickal worlds, alike, Gaudien alumni tend to make excellent social workers and therapists.

House Gaudia is represented by the coyote, and their house color is red.

Notable Gaudien alumni include torturer Theodore Crose, renowned businessman and marketing executive Alaric Divine, and former entertainer Charla.

As of 2018, House Gaudia is led by Professor Harold Duvall, Deputy Dean of Havenhurst Academy of the Unseen Arts.

* Mariah Harper
* Calliope Canard
* Baron Vertrees
* Stephanie Burgess
* Wesley Hildreth
* Honey Harlan
* Jillian Webster
* Ty Snyder
* Lyndsey Sweeting - (Mad about her house placement)
* Larissa Latimer
* Timothy Moscone

### Visian

House Visia, also known as the "Third Path", follows the Path of Glory.

Visian students possess an innate drive, something that motivates them beyond measure to achieve the best possible version of themselves. Whether they're aware of this or not, they are

House Visia is represented by the eagle, and their house color is gold.

Notable alumni of House Visia include incumbent CMP Chancellor Loutrisha Gould, War of Ill-Intent hero Suzannah Revere, and dark practitioner Viann Zavala.

* Keion Noble, Jr.
* Belinda Blackberry
* Jade Henderson
* Colby Swainston
* Quentin Scruggs
* Jasmine Cormier
* Emmery Coureton

### Luxion

House Lux, also known as the "Fourth Path", follows the Path of Light.

Luxion students are particularly gifted at light ritual and rites, and possess a unique talent for clarifying that which is unknown or otherwise shrouded in uncertainty. A good number of clairvoyants, mediums, and psychics hail from House Lux, as have various lightworkers - to be rather on the nose.

House Lux is represented by the firefly, and their house color is cream.

As of 2018, House Lux is led by Professor Nuriel Birdsong, Defensive Spells Department Chair.

* Cyrus Perkins
* Prudence Plainley
* Behram Panthaky
* Angelo Robles
* D'Markus Gabriel
* Mildred Morrison
* Marion Ainsley
	+ OLDER STUDENTS
	+ John Goode
	+ Johnna Goode

### Bellean

House Bellea, also known as the "Fifth Path", follows the Path of Beauty.

Bellean students are, perhaps, the greatest practitioners of egoic magick - that which enhances the physical form. They are students of beauty in all aspects of life, death, and that which is in-between. House Bellea is often among the most misunderstood of the paths at Havenhurst Academy, perceived as overly vain or conceited. This is most often not the case, yet stereotypes persist nonetheless. Bellean practitioners devote themselves to perfecting their Craft, their minds, their bodies, and their souls. At the very least, they aspire to get as close to their own concept of "perfection" as possible. Beauty, after all, is inherently subjective.

House Bellea is represented by the peacock, and their house color is violet.

Notable Bellean alumni include model and actress Ephemerine Teague, former CMP Chancellor Ophelia Fairbanks, and Professor Usain Belvedere.

As of 2018, House Bellea is led by Professor Melvina Young, Deputy Charms Department Chair.

* Madonna Miracle
* Jessalyn Sparks
* Jonesy Boling
* Nichole Wortley
* Lance Mueller
* Ruben Villaraigosa
* Hubert Donovan

### Alezian

House Alezia, also known as the "Sixth Path", follows the Path of Nature.

Alezian students have a strong predisposition toward elemental magick of all kinds. They are naturally aligned with the Five Elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and are able to harness their respective properties skillfully within their Craft. Scores of Alezian students have found themselves taken by the study of plants, animals, and even the very cyclical nature of life, itself. On the other hand, there are Alezian alumni who have been preoccupied entirely with the concept of death - an obsession that can turn one down very dark paths if not measured properly. Members of House Alezia are often kind and scrappy, hailing from modest backgrounds, and ever-eager to discover something new.

Much like House Gaudia, this house has a tendency to produce strong healers. Many are gifted in herbal medicine and go on to become fulfilled in healthcare careers, though just as many enter into agricultural and botanical professions. Skilled water elementals are sought for their abilities in terraforming and stonecutting - multiple famous sculptors have hailed from House Alezia.

House Alezia is represented by the bullfrog, and their house color is moss green.

Notable alumni of House Alezia include Professor Ireta Grump, infamous dark practitioner Solomon Idol, famed trickster and jinx master David Burkeybile, and the late wandmaker Linus Phipps II.

As of 2018, House Alezia is led by Professor Montzalee Garza, Elemental Channeling Department Chair.

* Grayslynn Davits
* Rosa-Marie Rodriquez
* Clancy Clarence
* Carlo Bianchi
* Kelly Kwon
* Xzavier Wright
* Ivy Greenspring
* Juan Carlos Contreras
* Avery Undine
* Makenzie Homewood
* (Nevada Moon)

### Equilion

House Equilio, also known as the "Seventh Path", follows the Path of Order. This is the least common placement for first-year graduates. The selection process for this placement are not disclosed to first-year students, and Equilio students are obliged to maintain a vow of secrecy. Those of House Equilio are entrusted with well-kept and safeguarded knowledge of light, dark, and chaos magick.

House Equilio is represented by the tortoise, and their house color is pale blue.

Notable alumni of House Equilio include former dean and school namesake Hezekiah Havenhurst, the late Vanessa Zavala, the late Professor Julian Éverard, and War of Ill-Intent hero John Batty I.

As of 2018, House Equilio is led by Professor Neverlie Quarles, Dean of Havenhurst Academy of the Unseen Arts.

* Olivia Marple
* Zooey DesJarlais
* Jaelon Bancroft
* Lucas Yáo
* Benjamin Bernal
* Autumn Skelton
* Mack Mullins
* Anjushree Kumar
	+ OLDER STUDENTS
	+ Savander Yeltsin
	+ Gina Godfrey
	+ Michael Valentino