Academies

The xeran academies are based in each of the major cities with the central one in Para-xian coordinating their role.

The academies are the premier and indeed only psionic educational facility of the xeran people. Each of the five specialises in its own discipline and has instructors versed in its various arts.

When born it is not always evident immediately what discipline a child will have. Those who can afford extensive testing find out usually much quicker than those who cannot afford such luxuries. Between the ages of 6 and 25 most are taught in communal groups with similarly powered infants. Seniority however is based on power and aptitude not age. Children are likely to be in the came class or Tier as their parents and tend to similar disciplines just as a child of two tall blonde haired parents is likely to be tall and blonde themselves. Very powerful TD parents are forced by law to have their children tested at birth and every year there after to determine if they are TD and what Tier. As soon as a child is determined to have a Tier 5 potential in TD they are taken for Enforcer Training regardless of age.

As soon as a child has developed its abilities enough to be considered Tier 4 he/she is entered the academies. Culturally asking someone’s age is considered quite foolish as it means almost nothing. The xeren are potentially very long lived (with most living well over a centuryand some having lived multiple century lifespans).

When one develops to at least Tier 3 you may be considered to have graduated the academy. However most xeren stay in the academies or return periodically to study until they have achieved the Tier they will max out at. If you do not achieve Tier 3(or cannot) you can either remain as a permanent student or ‘drop out’. This leaves you on the bottom rung of xeren society, unable to get any meaningful employment, unable to vote or own land and for the most part unable to form partnerships with anyone of a higher Tier. You are considered an untrained adolescent regardless of your actual age. Culturally you would be excepted to defer to anyone of Tier 3 or higher even if they were far younger, stupider or even poorer than yourself.

Therefore the academies are even more important than similar institutions in other countries and cultures. It is they that determine your strata in society and life.

 Tier 2
 Tier 3
 Tier 4

**Education**

The basic premise of xeran education is called ‘Master of the Middle’. The theory and educational practice was developed by the master of academies Ye-Thrain. Basically, he depicted the learning of the disciplines as a dot surrounded by 3 concentric circles. The dot is the middle (the inner mental/spiritual/emotional self) the first circle is 'personal' the second external or 'the shell' and the third is beyond personal influence 'the eternal'.

He thoerized that all learning in the disciplines had to start with the self. Discovering, exploring, teaching and mastering it. Once this was done, one could progress to developing and controlling everything in one’s personal area on mental control. Once such abilities were developed then they could be focused on external targets further developing the wielder. Once one had mastered effecting external targets one could move to developing capabilities that ranged beyond sight and time. Eternal refers to things such as leaving effects that endure after the xeran has left or stopped using their ability. It could also reference the ability to work over huge distances or interdimensionally.

However the key to true understanding is that once the eternal is accessed the the system reverses. The ability to affect external targets is enhanced then you can realise true control of your personal being and finally you go to the centre and master the ability within your inner self to its fullest extent. This is self-realisation, self-mastery and the greatest level of power will be unlocked. In the end, it comes back to the beginning and at this point one is the true ‘Master of the Middle’.

It is through this methodology or pattern that the academies teach their students.

The academies report to the individual Savant over their discipline as part of the Conclave.