The Crimson College

The Crimson College is one of three major institutes of arcane learning in the Ahlusian Pantheon, located within the settlement of Redbloom in Atralran.

## Description

Built within the grounds of the former Guild of the Crimson Blossom, one of the original Ten Magic Guilds of Ahlus, construction efforts for the Crimson College started shortly after the ascension of Eldarion I Goldlor to his family's throne in 11WD. The original buildings of the Guild of the Crimson Blossom were built within a forested valley, and with time landscaping and terraforming of the region by means of felling of trees and quarrying has flattened the valley to the extent of now existing as two shallow hills, with the now present Crimson College located in the cleft between the two. By 15WD, the College had opened its doors to its first new acolytes and apprentices, with the Archmage Ealwant Besculus offering significant aid to those selected to operate the organisation.

Originally, the Marquis held direct dominion over the running of the Crimson College too, but in time it was ultimately decided such matters were better served by those involved in its day-to-day operation. Two Archmages, one serving as the head of the School of Evocation, another as Transmutation's equivalent both hold the additional title of Baronet of Redbloom, act to keep the standards of the College high, while holding the door wide for all to have a chance to learn of their arcane specialties.

## Spellslingers

Although strictly not tied to the Crimson College specifically, individuals that have trained at the College are subsequently granted the title of spellslinger, a title that finds it origins amongst the long-standing and famed Atral traditions of marrying martial and magical prowess alike. Such traditions were revitalised by Eldarion I Goldlor after his ascension to the Gildhearth Throne, but while the focuses of the original disciplines or Garrisons are still maintained to this day, new Cohorts have since been established that focus on utility and support rather than offensive spellcasting.

### Students & Training

Although varying somewhat between the numerous Principal Races that call Atralran home, most students intending to walk the path of Spellslinger are inducted into its halls a few years before reaching adulthood, with an average time taken to graduation somewhere around four or five years for basic studies. From here, many individuals will elect to, or be sponsored and guided to undertake further studies, some of which may last several decades. By contrast, individuals wishing to gain competence with so-called *Mundane Magic* are often of a wide range of ages, studying part time at greatly reduced fees - their costs subsidised by the Crown following an initiative by King Eldarion I to bolster the spread of magic in his newly revitalised Realm. Nonetheless, the Crimson College remains the most affordable and open College of magic out of the primary three on the continent, even for those seeking training as Spellslingers.

For students following the traditional pathway, the first year serves as a matter of fundamentals intended to level the *Spellslinger Neophytes* with each other, so that those without previous experience, formal training or likewise are not left lingering behind their peers. For individuals hailing from arcanely-inclined families, or perhaps those with ensorcelled bloodlines, this year can be frustrating and lacklustre, but is likewise intended to serve as reinforcement that collective effort and collaboration is more important that individual prowess. After completing this year, the students assume the title of *Spellslinger Acolyte*, and are given robes with a red and brown hood, as opposed to the pure blue provided to them during their induction.

The first half of the second year is spent exploring the two specialties of the Crimson College, that of the Schools of Evocation and Transmutation. While all other Schools of Magic are studied through training - particularly by those destined to join one of the more utility-focused cohorts - these two specialties herald once again the long-standing tradition of the Crimson College as augmenters of the Atral way of life, both as military powerhouses that stood fast against superior forces where no other Realm could, and shapers of mighty cities, structures and objects nigh impossible by mundane skill alone. Once the *Spellslinger Acolyte* has chosen their preferred specialty, their decision is taking into account by the Professors that have taught them over the last 18 months, who then assign them according to their anticipated best placement. *Spellslinger Acolytes* spend the next 18 months studying their specialty as *Spellslinger Apprentices*, now adorned with hooded blue-based robes featuring sleeves and a trim of either red in the case of Evocation, or brown for Transmutation. In addition to studying the arcane, students also spent several hours a week in lectures dedicated to Atral history, with particular emphasis on military science, classical and contemporary events and religious studies. During this time, *Spellslinger* *Appentices* are guided towards one of the Garrisons or Cohorts of the College, which ultimately serve to define the role that they will one day play in Atral society.

Around the third anniversary of their induction, the *Spellslinger Appentices* undergo a series of rigorous testing and examinations, comprising of practical demonstrations of arcane prowess in controlled environments and duelling scenarios, as well as written and verbal examinations. Unsuccessful candidates may be allowed to resit their examinations immediately, while in some cases they remain as a *Spellslinger Apprentice* to continue studying, ready to attempt the tests again with the next cohort. Successful candidates are once again granted new robes, now quartered either red or brown upon the royal blue base, and assume the title of *Spellslinger-Errant,* following in the style of Knight-Errant used for those undergoing their Trial of Spirit. While their formal training at the Crimson College is now considered complete, they are not granted the title of *Spellslinger* in finality until they have undergone military training, a process that typically would take the majority of a year, though it was expected that the *Spellslinger-Errant* would also seek out extracurricular activities during this time, such as pursuit of a craftsman to teach them proficiency with a tool, or a scholar to expand their linguistic repertoire. Throughout this year, students were encouraged to learn to blend their magical training with everything they sought to do, whether infusing their thrusts and lunges with the arcane, or utilising their magic to mediate conflicts. After this time, *Spellslinger-Errants* return to the college for one final series of examinations, after which they graduate, are provided robes fully coloured with that of their specialist school of magic, and are considered fully fledged *Spellslingers.*

Regardless of the Spellslinger's subsequent pathway moving forwards following graduation, it is expected that their actions serve the interests of Atralran first and foremost, and as such many immediate induct themselves into the ranks of the Silvertowers, making up a sizeable portion of its numbers. Conversely, some graduates may seek further training, fulfilling their pledge to their Realm by bettering themselves to further improve their ability to act in Atralran's interests. These studies are more freeform than the initial training pathway, although usually involve being assigned a research topic by an overseeing academic figure, or being assigned to Squire to a Knight of the Realm.