The following sign up sheet cropped up at various places around the Academy of Bristle Crios, its Coven, and several places throughout Rhydin:

Arcane & Metaphysical Theory 1000 Is it within you, or have you marveled at the feats of Magic users from afar" Discuss, debate, and learn about the fundamental aspects of magical theory with Bristle Crios Magus Laureate, Atticus D'Arcstorm.

'Being a Wild Talent, though the term is somewhat crude, if accurate, can be both challenging and taxing on an ascending mage; without the proper way to channel the release of arcane energy, a mage can be inadvertently harm others, or even burn themselves out. The best way to avoid this is through education.' - Atticus D'Arcstorm

- Open to both current and aspiring practitioners of the Arts or Craft. Beings who have innate magical qualities or abilities are also included, as are mundanes who are simply curious and wish to take part in debate.

- Personal Foci, Spellbooks, Familiars, and other peripheral aids are welcome, but will also be subject to monitoring through Contingency Identify Spells. For those without such resources at your disposal, aids will be provided for you in the relevant classes. Such implements will be collected at the end of class, unless said instruments are needed for homework.

- Lectures could be few in number, but run long hours. Prepare accordingly, as you may find yourself in a simulated, or even off campus environment for upwards of 2-3 hours at a time. It is encouraged that you both pack a lunch, and indulge in necessary bathroom breaks before classes start.

- Lectures will take place in Mage Hall, in the Horizon Amphitheater.

Notice to Students & Teachers:

Enrollment for Arcane & Metaphysical Theory has now opened. The class will start mid-semester, but students who attend lectures are eligible to apply for double credit hours. e.g., Mid-Semester classes are usually only valued at 3 credit hours, this one will count as 6.

Auditors welcome.

Complete the Sign Up sheet below and submit it to Academy Bristle Crios Mage Hall, Faculty Office or to Atticus D'Arcstorm's personal offices at Mage Hall, Eternal House, or Horizon R&D.

Sample Enrollment Sheet:

Name: Student's Name

Student/Auditor: In what capacity you're enrolling.

Interest in the Craft: How you became interested in magic.

Current Affinity for the Arts: What your current level of familiarity is with magic, or magic/supernatural abilities.

What You Hope to Learn: Exactly that - what you hope to take away from the class.

Residence / Emergency Contact Information: (Just in case).

Other Pertinent Information: eg, If you have racial allergies, such as mercurial silver, or cold iron; do you share any type of elemental ancestry which would make exposure to a certain element more antagonizing than normal" If yes, please indicate so that extra precautions can be put in place ensure both your safety - and enjoyment in the learning experience of the class.

Please Fill Out the Enclosed Poll As Well. Thank you.



OOC:

Information for the lectures will be a mixed bag of his own personal take on several 'systems of magic', mostly using a couple of cool little online resources that everyone will be able to access if they want to look - like a few Wiki's in particular. Obviously, there's not really a definitive take on magic, so what he's teaching is 'his' definitive take on it - since I have to start somewhere. For my own personal resource, which I'll likely be citing as I do my lecture write ups, I'll be using the Laws of Magic, excerpted from Authentic Thaumaturgy, by P.E.I. Bonewits; something I saw when I was much younger, and thought made cool talking points for magic in general. It can be found here.

Anyone reading, and on any account can feel free to fill out the poll as well; obviously if you're taking the class, you'll get the chance to add your two cents anyways, but if you're not....well, it would be interesting to see what the majority of Rhydinians value magic as. That being said, try to vote with the conscience of whatever character you're on. Cheers!

Name: Lydia Tolmay

Student/Auditor: Auditor

Interest in the Craft: I have a growing interest in the subject of the arcane.

Current Affinity for the Arts: I have very little known affinity, and what little I possess has been involuntary.

What You Hope to Learn: I am open to trying various arcane methods to see what innate talents I may possess.

Residence / Emergency Contact Information: My current residence is along the northern wall of the Dragon's Gate District. My only emergency contact is my twin sister, Leta Tolmay, though I doubt you would be able to find her unless she chooses to be found.

Other Pertinent Information: If you intent to hold some classes outside, I will not be able to attend any outdoor class during sunlight hours. I will also need to be in a classroom that will not permit sunlight. I can provide UV shaded draperies as this or any of your classrooms require. Lastly, while I would be happy to observe, I would prefer to skip any direct fire based activities. If at any time my limitations may inhibit a class, I would humbly 'sit out' that day to allow for the proper education of your students in my absence.

Name: Bastion Kincaid

Student/Auditor: Student

Interest in the Craft: Seems as viable an option in education as anything else, probably more viable for employment reasons than a lot of things.

Current Affinity for the Arts: I can't cast spells or anything, but I guess I'm sensitive"

What You Hope to Learn: More about magic and identifying it I guess.

Residence / Emergency Contact Information: Dragon's Gate Orphanage, I don't have any next of kin per se, but someone there might remember me.

Other Pertinent Information: Sometimes when I sign my art it comes to life or gets animated or....something. So. Have fun with that"

A letter from the Academy of Bristle Crios, Office of the Registrar arrives for each person who applied for admission to Arcane & Metaphysical Theory:

Dear Students & Fellows,

Thank you and welcome, you have successfully been enrolled in Introduction to Arcane & Metaphysical Theory.

While this class is a sudden additional option to the curriculum, we recognize most students have few extra finances for corresponding supplies, and we will be the expense of all non-standard class supplies.

Please be advised that the first lecture date is set for October 25, 2016, by the C.E. calendar. Lectures will occur every Tuesday & Thursday, with initial lectures at 2 PM, and repeat lectures for evening students at 7 PM. Anyone interested in joining the class now that official registration has ended, please contact your faculty adviser, the Office of the Registrar, and Lord D'Arcstorm.

Have a wonderful autumn semester!

- Academy of Bristle Crios,Office of the Registrar - Mage Hall Faculty Office - Lord Atticus D'Arcstorm, Professor



OOC:

Hey everyone, thanks for showing your interest in the thread - just a heads up I will be starting the actual classes soon. On that note, the schedule posted just above us here is pretty much totally vapor. I plan to get the first class posts/introduction out by the end of next week for sure, but more likely it'll be closer to the 25th, and I don't have any set schedule I want to rush through or anything. It's my intent to give everyone reasonable time to respond to the material, but to try to keep it moving along.

In the process of determining what exactly I was going to cover when doing the class, I found that what I -wanted- to cover was actually too much material for a single class, so....there's potentially a follow up to the 'introductory' class, if it's well received (or even moderately received, since I've enjoyed framing it in my mind so much).

Also, if you're someone who hasn't applied but have somehow read here -after- reading our class thread, feel free to join in - though I'd appreciate a heads up first via PM, just so I know you're there.

Special mention to Blood Sister-mun for showing me a multi-part class concept like this, with feedback even, could work; I appreciate the feasibility study you've done, and happily give credit where it's due!

Cheers to all of you, and see you in class!

-K

Name: Layla Tollivar

Student/Auditor: Student

Interest in the Craft: Job requirement.

Current Affinity for the Arts: Minimal familiarity with magic. Very familiar with supernatural abilities.

What You Hope to Learn: Something that I can take back to my job to help me excel.

Residence / Emergency Contact Information: Please direct all correspondence to Ambras-Ortea Law in the Southgate District of Rhy'din. If an issue arises, call and ask for Stephen.

Other Pertinent Information: I am not aware of any allergies, though I prefer not to be in direct sunlight. I need this request to remain confidential.

Name: Andu Kirost

Student/Auditor: Student

Interest in the Craft: Ascending, putting myself into a coma for a week.

Current Affinity for the Arts: Lots of experience using magical items and seeing magic of many different types done.

What You Hope to Learn: How not to knock myself out doing more then summoning or conjuring a cup of coffee.

Residence / Emergency Contact Information: Gaia de Hut. Goddess@GaiaCom.Net

Other Pertinent Information: Larger then normal seat....Much larger. Or I can just sit on the ground, that works too.

OOC:

For those of you in the Introduction to Arcane & Metaphysical Theory 1000 course going to see Rebecca for a copy of the "Waiver D5", I thought you might like to know what to expect....

There is one door that leads to the Headmistress's Office from the Administration Building's main hallway on the first floor, but before you come to Ms. Tolmay's office, you first have to walk through Rebecca's office. She has an L-shaped wooden desk with a hutch over the one end that sits against the wall. There are two chairs against the wall in front of the other end if people are waiting to see the Headmistress, or needing to pull up a chair to fill out some forms or other paperwork.

On the desk facing towards the door, which is always pleasantly open as long as Rebecca is there, you can see her name plaque that reads, Rebecca Mordoe. If someone calls her by her last name, by a shortened nickname, or any other variation that is not "Rebecca", she will continually insist that everyone call her simply Rebecca. It is the only time the sweet, helpful woman seems unhappy.

Rebecca has light blue eyes and a natural wave to her hair that borders light brown and dark blonde. She would typically be dressed in what one might consider 'casual business attire'. You can see an image of Rebecca here. Highly organized, if asked for the "Waiver D5" form, she will instinctually know where it is, pull open a drawer of the file cabinets along the back wall, and promptly be able to retrieve it through the file folders, offering it to you with a bright smile.

Although she is very kind, she does not typically engage in much small talk. Her responses will be sweet, but somewhat terse, as she prefers to get back to work completing paperwork on her desk or filling in information on her computer files, unless someone needs her help to find or fill out a form.

So' I offer my NPC for this limited time use if anyone would like to include an encounter with her in their posts for the class. It could be an actual written out scene, or just be a reference to her after the fact, or anything like that. If anyone has any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. I might be able to offer some light dialog, too.

OOC:

Hey everyone, just a little mass update regarding A&M Theory and the current field trip to Dream. A lot of people have sent me questions, or talked to me about some different little things that basically fall under the same banner, so I'm going to try to blanket address everything - hopefully without making it more confusing.

At one point Atticus mentioned the mutability of Dream. Basically, consider that any of the environment that I've mentioned will respond to your character largely however you see fitting, that makes sense for your character. There's not really a wrong way to make use of the freedom, and I do encourage you to make the most of it. That being said, everyone in the realm generates their own bubble of reality in a way; their passions and thoughts are capable of altering what is going on around them which means their reality can both impugn on others, and defend them from others.

Upon arrival, Dream looks like it's described because Atticus is exerting his influence to create a shared vision of Dream for the students, so everyone can interact together. Because they are actually physically there, instead of arriving there by dreaming, the landscape/reality will respond to their sub conscious. For example, someone's thoughts linger on natives to Dream, one might arrive. If another is particularly taken by a De-light, a dream shard, that they perceive there - expect that it is possible that their strong emotions could influence things like weather, temperature, light, almost....I mean it's whatever you can come up with. If you want to use it all.

Don't worry about going outside the box cause....the box is only vaguely there to begin with.

If not, I would like to (this is just foresight) in some cases - only in minor ways unless I ask permission for more - bend the land to reflect the narrative of the characters within it. Again, nothing oppressive, just kind of a Fisher King/ pathetic fallacy type of sense.

All the best, K / Atticus-mun

OOC: You're fine - at least I think you are. But then again, I'm not exactly up on teaching etiquette as I only play one occasionally. :p

Um, yes, re-read. It wasn't in Atticus's last post, it was the post before last. But keep in mind there's going to be a huge gulf of time that passes between when the homework was requested and when the next lecture commences. So it's possible to forget it, or the dog (or Nexus) ate it or, pretty much whatever you want. It would have been up in the air if class was going to actually continue for a bit during the protests.

But we are! So moving on to your next question...

The case of the constructs has two answers, one simple and one more complex, and the choice is up to you which to use -and- this is only in my opinion. The simple answer is that to the students, the constructs were part of Dream and remain there or 'poof' when the students leave.

The more complex answer is: whatever you want, or whatever makes sense for you to have happened. I feel I painted a scene which was very light on specifics just to leave it open, but to -imply- that since they were part of Dream they remained there while the students return to class. That's not necessarily the case, though, if you want to somehow justify bringing something with you back to the waking world.

If it's something you want to justify doing somehow in character, feel free, I certainly won't penalize you - more likely I'll read whatever you do and adapt further of Atticus story accordingly since he remained in Dream after the students vapored.

Unless you're asking out of character in an in character way what happened to them because your character wants to know....in which case, ask in character. :)