Topic: The Institute of Arcane Principle -- The Basics

Arkon Daraul

Date: 2010-10-17 02:41 EST


The Institute of Arcane Principle -- Class Conspectus



The Institute of Arcane Principle is a university of elite study that is centered around the growth and education of magical knowledge and craft. Acceptance into the Institute is a difficult task that requires a dedicated ambition; a quality that is obligatory in all wizards. An acceptance proposal must be submitted in writing to the school's head master, Arkon Daraul, who then determines whether or not the applicant fits the parameters necessary to attend. If accepted, the applicant will receive a missive decipherable by only their eyes that includes the password permitting entrance through the Institute's magically sealed gates.



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The Institute sits on more than a hundred and fifty acres of land that was once the Silverleaf Maple Mental Health Center. The asylum went under after an uprising by the patients who murdered all of the staff before locking the door and burning themselves alive within its sealed walls. The unhallowed essence that remains inside the halls is powerful and compelling, strong reasons as to why the Dark Mage of the Shaitan chose it as the epicenter of his school.

Because the school is an Institution of Higher Magical Learning, it does not accept untrained magicians. Furthermore, even though a first year student is known as a 'Novice' they are far beyond that title in their actual knowledge of the craft. It is not uncommon for a novitiate of the Institute to have ten years of formidable and grueling training in their resume.

Below is a list and description of rankings for the first four years of study. The fifth year starts a more advanced education and will be touched on at a later date.

Arkon Daraul

Date: 2010-10-17 02:44 EST
Novice:

First year Students, or Novices, are supplied with an empty spell book, an ordinary cloak, and a simple wand, all of which are expected to be enchanted before the start of the following year. Existing spellbooks must be copied over into the tome supplied by the Institute. Both the cloak and the wand must have multiple enchantments - at least one defensive enchantment for the cloak, as well as one offensive enchantment for the wand. Familiar's are also chosen at this time. If one already exists, the student is required to soul-bind them within the first four weeks of study. This is a requirement.

Novitiates are overseen by second year students (Apprentices) and must attend to them. One of the most vital attributes of a mage of the Institute of Arcane Principle is discipline, to both one's self and one's order.

Eight daily courses are required four times a week, with each class lasting one and a half to two hours. Novitiate's are not required to have a specialized school of magic, though emphasis on determining one is stressed the longer the year goes. As specialized schools are decided upon, the schedule of the Novitiate is targeted for their success. Those who do not choose a specialty school by the time they pass their first year feed into the 'General Magic' group, which is far less prestigious than those who select an individual focus.


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Uniforms are required at the Student's expense. Coloration is dependent upon rank, so traditionally 1st years are required to wear simple black and white. This includes any accessories; hats, undershirts, tights, etc. Exuberant or vibrant colors that separate a novitiate from their class is prohibited. If a novice wishes to stand out he/she must do so with their magic.

Arkon Daraul

Date: 2010-10-17 02:47 EST
Apprentice:

As an apprentice, the responsibility of the student grows beyond just simple study. Apprentices are in charge of keeping the new class of first year students structured and in line, as well as organizing them into groups that feed into whatever school of magic they have chosen to study. Apprentices are not only required to meet the rigorous class schedule, but must also participate in competitions between one another throughout the year. Records are kept pertaining to success and failures, and triumphant Apprentices are recognized when applicable. If an apprentice stands out, he/she may be approached by a Wizard to become their understudy, or Ucenic. This is a coveted title of prestige that many second year students seek.

Apprentices advance beyond simple colors and clothing, receiving a cloak of rank along with a blazer sporting the IAP emblem. Before they can wear the blazer freely they must infuse the emblem with a magical ward of their choosing. The cloak of rank is considered an upgrade from the simple cloak they receive in their novitiate year, and it is encouraged (quietly demanded, in fact) that they incorporate and bolster the attention given to the initial cloak upon the newly bestowed one.

Apprentices continue to carry the wand they crafted their Novitiate year, though they must advance the magic that initially designed the item, whether it be expanding the existing charges or heightening the effective potency, it must be augmented accordingly to mirror their ascended status.


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They also get to add a touch of color to their wardrobe: Red. It represents ambition.

Arkon Daraul

Date: 2010-10-17 02:49 EST
Mage:

Once the student has graduated from the Apprentice Ranks, they become a Mage. Mage is the lowest class of recognized spell casters and while they oversee Apprentices and Novitiates, they serve as attendants to Sorcerers/Sorceress and beyond. It is because of this that many Mage's seem distraught and bitter, and have a vengeful edge when dealing with the lower rung of students.

Dedication and ambition are put to the test when one achieves the rank of Mage. Their wand is now fully infused with magic, no longer an item but an instrument and companion. The spell book is partially filled with an assortment of spells, and the caster's personal library has by now expanded to a half dozen books and tomes. The mind is hungry, eager to learn more. Some mages who show adroit talent are chosen to forgo their attendance in one of their daily required classes to instead teach it, though their class may only contain Novitiate or Apprentice class students. Students who decided on their specialty in their first year are normally ideal for this promotion, which establishes the importance of selecting a school and not falling into the 'General Magic' category.

Added to that, Mages are introduced to two more items of importance: the ritual dagger and the sphere. Ritual magic plays a large part in a magicians repertoire of spells, and in order to integrate this fully the caster must understand the importance of the foci. Magic spheres have a variety of uses, from instruments of communication to wormholes that allow spells to be cast across great distances. Mage's are taught the importance and danger of spheres, as well as how to cast, create, and bid for control of them.


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Men are given robes with coats to wear over top and half-capes signifying their rank. Women are given imperial jackets with matching skirts and long flowing cloaks. These capes and cloaks are to be outfitted with wards or protection and magical resistance, though by this point such spell craft should be prosaic and conventional.

Arkon Daraul

Date: 2010-10-17 02:51 EST
Sorcerer/Sorceress:

In the fourth year is when students begin to see the bulk of their tedious study and arduous work pay off, as well as drastically increase.

The most prominent and compelling achievement of the fourth year student is that they receive the blue sash of Barud Das, which grants them entry within the Fortress of Towers to attend seminars and courses that are otherwise off-limits to the rest of the school. Some of these classes are taught by Arkon Daraul himself, which in itself motivates Mages to aspire toward this tier. Once the blue sash is rewarded it can never be removed unless by the Headmaster.

Sorcerers/Sorceresses are required to teach at least two classes - one of them supporting their specialized school of magic, the other assisting a Sorcerer/Sorceress who instructs a school of magic that opposes it. The 'General Magic' courses are non-existent beyond remedial study at this point, and fourth year students who have ignored the selection of a specialized school are penalized by retaining the rank of Mage until such a decision is made.

This is also the year that students begin work on their staff. While it is not uncommon for a wizard to have multiple wands, it is few and far between to find one who has more than one staff. The importance of the staff, and bond a wizard shares with it, is taught here along with the crafting of such an artifact.

Because of the focus and attention required to create such a relic, the study-load is reduced from the eight required daily courses to four (though all advanced studies), including the two they teach. It is expected that the hours surrendered from class work are spent scrupulously engineering the staff.


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The uniform is exchanged at this point for robes of a more individualized fashion, though kept safe for formal occasions. By this point, the spell caster has earned the right to wear what he/she wishes.

The I.A.P. Superintendent

Date: 2010-10-30 13:33 EST
Teachers and Students alike would find the Insignia Badges conveniently positioned amongst their belongings. Buttoned pockets, fastened satchels, locked desk drawers...these were all fitting settings for the locality of the emblem.

With them would be a small piece of parchment attached through the pin, making it impossible to have one without the other. Those who read the letter would receive the following information. Those who thought to lazily toss the instructions would find the folded paper suddenly returned to their hand; this occurrence a process of infinite endurance until finally read.

Once unfurled, the paper would speak out loud to the possessor, the words scribed therein fading away as they were spoken.

Recipient,

Bestowed to ye is the crest of the Institute of Arcane Principle, and with it comes admittance upon and within the campus. Beware of treading without its protection, for the barriers set in place are potent, harsh, and unforgiving. Not all emblems are of equal lenience, and thou shalt be warned by the magic it holds as to your persistence or denial of entry or progress into specific areas.

Lest be warned.


At the conclusion, the parchment would ignite into a flash of lavender fire and quickly disintegrate into utter nothingness.

The I.A.P. Superintendent

Date: 2010-11-09 11:11 EST
As Masters, Mistresses, Professors and Adjuncts began their routine preparation for their daily schedule, they would find a stack of papers upon their desks the color of burnt sienna, equaling the total number of students taught in a given day. The fluid penmanship would hint at the perfection insisted upon by Arkon Daraul, though across the top a single word would be inscribed with thick, blocky letters.


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The I.A.P. Superintendent

Date: 2010-11-19 20:33 EST



General Curriculum:
These are the bulk of student studies year in and year out. As they advance through the ranks of the Institute their coursework and curriculum will progress depending on their talent and proficiency.

Abjuration: Spells that Block, Banish, or Protect - Called an Abjurer. Taught by Lillura.

Conjuration: Spells that bring creatures or materials to the caster - Called a Conjurer. Taught by Mos'em.

Divination: Spells that reveal information - Called a Diviner. Taught by Depha Roksana Vadten.

Enchantment: Spells that imbue the recipient with some property or grant the caster power over another being - called an Enchanter. Taught by Nil'haia.

Evocation: Spells that manipulate energy or create something from nothing - Called an Evoker. Taught by Samcenu Tracha

Illusion: Spells that alter perception or create false images - Called an Illusionist. Taught by Zhennavieve LaCroix

Necromancy: Spells that manipulate, create, or destroy life or life force - Called a Necromancer. Taught by Smout'n.

Transmutation: Spells that transform the recipient physically or change its properties in a more subtle way - Called a Transmuter. Taught by Illia zio leli.

General/Universal Spell Craft: Not a school, but a category for spells all wizards can learn.


Select Courses:
These are specified courses that students must take. A Select Course of study is normally chosen in the first year of attendance and then studied continuously up and even through graduation. Normally only a single course is chosen due to the intense demands required of the Wizard, but a double course-load has been taken before, though caution is advised.

Bardic Magic: Spells crafted from the magic of song, this class is reserved for only Bards. These spells follow strict verbal components and are generated through the voice/instrument of the caster, negating the requirement for a spell book. The Bard is responsible for the purchase and maintenance of his/her instrument. Taught by Bianca Van Blaudin.

Shadow Magic: This is magic that centers around The Corpus Umbra - the Plane of Shadow. Volatile and highly dangerous, Apprentice class students and below are not permitted to practice shadow magic without being properly overseen by a Mage level or higher Superior. Those who ignore the restrictions of casting this magic and are caught will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Taught by Natolii Soulbinder Tanner

Spell Craft: This class teaches young wizards how to build their own spells. A majority of the magic used is recycled labor centuries old, but new spells are still being crafted daily. The challenging part of this class is that, due to the amount of spells already in existence, finding new magic is nearly impossible. Students who are able to come up with an original spell result and formulate it into spell craft are normally touted as Wizards of great esteem. Taught by Marius Mistmark, Ulyssa Mistmark .

Alchemy: This class revolves around the creation of incredible substances without the use of magic. An alchemist can identify potions and brews of a magical nature as well as combine them for unique results without fear of damage or injury. Alchemists can also make alchemists fire, antidotes and antitoxins if given the required ingredients.

Item Craft: This course is actually broken into a variety of sub-courses due to the amount of item creation specific to wizardy. All Novitiate class Wizards of the Institute are required to take Item Craft: Wand in their first semester. Beyond that, they sub-courses include but are not limited to: Potions, Staffs, Rings, Scrolls, Universal, and Armor and Weaponry.

Elemental Magic: This course is broken into four Sections - Earth, air, fire, water - and from there is broken into several other subsections including Ice, Ash, Smoke, etc. Elementalists predominantly inhabit these classes, though it is highly encouraged that non-elementalists partake in these studies to have a better understanding of elemental magic, and thus a greater clarity on how to defend, dispel and combat this powerful arcana.

Earth - Praysin
Air - Kysina
Water - Naveah Lyricstar
Fire - Menolymus


Elite Focus
These classes differ from standard core classes because these classes are not selected. These classes are not requested, but arranged before the start of the semester when a wizard is approached by the Master or Mistress of the class.

Planar Magic: This course goes over a variety of different variables, including planar magic, creatures, travel and engineering. Students in this class will be exposed to all sort of off-plane phenomenon, from the winds of Pandimonium to the frozen waste of Cania. This may, in fact, be the schools most dangerous course. Taught by Satariel Shah.

Black Magic: This class revolves around magic of a more malevolent nature. There are only a select few who can take this class due to the unholy demand it puts upon one's body, and by the time this study has ended there is always a change in the caster. Always. This course will go over spell effects that bring suffering and negative energy, create/summon/develop undead and demonic creatures, as well as Soul Magic - arcana designed to imprison, damage, or utterly destroy the spiritual essence of creatures. Taught by Arkon Daraul.

White Magic: This class is centered around a more virtuous outlook on magic. While this sort of study is normally reserved for ecclesiastic casters (Priests, Clerics, and Paladins), there are many masters of arcana who theorize that the essence of magic can be defined as good and evil, and that White Magic is the result of this belief. These spells inspire hope, joy, positive emotions and energies, along with alleviating suffering and strife, and the summoning or improving celestial or 'goodly' creatures. Taught by Tora Deron.

Satariel Shah

Date: 2011-10-18 15:54 EST
Leaves of Absence

Should a student "disappear" it becomes necessary to have an explanation and a way of dealing with this in place.

Being a school of magic, in which time itself is sometimes studied, altered, and played with, there are many, many reasons why and how a student may take a "leave of absence" of some kind.

When such an occurrence comes up, the Administration will place the student on either "Unapproved Leave" or "Approved Leave" based on what parameters (you the player) have put in place to explain this absence.


((OOC NOTE: We are totally understanding of time management issues (RL always trumps) and there are times when characters/storylines aren't being cooperative and/or moments where other commitments interfere.

But to avoid any chance of miscommunication or opportunity of ruffled feathers we strongly encourage the players to come up with a reason for their character's disappearances. For one, it makes for a better storyline for all involved, and for two it keeps the creative control of your character in your hands. Interpretations and perceptions by others is the art of good improv and free-form writing so make sure that the ones being created are the ones you'd like to see occur.

I like to imagine all of us are collaborative writers telling one gigantic series of novellas, or perhaps screenwriters putting together a long-standing television show. When characters simply disappear for lengthy amounts of time it makes for gaps in the story if there is no reason put in place. There are many times in television shows where actors/actresses must take a break (most notably pregnancy/birth) and it takes limited creativity to spin a quick tale as to why the audience is no longer seeing that character for the time being.

Have fun with it! Let it add depth to your character and give you an opportunity to expand on your own SL when you're ready to return to it.

If you ever think you might need either a reason to disappear or a reason to explain a disappearance please feel free to utilize the NPCS and/or shoot myself or Arkon a PM and let us know if we can help. We're both always brewing with thousands of ideas that we just do not have the time or the characters for, we'd love to hand one over to you and see what you can do with it ;) ))