For centuries, the Kotivarium at
Ios has cultivated Deklonia's greatest minds, from the great historian Diadon to
Halmar the Conqueror. Its comprehensive curriculum and rigorous rhetoric have gifted the kingdoms of
Men with an educated class to rival that of even the
Mele.
History
Early Years
The Kotivarium was established in 1658 by King Derwan of
Laridia, grandson of Laridos the Great. Its foundation came at the Great Famine's end, during which the Venmaida was appeased, and fruitful harvests returned to the land. Its purpose in those early years was to preserve ancient
Govanite culture and history and create well-rounded members of society. Eary classes were taught exclusively in
Old Mastalic and covered such subjects as history, art, astronomy, geometry, biology, and metaphysics.
The College of Warlocks
Beginning in the late 18th century, the Kotivarium began to offer its services to aspiring young warlocks. This addition to the curriculum coincided with an increased interest in magical forces following King Cynemaer's legendary battle with the great dragon Frymbin Blackwing and the unification of
Merendor. Though
Men do not possess Ven Létinor's gift as the
Mele do, they may harness its power by means of other beings who possess the gift. Most commonly, a human who forms a strong bond with an
Aelf acts as a conduit for his fey companion. The Arcaneum was the heart of the College of Warlocks, acting as the center for their research and experiments in the metaphysical and transmundane. The college reached the height of its glory during Derwan II's reign but fell out of favor in the 22nd century when the
Lamorien Empire conquered Laridian lands.
During Lamorien Occupation
The Mele of Lamorien had little tolerance for the educational hegemony of the Kotivarium but allowed its continued operation under several conditions. The College of Warlocks was disbanded, as the Lamorien saw human magic-users as a threat to their power and viewed the use of Aelfs as barbaric. The traditional use of Old Mastalic was also replaced by the mellic
Léttanya to diffuse Lamorien culture more quickly through the upper echelons of Laridian society. The curriculum was also altered to include tenets of
Alay history, culture, and religion, while discouraging the pursuit of metaphysical learning. Though far from perfect, the Lamorien Kotivarium remained a powerful and respectable institution capable of cultivating the brightest of minds.
Under Halmar's Regime
After
Halmar's great reconquest of Deklonia from Lamorien hands, the Kotivarium was allowed to return to many of its old ways and was encouraged to do so by the Conqueror himself. However, Halmar despised the use of magic and forbade the College of Warlocks to be reinstituted. While the school regained much of its former renown, it would never again reach the heights of the pre-Lamorien era.
Notable Students
Many great names graced the halls of the Kotivarium throughout the many centuries of its operation. Nearly every king of Laridos' line received his education at the school, as well as many of the
Landgrafs who ruled in nearby Genadenbrag, Totnau, and Rorbach. The historians Diadon, Orthen, and Pergannic and the great warlock Hersing go'Rhosder, are among the best-known intellectuals educated there.
Assets
The Kotivarium's assets include the campus grounds, educational and administrative buildings, the Arcaneum, dormitories, a vast library, and all the valuable furnishings within them. The great library houses many rare and valuable tomes, as well as many reproduced
Vlasiriona of great historical value. The Arcaneum contains many valuable instruments and documented experiments by the warlocks who study there.
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