Vutholla University

There the peoples of the world sat together as one, to learn from each other and to build a new world. An institution without borders or agendas, and friends without quarrel or strife, the best years of our lives shaped the rest of them. - Dormund of the Isles, Pirate King, Vothulla Alum

Over 1200 years ago, the powerful archwizard Quisbath Vuthol raised Illustra Island from beneath the sea. Upon this new land he envisioned a grand university that would educate the leaders of tomorrow that would build an enlightened, peaceful world. While construction was not complete before his death, Vuthol's vision was fulfilled, thanks to the artifacts and fortune he left behind. Today, thousands of students from all over the world gather to learn of the world and their place in it.

Location

The University sits on the magically-created Illustra Island, to ensure no nation could claim sovereignty over it. Sitting south of Islands of Teinmondi, the University towers over its tiny island and the villages below. The university can be accessed by sea, airship, and bridge.

The World Stage

Vothulla maintains a neutral stance in the world affairs. While their alumni go on to be world leaders, generals, and guild masters, the University itself is neutral ground and does not seek to tip the scales of power.

The Workings of the University

Admissions

The University admits students annually, in time with their yearly academic calendar. There are several mechanisms by which a student will be admitted.

Gameplay note: Consider Admission Mechanism to be your character background. It will influence your connections, proficiencies, and how other students in the university will regard you

Military Officers

Similar to but distinct from Sponsored Students, the various militaries of the world send young Officer prospects to Vutholla. Vutholla is a neutral entity and hopes that having various militaries co-mingled helps build a common culture and empathy for the “other side,” resulting in a world with less conflict and more cooperation.

Alumni Network

Vutholla Alumni have some pull in the admissions process. If a student cannot obtain a sponsorship, an alumni can put them forward for consideration. There are few spots for Alumni recruits, so competition is tight. Alumni will generally only present close friends and family - most often their children. Alumni recruits are a rare elite in the school. They generally come from money and prestige and have a jump-start to their education. They have been briefed on the inner workings of the school and manage to find advantages other students do not. Alumni recruits will generally keep to their own kind.

Exceptionally Able

Vutholla is not just reactive in their recruiting - they keep an eye out for what they call “Exceptionally Able” (EA) students. If a student has exceptional natural skill, such as supernatural and magical gifts, mental aptitude, or superhuman martial prowess, they may gain the attention of a recruiter. Every EA student is different in how they integrate into the school. Some find natural friends among the other students. Others struggle to integrate, having come from disadvantaged educational or socioeconomic backgrounds, suddenly in an environment with the children of the elite. It is not uncommon for an EA student to have a reputation that precedes them - for example, a powerful, natural-born sorcerer having a newsworthy discovery of their powers.

Lottery

The University does strive to have a positive impact on the world. To that end, a lottery program makes up a minority of the student body. The draw is completely random, as long as a student meets the minimum eligibility. Lottery students can come from any background and have any amount of (or lack of) skills.Unfortunately lottery students don’t always integrate well, and they have the lowest graduation rate.

Academics

Students are expected to complete a balanced education over their 5 year program. While a majority of their time is spent with their specific College, all students take classes in most areas. The academic year is split into 2 semesters, with a summer break that is typically used for internships. The programs of Vothulla are rigorous and the social environment is challenging. Roughly 50% of students complete their 5 year program.

Academic Advisor

All students are assigned an academic advisor in the form of a faculty member from their college. It is the advisor's duty to guide the student in their academic journey and help them find the path to success. However, not everyone is cut out for the rigors of the program, so an advisor may recommend a study withdraw if it is clear they are falling too far behind. A faculty member's time is valuable and will not be spent if there is not a positive outcom

Student Life

Students are encouraged to keep a rich and varied social circle. To this end, housing is not governed by college or background. Students are placed into dormitory "wings" of 8 students, who share a common lounge and facilities. Students room 2 to a chamber. It is not exactly clear how wings are assigned, but it is suspected that it is a deliberate process to give a student likely friends while still pushing their normal boundaries. There are numerous activities available, including sports, work-study opportunities, clubs & societies.

Organization and Competition

Colleges of Vothulla

Each student of the university belongs to a college suited to their skills and goals. Their college program makes up roughly half of their academic duties, but every student samples education from each.

Gameplay note: a player character's selection of class should not be the sole determinant of their college. While their skillset does matter (for example, a wizard would be wise to join Scolla Arcanus,) their life goals (and the goals of their sponsor) have a significant impact. That same wizard, if part of the Military Officer program, may choose Antis Potentia to learn tactics & leadership. Martial classes with magical abilities (such as Arcane Trickster rogues and Eldritch Knight fighters) may seek to join Scolla Arcanus. The son of a merchant who is destined to inherit the family business may choose the Discovery Institute, despite swinging a mighty greataxe.

Scolla Arcanus

The students of Scolla Arcanus learn to hone and control their magical abilities. While some say that the age of magic is in its twilight, Scolla Arcanus is perhaps the most famous of the Colleges. Admission is highly coveted, as it is believed that Scolla Arcanus harbors powerful secrets. The Primus of Scolla Arcanus is Yargol, a lifelong faculty member. Primus Yargol assigns many key duties to other faculty members, as the Scolla Arcanus is perhaps the most complex college with a sprawling curriculum.

Antis Potentia

Many of the generals and politicians of the world are graduates of Antis Potentia - the school of tactics, negotiation, and warfare. Students are expected to meet rigorous standards for both their bodies and their minds - requirements unique to this College. Antis Potentia is presided over by the Lady Edith Dawson, who commands the College much like a general would. Antis Potentia is responsible for the safety and security of the island, and its students must complete mandatory patrol duties of the surrounding seas.

Scolla Sensus

A peaceful, enlightened world would be a drab affair without the arts. Students of Scolla Sensus strive towards mastery of the written word, music, and visual mediums. This College does not merely produce poets and actors - many of its Alum go on to wield influence in negotiation and commerce. Scolla Sensus looks to Soleil Pridewing as their Primus, who puts many pertinent topics to popular vote by faculty and students. Scolla Sensus often acts as a "face" of the University, leading many initiatives in recruiting, admissions, orientation, and student life. The other Colleges are keen to ensure they are well represented in these activities, and that Scolla Sensus does not gain undue advantage.

Discovery Institute

A recent addition to the University, the Discovery Institute (usually referred to as simply "The Institute") seeks to lead the world in math and science. The rapid advancements in the manipulation of Motusite are of particular interest to the Institute. Students learn all there is to know about arithmetic, physics, alchemy, and engineering. Institute Alumni can be found leading commerce and industry, advising world leaders, and going on to teach the next generation. The Discovery Institute is overseen by its Primus, Benson Meyer, who has formed a faculty council to make most key decisions. The Institute Primus acts as the treasurer of the University, and the Institute is responsible for the engineering and upkeep of the facilities.

Domus Vita

The smallest of the colleges, Domus Vita deals in the natural world and what may lie beyond. Students of all colleges spend time in Domus Vita to learn botany, biology, geology, and other key natural sciences. Students of the college explore more esoteric paths, such as healing, animals & monstrosities, and unexplainable phenomena not serviced by the other schools. Domus Vita is a controversial institute for some, as it is commonly home to shapeshifters and others of unexplainable power. Domus Vita is overseen by Cedniss Pellnoom, their reclusive and quiet Primus. Domus Vita oversees the island's food supply, and works closely with the many merchants and farmers of Illustra Village.

Governance

The University is an academic institute, and it is the academic leaders that govern the school and Illustra Island.

The Headmaster

The Headmaster of Vothulla is a lifetime appointment made by the departing Headmaster. The Headmaster is the Chairperson of the Council of Colleges and has significant say in the finances and operations of the school at large. The Headmaster is the chief authority on disciplinary matters. The University has a long history of strong Headmasters, who tend to govern fairly and with a level head. It is an important unspoken principle that the individual Colleges retain control of their academic programs and operate as a committee on matters of academics and admissions. To this end, the Headmaster generally practices a hands-off approach, presiding as a neutral facilitator and acting as a tiebreaker if they must.

The Council of Colleges

The Council of Colleges is the governing authority of the University, presiding over academic standards, admissions, and other common matters. The Council meets and makes decisions on a simple majority, with the Headmaster acting as chair and tiebreaker.

College Leaders

Colleges maintain a high degree of autonomy. Each college has a Primus, who is elected by the Council of Colleges when there is a vacancy. This Primus is free to govern their college as they wish, some maintaining governing committees of their own, others as the sole leader. A Primus is a faculty member but is free of advisory duties to individual students. Each College Primus may have other general University duties unique to their position.

Finances

The University is generally in a sound financial position, with the Primus of the Discovery Institute acting as treasurer. Tuition is paid by Sponsored, Alumni and Military admissions (or, more accurately, their sponsors,) but is waived for the Exceptionally Able and Lottery students. The Discovery Institute has recently become a leading source of income, licensing their discoveries and inventions to nations, militaries, and corporations. The Alumni Network is very generous in their donations, with their endowment accounting for all expansion and maintenance costs of Illustra Island.

Rules of the University

Forbidden Secrets

The University seeks to grant knowledge that is productive for the world. Planting the right seeds can result in a grand harvest, but one rotten fruit spoils the whole bunch. These topics are not only absent from the curriculum aside from the most cursory overview, but their practice is strictly forbidden.

Gameplay note: the rules of the university do have an impact on the available playstyles. Certain subclasses and schools of magic will not be welcome at the University. A player character who delves into any of these skills must do so in secret or risk expulsion.

The Power of Death

The balance of life and death is a delicate and sacred thing. To attempt to raise or communicate with the dead is to interfere in this balance.

Dark Pacts

While there is power in bargaining, certain entities do not act in good faith. To make a dark pact may turn an unwitting student into an agent of chaos or death. No shortcut to power may undermine the mission of the university.

Illicit Warfare

To attend Vothulla is to make a friend of the enemy, putting you shoulder to shoulder with your future adversaries. While conflict may be inevitable, it should not be barbaric or uncivilized. Strict guidelines are in place around topics such as interrogation, and certain weapons are dissuaded, such as plague and particularly foul magics. Poisons are also closely governed. While it is important for alchemists and botanists to understand their nature and how to cure them, care is given to educate on the dangers and govern their usage. University Greenhouses that house dangerous plants are under strict watch.

Code of Conduct

The Vutholla Code of Conduct outlines other expectations for students

Type

Educational, School/Academy

Leader

Headmaster Rocceforte

Leader Title

Headmaster

Related Ranks & Titles

Controlled Territories

Vutholla

Neighboring Nations

The Great Teinmondi Peoples

Notable Members