The Forgotten Phrontistery

The Forgotten Phrontistery is a university and educational centre build into the ruins of an older centre of learning along the southern coast of Lake Daem. Those that attend or work at the institution often refer to it as the Frond, partially for ease of reference and partially because of the segmented shape of the building which could be compared to the branching leaves of a fern.
The Frond was in Daendar shortly after the Zagash had created several permanent settlements in the Oromuk Mountains. The purpose of establishing the Frond was to allow Zagash scholars to escape the noise and isolation of the mountains by giving them access to major trade routes while also providing ample space for the establishment of a permanent settlement to serve the Frond through food production and other services. The Zagash were aware of the ruins that eventually became the Frond due to the infrequent trade from indigenous groups in the north who had relayed stories about the ruins as a place to avoid. The Zagash, who believed that the dead could not "haunt" buildings as their spirit either went out to sea, to the land of the dead beyond the waves, or they returned to the soil and became keepers of the land itself (which was always a benevolent act). The Zagash instead viewed this location as a prime spot due to its proximity to fresh water as well as a strong existing base for any new buildings needed for the study location.
The Frond's main building is the primary ruin of the old educational centre. The old centre, which collapsed and was abandoned before the groups from the north brought word to the Zagash, was only assumed to be a place of education due to the quantity of old documents and tomes (written in a dead language) that were found upon removing some of the debris and overgrowth. Every such document discovered during the initial construction of the Frond's main building were maintained and kept in the Frond's archives, though none have been successfully translated. The Frond's main building is a round, three story building with stone and wood walls that are painted white every year, as a reminder of both the erosion of the sea and of the mountains. This main building houses the archives (on the third floor), study rooms and educator chambers (on the second floor), and the main floor is primarily composed of a semi-sacred space known as the Path of Hosh. While on the perimeter of the first floor there are several rooms, the Path of Hosh takes up the centre of the floor and consists of a one-foot deep saltwater pool as well as several rocks. The pool is a reminder not only of the story of Hosh, but it is also a place of contemplation and a reminder of not only where they came from, but that all are equal in the face of the world around them.
The rest of the Frond's buildings span outwards from the back of the main building along three separate paths: one which curves to the left, one which progresses straight back, and one that curves to the right. Along the left path, there are several small classrooms as well as two small dining halls. Along the right path, there is a mess hall, two dormitories, a social hall, and the home of the Frond's Primary Caretaker. On the straight path, there are several small fields with crops, a stable for a few horses and cows, and the main bathhouse. At the end of the straight path is a narrower path that leads down to the edge of Lake Daem, where there are two storage sheds.
The Frond is primarily known as an academic facility for minor alchemical experimentation, the study of literature, and the study of the natural world/geology. However, knowledge of the Frond is largely limited to people in Daendar and a few others beyond its borders: the Frond was blacklisted as a place of study by a previous Faila in Endref and it's otherwise isolated location repels other potential students. However, one of the Frond's newer educators, Astifan of the Alk'es, has made significant efforts to reach out to other well establish groups beyond Daendar's borders and thus re-invigorate the Frond. This has been met with resistance both within and from without, though recent trials with the Whalef family (who acted beyond the previous Faila's proclamation) on the use of pan-pan blood have borne fruit.

Type

University / Educational complex