The University of Rose and Violet on the Loch
The University of Rose and Violet on the Loch is the oldest university in Thamrysis, though its specific construction date is only known as being the year 2660 AE. Originally a pair of towers built by two disciples of The First Cabal, Rozali and Violeta.
Collectively, the University refers to the traditional site of the University grounds on the isles of Loch Barinham as well as the grounds on the northeastern shore in Colleges Ward.
Culture
Basic courses of study focus on grammar, logic, rhetoric, philosophy, astrology, music, and mathematics. Scholars, monks and clergy predominantly study ancient writings from Latizan and Oneran sources. Students are often encouraged to learn from local trappers, hunters, serfs, and craftsmen as they are excellent sources of practical knowledge.
History
Sometime after 2660 AE, the Disciples Rozali and Violeta (commonly referred to as "Rose & Violet") came to Dayne-on-the-Loch. As the legend goes, they remained to study the works of the Latizan in the area and advance their understanding of the secrets of the Ars. They built their two towers upon a Latizan garrison on the Loquette Isle and Ridgelodge Isle, which were conjoined by a series of small bridges. The isles had been left a ruin following the liberation of Dayne-on-the-loch a earlier in the century.
Around 2680 AE, the two Disciples found themselves engaged with the surrounding community of Dayne-on-the-Loch as it began to grow and change. Lords of the Heartland Alliance began petitioning the two Disciples to share with them the secrets of sorcery, as the stories of the Mage-priests and Emperors of Onera had reached the Heartlands.
Initially refusing any entry or incursion(often with violence), the two Disciples kept to themselves and advanced their unknown studies until sometime in the last decade of the 27th century AE. Appearing in the city of Dayne-on-the-loch, the two made an announcement that was meant to be carried throughout the Heartlands: They would take on 100 students exactly one year hence, and an additional 100 students each following year. Prospective students would have to bring some knowledge of their own, and if found satisfactory, the students would be given access to the island to begin their studies.
While it's not certain how many came from around the Heartlands to petition access to the towers, but it is known that word spread further than the boundaries of The Weinlands. It's suggested by modern historians that thousands arrived in the area hoping to learn from the Disciples - some coming from as far as Hylimunde, others sent from the courts of local rulers and warlords, even Daiduna such as Syl , Myr and Dwuerva.
The period of entry application ended on Firstleaf 23, followed by 90 days of deliberation before the first 100 students were admitted access to the island, where they lived communally within newly constructed buildings meant to house them. The holiday of Rosaviole in Dayne-on-the-Loch (Firstleaf 23) traditionally marks the last week of traditional classes at the university - a week of testing and meriting, celebration and more. Since most students will need to travel a great distance upon graduation, the first day of summer marks the best time to set out on most journeys.
The methodology of education created by the Ladies of the Isles was a hybrid of their major influences, The Oneran perspective and ideology regarding education and the Latizan methodology for prosperity and power. The two methodologies lent strength to each other's weaknesses - Classical Oneran education, in which the head of the household was responsible for the education of their children, was disorganized and personal. Latizan education was strict, structured, but lacking any real national literature focused almost exclusively on hard concepts like military tactics, architecture, and city planning. Old Oneran literature covered concepts broadly, finding links between music and math, whereas Latizan education fixated on practical application and end purpose.
Perhaps the greatest irony of the Universities founding is that of the first 100 students, less than a dozen were able to grasp the complexities of working with Ars. As the first class matured and grew, a second 100 students were admitted to the school the following year, and then again the following, and then the following. Students in the second and third years were expected to teach courses on the variety of subjects the Ladies deemed critical, but the retention rate of students capable of working with Ars at all remained consistent. Quickly, the isles could no longer house the student body and educators, who took to living in collective houses and halls on the northeastern shore of the Loch, traditionally the poorer side of the river.
Truth Prevails to All Who Seek It
Type
Educational, University
Parent Organization
Related Traditions
Notable Members
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