Celestial Confections Conservatoire

Welcome to a one-of-a-kind school and center of learning, located in Stormer's prestigious capital, Thunderglade. It is said that long before reaching the Conservatoire, you can smell the enticing aromas of sweet and savory treats wafting through the air, as if enchanting nearby Palisade Park with the delectable creations crafted by the students.
The Conservatoire itself is a sprawling campus, surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and greenhouses. The main building appears as though it were sculpted from sugar and fondant, with its exterior resembling the texture of cookies and frosting, crafted from various types of stone. Gargoyles and chimeras, carved from Cragland stone, adorn the building, resembling baked confections as they stand watch over the school.
Legend has it that the renowned Halfling Master Baker, Butter Biscuits, commissioned the structure to be built by Baldric Ironspoke, one of the finest architects of the Craglands and a descendant of the ancient Four Kings. Together, they created the magnificent Conservatoire. Butter Biscuits remains a part of the school to this day has been gifted unnatually long life by her Celestial Grandmother.

The Faculty and Staff

The school itself is run by a collective of master pâtissiers and chefs from across the continent.
Seraphina Moonwhisk is in charge of the students and oversees the curriculum for each year. A half-elf baker from the Island of Gorus, she was recruited by Butter herself. With black hair and the sun-kissed skin of those blessed by the Dawnwood, Seraphina is held in high regard and can always be found teaching and aiding others within the school. Her signature dish is "Dewberry Isles on Custard." She believes in maintaining a calm demeanor and always measures twice.
Gruk Ironknead, hailing from Uzrash, is often the one to mete out punishments when necessary. A no-nonsense baker, he takes his work very seriously. Gruk emphasizes that education goes beyond baking; he incorporates writing, mathematics, and economics into his structured learning approach. Tall and imposing, his green skin is always dusted with flour from years of baking, and his long black beard is plaited with strands of gold. His signature dish is "Thunderous Bread." Gruk believes that with proper technique and patience, anyone can succeed at baking.
Zira Firebloom arrived at the school under mysterious circumstances, rumored to have been rescued by the Knights of the Round Table during their quest to the Lost Continent. With crimson scales flecked with gold that glitter like flames, soft glowing amber eyes, and a long, elegant tail, Zira's passion for life is infectious. She encourages her students to be creative and to have fun experimenting. As the keeper of the Hall of Flavors, her palate is highly refined, and she enjoys exploring spices from around the world. Her signature dish is "Fire Spiced Honey Cakes," and she believes students should embrace the flavors of life.
Elias Chocoheart, known to many as the Royal Chocolatier, is a master of his craft. Many students find his classes to be the most challenging. With dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a tall, muscular build, Elias has delicate hands that deftly create chocolate wonders. He insists on maintaining a clean and orderly kitchen, encouraging students to enjoy the magic of chocolate. His classes teach everything from transforming cocoa beans harvested from the Islands of the Veil into exquisite sculptures to incorporating chocolate into dishes. His signature dish is "Velvet Truffle Torte."
Thrain Stonecrust comes from the Craglands and grew up in Solstead. A stocky and strong dwarf, he keeps his rust-colored beard, often braided, tucked into his apron. His hair is reminiscent of flames, with streaks of ash gray. A robust baker, Thrain prefers savory over sweet, creating hearty meals meant to fill the belly and fuel the body. He believes cooking should be communal and collaborative, encouraging students to work together. His storytelling of the Craglands and tales of his hunts for robust ingredients captivate his students. His signature dish is "Four Mountain Meat Pies," and he hopes students learn that cooking is about more than just food; it brings camaraderie and community together.
These are just a few of the faculty at the Conservatoire. The staff consists of dedicated individuals who tirelessly keep everything running smoothly. Many are humans from the capital, working as teacher aides, librarians, and in administrative roles. A whole group of kobolds, under Zira’s care, procures spices for the school, while Gruk oversees a dedicated team of orcs who tend the fields to grow various grains. Seraphina has employed mop gnomes and elemental custodians to keep the school clean and ensure the ovens are always well-lit.

Cirriculum

Students at the Conservatoire receive a well-rounded education, learning to use spices, flavors, and all that the baking world has to offer to the best of their abilities. They also take courses in utilizing enchanted baking ingredients and magical flavorings.
That being said, Professor Gruk has instituted a policy ensuring that no student shall be ill-equipped in areas outside the kitchen. He has enlisted a dedicated staff of teachers for subjects such as writing, reading, the arts, mathematics, economics, and business. Gruk believes that all students should leave with an education they can apply in the real world.

Admissions

Each year, the faculty holds an event known as "The Grand Tasting." This event features a new theme each year, ranging from "Fireberries" to the simply evocative "Bittersweet." Anyone may come to Palisade Park and submit an item of their own creation.
Each entry is tasted blindly by the faculty, who then select the top one hundred submissions based on criteria such as taste, texture, visual appearance, and aroma. A moment like this can be life-changing for anyone who enters and is accepted into the school. If chosen, there are no tuition or fees; recipients are granted full access to the Conservatoire and all that it has to offer.

Student Life

Many students at the Conservatoire enjoy the typical activities that student life offers. Within the school, you'll find many honing their craft in test kitchens or collaborating to create new dishes. Some students spend hours in the greenhouses, exploring how and where their ingredients are grown, while others join teams led by professors to compete in ingredient hunts. These expeditions often turn into lengthy research journeys, venturing into various parts of the world to bring back unique flavors and enchanted spices.
Some students also enjoy creating nightmarish prank foods, which has turned into a lively game among the teachers and students that takes place once a month. Currently, no one has quite recovered from the infamous Jellied Steak Cream Puffs!

Community Impact

Since the school produces large quantities of food, they serve the wider community as well. It is well-known that no one near the Conservatoire goes hungry, and even the bites offered at Palisade Park are free. The faculty and students make every effort to avoid waste, recognizing that food is a precious gift. Additionally, some of the food is donated to smaller villages outside the city of Thunderglade, while other byproducts, like spent grain, are offered to local farmers as feed.

Whisking Dreams, Weaving Wonders

Type

Educational, School/Academy

Alternative Names

The Conservatiore

Demonym

Stardustians

Ruling Organization

Stormer

Butter Biscuits

Seraphina Moonwhisk

Grok IronKnead

Zira Firebloom

Elias Chocoheart

Thrain Stonecrust

A Recipe from Professor Melody's Cookbook

**This is an actual Recipe and can be baked!**
Shortlisted!