College of Lascander

The College of Lascander is one of the most significant and sincere institutions of education on the entire Western Approaches. Even though they are named a college, the Diocese of Santander, the head organ of the magical society, has taken affront to this title, since a college in their sense only teaches the different schools of magic, not non-magical subjects, like they do at Lascander. Nevertheless the College of Lascander is the ultimate institute for everything in the North, presenting innovations rivaling their colleagues at both Santander and Inkhurst in every aspect.

History

Founded in 462 by a group of northern intellectuals, free galgaeans aswell as free markish, to mark their loyalty with the rebelling Galgaeans and show their support in their war for independence. In some sort, these mages and scientists around Archmagister Argaith Lascander waged an intellectual war against the establishment of the College of Santander. Breaking with tradition the founding members allowed not only the classic schools of sorcery to be taught at their institute but also allowed other, more worldly subjects to be studied and taught. At the peacedeal that got the Galgaeans their independence, the College of Santander inofficially acknowledged Lascander as a second magic institute but to this day refuses to refer to it as a college of magic, quoting the teaching of non-magical subjects as the main reason, why Lascander is not a College of Magic, but rather an unholy mixture of the worst aspects of a magical college and a profane academy. At first the College gathered at Candleburgh, giving lessons on market squares and in shady taverns. In the years following the Great Peace the College was given a location to build a permanent building complex, moving them out of an overcrowded Candleburgh and onto the island of Berig, off the coast southwest of Candleburgh. At first two wings were built at a right angle, being joined at the joint by a large square tower housing the headmaster and his staff. These two wings housed the magical and the profane faculties respectively. In 513 construction started on a new wing, joining at the southeast corner, dedicated to medicine. Across the centuries a multitude of smaller buildings were built to accomodate a seperate faculty each, the original two wings and the medicinal tract being completed into a four winged complex with a courtyard in its centre, featuring a marble statue of Argaith Lascander, who died in 476 as the first headmaster of the College. By the turn of the millenium the entire island was put under jurisdiction of the magisters and the land around the buildings were turned into gardens and pastures, feeding the students, teachers and the material needs of some faculties like medicine or alchemy.

Faculties

Arcane Diocese

The Diocese of Magic at the College of Lascander teaches all but one schools of Classic Sorcery. This includes Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion and Transmutation. The only classic school of sorcery that is not taught at the Diocese, and in fact is frowned upon, is Necromancy, mainly for its mistreatment of deceased people. In tradition of the College of Santander the mastery of one school earns an acolyte of the College of Lascander the title of Professor, three mastered schools the title of Magister and mastery of all seven schools the title of Archprofessor. The head of the Diocese is given the title of Archmagister and Archmage and is supposed to be well versed not only in all schools of sorcery but also in the knowledge of one or more profane sciences (most Archmagisters have undergone a study of either alchemy, astrology, medicine or theology).

Students of the Magical Diocese are expected to already be familiar with the basics of sorcery and must pass an entrance examination. If they succeed they will be given accomodation and a seat in next semesters lectures. The student chooses which school of sorcery they will attend, possibly even more than one at the same time, yet the latter is considered an almost absurd amount of work to be done by a single mortal being. Students will be expected to go out into the world for at least two semesters and work on their own signature spells, potions or other magic utilities before they are allowed to partake in their final examination and be granted their respective title.

Profane Diocese

The Profane Diocese is the second Diocese at the College of Lascander. The Archprofessors here teach all sorts of worldly, non-magical subjects from the mystical Alchemy and Astrology to the "natural sciences" Astronomy and Biology. The inclusion of these subjects into a first grade educational institute has been the origin of the long standing rivalry between the Colleges of Lascander and Santander. Like the acolytes of the Magical Diocese the students of the profane sciences are also going to be named the corresponding titles of Professor, Magister and Archprofessor. Likewise the head of this Diocese is also referred to as the Archmagister and is also supposed to be educated in at least one school of sorcery, which makes this title harder to obtain for most alumni, since the mass of students of the profane sciences is not capable of using magic in any sort, barring them from this honorable office.

Unlike their magically gifted counterparts students do not have to undergo an entrance exam, yet a certain level of previous education is expected and some Archprofessors will need a previous publication to allow you into some of their lectures. Students will spend most of their time not in the classroom but in laboratories, libraries, in the field or wherever their study needs them to go, making practice the basis for this sort of study. The following are the main sciences that are being taught in the 11th and 12th centuries of the Human Era:

Alchemy

Also sometimes referred to as Alchemistry or just Chemistry. The art of creating potions, balms and all sorts of semi-magical materials. Semi-magical does apply here, since some elements coming out of the alchemists laboratories do have magical abilities, even though it may not have been intended. Most of the elements that are being produced here are generally speaking not magical in on itself like poisons or dwarven explosives.

Many Alchemists do have connections to other fields of research like medicine or the arcane. There have been multiple Archmagisters that have excelled in the arts of alchemy, relying on their connections into the Arcane Diocese, many choosing alchemy as their go-to subject to climb the hierarchy of the College or to supplement their future employment as freelancing sorcerers, wizards and clerics. The latter especially rely on their alchemic experience for sacred potions and oils and other holy liquids.

Astrology and Astronomy

The sciences of understanding the stars. These two subjects have been put together into one singular faculty, much to the dismay of both their staff members. Quite similar yet different like day and night. Astrologists try to find the hidden meaning behind the stars and the sky. Is there consequences when some stars disappear at once? What happens when some planets align in a certain pattern? Why does that starcluster look like two people loving each other? Astronomers on the other hand try to figure out what actually happens in the sky. What are stars and where do they come from? Are the sun and the moon stars or planets? Is there other plains of existence and how could we get there? These are some of the questions that these two subjects may answer. The astologists are more on the arcane/mythological/theological aspects while the astronomers tend to be more on the down to earth approach of things. That is also the reason why these two kinds do not like each other: they talk about the same matter yet have so completely different ideas of what to look for that by now they regard each other as complete morons.

Especially astrologists are called upon when some weird event takes place. They are then questioned wether or not the stars are aligned properly or if a full moon the night before might be a bad omen. Astronomers on the other hand are rather secluded and like to stare through their telescopes into the sky all night long, publishing their newest ideas in scriptures only their kin might actually read.

Biology

The study of life itself. They are among the most peacefull folk at the College, not interested in matters of state nor death or destruction, like doctors and alchemists are. Biologists are rather interested in plants, animals and even rocks in some strange cases. They research every aspect of nature, therefore being mostly out in the field literally chasing butterflies and looking at flowers all day. This is why many regard them as not the brightest among other academically educated. Yet their scriptures are highly professional and empiric, some even groundbreaking on the level of how things came to be how they are.

Educated nobles or fancifull prospectors might cherish the expertise of biologists in the field of knowledge of nature. Some rich individual might even be willing to finance an expedition to a far away locality for the biologists to explore and (hopefully) bring back new insights in the nature of these places. They work in close cooperation with alchemists and doctors, bringing them new species of plants that might harbor the cure for a disease that seems uncurable or has special properties that might enhance a potion.

History

The study of all things gone by. Historians are some of the more seclusive members of the College, spending entire nights searching ancient documents to support their thesis on why elven and dwarven civilizations have faded or something alike. But some historians do not enjoy spending hours in dusty, dark library corridors and are rather outgoing and adventurous. They prefer a subclass of theirs: Archaeology. Going out into the wild, searching ancient ruins and trying to understand what really happened by researching the leftovers of those bygone events.

History makes for a great beginner class at profane studies since nearly everybody can stick their nose into some faded parchment and form their opinion on the matter. That is why there are so many of them. Many full blooded historians will make it to the courts of nobles to counsel the highborn in certain matters of state. Archaeologists make for great aditions to adventuring groups, since they can give their comrades usefull information about some ancient dungeon that they migth come across. They also are always in dire need of adventurers to secure a dig site or to accompany them to their location of interest.

Medicine

The science of life and death. Doctors are masters of these two aspects. They can give life but they might aswell take it away. They perform surgery, administer lotions and healing pastes or act as midwife to a pregnant mother. A good doctor will know what bone or muscle he has to twitch and tug to make pain go away. This vast knowledge requires years of hard work and study to master so there is not many doctors that make it through the ranks of the College. Many rely on their reputation as professor of medicine as a guarantor for their professional knowledge in exactly that field. Doctors are wanted all across the lands since there are not that many. The Dukes have made an agreement that no doctor shall exclusively work at one of their courts and should rather be working for the people in need of their expertise.

Theology

The most noble of faculties. Theologians study the gods, in many cases only devoting their time to one god, not the entire pantheon at the same time. This is an unusual topic to be taught at a College since most priests do not study but rather go to temples, monasteries and churches of the gods they want to devote themselves to. But for those that want a deeper insight into what the gods may be and what priests and monks might hide from the public, theology is the way forward. It is this faculty that wants to lift the secrets about these otherworldly beings that might have created everything we know.

Interaction

The College of Lascander is a great place for adventurers to search for work. Alchemists or doctors may need some strange and foreign component for their research. Archaeologists or biologists might need help clearing a dungeon or are in need of company on the dangerous and war-torn highways en-route to their location of interest. These folk might actually pay in weird forms. Ancient coins, magic potions, charms, charts or simply usefull information can all be received for a job well done, depending on how generous the client were.

Adventurers might actually enroll in the College. They might have to do an entry examination but they might actually get away with doing field research and only rarely (or not at all) show for lectures. If they do wish to go down the path of academic education, they will definetly encounter high ranking individuals that are highly regarded in northern society and might actually themselves become well known for their advancements in spellcasting, potion brewing or whatever they will try to undertake.

Type

Educational, School/Academy

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College of Lascander