Architecture & Layout
The Chatoyant Academy is as old as the city of Mykthal itself, and possibly even older. The construction of what is now the academy began alongside the city's as a safe haven for Queen Mykia and her allies from the harsh weather of the mountains. The location was mostly chosen for its innate isolation and protection from the outside world, as Mykia herself was a survivor of the worst of the Zenith and had no confidence in the realm to remain peaceful even after the wars had ended.
The main entrance to the academy is within the Chatoyant Chapel, the second largest building in Mykthal behind the Queen's palace. The building's entrance almost always remains open, a giant double door gilded in silver leading into a great hall lit by magical dancing lights. Though massive, the building has only one chamber, a large circular room with a domed ceiling. The walls are lined with stained glass windows depicting mythical creatures and fictional heroes. The ceiling is split evenly into six sections with each depicting a symbol relating to a seat on the queen's council as well as the queen. Each of the physical gems the council seats are named after are also included in the design.The Anhydrian symbol is a vertical spear with dove wings. Some of the feathers and the spears tip are made of angelite
The Charoite's symbol is a mountain with a star at the peak. The star is made of Charoite.
The Creedite's symbol is a shield with five different crown's within it, each with designs from past Creedites. The the crowns have gems embedded in them at different spots all made of creedite.
The symbol of the Diamond is an ornate arch with chains wrapping around it. There is an eye at the center of this symbol with a diamond pupil.
The symbol on the ceiling for the Malachite is a pile of green coins made of malachite.
The symbol for the queen is the front facing head of a dragon, though it is not detailed enough to tell what kind. The eyes are made of väyrynenite, a rare pinkish-red gem of unknown origin.
The Chatoyant Chapel once also doubled as a library. The shelves and books have since been removed, but the layout of the building remains the same, with four floors of wooden balconies overlooking the main chamber accessible through several spiral staircases. The layers serve no official purpose, but many still use them as a gathering place. The top three layers have tables for the public to use.
At the center of the chamber is a massive spiral staircase leading down to a large circular center platform. Far below the platform the bottom of the cave, a dark damp place covered in stalagmites and deposits of water underground, as well as runes for breaking the fall of anyone unlucky enough to go over the edge. From the platform one can see each of the wings. The south, mostly hidden behind stone, a collection of ancient structures protruding from wall designed with creatures much larger in mind. A single large stone bridge connects the center platform to the small plateau in front of the buildings. The north is a collection of brick university buildings, with the many windows of stained glass looking back. The largest building being a home for most lectures, and the second being a great library and study hall. Several mostly metal arch bridges connect to the center platform. The east is a collection of grassy meadows and lakes dotted atop tall cylindrical platforms, spotted with trees and stone pavilions. To the west, across a single tied arch bridge, is a large metal arch leading into a system of apartments and streets dimly lit by crystal light.
The Academy is split vaguely into four cardinal sections (North, East, South, and West) which can usually be distinguished by their slightly differing architecture and coloring. Each section is dedicated to different types of studies, though these categories aren't strict and classes can usually be held in any section.
The North quarter is dedicated to the arcane. Its architecture is very similar to what you would expect of the average magic school, like Freljord's, with old English style buildings and a focus on red, mostly on roofs and tapestries. Often hung about the quarter are dark red banners with nine symbols in silver, each representing a school of magic:Divination is a four-pointed star with an eye at the middle
Abjuration is a shield swirling at the center
Enchantment is shaped like a dreamcatcher
Necromancy is a crescent moon eclipsing the sun
Illusion is a vertical eye with a swirling pupil
Conjuration is a runic circle with a cracking rift at the center
Evocation is a triangle with a flame in a circle at the top, and snowflake in a circle at the bottom left, and a lightning bolt in a circle at the bottom right
Transmutation is a simplified runic circle with a hexagon at the center
There is a ninth symbol like an hourglass, though only the more learned students know this as Chronomancy
The main library of the north wing is a single massive long room with cubbies of bookshelves along both sides in four floors. At center of the hall are many tables for students to sit, and on the far back wall behind a large podium is a depiction of the material realm as a circle surrounded by the symbols of magic.
The south quarter is dedicated to sciences and history not necessarily related to magic. It is the oldest quarter of the academy, carved mostly from the stone of cave around it. From the center of the academy, one can see the main entrance carved into the wall of the massive cave the academy resides in, an imposing open hall supported by great pillars (like a greek temple). There are other similar but smaller entrances and doorways along the south wall. The halls of the south wing are large, as if made for beings much greater than the average humanoid. The walls are decorated in old blue tapestries and archaic carvings of the planes, although magical forests and fiery mountains blend together without dedicated borders.
The main library of the south wing is structured like a funnel, getting wider as you go up and smaller as you go down in floors cylindrical floors. Most of the books are packed tightly together in the walls of the room. From the ceiling juts a single massive crystal that gives off a yellowish-white glow in the day and a blueish glow in the evening, while slowly transition between them throughout the day.
The east wing of the academy is mostly dedicated to many things. The is filled with large gardens, greenhouses, artificial lakes, and large stone pavilions. It is a mostly a collection of large cylindrical platforms built up from the floor of the cave. It is the only wing which is easy to see the entirety of from the center platform of the academy. It is used by students as a place for practicing druidic magics, bardic studies, physical activities and mock battles or tests, and general relaxation. Most of the platforms are connected by sturdy bridges made of white stone (the same as the platforms) or are close enough to be connected by simple staircases. There are also floors below the top of the platforms which can be accessed by staircases about the place. One can walk around the outside of a cylinder with a clear view of the rest of the cave past the large pillars that support the meadows above. The east wing is also the most well lit, with permanent floating orbs of white light dancing about constantly, also giving off a small amount of warmth. At the back of cave is a platform almost entirely covered in dense, wet foliage and shaded by a massive tree the just peaks out over the top of the grotto around it, a place favored by many druids and botanist. Beyond and only accessible by the grotto is a cave system of glowing mushrooms, moss, and gems that also connects to the wider caves of Feirg.
The west wing is for student housing. Although some students can afford to live in the city alone or with family, many can't. Most who live in the student housing come from outside the city. The wing itself, like the south wing, is built into the cave systems. It is mostly a collection of tunnels converted into alleyways and apartments. The dorms themselves are not terrible, but the streets are often dimly lit by blue crystal light and damp from the cave ceiling above. Amidst the the apartments are clubhouses and restaurants for student dining. Some dorms are, of course, nicer than others. Following the alleyways left of the first intersection you eventually reach an extremely tall caver converted into a single cylindrical room for apartments. There are three magic powered elevators which traverse the fifteen floors. The dorms near the top are the largest and nicest (for a dorm, that is).
The main entrance to the academy is within the Chatoyant Chapel, the second largest building in Mykthal behind the Queen's palace. The building's entrance almost always remains open, a giant double door gilded in silver leading into a great hall lit by magical dancing lights. Though massive, the building has only one chamber, a large circular room with a domed ceiling. The walls are lined with stained glass windows depicting mythical creatures and fictional heroes. The ceiling is split evenly into six sections with each depicting a symbol relating to a seat on the queen's council as well as the queen. Each of the physical gems the council seats are named after are also included in the design.
The Chatoyant Chapel once also doubled as a library. The shelves and books have since been removed, but the layout of the building remains the same, with four floors of wooden balconies overlooking the main chamber accessible through several spiral staircases. The layers serve no official purpose, but many still use them as a gathering place. The top three layers have tables for the public to use.
At the center of the chamber is a massive spiral staircase leading down to a large circular center platform. Far below the platform the bottom of the cave, a dark damp place covered in stalagmites and deposits of water underground, as well as runes for breaking the fall of anyone unlucky enough to go over the edge. From the platform one can see each of the wings. The south, mostly hidden behind stone, a collection of ancient structures protruding from wall designed with creatures much larger in mind. A single large stone bridge connects the center platform to the small plateau in front of the buildings. The north is a collection of brick university buildings, with the many windows of stained glass looking back. The largest building being a home for most lectures, and the second being a great library and study hall. Several mostly metal arch bridges connect to the center platform. The east is a collection of grassy meadows and lakes dotted atop tall cylindrical platforms, spotted with trees and stone pavilions. To the west, across a single tied arch bridge, is a large metal arch leading into a system of apartments and streets dimly lit by crystal light.
The Academy is split vaguely into four cardinal sections (North, East, South, and West) which can usually be distinguished by their slightly differing architecture and coloring. Each section is dedicated to different types of studies, though these categories aren't strict and classes can usually be held in any section.
The North quarter is dedicated to the arcane. Its architecture is very similar to what you would expect of the average magic school, like Freljord's, with old English style buildings and a focus on red, mostly on roofs and tapestries. Often hung about the quarter are dark red banners with nine symbols in silver, each representing a school of magic:
The main library of the north wing is a single massive long room with cubbies of bookshelves along both sides in four floors. At center of the hall are many tables for students to sit, and on the far back wall behind a large podium is a depiction of the material realm as a circle surrounded by the symbols of magic.
The south quarter is dedicated to sciences and history not necessarily related to magic. It is the oldest quarter of the academy, carved mostly from the stone of cave around it. From the center of the academy, one can see the main entrance carved into the wall of the massive cave the academy resides in, an imposing open hall supported by great pillars (like a greek temple). There are other similar but smaller entrances and doorways along the south wall. The halls of the south wing are large, as if made for beings much greater than the average humanoid. The walls are decorated in old blue tapestries and archaic carvings of the planes, although magical forests and fiery mountains blend together without dedicated borders.
The main library of the south wing is structured like a funnel, getting wider as you go up and smaller as you go down in floors cylindrical floors. Most of the books are packed tightly together in the walls of the room. From the ceiling juts a single massive crystal that gives off a yellowish-white glow in the day and a blueish glow in the evening, while slowly transition between them throughout the day.
The east wing of the academy is mostly dedicated to many things. The is filled with large gardens, greenhouses, artificial lakes, and large stone pavilions. It is a mostly a collection of large cylindrical platforms built up from the floor of the cave. It is the only wing which is easy to see the entirety of from the center platform of the academy. It is used by students as a place for practicing druidic magics, bardic studies, physical activities and mock battles or tests, and general relaxation. Most of the platforms are connected by sturdy bridges made of white stone (the same as the platforms) or are close enough to be connected by simple staircases. There are also floors below the top of the platforms which can be accessed by staircases about the place. One can walk around the outside of a cylinder with a clear view of the rest of the cave past the large pillars that support the meadows above. The east wing is also the most well lit, with permanent floating orbs of white light dancing about constantly, also giving off a small amount of warmth. At the back of cave is a platform almost entirely covered in dense, wet foliage and shaded by a massive tree the just peaks out over the top of the grotto around it, a place favored by many druids and botanist. Beyond and only accessible by the grotto is a cave system of glowing mushrooms, moss, and gems that also connects to the wider caves of Feirg.
The west wing is for student housing. Although some students can afford to live in the city alone or with family, many can't. Most who live in the student housing come from outside the city. The wing itself, like the south wing, is built into the cave systems. It is mostly a collection of tunnels converted into alleyways and apartments. The dorms themselves are not terrible, but the streets are often dimly lit by blue crystal light and damp from the cave ceiling above. Amidst the the apartments are clubhouses and restaurants for student dining. Some dorms are, of course, nicer than others. Following the alleyways left of the first intersection you eventually reach an extremely tall caver converted into a single cylindrical room for apartments. There are three magic powered elevators which traverse the fifteen floors. The dorms near the top are the largest and nicest (for a dorm, that is).
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