Archana Academy of Syndar

Purpose / Function

This complex serves as a home for many inexperienced novices, as well as a refuge for skilled mages who have mastered Archana. The university was founded by mages, for mages, with the purpose of providing a place where those with magical abilities could safely study and hone their craft. In the past, people who possessed magical powers were hunted and killed because of their gift, often out of fear or jealousy. This has not changed yet in many places of this world but as a result, the academy was created as a sanctuary and hiding place for these individuals, offering them protection and the opportunity to learn. The refuge.
Today, the academy still functions as a university, where experienced Archana practitioners teach and guide new generations of mages. Beyond being a center of magical education, it also serves as the main headquarters for the mages who offer their knowledge and skills to assist the surrounding world and kingdoms, providing counsel, protection, and powerful magic when needed.

The mages, though dedicated to their craft and the protection of magical knowledge, also have their own agenda, which can sometimes be distinct from the interests of the surrounding kingdoms. This university, with its long history and influence, serves as a strategic stronghold within the region of Syndar. It is not only a place of learning but also a hub for the mages to gather, plan, and monitor the political and magical landscape of the world around them. From this location, the mages are able to observe the shifting power dynamics of the region, staying alert to any potential threats or opportunities. Should the need arise, the academy acts as a springboard from which the mages can take swift action, whether to protect their interests, intervene in the politics of the land, or guide the flow of magical influence in key moments. In essence, this place is more than just an educational institution—it's a strategic point from which the mages can proceed with their own plans and objectives, influencing the fate of Syndar and beyond.

Alterations

According to historical records, the school originally served as an orphanage. Over time, it evolved into an educational center for gifted children who possessed the talent and affinity for Archana. Today, this place has transformed into a full-fledged university, and more importantly, a fortress and castle where mages are kept safe from the outside world. The complex is self-sufficient, functioning much like a small city that is entirely independent and isolated from the surrounding regions. It operates on its own, with all the necessary resources and protections to ensure the safety and autonomy of its inhabitants, allowing the mages to focus on their studies and their work without external interference.

Architecture

The Syndar Academy is renowned for its several buildings constructed from high-quality, durable materials that would be the envy of many nobles and rulers. The structures, towers, and fences are predominantly made of massive stone panels, some reaching nearly three meters in height, in shades of grey and white. The tall walls are adorned with magical seals, primarily for defensive purposes. However, their design is so intricate and aesthetically appealing that many who do

not understand Archana might assume these seals are purely decorative elements, rather than functional protections. The Highest Tower, also known as the Heavenly Watchtower, reaches an impressive height of nearly 36 meters. The ceilings of the individual floors range between three to five meters in height.
Another notable feature of this place is that it has the capacity to accommodate up to 70,000 students at once. However, because Archana is so rare and difficult to master, historical records show that the highest number of students enrolled at any given time has been 13,753.

Accommodation

At this university, the accommodation capacity is limited, with spaces available for over 25,000 students and nearly 6,000 staff members. However, in today's era, the majority of these spaces remain unused and echo with emptiness. The once bustling dormitories and chambers now stand largely vacant, as fewer students are admitted due to the rarity and difficulty of mastering Archana. This abundance of unoccupied space serves as a reminder of the academy's former glory and its past peaks of enrollment, which have since dwindled due to the specialized and secretive nature of the magical arts taught within these walls.

The accommodation at the Syndar Academy is designed to ensure the comfort and safety of all its students, while also reflecting the grand scale of the institution. The student dormitories are spacious, each equipped with high ceilings and large windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. The rooms are furnished with simple yet durable furniture, allowing for both rest and study.
Each student is assigned a private room or shares with a select few, depending on their status and level of study. The rooms are arranged in various wings of the academy, with those for advanced students located in the upper levels of the Highest Tower, where the best views and quietude for study are found.
While students' quarters are modest, the academy's main building features grand common rooms, libraries, and study halls. These spaces are designed not only for individual work but also for group activities, where students can collaborate, discuss, and practice their arcane knowledge.
For those who have proven their abilities in Archana, there are luxurious accommodations within the academy, offering higher levels of privacy and comfort. These suites are often used by high-ranking mages, scholars, and visiting dignitaries. The entire complex, though vast, maintains a sense of discipline and structure. All students are expected to follow the academy's rules, ensuring that the dormitories remain places of quiet reflection and academic pursuit.

Defenses

The Syndar Academy employs a variety of sophisticated and formidable defensive structures to ensure the safety and secrecy of its operations. These measures blend both traditional and magical techniques, creating an imposing and nearly impenetrable fortress.

Heavy Walls: The Academy is encased by towering, thick stone walls, constructed from massive slabs of grey and white stone, some nearly three meters high. These walls not only serve as a barrier against physical threats but are also embedded with magical seals that bolster their strength and resilience, making them resistant to even the most powerful physical and magical assaults.
Arrow Slits and Battlements: Along the upper reaches of the Academy's walls, strategically placed arrow slits and battlements offer guards and defenders the ability to protect the complex from attackers. These openings allow for ranged attacks, whether with arrows, crossbows, or magical projectiles, ensuring a strong defense from any would-be invaders trying to scale the walls.
Magical Wards and Seals: The Academy’s walls, doors, and windows are reinforced with magical wards, making them impervious to conventional breaches. These arcane seals can prevent entry by unauthorized individuals and ward off hostile magic. The Archane Sigils inscribed throughout the structure also serve as a warning system, alerting the Academy’s inhabitants to any intrusion or breach, whether it be physical or magical.
Automated Magic Traps and Wardens: Hidden within the depths of the Academy, particularly in restricted areas, are automated magical traps. These traps are triggered by unauthorized movement or the presence of intruders, and they are designed to incapacitate or repel intruders using a variety of magical effects such as paralysis, sleep, and even elemental forces like fire or ice.
Defensive Gargoyles: Statues of stone gargoyles are placed at key vantage points around the Academy. Though seemingly just decorative, they can animate and come to life when the Academy is under threat. These gargoyles are formidable protectors, using their enhanced strength and stone-based magic to defend against attackers.
Arcgane Sentinels: The Academy houses sentient magical constructs known as Archane Sentinels. These sentinels patrol the grounds and the interior, their presence signaled by a faint glow of magic emanating from their bodies. When activated, they can enforce strict boundaries and defend the academy with magical force, including disarming intruders, using force fields, or casting powerful offensive spells.
Magical Alarms: The academy is equipped with an alarm system that is not based on conventional sounds but on an archane resonance. When any breach or threat is detected, a mystical signal reverberates through the walls, alerting all within the academy. The alarm creates a magical wave that disrupts communication and spells in its wake, making it hard for invaders to coordinate or cast spells.
Guard Towers and Watch Posts: At various strategic points, tall guard towers are positioned, offering elevated positions for sentries to survey the surroundings. These towers are equipped with magical lenses that allow for long-distance observation, and signal fires or magical beacons can be activated to signal for reinforcements from the nearby Syndar Kingdom.
Hidden Underground Bunkers: Beneath the Academy, secret bunkers and escape routes are hidden. These tunnels are accessible only to trusted personnel and can be used in case of emergencies, providing a safe retreat or a means of counteroffensive. The bunkers are fortified with thick stone and reinforced magical barriers that protect the mages and scholars within.

Together, these defenses create an environment where only the most determined invaders can hope to break through, and even they will face formidable resistance—both physical and magical—before they can even approach the inner sanctum of the Syndar Academy.

Archana Academy of Syndar

Although this building is under the ownership of the High mages of Syndar, for historical reasons, the university strives to maintain its own identity, distinct from the one associated with the organization of mages that owns the institution. This is evident in the fact that the university has maintained its own symbol and banner for centuries, which is unmistakably different from the flags and insignias used by the Archana organization. The university's symbol represents its academic pursuit of knowledge and its independence in educational matters, ensuring that while it is linked to the mages, it continues to foster its own legacy and mission.

Alternative Names

Veža mágov, Škola mágov, Škola archany, Magická škola

Type

School

Parent Location

Syndar

Owner

Nathaniel Indris

Ruling/Owning Rank

Archmage

Owning Organization

Archanic Conclave

Related Materials

• Bladurit

Related Historical Events

• 1551 AC
  Order of Blood - Founding
• 1545 AC
  Bladurit Bloodsteel
• 1493 AC
  Archanic Conclave - Founding

Apprentice's Robe

Is a humble yet significant garment worn by those at the beginning of their journey into the archane world at the Archana Academy of Syndar. This robe marks a young apprentice’s entry into the realm of magic and serves as a symbol of their dedication to learning. Made from simple, durable cloth, the robe is often in neutral shades—grays, browns, reds or muted greens—reflecting the modesty and focus required for such an education. While not as elaborate as the robes worn by experienced mages, the Apprentice's Robe is imbued with enchantments that aid the wearer in their studies. It is often lightweight yet resistant to common magical effects, providing a certain level of protection as apprentices experiment with spells and magic. In the early days of an apprentice’s training, the robe is largely a symbol of humility, indicating that the wearer has much to learn. As they progress and grow in skill, they may be granted higher-tier robes or other magical attire. These robes also carry practical features—pockets enchanted to hold books, tools, or ingredients, and a hood that helps with concentration by blocking out distractions during spellwork. Despite their simplicity, the Apprentice's Robe serves as a constant reminder of the hard work, perseverance, and endless learning required in the pursuit of Archana.