7512, Duuri 7th. It’s another cold winter day in the Trasis Republic and the Academy’s winter semester is underway. It has been approximately one week since the initial welcoming ceremony, allowing students to find their dormitories and settle in. This story focuses on those in the Faded Imp House. A fairly small and new dormitory with ten student rooms, single story. The assigned teacher is an imp named Pylia.

Though not a wizard of any caliber even compared to her students, [url=https://i.imgur.com/oCmTahB.jpg]Pylia[/url] is highly knowledgeable of the arcane arts and serves as the familiar to one of the academy’s most experienced professors. Her duties is primarily to educate the students in her house of magic, explaining conceptual ideas and phenomenon, as well as organizing projects and expeditions. Being an Imp, Pylia is physically incapable of certain tasks, and thus she has various teacher assistants to aid her.

The first being an eleven man by the name [url=https://i.imgur.com/t3HqkJo.jpg]Mi’Durgen[/url]. He is the primary night security officer of the dormitory ensures the students peace and safety within the dorms. Though his first impression may leave much to be desired; since his duty is to provide watch during the night shift he’s often found napping throughout the day. Though polite and courteous there’s something to be said of the guardsman literally sleeping on the job.

Fortunately there is another security officer to handle the day shift while Mi’durgen naps. A lizard folk by the name of [url=https://i.imgur.com/o2WavqM.png]Eats Well[/url], not only is he the dayshift guard but he also serves as the Faded Imp’s primary chef. A skilled cook specializing in wild game meat, he is however belligerent and surly. Always seems annoyed and far less friendly compared to Mi’Durgen, but an efficient worker nonetheless.

Lastly there Pylia’s personal assistant and cousin, [url=https://i.imgur.com/33rsU9Q.jpg]Lithe[/url]. A tiefling who used to work as a traveling minstrel, now employed by her cousin to earn money to put herself through Bard’s college. An easy going and fun loving fellow, though she’s a slacker at heart. Why work hard when you can work easier? Indeed as a teacher’s assistant she harder does much teaching or assisting, often delegating menial tasks to Mi’Durgen or Eats Well. Cunning in her own way, if only to do the least amount of work as possible.

After the introductions were completed it would also be explained to the students what their expectations were, as well as their tasks and responsibilities. For starters, there was a matter of their tuition; while every had passed the test to be accepted into the academy on grounds of their magical competence and knowledge, to live on campus requires monthly fees. Fifty gold coins per month to be exact.

After all they weren’t simply living in some tavern room. They lived within the wellspring of knowledge and magical lore that was the Apotheosis Arcanaeum. Fortunately, the academy always had work for those willing to do it. Students are often hired as expedition members and researchers for various projects and experiments. They’re even encouraged to seek out and utilize or sell any noteworthy object or item they come across; the college would pay fairly for such bounties.

Of course students can also supplement their income through other crafts or work. Those with skills in tools can easily find steady work among the various areas around the academy or the city itself. Spelling ones magical services were also a legitimate venture, so long it’s being used for legal purposes. And of course there is mercenary work. While the Trasis Republic is in peace at the moment, they had a brutal civil war roughly ten years ago, with many rebel cells still operating in the jungles or even within the city. Fighting against them will net those willing a bounty for each head, or more for high priority targets.

But that could be an endeavour for later. Pylia has worked long and hard to secure an expedition for her students; they will be traveling around the southern coast for one of the Archmage old hideaway. Back when the Trasis Republic was physically part of Doros, the Archmage has erected various hideaways for his personal research. When he moved the island off the main continent many of these hideaways were lost or destroyed, however Pylia believed that they found one. Scavenge was theirs for the taking, as well as any old relics or tomes the Archmage may have left behind. All they needed to do was secure a specific locked tome for the Archmage and they’ll even be granted payment!

Today was the day the students were to set off. Of course students are also free to not participate, but of course that would mean they reap no benefit from the success of the others. Only Pylia and Lithe would accompany the students; Mi’Durgen and Eats Well must stay to secure the Faded Imp while the students were away. However both did assist by providing supplies for their journey; Mi’Durgen managed to get them a wagon that can carry up to eight people, while Eats Well made rations and brought camping supplies such as tents and bedrolls. Beyond that however, the students were expected to provide for themselves.

[color=f6989d]“Okay! I hope everyone is ready, our journey shouldn’t takes us longer than eight hours by wagon. We will have two stops, first by a small village named Ferris and a second time somewhere two-thirds if the way to the hideaway. I recommend you bring your books and study while on the journey! Also be warned; once we go pass Ferris we’ll be heading into wilderness. There’s no telling what dangers could find us so be prepared for combat. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask while we are traveling!”[/color]

Pylia then flew to sit on the shoulder of Lithe, who would be driving the wagon. [color=f6989d]“Load up and get comfortable everyone!”[/color]