[hr][hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GH6gV0I.png?1[/img][/center] [hr][hr][center][h3][color=FFFFF0]Five Gods. Five Magics. Five Thrones.[/color][/h3][/center] [color=E8C657]From the sparkling cities of the Ensollian basin with their spires and minarets that soar into the burning sun, to the vast golden fields of Crisia and Perrence glistening with morning dew and the promise of bountiful harvests, to the proud stone keeps and snowcapped peaks of Eskand in the South, the land of Constantia is one of balance, peace, and time-honoured virtue, bound together by magics gifted to the Firstborn by the Gods themselves. Honest lords and just kings preside over a loyal, beloved, and industrious populace. All is well.[/color] [color=E89A34]Except that it isn’t. Following the collapse of the Avincian Empire a thousand years ago at the hands of howling Eskandish hordes, no single entity has been able to unify the disparate peoples of the continent. Petty nobles, conquerors, and greedy kings have fought for the scraps, ruthlessly exploiting the common people and squeezing everything that they can from the land itself. Under their rule, Constantia has bled.[/color] [color=CC4D1E]Their grip on power has been maintained through the stranglehold they have over magic. It has been regulated, controlled, studied and, most importantly, monopolized. The ability to use it manifests in arcane and unpredictable ways, but first and foremost, it’s in your blood. If your ancestors used magic, it is likely that you will be able to use it too. If they didn’t, then your chances are slim.[/color] [color=A169B6]Yet, the march of social progress necessarily follows that of technological. As Constantian culture, learning, and religion have spread across the globe on the sails of caravels and galleons and a wealthy new class of merchants and artisans has emerged, there have been stirrings. Potent new paths to power and prosperity have revealed themselves, and those of common blood have increasingly bought their way into the use of magic by ‘marrying up’. With or without the approval of those in charge of it, the world is changing. Some people warn that the gods are stirring. Others dare whisper that the gods are not real.[/color] [color=5B81C3]Into this potent mix of burgeoning opportunity and lurking peril steps you: a first-year student at the Ersand'Enise Academy of Thaumaturgy. As a member of the storied establishment's newest cohort, you bring your hopes, your fears, your background, and considerable power in 'The Gift' with you. It is said that your group, aged fourteen to eighteen and born during the double ascendance of Shune the Learner, is the strongest in a century. That strength will be needed. Representatives from the world's great nations will be gathering at Ersand'Enise mere weeks after your arrival for the Conclave of the Five Thrones, and tensions are high.[/color] [color=6ECA87]This time, however, the delegates will need to be protected not only from each other's political machinations but from three new and novel threats. Over the past handful of years, aberrations have begun appearing in increasing numbers and this pattern seems unlikely to reverse of its own accord. Holes in the fabric of reality - shapes of man, beast, and object alike formed of the purest blackness - coming into contact with them can empower the magic of those skilled in The Gift at the cost of addiction. However, it can also drive those not as blessed to insanity or even death. For reasons unknown, but perhaps related, the mysterious yasoi have turned precipitously away from human society. The only other sentient species on the planet to actively live among humans, they have been shy friends and unconventional allies for most of history, but the past few decades have seen them become fiercely insular and even hostile. There is talk of them closing the mountain passes that sustain trade and travel for much of the Western half of the continent. Into this scene steps the Traveler: a shadowy but charismatic figure who has been harnessing the power of the aberrations and stirring up class conflict. He preaches a revolutionary message to the common people that threatens war at a pivotal moment. It is clear that he seeks to tear down the existing order, but what he intends to replace it with is as yet unknown.[/color] [color=F0FFF0]Of course, you, dear young student, have nothing to worry about. Heads older and wiser than yours have matters firmly in hand. Still... it pays to be vigilant, doesn't it?[/color] [hr][hr][center][h1][u]Bulletins[/u][/h1][/center] [b]Current Arc:[/b] 6 - Living on the Edge [b]Current Chapter Cycle:[/b] 1 - All is not Well in Paradise [b]Cycle Concludes:[/b] Wednesday, March 27, 2:00 PM EST [b]Previous Chapter:[/b] 8 - Skies [b]Next Chapter:[/b] 2 - Setting the World Right [b]Player Characters Active:[/b] 26 (full) [b][color=ed1c24][u]Advisories:[/u][/color][/b] [list][*]Visiting students are welcomed back to the academy for the 555th annual Trials. On this auspicious year, we ask that all participants in the festivities familiarize themselves with the following items and take care to abide by school policy. Have a safe, fun, and happy games! [*]Students may also find their Sophomore course timetables [url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Kr2vxFjXoFJQcz3L9-rsDwysQ0shSz3XbKDMI3p7qP0/edit?usp=sharing]here[/url], at the Registrar's Office in Balthazar Hall. Should they have any questions, they may contact administration. [*]For health and safety reasons, students are advised not to make any contact with or draw magical energies from aberrations of any type. They are to report these immediately to faculty. If this involves a dereliction of academic responsibilities, appropriate notes will be given and no disciplinary action will be taken. Those found in violation of this policy will be subject to academic and financial sanction. [*] Students are advised to avoid lingering unaccompanied in the area around the port of Ersand'Enise known as 'Belleville' and formerly known as 'Mudville'. [*] Students are hereby warned that participating in shows of excessive nationalism and employing inflammatory rhetoric towards those of different nationalities will not be tolerated on campus or within the city's bounds. [/list] [hr][hr] [hider=Featured Apprentice Groups][center][h2]Featured Apprentice Groups[/h2][/center] [indent][color=f7976a][b]Zeno Tannifer Marbrand:[/b] Ingrid Penderson, Niallus Saberhagen, Taleja Drakenknecht, Valerian Remi Leclere, [i]Benedetto Corvi[/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Zeno Randan Kedd:[/b][/color] [color=fdc68a]Esmii'nesta'tawaar, Ymiico'luun'yoru, Casii'fyret'alan,[/color] [color=f7976a]Trypano Somia,[/color] [color=fdc68a][i][s]Ismet'ych'lahiin'dichora[/s][/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Tan-Zeno Jocasta Re:[/b] Kaspar Elstrom, Desmond Catulus, Zarina Al-Nader, Evander Synesti, [i]Penelope Pellegrin[/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Zeno Born-on-Solstice:[/b] Yalen Castel, Ayla Arslan, Yuliya Vasilieva, Dorothea Hohnstein, [i]Edyta Łaska[/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Zeno Fades-in-Moonlight:[/b] Fiske Flachstrauch, Abdel Varga, Maura Mercador,[/color] [i][color=c4df9b]Neki Kaureerah Wenhan,[/color] [color=f7976a]Rikard Ambrus[/color][/i] [color=f7976a][b]Arch-Zeno Riu Kai-tan:[/b][/color] [color=fdc68a]Ashon'amar'loiyang, Cal'tuuro'jaros,[/color] [color=fff79a]Marz Mohfolk,[/color] [color=f7976a][i]Marceline Hohenfelter, [s]Manfred Hohenfelter[/s][/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Zeno Alcaster Serra:[/b] Tku Pictor, Roslyn Wicke, Yvain de Berbignon, [i]Sven Bjørnsson, Marlijn Vaanse[/i][/color] [color=f7976a][b]Zeno Jurgen Mendenhoffer:[/b] Isabella Lowell, Camillia Carbonneau, Ysilla Al-Nader, [i]Owain Vaanse, Jomurr Ikon III[/i][/color][/indent][/hider] [hr][hr] [hider=Dormitory Assignments][center][h2]Dormitory Assignments[/h2][/center] Note: While these are the official assignments of students, many opt to seek housing elswhere on or off-campus. [list][*][b]Upper Fontana Court (Noblewomen):[/b] [u]Dorothea Hohnstein von Albesatz-Danzau[/u], [u]Ingrid Penderson[/u], [u]Ayla Arslan[/u], [u]Taleja Drakenknecht[/u], Marceline Hohenfelter von Albesatz-Danzau, [s]Mayu Iovina[/s] [*][b]Lower Fontana Court (Noblemen):[/b] [u]Kaspar Elstrøm von Wentoft[/u], [u]Evander Fino Synesti[/u], [u]Niallus Saberhagen[/u], [u]Nazih Iqbal[/u], [u]Yvain de Berbignon[/u], Manfred Hohenfelter von Meckelin-Thandau, Jomurr Ikon III, [s]Zarra Travendour[/s] [*][b]Obelisk (Mixed Nobility):[/b] Rikard Ambrus, Sven Bjørnsson, Oweyn Vaanse, Marlijn Vaanse, Riu Rin-Ji, Tannifer Vyceh, [s]Selio Taraves[/s] [*][b]Bridgeview East (Merchantmen):[/b] [u]Fiske Flachstrauch[/u], Vittorio Moli, [s]Vieri Zimbasu[/s], [s]Karim Nazeri[/s] [*][b]Bridgeview West (Merchantwomen):[/b] [u]Trypano Somia[/u], [u]Zarina Al-Nader[/u], [u]Yuliya Ilyanovna Vasilieva[/u], [u]Maura Mercador[/u], Penny Pellegrin, Madeleine Marchand, Yvette de Chamonix, Lucia Moli, [s]Carmillia Carbonneau[/s], [s]Ysilla Al-Nader[/s] [*][b]The Castle (Mixed Artisans & Commons):[/b] [u]Desmond 'Catulus'[/u], [u]Silas Reiger[/u], [u]Abdel Varga[/u], Neki Kaureerah Wenhan, Benedetto Corvi, [s]Leon Solaire[/s] [*][b]The Pie Slice (Mixed Artisans & Commons):[/b] [u]Isabella Lowell[/u], [u]Tku Pictor[/u], [u]Marz Mohfolk[/u], Carlo Spalazzi, Amirah Madasseh Al-Khatib, [s]Linah Aranda[/s], [s]Pan Yimu[/s] [*][b]The Cathedral Apartments (Clergy):[/b] [u]Yalen Castel[/u], [u]Qasem Laghmani[/u], Edyta Łaska, Seriana Dos Amorlos de Septa Corda [*][b]The Ever Tree (Yasoi):[/b] [u]Casii'fyret'alan[/u], [u]Ymiico'luun'yoru[/u], [u]Esmii'nestat'tawaar[/u] [u]Ashon'amar'loiyang[/u], [u]Cal'tuuro'jaros[/u], Ismet'ych'lahiin'dichora [*][b]Hammervane Hall (Hegelans, under construction):[/b] none as of yet[/list][/hider] [hr][hr]