Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

The university, situated within the crown of Rynmere, occupies a flat section of land, beautifully landscaped with colourful wild flowers, and neatly kept trees and shrubs. Framed by four tall towers, one in each corner, the middle of the university building opened up into a roofless garden with a decorative maze fashioned to depict the sigil of Rynmere, the Jacadon.

Through the entrance way, a long desk runs along the west and east wall, each manned by a member of staff who specialised in their administrative fields. Visitors were met by the sight of a long swinging pendulum which hangs from a domed ceiling and sinks into its mirrored equal on the floor, trimmed in gold and lined with a dark mahogany wood. Beyond this is the exit to the central maze, and either side of the pendulum led guests down hallways that would take them in a simple circuit about the building, which via either route, would led them back to the exact same spot beside the pendulum. Along these paths one would discover the laboratories, classrooms, and teacher offices.

The university itself stands three stories high and sinks another four into the earth, the lighting here said to be powered by a special plant that grows in one of the forests in Rynmere, kept in glass orbs and hung from the ceilings and walls on bronze chains.

Level Layout
(Ground floor). Entrance way, front desk, information desk, teacher offices, pendulum, classrooms, and first floor of the library.
(Second story). Science laboratories, the dean's office, art rooms, and galleries.
(Third story: top level). Observatory, hatching facility (Jacadon, etc).
(First floor: underground). Meeting hall, second floor of library.
(Second floor: underground). Lecture halls (six).
(Third floor: underground). Magic Department and storage facility.
(Fourth floor: underground). Off limits to public, but rumoured to be a testing laboratory.

Credit: Malcolm

These courses are all very in depth and seek to explore the more philosophical aspects of life through the mediums of dance and art. Considered by most serious academics to be the least important of all the Institutes, students paying for courses here are the laughing stock of the University. However, as the arcs pass, more and more minstrels and other players are choosing to spend the odd cycle studying part time in between shows and performances. When highly popular troupes decide to improve their craft , others begin to consider the significance of it. It is much more popular than the sister Institute in Viden, due to location, which has ultimately led to better teaching. Rynmere sees a significant portion of income from the Performance Arts alone, though the culture that has developed from the Fine Arts Faculty in Rynmere has created the most expensive artwork in all of Idalos.

Though much of the time before the Great Shattering is shrouded in myth, the history following is considered of great importance to understand. Given the high amount of racial traffic, the scholars here at the Institute of Humanities know much about the histories of various races. Religion and philosophy too, closely linked with the history, shares knowledge of the Immortals walking the lands of Idalos. Religion is taught in a much more objective manner than it is at the Viden Academy. Finally, Geography and Politics are detailed by academics in the Institute of Humanities.

As a much more accessible (and inclusive) Kingdom, when compared to the academic capital, the City of Andaris sees much more functional language pass through its gates, which causes the University to be exposed to it in a much more natural way. Native speakers of nigh on all Idalosian languages, and the languages of the surrounding isles, are found as teachers in this Institute. For this reason, those choosing to study at the University have a much better chance at mastering their chosen language(s). However if a student wishes to study the core aspects of linguistics, such as syntax, phonetics and semantics, they would be better placed to attend the Institute in Viden, for a purer study without specific language input.

This Institute is the largest, most popular and most respected of all, which mirrors the opinions of its sister Institute in Viden. It houses the formal sciences of Mathematics and Logic, which are considered to be the purest subjects to study in the University, only taken on my the strongest of minds. The natural sciences of Biology Chemistry and Physics incorporate both the theoretical and applied topics associated with the traditional subjects, including Medicine.

Training in the sciences are strongly sought after, with hundreds seeking the chance to be students of the respected scholars in the Institute. Here, in the more temperate Kingdom, students of biology especially will have ample opportunity to flourish. The Institute of Sciences also houses the world's largest and most powerful telescope, though it is not found within the city of Andaris: the telescope is kept in the much quieter Duchy of Gwayne.

A smaller section which was once considered to be part of the Institute of Sciences, Andaris decided to mirror Viden a couple of decades later, when interest began to grow and they could justify the expense of separating it into two. A unique aspect of this Institute is its military links: one of its largest funding budgets and outputs goes into designing and machining more streamlined blacksmithing equipment, as well as imagining more weapons for the military to use. This ingenuity pouring into the Institute gives the Knights an edge over many military forces across Idalos.

Credit: Whisper

In order to become a student in the University of Rynmere, a prospective student must first pick a course of study. To do this, they must first chose the Institute, and then a specific subject which they might focus on (e.g. Alchemy, Architecture, Empathy, Linguistics, Medicine, Poisons, etc). From there, they may begin their academic journey to achieve the highest qualification they dare to aim for. There are five levels of qualification, granted to those students who have successfully pursued their academic goals and finished their required courses, to possess one is a mark of status in educated society across Idalos and one might find employment opportunities open much easier.

• Minimum of 50* pieces of Knowledge in the relevant topic.
• Minimum of 3 seasons of further study in Rynmere/Scalvoris/Viden.
• Moderated thread with a Prophet.
• Teaching of at least three classes to lower-level students.
• Outline of a Thesis on topic.

!	Message from: Whisper
	*In order to lessen the strain of gaining knowledges, there is a "pay-in" system: a PC may do an extra study/homework/work thread of at least 1500 (their words if collaboration), which "buys off" 5 knowledges.

!	Message from: Whisper
	∞ Depending on PC Skill Level and previously acquired Knowledges, it is possible to pay a single fee of 100gn in order to take the exam to qualify for a Letter. For the intelligent few, they may then pay a further 100gn to qualify for a Certificate. This offer is only available to people to intend to follow through with the next level of qualification.

Please PM a Local Prophet for approval before pursuing your qualification from the University of Rynmere. This sort of thing must be recorded in your Player Notes from day one if your efforts are to be rewarded.

If you start a qualification in Rynmere and choose to continue in Viden, and vice versa, this is acceptable. Qualifications from the University of Rynmere and the Viden Academy are identical in terms of mechanics (they cost the same, and offer the same rewards), the only difference is stylistic roleplay choices. For example, Viden is more prestigious on the whole, but Rynmere excels in certain areas.

The University of Rynmere is a very respectable institution, thus has the luxury of being able to afford the best. There are a number of positions available in the University, each with their own requirements.

• Assistant Researcher
  • No required qualifications. Minimum of 15 skill points in Research. Limited positions open for those who show skill and worth.
• Researcher
  • Minimum qualifications: Diploma.
• Associate Professor
  • Minimum qualifications: Diploma. Must be at least competent in Teaching.
• Professor
  • Minimum qualifications: Charter. Must be at least expert in Teaching.
• Dean of an Institute
  • One position per Institute (for a total of 6 positions). Minimum of one Licentiate in the relevant subject of the Institute (condition can be lowered depending on desirable qualities).
• Dean of the University
  • One position. Minimum qualifications: Licentiate and additional Charter in any subject.

Given the sheer dedication and expense it takes for a student to gain any qualification from the Higher Education Facilities in Idalos, it is only reasonable that this be rewarded in some regard in terms of income. The University of Rynmere and the Viden Acadamy are well regarded institutions and thus any civilised employer would clamour to employ an ex-student. As such a qualified individual may enjoy certain perks.

• Letter
  • An additional 2gn to seasonal wages
    (surpasses wage-caps, must be in a related field, or working for an academic institution)
• Certificate
  • An additional 4gn to seasonal wages
    (surpasses wage-caps, must be in a related field, or working for an academic institution)
• Diploma
  • An additional 6gn to seasonal wages
    (surpasses wage-caps, must be in a related field, or working for an academic institution)
• Charter
  • An additional 8gn to seasonal wages
    (surpasses wage-caps, must be in a related field, or working for an academic institution)
• Licentiate
  • An additional 10gn to seasonal wages
    (surpasses wage-caps, must be in a related field, or working for an academic institution)

Credit: Whisper

• Those who are not registered students of the University, or affiliated with it in some other way, are limited in their access to facilities offered by the University and must pay for entry to the Library.
• Forgery of qualifications of any level from the University of Rynmere is prohibited and is punishable by expulsion from the institution and, in extreme cases, exile from the city.
• There is no practical Insitute of Arcana at the University of Rynmere, only theoretical. Please do not expect to be able to study the arcane arts here.

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Credit: Whisper