Collegia Supernal -- Chapter 1

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Well hot damn, that was a hell of a sight, "Fuck that's awesome. Coming here was the right idea."

"Well said," mused Hendrickson. "Now some of you may already know this, but the academy is divided into five colleges, with the Tower – right there – acting as the administrative center and commons. Fun fact: each college is equally spaced out across the valley to form a pentacle, adding to the sacred geometry of the institution as a whole. Each college is also dedicated to one of the five paths every mage awakens to, with the students and faculty of a given college being of the same path. This is to ensure the best environment in which to study and practice the Art, while also familiarizing people with the nature, philosophies and symbolism of their path."

Athena nodded, that at least was pretty typical of what she expected from an academy like this. She wondered what the insides of those towers would be like.

As the rest of the group climb up to share in the view, Hendrickson to monologue, soon guiding everyone along a zigzagging path down the cliff.

"The academy’s pipeline program enables underaged Awakened free lodging and education while studying here, up till they are eighteen years of age. At which point, they are moved from the Tower to join the others of their path in their associated college. After the first year, they are then required to pay tuition like all the rest of us."

"About that," said one mage. "How do we pay for all this?"

"Oh, the academy’s flexible in that regard. Depending on your knowledge, skills, and experience, tuition can range from assisted maintenance of the school’s facilities, publication of research, sponsorships, work study, etc. You can ask the front desk for further details on the matter."

The group soon reached the base of the cliff, following a long road that Hendrickson warned people not to step off of or wander away from. Nobody was surprised, later on, when rumors of two of their number weren’t anywhere to be seen.

Once through a series of archways, Hendrickson brought everything to a halt. Before them all stood the Five-fold Tower. A massive commons surrounded the structure, decorated with small gardens, stone benches and pavement. Other people could be seen wandering about, giving on the most cursory of glances to the newcomers as they went about their business.

"Well," said Hendrickson, "Here we are. The Tower is the very heart of our institution, and also where general topics of the arcane can be studied. Like the five campuses, it contains an Athenaeum, scriptorium, cafeteria, and recreation center. It also hosts a number of other instillations, as you will come to find during your time here. Now, I know you’re all itching to explore the place, so when you’re ready to start your education, see the front desk inside. Once again, welcome to the Five-fold Tower."

Athena sidled over to Teresa as they all walked towards the front desk, "So, are you an Obrimos too, or are we gonna be in different towers?"

"I'm a witch!" said Teresa, still holding the bowl of mints from earlier. "I'm gonna be studying with the Acanthus. But I might get bored, so I'll definitely be wandering around anywhere and everywhere. Mint?"

"Don't mind if I do. I'm hoping to specialize a bunch so I'll probably be around less - but we can definitely work out something to catch up and stuff."

The two mystics walked across the courtyard, winding around a fountain depicting a mage standing before a table; with a rod in one hand raised towards the heavens. Upon reaching the front of the tower, they passed through a pair of reinforced, double-doors. This was where they found a lobby more in keeping with an airport concourse. Windows high above allowing sunlight to pour in, onto polished, stone flooring; long, padded benches, even the literal front desk blended marble, wood, and glass. But there was also a sense of antiquity, as Athena saw in the symbol carved into the center of the desk: five dragon wings forming the shape of a star within a gilded ring. A similar image was emblazoned on a massive tapestry on the wall behind the desk, with greater detail added in the form of Supernal symbolism, and those of the Orders.

"Good morning," said the clerk, dressed in robes of black and brown. "How can I help you?"

"We're new students, Professor Hendrickson told us to come up here when we're ready to start learning?"

Athena felt a wave of heat as the clerk waved a hand from left to right at her and Teresa. The book in front of him then opened on its own, its pages flipping without so much as a breeze.

"Athena and Teresa," chanted the clerk as he traced his finger down the length of the book. "Ah, yes! Just sign here in the registry."

"Are we signing away our souls?" asked Teresa, still beaming as she bounced on her heels.

The clerk chuckled, turning the book to face the girls. "This is to make sure we have a record of you arriving here, as well as confirmation that you have read, understood, and accepted the rules of studying at the Collegia." He then opened a drawer, procuring two brochures for the mages. "Most applicants are expected to have already read this, but it never hurts to have a refresher on hand."

[If you read the brochure, roll Intelligence + Wits.]

2021-04-13 10:53:06   Athena rolls 7 dice to Reading Comprehension   9,6,8,3,10, 3,4,8 (4 successes)

Athena took a moment to flip through the brochure.

Reading, the theurge found the expected laws of a consilium, from iron to gold. However, there were a few alterations that bore noting:

1. Theft or destruction of a soulstone belonging to the Collegia Supernal is grounds for immediate expulsion if found guilty. Any favors demanded by the culprit must be denied.

2. Non-attending cabal mates visiting the Collegia Supernal are restricted to the Halfway House unless otherwise permitted.

3. Any and all mysteries pertaining to academy property are to be studied at a gradual pace - thereby avoiding contamination via one's nimbus. Rushing such examinations is grounds for punishment.

4. Attempts at entering the Headmaster's sanctum are forbidden. No exceptions.

Nodding at the extra rules, Athena signed the paperwork.

(Maybe put the rules in a setting info post?)

Again, Athena felt a rush of heat, once for when she wrote her shadow name, and then again for when Teresa wrote hers.

"Excellent," said the clerk. "One for Sky Crown and one for Emerald Falls." Turning the registry back into place, he then handed a map and compass to Athena. "Follow the road leading north, Sky Crown'll be at the top of valley."

"Ooh! Ooh! Do I get anything?" asked Teresa.

"No need. Just head on into the woods south-east of the tower."

"Mint?"

"Oh, thanks! Don't mind if I do."

As they left the building before splitting off, Athena said, "Something pinged off my peripheral sight when we signed up. Probably a Fate thing linking us to the name we signed, but I'm not the expert there."