Introduction to Istien University

Istien University is, first and foremost, a setting for your roleplaying. You will be playing a student, but the type of student is up to you. Do you commute? Do you take classes as time permits? Are you full-time? And when was the last time a student spent all their time in class? As a student, you can also explore the schools, find romance with a pretty elven lad on a starlit night, deal with a bully, or hold a smashing party. Your character wouldn't even have to necessarily be a student; I'll let your imagination determine that. I encourage you to find new ways to use Istien University. You can learn skills and abilities here, that is for sure, but that is not necessary.

What Can I Learn?

Truth be told, anything. Be sane and sensible, according to level. A level 0 won't be leveling mountains, of course. And don't have to conclude every thread with a "spell learned," either. In fact, you could go through seven threads on the schools without learning a single "skill," if you wanted, but you WOULD be able to claim a knowledge of the school you were in when you go to your character profile. An entry might look like this:

"Ost'Dagorlin Defenses: Lucas can use several songs from the Raiaeran school to defend himself. He can produce weak magical shields against elemental damage and fairly powerful shields against normal weapons, within normal level limitations, and subtly influence the materials around him using songs learned in the Ost'Dagorlin school."

Now, you would have to be FAIR in your battles -- judges WILL penalize you for being obnoxious and powergaming. But you can, technically, learn whatever you want.

Istien University, while it prides itself on its unique musical system of magic and considers music to be the highest art, teaches a wide variety of magic styles and types. Don't feel limited if you can't sing or play an instrument: you can still learn a lot from this place.

A thread need not be LONG, either. Unless you request otherwise, to receive the full rubric judging you will need to write double the normal amount -- that is, 20 posts or 20,000 words. Otherwise the moderator will just check your requested ability and approve it. You can learn an extremely simple spell in 5 posts. We do ask, however, that you only learn one such spell per level. You can roleplay as many threads as you want here, but try to keep spell learning from overpowering your other roleplaying.

Earn your Degree!

There are a number of programs in Raiaera for the advanced mage seeking to learn more about magic itself. Some of the more prestigious positions in Raiaera -- such as teaching in the schools or joining the High Bard Council -- will require advanced training. The degrees below will be awarded should you request them as spoils for particularly good school threads. Your level must be the noted amount before you may apply for one of these degrees, and you must have the prerequisite degrees.

Each degree comes complete with a "Mastery Skill" that should make your ability to become a fearsome mage all that more potent.

Bardic Certificate (B.C.) - Level 0
You can gain a certificate in every school, and it will allow you to claim competence in a certain area that goes beyond one single spell. For example, someone with a Bardic Certificate in Dagorlin would be able to have a single skill that gives them some mastery over a variety of areas. For example, instead of simple attack skills, such as having one skill for fire balls, one for an ice barrier, one for launching rocky projectiles, and so forth, you could have one skill that mutates in a variety of ways to provide you with a more versatile skill. With each degree, you may request one such "Mastery Skill." It will be approved as a spoil here, and then will need to be approved in the Realm of Greeting as well.

Master of Songs Degree (M.S.) - Level 2
You can combine your learning in two schools into a Master of Songs Degree. This will confer the ability to blend elements of both these schools together. So, for instance, if you combined Turlin and Dagorlin, you would be able to do offensive and defensive magic that works particularly well in purifying evil spirits and presences. If you combined Turlin and Lissilin, you would be able to do magic that heals evil impurities. Aglarlin and Dagorlin might lift the spirits of warriors. The combination is your choice. You can, if you wish, get an M.S. Degree in every possible combination, or just a few. To combine schools, you must have a B.C. in both. Once you earn this degree, you may request a "Mastery Skill" like above using your combined talents.

Doctor of Mysteries Degree (Mt.D.) - Level 6
This degree is the capstone of learning at the schools of magic. To earn it, you will need a Bardic Certificate in each school, as well as at least two M.S. Degrees. It will require you to invest training across all four areas of traditional music study, but you will also be required to display competence in a variety of areas -- history, art, religion, science, and statecraft. This is not a trifling undertaking, and threads requesting this degree will be scrutinized closely. Once you get this degree, you may request a "Mastery Skill" of your choice, one which combines all elements of the spells and permits you a great leeway of spell variability. Choose wisely!

You may request one of these degrees either after a single long thread or a series of smaller threads.

Teach in the Schools!

Want to teach in the schools? You can, provided you join the following "Special Ranks." These ranks are available to anyone, provided you meet the requirements AND speak with me concerning other special duties. Teaching grants you bonus GP and EXP for each thread you teach.

Special Rank - Requirements

Teacher - Requires a Bardic Certificate

Dean - Must have been a Teacher and obtain an M.S. Degree

These two positions are High Bard positions. They carry a monthly stipend.

Headmaster - Must have been a Dean and obtained an Mt.D.

Councilor - Must have an Mt.D. and fulfill other requirements

High Bard of <insert school here> - Must have an Mt.D. and fulfill other requirements

If you want to be Headmaster, Councilor, or High Bard, PM me to discuss the requirements. Don't PM unless you have an Mg.D.

All special ranks must maintain activity in Raiaera, as well as help maintain the institution they are a part of.

And that’s it. Please post any questions in the questions thread on this forum.


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