Academy of Magics
The Academy of Magics is one of the world's greatest educational insitutions. It is located in Zul on Zorander Isle and operates under the supervision of the Mages Guild.
The academy was founded by Zedicus the Seer and set up as a self sufficient cloister like environment that's like a miniature city within a city. Food, lodging, clothing, and resources are provided for all the students, instructors and researchers, so that they need not leave the Academy.
Upon enrollment, students receive the title of an Academy Apprentice. The apprenticeship program is very rigorous and intense. Students are expected to fully devote themselves to mastering the art of magic and spend most of their waking time studying, practicing or assisting with magical research. Students who fall behind on their studies, or who have disciplinary problems are often penalized by being given community and maintenance work assignments.
Students with little magical talent, or those who do not cope well with the stressful and intensive training program are allowed to stay at the academy as Associates and use its libraries and resources if they provide useful community service. They often find permanent work as artificers, gardeners or janitors, and many live out their entire lives within the Academy.
Upon finishing the four year Apprenticeship students are formally induced into the 20th Order of Wizards which the lowest, least prestigious title offered by the Academy. They may choose to continue their studies and work toward joining the lower orders, gaining access to many of the restricted libraries, and gaining political clout and prestige within the Mages Guild.
Upon earning admission to the 19th level order, the Wizards can join one of the dozen Fellowships which cater to their specialization and research interests. Each of the fellowships has a different focus, and different methods, and while they work on solving different problems they often compete with each other for prestige and recognition. In addition to research Fellow mages are expected to teach magic, either to the Apprentices or to prospective or younger Fellows or help to curate the Academy's many magical libraries.
Not all students are expected to stay at the Academy become Fellow Wizards. Some leave the Academy and seek employment as court wizards, or magical advisers to noble houses. Those with the martial mindset join the Battle College and work towards becoming Battle Mages.
Apprentices and Associates are expected to fulfill their respective duties and stay within the Academy walls throughout their tenure. They get one day off per month, known as Student's Day, when they are encouraged to leave the Academy walls, and explore the city, so that they do not become too detached from the real world.
Finishing the Apprenticeship at the Academy is a requirement for taking leadership positions within the Mages Guild. A tenure as a Fellow and induction to one of the lower levels is usually required to achieve high ranking position. That said, active Fellows are prohibited from taking on Guild positions, because it would interfere with their studies and research.
