The Empire of Taliese has two major colleges: Besangueux and Champilême. Both have been around for several centuries (though Champilême will be quick to remind that it is several hundred years older). As seats of significant magical power, both colleges have naturally become politically powerful and have influenced Taliesean history greatly. Their decision to put aside their rivalry to support the Hero was a significant turning point in the rebellion and contributed greatly to his victory.
Education has been standardized to an extent; students generally enter in their late teens to early twenties. They pursue a three-year course of study and at the end of their education, graduates are expected to participate in The Grand Prix. In times of peace, it is an event that brings together all of the colleges of Magnolia to have students participate in team and individual competitions of magic. Top finishers in events are awarded medals, an honor of great distinction in the wizarding world.
Students are also expected to play Tourmort. A proud tradition of Colleges throughout Magnolia, schools put together teams of anywhere between twenty and a hundred mounted riders (team size is agreed to prior to the game), armed with a long mallet and are aiming for a small ball in an attempt to hit the ball through the goal for a point. The first team to ten points wins. Other than that, there are few other rules or limitations, though most schools include a rule penalizing the intentional killing of a player. It is a popular, beloved sport that can draw large crowds, and playing the sport is considered to be incredibly prestigious. In fact, it is so beloved, that even the Tyrant did not ban the sport during his rule, being an avid fan.
The social event of the year is the annual match between Champilême and Besangueux held in Clermont, coming on their 388th match; Champilême won the last match, which has given it the overall lead of 144-143.
Collège du Champilême
Champilême was established during the Age of Towers, making it one of the oldest universities in Eastern Magnolia and the oldest in Taliese today. It is a college dedicated to the revival of lost and ancient magic, to rediscover, in their words, humanity’s lost heritage and what lies at its heart: the First Magic.
To do so, Champilême believes that one must first understand the fundamentals of magic, believing them to be the longest standing traditions in the field and necessary to further plunging into the secrets of the past. They will then push students to master the deep traditions of their field, including a specialization, and how to probe the secrets of the ancient past. Students graduate with their skills well-polished, both magically and socially. It is a rather elitist, rigorous school, but one cannot deny the skill of a Champilême graduate.
Proud school traditions include “The Running” for first years, where the day they are allowed to ride horses, they are required to run from the Great Hall to the stables, where waiting third years riding horses attack them with sticks; “The Combat”, which is where other students watch the fights between second years for their final,; and “The Raid” where the girls and boys attempt to break into one another’s dorms and throw all of the clothes they can find into the lake. Other traditions include decorating the school for the Savior’s Day, and Founder’s Day celebrations where the students participate in a scavenger hunt and then throw an unsuspecting professor into the lake. The school also encourages the development of mentor relationships; older female students give younger male students sweets and protection from the older boys, in exchange for the boys doing their chores, carrying their books, and tidying their rooms. There are other traditions at the school too of course, but those remain to be discovered by the students who go there.
Entrance Exams consist of three written exams, covering Magical History, Magical Theory, and fundamentals of their magical discipline, two long form essays, including a personal essay on what inspired them to choose Champilême, one practical examination in their magical discipline, and a dinner with the headmistress, faculty, and other prospective students (to ensure they are of proper upbringing).
First Years primarily focus on Linguistics, Classics, Magical Theory, Theology, History, Fundamentals, Physical Fitness, and, after their first semester, Horsemanship. First years are rarely found outside of class, chores, the dorms, or the library, and are generally barred from extracurriculars except under unusual circumstances. At the end of the year, they will take finals, mostly in long form essay.
Second Years move on into Translation for Magical Texts, Advanced Magic in their discipline, Advanced Magical Theory, and Magical Combat as their main courses. The school attempts to ensure they have a good mix of practical schools but also that they are prepared to further the cause of rediscovering ancient magic. Many look forward to the tournament at the end of the year where they get to fight with their peers in front of the school, but their other finals include a mock translation of an advanced ancient work, in preperation for their Third Year.
Third Years are expected to rediscover a “lost” magic. At the start of the year, they are given a text, dating back to at least the Age of Glories, that has never before been translated into a modern language. They are responsible for, by the end of the year, translating that work, and performing the magic written on it, thereby reintroducing it to the modern world. They will also be taking classes in advanced magical combat and, as part of a final, are expected to last thirty minutes in a duel with a professor.
Like all students throughout Magnolia, students are required to participate in “The Grand Prix”. Graduating with at least one medal earns a degree “with honors”, and graduating with three medals, including one gold, earns a degree “cum laude”, a major point of pride. To put in perspective, since the Age of Eagles, every Grand Secretary of State(except for one), Cardinal, and Chief Judge has been a graduate of Champilême, all of whom earned their degree cum laude, and that same distinction can be bestowed on half of the Marshals of Taliese.
The Académie de Besangueux was founded in the middle of the Age of Swords by the legendary headmaster Birague. Birague had traveled extensively throughout Magnolia and even to the edges of the eastern continent and found most colleges to be backward-looking, only focused on finding “The First Magic”. He thought it odd; had not magic advanced significantly? Was magic not greater now than it had been five hundred years ago? He believed that magic’s applications had only scratched the surface and that the way to improve society was with forwarding thinking magical research: a heresy to all other colleges.
The school was quite successful though in its innovations and soon became world-renowned for the techniques and discoveries pouring out from its walls. But the wizards of Besangueux have always strived for ever greater discoveries, which sometimes runs them afoul of other authorities, and the school was nearly shut down after an incident with an attempt at human transmutation. Besangueux sees itself as a chivalric order of education, and in its mission, they are very open and egalitarian among its members.
Proud school traditions include the “Festival of Colors”, where students engage in a turf paint war, the ”Festival of Flowers” where students attempt to create large floral sculptures, and “The Grand Fair”, which includes a display of a variety of magical techniques, items, and then a large melee between students. All three are a source of pride for locals when no incidents of great magnitude occur. Less...prideful is that of the Bacchanal, a wild party of feasting, drinking, and a giant bonfire, around which the environment is rife with...mingling. There are other traditions at the school too of course, but those remain to be discovered by the students who go there.
Entrance Exams consist of a series of magical challenges where there is no initially obvious answer. An instructor and a student sit in a room, one on one, and the tests are administered in rapid succession; the instructor is testing not only their creative thinking skills but also their ability to think on their feet.
Courses generally involve expanding one’s mind when it comes to magical usage, having students think in creative ways of how to use magic. Fundamentals are generally ignored and professors are very hands on in their instruction. Existing magic is of course taught, but then students are encouraged to think of various applications for those spells, and practice. Second years are introduced to a variety of different electives and are expected to devote themselves to a major in their third year.
First Year Finals involve being stranded for three months in an isolated environment, using nothing but magic to survive. Past examinations have taken place in mountain ranges, forests, ruins, and other deserted locations. Mortality and failure rate is, relatively, low.
Second Year Finals are a group examination. Students are put in a team with those who use different types of magic and are given a task to accomplish, usually dangerous and always quite difficult. Success is not necessarily the goal in the examinations. Five years ago, students were sent to reach the capital of the Emperor in the East and report back on what they found; they have yet to return. In the past few years, students attempted to tame a griffin and another they attempted to traverse a ruin guarded by a manticore, both of which ended with a disastrously high mortality rate. Undeterred, Headmaster Darcy desperately wants to bring back the final he took some twenty years ago, the one where his entire class, except for himself, perished: attempting to bring back a dragon egg.
Third Year Finals and indeed, third-year courses, are non-structured. The only requirement a student has is that they must come up with a feat of magic that is as of yet unseen. This can be a new spell, a new elixir, an advancement in beastial studies, anything that furthers the study of magic! They will perform for the Headmaster and the assembled faculty, who will either accept or reject the feat. If accepted, they will be awarded a degree!
Like all students throughout Magnolia, students are required to participate in “The Grand Prix”. Unlike Champilême, Besangueux does not offer degree advancements based on performance, but students who perform particularly well have been known to receive a parting gift from the staff. After the Grand Prix, students are encouraged to leave to experience the world, for at least a few years, and are invited to return at any time thereafter to further the cause of discovering new fields of magic, equipped with the school’s extensive research facilities.
Most graduates of Besangueux often continue scholarly pursuits, but not all do; some have been quite successful in the military and in government, including the Besangueux graduate Montmorency who, as Grand Secretary, who ushered in the Taliesean Empire and the Age of Lilies.
Particularly knowledgeable and accomplished individuals past schooling age may be invited to the school for a sabbatical, to engage in research, teaching, and learning.
Education has been standardized to an extent; students generally enter in their late teens to early twenties. They pursue a three-year course of study and at the end of their education, graduates are expected to participate in The Grand Prix. In times of peace, it is an event that brings together all of the colleges of Magnolia to have students participate in team and individual competitions of magic. Top finishers in events are awarded medals, an honor of great distinction in the wizarding world.
Students are also expected to play Tourmort. A proud tradition of Colleges throughout Magnolia, schools put together teams of anywhere between twenty and a hundred mounted riders (team size is agreed to prior to the game), armed with a long mallet and are aiming for a small ball in an attempt to hit the ball through the goal for a point. The first team to ten points wins. Other than that, there are few other rules or limitations, though most schools include a rule penalizing the intentional killing of a player. It is a popular, beloved sport that can draw large crowds, and playing the sport is considered to be incredibly prestigious. In fact, it is so beloved, that even the Tyrant did not ban the sport during his rule, being an avid fan.
The social event of the year is the annual match between Champilême and Besangueux held in Clermont, coming on their 388th match; Champilême won the last match, which has given it the overall lead of 144-143.
Collège du Champilême
To do so, Champilême believes that one must first understand the fundamentals of magic, believing them to be the longest standing traditions in the field and necessary to further plunging into the secrets of the past. They will then push students to master the deep traditions of their field, including a specialization, and how to probe the secrets of the ancient past. Students graduate with their skills well-polished, both magically and socially. It is a rather elitist, rigorous school, but one cannot deny the skill of a Champilême graduate.
Proud school traditions include “The Running” for first years, where the day they are allowed to ride horses, they are required to run from the Great Hall to the stables, where waiting third years riding horses attack them with sticks; “The Combat”, which is where other students watch the fights between second years for their final,; and “The Raid” where the girls and boys attempt to break into one another’s dorms and throw all of the clothes they can find into the lake. Other traditions include decorating the school for the Savior’s Day, and Founder’s Day celebrations where the students participate in a scavenger hunt and then throw an unsuspecting professor into the lake. The school also encourages the development of mentor relationships; older female students give younger male students sweets and protection from the older boys, in exchange for the boys doing their chores, carrying their books, and tidying their rooms. There are other traditions at the school too of course, but those remain to be discovered by the students who go there.
Entrance Exams consist of three written exams, covering Magical History, Magical Theory, and fundamentals of their magical discipline, two long form essays, including a personal essay on what inspired them to choose Champilême, one practical examination in their magical discipline, and a dinner with the headmistress, faculty, and other prospective students (to ensure they are of proper upbringing).
First Years primarily focus on Linguistics, Classics, Magical Theory, Theology, History, Fundamentals, Physical Fitness, and, after their first semester, Horsemanship. First years are rarely found outside of class, chores, the dorms, or the library, and are generally barred from extracurriculars except under unusual circumstances. At the end of the year, they will take finals, mostly in long form essay.
Second Years move on into Translation for Magical Texts, Advanced Magic in their discipline, Advanced Magical Theory, and Magical Combat as their main courses. The school attempts to ensure they have a good mix of practical schools but also that they are prepared to further the cause of rediscovering ancient magic. Many look forward to the tournament at the end of the year where they get to fight with their peers in front of the school, but their other finals include a mock translation of an advanced ancient work, in preperation for their Third Year.
Third Years are expected to rediscover a “lost” magic. At the start of the year, they are given a text, dating back to at least the Age of Glories, that has never before been translated into a modern language. They are responsible for, by the end of the year, translating that work, and performing the magic written on it, thereby reintroducing it to the modern world. They will also be taking classes in advanced magical combat and, as part of a final, are expected to last thirty minutes in a duel with a professor.
Like all students throughout Magnolia, students are required to participate in “The Grand Prix”. Graduating with at least one medal earns a degree “with honors”, and graduating with three medals, including one gold, earns a degree “cum laude”, a major point of pride. To put in perspective, since the Age of Eagles, every Grand Secretary of State(except for one), Cardinal, and Chief Judge has been a graduate of Champilême, all of whom earned their degree cum laude, and that same distinction can be bestowed on half of the Marshals of Taliese.
Académie de Besangueux
The Académie de Besangueux was founded in the middle of the Age of Swords by the legendary headmaster Birague. Birague had traveled extensively throughout Magnolia and even to the edges of the eastern continent and found most colleges to be backward-looking, only focused on finding “The First Magic”. He thought it odd; had not magic advanced significantly? Was magic not greater now than it had been five hundred years ago? He believed that magic’s applications had only scratched the surface and that the way to improve society was with forwarding thinking magical research: a heresy to all other colleges.
The school was quite successful though in its innovations and soon became world-renowned for the techniques and discoveries pouring out from its walls. But the wizards of Besangueux have always strived for ever greater discoveries, which sometimes runs them afoul of other authorities, and the school was nearly shut down after an incident with an attempt at human transmutation. Besangueux sees itself as a chivalric order of education, and in its mission, they are very open and egalitarian among its members.
Proud school traditions include the “Festival of Colors”, where students engage in a turf paint war, the ”Festival of Flowers” where students attempt to create large floral sculptures, and “The Grand Fair”, which includes a display of a variety of magical techniques, items, and then a large melee between students. All three are a source of pride for locals when no incidents of great magnitude occur. Less...prideful is that of the Bacchanal, a wild party of feasting, drinking, and a giant bonfire, around which the environment is rife with...mingling. There are other traditions at the school too of course, but those remain to be discovered by the students who go there.
Entrance Exams consist of a series of magical challenges where there is no initially obvious answer. An instructor and a student sit in a room, one on one, and the tests are administered in rapid succession; the instructor is testing not only their creative thinking skills but also their ability to think on their feet.
Courses generally involve expanding one’s mind when it comes to magical usage, having students think in creative ways of how to use magic. Fundamentals are generally ignored and professors are very hands on in their instruction. Existing magic is of course taught, but then students are encouraged to think of various applications for those spells, and practice. Second years are introduced to a variety of different electives and are expected to devote themselves to a major in their third year.
First Year Finals involve being stranded for three months in an isolated environment, using nothing but magic to survive. Past examinations have taken place in mountain ranges, forests, ruins, and other deserted locations. Mortality and failure rate is, relatively, low.
Second Year Finals are a group examination. Students are put in a team with those who use different types of magic and are given a task to accomplish, usually dangerous and always quite difficult. Success is not necessarily the goal in the examinations. Five years ago, students were sent to reach the capital of the Emperor in the East and report back on what they found; they have yet to return. In the past few years, students attempted to tame a griffin and another they attempted to traverse a ruin guarded by a manticore, both of which ended with a disastrously high mortality rate. Undeterred, Headmaster Darcy desperately wants to bring back the final he took some twenty years ago, the one where his entire class, except for himself, perished: attempting to bring back a dragon egg.
Third Year Finals and indeed, third-year courses, are non-structured. The only requirement a student has is that they must come up with a feat of magic that is as of yet unseen. This can be a new spell, a new elixir, an advancement in beastial studies, anything that furthers the study of magic! They will perform for the Headmaster and the assembled faculty, who will either accept or reject the feat. If accepted, they will be awarded a degree!
Like all students throughout Magnolia, students are required to participate in “The Grand Prix”. Unlike Champilême, Besangueux does not offer degree advancements based on performance, but students who perform particularly well have been known to receive a parting gift from the staff. After the Grand Prix, students are encouraged to leave to experience the world, for at least a few years, and are invited to return at any time thereafter to further the cause of discovering new fields of magic, equipped with the school’s extensive research facilities.
Most graduates of Besangueux often continue scholarly pursuits, but not all do; some have been quite successful in the military and in government, including the Besangueux graduate Montmorency who, as Grand Secretary, who ushered in the Taliesean Empire and the Age of Lilies.
Particularly knowledgeable and accomplished individuals past schooling age may be invited to the school for a sabbatical, to engage in research, teaching, and learning.
