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J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#1: Dec 30th 2017 at 6:01:28 AM

So I'm creating an RPG setting based on Harry Potter and Dragon Age and I'm developing the magic school where most of the action will take place. While I am using Hogwarts as a point of reference, I am trying to make it unique. This thread will basically act as a place where I can put all my ideas down and where other can offer insights and suggestions. Details like floor plans, the student body, the location of the school itself will come soon.


Core Classes

  • Abjuration: In this class, students are taught spells that are protective in nature. Here students can learn how to create magical barriers, negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish creatures to other planes of existence. This is the first form of magic students are taught.

  • Alchemy: In this class, students learn the correct way to extract and prepare ingredients required to brew potions and elixers. They also learn various formulas and recipes that can be applied for everyday use such the creation of solvents and accelerants etc.

  • Astronomy & Cosmology: Covers the composition and movements of both celestial and extra-planar bodies, and the application their spatial location has to magic. This class is unique in that it starts as Astronomy and slowly shifts its focus to Cosmology as the students progress in their studies. At it's highest level, student become familiar with the politics of the planes and how to travel safely between them.

  • Botany: The study of magical and mundane plants and fungi and their applications in magic.

  • Crafting: A practical class where students learn how to craft and smith items with innate magical abilities. Upon first enrolling at the Academy, students learn their way around a forge and safe smithing practices, progessing to making simple items like rings and rods. At higher levels, students are capable of creating wonderous items with various effects.

  • Defence Against the Dark Arts: In this class (usually abbreviated as DADA) students learn how to magically defend themselves against monsters, the Dark Arts, and other dark enchantments. At the introductory stage, students learn to identify what Dark Magic actually is and how to best avoid it. As students progress, they learn how to defend against it, and - at it's highest level - how to actively hunt it down and eradicate it properly and safely.

  • History of the Mystic Arts: Predictably, the history of magic. This subject involves the evolution of magic and it's origins, it's effects on current national and international politics, famous practitioners and conflicts etc.

  • Literacy

  • Magical Theory: An introductory subject and the first all students undertake when they enroll. It covers magic from a purely theoretical standpoint, and involves the components of a spell, why and how a spell works etc. This class is dropped by all students after the first year.

  • Mathematics

  • Study of Ancient Runes: Is the study of Dwarven runic scriptures. Dwarves are unique within the student body as they are - for whatever reason - physically incapable of using magic. To get around this, the Ancient Dwarves developed a means of imbuing individual runes, words and even phrases with innate magical power. Thus, the Study of Ancient Runes is a class devoted to teaching how to read and write in this archaic language. While this is a compulsory class for the Dwarven students, Human students may choose this class as an elective.


Elective Classes

  • Arithmancy: The study of innately magical formulae and numbers, and their application in magic.

  • Care of Magical Creatures: In the class, students learn about a wide range of magical creatures. Students are taught about feeding, maintaining, breeding, and proper treatment of these various Creatures.

  • Conjuration: The study of Conjuration involves the transportation of objects and creatures from one location to another.

  • Divination: In this class, students learn the spells and means to reveal information, whether in the form of secrets long forgotten, glimpses of the future, the locations of hidden things, the truth behind illusions, or visions of distant people or places.

  • Enchantment: Enchantments covers the magical means used to affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. The enrollment of this class is heavily monitored so as only the most well behaved and responsible students may be taught such arts. Those students who are caught using such spells irresponsibly are punished and potentially expelled.

  • Evocation: In this class, students learn how manipulate the forces of nature to produce a desired effect.

  • Illusion: This class teaches students spells used to deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, to miss things that are there, to hear phantom noises, or to remember things that never happened. Like Enchantment, Illusions is a monitored class where students run the risk of punishment for using such spells outside of class irresponsibly.

  • Magical Application of Art: This class covers how to focus and channel your intent into crafting your piece.

  • Mystic Symphonics: The study of innately magical sounds, tones, chord progressions and their effects. Students can also learn how to incorporate music into their magic.

  • Transmutation: Through the study of Transmutation a student may learn how to change the properties of a creature, object, or environment.


The Faculty

  • Prosperita Stello: Headmistress

  • Alonso Parmatti: Abjuration

  • Celia Frasco: Alchemy

  • Yusuf Ibn Qamar: Astronomy & Cosmology

  • Fleur Blanchard: Botany

  • Aloysius Kuprum: A famed Dwarven Blacksmith and Professor of Crafting. He has been "on loan" to the Academy by the Argentum Clan in Friolo-Tevinza Dorio for the last decade. He is generally described as a fair and jovial man, with a laugh that betrays his stature. He is known to take great care in fostering the abilities and imagination of his students, though he is notably harder on the Dwarven ones.

  • Marcus Cruciato: An imposing, dour man dressed in black with a faint grimace permanently etched into face. Professor Cruciato serves as the DADA Professor. Although a scarily competent combatant and wizard, his social skills leave little to be desired. He is rude, sarcastic and dismissive of both students and faculty alike. His dedication to defending the welfare of his charges should never be doubted though.

  • Alda Memora: History of Magic

  • Marcellus Cervantes: Literacy

  • Giuseppe Opinorelli: Magical Theory

  • Guiscard and Sophia Pollux: Mathematics & Arithmancy

  • Perpetua Ferrum: The newest addition to the faculty, Ferrum has served as the Professor of Ancient Runes for the last two years. An unusually high-strung and anxious Dwarf, Ferrum is a harsh taskmaster and demands perfection from her students and suspicious of those who attempt to know her outside of a professional capacity. Can come off as xenophobic towards her non-dwarven students.

  • Enrique Carteggio: Conjuration

  • Cassandra Olarón: Divination

  • Belle Piégere: Enchantment

  • Constantine Celare: Illusion

  • Caeruleus Van Dyke: Magical Application of Art

  • Amadeus Allegretto: Mystic Symphonics


Facilities

  • Auditorium

  • Forges

  • Library

  • Kitchen

  • Medical Ward

edited 2nd Jan '18 9:52:10 PM by J.G.Crowne

Do you read Sutter Cane?
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#2: Dec 30th 2017 at 11:13:26 AM

I would expand on Divination, to make it about more than just predicting the future. Divination is the art of discerning information through magical means — past, present, and future; close at hand or far away. It could include remote viewing (aka scrying), clairvoyance, reading the past history of an object, speaking with the dead, etc.

You also need more classes than just Transfiguration. In the D&D magic system, spells are divided into eight "schools" of magic:

Abjuration: blocking, banishing, and protecting against creatures or effects.

Conjuration: producing things or summoning creatures out of thin air.

Divination: understanding the past, present, and future.

Enchantment: entrancing and beguiling the minds of people or creatures.

Evocation: harnessing the raw power of the four elements.

Illusion: deception and trickery through false images or sensations.

Necromancy: dealing with life, death, and undeath.

Transmutation: changing energy and/or matter from one form to another.

While you don't have to copy this system exactly, your school could use a wider variety of spellcasting in its curriculum.

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KnightofLsama Since: Sep, 2010
#3: Dec 30th 2017 at 3:19:58 PM

Just in general, try and avoid directly lifting the Harry Potter names wholesale.

On more specific notes:

Defence Against the Dark Arts: In this class students learn how to magically defend themselves against monsters, the Dark Arts, and other dark enchantments.

I have to ask how likely is your average student to encounter the "Dark Arts". Because that's one of the things that always bugged me about Harry Potter. Having that as part of the core curriculum suggests that you're likely to encounter dark wizards and the like on a regular basis and while Harry et al did, those were under extra-ordinary circumstances. And when it comes to dangerous magical creatures that's more like an entire separate subject from stuff like curses, hexes and how to defend against them.

And unless it's ridiculously common, recommend making it and elective for those who want to go into magical combat

Potions:

Switch potions for alchemy I'd recommend. Its more generic and can cover a wider ranger of things. Also I would recommend including the extraction and preparation of ingredients in addition to just making up the various concoctions.

Belisaurius Since: Feb, 2010
#4: Dec 30th 2017 at 3:45:46 PM

Don't use HP's magic system. Magic in the Potterverse is both central and horribly defined. The magic is more of a list of words to memorize than requiring actual study.

Also, you should probably add classes for math and literacy. We take it for granted but both of these are pretty important but if this is their primary school then it's the only opportunity.

edited 30th Dec '17 3:48:41 PM by Belisaurius

J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#5: Dec 30th 2017 at 9:42:30 PM

Thanks for the advice! I've taken it under advisement and have since edited the original post to reflect these changes.

pwiegle: You also need more classes than just Transfiguration. In the D&D magic system, spells are divided into eight "schools" of magic...While you don't have to copy this system exactly, your school could use a wider variety of spellcasting in its curriculum.

Since I am going to be running this game with the 5th Edition rules, I actually agree with you and have re-hauled the schools curriculum to reflect this. In this setting, Necromancy is deemed are Dark Art and thus has been removed from the curriculum. With the exception of Abjuration, the other classes have been classified as Electives in order to reflect the "School of Magic" players obtain at level 3.

Abjuration has been made a Core class so that new students are at least able to protect themselves outside of school.

Knightof Lsama: I have to ask how likely is your average student to encounter the "Dark Arts". Because that's one of the things that always bugged me about Harry Potter. Having that as part of the core curriculum suggests that you're likely to encounter dark wizards and the like on a regular basis and while Harry et al did, those were under extra-ordinary circumstances. And when it comes to dangerous magical creatures that's more like an entire separate subject from stuff like curses, hexes and how to defend against them. And unless it's ridiculously common, I recommend making it an elective for those who want to go into magical combat

I would definitely say that students are far more likely to encounter the Dark Arts than say Harry Potter. The Campaign proper at this point include a giant Death Knight, a cult, Fey Lords and extra-planar rifts. I am debating whether or not I should actually have a magical combat class and have Cruciato pull double duty as the Professor of DADA and Magical Combat and create a new NPC to fulfill the role of Head of Security.

Belisaurius: Also, you should probably add classes for math and literacy. We take it for granted but both of these are pretty important but if this is their primary school then it's the only opportunity.

This had been added to the curriculum. Think I might add Art and Music to the elective lists as well. Perhaps Arithmancy as well? The study of magical numbers and equations?

Would greatly appreciate any thoughts or ideas for faculty members as well.

Do you read Sutter Cane?
Sharysa Since: Jan, 2001
#6: Dec 31st 2017 at 9:56:36 PM

Art and music are EXTREMELY old forms of magic. Magic Music and Rewriting Reality, anyone?

J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#7: Jan 1st 2018 at 5:51:51 AM

Sharysa:Art and music are EXTREMELY old forms of magic. Magic Music and Rewriting Reality, anyone?

I'm not too familiar with how Art is connected to Magic; could you expand on that at all? I do love the idea of music though and it's been added to the curriculum under Mystic Symphonics. Likewise I have expanded upon the faculty to some extent. Their personalities and quirks are still being developed.

The more classes I add though the more I realize that this Academy would have to operate similar to a K-12 school. Taking children from a young age and allowing them to stay till their college graduate age. Thoughts?

Do you read Sutter Cane?
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#8: Jan 1st 2018 at 6:19:25 AM

I recall an old Chinese story about a boy with a magic paintbrush. Anything he painted with it would come to life.

And then there's The Picture of Dorian Gray...

Similar to Lalo the Limner from the Thieves' World anthology novels. A wizard commissioned Lalo to paint portraits of the local bigwigs, and imbued the paintings with magic so they would reflect the subject's true inner self, so he could know who to trust. Lalo asked for that power for himself, not realizing that some beautiful people are in fact hideous monsters deep down inside.

Later, that power got reversed somehow, so that he could breathe life into anything he painted (which likewise got him into trouble...)

edited 1st Jan '18 5:08:20 PM by pwiegle

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Sharysa Since: Jan, 2001
#9: Jan 1st 2018 at 11:41:38 AM

In addition to the examples above: Art-based magic is a really old form of Sympathetic Magic. Offerings to gods are often in the form of the appropriate sculptures, meaningful objects, and poetry (and then there's the ceremonial weapons and tools that were SPECIFICALLY meant as offerings).

To say nothing of the gods' TEMPLES in a lot of cultures, which are often decorated lavishly to make the god feel welcome in their new Big Fancy House.

It's also theorized that the cave paintings in various places are a form of shamanic magic (the logic being that "painting giant herds of delicious game animals will call them to our tribe's hunters.")

Plus, a lot of artists in general feel that they were "given" their talents by their god(s), so art and magic have a very close relationship.

edited 1st Jan '18 11:43:31 AM by Sharysa

J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#10: Jan 1st 2018 at 5:37:37 PM

Excellent points. I have since done my own independent research and wholeheartedly agree that it should be added to my curriculum, but I'm drawing a blank as to how and what that class would actually entail.

Impossible colours? Enchanted mediums and art forms? Pottery and sculpture would be out because Kuprum teaches those in Crafting.

This isn't me shutting down this idea either; I love this and have an idea for an Art Professor already in mind. I'm gonna try and see what I can come up with.

Do you read Sutter Cane?
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#11: Jan 1st 2018 at 6:10:30 PM

It would seem to fall under bringing things like statues to life. I remember one scene in "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" in which the stained glass windows were brought to life, and they began to sing like a choir, using all the emotional energy that had been invested in that church by all the human choirs for generations. It was a particularly poignant scene.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
DeusDenuo Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
#12: Jan 1st 2018 at 7:13:11 PM

Rare ingredients + imbued magic + subject = magic painting. Or maybe add some of yourself (blood, sweat, tears, etc.) to the paint to create a ghoulish 'spirit'.

There was a painting like this in Final Fantasy VI, wasn't there? A boss fight.

J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#13: Jan 1st 2018 at 10:57:09 PM

Ok, I think I've come up with something that works and the original post has been edited to reflect this. Still haven't come up with a better name than Art. Will work on that, though open to suggestions.

The one thing I am really set on for this Academy is the concept of Houses. Yes, it is very Harry Potter, but I am hoping to use the houses concept as a way to give stat bonuses and house unique feats. I was hoping to use four - potentially five - though I'm not sure how the concept would coincide if the Acaedmy was to operate as a "K-12 like". Any thoughts or ideas?

edited 1st Jan '18 11:12:57 PM by J.G.Crowne

Do you read Sutter Cane?
Sharysa Since: Jan, 2001
#14: Jan 2nd 2018 at 12:53:46 AM

I was thinking more "the process of magical art requires learning how to focus/meditate/trance and channel your intent into crafting your piece," similar to how a lot of real-life artists channel their emotions into their work.

Also, is there going to be a performing arts subset of art, because HOO BOY I'd love to see that in a non-Dungeons-And-Dragons/video-game way of "bard plays music for stat effects". Dance and song are as ridiculously magical as fine art.

J.G.Crowne I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream. from Room 237 Since: Nov, 2014 Relationship Status: Hiding
I am the Dreamer. You're the Dream.
#15: Jan 2nd 2018 at 3:12:42 AM

Ohh that sounds way better than what I have. I'll be using that if you don't mind. The subject has been renamed "Magical Application of Art" and the original post has since been updated to reflect this.

Sharysa: Also, is there going to be a performing arts subset of art, because HOO BOY I'd love to see that in a non-Dungeons-And-Dragons/video-game way of "bard plays music for stat effects". Dance and song are as ridiculously magical as fine art.

Hahaha! While there isn't going to be dedicated subject devoted to Drama, I've already started work on a short, simple Phantom of the Opera inspired adventure around a school performance Professor Allegretto puts on alongside the student drama club.

The performance itself is closer to an opera, where the special effects are handled by the musicians in the pit. I think it's pretty neat.

edited 2nd Jan '18 2:43:24 PM by J.G.Crowne

Do you read Sutter Cane?
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