The Academy of the Star-Bound Blade

[Raksha]

An announcement on good parchment is posted at the Four Lanterns notice board, in the Sundren Comfort, and on a post far enough from Rodwick's trading post that he can't do much but grouse about it. Each one is warded with an unobtrusive spell.

--

Academy of the Star-Bound Blade: Preliminary Announcement

The University continues to refuse to take on common adventurers, especially those who have an inborn talent with the arcane or those who would seek applications of magic outside of research and study.

It is for these reasons that Tamara Roth announces the preliminary founding of the Academy of the Star-Bound Blade. This is an informal institution devoted to learning over study, and devoted to the sort of practical magic often shunned by pure researchers.

While all practitioners and aspiring practitioners of the arcane are welcome, the emphasis of the Academy will be to teach to the following:

• natural spellcasters, primarily sorcerers and bards.
• hybrid spellcasters, those who focus on magic as a means to performing a mundane goal. Spellswords and combat bards are two of the primary examples.
• clerics of certain gods, who use their magic primarily in the manner of a spellsword, and do not mind subjecting their blessings to study.

However, the Academy will offer general seminars and discussions regarding subjects that will be of interest to any well-learned traveller. Examples include the history of Sundren and Faerun, magical theory and ethics, and the nature of the divine in the lives of those who do not pray to the gods for blessings.

Enrollment is not yet open, as the nature of the academy and its teachers have yet to be fully resolved. However, if you are interested, please leave a note with Tamara Roth at the Sundren Comfort, or wherever else she may be found.

Questions and Answers:

1. Is the Academy supported formally by the government of Sundren or the University?

At the point, no. This is a completely independent initiative based on a perceived need in those who choose to study certain paths, as well as for adventurers who wish to further their knowledge.

2. Is the Academy associated in any way with the Crimson Lions or House De'Anara?

Not formally. While Tamara Roth is a member and the interim commander of the Lions, this is not associated with House De'Anara in any sort of formal capacity. It may be that others associated with the House may be teaching or giving guest lectures, but that remains to be seen.

3. Does the Academy have any fixed location for teaching or lessons?

Again, not at the present time. Enrollees will be undergoing a great deal of field work, however, because in the field of applied magic there is no substitute for practice.

4. Is the Academy dedicated to any specific gods? / Is my god acceptable?

Any deity that is not openly hostile to the cause of justice is more than welcome. The Academy itself is dedicated to Mystra and the Weave, as well as the subordinate gods of the Lady of Mysteries.

No practitioners of magic from the Lower Planes will be knowingly taught, nor will any mage who does not draw from the Weave.

5. I want to be a teacher! Can I teach?

Tamara will find you, not the other way around.

[wangxiuming]

If anyone was around, they would have noticed the announcement on the post near Rodwick seemingly lift up as if blown by a breeze.

It was night; the grassy fields were still and cool and moist, drops of dew already beginning to form. The trees, their branches and leaves stood motionless in the darkness, invisible to all but the most clear-sighted.

If anyone was listening, they would have heard chill laughter fill the air, enveloping the area with a sinister sensation. Even the grass and the flowers seemed to shirk away.

"Dearest Tamara ... always the leader - always the teacher. Your new institution should prove very interesting. Very interesting indeed ..."

If anyone was looking, they would have seen purple lights flash and dance, sparkling in a corrosive arc and exploding in a shower of baleful magic, falling upon the grassy fields to leave dark and dead stains upon the vibrant fields.

[undeadsteak]

Zel smirks,watching all the purple lights invisibily, then, walks up to the paper.

No practicers of powers from the Lower Planes? Then it is a bunch of fools who are convinced Arcane is even slightly powerful compared to what the Lower Planes has to offer. She mummurs and walks off.

[GodBeastX]

An aged man in heavy robes walks along with a cane at his side for support. He takes notice of the information, and carefully studies it.

"Slander against the universities and teachers of Sundren? How improper. This will not do... no... this will not do at all."

He makes note of the name Tamara Roth. Then passes by, continuing on.

"We shall see how these dangerous sorcerors fair... yes, that we shall."

[Kaybrie]

A robed girl strides by the poster and briefly halts to examine it, her eyes flicker over the words several times before she finally lets out a sigh and shakes her head. "Adventurers shouldn't teach." She says plainly and folds her hands behind her back and meanders back over towards Rodwick to barter a few scrolls off of him.