Major Educational Institutions of Avalon

See Magecraft and Magic and Major Political Parties and Factions in Avalonian Republic and Military of the Avalonian Republic for more information on relevant topics.

College of Avalonian Magic

• Location: Main Campus within Avalon.
• Established: 110 BAE
• Typical Graduating Class Size: 90 Students

While there may have been older centers of magical learning within Avalonian civilization, the College of Avalonian Magic, is today, the oldest educational institution within the Republic. Focusing primarily on Force-based Magic, the College of Avalonian Magic has been at the forefront of Avalonian magical innovation for almost five millenia.

Located in Avalon City, the College maintains a small modest campus despite its prestige. With only 500 students, staff, and faculty in residence, the College takes in only the best students and the best teachers. Tenured faculty are expected to publish at least two magical research papers every decade. Most graduates are expected to apply immediately to the Guild of Mages. The campus itself sports five dormitories, each with a community mess. There are also several large classroom buildings and an austere convention hall which hosts several major academic gatherings a year. The most impressive part of the campus however, lies underground. The College of Avalonian Magic possesses a large, extensive and advanced magical laboratory which rivals in sophistication the laboratory found in the Tower of Avalon which is reserved solely for use by the Council of Archmages.

To this day, the College remains the top ranked magical institution according to Avalon Weekly, Institutional Guide of the Guild, and Ether Report. All four Archmages as well as numerous Masters within the Guild of Mages serve as faculty. In total, 100 Archmages, past and present, were graduates of the College of Avalonian Magic.

Bene Vitae School of Life

• Location: Main Campus within Avalon; satellite campuses in Nova Atlantia and Asgarth
• Established: 116 BAE, Relocated to Avalon in 510 AE
• Typical Graduating Class Size: 200 Students

Originally established in the city of Asgarth, the purpose of the Bene Vitae scholars was to ascertain the nature of the Underdark Lightfields and the Olympic Valley. Because of its area of focus, Bene Vitae also became one of the last bastions of study in Life-base magic. In 237 AE, with the increasing importance of the Olympic Valley and Avalon, the school established a new main campus within the halls of Avalon. The Asgarth campus, however, continued to be very active. A smaller research campus was established in Nova Atlantia in 1900 AE.

In addition to the study of the lightfields and Olympic Valley, the Bene Vitae are supposedly rumored to be conducting a millenia-old breeding experiment, most likely begun during the early years of the Republic. Prior to the formation of the Republic in 1864 AE, records rarely indicated any Avalonians who exhibited beyond-average abilities. In the millenia following the formation of the Republic however, there was an increasing number of accounts regarding 'super-Avalonians'.

Today, it is generally believed that the Bene Vitae School pursues it's own secretive agenda. Nevertheless, it remains the premiere institution dedicated to the study of the Natural Arts and Life Arts. As such it receives a steady stream of applicants.

Augusta Incantation Academy

• Location: Main Campus within Asgarth; satellite campus in Avalon
• Established: 1680 AE
• Typical Graduating Class Size: 700 Students

During the Pre-Imperial and early Imperial era, true magic was often seen as something to be learned only by a select number of talented people. However, with the development of Matter-based magic based on the RUNTRAN language, it become possible for anyone to learn a spell or two, or even more. During the reign of the last Emperor, Matter-based magic became increasingly popular with the average citizens. Much to the chagrin of the Council of Archmages and the Guild of Mages, a select number of adepts and masters formed the Augusta Incantation Academy. The Emperor Augusta III personally sanctified the the institution, granting it his Imperial protection. Since then, the Academy has thrived. While the graduates are not as powerful nor is the Academy as prestigious as the College, the institution has revolutionized magic and society in a way that the College never could.

Thanks to the Academy, true magic is now commonplace in Avalonian society and there are scores of magical professionals to tend to the needs of citizens. Healers utilize both magic and medicine; builders utilize magic and pulleys; even farmers now utilize magic to augment crop yields. Any sort of profession now relies heavily on some type of magic or another.

Since its inception, the Academy has maintained a long, sometimes bitter, rivalry with the College. At times, this rivalry would lead to mage duels which caused real injuries and damage. However, in modern times, this rivalry has become more a tradition and is generally relegated to the two schools cracking good-natured jokes about the other or the occasional scathing academically critical retort to a paper published by the rival school.

Arcadian Officer's Academy

• Location: Main Campus within Asgarth
• Established: 1865 AE
• Typical Graduating Class Size: 300 Students

Originally known as the Imperial Military Academy in Avalon, with the formation of the Republic, the Imperial Academy was reformed and rebuilt. Renamed the Arcadian Officer's Academy, after General Johan Arcadia, the school emphasizes a well-rounded education for military career officers.

Science, magic, history, and tactics are all part of the core curriculum at the Officer's Academy. Accepting only some of the best candidates, the Officer's Academy's mission is to produce a competent, well-trained officer corp. For those entering the academy as of 5280 AE, all tuition costs are paid by the Avalonian Armed Forces, so as to encourage talent from all social classes.

Avalonian Republic National University

• Location: Main Campus within Avalon; satellite campus in Asgarth and Nova Atlantia
• Established: 1865 AE
• Typical Graduating Class Size: 2000 Students

While all the other schools specialize in a particular area, Avalonian Republic National University represents the only large general-arts educational institution in Avalon history. From magic, to history, to science, to literature, to art, all manners of subjects of study can be pursued at ARNU.

Admission standards are not as strict as some of the more prestigious focus schools, but the academic programs and faculty ensure that only the most motivated and hard-working students graduate. Many famous historians, naturalists, and doctors eventually find their work published here in the Avalonian Archives. Sporting several libraries, multiple classroom facilities, dormitories, and research facilities, the Avalon campus is massive. Satellite campuses at Asgarth and Nova Atlantia also serve as community centers.

While not a leader in Magic, military tactics, or Life Arts, ARNU nevertheless has become a major research center for various other arts and avenues of study. It's faculty represent the core of Avalonian scholars and academic societies.