Greater Institute of Zaichaer
In the aftermath of the Sundering, much knowledge was lost to the world. The Northlands of Karnor, however, were never reliant upon the cultural centers located further to the south in the Clockwork Empire. As the earthquakes and storm shook the southern kingdoms to their bedrock, many of the cities of the North managed to shelter in place. It was the wilderness that became a no-man’s land of desolation and suffering. Though Zaichaer as a culture managed to weather the trials of the Sundering, it was not without losses. Many structures in the city were decimated and just as many lives were lost to the chaos. As the denizens of the area began to gather, they brought with them their problems, their burdens but also their knowledge.
For the first century or so following the Sundering, the Institute did not exist. However, there quickly arose a group of people who were committed to restoring, preserving and expanding upon knowledge in the community. The dangers brought about by the new era following the collapse of the Clockwork Empire and the destruction of the Old World required a unique approach. It was quickly identified by the leaders of Zaichaer at the time that in order to face the New World, knowledge would be needed. It is this decision relatively early in the post-Sundering era by Zaichaer that would later enable it to face some of the challenges that other areas were ill-equipped to handle.
It is because of this early investment in protecting and preserving knowledge in the community that Zaichaer was able to tackle problems of infrastructure. It is one of the first cities in the Northlands that was able to overhaul its infrastructure in order to accommodate the use of steam and dragonshard power lines. They implemented water purification systems that enabled them to tackle some of the issues of sanitation and irrigation to enable crop sustainment. Because of these fundamental necessities, Zaichaer was set on a path to steady recovery in the aftermath of such terrible devastation. As the community of scholars grew and adopted more inventive and creative ways to approach the hazards of the New World, the Greater Institute of Zaichaer was established in the 178th Year of the Age of Sundering. It has remained a powerhouse of knowledge and innovation ever since, earning the respect of even foreign scholarly circles for its tenacity in the face of adversity.
Attending the Institute
Classes occur three days out of a seven day cycle for an eight hour period on each day of class.
Courses that require practical application of skills and not purely academic theory are provided a lab space within which these skills can be performed. Students should coordinate their schedules to attend their lab coursework in fields that require such activities. Some coursework cannot be conducted in a lab or designated workspace and must be performed in a field setting (i.e. archaeology). Academics will be hosted on-campus in lecture halls or smaller classrooms where applicable.
Full-Time attendance at the Institute of Zaichaer constitutes taking (2) courses for which the player must write at least (1) thread per season. Undergraduate courses are considered anything taught between the skill levels of Novice to Apprentice. Post-graduate is from Journeyman to Expert.
Part-Time attendance at the Institute of Zaichaer constitutes taking (1) course for which the player must write at least (1) thread per season. Undergraduate courses are considered anything taught between the skill levels of Novice to Apprentice. Post-graduate is from Journeyman to Expert.
Students must be of adult age for their respect race in order to gain entry into the Institute.
From an in-character perspective there is no “pass” or “fail”. Classes are assumed to be performed and instructed at the level of the character’s understanding. A complete beginner will be taught under the assumption they are a novice and so forth.
If a particular course has a prerequisite, it means that the player must already be in possession of the required skill in order to be eligible for the class.
The Greater Institute of Zaichaer does NOT teach magic in any way, at any time, for any reason. That is the sole purview of the Convocation of Minds in the Order of Reconciliation. The Institute does not provide lab or workspace for magical practice in its halls.
Attendees of the Institute are expected to adhere to Zaichaeri laws while in attendance. Violations of the law whether on or off campus can result in expulsion. Students who are expelled due to disciplinary or legal action are not entitled for a refund of tuition cost.
Students of the Institute who make no in-character posts wherein the resources or opportunities provided by the Institute are utilized for whatever reason, can petition for a refund of expenses or have their tuition costs rolled over to the next season.
