SunlitSmoothie: Created page with "{{Keppel}}{{Quote|text="The will of Magic was made by man. So too must be its Law."|sign=First line of the Creed and Regulations of the Academy}} ----{{Infobox Organization | title1 = Zirapsis Academy of the Magics
{{Pseudodraconic Script|Zirapsis Academy of the Magics}} | article_creator = Smoothie | scope = Chromagaia | setting = Keppel | author = Smoothie | type = Polytechnic magic university..."

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Created page with "{{Keppel}}{{Quote|text="The will of Magic was made by man. So too must be its Law."|sign=First line of the Creed and Regulations of the Academy}} ----{{Infobox Organization | title1 = Zirapsis Academy of the Magics<br>{{Pseudodraconic Script|Zirapsis Academy of the Magics}} | article_creator = Smoothie | scope = Chromagaia | setting = Keppel | author = Smoothie | type = Polytechnic magic university..."

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{{Keppel}}{{Quote|text="The will of Magic was made by man. So too must be its Law."|sign=First line of the Creed and Regulations of the Academy}}
----{{Infobox Organization
| title1 = Zirapsis Academy of the Magics<br>{{Pseudodraconic Script|Zirapsis Academy of the Magics}}
| article_creator = [[User:SunlitSmoothie|Smoothie]]
| scope = [[Scope:Chromagaia|Chromagaia]]
| setting = [[Keppel]]
| author = [[User:SunlitSmoothie|Smoothie]]
| type = Polytechnic magic university
| formation = 988 LE
| place_of_origin = [[Zirapsis]], [[Marpyra]]
| official_languages = *Pseudodraconic
*Language counseling available in Western and Southern Canidic Interling, East Thunder dialects like Claadthran and Kilkifi, and select High West dialects
| purpose = Education on and legislative suggestion around magic
| jurisdiction = Officially worldwide, effectively Remna and surrounding landmasses
| motto = "Knowledge is power. Restraint is strength. Law is wisdom."
| industry = Education, Focus manufacturing
| founders = *Braeda Alaka
}}
Zirapsis Academy of the Magics, sometimes given the acronym ZAM to fit with many other universities and located on the easternmost island of the [[Marpyra]] archipelago, is the most prestigious [[Magic (Chromagaia)|magical]] institute in the entire world by a wide margin. Founded over a century ago in a location believed central to the upbringing of dedicated professionals, it has maintained a reputation as a de-facto advisor on magical law and the pinnacle of prospective mages' hopes and dreams.

== Location and Layout ==
Zirapsis Academy of the magics is located on the isle Ziaaran, just east of Zirapsis proper and within its state jurisdiction. Its tropical location amongst the Marpyra Archipelago gives it both a great interconnected community with the locals and a protective distance away from mainland Remna, Asperia, and Koeya. The island's proximity to the equator gives it an incredible lack of seasons, allowing much more convenient long-term study schedule options and serving as an additional barrier against the [[Annhi Dhriaf|Annhi Dhriaf's]] quarterly terrorism.

The rest of the Archipelago is well worth visiting, accessible by boat from the school's many ports. The proper cities of [[Zirapsis]] and [[Yrma'an]] are available and in collaboration with the Academy for students looking to get a taste of home, but the many villages of Marpyra are also great spots to explore and unwind.

ZAM's campus is a large and complex castle structure, with inner, medial, and outer courtyards separating the many towers and halls that form the classrooms. Locally inspired lounges and halls outside the main walls take advantage of Marpyran architecture to give the best experience of the school's weather. The overall architecture is much more open to sunlight and air than mainland Remna, designed to vent heat and allow the environment to truly inspire students through their magical journey.

Dormitories of various niches exist all across the island, each complete with their own services. All have access to their own specialized ports and easy travel to the main structure for classes. Whether looking for company in a shared major, demographic, guild or interest, Zirapsis Academy has the right spot for students of all walks of life. General unsorted housing is available on the main grounds of campus for those who value their classes over a curated student life.

== Offered Courses ==
Zirapsis Academy of the Magics prides itself on being the best resource for prospective mages of all academic flavors. [[Lexica:Chromagaia#Celestial Vocab|Cimmerian]] magics, those in the Moonstride or Voidstride domains with more objective rules behind them, are of course represented more strongly. Degrees in both magical fields themselves and skills applicable to the research and development of magic are available for every kind of student.

Most degrees have an undergraduate component and an optional advanced graduate component available. Academic counseling is available to help students navigate their majors and minors to get the plan that is best for them.

=== General Education Requirements ===
Besides the plethora of degrees students can work towards, Zirapsis Academy prides itself on having the highest-quality resources for general study of baseline magical principals. Students are required to take several general education courses throughout their years at the Academy, including topics they may have previous experience with. Basic mechanics of odhir and a few entry-level metaphysics courses are necessary knowledge for the more advanced teachings at ZAM, and no student wants to be left behind their peers because of outside experience.

=== Runic Language ===
One of the main majors itself, as well as the most impacted for its overlap with General Education requirements for other Voidstride majors, studies in Runic Language deal with the workings and transcription of runes, the fundamental geometric patterns that describe the universe in terms of odhir colors and interactions. The study of runic language itself is not permitted as a major, requiring a concentration for a valid degree. Students are encouraged to look into runes as a potential minor no matter their course, as Standard Runic Notation becomes more common in spellcraft research publications every year.

==== Theoretical Runics ====
Theoretical Runics, one of the concentrations for Runic Language majors, is dedicated to the study of and search for patterns in known runes to potentially discover new ones. Spearheaded by the late Clairre Navywell, an [[Enlightenment (Chromagaia)#Abyssal Truth|Abyssal Witness]] in her own right who discovered a dozen new runes during her tenure, these courses offer insight into how Voidstride can function better both now and in the future. Theoretical Runics is a perfect degree for those looking to go into speculative research, as well as being the driving force behind innovation before a discovered rune is found.

Those working in theoretical runic fields beyond university may find themselves as preemptive spellcrafters, writing logic for useful spells years or even decades before a rune is discovered that can fit the bill. It is generally good practice for redundancy, finding the simplest and smallest unknowns and different ways to string them together to the same effect, as those runes are much more likely to be discovered earlier.

==== Harmonic Transcription ====
Harmonic Transcription, a concentration for Runic Language majors, is dedicated to teaching students the intuitive and unintuitive ways the runic script is deformed into the circular-enclosing harmonic script. This concentration is recommended for those electing to take an Alchemy-based minor, as the materials used for harmonics are much different than for most other types of practical rune use.

Harmonic Transcription is the most ritual-oriented course offered by ZAM, as the medium inherently works towards lasting and sustained effects and has emergent geometric quirks other Voidstride applications do not.

==== Spellwriting ====
Spellwriting is something of a niche study under the Runic Language majors, and involves a broader study of material ecliptics in its concentration requirements as well. Spellwriting as a field outside the academic world is already rare due to the specialized materials needed, but the study of it is useful nonetheless. Most graduates of Spellwriting will go on to become educators or be hired as spell ''testers'' for focus development firms.

Spellwriting's unique advantage is the consumability without traceability. Single-use spells can be obfuscated and distributed to those in need, or used to test runic inscriptions before committing to crystal. While it is looked down upon in most magic circles as the choice field of charlatans and loose-bagged aristocrats, the convenience it adds to spell-developing companies is valuable.

==== Focus Carving ====
Focus Carving, a concentration for Runic Language majors, is the most popular concentration, often taken as a part of the special double-track course on artifice. It is dedicated to the practice and trade of carving runes accurately and efficiently into crystals to turn them into functional '''[[Magic (Chromagaia)#Abyssal Artifice|foci]]''' suited for use in Abyssal '''artifacts'''. Focus carving is a high-skill field, requiring extremely fine motor control and patience.

Much of the university's trade budget goes into the purchase, refinement, and storage of crystals for the Focus Carving courses. Partnered with the monastery at the Mouth of the Heavens in the Starsundered Range, they have access to a wide variety of crystals in various states for educational purposes. Standard-issue quartz spheres are usually used for classes.

=== Alchemy ===
Alchemy is a broad major covering several smaller fields, but it can be succinctly described as the studies of the properties of naturally magical materials and the creation of artificially enhanced material.

==== Alchemical Recycling ====
- how you take waste material and fix or use it

==== Elixir Studies ====
- potions. this is the potion course

==== Material Ecliptics ====
- study of transmutation and what turns into what under which stimuli

==== Naturalistic Alchemy ====
Unofficially referred to by its students as witchery, this alchemical major focuses on more commonly-found impure materials, namely plants and minerals.

=== Antiphysics ===
Antiphysics is something of a research major, though much of its work is done in response to the scientific field of physics. It is the other half of the equation, finding the spiritual corollary to each physical principle and describing ways to nullify them. As many spells rely on certain physical conditions to be performed correctly or are disrupted by the constant presence of others, Antiphysics is a key factor behind the teaching of more straightforward spells.

Antiphysicists work well together with classical physicists in non-magical environments, often having a unique perspective on the rules of the world which can uncover issues in designs, experiments, and models that otherwise hinder scientific progress. Serving a great connective role between mages and engineers, their knowledge is the exact resource many contractors require to make a machine work without some rare metal that would be impossible to extract on a mass scale.

==== Practical Runics ====
Practical Runics is a minor heavily associated with Antiphysics, and is something of the complement to Theoretical Runics. Focused more on systems of logic to determine the best runic spell to use for issues, this minor requires a heavily analytical tendency in those wishing to study it.

==== Metaphysics ====
Metaphysics is a much more philosophical Antiphysical major, focused on study of the interplay and intersection between the recognized physical forces affecting the world and the higher principles behind them. Metaphysics majors study the connection between the [[Chromagaia#The Four-Part Universe|Partitioning]] and various emergent forces, as well as the ideas behind the creation of the universe itself.

While a highly research-heavy and theoretical field, Metaphysics offers insight into ways to exploit the core mechanics of odhir by virtue of trying to ''study'' and discover those internal mechanics. It may open up new entire branches of magic.

=== Engineering ===
Engineering plays into many modern forms of magic, and so is offered as a set of majors at ZAM. While not the most popular, aspiring artificers often end up taking on one of these majors to complement their studies.

==== Mundane Engineering ====
- it's just engineering

==== Magitechnics ====
- THIS is where you start incorporating alchemical materials and foci

==== Flux Mechanics ====
As of 1104, ZAM is fortunate to have Professor Ayashka Dalayith and her knowledge of '''Astremancy''', allowing the university to teach some mechanics of the Koeyan magic to worldwide students. Flux Mechanics studies the use of '''Azurate''' to produce the liquid energy known as '''flux''', as well as the manipulation of it for practical purposes. Climate control is the primary endeavor of flux engineering in Yarras, where Ms. Dalayith hails from, but her creativity has expanded the scope of the course into something truly new.

=== Cryptogeology ===
Cryptogeology, a major associated with but unrelated to alchemy, is built around the study of Keppel's many naturally magical minerals and metals. The formation of many cryptogeological materials and features happens via overflow of the planet's odhir, and so this major involves some of the most travel to nearby field sites.

The hopes of many cryptogeologists is to discover uses for the stones and metals known to them, as well as the discovery of entirely new ones. The field is both research-heavy and travel-dense, and so those going into cryptogeology are prepared for a life among both laboratory types and the wilderness.

=== Cryptobiology ===
Cryptobiology studies all non-mundane biology, and is a category of majors rather than a single one. The mechanics behind non-standard biology, even the relatively well-known anatomy of the dragons, is useful for future alchemical and ecological knowledge.

==== Teratobiology ====
Teratobiology is one of the more famed majors at Zirapsis Academy of the Magics, requiring extreme skill on the part of its staff to even procure subjects for lessons. Teratobiology studies monsters, the dangerous myriad creatures that inhabit the world, and their effects, anatomy, and potential sorceries. All of these can be used to further anti-monster measures, alchemical research, and general-use spells.

Teratobiology requires specialized experience in combat or other self-defense measures to be accepted. The strict requirements are in response to the highest fatality rate of any major at ZAM. Those who survive and graduate often go on to be some of the most skilled wilds-survivalists out there.

==== Esobiology ====
- teratobiology for cowards /j

==== Spirit Sciences ====
- literal study of spirits

=== Spectrology ===
Odhir does not act alone, and certainly cannot be contained by physical matter. The other half of the equation is '''Súla''', the spiritual matter bound to all mass. Spectrology studies the structure and function of the soul, and how it varies from matter to matter. Spirit Sciences has some overlap with Spectrology, as spirits are the prime example of súla acting on its own logic instead of submitting to physical matter.

=== Magical Law and Ethics ===
With magic usage in machines and by individuals and businesses, law and ethics become necessary. The lawless era of the Demon Wars is long over, and the Vermillion Wartime measures of absolute combat are no longer relevant. Keeping order and deciding how to enforce restrictions on certain products or spell methodologies is the study done in Magical Law and Ethics. As Zirapsis Academy is a leading world authority on magical law, this major is effectively the definitive program for studying it.

Magical lawyers, contractors, and inspectors all hail from this major, sharing the goal of keeping the practice of magic safe for everyone and free of industrial corruption. A poorly-used focus can turn a harmless generator into a killing machine, after all, and that merely requires neglect. Malicious use of magic is a terrifying prospect, and so regulation to keep danger away is a noble quest these students begin.

=== Magical Education ===
With every type of educational institution comes a need for new educators. Zirapsis Academy of the Magics is well-renowned for its famous and expert professors, but without any way to teach their methodology and pedagogy, a generation is all it would take for the university to collapse. Magical Education as a major is offered to all students, but especially recommended as a second major or as a primary course for graduate students.

Those learning how to become professors, tutors, or other mentors in the magical fields have a special responsibility on their shoulders, but often the most strenuous part of the courses is teaching the future educators how to assess quality and growth of their students.

=== Culture of Sunstep ===
While Sunstep itself is a Luminary magic, caster-focused and prone to wild subjectivity, the history behind it is much clearer. Trends in how Evocation, the most iconic and common branch of Sunstep magic, has been done teach us much about what the world of magic looks like and how it responds to new scientific knowledge. Those studying the history and culture around Sunstep therefore have a good indicator as to what societies deemed as most powerful in everyday life, the technologies they may have had access to, and the overall evolution of combative magic's "meta".

Sunstep magic is one of the best clues towards the histories lost in the '''Vermillion Wars'''.

== Student Life ==

=== Entrance ===
As ZAM is the most prestigious magical institute in the world, it should come with little surprise that entrance is a difficult endeavor. Discounting all expenses for a moment, the entrance process is extremely strenuous for anyone without some direct connection. Rounds of preliminary exams can start as soon as four years before one wishes to attend, and the low acceptance rate means that even the brightest may be turned away. The Academy believes students should have a good deal of background experience working with magic, either through personal tutors, job experience, or smaller magic schools.

Application for entrance is usually done via one of Zirapsis' many branch offices across Remna, western Koeya, and Greater Aegyrrya, which are maintained by the Academy's hired network of [[Dragons (Chromagaia)#Ion Dragons|ion dragon]] messengers. Home addresses are required for these applications, as further communication on acceptance status will be delivered via university messenger.

Once accepted, a student must send a package containing some monetary value equal to their tuition costs, calculated by major and eligibility for aid. Upon confirmation of this, Zirapsis Academy of the Magics arranges for transportation, usually at whatever port city is closest to the student's residence. An estimated arrival time is used to determine when the new student begins their courses, with the furthest-traveling Remnans sometimes taking a whole year to arrive.

=== Housing ===
Student housing is in high abundance, with capacity being over seventy times the current student body. Over three dozen buildings and sections exist across Ziaraan for students to take residence in, complete with personal amenities in the way of bedrooms and bathrooms, communal entertainment lounges, and varying degrees of shared kitchen space. Each building has a "main hall" area with available meals for purchase as well.

Around two thirds of the buildings are specialized housing for different student demographics. Students can pay a small fee to apply for these specific dormitories. Some are location-based, keeping with a general shared homeland. Others are based around groups of majors, with wings and halls available for major-specific shared housing. Others are based on personal identifiers, such as race and age. No matter what experience a student is looking for, ZAM has options available.

=== Extracurriculars ===

=== Student Guilds ===
Student organizations, called Guilds at ZAM, are common for developing tighter-knit communities. These organizations must form with an economic value given back to the university, whether by providing tutoring and community services or by making and selling some form of magic-related service. Audits are conducted each academic year to ensure no Guild is a drain on university resources. Once these requirements are met, a Student Guild can continue growing and adding members indefinitely. Their budget is often determined by the value they provide to the university, so more commerce-oriented Guilds tend to have more resources.

Student Guilds offer unique community-building experiences, a social environment at the nexus between peer friend groups, internships, and entrepreneurial startups. Most have some sort of internal culture that gives students a sense of togetherness and the opportunity to build real work ethic.

Guilds often throw parties and coordinate social events, giving students the opportunity to network between Guilds and to take advantage of the study of managing people, an important skill nonetheless not offered as an official course at ZAM.

=== Work Study Opportunities ===
Who makes the clothes for sale, the snacks sold in the local bakeries, and manages the libraries? While hired faculty does some of these jobs and certainly acts in all positions of oversight for them, students have a plethora of opportunities to earn money and gain work experience at the university itself. Work studies typically relate to logistics, but can be used for future internships that give insight into one's future career path.

=== Graduation ===
The best part about graduation from ZAM is not the prestige the university's title offers, nor the skills students earn through their classes. It's that it is never final. Students of all ages are accepted for graduate programs as many times as they wish. Graduation ceremonies occur at the end of each academic year, so those finishing somewhat early are free to kick back, relax, or start working on their future careers from their student housing, free of charge.

== Controversies ==
Despite being the best-respected magical institution on the planet, Zirapsis Academy of the Magics has a consistent ledger of criticisms against it, both from those with direct ties to the school and those without.

=== Treatment of Locals ===
Marpyra, as an archipelago, was never intended to function as a "college town" style economy. The constant influx of students into local areas, and rampant disrespect for their cultures or laws, has been the source of much grief for Marpyran peoples since the class sizes began to grow past a couple hundred.

=== Student Endangerment ===
The island Ziaraan is relatively monster-free and well-guarded, but the remote archipelago it is a part of has dangers native to it. While the university makes efforts towards keeping the natural environment around the islands from harming their students, there are plenty of other issues to be had. Endangerment via the behavior of other students is the prime factor in this, as years on an island together tends to have adverse effects on the psychology of some students.

Classes are particularly unsafe for some majors, namely Teratobiology and Material Ecliptics. The material learned relates to dangerous substances and creatures, and so students often suffer minor injuries while experimenting. Catastrophic reactions or breakages of restraints do occur, and in these instances students may be liable for their own injury or death. Angry family members often write to the university about this, but as they make the regulations, there is little that can be done.

Teratobiology has a particular reputation for student harm. As some monsters display a degree of sapience and ability to mimic civilized body cues, and university-age students tend to be reckless and hormonal, several instances of students attempting to bond with, court, or free the monsters contained for their study have lead to injury, death, or the worst case scenario: success.

Multiple times, the university has been claimed to not just neglect or endanger students, but to deliberately execute them. The most recent case of this was in the 1120s, when a student suffering a debilitating soulwhisper vanished from the island after the administration became involved. Zirapsis Academy of the Magics declined to state their exact response to the student, but commented that his disappearance likely prevented many other student deaths.

=== Elitism and Discrimination ===
As the most prestigious magical institute in the world, it should come as no surprise that Zirapsis Academy of the Magics has come under accusations of elitism. The tuition, calculated to keep a literally intercontinental trade network for resources to support a student body of thousands, is higher than the majority of young or still-learning mages can afford. The majority of students tend to come from upper-class families, and human-skewed demographics on top of that.

The old elitist bias towards races with higher soul components has vanished, now that Luminary Magics are no longer taught at the university. Instead, bias against ''users'' of the Luminary Magics has led to a strange and institutional culture of elitism with regard to entire branches or methods of magic that radiates out to the wider world once its graduates leave the campus. The "academic magics" and "folk magics" distinction is gaining traction in many places, and causes some conflict in society.

=== Guild Conduct ===
Student Guilds are often under scrutiny for their actions, but the particular

- they're frats what do you expect man

=== Legislative Coercion ===

== History ==

=== Founding ===

=== Partnerships ===
Being on such an isolated island and teaching most material-oriented magics, Zirapsis Academy rapidly ran into the issue of acquiring raw materials to use in lessons. Wr. Alaka, despite being one of the world's few dozen '''wizards''' of the time, was unable to immediately call upon the reputation of her founded institute for aid.

=== Discontinuation of Luminary Courses ===
Until 1044 LE, Zirapsis Academy of the Magics had several majors in the Luminary Magics—Sunstep and Starstep disciplines such as druidry and evocation. While much more in line with their original mission statement of providing an institution that taught ''all'' magics, there was an enormous problem of elitism and discrimination against certain races of students, even more so than the university faces in the modern day. As luminary magics rely on the caster's internal well of raw-unrefined odhir, the races with a low soul component or automatically refined odhir—[[Humans (Chromagaia)|humans]] and many of their descendant races, as well as [[Dragons (Chromagaia)|dragons]]—were treated poorly in Luminary courses. Races like the Draznachi and Aurolwin were disproportionately represented, and the civil suits against the university for discriminatory selection practices were a threat.

In response, they shut down all programs and committed to a near-exclusive focus on Cimmerian Magics, leading to the attitude taken by the university now. No degrees were officially revoked. But with this action came a new kind of discrimination, a divide between "academic magics" learnable through consistent rules and practice and "folk magics" which are typically taught one-on-one. Their own failure to control for bias is what caused this divide, but the consequence of it extends well beyond Zirapsis and infests most modern magic associations. Luminary/Cimmerian divides are a cultural nightmare that most seeking to become '''wizards''' must combat.
[[Category:Author: Smoothie]]
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Zirapsis Academy of the Magics - Revision history