The Academy
Heroes are not born. They are forged in the fires of experience, and tempered in the waters of wisdom. It is my duty and my honour to help forge the heroes of tomorrow.
Chancellor Eldenheart of the Imperial Academy
Overview
The Academy is an in-character school run by NPCs which focuses on providing activities for young role-players. It aims to give them a fun and interesting role-playing experience while also helping them learn about the game world and, of course, how to play the game. The sessions provided by the Academy cover as far as possible all aspects of the game, including combat, magic, alchemy, physick, and the virtues. In addition the Academy provides "field trips" and other adventures for its students.
Our aim is to prepare young role-players to be fully-fledged characters in the game, which can be achieved by them passing their Test of Citizenship. The Academy has a prize-giving at the end of each event to reward students for their hard work!
IC History
The Imperial Academy at Anvil is an educational institution and Imperial sodality which is concerned with training the next generation of Imperial heroes. They are overseen by the Canterspire Academy in Urizen, whose Chancellor acts as its administrative and academic leader. Although the core members of the Faculty are Urizen scholars from Canterspire, they employ teachers from many other nations, and have a notable relationship with a number of Navarr stridings, whose view of the Great Dance resonates with the Academy's mission of bringing future heroes to their full potential. The Academy offers free tuition to any Imperial child.
Attendance
- Children attending Academy activities must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times
- Children cannot be left at the academy unattended
As the Academy is run by volunteer NPC crew, they cannot be left in loco parentis at any time. Children attending the Academy must be accompanied by an appropriate parent/ guardian at all times; this is for the safety and protection of both the Academy crew and the children.
Academy Staff
The Academy is run by a core team of NPCs known as the Faculty. These are dedicated members of crew who are entirely focused on helping young players integrate into the game while providing fun and often challenging activities. In addition many adult players offer visiting lectures, classes and activities, and the Academy crew encourage players interested in getting involved to talk to them. A full list of the current Faculty is given below.
| Character | OOC Name | Role and responsibilities |
| Chancellor Abronsius Eldenheart | Tom Francis | Head of the Academy, responsible for oversight of all activities and appointment of all staff |
| Kythanus Everwatch | James Littlewood | Vice-Chancellor and Lecturer in Arcane Studies |
| Titus Hopkirk | Jerry Ferley | Senior Lecturer in Alchemy and Bursar of the Imperial Academy, responsible for overseeing Academy finances |
| Baba Ana | Lucy Hodgson | Senior Lecturer in Arcane Sudies and Dean of the Academy; oversees the Academy Student Council |
| Glesny | Amanda Leeds | Matron |
| Mr Scrib | Rick Clarke | Lecturer in Physical Education; oversees preparation for the Test of Arms |
| Roberto Barossa | Oliver Busby | Junior Lecturer in Physical Education |
| Cedric Harrow | Thomas Twissell | Master of the Boathouse |
| Kyla | Laura Henderson | Lecturer in Imperial Geography and History |
| Braidon | Beermat Leigh | Quadwrangler; responsible for maintenance and safety of Academy camp and grounds |
| Karnek | Squall Lee Loire | Assistant Quadwrangler |
Opening times
The Academy offers a variety of activities over the course of an event. Some activities, such as the Test of Citizenship and Test of Arms, Academy Student Council meeting, and field trips, are given regular time-tabled slots. The Academy's regular "classtimes" are 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, although the precise content of these sessions is highly fluid and generally responds to what the students are most interested in. In addition there will be many additional opportunities for other interesting trips both in and out of Anvil, but the timings for these will vary from event to event. An exact timetable of scheduled activities will be made available prior to each event.
Academy Rules
These are the IC rules for children (and adults) attending the Academy. They are intended to reflect the game world as well as providing a sensible, fair and enjoyable setting for young role-players.
- No-one is forced to come to the Academy – you should only attend if you have a desire to learn and better yourself
- We treat one another with respect, regardless of age or nationality
- Train hard and with spirit
- All students must bring a responsible adult who is happy to stay with them for the duration of the classes
- No sparring in the classroom; the Quadrangle is available for safe & sensible fight practice
- If any student causes harm to another they may be barred from the Academy
- Students are encouraged keep a well presented and accurate record of their studies to assist the Chancellor in judging and distributing awards and certificates
Administering Tests
Children in the Empire are legally considered to be citizens when they are able to pass the Test of Citizenship. This allows them to own property in the Empire, vote in elections, hold a title, etc. There is a second test, the Test of Arms which allows a young citizen to prove that they are strong and fit enough to take the battlefield against the Empire's enemies. Members of the Academy staff who are also civil servants carry out the tests as part of the Imperial duties.
The Academy helps attendees pass the test in two ways. The lessons prepare young people to take the exams, giving them the education they need to pass. But it also allows the civil servants to get to know the applicants so that they can better judge their suitability. The best way for Imperial who is under sixteen years of age to become recognized as a citizen is to attend the Academy.
Further Reading
- Test of Citizenship
- Test of Arms
- Academy Student Council
- Bursar of the Imperial Academy
- Dean of Pilgrims
I, Empress Mariika, extend my patronage to the Academy at Canterspire in Urizen, in recognition of the work undertaken by them to preparate and educate the children of all nations of our great Empire.
To ensure the future greatness of the Empire the best of all the Empire's children must be afforded instruction unparalleled in the Way, the arts of war, the weaving of magics, the grimnir's craft and all other such disciplines as are required to produce generations of heroes to defend this land. With this endowment, the Academy at Canterspire shall be ready to meet this challenge.
To the most civil servants of the Throne I give encouragement to seek out the best of the Academy's teachers and accept them as your own that they might administer the Test of Citizenship, so that future leaders of the Empire may commence their service to the Empire as soon as they are fit to be called Citizens.
Let all the citizens of this Empire hear my words and render to this Acamdey what aid they have within their means, that it might prosper.
Let all those who teach here do so in the knowledge that their work will secure the centuries to come.
Charter of the Canterspire Academy