Martial Academy Primer
Jan 7, 2023 21:37:53 GMT -5
Post by Admin: Otto on Jan 7, 2023 21:37:53 GMT -5
The Martial Academy
Few institutions can claim to be born out of heroic legends like the Martial Academy, but aside from its glorious beginnings, the academy has seen better days. It is still the most respectable institution in Charon to teach the martial arts, blacksmith and everything related, but unlike the other major guilds, it stands out in a very important aspect: it owes the Crown nothing. The Martial Academy stands on its own feet without the support of the Crown, relying mainly on the donation of a few noble families that have tied their names to heroic warrior figures, like the Venator family - and, of course, on the support of the Fighter's Guild.
Such independence has cost the Martial Academy a price well known for the Fighter's Guild: the Academy has nearly no financial support from the Crown and the Sun King, warranting them a more rebellious outlook.
History
The island where the Martial Academy sits now, Lilac Bay, once served as some kind of commercial outpost and redistribution center, where goods directed at the Arcane Academy and Halberd's Tip would arrive. On the event of an attack, out of the three islands, it was natural one would assume it to be the weak link, since it was neither a military outpost nor a hub of arcane users.
The sources vary as what truly transpired, and the details are lost to time: some say the island was attacked by foreigners willing to make an outpost out of it to conquer the adjacent islands and, eventually, the capital; others say that a group of moon elves launched an attack to find some magical artifacts that were being smuggled into the Arcane Academy. Regardless of the face of the enemy, the outcome was the same: even before Halberd's Tip was notified of the attack, the patriarch of the Radaelli family that resided at Lilac Bay at the time coordinated the defenses of the island. Valentina Radaelli was a well known retired adventurer at the time, living out her sunset years at the beautiful island. The defense she coordinated is accepted, not only as an act of heroism and feat of strength and skill, but also an example of strategy and advanced tactics.
The incident, that resulted in a resounding victory for the Lilac Bay, inspired Valentina Radaelli to pour her riches into creating an academy or training center that would help the common folk learn to defend themselves and maybe take on the adventuring life he knew well. Thus, the Martial Academy was born.
Eventually, the increasing tensions with the Crown, led King Darius to shut down the Martial Academy, since arming the common folk went directly against the King's plans. It was only when the Fighter's Guild was accepted back into the realm that the Academy was reopened - but still facing the same problems and centuries long tense relationship to the Crown.
Acceptance
The academy takes pride on the process of acceptance that allows only the truly determined to enter - it is impossible to buy your way in, or so they would have one believe. At the beginning of every month, the initiation process is opened and a Novice Class is formed, which will last for the whole month. While all people from all walks of life and all ages can enter, few actually last till the end of the month, as the Novices are tested for their fitness level, endurance and discipline. The Novice Class is meant to teach the very basics of fighting while also serving as a test, as the prospect students of the Martial Academy drill day and night under the tutelage of three different teachers. But more than just testing the novice's physical capabilities, the Novice Class is meant to weed out the unruly and immoral, and to this end, the three teachers that carry out the whole process are often very close to the Dean of the Academy, always reliable and trustworthy people. There have been attempts at buying one's admission into the academy, but according to the teachers, none has succeeded.
Another way of joining the Academy is via the Fighter's Guild. With a letter written up by the Leader of the Guild, a member can always join the Martial Academy to further hone in their abilities, having already attested for their abilities and discipline as per admission on the Guild. It is a very unusual route, since the guild members will often teach each other, but this available path further attests to the link between the Academy and the Guild.
Despite the delicate financial situation the Academy often finds itself in, no amount of money, threats or promises are enough to buy the acceptance of anyone into the Martial Academy. Whatever the background, whatever the age or race, as long as one proves their worth during the first month of Novice Classes, the Martial Academy will embrace them.
While the particularly young are encouraged to join and given some kind leniency during the training - as long as they show themselves determined and disciplined - the older students find it harder to complete their first month at the Academy. This fact makes for a broader age-range of initiates, often going from 8 to 30 years old. Lack of discipline is often severely punished, except for one day: the day after the a new pack of students is accepted, it is allowed - as an unspoken agreement - for the older students to lightly prank on the newbies for the whole day, which is considered a fun tradition.
Beyond merely acceptance into the classes, it is said that the student who is able to bring a magic quill belonging to an student of the Arcane Academy is accepted as a hero among their peers.
Tuition and Support
Some find it natural that the Crown would have its concerns about sponsoring an institution that trains warriors and fighters with no sense of loyalty tying them back to the monarchy, which in turn makes the subject of finances a complicated one for the Martial Academy. A few noble families support the Martial Academy with donations, like the renown family of monster hunters, the Venator family. There were instances in the past where the nobility has tried to buy some influence into the Martial Academy, just to have their money thrown back at them, which earned them the fame of incorruptible.
The teachers are not nearly as well paid as the teachers of other more malleable academies, but this led to an interesting turn of events: not only those who really want to teach remain, regardless of the money involved, but their teachings and views are not shaped by what the monarchy dictates.
While it is uncommon for the Martial Academy to wave away fees and taxations, the yearly payment is not nearly as high as other more pompous and corruptible academies. For every new group accepted into the Academy, a small number of students is allowed to work for their tuition, either directly at the Academy, the Fighter's Guild or on simpler mercenary contracts for the few supporting noble families. Most basic equipment is provided by the institution.
The Golden Consortium will often donate resources to the Martial Academy on the promise they can appoint the Blacksmith teacher. While it hasn't disrupted the order of the academy so far, the Blacksmith teacher is always looked upon with a hint of suspicion by their peers.
Classes
Pugilism: The only compulsory class, whose teacher is known to humble down even the snarkiest of students
Pascal's Methods of Attack and Defense: The most popular class, and also the one with the longest duration
Defensive Tactics & Material Science: Ironically, of all of the classes, this is the one with the higher rate of accidents
The Study of Distance: Taught by the same elf teacher since the inception of the academy
Blunt Force Trauma Application: No one graduates this class without a few broken bones. The calm and patient outlook of the teacher is misleading
The Art of Leverage & Range: The favorite of the posers
To Be or Not to Be: Graduating the best mages' bullies of Charon since its inception
Armored Combat Equestrian: The favorite of the rich boys/girls, knights wannabes
Advanced Material Science: The teacher is a member of the Golden Consortium that scour the students for prospects to join the guild
Logistics and Tactics: With a strict teacher, most students get PTSD from this class, considered the most difficult one of the academy
The Academy and the Guild
Since the Fighter's Guild was accepted back into the realm, they managed to reopen the Martial Academy as well, taking advantage of the goodwill of the Crown to make amends for the monarchy's mistakes. From the beginning, the relationship between the Guild and the Academy has been tight, most teachers being either members of the Guild or appointed by it. The two institutions lean upon each other heavily in all aspects, including for financial support.
While the Academy is meant only for learning the arts of war, the Guild can hand out tasks and simple mercenary jobs to skilled students in need of help to pay for their tuition. The Guild is usually for those who seek the life of adventuring and mercenary work.
From the birth of the Guild, the leaders of both institutions had always either been closely related or even the same person. The recent disappearance of the Dean of the Academy and leader of the Fighter's Guild left them both disoriented. While the role of the Dean was taken by the Strategy teacher and the leadership of the Guild in the hands of a prominent member, it also left the connection between them a little shaky.
While the Academy is meant only for learning the arts of war, the Guild can hand out tasks and simple mercenary jobs to skilled students in need of help to pay for their tuition. The Guild is usually for those who seek the life of adventuring and mercenary work.
From the birth of the Guild, the leaders of both institutions had always either been closely related or even the same person. The recent disappearance of the Dean of the Academy and leader of the Fighter's Guild left them both disoriented. While the role of the Dean was taken by the Strategy teacher and the leadership of the Guild in the hands of a prominent member, it also left the connection between them a little shaky.
protect him at all cost. (can’t use discord anymore so making use of this here)
