The Halls of the Ineffable Logos

The surrounding lands around the Ineffable Halls of Logos are dark and ominous. Winds pummels those who wish to enter, and fog seeks to blind those who do not know the way. All in all, it's the effects of the manse that tend to keep most strangers away, as the surroundings lands are dark and forboding. Silhouettes of creatures with horns, fur, and a variety of different appendages not common to the normal pass, and the seductive whispers of of elementals can be heard in the wind.

Once past the various weather effects to keep those who do not belong away, a series of large buildings can be seen in the distance. The largest is in the center, shaped in a large heptagon, with four towers surrounding it. Eerie yet melodic voices can be heard coming from the towers, as an occasional flash of lightning can be seen in the distance.

Not too far from the main building are smaller ones where students in savants' robes can be seen shuffling off from one place to another, usually escorted by a variety of demons, materialized elementals, or automata. Explosions and smoke can be heard, seen and smelled, the pungent vapors of sulfur and other such chemicals giving the area a bit more of its mystique. All over the buildings are the various emblems of the great houses, with the crest of Ledaal most prominently displayed.

Finally, there's huge dark blue doors with sigils in Old Realm, showing the main entrance to the heptagon shaped building. Woe to all those who seek to enter.

Background

When the Empress disappeared and the Empire began to crumble.  Horrified by the possibility of losing the Heptagram to Mnemon or any other house, the elders of House Ledaal decided it was time to build another such institution under their control.  They chose Eavos to head the school:  He had always been of an academic bent, he knew the Threshold well, he was well-respected, he was reasonably politically savvy, and… he was not involved in anything more important.

Now Eavos heads to Greyfalls with the deed to a mysterious air-aspected manse and the weight of Ledaal's backing and fortunes.  So far, everything is in his favor:  Rombulac supports the academy in hopes of an alliance with Ledaal and the fame and fortune the academy will bring to Greyfalls, as well as promises of occasional services from the student sorcerers.  The manse is ready and is already spectacularly suited to house an academy.  He has money and faculty, and there are students already on their way to study.

What could possibly go wrong? 

Recent History

Ledaal Catala Eavos was temporarily called back to the Blessed Isle to help garner support for nthe Halls of Ineffable Logos. He had already asked his cousin, Ledaal Kebok Kyrie to serve as one of the institution's professors. As he left, he had appointed her co-headmistress of the school, due to her reputation as a well known healer and due to her marriage to one of the most influentials Dragonbloods in the Scavenger Lands, Cathak Zuriel.

Reputation

The Great Houses have expressed disgust regarding the existence of this academy, and many express grave concerns regarding the safety of unsupervised education in the Sorcerous arts. Ledaal Catala, a powerful influence in Realm politics, has declared that the purpose of the academy is to research the 'Deathlord' phenomena, as well as the Anathama and the ancient relics they have left behind in the Scavenger Lands. Her empowered descendent, Ledaal Catala Eavos, speaks regularly to unsympathetic ears. The family scions of the Catala line adamantly insist that research must continue if Creation is to be properly defended against the threat which consumed Thorns. This is commonly viewed as an transparent excuse to pursue unregulated sorcerous development, and most assume that Ledaal is backing the academy purely as a bulwark against the influence of Mnemon in the Heptagram. This is something which provokes grave concern -- A majority in the Realm view actions against Mask of Winters as provocative and foolhardy, and thus see Ledaal as playing with fire for political gain.

It's no coincidence that most of those condemning Ledaal are draining resources from the Threshold at a rapid rate, so as to finance the escalating cold war amongst the great houses. Thus, they would stand to lose a great deal should some of those resources be diverted. Ledaal is largely alone in voicing these concerns. The prevailing sentiment within the halls of power is that spending a significant amount of resources attending to the Anathama and Deathlord phenomena amounts to little more than wasteful insanity, but it -does- weaken Ledaal, so most are happy to indulge the eccentric house while they take the opportunity to sieze advantage and focus on more important local politics. Thus, while the Halls of Ineffable Logos are a hot issue in the halls of influence, they are not a pressing one. Many hope that Ledaal continues to devote resources to it even as they enjoy decrying the institution publicly.

Education within the academy is considered to be shoddy, when held against the tenure of the Heptagram. The practice of teaching Thaumaturgical Demonology is widely condemned as both foolhardy and potentially disastrous. Given the very-public rumors regarding the lineage of Ledaal Kebok, concerned whispers within the Deliberative Halls imply that similar abominations could emerge within the Catala line. In particular, the lineage of the Sorcerer legend Zuriel has become clouded in terrible rumors. Some even go so far as to suggest fanciful tales implying that the Kebok / Catala cousins might unite to produce a yet stronger touched third generation with the power to take the Scarlet Throne. Ledaal Kebok Coren has fought two duels against Dragonblooded who voiced these accusations in her presence, and in both cases, she was victorious. Due to the powerful tornados that were generated when these conflicts took place, few have been eager to tempt her again. These extreme accusations aren't mainstream, but many enjoy gossiping about them even if they privately remain skeptical, particularly those with an axe to grind against the Ledaal or an interest in squelching any official action against Mask of Winters or other Anathama kingdoms. Heptagram faculty regard these tales as being deadly serious and often request urgent investigatory action to deaf ears.

Significant legal dispute exists over the credentials of the academy. The Thousand Scales beurocrats tasked with maintaining and officiating the White Registry are currently holding hearings on the matter. Many impassioned Ledaal speakers, and Heptagram-loyal professors and 'experts', have weighed in on both sides of the issue. The conclusion of this deliberation is far into the future, barring the sudden return of the Scarlet Empress to settle the dispute. Neither faction has a clear advantage. Years, or decades, may pass before a final verdict is rendered, and by that time, the magisters overseeing the process will be rich and fat from bribes. As it stands, those certified by the Halls of Ineffable Logos cannot practice Sorcery legally in the Realm (yet) unless they are accompanied by a supervising, acredited Heptagram sorcerer. They are allowed to use the art in the Threshold as necessary. Any demonic summoning is strictly prohibited, a declaration which the Ledaal academy openly... and blatently... defies. The House has been fined and censured for this defiance, but no further actions are expected prior to the eventual verdict, so the status of summoners educated in Halls methods has evolved into pseudolegality.

Ledaal has faced increasing political pressure regarding the academy since it opened. Publicly, they suggest that invaluable revelations regarding the Deathlord phenomena, Anathama, and the nature of Deathknights will shortly be produced by the Halls which will place any doubts regarding the legitimacy of the academy to rest.

Curricula Offered

The academy prides itself on breadth and depth dealing with the occult, lore, and even medicine, due to the influence of the headmistress. However, they have realized that in this day and age, that specializations are required for various sorcerers, and thus, other topics are often included as well. Most Dragonblooded have a wide array of curricula to choose from, from those simply dabbling in the occult all the way to those who wish to become full fledged sorcerers. The requirements are different for each set, and the entrance requirements are different as well. There are also dual track programs, such as available medicine-thaumaturgy program, and both requirements must be met to graduate.

Minimum requirements for graduation: Occult 3, Lore 3, Linguistics 1 (Old Realm)

Entrance Exam

The entrance exam consists of being brought into the maze of the manse. Anyone who doesnt become 1) insane, 2) have their souls stolen by ancient forces, or 3) get eaten by demons, are deemed worthy to become students. The halls and walls of the school are dark black and blue, keeping to the Ledaal colors as it is run by the House. The school also teaches thaumaturgy, especially the arts of demon summoning, elemental summoning, alchemy, exorcism and warding, geomancy and astrology. Non exalted can enroll in the school for that..    

General Practitioning Occultist Degree

The academy believes that knowledge is power. This is the most basic program, and has the least restrictive entrance requirements. It basically has an open door policy, and mortals who wish to learn are welcome to, though knowledge will be hidden from them as following the rules of the Realm.

Those who pass this course can be expected to know a great deal about those secrets of the occult that don't conflict with the Immaculate Order. Specifically, they learn about the psychology and powers of the small gods and elementals, how to identify a raksha or anathema, and the appropriate etiquette with which to refer supernatural powers toward the nearest Exalt. Those with permission from one of the Exalted headmasters - who have a reputation for being liberal with such permission - might learn minor thaumaturgical procedures such as how to enchant a [Least Wonder], Summon (Species of Animal), or Alarm Ward Against Raksha / Solar Exalted / Lunar Exalted.

Graduation requirements: Minimum requirements

Licensed Thaumaturge Degree

-For those who show promise or simply wish to learn more, Dragonbloods, godbloods, ghostbloods,and enlightened mortals can take the path of a thaumaturgist. The entrance exam consists of a basic logic and critical thinking test to show that the student has the potential to solve problems and think analytically.

Additional Graduation requirements: Craft(appropriate element) 3, Adept in one Thaumaturgical Art.

Sorcerous Degrees

-Officially only for members of the Dragonblooded Host, students are brought through the five stations by mentoring professors. This has the most difficult entrance exam requirement as prospective students are brought to the puzzle maze area of the manse and told to find their way out. Those who do not go insane and survive, are deemed worthy of learning and have unrestricted access to the archives. Technically, the entrance exam serves as the Station of Fear and Journey. All graduates are expected to register with the Realm what spells they know.

Additional Graduation requirements: Linguistics 2 (Old Realm and High Realm), Craft(anything) 3, Terrestrial Circle Sorcery

Specializations:

• Battle Sorcerer. Emerald Countermagic, plus one of the following: Raising the Earth's Bones, Death of Obsidian Butterflies, Flight of Separation, Invulnerable Skin of Bronze, Unbreakable Bones of Stone, Thunder Wolf's Howl, or Sting of the Ice Hornet. An internship with the Ledaal or Cathak Legions is possible as well.
• Summoner - Emerald Banishment, plus one of the following: Circle Demon, Summon Elemental, Calling the Stalwart Servitor, Hound of the Five Winds, Minions of the Eyeless Face, The Eye and the Mouth, Plague of Bronze Snakes, or Shadow Summons. The Logos believes the first step of any summoner must be to prepare to dismiss wayward thralls.
• Psychopomp - Dragon of Smoke and Flame, plus one of the following: Calling the Wind's Kiss, Cirrus Skiff, Coin of Distant Vision, Conjuring the Azure Chariot, Floral Ferry, The Horse That Travels Earth and Water, Keel Cleaves the Clouds, Invocation of the Living Ship, or Opening the Spirit Door. Any who would travel must find their destination.
• Bureaumancers - Eye of Alliance, plus one of the following: Silent Words of Dreams and Nightmares, Peacock Shadow Eyes, Sorcerer's Irresistable Puppetry, Private Plaza of Downcast Eyes, or Fugue of Truth. One who would control others must first find those he trusts.
• Sorcerer-Engineer - Ritual of Elemental Empowerment, an additional Craft at 3, and Fivefold Resonance Sense.
• Sorcerer-Physician - Assassin's Fatal Touch plus the medical curriculum. The first responsibilty of a doctor is to know when to stop.

Medical Degrees

This is a new addition to the curriculum available to both mortals and dragonblooded. It is the result of the pressure for a medical school in the area, and so, after a bit of rebuilding a bit of the academy, there is effectively a medical school there as well. There is a dual track sorcerer-physician track and a physician-alchemist track, that is availble and that would follow both curricula. The entrance exam consists of a test of basic knowledge and critical thinking skills and finally an interview by Ledaal Kyrie, Philippe or another senior staff member at the Resplendent Palace of Healing.

Additional Graduation Requirements: Mortals need Medicine 3. Dragonblooded, who follow a more prestigious track, must learn Infection Banishing Technique and Disease Banishing Technique. (Dynasts of House Ledaal or Cathak might be trained in Craft(Genesis) if they show promise and discretion.) Both mortals and dragonblooded must spend a minimum of two seasons shadowing the doctors of the Palace of Healing, before interning and actually serving patients.

 Manse Information

The Hall of the Ineffable Logos is the manse which will house the sorcery academy. 3 dot air manse.  1 dot air hearthstone: the Memory Stone.  6 dots from the manse level, 2 HS dots sacrificed to manse points, 3 dots of Maintenance Drawback (requires four summoned angyalka to play the correct tunes at the four corners of the manse constantly) for a total of 11 manse points spent as follows:

Puzzle Manse for 3, Hidden Passages for 2, Archive(Spell research, Demonology, Anathema as occult specs) for 2, Minor trap: Maze for 1, Well-flavored Aspect for 1, Password Activation for 1, and Magical Convenience (Anyone can draw or write on any blank wall or ceiling in essence) for 1.  The air-aspected manse is a tall, many towered manor that is full of shifting corridors and rooms which never appear the same twice. The manse can be convinced to take its inhabitants to specific locations if they hum a corresponding tune before entering the halls. The Logos is located within the Greyfalls satrapy.

Full Time Faculty

Ledaal Catala Eavos - Headmaster, on leave (air aspect)

Ledaal Kebok Kyrie - Headmistress, Professor of Medicine and Lore (air aspect)

Ledaal Catala Kryik, Professor of Metamagic Theory (air aspect)

Cathak Garida, Professor of Demonology and Summoning (fire aspect)

Ledaal Conztai, Professor of Sorcerous Engineering and Artifice (earth aspect)

Amon Lazaros, Assistant Professor of Battle Sorcery

Mnemon Lok, Assistant Professor of Geomancy

Visiting Fellows

Cathak Zuriel, Martial Countermagic, Battle Sorcery and Tactics (on leave)

Tsure, Sorcerous Engineering and Artifice

Enrolled Students

Mnemon Koal, Sorcery Program

Iron Raven, Thaumaturgy Program