Mr.Cobalt
2015-06-25, 07:48 PM
Ok, so I have this kinda odd campaign idea where the PCs are all students of a sort of Mage Guild mega-college made of four separate subschools each dedicated to a different form/style of magic. Each school offers different exclusive classes and school specialties in addition to a general "theme", but I am considering adding additional benefits i.e. campus facilities or exclusive bonus feats.
Ok, so the four schools break down like this-
Brown Institute of Science and Alchemical Study:
This school was founded for the purpose of studying magic from a more empirical viewpoint, and if possible break down its secrets into quantified laws and methods that can be exploited more easily than just the rote memorization of spells or possession of a magical bloodline. Its contributions to the field of arcane studies netted it honorary Mage Guild membership, then full membership once Alchemy became officially recognized as an equivalent "arcane art" unto itself. Also of note is the fact that it was from this school that the Mage Guild's highly sanctioned "approved" form of necromancy was developed, which is even today taught in both the traditional spellcasting variety and the alchemical variation known as "Reanimating".
Exclusive Classes:
-Alchemist
-Investigator
School Specialties Offered:
-Transmutation
-Necromancy
<Name not final- military-style academy>
By far the oldest of the Guild's four schools, this is often considered the more iconic "adventurer's college", where aspiring mages are trained in the use of magic for combat or self-defense, or even in the art of merging spellcasting with swordplay. Often considered the strictest of the four institutions, its students are often expected to fit a higher standard of physical fitness than is often expected of the average wizard's college. Those that survive however often go on to become some of the best warmages and mercenaries in their field.
Exclusive Classes:
-Magus
-Bloodrager
School Specializations Offered:
-Abjuration
-Evocation
<Name not final- Miskatonic/Byrgenworth-type "Lovecraftian" college>
Pardon me for breaking narrative format here- not entirely settled on the history of this one, but I'm leaning heavily towards Guild experiment for legalizing certain formerly "occult" forms of magic. Might have initially been a secret society formed for the containment and research of eldritch tomes and artifacts connected to the Old Ones, then through careful experimentation developed variations of the "old magics" that were considered safe to use, and eventually struck a deal with the Mage's Guild to get their approval to keep studying it. While these guys have made much headway in extraplanar studies and so far their "new" form of magic is proving about as safe as they claim, they've still had their fair share of... "incidents" they've had to take care of, and they are still the target of many a rumor even within the Guild.
Exclusive Classes:
-Summoner
-Witch
School Specializations Offered:
-Conjuration
-Divination
<Name not final- "_proper name here_ School for the Performing Arts>
Often considered the best bard's college in the land, this school teaches students in the use of magic as a form of personal expression- whether that be channeling arcane power through artistic performance, or simply the use of magic in and of itself as an artistic medium. It also teaches more practical skills, including but not limited to public speaking, diplomacy, and debate. Often considered the "odd one out" of the four schools- their track record is almost suspiciously clean compared to the other three, leading some to suspect that there must be some other reason beyond simple profit that the Guild had shown enough interest in this school to warrant acquiring it in the first place.
Exclusive Classes:
-Bard
-Skald
School Specializations Offered:
-Enchantment
-Illusion
I was considering making the campaign either be chronicling their years at the school- almost a sort of Harry-Potter-on-drugs-as-interpreted-by-someone-who's-never-read-or-seen-it-themselves, or just skip to their graduation exam quest that would net them full Guild membership, and let them decide amongst themselves whether and how they had known each other previously or not.
Ok, nutshells aside- I need some advice and world-building tips for this turkey. First off- how viable as a campaign does this really sound, and second, what are some things I would need to keep in mind when designing a "setting" like this?
Also, names- if any of you have ideas for names for the un-named schools I'm open to suggestions.
Ok, so the four schools break down like this-
Brown Institute of Science and Alchemical Study:
This school was founded for the purpose of studying magic from a more empirical viewpoint, and if possible break down its secrets into quantified laws and methods that can be exploited more easily than just the rote memorization of spells or possession of a magical bloodline. Its contributions to the field of arcane studies netted it honorary Mage Guild membership, then full membership once Alchemy became officially recognized as an equivalent "arcane art" unto itself. Also of note is the fact that it was from this school that the Mage Guild's highly sanctioned "approved" form of necromancy was developed, which is even today taught in both the traditional spellcasting variety and the alchemical variation known as "Reanimating".
Exclusive Classes:
-Alchemist
-Investigator
School Specialties Offered:
-Transmutation
-Necromancy
<Name not final- military-style academy>
By far the oldest of the Guild's four schools, this is often considered the more iconic "adventurer's college", where aspiring mages are trained in the use of magic for combat or self-defense, or even in the art of merging spellcasting with swordplay. Often considered the strictest of the four institutions, its students are often expected to fit a higher standard of physical fitness than is often expected of the average wizard's college. Those that survive however often go on to become some of the best warmages and mercenaries in their field.
Exclusive Classes:
-Magus
-Bloodrager
School Specializations Offered:
-Abjuration
-Evocation
<Name not final- Miskatonic/Byrgenworth-type "Lovecraftian" college>
Pardon me for breaking narrative format here- not entirely settled on the history of this one, but I'm leaning heavily towards Guild experiment for legalizing certain formerly "occult" forms of magic. Might have initially been a secret society formed for the containment and research of eldritch tomes and artifacts connected to the Old Ones, then through careful experimentation developed variations of the "old magics" that were considered safe to use, and eventually struck a deal with the Mage's Guild to get their approval to keep studying it. While these guys have made much headway in extraplanar studies and so far their "new" form of magic is proving about as safe as they claim, they've still had their fair share of... "incidents" they've had to take care of, and they are still the target of many a rumor even within the Guild.
Exclusive Classes:
-Summoner
-Witch
School Specializations Offered:
-Conjuration
-Divination
<Name not final- "_proper name here_ School for the Performing Arts>
Often considered the best bard's college in the land, this school teaches students in the use of magic as a form of personal expression- whether that be channeling arcane power through artistic performance, or simply the use of magic in and of itself as an artistic medium. It also teaches more practical skills, including but not limited to public speaking, diplomacy, and debate. Often considered the "odd one out" of the four schools- their track record is almost suspiciously clean compared to the other three, leading some to suspect that there must be some other reason beyond simple profit that the Guild had shown enough interest in this school to warrant acquiring it in the first place.
Exclusive Classes:
-Bard
-Skald
School Specializations Offered:
-Enchantment
-Illusion
I was considering making the campaign either be chronicling their years at the school- almost a sort of Harry-Potter-on-drugs-as-interpreted-by-someone-who's-never-read-or-seen-it-themselves, or just skip to their graduation exam quest that would net them full Guild membership, and let them decide amongst themselves whether and how they had known each other previously or not.
Ok, nutshells aside- I need some advice and world-building tips for this turkey. First off- how viable as a campaign does this really sound, and second, what are some things I would need to keep in mind when designing a "setting" like this?
Also, names- if any of you have ideas for names for the un-named schools I'm open to suggestions.