Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Place: Mage Guild of Bloodhelm

The Mage Guild of Bloodhelm, in the north east corner of the city, is five story building made of brick, a spendy material when river rock and wood is so much more available. The windows are large, spanning several stories in some cases. But they are magically protected to prevent breakage and people breaking in. The floors are made of solid, imported wood from Calabay, the walls also panelled in a similar manner. Rugs from the old Houses of Tayke are also here, carefully preserved by magic but used daily.

The first floor is simply offices, teaching rooms, and a cafeteria. All the teaching rooms are protected by magical barriers so wayward students don't blow up the whole building. The cafeteria is staffed by three dozen bakers and cooks who take two shifts, allowing food to be available at any time of the day. Meals are prepared at normal meal times but off meals are always available since mages sometimes forget to eat on time.

The second floor is for the hired help and additional class rooms. Most of the classes on this floor are more theory then actual spell practice. The hired help rooms are comfortable, with a large bed, window, storage area and small stove to heat the room. Hired help are given 5 gold ducats a month, room, and board (this is a very good deal, but the mages want to keep their good help).

The third floor is purely for apprentices. The rooms have two bunk beds and four chests and a wood stove. Some even have windows. Apprentices are usually there because they have paid to learn, but occasionally mages sponsor an apprentice because they are powerful or they are helping out a patron. (Duncan was sponsored by Saber, the head of the Guild, because he didn't have money to go there on his own.) There are soaking pools at one end and a place to do laundry. (Apprentices have to clean their own clothes, the mages have theirs washed.

The fourth floor are rooms for Guild Members who may not be present but call the guild home. They come back occasionally to teach classes or to share a discovery, but don't stay long. They can leave their gear, but the rooms might be given to others in their absence. these room are similiar to the helps, but have more book shelves and a small greating room.

The fifth floor holds the rooms of teachers and ranking Guild staff. These room are huge, having a bedroom, a bathing room, and a greeting room. Everything is finely made, some have gold gilding on items depending on what station if they come from wealthy homes.

The building is huge. Spanning acres both up and across. But as large as it is, there is an extra dimensional bit to it. Thus how so much can be crammed into a relatively small space.

The last place is the basement. Here are the achieves, the relics and magic items brought in by members that must be protected, and anything unusual which is kept. Only the older journeymen and mages are allowed here, and only by permission of the head of the order.

Saber Deathwielder (not his real last name, but the one he took on) is the current leader of the Guild. He is in his mid sixties, with a friar Tuck look, both in hair and rotundness. He use to be very fit when he was a mercenary (though part of the guild). He wielded two sabers and battle magic with ease. He does not suffer fools and has a hard time with some of the political power plays which happen in his Guild. He is the most powerful mage here, but he is not heartless. He's taken on many down on their luck people who want to become mages because he thinks everyone deserves to be a mage if they can. Saber came from a rich merchant family, but he sees no reason why money should stand in someones way if they have the ability.
Tomorrow: History

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