Brigadian School of Alchemy

"Alchemy is the school of thought which says anything involving Arcana is possible."

— Dean of School

The Brigadian School of Alchemy is a university located in the west of Brigadia. It is one of the few schools currently teaching alchemy, as the practice has garnered a lot of controversy since its inception. The School aims to dispel the myths surrounding the practice and teach its students another way of thinking about Arcanis. The dean of the School also wanted to revive the art after lots of knowledge was lost during the Ice Age.
Unlike other educational establishments in the Known World, the School of Alchemy is not endorsed by the United Government. However, its qualifications are still accepted in many workplaces should a person want to work as a professional alchemist.

Type

Education, Magic

Alternative Names

School of Alchemy (SoA)

Location

Known World

Admissions Process

Because the School teaches alchemy, no innate magical abilities are needed to apply. Interviewers want to know a person's general knowledge of magic before proceeding, so they test the applicant before the interview. Those with the best scores go onto the next part of the admissions process.
The next stage is the interview, where candidates show their potential. Candidates are questioned with some puzzles or problem-solving questions. Interviewers often look for students with a creative mind or someone who is resilient.

The Classes

First Year

One of the first questions lecturers ask their students seems like a simple one. What is alchemy? In their first year, students get a mixture of classes that aim to answer this question. There are both lectures and lab classes which allow students to apply their knowledge in different ways. In the lab sessions, they learn about materials and their properties, including arcane abilities. In these sessions, students are encouraged to keep a logbook of their experiments, with every failure and success recorded.

Students get taught the same core modules to allow everyone to catch up and end the year at a similar level. At the end of the module, students get their knowledge tested in written exams. In first year, the exams are not graded too harshly, but if a person fails two modules, they'll repeat the year. Some modules also have a coursework component, which usually involves doing two experiments and writing a report on the outcomes of one.

"First year is usually a breeze if you remember to take notes and look over them at least once a week. If you don't focus, you'll find yourself so far behind by the time exam season comes!"

— Third year student advising a first year

Second Year

In the next year, students will choose their modules and are encouraged to start thinking about their path in alchemy. There are many modules to choose from, such as Bio-Magic & Medicine, Potions, and even more traditional modules like Material Transmutation. Students are required to take two, which will count towards the final degree. They are allowed to take more modules but they are graded separately.
In second year, students sit written examinations which count towards their final grade. However, there is a lot more coursework this year, as students are expected to carry out their own experiments and write reports on one or two at the end.

Final Year

There are very few lectures in the third year, as students are more focused on their final year project. This project is usually an individual project, but group projects are also allowed provided everyone contributes equally. It is a long report on the student's chosen topic and the research and experimentation involved. Examiners usually don't mind what topic is chosen. They only look at the quality of the report.

"I know one lecturer who has a wall filled with titles of some... interesting reports she's read over the years. Remind me to show it you some time."

— A lecturer to some first year students

Once the reports are graded, the students who passed can graduate and earn the title of Alchemist. They also join the Alchemists Institute, which allows them to apply for jobs in the world as an alchemist. While many students join the workforce as eager alchemists, some opt for more unique jobs or stay in the School of Alchemy to continue their research if they have found something interesting.

Notable Students

The School of Alchemy attracts students from all over the world and has taught many interesting students over the years. Although most students are from the Known World, word of the School's teachings has spread to the New World, and even as far as the Old World.

Doctor Mordecai Younes

Mordecai Younes was said to be one of the School's best students because of his eagerness to learn and to grow. He was a great student who went on to be an equally great doctor.

Carolyne Nox

A master at transmutation, Carolyne was always found studying any mineral or metal she came across. She was part of the first intake of students and later managed to turn lead into gold.