The "Apprentice Bond" is a particular form of debt which is taken on by those who study at the
Academy of Gildenschloss
The typical apprentice bond is charged as follows, though it is not uncommon for additional surcharges to be applied for any number of reasons:
- Bed and lodging at 1gp per day plus surcharges, ammounting to 350gp per year
- "Neophyte" magical training and general education at 500gp per year
- "Post-neophyte" magical training at 1300gp per year
Neophyte training begins at the age of eleven, typically lasting for seven years, and post-neophyte training typically lasts for a further three years; an apprentice who comes to Gildenschloss at the age of eleven - which is typically the oldest that the Academy will accept - will typically be burdened with a debt of 10,900gp or more by the time that they complete their training. Those who are brought to the tower by the
Hospital of Ekirena are provided bed, lodging, and a basic education free of charge until the age of eleven.
Whilst a skilled magician might be able to command an annual income in the region of 1000GP or more, these debts, and the resulting interest that is charged on them, are beyond the means of most to pay off; though rarely acknowledged, it is well-enough understood that this is a deliberate choice on behalf of the
Gilded Tower, who reserve the right to call in the unpaid debts at any time they should choose, potentially forcing their students into a state of legal indenture. In practice, it is rare that this needs to be formally invoked - but the threat of it is enough to ensure that the Tower is able to command the cooperation of its magicians.
Due to the legal difficulties in enforcing debts of this kind against the High Houses, the Academy tends to waive the fees applicable to the children of the High Nobility - though this is with the tacit understanding that the High Houses don't interfere in the Tower's business or speak openly about the
Hospital of Ekirena, and that they continue to support the Tower politically and financially. The richer and more influential families of the Low Nobility are likewise often able to buy out the debts of their students at a rate below what is officially stated, on the understanding that they owe the Tower a favour. The bulk of the debt thus falls upon the lowborn students, who are least able to afford it in the first place.
Comments