THE SUHNDI WIZARDS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Suhndi arcane Universities are a main attraction in every city that has one, right
after the temples. (A map at the bottom of this page shows these cities.) They
are publicly funded institutions, so as such their Chancellors are required to take
at least one level of cleric, at which point the nearest Zyr will promote them at
least to Wazif (temple priest--though the University is considered their temple).
But outside of Zymyria, the Universities are usually not strictly pious institutions--
many's the wizard appointed Chancellor and then rushed through clerical training so
he can sign the acceptance papers. And even inside Zymyria--most wizards do not
expect each other to live by the letter of every religious edict (though famous
exceptions exist).

It would be a mistake to imagine a University campus is not subject to occasional
clerical directive, too. For example, the study of Necromancy was only legalized as
recently as 836, and it still is banned inside the Holy Circle. The Holy Circle,
decreed in 462, is a 500-mile radius with its centerpoint at the altar of the Temple
in Hephiontias; nothing impure ought approach within 500 miles of the altar. While
this decree launched the fast and furious pacification of the then-wild Zymyrian
countryside, its present-day continuance somewhat limits University studies. And
whether within or beyond the Circle, every University occasionally finds its circulum
and personnel under scrutiny by local or Caliphate authorities. Luckily the wizards
are politically adept, and willing to be quite charming at times...

Universities certainly compete with each other, and so well-thought-of are they
by the general population that the rising reputation of any University will also
raise that of its city, that city's Zyr, and ruling Zyiph. Thus cities strive
constantly to improve by adding facilities, hiring famous teachers, procuring rare
scrolls and ingredients, and sending their best professors on missions to defeat
giants, orcs--even the occasional dragon. The general population is under the
impression that arcane spells are divinely granted--a misapprehension the
Universities do not attempt publicly to correct--and they greatly revere the most
famous wizards of their cities, as currently they so esteem those wizardly designers
of the new Emshi Highway. Such high-profile public works and their often majestic,
enrobed appearance of the wizards ensure that many a Suhndi boy imagines he'll be
a wizard when he grows up.

LEAGUES, REPUTATION, COMPETITION

The Universities (in a spirit of competition that can be friendly but is often
snobbish and even the cause of sharp resentments), have organized themselves into
Leagues. The Mage League is the oldest and most prestigious of these, and belonging
gives some members a sense of "chosenness," though arguably the two best Sage
League universities are better than the two weakest Mages, so Peliotias should not
have bragging rights over Balekesir--but they proceed as if so, to the annoyance of
the entire Sage League.

As for the other leagues, the Seers are verifiably solid institutions for most spell
schools but generally are not brilliant; the Council League exists mainly because in
819 those four Universities tired of being the object of so much snobbery and thought
they'd be more competitive if bound to each other--but the fact that their League
exists reads to Mages like a punchline itself. The Unaffiliated universities
generally function as catch-alls and safety schools, with the exception of Basdas
University, renowned for its long-standing, unbeatable Necromancy School--and
excluded from the Leagues for just that reason. The Basdas Orchid collar--when
it appears over an Indigo lining--is respected even by those who wear the Alazarin
Crimson over Blue Medium--provided the Crimsoner isn't too pious, in which case
he'll hold the Orchid as a threat. A Necromancer from Basdas will never be
referred to as "Dunce-League."

The Leagues compete internally at arcane games, accumulating points, and every four
years the two Universities that accumulated the most points in their League--in
each School--are sent to compete for the all-important Bigby Cup. (The Unaffiliated
universities compete, too--a de facto league, it has been pointed out.) Huge crowds
turn out to watch these usually spectacular contests. The Cup has never been won by
any University outside the Mage or Sage Leagues.


SCHOOL COLORS: WEAR THESE YOUR WHOLE LIFE WITH PRIDE

The Universities, due to their intense and long-standing rivalry, long ago organized
a regimented system of identification--the school colors run amok, as it were:

1) The outer cloak must be the League's Color or Black only, until 3rd level,
at which point it can also be Brown or White instead of Black.

2) The collar and cuffs of the cloak must be either the color of the University or
Black, but these may be turned in if circumstances require a more anonymous approach.

3) The lining of the cloak either corresponds to the School of magic in which the wizard
specialized, or is Black, White, or Brown.

4) The cloak may not be of satin until the 6th level, and may not be of silk until
the 9th level.

5) If the wizard teaches at a college, a high collar is added, as well as 1-6 sleeve
chevrons in either Black or the color of the Employing University (and for this reason,
you will rarely find a Mage-educated wizard teaching at a Council-League U; they are
loathe to wear the colors, and many prefer clear prestige over unidentifiable black).

When it is necessary to wear clothing other than the full cloak, a wizard may
substitute a tunic or vest bearing the appropriate colors.

And Now...

SUHNDI UNIVERSITIES, roughly in order of general reputation, showing school colors
(and in case of Mage-League, ring gems permitted):

The MAGE LEAGUE: Raspberry, incorporated dates 434-526
1. Hephiontias: Alazarin Crimson, Ruby
2. Memsemet: Magenta, Red Mountain Jade
3. Hella: Aquamarine Medium, Emerald
4. Jizan: Powder Blue, Sapphire
5. Coroc: Goldenrod, Topaz
6. Peliotias: White, Diamond
7. Dankharah: Peach Puff, Pink Diamond

The SAGE LEAGUE: Forest Green, incorporated 672
1. Balekesir: Mint
2. Therioptias: Peacock
3. Begum: Manganese Blue
4. Hamahu: Salmon
5. Shar'Hazzam: Spring Green

The SEER LEAGUE: Naples Deep Yellow, incorporated 819
1. Mabeq: Mars Orange
2. Al-Mashqi: Mars Yellow
3. Hajja: Tan
4. Al-Sadir: Gold
5. Sabir: Cobalt Green
6. Bastra: Violet Red

The COUNCIL LEAGUE: Navy, incorporated 890
1. Mumshooq: Sky Blue
2. Seidon: Olive
3. Empyzias: Melon
4. Mirbat: Grey

NOT ORGANIZED IN A LEAGUE: Black
1. Basdas: Orchid
2. Makkah: Khaki
3. Jabaf Sawda: Viridian Light
4. Ras Al-Khafji: Turquoise Blue
5. Tabuk: Royal Blue

Universities, in order of reputation of their premier departments
(And showing designated color for lining of cloak):

ABJURATION - Cold Grey
1. Memsemet
2. Therioptias
3. Hamahu
4. Hephiontias
5. Peliotias
6. Hajja
7. Tabuk

CONJURATION - Violet
1. Hella
2. Hephiontias
3. Memsemet
4. Ma'Beq
5. Dankharah
6. Empyzias
7. Balekesir
8. Makkah

DIVINATION - Blue Medium
1. Hephiontias
2. Mumshooq
3. Begum
4. Seidon
5. Hella
6. Jabaf Sawda
7. Bastra

ENCHANTMENT - Beige
1. Jizan
2. Hephiontias
3. Coroc
4. Memsemet
5. Shar'Hazzam
6. Ras Al-Khafji

EVOCATION - Carrot
1. Hephiontias
2. Al-Mashqi
3. Jizan
4. Balekesir
5. Coroc
6. Mirbat
7. Al-Sabir

NECROMANCY - Indigo
1. Basdas
2. Sabir


UNIVERSITY MAP

This map shows every Sundi city in which there is a Wizards University (almost
every Zyric capital has one) and provides at-a-glance reference for each University's
specialty School. Additionally, the map specificies what land falls under each
Zyiph. It is, therefore, a useful map. Clicking on the map enlarges it, in some
sense doubling its usefulness, but we recommend that 56k users make do by squinting.



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