>>9050967
Will dragon riding be a class?

Sounds interesting, but what I really want to know is the source on that image you used.

May we die in the forest, OP.

>>9051068
Sadly I got it from a bitchin' background thread.

>>9051133

Ah, a shame I missed it. I like that image.

Tell me more about what you have planned for this thing. It piques my interest.

Sounds like Fable

>>9051181
Posted here to help flesh out idea.

One idea I did have was basically them having an arena full of various beasties and a grizzled old Ranger being the master that'd give them their fighting exams.

Ideas for teachers would be good. Teachers could be for any class or set of skills.

>>9051123
what men must know, a boy must learn.

sadly, i have little to add but that, and i watch with interest.

>>9051269
Teachers? I suggest all subjects have different ranks of teacher. Like Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Like, the Beginner Teacher for magic does mostly illusions and transmutations. Constantly has things falling out of his pockets, is cheerful, and loves to teach. Teaches magic as a gift, something that should be shared.

The Intermediate Teacher smokes constantly, and looks like Gandalf, really. Pointed wide-brimmed hat, grey robes, staff. Teaches magic as a tool, which must be used only with great care. Commutes by giant eagle.

The Advanced Magic instructor is stern and is much more into the theory of magic than the actual practice of it. Very reserved, rarely casts so much as a cantrip to warm his soup outside of class. During class, he drones on and on for a while, and then summons a 9-headed ogre, then kills it by casting a spell that causes giant rusty spikes to thrust out of the ground impaling it, injecting it with powerful acid, and then lighting the whole thing on fire. He then resumes lecture explaining the principles he used in that situation. He apparently lives inside his own desk. Which is also a palace.

This does sound a lot like Fable, but has some potential. Character creation has never been my strong suit, so I'm not going to able to help you there.

>He apparently lives inside his own desk. Which is also a palace.

if nothing else, i swear that one day This will have a place in something i make.

>>9051489
Hrm. Good good. I like this a lot.

Perhaps for weapons training go from Martial all the way to Exotic.

Most of the traditional 'thief' skills are taught in Dungeoneering.

These classes are taught within a large classroom where the instructor explains relics, and the various things to watch out for in a given ruin based on who built it, when it was constructed, and so forth.

Tests are held in actual ruins not far from the school. These ruins are kept in working order by the Janitors. These are usually former adventurers who've either settled down or suffered a grievous injury or a nasty curse.

Practical exams day involves groups of students hacking their way through illusionary dungeons.
PROTIP- It's only an illusion for the kids with rich parents.

>>9051489
>Drones on and on and on, does something FUCKAWESOMEWDIDYOUFUCKIN'SEETHAT? and then drones on explaining the principles behind it, and so on.

One of my teachers does that! I mean, not the living-in-his-desk thing, but...

You'd have to be very careful to make this not be Harry Potter with D&D trappings...

But I like the concept.

Don't forget basic survival skills.

How to make a campfire.
How to build a lean-to.
How to read a map.
How to navigate by the stars.
How to hunt and clean an animal.
How to find water.

A lot of students find these "basic" classes boring, but those who pay attention succeed on their practical exams more often than not.

>>9051846
OP here, tips on avoid that?

Have a group of intelligent kobolds who specialize in making dungeons and all the traps within, like dangerous little architects.

>>9051760
Dude... I like that.

Have a on site medical staff from the local gods of healing and civilization.

have the school run by a board made up of specalists in each discipline.

So a grizzled ex fighter of unnatural skill for Martal (example pictured) who realzes the others need to work together and plays the role of peacemaker amoung the council as he did when he was out in the world. Enjoys his imported coffie, and is known to stroll the grounds when he can get away from the paperwork.

Additional council members to come with pictures.

The head of the Arcane arts studyed every kind of magic, from swordwizardry to divination. No one is sure exactly how old he really is, and rumors that he is a Litch abound. Since he does not actually teach a class, many wonder why he is on the staff. While he has a habit of poping up wherever there is trouble, he does not report it unless it is serius. dismissing it as "no big deal."

>>9051876
A certain degree of grimdark and horror would go far in ditching Hogwarts. Have students have terrible things happen to them, and make sure that casters are massively outnumbered by mundanes.

And think of why the school exists in the first place. Anything that actively trains people to loot dungeons sounds extremely sketchy to me.

>>9052053
Had the idea that the Headmaster was an old paladin (well into his 80s) whom believes the world needs more heroes and believes adventurers are needed in this day and age. Some stuff like that.

Combat Training;
Beginner's classes are come-one-and-all affairs, headed up by a kindly old ogre, referred to as 'Professor Of Finding Something And Then Hitting It'. His formal classes usually have a theme, such as "Hittin' Something What Won't Stay Still", or "Movin' Outta Der Way", but mostly you go to the Yard, put your name down, and get matched up with other people. If Old Snagtooth has a knack though, it's pairing up students that can learn a lot from fighting each other.

The Intermediate Teacher is an elf with a number of facial scars, who teaches ranged combat and fencing, and some anatomy of usual combatants. He's constantly trying to improve his own skills, and for a small fee he'll go one-on-one with students and critique their abilities. Just don't ask him about his scars, and you'll be fine.

The Advanced Teacher is a walking arsenal. Word is he's from a far-off exotic land, and that he never leaves his room without fifteen different weapons on his person, and never sleeps without at least five. He keeps his face covered all the time. Occasionally, him and the Intermediate Teacher vanish for a day or two, and return with the Intermediate Teacher nursing a fresh scar on his face. In addition to straight up combat training, he also teaches strategy and tactics for small skirmishes. Oddly, he's never beaten the Beginner teacher at chess.

For someone who has command over the primal spirits to be an instructor at the academy, they must be unusual. The headmistress of the primal courses of magic has been around long enough to appreciate that civilization and the wild can coexist, much to the chagrin of many of her peers. Being so focused on balence, students often come to her for advise about private problems, knowing she will not talk with anyone else about them. Being the primary advocate of trips into the wilds to give the students "Real experience" she typically takes the younger students to tame but fantastic sites of natural beauty.

perhaps the most unusual of the heads is the head of applyed divine studys. Assigned by the deity of knowladge specifically to the academy, she (or perhaps it?) is a strict ruler who serves only because the god willed it so. Resentful of the task and condecending to everyone except the head of the Martal studys program many wonder what offense she committed to be sent here. reguardless while she may talk your ear off, she will do so while healing your wounds, or even personally banishing the demon you accidently set loose.

half baked reasons for school existence:

Cash cow, could go with >>9051760 , also, survivors/graduates are bound, probably by magic, to return with some of their loot to give to the school. kind of like training little minions. but shhhhh, this parts a secret. Endgame could consist of breaking magical obligation

OOORRRR

you need a degree in adventuring in order to be granted access to the badlands of adventure, away from the "safe" school, etc.

I don't know if you have a name yet, but I thought of a name.

Pendragon Continental University

Recently added as a trial program is the Psyonic Studys course. Its instructor has demonstrated the validity of her arts by defeating the head of the martal studys program while welding her favorate (and completely mundane) pointer. Considered by the rest as a joke, or concession to those who clamored for such a program, she must often teach classes herself due to a darth of instructors.

>>9052550
Is pic related? Cause I have no clue who that is.

Kursk- Known simply as Kursk, this sorcerer teaches a course in "Disruption". "Disruption" is considered an elective, but all who pass the class can attest to how vital the lessons Kursk teaches are.

The course's mission, as stated in the syllabus, is to teach all classes how to disrupt and hamper spellcasters. Whether it is through simply counterspelling, to interrupting the spell before it gets cast, the students are given a crash course in how to overcome spellcasters of all stripes.

Few pass the class, but those who do are awarded a bonus feat that aids in disrupting a spellcaster.

>>9052550
>a darth of instructors

>>9052585
meant to be the Psyonics instructor, who can often be seen running down the halls at blistering speeds (monks love their runspeed) to get from one class she needs to teach to another.

>>9052819
I think he was asking for the source, actually.

>>9052835
no idea. Pulled it off a thread on /tg/ (rather random one too) seemed like the kind of unassuming appearance that would fit.

Also, I appear to be holding this.

How big a school are we talking about here? As in student body and faculty size. A larger campus lends itself to awesome inter-office politicking turf wars.

>>9053309
OP here. I was thinking a few hundred students? Capable students must be hard to find after all.

>>9053501
Whoa, Sorain's not the OP? How many contributors are there?

>>9051489
>>9052139
really like the three insturctors idea.

practical magic: Lazy some call him, but the ability to turn a napkin into a tent, summon food from your home, or enchant a kitchen so that it cooks for you is nothing to sneer at. Magics to keep your clothes clean dry and mended, the 'housekeeping' magic is all taught by this retired evocationist.

Ritual magic: Taught by a awakened earth elemental that considers slow dilibrate perfection of ones skills the key to a good life, the room is equipped for a verity of situations including locked doors for Knock.

Martial practices: Taught by a skilled ranger, this class is rarely attended by anyone outside of the martial program. For all that, the skills learned here eliminate the need to rely on magic to live confortablly in the woods.

The cafeteria: A completely magical kitchen with animate (and intelligent) plates, silverware, stoves, and everything needed. All watched over by a silver coffie pot who coordinates it.

>The cafeteria: A completely magical kitchen with animate (and intelligent) plates, silverware, stoves, and everything needed. All watched over by a silver coffie pot who coordinates it.

Be our guest, be our guest,~

I'm getting a very 'Gunnerkrig Court' kind of vibe here.

>>9053548
call us legion, for we are many.

I assume this is a live in facility?

Ever read up on Mordinkaidens Magnificant Mansion from D&D 3.0, 3.5 4th? Figure have one of those set up for each program would do for dorms.. (perhaps a full scale one for the instructors?)

Magical alarm parimiter around the grounds, and amulets keyed to each student as ID is a good idea.

>>9053706
But on the other hand, as this is a dungeoneering and adventuring academy, mightn't the (student's obviously) dorms be more on the primitive side? There not always going to have magical mansions to live in on their travels, and should learn to accomodate to what they have available.

>>9053645
heh, well not quite were I drew it from, but thats what most people are likely to think of.

Hay OP, considered making the acadamy a flying facility? Allows for diffrent scenery, as well as security for the students. Not to mention recuritment from across the world. Have it shift locations to places every 3 months or so maby.

Picture for the kind of thing I was thinking of.

>>9053645
...Jerry Orbach's still dead.

I just remembered that again, is all.

...fff.

>>9053800
good point. Might even go so far as to have them build their own each time. Still would be nice for the staff.

whats the age range on the students?

>>9052974
That's Saber, from the visual novel Fate/Stay Night.

>>9053869
Well, in typical fiction this sort of thing tends to range from the 5-10 at the bottom up through high school ages and maybe early college. So, 8-20, maybe?

>academy/school that teaches Dungeoneering and Adventuring.

It's called Morgrave University

>>9053984
good for that.
>>9053912
right then. Clearly you would divide them by age, program (source) and skill levels. (with hidden division by ritch/poor I imagine)

so perhaps a given student would be listed as
" M3a"
Martial program, third year, A ranked.

have them begin in general classes and work into specalitys.

so later on
MRB6S
Martial Ranger Bow sixth year, S ranked.
would be someone whos at the top of the classes for rangers who focus on the bow.

Beyond teachers, a school of this nature needs custodians. I recommend a gnome illusionist and his clay golem assistant. During the day the gnome runs around hiding spills and bloodstains with his magic till his lumbering assistant can come along and clean the actual mess up. Naturally, the gnome is very lazy and won't do anything beyond hiding the mess, but is still highly critical of golem and the job he is doing. The gnome would also be snide toward those he feels are responsible for making the mess, saying they are wasting his valuable time.

>>9054107
good point/idea!

As a punishment detail, have the students help in upkeep.
Martial charicters get to maintain equipment, arcane students get to reinforce the enchantments, divine students get handed a list of prayers to be said (and eventually healing dutys) Primal students keep the grounds, that kind of thing.

>>9053912
>>9053800
>>9053309
>>9053548
>>9052835
notreallycontributingbutpositivelyparticipatingfag here, I gotta' crash but this thread better still be here in the morning for me to get back to.

Read The Intimates, a Wildstorm comic.
Also, Knights of the Dinner Table has a really cool trap section in the back of each issue.

>>9054107
Nyet.
Zee janitor est un GOBLIN. One goblin. Who hates every single fucking student there. And he's going to tell all his goblin friends everything he's learned.

>>9053869
Late pre-pubscence onto young adulthood.

Think Middle-High school.

I sense an archive request would be appropriate.

ARHIVE THIS SHIT!

>but what I really want to know is the source on that image you used.

>corner credit

>>9054339
already did about 10 posts in.
We love good ideas you can drop into any campagin.

>>9054284
right.

so the question becomes, what do they have as final exams?
I am thinking a written, a verbal, and a field test.

"Name the three most approprate counters for the double thrust low."
"Explain the diffrence between an Angel of Valor, and an Angel of battle."
"Assault this orc held fortress."

with more normal quizzes throughout.

"Today you will work on coordination, that is why all of your classes will be broken up into groups. All you need to do is survive for 5 minutes, or land a solid blow on me. All of you must survive for the duration, but only one of you needs to land a solid blow to win." (solid blow equating with bloodied is we are talking 4e)

>>9054520
Puzzles and trap work as well.

>>9054712
naturally.

How about a course on social interaction? Have it taught by two teachers, one who advocates intimidate, and the other diplomacy. have the Diplomacy one scream like a drill sargent whenever you screw up, and the Intimidation one come across as kindly condescending instead.

>>9054793
And of course, music class.

possible exterior shot (makes people wonder why it looks like this.) for the Acadamy for the Adventuring Arts (A3, it sounds workable for a name.)

>>9052835
>>9052585
>>9052550

The girl in that pic is Saber, from Fate/Stay Night.

>>9055166

In fact, have another.

Should there be a (defense against) the dark arts teacher?

>>9056143
covered under arcane instruction, or Kursk.

Also the OP wished to avoid Harry Potter refrences.

Kick ass picture though.

Pic is one of the bard program instructors, clearly.

>>9056452

What, Nagato? She would be a True Namer, or something.

>>9056530
you would think that, but we dont know what system were talking about here, I kept thing intentionally vague so as to allow it to be slotted into any fantisy setting. Dont know which one (if any) the OP is using.

hell I could slot this (with a little change, lot less if its after the time period I was centering on) into my Shattered Skys campagin setting (please note that this is not the one where the planet exploded)

Also, another useful pic for potental use.

>>9056700

Come to think of it....Nagato could be a sub for any class, really.

Pictured here are a pair of final year students taking a break.

The Academy is neutral ground, no one attacks it or its students without invoking the wrath of everyone involved. This leads to an eclectic mix of races amoung the students one would imagine.

Wouldn't the Gygax Academy be more appropriate?

>>9057268
I have a good mental image of a pair of drow twins being the school bullies.

For Unarmed combat, I elect a Thri-kreen monk.

Just a thought. Learn to fight against more fists than you think you'll need to fend off.

>>9057268
Source of this picture?

>>9057268
Looks like Sandwich to me

>>9052139
>Oddly, he's never beaten the Beginner teacher at chess

I really like the implication here. You might have just meant it as a throw-away, but it implies the Ogre is a freaking genius. Have him be the Dept. Accountant, Secretary, etc. too.

>>9057946
Assuming the 3 tiers, I'd go some young, human Sacred Fist as the beginner (doubles as the Professor of 'Applicable Religion'), a drunken master who vanishes for days at a time and tends to set promising students on fire with alcoholic breath for extra credit, and then the department head as a tough, planeswalking Thri-kreen monk. With extra arm grafts.

A gith is fine too.

>>9058126
Or that the Advanced teacher has a bizarre mindset, suited only for combat.

Adventure University.

"Literacy classes are not credited."

>>9057537

>>9058139
Yeah. Can we work out a complete list of all the classes?

Magical Combat
Martial Combat
Unarmed Combat

Then what? I'd suggest at least:

Applicable Religion
Dungeon Survival
Monster Hunting

How about this for an origin:

Two hundred years ago this kingdom's royal family saw a need for long forgotten legendary relics, pre-emptive strikes on subterrainian monsters, and immediate quelling of constant reawakening evils. In short, the needed adventures and, given their transient nature, they weren't appearing fast enough.

So the king made a behest to any adventurer near or passed retirement to come and teach their skills. Sorcerery, swordplay, or even bard-dery was accepted. "Get paid just to show up and talk about what you've done your life." It was an easy offer for those experienced but too old or scarred to fight.

This place took all kinds at first from orphans and bored bachelors to tempermental farmers. On the king's coin anyone could come and at least try to be an adventurer.

Ultimately, the king wanted his lands cleared and it worked: Most adventures sought the nearest dungeons or evils and it was no coincidence that they were all in his kingdom.

Now it is streamlined. Most recruits are selected youths based on potential, lineage, or recommendation. The school prides itself on techniques and lore they teach exclusively. The kingdom and it's allies can contact graduates right after the graduation feast for missions.

It was once a half-baked idea and now it is full solution.

>>9058462
I think it should probably have indepedance from the kingdom, although it might be inside one.

>>9058329
>Martial Combat
>Unarmed Combat
taking those apart and teaching as two different things is weapons-grade stupid.

>>9058480

Okay sure.

Let's say that there have been multiple invasions from different countries in the past. After much fighting the neighboring kingdoms finally agreed that it is better for everyone if that the school is granted a degree of autonomy... Which did not mean robots, to one of the faculties dismay.

Another agreement was that all students must be free agents upon admission. So now all students swear off all loyalties before enrolling which presents problems for soldiers or royals looking to be adventurers.

Another final point of this treaty was that if another country did invade it would be considered a declaration of war to everyone else in the treaty and their land was to be portioned off after their defeat. This decision came from the fact that the school has acquired several powerful artifacts and any one force possessing them could not be allowed for all the world's safety.

>>9058329
I think Applied Religion is the best name for a class ever.
Doesn't get into details with particular deities so much, but it trains critical-thinking skills such as, "What are the best three yes-or-no questions to ask?" and "How to tell the difference between an armored skeleton and a Death Knight."

Hey, Op...If you're really serious about this idea, I'd suggest you read The Name of the Wind. The author does an excellent job of portraying a fantasy-setting high school/college. It also gives you a good idea of the smaller day-to-day things a student/PC would have to deal with.

>>9058329
I'd say instead of 'Unarmed Combat' have an 'Unconventional Combat' category. It would include unarmed, ambush (ie sneak attack), feints, etc. Since so few classes utilize these skills, however, you could only have one teacher (like the Psionics teacher idea) having to teach every class.

bumf

>>9058661
>>9058462
fairly good origin, and generic enough to drop in most anywhere. I may not be the op, but I seem to make a passible imitation of such.

about that class listing
Arcane Program
Magical Combat: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Rituals
Practical Magic

Martial Program
Martial Combat: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Martial practices

Divine Program
Applyed Religion
Battle Prayers: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

General Education
Dungeon Survival
Monster Hunting
Unconventional Combat
Disruption
Carrot and Stick: the arts of diplomacy and Intimidation.
Making use of your bloodline: Your racial abilitys and you

Primal Program
Combat Channeling: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
The world and its spirits

Psychic Program
Mindwar: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Meditation and Trance

in addition there are of course the specialist programs for a given class such as Blademagic for swordmages.

moar, MOAR, MOARRRR!!!

bump goddamnit

bump!!!

>Battle Prayers: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
You must put these two on the teaching scale.

Quite bump-worthy.