Academic Buildings

This section covers a number of associated developments that have some sort of Academic aspect, however, it is split into two sections. The Schools and Colleges section can be upgraded fairly easily, the 'Other' section has limited upgradability.

How Children Grow Up and learn their class skills.

How Schools Work

Unlike many other businesses, producing magic items is very level and class dependent. For example a CL1 Mage can Scribe Scrolls, that are only usable by other arcane casters. By CL3, they are able to Craft Wondrous items, and Brew Potions (Yes, I know there are exceptions), but they have a limited number of spells available. By CL5, Crafting Wands is a possibility, and they have more spells available to them. The majority of these casters (in my world) will be Arcane Adepts whose spell selection is even more limited.

I like to keep PCs as the stars of the game - for me the PCs should be among the richest and most successful people in their field, and that means there are very few NPC Casters beyond L5 - and they will be Senior Entourage Members (Cohorts, Counsins or Allies) or significant NPCs that the DM controls. Which means there are some demographic restrictions as well.

• A Copper School is just what it says. A school that educates pupils for a few coppers. It isn't high quality education, but it gets the basics across and gives students a chance to progress in the world. Most students are children of the common folk. The teacher is often a commoner, or a low level adept, themselves.
• A Library is just a collection of books that can allow an untrained person to make a Knowledge check – although only to find the answer to easy questions in a field. Some Libraries (with books that cost extra) can add a bonus to a specific Knowledge Roll. A library might run a 'Copper School' on the side as a way of supplementing their income.
• A Menagerie is just a small Zoo; most of the animals are pretty and innocuous rather than large or dangerous. It has both entertainment and educational value.
• Observatory – complete with a telescope for observing the heavens. Generally of interest to those who study the sky - Astrologers, Astronomers, Navigators, Weather Watchers as well as Academics and Mages of all sorts.
• Museum – A collection of Curios that is both entertaining and educational. It might be of assistance to some scholars, particularly when used in conjunction with a library.
• Zoo – a collection of larger animals, some of which may be quite dangerous.
• Public School – A school teaches general education until the age of 14/15. All schools teach reading, writing and sums, as well as a few more general skills. However, they charge a fee for the privilege, often a silver per day. Most students are children of middle class NPCs, few commoners can afford the fee.
• Private School - an expensive boarding school for the children of Aristocrats and Nobles. Students at these schools learn all the basic skills that an Aristocrat needs, and a wide variety of other skills as well.
• Sword School, Military School / College / Academy - Sword Schools teach armour and weapons skills and don't (generally) teach a normal school curriculum.
  See this page for details
  
• College – A finishing school for characters from from the age of 15 onwards, many incorporate a School for basic education, but are able to continue class or specific skill training. An Academic College specialises in Craft/Profession/Knowledge skills; a Bardic College specialises in Performance; a Magic College in magic and the arcane; a Military College in various military skills, styles and feats (2x Units Light Foot). All Colleges provide nice accommodation for their principle.
• Academy – advanced education. See College for specialist areas. All Academies provide good accommodation for their principle. A military Academy is good for 1x unit of Light foot and 1x Unit of light Cavalry.
• * University – The pinnacle of educational establishments – often made up of a collection of schools, colleges and academies. All universities provide good accommodation for their principle and founders. (University is good for 2x units of light foot)

Most staff and students live in the local community - staff can generally afford Nice accommodation with most students in either Average or Poor accommodation. Every academic building offers Average accommodation for staff - although a 'Furnishings' upgrade allows you to upgrade one apartment to Nice accommodation for a resident character.

Defence Points can come together to reward you with a Noble Title.