University of Arcadia

History
Arcadia, a land once renowned amongst the old for its absolute purity within nature, has since then become something vastly different. Hundreds of years ago, Arcadia was once occupied by a myriad of many noble savages similar to that of Druids or magically inclined Shepherds, tree Nymphs known as Dryad, and great spirits that rested within the many forests that painted the land a thick green.

Indeed, Arcadia was a land so in touch with nature that it held no contact with the outside world; advancements in agriculture, architecture, and early technology would be kept far away from the hidden gardens as it was protected by its inhabitants who practised a more pastoralistic lifestyle, opting to live alongside the many other organisms that shared in the harmonious natures offered by Arcadia. If a cow were to be killed for its meat, it would have lived a full life and every part of its remains would be given back to nature. Even the ancient Greek god of nature known as Pan found solace within the Gardens of Arcadia.

This relationship with nature would not last forever, however, as while Arcadia remained in a ceaseless state of absolute harmony and balance, the outside world changed drastically around it. Immigrating groups of humans and youkai alike each looked to reap what natural seed was growing in this utopian land, and each one would be met with hostility and eventually be driven out. It would not be until an organized group of magic wielding humans decided that this harvest was ripe for the taking would that trend come to an end.

They came carrying weaponry with an intent to fight against the forest itself in an attempt to claim it for their own needs, but the forest wouldn’t go down without a fight. Empowered by their affinity with nature and carrying the spirit of the forest in their actions, the many Druids, Shepards, Dryads, and animals of Arcadia fought with the legion of wizards in an effort to drive away the invading forces.

The battles raged on in what could be described as man-kind’s war against nature; leaving behind a ruined and desolate wasteland of what was once one of the most in-tune with nature places to exist. Corpses of those who fought painted the once green land a putrid shade of crimson while flames from the war continued to tear their way through what green remained.

Despite having defeated their opposition, the army of magicians had realized that they destroyed their original goal in the process. In an attempt to hide their ill folly, the army of magicians failed to document their gruesome war, even going as far as to speak against their actions that happened in the short week prior. Regardless of whether the original inhabitants of Arcadia had fled, the land they once called home was completely destroyed.

And that would be the story of the rise and fall of the Arcadian Gardens, the once green utopia reduced to a land of death and turmoil.

It wouldn’t be until hundreds of years later until familiar blood stood on the now desolate lands of Arcadia; a descendant from the original magicka wielding humans who lived there in Arcadia’s days of green. Now known amongst the many magical communities that had grown around the world, the First Grand Magus felt the ancestral energies emanating from the land and decided that it was a holy place. And while he did not know of how the lands of Arcadia perished, he did know that it would become a place of learning; a place for the Grand Magus to discover the truth behind what happened before, and a place for others to come and learn the wonders of magic alongside him.

Thus the University of Arcad(y)ia was established as a small but private location for magical wielding folk from all around the world to gather in the name of practising their arcanery.

It started with selecting a group containing some of the finest magicians, wizards, witches, and even warlocks who suited their required roles and forming the Grand Council; a more political group of individuals who looked towards influencing other magical communities spread across Europe not just to expand the University itself, but to try and push the growth of magic in a direction that would ensure its growth and prosperity.

However despite their growing efforts, as the world around the magic communities began to progress technologically, they turned away from the use of magic, and religious worship became more and more skewed. While it wasn’t very detrimental at first, it was a recognized issue that the Grand Council of the University of Arcadia recognized; and their open and active ways grinded to a halt due to a new danger become ever more present in the form of Witch-Hunts.

Across Europe and many other places, the act of hunting down and burning magic using folks, either allegedly or not, became common practice as populations of layman humans deemed the use of magic a sin and as something that was unholy. Smaller magical communities were hunted down and murdered while larger ones either fought back, or adapted to the changing world around them. Even mythical creatures and monsters began to disappear as they too went in to hiding.

For the University of Arcadia, it too suffered from the reduced magic using population and the ever growing threat of attacks from hysteric Catholics continuously hunting down magic using folks for religious purposes. Yet despite this, it wouldn’t be these attacks that would drive the University of Arcadia in to hiding, but the death of the Grand Magus by the hands of his own daughter that forced the University to close its doors and take up a highly secretive agenda.

The first and only child of the Grand Magus was something of a prodigy and a legacy; at a very young age a latent ability within his daughter became apparent. She wielded the capability of reading and understanding magical and unexplained energies in a way that no-one else could, and her potential for magic grew at an accelerated rate. Wanting to protect not only his only daughter but a person holding a highly unique and potentially important gift, the Grand Magus fortified the University of Arcadia so that no intruders or invaders could bring harm to her. This also meant creating a powerful illusionary barrier that completely hid away the land from the rest of the outside world.

As she grew up, the daughter of the Grand Magus was taught everything he knew over the course of hundreds of years at a rapid rate; and soon the time came for her to surpass her father’s talents which resulted in a traditional battle to the death using all the magic available to the two parties. When the Grand Magus died, he passed away glad that he could see his legacy come true; otherwise he wouldn’t have died. After this, the University went in to a state of disarray as the daughter of the Grand Magus left to wander the world for a few years. When she returned, she came back a much more experienced individual having met many people who once knew her father and seeing many corners of the globe. She even obtained the title of High-Born Magus in memory of her father and ancestors.

It was here that a new chapter of the University of Arcadia began as the High-Born Magus picked up where her father left off and helped the University to transition in to a more modern way of life. Since then, it quietly exists in its own small corner of the globe located in a hidden part of Greece, keeping an eye out for potential students to enrol and allow them to develop their latent magic abilities and practices away from the eyes of the public.

General Information
The University of Arcadia is an ancient building that sits against the face of a mountain. It is split up in to three sections.

The Entrance: A large hall that is watched closely by guards; it also contains their living quarters in the upper sections. It is recognizable for having a bridge that doubles as a dam which leads up to the next area.

Living Area: It is here where the students, staff, and any other person who takes refuge in the university will eat, sleep, and whatever else they need to live. It is something of a small city in its own right, with homes, markets, and whatever else a person might need in order live. It's also good to note that it has an underground area that reaches under the mountain...

Campus: Essentially, this is where people go to learn, to practice, and to experiment with magic. The Grand Council also live here as well with the Grand Magician's office and quarters at the very top of the mountain.

Residents
Hateshinai Wakari: The daughter of the first Grand Magus and the current Head Magician at the university; Wakari calls this place a home as well as many other things.

Numerous Magicians: A community of old world and new world magicians come together in order to continue ancient traditions.

Entry Requirements
The entrance is somewhat concealed, hidden somewhere within Greece and is specifically guarded to ensure anyone wandering by doesn't decide to explore. Due to the secretive and exclusive nature of the community that lives within the University of Arcadia, intruding without permission will be met with hostility and maybe even death.