The School

The School

Introduction

Nationalities

Groups

Summary

The School of Seven Virtues trains students to unlock reservoirs of potential and power from within themselves by honing their minds, hearts, and bodies in the Path of the Seven Virtues. Graduates of the School gain abilities beyond the scope of normal mortal skill. Along the way, the School also attempts to mold them into true Heroes or Teachers, devoted to using their skills to help others and make the world a better place.

Students can follow the Path of the Hero, an adventurous path which is useful for combat, defense, and any other tasks a Hero may face; or the Path of the Teacher, which allows graduates both to help unlock potential in and assist Heroes, and to perform many useful magics and skills such as opening magical Gates, heating buildings, and so on. All PCs in Seven Virtues are on the Path of the Hero.

The Seven Virtues derive from combinations of virtue in Mind, Heart, and Body:

Courage (Body)

Wisdom (Mind)

Compassion (Heart)

Selflessness (Body and Heart)

Grace (Mind and Body)

Honor (Heart and Mind)

Wholeness (Heart, Mind, and Body)

Acceptance

The School of Seven Virtues accepts students from all walks of life, from nobles to peasants, and with all degrees of experience, from fresh-faced youths to decorated veterans. Sometimes their criteria for accepting students seem unclear, but it seems that most of all they look for potential — what the Professors feel a student may someday acheive, rather than what they have acheived so far.

The Path of the Hero and the Path of the Teacher

Students may follow either the Path of the Hero or the Path of the Teacher. Players may only be on the Path of the Hero. Until the Mahori Breakthrough, the School had been closed to Heroes for some thirty years due to the Long Peace; the PCs will be the first class of Heroes in all that time. Students on the Path of the Teacher learn sought-after peacetime abilities, such as opening gates and heating buildings, as well as many ways to assist Heroes in their endeavors. Students on the Path of the Hero learn abilities that will help them protect Armandy in dangerous situations. But both kinds of students learn to look within themselves, honing their own virtues and facing down their weaknesses.

Graduates of the Path of the Teacher often go on to comfortable posts providing services to nobility and to the various institutions of nations — their scholars, mages, postal services, armies, and so forth. However, they are sworn to maintain neutrality and adhere to the teachings of the School, never using their powers to harm, but always to protect and aid others. Graduates of the Path of the Hero go on to protect Armandy in what ways they can: fighting the common foes of Armandy, protecting the helpless, and so forth. They, too, maintain neutrality, and are forbidden to act for one nation against another. Some Heroes operate individually, and others in small groups or teams; regardless, they are generally welcome and honored in all nations.

The Teachers

There are three levels of teacher at the School of Seven Virtues, any of which may offer students instruction or send them on missions. The highest are the Professors; there is only one Professor for each Virtue (plus the Headmaster, who is also considered a Professor). Professors have always acheived not just a Ring in their Virtue, but Mastery of the Virtue. It is not uncommon for them to have Rings in other Virtues as well. Professors are usually the foremost masters of their Virtue on the Path of the Teacher. The Headmaster must have acheived a Ring in Wholeness, and usually has between four to six Virtue Rings, with Mastery in at least one. No one except Ashling ni Morgan, the founder of the Path of Seven Virtues, has ever acheived the equivalent of Rings in all seven Virtues.

Next are the Teachers, who usually have also acheived Mastery of their Virtue. Some Teachers may even teach more than one Virtue, though this is unusual. Again, Teachers may have more than one Ring.

Finally, advanced students on the Path of the Teacher who have already acheived a Ring in their Virtue and are now studying for Mastery (or even who have acheived Mastery and are now studying other Virtues) may also act as teachers at times. They are usually referred to as Instructors.

Each student has an advisor, who is usually a Teacher. They meet with their advisor regularly to discuss their progress in their Virtue or Virtues; the advisor can help them with any troubles they’re having, and assist them in finding ways to develop their Virtues more.

The Seven Virtues

The Seven Virtues derive from combinations of virtue in Mind, Heart, and Body. The Virtues are considered equal; combination or pure Virtues are not “better” than each other. Wholeness is more difficult to acheive than other Rings, partly because Wholeness Facets are rarer and partly because it is the only Ring that requires you to get other RIngs first, but it is not considered superior to other Virtues.

Descriptions of each Virtue follow below; however, each person brings their own interpretation to a Virtue. Even among those who acheive Mastery of a Virtue, some may focus on one aspect of a Virtue and not so much as dabble in others, for instance. Slightly varied takes on the Virtues are encouraged so long as they are harmonious with the Virtue as a whole.

Wisdom. Wisdom is the Virtue of Mind. It encompasses a wide variety of mental strengths, including knowledge, observation, analysis, intuition, and the ability to make good decisions, among many others. Scholars, sages, leaders, religious figures, strategists, philosophers, inventors, and even some artisans often favor the virtue of Wisdom. Those acheiving a Ring in Wisdom are frequently looked to for help in solving difficult problems, seeking and protecting knowledge, coming up with plans and ideas, research, publication, and teaching, solving mysteries, and more. Students pursuing Wisdom can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving using the mind, gathering knowledge, and seeking solutions. If you like huge piles of text props, codes, puzzles, riddles, mysteries, research, theorizing, and/or scholarship, this may be a good Virtue for you. Wisdom is sometimes loosely associated with the color yellow/gold.

Grace. Grace is the Virtue of Mind and Body. Grace emphasizes physical and mental flexibility, and creatively applying the right resources to the right situation. It encompasses such strengths as versatility, agility, intuition, persuasiveness, cleverness, stealth, finesse, subtlety, and others. Diplomats, scouts, spies, performers, duelists and certain athletes, tacticians, specialized elite military units, and courtiers often favor the virtue of Grace. Those acheiving a Ring in Grace are frequently looked to for help in negotiations, espionage, investigations, persuasion, reconnaisance, social organization and networking, clandestine operations, and more. Students pursuing Grace can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving using both mind and body, acheiving subtle or secret goals, and acting creatively and flexibly to deal with fluid or complicated situations. If you like politics, rogue stuff, sneaky stuff, and schmoozing, this may be a good Virtue for you. Grace is sometimes loosely associated with the color orange/amber/copper/bronze.

Courage. Courage is the Virtue of Body. It draws on physical abilities like fighting skills, agility, and steadfastness, but it also emphasizes the fortitude not to back down from fear — no matter what shape it takes. Warriors, explorers, military officers, athletes, adventurers, and the like often favor the virtue of Courage. Those acheiving a Ring in Courage are frequently looked to for help in defending people or places, going into dangerous places, defeating powerful enemies, venturing into new/unknown/potentially dangerous situations, supporting or leading military groups (in neutral matters only, of course), exploration, and all forms of combat, among other things. Students pursuing Courage can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving facing difficult odds, using your physical skills, and conquering your fears. If you like fighting, physical challenges, in-game danger, and scary stuff, this may be a good Virtue for you. Courage is sometimes loosely associated with the color red.

Selflessness. Selflessness is the Virtue of Body and Heart. It draws upon your capacity to give of yourself in a variety of ways to those who need it — in any form, from combat to counsel — but also emphasizes humility, and willingness to let go of things you hold close for the greater good. Healers, teachers, parents, charity workers, soldiers, priests, and the like often favor the virtue of Selflessness. Those acheiving a Ring in Selflessness are frequently looked to for help in championing the downtrodden or opressed, seeking justice, helping the needy or afflicted, undertaking extremely dangerous or even suicidal missions, providing ethical counsel, teaching, and more. Students pursuing Selflessness can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving great personal risk or sacrifice, and helping and supporting others both emotionally and physically. If you like heart-to-heart roleplaying, high-risk battles, mentoring, and a touch of angst, this may be a good Virtue for you. Selflessness is sometimes loosely associated with the color purple/violet.

Compassion. Compassion is the Virtue of Heart. It encompasses such strengths as empathy, honesty, creativity, charisma, understanding, dedication, love, faith, hope, and others. Artists, performers, mystics, charismatic leaders, healers, those who value friends or family above all else, and more often favor the virtue of Compassion. Those acheiving a Ring in Compassion are frequently looked to for help with raising morale, swaying hearts and minds, providing emotional support and counsel, understanding anyone from allies to enemies, creating art, music, stories, or performances, and more. Students pursuing Compassion can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving knowing their own hearts, understanding others’ hearts, and learning to face and master emotions. If you like in-depth roleplaying, forming bonds with others, dramatic situations, and coming into a very deep and full understanding of your character, this may be a good Virtue for you. Compassion is sometimes loosely associated with the color blue.

Honor. Honor is the Virtue of Heart and Mind. It encompasses such concepts as truth, chivalry, justice, fairness, civility, and loyalty, and so forth. Magistrates, leaders, monks, bards, gentlefolk, philosophers, diplomats, and others often favor the virtue of Honor. Those acheiving a Ring in Honor are frequently looked to for help in resolving disputes, mediating negotiations, passing justice, moderating duels and other contests, taking a wide variety of leadership roles, giving counsel, acting as emissaries, and more. Students pursuing Honor can expect to face challenges, missions, and tests involving finding harmony between the dictates of heart and mind, resolving difficult ethical or political situations, and solving problems that engage both mind and heart. If you like complex roleplaying situations, politics, philosophy, ethical dillemmas, and/or an occasional duel, this may be a good Virtue for you. Honor is sometimes loosely associated with the color green.

Wholeness. Wholeness is the Virtue that combines Heart, Mind, and Body. It is the Virtue of knowing yourself, knowing the world, and knowing how you fit into it. It encompasses balance, integration, understanding, spirituality, and more. Any may seek Wholeness; those who find it tend to acheive a sense of completeness and fulfillment, but may come from any background or bend their efforts to any endeavor. Wholeness is the complementary paradox: confidence in humility, strength in gentleness, action through stillness; the part in the whole, the whole in the part. Those acheiving a Ring in Wholeness may bend their efforts to a variety of endeavors; they know their own strengths and weaknesses, and the knowing bolsters the weaknesses while tempering the strength. They may use their minds to solve a physical problem, or their hearts to solve a mental problem, or cut a Gordian knot when the situation calls for it. It is considered the most difficult Virtue to attain, requiring Rings in Virtues covering Heart, Mind, and Body beforehand (thus, at least 2 other Rings). However, you can begin pursuing Wholeness and earning Facets in Wholeness well before you earn your first Ring in another Virtue. Wisdom is sometimes loosely associated with the color white/clear/silver.

Advancing in Virtues

Students in the School of Seven Virtues may choose to pursue one Virtue, multiple Virtues, or even all seven Virtues at once. They declare on their application form which Virtue or Virtues they are most interested in pursuing (if they know yet), but this is not binding. While their advisor and teachers will help them try to advance most in the Virtues they are particularly pursuing, they can advance in any Virtue at any time. In fact, if a student shows aptitude in a Virtue they haven’t been actively pursuing, their advisor may well suggest they give it closer consideration.

Normally, attaining a Ring in a single Virtue would take from 1-2 years for a particularly dedicated and apt student. The School of Seven Virtues has announced that due to the stark immediacy of the Mahori threat, it plans to dramatically increase the pace and intensity for its new class of Heroes, in the hopes of training them in their Virtues swiftly enough to face the Mahori before it is too late.

Once a student has attained a Ring in a Virtue (and it is a physical ring you wear on your finger, not a conceptual one), they can either pursue a Ring in another Virtue or Virtues, or continue to seek Mastery in the same Virtue. While you can end your study at the School of Seven Virtues after attaining just one Ring and consider yourself a graduate, most students stay on to either attain Mastery of a Virtue or to attain multiple Rings. No one has ever attained all seven Virtue Rings (or the equivalent, in the time before Rings) since Ashling ni Morgan.

You advance in a Virtue by being awarded Facets in that Virtue. Some missions, challenges, tests, or classes may earn you a Facet for a particular Virtue. A Professor (or, sometimes, a Teacher) can also grant you a Facet when you have done something that displays extraordinary understanding of a Virtue. Finally, a fellow student can recommend you for a Facet. You can recommend one student for a Facet per Practicum (event). The teachers are more likely to take your recommendation seriously if you don’t keep recommending people who are very close to you... but any truly deserved recommendation will at least be considered. You need not be actively pursuing a Virtue to earn a Facet in it. You may earn no more than three Facets in a Virtue per one Practicum; after that point, if you do something that would normally earn you a Facet, you may instead recommend someone else for a Facet in that Virtue an extra time (or with extra import).

To attain a Ring in a Virtue, you must earn seven Facets in that Virtue, and pass a test or tests that are separate from the Facets. When you have earned a Ring, you will be presented the Ring with due pomp and circumstance, and will then have access to advanced skills associated with that Ring, among other duties and privileges. Those who have earned Rings are strongly encouraged to do everything they can to help those who have not yet earned Rings in those Virtues to attain them. Attaining Mastery in a Ring requires seven additional Facets in that Virtue (for a total of at least 14) and additional tests.

Rules and Law

The School of Seven Virtues is in Albion, and thus is governed by the laws of Albion. Armandy in general is a civilized place, and crimes (such as theft and murder) are not tolerated — even more so at the School of Seven Virtues. On some missions, students of the School of Seven Virtues may be given the authority to kill if necessary to fulfill their mission; it is also acceptable to use violence to defend oneself or others. Attacking and slaying the Mahori, undead, and other creatures of clearly malign nature or intent is also always allowable (even encouraged). Violence is never acceptable against fellow students, however, or against other citizens of Armandy who are guilty of no wrongdoing.

Any noble above a certain rank can administer justice within their own lands in most countries, and most countries also have magistrates or other positions of minor nobility empowered to enact justice in their own jurisdiction. PCs cannot play characters who would for any reason have the authority to issue orders or administer justice in any location that it seems likely PCs will ever go. (If you want to make your character a minor lord of a distant and obscure castle, that’s fine.) If students of the School of Seven Virtues apprehend a suspected criminal, they are expected to turn them over to the local authorities.

The School of Seven Virtues itself maintains a very high standard of student behavior. Students are, after all, attempting to advance in their Virtues and become Heroes. If students engage in dishonorable, illegal, or ethically questionable behavior, or in any way attempt to sabotage other students or the work of the School, then they may face a variety of punishments, depending on the severity of the offense: a stern talking-to, detention, losing a Facet of a relevant Virtue, suspension, expulsion, or being remanded to local authorities. (We strongly encourage players not to do anything that might get them expelled if they want to continue playing their characters. At the same time, you are extremely unlikely to be expelled without warning.)

Curriculum

On a day-to-day basis (between events), students at the School of Seven Virtues focus on a combination of more traditional classwork — reading, discussion, research, and some field work — and training to be effective as heroes (learning your actual game skills). Sometimes this work requires a certain degree of seclusion (thereby explaining why you might not be able to get in touch with other characters between events); other times you work closely with your fellow students (thereby allowing you to communicate between events if you wish).

A few times a year, the School holds a Practicum (which just happen to coincide with events). Practica focus much more on actual missions in the field, putting the skills you’ve learned to use in live and often dangerous situations. Anyone can request help from the School of Seven Virtues in the form of a Practicum mission, from peasants to kings; if the one requesting help is well off, it is customary to award the aspiring Heroes some kind of honorarium, and it is considered poor manners to decline such gifts (but worse to ask for them if not offered).

Any Teacher may offer a mission, test, challenge, class, or the like to students during a Practicum; usually it is up to the individual student whether they accept it. You do not need to be specializing in or actively pursuing a Virtue to participate in a mission, challenge, test, or other encounter associated with it, though in some cases preference may be given to those who are.

Each student has an advisor who can help make sure the student has enough opportunity to pursue their Virtue. Students can come to their advisor (or any teacher) with any problems or questions they may have.

All that said, the School of Seven Virtues is reopening now for the first time in thirty years, with the stated intent of speeding up the curriculum to get Heroes ready to face the Mahori as quickly as possible. So no one is quite sure what these new students will face.