The Mages' Collegium is the newest addition to Valdemar's integrated Collegia system located in the Palace Complex in Haven. It was founded by Herald-Mage Elspeth and her partner Darkwind k'Sheyna, a year after the Mage Storms ended.[1] It is housed in the old Guard barracks, as a new one had just been built.[1]
Elspeth had previously heralded the return of High Magic to Valdemar after the spirit of Vanyel took down the Web-Spell. At that time, war with Hardorn was looming, so every corner of the kingdom was scoured for anyone with even the tiniest amount of Mage-Gift. Some were already Herald-trainees.[2]
No one is compelled to come to the Mages Collegium, but it is strongly encouraged. A mage just discovering their Gift can get into a lot of trouble without training to control it, or if they use it unethically.
Staffing[]
The Mages' Collegium has a dean who oversees the curriculum and disciplines Mage-trainees as needed. While classes are mostly only for Mage students, there is a class entitled "Magic or Fakery?" which is required for all Herald-trainees regardless of Gift.[1]
The first instructors were Sejanes from the Eastern Empire, Gryphons Hydona and Treyvan, some Sunpriests from Karse, some former Skybolts mages, and Darkwind himself.[1]
Uniforms[]
The students at each collegium wear uniforms, which are color-coded to their school. Each is a pale or subdued version of the uniforms worn by the graduates. Full mages wear golden-brown,[1] so Mage-trainees wear pale yellow uniforms. However, the Herald-Mage trainees wears Herald-trainee grays.