Borderlands - Tower of Learning

[kimurho]

Last night I was studying this image as an inspiration for Borderland Academy. {question - is it plural (Borderlands) or not? Have to decide one way or another.}



A student coming to the Tower of Learning in the engraving arrives knowing the basics of reading and writing.
The first two levels of the tower are learning Latin.
The third level is devoted to Logic, Rhetoric, and Arithmatic
The fourth level is given to Music, Geometry, and Astronomy
The fifth level is Theology and Metaphysics

(1) Levels 1 & 2 - Latin was the basis of most medieval scholarship; at Borderlands, it would be important to teach the language of the magical traditions offered.
(1a) - What is the basis of scholarship in the Borderlands?
(1b) - The mortals residing in the Borderlands came from many different countries and lands, not just Europe and the British Isles - ALL peoples of the world have legends about spirit journeys and the Otherworld ...

~*~ What is the most commonly used/ understood language in Borderlands? What is the Trade Language?
~*~ Can we just wave our hands and assume a "universal translate spell" ala Doctor Who wherein the person hears what is said in their own language? Or would the language have to be put into the mind directly? {I don't like the idea of tampering with someone's mind directly ... but that is the essence of enchantment.} {Yeah well, I'm not crazy about the idea of enchantment either}

(2) Level 3 - These three subjects - Logic, Rhetoric, and Arithmatic - train the mind to think, reason, remember, and communicate. Perception and will are crucial elements in the use of magic.
I don't think it's possible to teach "will" - confidence, yes, but if you are weak-willed and easily influenced, then your magic will always be at the command of some other.

(3) Level 4 - The subjects on this level (Music, Geometry, Astronomy) train the mind in the recognition of patterns and in the ability to reproduce those learned and to compose new ones. Many rituals depend on these three subjects as well. On this level (approximate age 15-16 years, or American 10th grade), the students of Borderlands would be starting to perform magic on their own, with minimum supervision.

(4) Level 5 - I consider Moral Philosophy to be of the utmost importance in the education of magic. A magic-user must know not only how to use magic, but when NOT to use magic ... just as gun owners and law enforcement need to know when force is uncalled for - and if it is required, how to use only the base minimum needed.
I plan that Moral Philosophy (Ethics) be a required course at all year levels at Borderlands Academy - taken on a pass/fail basis where "fail" means the student is held back a year. Those who fail ethics should not be given the big weapons, imho.

(5) Level 6 - Theology and Metaphysics
Borderlands Academy teaches Metaphysics ... aka secular Magic. Even those who are not studying magic, per se, should have a working knowledge of what it is and what it can and cannot do, because magic is a fact of life in the Borderlands.
Theological Magic is taught in Church Towers.

Borderlands Academy is basically a prep school ... a high school, if you will, enrolling students from age 11 (first year) to 20 (seventh year). Schooling is not mandatory; a student can leave at any time and, if their fees are not paid, will be asked to leave.

Education is a priviledge; it is not a right; it is not a punishment.

Borderlands Academy is associated with Towers University. Many seventh year Borderlands' students take classes in one or more of the Towers of higher learning. To all intents and purposes, they are college freshmen.