The Royal Rose Academy

Introduction

In the heart of the imperial capital of Stahlheim, beneath the soaring banners of Bavaria, stands the Royal Rose Academy of Battlefield Magic. Founded but a generation ago by His Imperial Majesty Kaiser Alarich IV von Drachenfels, the Academy was created with a singular purpose: to forge an elite order of BattleMages, warriors as versed in spellcraft as they are in steel. In an age of rising shadows, these graduates are the Empire’s Sword—and its future military leaders.

The Test Arcanum

At the age of thirteen, all imperial citizens are summoned to undergo the Test of Arcanum—a rite as old as the Academy itself. A traveling Magistrate, cloaked in Imperial red, arrives bearing the enchanted Codex Arcanum, known colloquially as the Book of Testing. In the town square or chapel hall, each youth is called forward and instructed to extend their hand and focus their will upon the sealed tome.

Few succeed. Fewer still impress.

The Book does not lie—it reacts only to true arcane potential, stirring in response to intellect and latent power.

Intelligence Score	Reaction of the Codex
15 or lower	No reaction
16	The book stirs, its cover twitching slightly
17	The Codex levitates, trembling with energy
18 or higher	The Book rises high and opens its pages, light spilling from within

Those who awaken the Codex are granted a summons: admission to the Rose Academy.

Letter of Acceptance

To the Honored Student,

It is with great pride that we welcome you to the Royal Rose Academy of Battlefield Magic of Bavaria. Your aptitude for magic has earned you a place among our nation's most promising protectors. Upon completion of your studies, you shall serve the Empire for a term of twelve years, defending it from threats both known and unknown. Prepare yourself. The path of a BattleMage is glorious—and perilous.

Signed, Grandmaster Erich Falkenrath Archmagus of the Academy

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Arriving at the Rose Academy

Grandmaster Erich Falkenrath

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A Glimpse at school Years

Each year 250 to 300 young initiates arrive at Rose Academy for academic instruction, martial training, and frequent tests. Failure to meet expectations results in dismissal. Up to one third of the applicants drop out becoming normal magic-users, fighters, or even try to continue the way of the Battlemage in a Mercenary Group like the Eisenfalken. Only 80 to 100 students graduate each year.

Commoner Prep Year

This year is to bring commoners and foreigners up to parity to enter the Main Academy. Nobles often are allowed to skip this year. On average 30% of the commoners fail to pass the written and physical tests at the end of the prep year.

• Classes: Reading and Writing, Cantrips, Arcane Theory, Physical Training, Spellbook casting.
• Test: Strenuous physical test called the Initiates Crucible. Those that pass become Students of the Rose Academy proper.

Study Hall

Year One

• Classes: Elemental Affinity, History, 1st-Order Spell Mastery, Swordsmanship, Scouting Missions.
• Tests: Familiar Summoning, Cast a 1st-order Attack Spell in a combat situation.

Year Two

Students are awarded a Katzbalger broad sword with the design well know as of the Royal Rose Academy. Even a commoner is now permitted to carry a sword at all times.

• Classes: Geopolitics, Rapid Casting, Advanced Sparring and Duel Practice. Monster Hunting Missions.
• Test: Tactical assessment and combat simulation, Cast a 1st-order Attack Spell and defense spell under pressure.

Year Three

At 16+ years of age the students become adult citizens of the Empire. Duels are now allowed. At the Start of the year, students is expected to own a Cuirass. these are sometimes earned as a gift. Poor Families sometimes struggle with this and may go into debt.

• Classes: Zoology, Strategy, 2nd-Order Spellcasting, Dungeon Adventuring.
• Tests: Year End Team Mission Test, Cast 2nd-order spell in a combat situation. Duel Competition.

Year Four

• Classes: Command Tactics, Mid Tier Spell Mastery, Battle Casting, Weapon Mastery
• Test: Cast 3rd-order spells in field trial, BattleMage Tournament.
• Graduates earn the rank of WhiteMagus and enter Imperial service. During their final Graduation Ceremony the BattleMage is Assigned to their Service Division.

Graduation Possibilities

Merit Points	Award Rank	Prestige	Description
0–49	Graduation with no decorations	very low	Military enlistment as a sergeant
50–99	Ensign of the Jägerkorps	low	Leads forest scouts, minimal status. Commoners only, seen as “barely made it.”
100–149	Ensign of the Stadtwache/Navy	moderate	less prestigious positions, Junior officer, Gentry
150–199	Ensign of the Rose	med High	Junior officer, Gentry
200–299	Squire of the Rose	Minor Noble Elect	BattleMage/knight aspirant, joins imperial units or orders.
300–349	Squire of Eisendrachen / Sturmkrallen	Prestigious	Assigned to elite light cavalry, fast track to knighthood.
350+	Knight	Elite	Immediate knighthood

Merit System Note: Should a commoner or artisan’s kin Accumulate 100 Merit Points during the 4 years of school upon graduation, they ascend to the gentry as an Ensign of the Rose, a station that elevates them to the cusp of minor nobility—respected as officers in the empire’s service, yet without the noble titles bestowed upon they are known as the Ritter von Rosen.

High Nobles strive to be of the Elite to impress their families and even earn a title on their own abilities.

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About the Bavarian Empire

Notes about Nobles in Bavaria

Nobles are allowed to wear their swords and armor at all times, In the cities and when not on military duty, commoners are limited to daggers and some short swords.

Spurs are only allowed to be worn in the city by members of Knight orders.

Inside cities Horses can only be ridden by nobles. Commoners must walk their horses. Exceptions are allowed for parades and special events.

Nobles in good standing are expected to have Heraldic Medallion for official functions and interactions with guards such as entering through gates. Pretending to be a Noble with a stolen or fake medallion will get you public flogging, branding on the cheek with a broken crown and hard labor in the mines.

First Born Nobles in good standing will be given an official Signet Ring upon becoming an adult at 16 years old. Tampering with or forging a signet is treason.

Duels

Grounds for a Duel

A duel may only be issued for the following recognized causes:

1. Public insult to one’s honor, family, or Order.
2. Accusation of cowardice in the line of duty.
3. Theft or destruction of property of value.
4. Refusal to repay a lawful debt of prestige or honor.
5. Dispute over an official appointment or military assignment

Sanctioned Duels

• Right to Challenge: Any noble-born student may issue a formal duel challenge. Commoners may only challenge if defending personal honor, family reputation, or in response to a public insult.

• Champions: A noble may name a champion to fight in their place. Commoners may only name a champion with the consent of the presiding official.

• Presiding Official: All sanctioned duels must be observed by an appointed authority—this may be:

• A Knight of recognized Order

• An Officer in the Imperial Army
• A Magistrate or Senator of the Empire

• An Instructor or Master of the Rose Academy

• Defender’s Right:

• The challenged party may set reasonable conditions for the duel, including:

  • No magic weapons
  • No enchanted armor
  • Limitations on spell levels or elements used
  • Specified weapons only (rapier, longsword, etc.)

• Conditions must be agreed upon by both parties and recorded by the presiding official.

• Terms of Combat:

• Victory is declared upon a yielding gesture, inability to continue, or formal concession by the presiding official.

• Death is not the intended outcome; lethal strikes are strictly discouraged and may result in censure or expulsion.

• The presiding official has the authority to halt the duel at any time.

• Non-Sanctioned Duels

• Prohibition: While unsanctioned duels are forbidden, they occur in secluded courtyards, abandoned training yards, or outside the city walls.

• Risk: Injuries sustained in unsanctioned duels are not eligible for Academy healers or Imperial compensation.
• Discipline: If discovered, both combatants (and any seconds) will face demerits, public censure, or worse—loss of social privileges.

Royals in Bavaria

Kaiser Alarich IV von Drachenfels — The Emperor

Purple and Gold

His children Heinrich von Drachenfels - deceased Katja Eisenherz von Drachenfels - Eldest Daughter but has signed a pact to not seek the throne publicly. Deiter von Drachenfels - the missing Prince

Duke Torvald Eisnherz - Step son, husband of Katja. Warden of the Western Marches.

Colors: Red, Black and Gold

Alejandro di Montfaro 3rd Prince Iberia, son for His Majesty King Rodrigo IV di Montfaro of Iberia

Sir Étienne de Rochefort, Grand-Maître of the Order of the Silver Griffin of Gaul. Reports directly to Her Majesty Queen Isabeau de Vervaux

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Knightly Orders of the Bavarian Empire

The Empire of Bavaria commands a series of elite knightly orders, each forged with purpose, bound by oaths, and steeped in ancient tradition. After graduation, nobles and decorated commoners may be invited to serve as Squires or Knight-Errants within these orders. Representatives of each order maintain a presence at the Rose Academy to instruct, observe, and—most importantly—recruit. The most promising students may even find themselves courted by multiple orders before their final year.

Below are the primary knightly orders, listed from highest to lowest rank in Imperial hierarchy.

Each Knight Order has 1 or more members as Rose Academy teachers and representatives. These same Knights also act as recruiters of talented students for their own Knight Orders.

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Schwarzritter (The Black Rangers)

The Emperor’s shadow. An elite cadre of BattleMage Knights sworn directly to His Imperial Majesty and the royal bloodline. Cloaked in black and bearing the Silver Seal of Four Crossed Swords, they execute missions of utmost secrecy. Feared and respected in equal measure, there are only twelve members at any given time—each at least 10th level or higher.

Once led by Crown Prince Heinrich von Drachenfels until his untimely death, the order now operates under the Emperor’s personal command. Rangers typically work alone or in pairs, sometimes attached to elite military teams.

• Motto: “In Shadows, We Guard the Light.”
• Colors: Black & Silver
• Special Insignia: The Silver Seal of Four Crossed Swords

School Representative:

Sir Albrecht von Schwarzgörche (“The Dreaded Knight Obrest”)

An imposing figure in black adamantine plate, wielding twin broadswords wreathed in ominous auras. He seldom appears before underclassmen and typically selects one senior student per year for consideration - an honor as thrilling as it is terrifying.

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Leibwächter der Kaiserkrone (Imperial Crown Guard)

The Emperor’s personal guard, composed of the most loyal knights in the realm. Selected from the best of all orders, they serve not just as protectors but as symbols of Imperial authority. While not as covert as the Schwarzritter, their presence is enough to command absolute respect in any court or battlefield.

• Motto: “Our Lives for the Crown.”
• Colors: White & Gold with Black trim
• Special Insignia: Gilded lion’s head clasp worn at the throat
• Notable Duty: Guarding the Emperor’s person at all times, even in war

School Representative:

Dame Frieda von Winterthal

Earth BattleMage, master of three swords: Zweihänder, Bastard, and Broad.

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Eisendrachen (Order of the Iron Dragons)

Commanders of Bavaria’s land armies. Primarily heavy cavalry officers, they prize martial skill above magical talent, though BattleMages are valued as advisors and frontline specialists.

Elite members known as Drachen Reitern (Dragon Riders) serve mounted upon war-trained dragons into battle.

• Motto: “Honor and Glory to the Empire.”
• Colors: Red, Black & Silver
• Special Insignia: Silver Spurs

School Representatives:

• Sir Helmet Kreutzmark — Ice BattleMage Dragon Rider, Excursion Supervisor, rides an aging but formidable white dragon.

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Sturmkrallen (Order of the Storm Talons)

Swift light cavalry archers and reconnaissance specialists. Their BattleMage units excel in rapid assault and intelligence gathering, harassing enemy flanks before vanishing like the wind. Elite members ride gryphons and hippogryphs.

• Motto: “Strike Swift and True.”
• Colors: Yellow & Black
• Special Insignia: Bronze Spurs

School Representatives:

Sir Magnus Sturmholt

Air BattleMage, Spell Mastery Instructor.

Sir Otto Kreutzmark

Void BattleMage Summoning Instructor, master of three familiars: a pseudodragon, a faerie dragon, and an eerily intelligent cat.

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Seewölfe (Sea Wolves)

Feared naval knights who rule the Empire’s seas. BattleMage captains and marine commanders of black-sailed warships that strike without warning.

• Motto: “By Fang and Wave.”
• Colors: Dark Grey & Silver
• Special Insignia: Black tricorn hat with gold-threaded epaulettes

School Representative:

Captain Wolfram

Legendary warrior-knight who teaches history and geo-political strategy. He always has his young graduate Squire Mirena Althafen, Water BattleMage to help teach magic that he just doesn't understand. Captain Wolfram often tells the story about how his Father was first of the Sea Wolves granted the order from the Emperor himself.

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Calatrava (Defenders of Iberia)

A proud order of light cavalry stationed in Bavaria by command of Prince Alejandro di Montfaro of Iberia. Renowned for their dueling skills, immaculate uniforms, and unmatched horsemanship.

• Motto: “Honor Rides Before Us.”
• Colors: Black-on-Black
• Special Insignia: Silver-gilded rapier, colorful plumes, jingling steel spurs

School Representative:

Lady Catalina Alfonso

Fire BattleMage Dueling Instructor, master of silent speed casting with a single rapier.

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Griffon d’Argent (Order of the Silver Griffin)

Heavy cavalry famed for their two-handed weapons and brilliant banners. They believe nobility is earned through action, not birth.

• Motto: “Nobility Through Deed.”
• Colors: Sky Blue, Yellow & Silver
• Special Insignia: Silver gorget engraved with a griffin’s head

School Representative:

Lady Keira of Clan Verdun

Air BattleMage, instructor in mounted combat, pike tactics, and jousting.

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Bronzenen Auges (Order of the Bronze Eye)

An enigmatic order answering only to Duke Torvald Eisnherz. Advisors, tacticians, and troubleshooters often dispatched to troubled border regions. Though discreet, they are widely respected in the West Marches.

• Motto: *“The Land and People are One.”
• Colors: Orange & Black (often in muted civilian garb)
• Special Insignia: Bronze chain bearing an amulet of a watchful eye

School Representative:

Sir Kurtis Eisengriff

Arcane BattleMage, assistant combat instructor, accompanied by a disturbingly charming female imp familiar.

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Bavarian Military Divisions

The armies, fleets, and auxiliary corps of the Bavarian Empire are unmatched in discipline, size, and variety. Their might is divided among distinct divisions, each with its own traditions, colors, and specialized roles.

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Stahlgard (Steel Guard)

• The elite standing army of Bavaria, famed across the known world for its discipline, precision, and unbreakable morale.
• Composed of career soldiers, many of whom aspire to be knighted.
• Heavily armored and lavishly equipped, feared by Bavaria’s enemies.
• Colors: Red and White.
• Strength: ~25,000 troops, 1,000 knights, 1,000 squires.
• 1st Regiment: Medium Cavalry – 3,000 swordsmen, 400 BattleMages, 100 clerics.
• 2nd Regiment: Heavy Cavalry – 4,000 lance-wielding shock troops.
• 3rd Regiment: Light Cavalry – 2,000 shortbowmen, 1,000 scouts, 500 BattleMages.
• 4th Regiment: 10,000 pikemen.
• 5th Regiment: 5,000 longbowmen, 100 BattleMages, 100 clerics.

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Brückenmeister (Bridge Masters)

• The Empire’s elite engineers, masters of siegecraft, fortifications, and large-scale infrastructure.
• Often deployed alongside armies to breach fortresses or construct defenses.
• 25% of the corps are dwarves, many of whom hold officer positions.
• Well-paid and politically influential, with access to golems, elementals, and even trolls for labor.
• Colors: Amber
• Strength: ~2,500 troops
• 1,000 engineers and sappers
• 300 wizards (specializing in construction & destruction magic)
• 200 druids
• 600 dwarven fighter/clerics
• 400 scouts and rogues for infiltration work

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Stadtwache (City Watch)

• Professional law enforcers within Bavaria’s cities, tasked with keeping the peace, guarding noble quarters, and enforcing civil law.
• Known for discipline, but also for a rigid adherence to procedure—sometimes to the frustration of locals.
• Authority ends outside city walls, where the Jägerkorps takes over.
• Colors: Blue and White
• Strength: ~4,000 across all major cities, including mounted patrols and mage-watch officers.

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The Imperial Navy

The pride of Bavaria’s seas—dominated by black-sailed Iberian-designed galleons and caravels, crewed by hardened sailors and commanded by battle-hardened captains.

• Colors: Grey and White
• Fleet Size: ~150 warships
• Galleons: 50 (flagships & heavy combat)
• Caravels: 100 (patrols, escorts, and fast strike missions)
• Strength: 18,000 troops
• Crew: 9,000 sailors
• Archers: 5,000
• Marines: ~3,000 heavy infantry trained in ship-to-ship boarding, coastal raids, and amphibious assaults.
• BattleMages: 200 battle mages (1 to 2 per ship)

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Jägerkorps (Monster Hunters)

• Wild and unruly frontier scouts, tasked with hunting monsters and patrolling the empire’s most dangerous borders.
• Experts in tracking, survival, and unconventional warfare, but notoriously lax in discipline.
• Viewed as the “dumping ground” for those unfit for courtly service; being assigned here is a mark of shame.
• Colors: Green
• Strength: ~3,500 rangers, beast-slayers, and trackers; ~300 are skilled BattleMages or elemental archers.

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Das Fremdebanner (The Foreign Banner)

(Colloquially: “Die Grenzhunde” – The Border Hounds)

• A foreign legion composed of Iberians, Gaulish warriors, Seyrune spellcasters, dwarven engineers, and even elven archers—the only division in Bavaria where elves serve openly.
• Known for grueling frontier campaigns in hostile lands where other units would falter.
• Fierce loyalty to the legion itself, rather than the Empire, but renowned for getting results.
• Colors: Tan
• Strength: ~8,000 troops
• 3,500 heavy infantry (Iberian pike & shield formations)
• 2,000 light skirmishers and scouts (Gaul)
• 1,000 Seyrune wizards and warpriests
• 1,000 dwarves (engineers and sappers)
• 500 elven longbow specialists

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Eisenfalken (Iron Falcons)

• Elite mercenaries with no formal ties to the Bavarian military, but often contracted for high-risk operations.
• Feared for their ruthless efficiency and willingness to complete objectives by any means necessary.
• Many are disgraced nobles, political exiles, or hardened veterans loyal only to coin.
• Colors: Crimson & Black
• Strength: ~5,000 mixed troops, including 500 officers.
• Operate outside traditional codes of honor—regarded with suspicion by knightly orders.

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Fellow Students

4th Year Seniors

Princess Alexandra von Drachenfels (Fire BattleMage, Her Imperial Highness, Princess of Bauvaria)

Alexandra is striking — fair-skinned with auburn hair that curls into ringlets, and eyes that glow faintly ember-red when channeling her magic. Her uniform is always immaculate: a finely tailored crimson-hemmed jacket over a ruffled white blouse, pleated skirt, and polished boots. She wears a short half-cape fastened with the Royal Seal of Bauvaria, and often carries an elegant silver rapier — a gift from her grandfather, Emperor Alarich IV von Drachenfels.

• Personality: Poised, articulate, and fearless — the model of royal decorum. Intolerant of cowardice.

• Weapons: Rapier and Dagger, Weapon focus casting and one hand casting

• Familiar: Red and Purple Faery Dragon named Octavius

• Notes: Seems to have enemies that wish her dead everywhere. Her personal guards seem too few for her status. Alexandra is curious and seems genuinely interested in politics. It is said she is to be engaged to a foreigner soon on the good of the Empire.

Leopold von Grünwald (Air BattleMage, Student President)

• Personality: Poised, articulate, and fearless — the model of royal decorum. Intolerant of cowardice.
• Weapons: Rapier and Dagger
• Familiar: Young Green Dragon, Verdathrax
• Notes: Charismatic natural leader. Speaks as if giving orders is a privilege for those who receive them. Deeply loyal to the Empire and believes in strict hierarchy

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3rd Year Juniors

Dorian Kaltz (Void BattleMage, Minor Noble)

Thin, sharp-featured, Light hair hiding one of his cold blue eyes. He wears an old family signet ring on a cord. Dorian’s uniform is always immaculate — he clings to old manners and dignity, even as others mock his family name. Very strong in magic empowered by an Imp and an Quasit.

• Personality: Polite, sardonic, prideful but loyal to friends. After hours he plays games, gambles and drinks with the delinquents.
• Weapons: Katzbalger and Wand
• Familiar: Ossifer the Imp (bat), Ublit the Quasit (Luna Moth)
• Notes: First Son of a minor noble family stripped of their lands after a failed defense from the Black Forest incursion. His father died at the hands of elves, and he is the young master of his family clinging to his name. Dorian takes high risk dungeon runs and other unknown means to gain more power. He believes his Father though long dead is still fighting for the Empire.

Hanz Reiker (Arcane BattleMage, Commoner, known as a Delinquent)

An average build peasant boy who always seems to have messy dark hair. Hanz is from the northern farmlands. He is well know for having nearly as many demerits as merits. But in truth his magic skill is high and he has mastered 3rd order spells.

• Personality: Blunt and laughs too loudly, often argues semantics with teachers. He has openly questions the Empire's motives in class and suffered for it.
• Weapons: Katzbalger, one hand casting
• Familiar: Chuck the Imp in the form of tarantula.
• Notes: Known as a delinquent and Teachers often say he is headed to the Jägerkorps or worse if he doesn't straighten up his attitude. Hanz knows many secrets of the school it seems.

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2nd Year Sophomores

Alaric Falkenstahl (Arcane BattleMage, Noble Son of a Count)

Tall, broad-shouldered, and perpetually confident. His crimson cloak and ornate saber mark his noble lineage. Alaric’s fire magic burns bright and fast — much like his temper. He sees himself as a natural leader and expects others to follow.

• Personality: Charismatic, proud, easily angered by disrespect.
• Weapons: Rapier, one hand casting
• Familiar: A dark blue Quasit named Minion
• Notes: Secretly duels after curfew, seems to hold grudges indefinitely.

Ulrich Dammfeld (Earth BattleMage, the One-Eyed Rock, From minor Knight Family)

A sturdy and tall young man with short blond hair, an eyepatch, and a perpetual smirk. His left eye was lost during a training ambush by sahuagin raiders in his First Year

• Personality: Bold, humorless, and protective of his team.
• Weapons: Zweihänder, one hand casting
• Familiar: Sprite Woman named Shea
• Notes: Keeps the sahuagin’s broken spearhead fragment as a charm. Member of Alaric's Team.

Lorin von Kessel (Ice BattleMage, Son of a Baron)

Shorter and leaner than his peers, with a quiet intensity. He fights with defensive precision and uses spells to control the battlefield. Prefers strategy over showmanship and often clashes with Alaric’s impulsiveness.

• Personality: Quiet with a cold tone.
• Weapons: Bastard Sword Weapon focus casting
• Familiar: Ice Mephit named Daggit
• Rumor: Comes from a poor noble house and resents his father’s debt to the Emperor. Once died in a School event and owes an unknown debt. Member of Alaric's Team.

Celene Weisslicht (Air BattleMage , Viscount Family)

Petite, graceful, and deceptively fast. Her pale blonde hair curls into perfect ringlets, always shifting slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze. Known for her quick wit and sharper tongue, she treats duels like a dance.

• Personality: Flirty, mocking, dangerously intelligent.
• Weapons: Rapier, Weapon focus casting
• Familiar: Quasit named Griggor often in the form of raven
• Notes: Said to be engaged to Alaric Falkenstah. Member of Alaric's Team. Once died in a School event and paid an unknown debt.

Willow Brennhaus (Fire BattleMage, Merchant Class)

A thin woman of small stature Willow's long copper-red hair is pulled into an elegant braid with strands that seem to shimmer like embers in sunlight. Her eyes, golden-brown with a faint red glint, betray her Fire attunement. Her school uniform is tailored, silk-trimmed cuffs, polished boots, and a small pendant in the shape of a flame set in rose-gold, a gift from her mother.

• Personality: Willow doesn't stand out among her class mates. Quiet and sincere.
• Weapons: Messer, one hand casting
• Familiar: Vulma the Fire Nephit in the form of a fire Sprite
• Notes: Said to be part of a trade family that buys and sells magic items of all kinds

Contessa Mirabel D’Escarra (Arcane BattleMage, Daughter of a Margrave Iberian)

Golden brown hair in a long braid, smooth skin and a real beauty. One of the few that wear a fancy black blouse at school under her school vest.

• Personality: Mischievous, quick-thinking. She has a habit of verbal abuse against boys that approach her. A bit of a tom boy.
• Weapons: Longsword (Spada), one hand casting
• Familiar: Spirit Hawk
• Notes: Master of Horse combat at an early age. The boys assume she is gay.