On Highborne: The Academies
A beautiful terraced structure built in a ring around Lake Mennar in Azshara, Mennar Academy was one of the first institutions where the Highborne could formally study the arcane arts. In fact, it’s at this very academy that the kaldorei initially discovered the power latent in the mystical Well of Eternity at the heart of their empire [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue].
Members of the academy harbored concerns about the dangers of arcane addiction, leading them to be cautious in their spellcasting studies. As a result, they did not follow Queen Azshara’s relentless pursuit to plumb the depths of the Well’s power and thus fell out of her graces by the time of the War of the Ancients, leaving them susceptible to the Burning Legion’s onslaught. In an attempt to put an end to the war and needless slaughter of their people, the academy’s magi erected magical barriers to protect themselves so that they could create an artifact, known as the Sarcen Stone, to redirect leyline energy away from the Well of Eternity and the portal it was powering [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue, Quest: Memories of the Dead, Quest: Mysteries of the Sarcen Stone]. They ultimately succeeded in their efforts, but there were no survivors [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue].
Those admitted to Mennar Academy were given academy rings [Quest: Memories of the Dead].
The spirit of Captain Varo’then, leader of Queen Azshara’s personal guard, can be found wandering around Lake Mennar despite the fact that he canonically died at the Well of Eternity. Before the Cataclysm, his ghost was located at Shadowsong Shrine on the western edge of Azshara [Page: Varo’then].
The Kingdom of Nar’Thalas was home to one of the most prestigious academies of the night elf empire, Nar’Thalas Academy. Regarded as the center of all magical research and studies in the kaldorei empire - next to Zin-Azshari, of course - the academy provided a place for the nearby residents of Suramar to perfect their mightiest of magics [Quest: Into the Academy, NPC: Stellagosa Dialogue].
The academy proper consists of two wings: the Hall of Antiquities and the Hall of Arcane Learning. The Hall of Antiquities was where the Tidestone of Golganneth was located up until recently, hence its name [Quest: Into the Academy, Quest: The Tidestone: Shattered]. The latter, the Hall of Arcane Learning, was where most classes were held. It also hosted an impressive arcane library curated by the Highborne Andellis [Quest: Hit the Books]. Among other things, the library contained numerous books about Azsuna’s local fauna, the courtship rituals of the skrog, and dragons [Quest: Study Hall: Combat Research, World Quest: Bestiaries of Azsuna].
Courses such as Wanding 101, Advanced Wanding, Advanced Rune Drawing, Combat Research, and Study Hall were offered in the curriculum [Quest: Wanding 101, World Quest: Advanced Wanding, Quest: Study Hall: Combat Research, Quest: Pop Quiz: Advanced Rune Drawing]. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the scholars of Nar’Thalas Academy were well known for their knowledge of both simple and advanced spell runes [World Quest: Midterm Rune Aptitude]. They were also famous for crafting wands of exceptional quality [World Quest: Advanced Wanding].
Students of the academy must abide by a strict dress code which stipulates that a hat and robe are to be worn at all times within the academy’s walls. Students are also responsible for carrying a wand and spellbook with them [Quest: Dressing With Class].
Acceptances to Nar’Thalas Academy were handed out in the form of keys. The keys did not actually open any doors or locks - rather, they were simply a symbolic way of saying, “Our doors are open to you” [Page: Key to Nar’Thalas Academy].
Although some of Suramar’s magi went to Nar’Thalas Academy for their studies, Suramar City itself boasted a renowned academy, the University of Suramar [Dungeon Journal: The Nighthold, Spellblade Aluriel]. Here, one could study anything from alchemy, the arts, astronomy, and astromancy to the very nature of magic itself [Quest: An Ancient Recipe, Object: Highborne Astrolabe].
While not canon, the RPG claims that Suramar had more than one academy [RPG].
The Royal Academy was most likely located somewhere in Zin-Azshari.
One of Thalyssra’s most gifted students, Arcanist Sivara, attended the Royal Academy on Thalyssra’s recommendation [NPC: Thalyssra Dialogue].
Unfortunately, very little else is known about it.
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