open Salem University III

[Duality 10,738]

[OOC thread is over here]

[Based in an alternate Earth.]

Throughout history, the use of magic has been looked down upon, most denying its very existence due to how rare it was for people to have the ability to wield it.

However, in an unprecedented incident several decades before this RP starts, the existence of magic became scientifically indisputable fact as an alternate set of dimensions began to intersect our own. This resulted in many 'glitches' in reality around the world over the course of several years, escalating in intensity to the point where they were even granting access into our universe to some of this alternate realm's inhabitants - referred to as 'daemons' by the press of the time, although the accuracy of this assessment is unknown. The exact nature of these dimensional flaws and all information relating to the denizens of the alternate dimensions is heavily classified even today, although few were exempt from the effects of the more everyday glitches.

 

When the governments of the world became unable to deny the otherworldly nature of these occurrences any longer, an international coalition of mages headed up by a powerful young man named Gabriel Lazel revealed themselves, claiming to have the ability to seal away the daemon realm for good - on the two conditions that mages were not to be feared or adulated as a result but simply recognised and respected as equal inhabitants of the planet, and that Gabriel's group of mages were to be negotiated with as the peaceful organisation that they were. Drawing on the latent impossibility of a mysterious and ancient island, the mages created one of the most powerful spells ever cast: a Seal for the entire planet, banishing the effects of the alternate realm and guarding the Earth from future dimensional instability.

In the aftermath of this incident, the world grappled with the revelations that had been made - only about one in every million people could use magic, but global population had grown to the point where thousands of magic users existed around the world, keeping their powers secret until now in fear of how others might react. Many of them were unable to properly control and direct their powers due to lack of training, and people were hurt or even killed in several magical accidents in the early days of integration. Sponsored by an international government initiative to give untrained mages the skills they needed to ease their transition into society, Gabriel Lazel founded a school for users of magic on the very island that held the Daemon Seal, hiring many of his own magic-wielding acquaintances and friends as staff and calling in favours from many others to establish contact with secretive magical communities around the world. The school's name? Salem University.

 

Years passed, and more and more magic-wielders of incredibly diverse abilities flocked to the school, eager to learn more about the control of their often-unstable powers and, in many cases, eager to escape the societal rejection that came with such singular abilities. Students from all cultures, nationalities, and ethnic backgrounds were accepted equally there, not all even entirely human, as in the case of the Pelajae - a race of human-like animals that have developed alongside humankind as allies for millennia.
 

Due to the vast diversity of the student body, however, there were many occasions of conflict between those of contrasting culture, which sometimes even led to outright brawls. After a particularly savage incident involving a magic blast that severely injured twelve bystanders and killed both the fighting sophomores, it was decided that a duelling system be formally implemented, whereby students could fight to settle disputes, defend their honour, or simply test their combat prowess on each other. Such events took place in a specially-designed and -enchanted duelling ring, overseen by a select board of impartial teachers and students to prevent cheating and, in certain cases, provide protection from injuries in excess of what they considered reasonable given the circumstances of the duel in question.

 

It was just such a duel in which Principal Lazel was tragically killed, mere weeks after the twentieth anniversary of his founding of the school was celebrated with a grand gala. Police reported simply that he engaged with an unknown opponent in the master-sorcerer duelling ring, which resulted in his death. Nothing more was known. No culprit was identified.
 

One of Lazel's close friends, Lilith Plowse, was named his successor as principal. Under her wise leadership, the school expanded considerably over the next several years, requiring additional dorm blocks, classrooms, and even an on-site mall to be constructed. As a fresh school year comes upon the school, arriving students are becoming acquainted with their new environment and older students are preparing their minds for another year of study.

Edited April 27, 2020 by Duality