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Lessons of Dynasty Part 1: Abecedarian	By : JohnDoe Category: +A through F > Exalted RPG Views: 470 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Lessons of Dynasty

With Essence of Dynasty on hiatus, I’ve decided to write up some expanded universe solo fiction detailing Reya’s school days, the Heptagram Intake of Realm Year 736. This is the introductory document for Lessons of Dynasty. The story will be semi-canon to the Chronicles of Dynasty: anything in text is canon unless something in play contradicts it. What follows is a mix of headcanon and cross edition lore: Chronicles of Dynasty is set loosely in the 3^rd Edition Exalted Universe.

As a disclaimer: Fourth Year Realm Students are 18 Creation-Years old.

Creation's year has 425 (24 hour) days, compared to Earth's 365.25 days. An 18-year-old in Creation would be 21 on Earth.

The Exalted Devs don't like this translation – they see it as "a year is a year", but if you used that "logic" you could say your Mercurian OC is 49 years old, because a Mercury Year is only 88 Earth days – which, obviously, is massively paedophilic because it’s only 11 Earth Years. Always convert to Earth Years.

That said, even if you use Creation's longer year, there is no way of interpreting the characters in the following pornography as being under 18 – these characters are adults. I see them as 21-year-old adults, and I instructed the artists to draw them as 21-year-old adults. You can see them as 18-year-old adults if you really want, but either way, they’re not children.

Content Warning: As with Chronicles of Dynasty, these characters are the evil servants of an evil empire. Racism, discrimination, and bullying are central themes. If you’re uncomfortable with violence, sexual violence, manipulation, grooming, or named character death, it’s time to stop reading now.

Heptagram Hierarchy

Abecedarian: The lowest rank in the Heptagram belongs to the first-year students. The study of sorcery is restricted, and their access to the school limited to The Hall of Terrestrial Puissance where lessons are given on the fundamentals of Essence and magic, alongside those skills required for life in the Dynasty: etiquette, literacy, history, numeracy, and so forth. Abecedarians take physical education upon the grounds of the Heptagram under supervision, but otherwise are expected not to wander. By tradition, abecedarians wear the uniform of the Heptagram to show their solidarity with the school and to mark the leaving of their families into this high place of learning. Abecedarians, and indeed all students, are typically addressed only by their given name (without family name or title). Abecedarians have only a very limited capacity to direct their own study: lessons are regimented and timetabled. Like all students, abecedarians dorm two to a room in the library dormitories. Rarely, students will dorm three to a room when odd numbers make it impossible to make pairs. Student’s normally dorm in single sex rooms.

Custodians: A catch all term for the mortal servants and sorcerously bound servitors who maintain and guard the school. The school charter explicitly ranks them as superior to the Abecedarians but is otherwise mum on their position within the school: wise students (and professors) listen when a custodian speaks. Custodians have access to the school and the Isle as their duties demand.

Student Ordinarius: A student of the second year or above who has not yet mastered the art of sorcery. A student ordinarius usually does not wear the Heptagram uniform, to distinguish themselves from the lowly abecedarians, but can often be bullied back into it by malicious classmates. Students of this rank and above direct their own study. There is a lot to learn: each of the Heptagram's seven libraries specialises in a subject and students of the second year and above pick their dormitory based on which library they wish to use as the focus of their studies for a given year (though they need not use that library exclusively). Lessons run practically from dawn to dusk in each library, and students need to schedule which lessons they will attend and when they will read, write their papers, and conduct practical work and experimentation. Students are addressed by their first name (and year of study where appropriate).

Student: A student of the Heptagram who has mastered sorcery. Students are notionally ranked by seniority. A student who has mastered sorcery might or might not go back to wearing the official uniform, only with a personal flair to show their own style (or House loyalty).

Apprentice: Study at the Heptagram runs up to seven years, though a student may graduate as early as (successful) completion of the fourth year. Exceptionally rarely, a seventh-year student of extraordinary promise (a student extraordinarius) be offered an eighth year of study. Apprentices are guided by a Mistress in their chosen field, and room with them in the dormitory. Romantic entanglement between an apprentice and her mistress is not condoned but tolerated as a probable distraction. Apprentices can be called upon to teach classes as an adjunct and are expected to publish their studies. Addressed by their full name or "Miss/Master [Given Name]".

Adjunct Teacher: The lowest rank of teaching faculty limited to mortal instructors (and Sidereal imposters) who do not have permanent residence on the Isle of Voices, but rather stay the length of time needed to teach, or help teach, a course before returning to the Blessed Isle (or wherever they seem to go). (Dragon-Blooded adjuncts are politely referred to as "guest lecturers".) It's hard to place a number on the adjuncts: often there aren't any teaching at the Heptagram, or, at least, none that anyone can remember when questioned.

Instructor: A permanent faculty member (of the lowest rank) that resides at the Heptagram. Instructors teach classes and give lectures under the notional direction of a professor. They devise lessons but not curriculum. Teachers rarely stay instructors for long, either ascending the ranks or leaving the school (for one reason or another). Formally addressed as "Instructor [Given Name]". There are ~5 instructors at any given time.

Mistress: A mistress (or master) is a senior instructor (at least one year of experience) and the first rung of professors. Mistresses are experts in their fields but must distinguish themselves as leaders in the field to become full professors. "Mistress" (paired with the given name) is also the preferred title when addressing a senior member of faculty, and the title is used alone when addressing a faculty member whose rank is unknown. It's also used a term of familiar respect between faculty members. Mistresses occasionally style themselves as "Reader" or "Associate Professor" (considered archaic and acceptable slang respectively). Formally the title is rendered as "Mistress of [Area of Teaching Expertise]", and they make up the bulk of the faculty at ~25. Ledaal Ibelin is “Mistress of Demonic Warding and Banishment”, for example.

Professor: A full professor has tenure and a personal chair. Merely teaching at the Heptagram does not give one the right to be called a "professor", rather one must be recognised as a Creation-leading expert in one's field and invited to take a chair at the school in honour of this achievement. Instructors that style themselves as a "professor" are pointedly snubbed whilst mistresses who do likewise may or may not escape the condescending correction of "associate". The fact that the Blessed Isle at large refers to all secondary school teachers as "professors" is a source of gall. There are ~7 professors.

Head Librarian: Each of the seven libraries of the Heptagram is overseen by a senior professor. In theory, the Head Librarians hold a "first among equals" position with the other tenured professors. In practice, they hold a great deal of temporal power, including access to restricted texts denied even to professors (such as copies of the Broken Winged Crane) and a say in the appointment of new staff. Heads hold an establishment chair and are considered essential to the running of the school. There are always exactly 7 heads, one for each library. The heads are usually addressed as "professor" or "mistress" (indeed "head" is seen as a irreverent, informal, vulgar term of address), but their formal title is rendered such as "Professor Mnemon Duhalva, Head Librarian of The Hall of the Jade Cauldron". Both "Headmistress" and "Chief Librarian" are acceptable but archaic, whilst the title of "Headmaster" is reprimandable mistake unless spoken by the dominie.

Dominie: The headmaster of the school, Ragara Bhagwei. The dominie is usually addressed by title alone, with the specific exceptions for "master" as outlined above. "Headmaster" and "Principle" are considered acceptable mistakes when referring to the dominie, but "Headteacher" is not.

Forms of Address

You approach someone in the Heptagram. You don’t know them. How do you address them?

“Mistress” is safest

For any member of teaching faculty, “mistress” is polite. If the member of staff isn’t female or doesn’t want to be addressed as “mistress”, they’ll correct you, but mistress isn’t *wrong*.

The custodial faculty is… variable. For human staff, being called “mistress” isn’t the strangest thing that will happen to them today: they’ll probably roll with it and call you “mistress” back (yes, even if you’re male – and if you correct them, they’ll correct you). Some might fall to the floor prostrate and inform you of your error as they beg you not to punish them for deceiving you. Some might laugh and say something like, “no need to be so formal, duckie, now what can Cook do for you?” Demons, elementals, and stranger things are… less predictable. Is this giant rocky creature before you an immaculate master or a mindless automaton? It’s safer to call an automaton “mistress” and get no response than to insult an immaculate. You might get corrected. You might not.

Students should give a respectful short bow, followed by their first name and the year of their studies. Apprentices will respond as “Apprentice [Name], at your service”. This would be a good point to ask their pronouns if you are still unsure.

“Master” is a statement

Mistress covers you if the person you are speaking to is female or gender unknown. Saying “master” means “I don’t know who you are, but I’m sure you’re male”. Which isn’t a bad thing if you’re right, but is disastrous if you’re wrong, because you just went out of your way to make that mistake.

“Mistress/Master [Given Name]”

Correct if addressing a mistress, regardless of your rank, or if you’re addressing faculty of higher rank than you, or if you are faculty addressing someone of the same or lower rank as you with whom you are friends. That last use is often played for irony between bitter rivals or condescending elders. Master [Given Name] is also correct for male apprentices, though “Master” alone is not appropriate. Other usages would be incorrect.

“Instructor” or “Instructor [Given Name]”

Correct for instructors and adjuncts. Dragon-Blooded guest lecturer’s are usually referred to by their normal title or military rank, but instructor is fine to. Irreverent if addressed to a mistress, insulting if directed toward a professor. Wrong but not disrespectful for apprentices.

“Professor” or “Professor [Given Name]”

Correct for professors and heads. Acceptable for mistresses. Incorrect for instructors and adjuncts, but still used occasionally either out of ignorance or flattery.

“Girl”

Correct for female students and students of unknown or indeterminate gender, as well as female custodial staff.

“Boy”

Correct for all custodial staff, regardless of gender, and male identifying students.

“Miss” or “Miss [Given Name]”

Correct for female apprentices, female custodial staff, or female adjunct teachers.

Class Rankings of the Intake of RY736

A – Distinction

1. Mnemon Alinos Danireya (Air Aspect, female)
2. Ragara Rowena (Fire Aspect, female)
3. Tepet Gerat (Fire Aspect, male)

B – Merit

4. Peleps Riven (Water Aspect, male)
5. Cynis Belar Darknife (Wood Aspect, female)
6. Ledaal Kebok Evede (Air Aspect, female)
7. Cathak Harite (Air Aspect, female)

C – Pass

8. Tepet Versi (Air Aspect, female)
9. Ledaal Ludila (Water Aspect, female)
10. Sesus Kinesi (Earth Aspect, male)
11. Mnemon Padar (Earth Aspect, male)

D – Fail

12. Ferem Taleki Solu (Wood Aspect, male)

Class Rankings by Subject

Each subject has multiple instructors, often with two or more teaching the class at the same time. The highest-ranking staff in the Heptagram often take an interest in first year students and try to teach at least a few introductory classes in order to get a sense of the newcomers and steer them towards (or away from) their field of study. The named teachers here are the ones the students have the most contact with for a given class.

Martial Arts – Mistress Ragara Hironi (Earth Aspected Monk)
1. Kinesi
2. Padar
3. Darknife
4. Gerat
5. Versi
6. Riven
7. Ludila
8. Evede
9. Harite
10. Danireya
11. Rowena
12. Solu

Shogunate History – Instructor Cynis Falen Ganan (Earth Aspect)
1. Danireya
2. Rowena
3. Ludila
4. Versi
5. Gerat
6. Riven
7. Darknife
8. Evede
9. Harite
10. Kinesi
11. Padar
12. Solu

Weapons Training – Professor Cynis Bashura
1. Darknife
2. Kinesi
3. Gerat
4. Versi
5. Padar
6. Danireya
7. Riven
8. Evede
9. Harite
10. Ludila
11. Rowena
12. Solu

Mathematics – Professor Mnemon Duhalva
1. Danireya
2. Riven
3. Gerat
4. Padar
5. Rowena
6. Darknife
7. Evede
8. Harite
9. Versi
10. Ludila
11. Kinesei
12. Sola

Etiquette – Professor Tepet “Old Man” Senex
1. Danireya
2. Rowena
3. Darknife
4. Riven
5. Gerat
6. Harite
7. Evede
8. Ludila
9. Versi
10. Kinesi
11. Padar
12. Solu

Crafts – Mistress Zadaki Twelve-Fathers
1. Danireya
2. Rowena
3. Solu
4. Riven
5. Evede
6. Harite
7. Versi
8. Kinesi
9. Ludila
10. Padar
11. Gerat
12. Darknife

Spirit Lore – Mistress Sorrowful Leaf
1. Danireya
2. Evede
3. Darknife
4. Ludila
5. Rowena
6. Gerat
7. Riven
8. Harite
9. Versi
10. Kinesi
11. Padar
12. Solu

Cosmology – Mistress of Demonic Summoning, Mnemon Sivos
1. Danireya
2. Rowena
3. Evede
4. Gerat
5. Riven
6. Darknife
7. Harite
8. Versi
9. Ludila
10. Kinesi
11. Padar
12. Solu

Dormmates

Danireya and Ludila
Rowena and Harite
Gerat and Solu
Kinesi, Padar, and Riven
Darknife, Versi, and Evede

Student Bios

Danireya
Reya attended the Heptagram already knowing more than some of the school’s graduates. Effortlessly confident, insightful, and persuasive, Reya is beloved by (most of) her teachers and is the centre of her own popular cliché. But whilst those in authority are convinced that she can do no wrong, her classmates are well aware that she can be cold and vindictive. A consummate manipulator who enjoys tormenting those she sees as beneath her, smiling sweetly the whole time. Her ice-cold wit drips with the venom of irony as she eviscerates through compliments and breaks anyone foolish enough to stand up to her. Her one weakness is for Ludila, her soulmate and love of her life.

Blonde, petite, “early bloomer” with an hourglass figure. Snow white skin and bright blue eyes.

Nature: Leader
Major Virtue: Ambition (I will found my own Great House)
Minor Virtue: Wonder

Ludila
Fearless and crazier than… well… anybody, Udi is a loose canon who doesn’t play games. Openly mean and spiteful, Udi seems to attend the Heptagram solely for the change to bully the children of Creation’s elite. Shockingly brazen in her choice of fashion and deliberately provocative in everything she does, Udi’s utter lack of subtly routinely gets her in trouble. Which, secretly, is the point. A confirmed masochist – if she slaps your face and calls you a “whore”, it’s only because that’s how she longs to be treated herself. She provokes with the intention of drawing blow-back on herself, and whilst she styles herself as an independent free thinker, just about everything she does is to try and win the approval of Reya – her long time childhood friend, recently turned lover.

Curly brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin. “Early developer”. Slightly shorter than average height.

Nature: Thrillseeker
Major Virtue: Wonder
Minor Virtue: Courage
Major Intimacy: Mnemon Alinos Danireya (Love)(Wonder)

Rowena
By any reasonable standard, a genius. Nerdy, bookish, and shy, with an introversion rarely seen in Fire Aspects, Ro was top of her class throughout primary school, even before she Exalted (only a couple of months ago). Never a popular or fashionable girl, Ro was taken back by how difficult classes at the Heptagram were and what little self-confidence she had was shattered when it became clear that she was not only no longer the top student, but there was a considerable gulf between her and the effortlessly beautiful and popular girl who now led in the academic table. Initially a victim of Reya’s constant teasing and Udi’s vicious pranks, Ro has been drawn into the popular girls’ orbit and benefits from the association. Though she tries to make amends for some of the gang’s more heinous behaviour, her continued membership necessitates that she help torment anyone who disrespects her queens.

Long red hair, thick glasses, pale skin, green eyes. Unassuming, tall but usually slouches.

Nature: Martyr
Major Virtue: Compassion
Minor Virtue: Wonder

Harite
Obsessed with fastidiously following “all the rules” and formerly Ro’s best friend, Hari finds herself picked on relentlessly. She’s tried to ingratiate herself to Reya, but Reya gets more pleasure from making Ro torment her friend than she does from Harite’s sycophantry. Solidly middle of the road academically, Hari is neither brilliant nor terrible at any aspect of school life. She’s resolved to just keep her head down and work: following the rules will pay off in the end.

Dark skin and hair, a little overweight, a little short.

Nature: Follower
Major Virtue: Justice
Minor Virtue: Discipline

Darknife
Darknife is a loner, detached and above-it-all. She makes it her business to know everything about everyone (a dedication she doesn’t quite extend to her studies) and has blackmail material on all her classmates and a decent chunk of the wider Heptagram beyond. Darknife has her own, unique, style and doesn’t give a damn about popularity or fashion. Naturally gifted, Darknife does well academically, but is held back from the highest levels of academic success by the fact that he simply doesn’t care. Darknife and Reya have a delicate detente to leave each other alone, born of a grudging mutual respect.

Raven hair, snow-white skin, black eyes, bright red lips, distinctly smells of marijuana (aspect marking). Usually wears dark eye shadow. Has a pale and deathly beauty.

Nature: Critic
Major Virtue: Ambition
Minor Virtue: Courage

Versi
Versi carries herself with bold pride: a daughter of the Realm’s most powerful Great House from an impeccable pedigree. Versi vocally disagrees with the notion that one should leave their family behind to embrace the shared culture of the school. Stylish and rich, by rights Versi should be one of the most popular girls in school. But she isn’t. Firmly under the thumb of Darknife, none of Versi’s classmates want to be too closely associated with her, lest they draw Darknife’s wrath upon themselves and find their secrets publicly exposed. Thus, Versi finds herself practically friendless, aside from her cousin Gerat.

White, red hair, green eyes, athletic build, tall.

Nature: Visionary
Major Virtue: Discipline
Minor Virtue: Loyalty (House Tepet)

Evede
In a single word: “weirdo”. Evede enjoys taking recreational drugs (where she gets them from is unclear, though most rumours blame Darknife), dressing in arcane fashions from hundreds of years ago, speaking to herself in obscure Threshold languages, and studying mundane phenomena (like lightning and weather patterns). Evede has numerous family relations at the Heptagram, including the chief instructor for demonic warding and banishment and her cousin Udi (though her classmate flatly denies having any relationship with that side of House Ledaal). Evede is very bright, even by the standards of the Heptagram, but spends a lot of time distractedly staring out of windows and playing with her hair. Evede was able to self-initiate into sorcery before being admitted to the Heptagram. Udi enjoys trying to torment Evede, but no matter what she does to the girl it seems impossible to get a rise out of her.

Matchstick thin (and flat as a board), pale, angular features, dusty blonde hair, pale blue eyes. Evede looks very similar to her aunt Ibeline and vaguely similar to her cousin Ganan, but it’s hard to see any family resemblance between her and Udi.

Nature: Savant
Major Virtue: Wonder
Minor Virtue: Compassion

Kinesi
Tall, chiselled, athletic. Kinesi looks like the poster child for the House of Bells, built solid as the earth (and just as slow). Kinesi’s mother is a sorcerer and mistress of one of the Realm’s mysterious Singing Staves – she frequently gives guest lectures on sorcery at the House of Bells, but is herself Heptagram trained and pulled numerous strings to secure Kinesi’s admission. Kinesi is not stupid, and in a lesser secondary school he’d be no doubt hailed for his academic achievement. But the best is expected of Dynasts, and the Heptagram is the Realm’s most selective school – Kinesi is one of the weakest students, relying too much on rote recitation of material too extensive for him to ever digest fully. This causes him no end of frustration, but as the largest, most muscular, and arguably most dangerous Dragon-Blooded student in his class, Kinesi is uniquely placed to take his frustrations out on his classmates with physical violence. Kinesi leads a gang of popular boys who stick together and intimidate their classmates. Kinesi is smitten with Ludila’s random chaos but courts Danireya to keep the girls’ and boys’ gangs united (neither Reya nor Udi have any real interest in Kinesi, but they flirt back to maintain the popular cliché).

Tallest kid in class, skin like textured marble, grey hair the colour of slate, small, sharp, flint-coloured, eyes.

Nature: Bravo
Major Virtue: Courage
Minor Virtue: Ambition

Riven
Kinesi’s best friend, Riven is of average height, athletic (but not muscular). Riven sees himself as a free thinker with a fluid mind, unfairly put upon by the weight of Dynastic tradition. He’s more than happy to pick a fight and let Kinesi step in and settle it for him, or to play dirty and help his friend gang up on someone else. For the sake of appearances, Riven flirts with Udi (the two rebellious sidekicks), but he’s well aware that Udi isn’t interested in him and that Kinesi desperately pines for Udi, so he never takes things too far. Unfortunately, Riven is perceptive enough to realise that Udi has no interest in Kinesi but not persuasive enough to convince his friend that he’s wasting his time.

Average height, athletic build, sun-kissed tan, blue hair, green eyes.

Nature: Rebel
Major Virtue: Wonder
Minor Virtue: Courage

Padar
Kinesi’s cousin by marriage, Padar and Kinesi were raised in the same household and are as close as mortal brothers. Padar grew up in Kinesi’s shadow – not quite as successful academically, not quite as athletic – and maintains this relationship as they attend the Heptagram together. Padar doesn’t even feign interest in Ro (a fact that is not begrudged by any involved despite her notionally being his counterpart in the girl’s gang) and is hopelessly in love with Riven. Padar sees himself as a stoic figure, but often that’s just because he doesn’t have anything to say. He is the least malicious of Kinesi’s gang, and generally won’t join in a fight unless Kinesi is obviously outmatched or Riven is in danger – he’s more than happy to loom and look intimidating though.

Tall and well-muscled, though not quite as much as Kinesi, Padar looks like a smaller version of his cousin with the same hair, skin, and eyes.

Nature: Traditionalist
Major Virtue: Discipline
Minor Virtue: Loyalty

Gerat
Versi’s cousin Gerat holds the dubious honour of being the smartest boy in the class. Most Heptagram instructors view “smartest boy” the way they’d view “fastest snail”, but Reya and Ro are well aware that after their own academic rivalry, Gerat is their nearest competition. Reya’s gang deliberately stirs up trouble between Gerat and Kinesi’s gang to help them keep their academic advantage (a fact that causes Ro sleepless nights and deep discomfort but is an immense source of pride for Reya). Gerat’s only real allies are his cousin Versi (who has her own troubles with Darknife) and Solu (who is more of a liability than an asset). Gerat has trouble controlling his impulsive nature as a Fire Aspect and is prone to rash action and fits of passion. He is romantically interested in Ro. Gerat believes firmly that it is the role of the strong to guide the weak, and that just as the Dragon-Blooded Host shepherds humanity so too must he look after his less fortunate classmates.

Gerat has a soldier’s build, tight and lean. Red hair and red eyes which glow like burning coals. White.

Nature: Caregiver
Major Virtue: Justice
Minor Virtue: Compassion

Solu
Solu is an outgoing, naturally cheerful, kind-hearted soul. The most gifted scion House Ferem has produced in a generation, Solu is intelligent enough to know just how far over his head he is. Though notionally part of the Dynasty, Solu realises that the school’s rhetoric about leaving one’s family behind to join a family committed to education in the occult secrets of sorcery, is a political fiction designed to minimise infighting between the Great Houses – there is not even a vague pretence that the scions of Cadet or Patrician Houses should be treated equally to Dynasts, and Solu finds himself marked as a foreigner, barbarian, and outsider. Fortunately, he has a powerful patron in Tepet Gerat. Unfortunately, Gerat and Kinesi’s feud just paints a larger target on Solu’s back. Like all students gifted enough to enter the Heptagram, Solu is notably intelligent and incredibly well-read. Unfortunately, lacking the “proper” education of a “real” Dynast, there are holes in Solu’s learning and cultural touchstones which make it almost impossible to stay on top of his classes. Indeed, the only class where Solu is not ranked dead-last is the various crafting lessons, where his House Ferem upbringing has equipped him with a range of practical skills, putting him on a level with the top students, Reya and Ro. Solu knows that his family will not be able to support him through the full seven-years of training at the Heptagram, and hopes to scrape a pass in enough courses to graduate early. If the only Dynastic contact he makes in his time here is Tepet Gerat, House Ferem will consider the venture a great success, but Solu recognises the rare opportunity to network and advance his house and is desperate to capitalise on it.

Solu looks like a typical member of House Ferem: darker skinned than the average Dynast, a little taller, triangular face, dark eyes, and hair.

Nature: Survivor
Major Virtue: Justice
Minor Virtue: Ambition

Reya’s Opinions on her Classmates

1. Mnemon Alinos Danireya (Air Aspect, female)

“I have a long way to go before I can match my mother’s achievements, even though I one-day dream of surpassing her, I expect it will be a hundred years before I can even meaningfully challenge her. So far, the Heptagram has exceeded all my expectations: it is here that my true path to power begins. I will not fail.”

2. Ragara Rowena (Fire Aspect, female)

“Who? Oh, Ro? Well…” *Smirk* “She has a commendable work ethic, I suppose, but there’s more to the school experience than burying your nose in a book. Hopefully I can help her turn out to be a more well-rounded individual. I know other people make fun of her for studying all the time, and not having a social life, or a sense of fashion, but being clever isn’t such a bad thing. I enjoy having someone I can talk to who’s educated enough to hold up there end of the conversation.”

3. Tepet Gerat (Fire Aspect, male)

“A typical House Tepet bully, throwing his weight around. I know Grand Daimother has some respect for the Tepet’s, but honestly the entire House could stand to be brought down a peg or two. He doesn’t look it, but he is disgustingly bright. I could see Grand Daimother trying to get us betroved to cut the knees out from her upstart little sister. I suppose that wouldn’t be all bad: he is easy on the eyes, at least.”

4. Peleps Riven (Water Aspect, male)

“How much is there to say? If you’ve met one Water Aspect, you’ve met them all. It’s cute how he tries to flirt with Ro without Udi noticing – as if either of them care!”

5. Cynis Belar Darknife (Wood Aspect, female)

“Normally I’d give some back-handed compliment or say something witheringly sarcastic, but let me speak plainly for a moment. Darknife is dangerous. She is capable, socially adept, and handy with a blade. So far she’s given me a wide berth and I am more than happy to return the favour – I won’t be the one to break the peace between us. But if she ever comes for me, I will have to pull out all the stops to make sure she is crushed utterly. I like her.”

6. Ledaal Kebok Evede (Air Aspect, female)

“O… kay…” *Shrugs, shakes her head, gives a perplexed look.

7. Cathak Harite (Air Aspect, female)

“She’s a Patrician, right? She’s doing the best she can, you can’t hold her to the same standard’s that you’d hold a Dynast to. I’m sure she has a glandular condition. Or something. Don’t be mean.”

8. Tepet Versi (Air Aspect, female)

“Not touching this one. If you want an opinion on Versi, go ask Darknife.”

9. Ledaal Ludila (Water Aspect, female)

“We grew up in Mnemon-Darjilis together. She’s okay, I guess. What do you mean I smile uncontrollably every time I talk about her? I am NOT blushing! Oh, alright, fine: I love her, okay? Are you satisfied? I love her, and I’m going to spend my life with her. And when we’re married, we’re both going to live together in the same house, and send our husbands off to their own wings and call them out once every fifteen years to do their duties then get out of our faces.”

10. Sesus Kinesi (Earth Aspect, male)

“Fashionable, easy on the eyes, dumber than a box of rocks. What’s not to like? People seem to think that the most popular girl in class should date the most popular boy, and as boys go, I guess it wouldn’t be too bad to hold Kinesi’s hand and let him take me for a walk, or something. Provided I don’t have something better to do.”

11. Mnemon Padar (Earth Aspect, male)

“We’re actually related, albeit tenuously. Mother asked that I keep an eye on him and make sure he keeps to the right crowd. What crowd? There are twelve of us, and he already knows Kinesi! It’s not like there’s a lot of time for social functions, but I don’t resent involving Padar – he’s fun to hang out with. He could do with being a bit bolder: I might have to recruit the girls to help him be more confident.”

12. Ferem Taleki Solu (Wood Aspect, male)

“Ewww!” *Visible expression of disgust*

Classmate Opinions on Reya

1. Mnemon Alinos Danireya (Air Aspect, female)

“I have a long way to go before I can match my mother’s achievements, even though I one-day dream of surpassing her, I expect it will be a hundred years before I can even meaningfully challenge her. So far, the Heptagram has exceeded all my expectations: it is here that my true path to power begins. I will not fail.”

2. Ragara Rowena (Fire Aspect, female)

“Mistress Danireya is my b-b-b-best friend. She is h-h-h-helping me to become a better Dynast.”

Reya, off screen: And?

“And she is so b-b-beautiful, and smart, and stylish, and I’m l-l-lucky t-to have her l-l-l-looking out for me.”

3. Tepet Gerat (Fire Aspect, male)

“Kinesi’s girlfriend? I don’t know what she sees in that thug! She’s always so nice to me, and Ro doesn’t have a bad thing to say about her, it doesn’t make sense why she’d hang out with someone who is so evil.”

4. Peleps Riven (Water Aspect, male)

“Hey, you don’t expect me to say something bad about my best friend’s girl, do you? No? Good! Now scram before I tell Kinesi that you were sniffing around about his princess.”

5. Cynis Belar Darknife (Wood Aspect, female)

“The things I could tell you about her. Could tell you. Won’t tell you. She leaves me alone, I leave her alone. That’s all there is to it. But if she ever sticks her nose in my business, I’ll crush her.”

6. Ledaal Kebok Evede (Air Aspect, female)

“Is she cousin Udi’s friend? The one with the glasses?” *Holds her hands up to her eyes*, “She’s nice! Oh, she’s the other one? The blonde one?” *Frowns* “She’s not as nice.”

7. Cathak Harite (Air Aspect, female)

“She’s so pretty! And smart! I mean, not as smart as Ro, but way smarter than me. I baked her cookies once and she said she liked them, so now I bake her cookies every week, but last week she just threw then in the trash without trying one and said that we can’t all be blessed with my metabolism. I went back to my dorm and cried for hours! But then Ro came and said that Mistress Danireya – that’s what all her close friends call her – that she had this neat trick for how I could still eat cookies and maybe lose some weight as well! She’s the best! I can see why Ro prefers hanging out with her than with me, I don’t know any of these cool tricks. I just wish we could all spend some more time together!”

8. Tepet Versi (Air Aspect, female)

“She’s a typical stuck up Mnemon bitch. I know her type: all sweetness and light whilst she drives a knife into your back. Still…” *Grits teeth* “Better the Anathema you know, right? If I’m ever going to get Darknife off my back, I’m going to need Reya’s help.”

9. Ledaal Ludila (Water Aspect, female)

“What do you want to know about my boo? She’s the kindest, sweetest person in all Creation! Her favourite colour is purple, so if you wear purple, I’m going to cut you. Her favourite season is Winter, but her favourite month is Resplendent Water, because that’s when my nameday is! Her nameday is in Resplendent Earth. Her favourite subject, so far, is Shogunate History, but just wait until we start learning real sorcery! She’s going to be a pro, just you wait!”

10. Sesus Kinesi (Earth Aspect, male)

“What do you want to know about my boo? She’s terrifying – so you better not cross her! Her favourite colour? I don’t know… um… green? … Who has a favourite season? Why would I know her nameday? Oh, that one’s easy – her favourite subject is martial arts training with Mistress Hironi – she just loves watching me win. Say, have you, uh, seen Udi anywhere around here?”

11. Mnemon Padar (Earth Aspect, male)

“She’s my cousin! I mean, she’s not my real cousin, like Kinesi is my cousin… her aunt is my aunt’s cousin? Or whatever. She’s like a miniature version of our Matriarch: she looks after family, you want her on your side, and she’s terrifying as all hell.”

12. Ferem Taleki Solu (Wood Aspect, male)

“Everyone looks down on House Ferem, but we of Cherak are no strangers to Dynastic politics: ‘we are not as green as we are cabbage-looking’, as grandmother Taleki liked to say. Danireya likes to think she rules the school, but really she’s powerless outside of our class – the upperclassladies hold the real power, and everyone will see that once we make it through our year of hell. Still, in a couple of years, she really might rule the school. Especially if she picks up sorcery quickly. She wants everyone to think of her as a popular, effortlessly cool, girl. But I pay attention: she studies hard and gets the best grades in the class – even better than Ro, who she mocks constantly for being a nerd. What does that make her? A Super-Nerd? A Nerd‘nathema? I can also count to six – I think Dynast brains cut off after five – there are six ‘popular’ kids and six ‘losers’ like me. That’s not a majority. If we can band together like they have… there might come a day when Reya wants my friendship more than I want hers.”

Favourite Teachers

1. Mnemon Alinos Danireya

“Don’t be silly! The Heptagram’s faculty is a collection of the finest minds in all Creation, and we’ve hardly met any of them – we haven’t even started to learn sorcery yet. How can you possibly expect me to have a favourite-”

Udi, offscreen: “What about Instructor Ganan?”

“Master Ganan does have a certain je ne sais quoi: an impenetrable shell surrounding a brilliant mind, the power of a landslide barely contained by human form… and that smile…”

Udi, offscreen: “Reya and Ga nan sitting in a tree! Doing things they shouldn’t be!”

“It’s not like that AT ALL! Sure, he’s cute, but we could never actually be together. Besides, I have you.”

Udi, offscreen: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Reya with a baby carriage!”

“UDI!”

2. Ragara Rowena

“Umm, no one? I l-l-like them all e-e-e-equally? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Reya, offscreen: “Then why do you doodle love hearts saying R.R. loves C.F.G. all over your Shogunate History homework?”

“Udi forced me to do that! As a prank! I don’t! I mean he’s a teacher! I mean, just because he’s my favourite teacher that doesn’t mean that I want to marry him or anything!”

Reya, offscreen: “Marry him? Isn’t he already married.”

“Uh… no. I, uh, checked. For… science?”

3. Tepet Gerat (Fire Aspect, male)

“Cynis Bashura! No doubt! I hear she killed a Tyrant Lizard with a garden spade! I can’t wait until we get some real lessons with her next year.”

4. Peleps Riven (Water Aspect, male)

“Cynis Ganan.”

Padar, offscreen: “Isn’t Shogunate History the only class you’re failing?”

“Yeah, so, I like Cynis Ganan?”

Padar: “… Why?”

“Uh… it doesn’t matter! Let’s go see where the girls are at!”

5. Cynis Belar Darknife

“I’m a first year. We have one interesting class: of course it’s Cynis Bashura.”

6. Ledaal Kebok Evede

“That’s an easy one, Aunt Ibelin!”

Narrator: “But…you haven’t had any classes with Mistress Ibelin yet?”

“Yeah! That’s right!”

7. Cathak Harite

“Professor Duhalva is the best! She takes the time to work through all the proofs and to explain why a good grasp of mathematics is important to learning magic. I can’t wait to study alchemy next year!”

8. Tepet Versi

“‘A Brief Introduction to the Glorious History of the Dragon-Blooded Shogunate of the Immaculate Dragons’ is a surprisingly stimulating subject. Cynis Falen Ganan teaches it well.”

9. Ledaal Ludila

“Sorrowful Leaf is definitely the hottest teacher at the Heptagram.”

Ro, offscreen: “The q-question was ‘who is your f-f-favourite’, miss?”

*Shrugs* “What’s the difference?”

10. Sesus Kinesi

“Ragara Hironi understands the importance of callisthenics and meditation. And how important it is to work out aggression at the start of the day. If only we had a second martial arts lesson after lunch!”

11. Mnemon Padar

“After careful consideration, I’d have to go with Professor Duhalva. Her teaching style is methodical, yet holistic, and I do well in her class.”

12. Ferem Taleki Solu

“Mistress Zadaki Twelve-Fathers kept an entire Imperial Legion at bay for month before joining the Heptagram. One Outcaste against dozens of Dynasts. And here at the Heptagram, she continues to show how it’s important not to underestimate those born outside of the Blessed Isle.”

Author's Note

Savant and Sorcerer, which specifically retcons The Book of Three Circles, names Mela as the First Legitimate Sorcerer. Mela is referenced as such in School Hard as it appears in Dynasty of Dovak. The Book of Three Circles, however, names Heseish, who is referenced as the First Sorcerer in the re-write of School Hard as it appears here. If the 3E canon is ever made clear, you can expect an update. Otherwise, blame the inconsistency on Ylva Wataru.
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Lessons of Dynasty Part 1: Abecedarian