School of the Dremoran Rat
The School of the Dremoran Rat (SotDR) is a charitable, educational organization that travels across the entire Dremoran continent, making 1 or 2 month-long stops in each of Dremora's 13 regions. Motivated by the inequalities running rampant across the continent, Rani Al-Himma founded SotDR with the intent to educate, empower, and inspire the downtrodden and to nurture empathy and compassion in those of more fortunate means. Traveling educators and local experts present the good and the bad of both regions, devoid of bias and outside influence (though local pride certainly leaks through). In nearly a century of operation, SotDR has produced more than a handful of charismatic activists and advocates who enrich, bolster, and protect their communities; serving as leaders and representatives of the people against those in power who have forgotten who they serve.
History of SotDR
The School of the Dremoran Rat was one of a handful of organizations that arose in the aftermath of the Battle of the Barrier, but it was the only organization primarily focused on education with a scope that was both narrow (within a region) and broad (across the continent).
Founding of the School
As a member of The Deep End, Rani travelled across the whole of the Dremoran continent and was moved by the socioeconomic inequalities that existed – to varying degrees – in every region. She was disappointed with a High Council that seemed to be content maintaining the status quo rather than petitioning, or demanding, change. When the continent settled after the massive Battle of the Barrier, Rani traveled with her partner across the continent, learning to love and critique each region and to see how the people there lived, devoid of the pressure that rested upon her during her adventuring.
With her own ignorance lessened, Rani founded the School of the Dremoran Rat. In regards to the unconventional name:
"It's important to teach students to take any insults hurled at them and to reclaim them for their own; to remove their power. When the Lady of Dread called me a 'Desert Rat', she meant it as an insult. She didn't understand the desert rat – a noble creature that survives and thrives in even the most unforgiving environments." – Rani Al-Himma
Early Years
Initial Funding Pursuits – As a recognized hero of the continent, Rani had a myriad of connections, many of whom were more than willing to fund SotDR in its early years. The then current Prime Minister of Lark'Hal, Zumena Hevego, and her son, Zephus, funneled a portion of the Air Genasi Royal Family's wealth to the cause - paying for local educators, housing for students, and supplies (particularly artistic supplies). The Arany Rozsa Theater in Therarask donated 10% of its earnings to SotDR for the first decade after its founding. Various other charitable donations further helped to support the school in its first few years. For the first decade, however, the school was heavily reliant upon qualified volunteers to fill traveling and local faculty positions and on locals to offer housing, food, and supplies when the school was in the region.
The School's Route – SotDR follows a practical route across the continent that is partially inspired by the path Rani (and the Deep End) took during their adventures, passing through the various regions in the following order: Oshiv'Ran, Varoona, Carmenthia, Caliban, Nacheevi, Ragna, Eredet, Ah'Shal, Tel'Rhea, Therarask, Elios, Parvathi'Lahn, and Lark'Hal.
The Early School – In the first decade, SotDR was a relatively small endeavor. It began with a dozen children who were old enough to leave home (~10-14 years) from poorer families or from orphanages. Rani and her partner travelled with the school alongside a small band of volunteers to help watch over and to teach the children as they travelled. Although it took the school approximately 1.5-2 years to complete a loop, there was no hard set "term" where children would remain in SotDR. The choice to leave SotDR was left mostly in the hands of the students; if they felt called to remain in the region, then they would remain and leave the school behind. By the end of the first decade in operation, the school had expanded to include children from all socioeconomic brackets of life. Rani hoped that the intermixing of children from various areas and different walks of life would further encourage understanding between classes and regions.
The Dremoran Courier Service (DCS) – As SotDR was often a student's first time away from home for a prolonged period, Rani struck a partnership with the Dremoran Courier Service, who were happy to help such a loyal customer! The DCS provided free letter and package delivery for students with a 99.99999% guranteed success rate (and they still do today).
SotDR at Present
In 2237 YAR, nearly 100 years after its founding, the School of the Dremoran Rat follows the same route, but it has significantly expanded to include more students, additional material within its curriculum, and permanent offices in every region of the continent.
Current Funding Sources
Through its nearly 100 years of service, SotDR has not charged a single student – not even a single piece of copper. Rather, SotDR still relies heavily on spurious, charitable donations from across the continent and from a few consistent streams of donations.
- The University of Eredet – Prior to leaving office, High Lord Aedric Valdove passed an amendment to legislation pertaining to judgment criteria for government grant funding to educational organizations. Grant submissions that included a charity component would be rated higher and, thus, more likely to be funded. Since the legislation passed, it has become standard practice at the University of Eredet that all grants allocate 5% of their funding to support SotDR and other charitable, educational organizations in Eredet.
- The Air Genasi Royal Family – Per the final wishes of Zephus Hevego, a portion of the Air Genasi Royal family fortune has been set aside to provide a steady stream of annual donations to SotDR for the next 25 years. Afterwards, Zephus' granddaughter, Aerani Hevego has promised to extend the donation period by supplementing the funds with money earned from her artistic pursuits.
- The House of Luck – As lost wealth continues to be discovered in the City of Fortune, Majordomo Hithvessa – on behalf of Parvathian himself – continues to funnel a sizable portion of it towards repair efforts in the region of Parvathi'Lahn and towards charitable organizations such as SotDR. Taking after its predecessor, the City of Fortune believes firmly in "paying it forward".
- The Silver & Copper Dragon Clans – Of the Dragon Clans, the silver and copper regularly make frequent donations and are delighted to house students within their estate outside Porcelain Avenue.
Acceptance & Curriculum
A set of core faculty travels with SotDR and covers basic topics, including general literacy (writing/reading in Common), general history, math, magic & the arcane, science and artificing, and a variety of oscillating elective topics often determined by student interests. When SotDR arrives in a region (settling near a major city typically), local experts are recruited either through charitable donations or on a volunteer basis. SotDR recruits a history and cultural expert from each region, but other elective courses may be specific to the area, such as:
- Ah'Shal – Advocacy, mortuary science (for older students)
- Caliban – Military History (Moon Guard), Tea Making, Mysticism and Divination
- Carmenthia – Medicine and the Healing Arts (and a fast pass to the Library of Carmenthia where all knowledge is stored)
- Elios – Survival and Mountaineering, Hunting (committed students may also earn their first braid)
- Eredet – Religious History, Government, Public Speaking
- Lark'Hal – Sculpting, Sand Seal Racing (for older students), Art History, Performance
- Parvathi'Lahn – Weaving (with Parvathian if you're lucky), Economics, Business, the Arcane Arts
- Nacheevi – Law, Tinkering and Artificery, Engineering, Brewing (for older students)
- Oshiv'Ran – Agriculture and Gardening, Hunting and Survival, Leatherworking
- Ragna – Self Defense and Hand-to-Hand Combat, Weapons Combat (for older students), Smithing
- Tel'Rhea – Health Education, Herbalism, Gardening
- Therarask – Theater, Dance, Meditation and Reflection (for older students), Sex-Related Topics (for older students)
- Varoona – Cooking, Sailing, Swimming (and more water-based topics)
Much like its early years, the time students stayed with SotDR varied. The decision to "graduate" from SotDR was a decision made by the student, often after conversations with other students, faculty, and their counselor. With more established connections with higher education, approximately half of the student body leaves SotDR to pursue more advanced, specific education at one of the permier univerisities: The Lark'Hal Institute of Magic and the Arts, The Medical Ward of Carmen'Két, the Nacheevi Technical Institute, and the University of Eredet.
Joining SotDR – Given the school's expansion, entrance into SotDR now requires an application, a process which is completely free. While the school cannot accept everyone, all may apply. The acceptance committee of SotDR aims to select students with diverse backgrounds and those that the committee feels the school can have the most impact on. Occasionally, however, a faculty or staff member will simply bring back a "stray" they feel will be a good fit for the program.
Organizational Structure
At present, SotDR is composed of (a) its mobile component and (b) its fixed locations. The largest fixed office is located in Eredet within the Tower Citadel. This office provides the formal meeting place for the acceptance committee and also houses the school's political liaisions, who petition smaller councils and even The High Dremoran Council for legislative changes that may benefit SotDR and for additional funding allocation, as needed. SotDR also has a permanent office in each region outside of Eredet. This office is typically housed in a community center or other public building and is primarily responsible for recruiting volunteers, allocating funds, and arranging housing and supplies for the students upon arrival. These regional office also manage advertisements and ensure that children in poorer areas are aware of the opportunity to join the school.
Within the mobile component itself, SotDR employs a number of stable staff, which includes a set of cooks, a counselor for each set of 15 students, 2-3 doctors (often residents from Carmen'Két), educators responsible for the core curriculum, and various other support staff. The Dremoran Courier Service recently donated a generous supply of Sending Stones to facilitate communication between the mobile component of SotDR and its various fixed offices across the continent.
Modes of Transportation
In the current era, new modes of transportation have emerged alongside older, reliable means. As a mobile organization, SotDR takes great care in managing its means of transportation, for both the safety and comfort of the students and staff.
- The Iron Arrow – Before leaving office, High Lord Kuan-Ti Ironborn placed a stipulation on the dispersal of his estate, demanding that charitable organizations receive a hefty discount on the use of any of his creations (or their future iterations). Thus, SotDR receives a heavily reduced rate for using The Iron Arrow.
- Teleportation – Although a bit unpredictable, teleportation between Varoona Proper and the Medical Ward of Carmen'Két is covered entirely by Chaos Reigns, the premier chaotic magic shop in Varoona.
- Arcane Skiffs – Recently made more available to the public, an anonymous donator provided the school with a fleet of skiffs to use for various land-based travel.
- Other Modes of Transport: Declan's Boat (The Diving Board), the Sivat of the Desert Curators
Inspired and Resilient Together
Founding Date
2142 YAR
Type
Educational, School/Academy
Founder – Rani "The Rock" Al-Himma
Titles: Chosen of Lark, Child of Fortune, Descendant of a Friend, Hero of the Deep End, Promised Wielder of the Twin Blades: Suraksha and Vinaash.
Rani was born in 2113 YAR to Hamida and Timur Al'Himma in the Dune Sea of Lark'Hal. She was raised both among the mostly nomadic Bhediya people and the sedentary folk of the Heart of the Desert. She was a member of The Deep End, an adventuring party that felled 4 massive titans, rediscovered the lost City of Fortune, and fought at the Battle of the Barrier in 2137 YAR. Beyond being a hero, she was a performer, a survivor, a sister, a mother, a friend, and an important conduit for change. She founded the School of the Dremoran Rat alongside her partner, Ezra, after traveling the continent together. She eventually retired to the Dune Sea and passed peacefully of old age surrounded by family and friends. She died in 2219 YAR, her legacy cemented in more ways than one.
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