Imperial Academy of Su
The Imperial Artificing Academy of Su is a state-administered educational and technical facility located in the capital city of Varnel, within the Kingdom of Su. Founded in 1.5 AFE under the authority of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MSTI), the Academy serves as one of the Empire’s leading institutions for the study of regulated artificing, mechanical integration, and structured enchantment theory.
Constructed atop the historical ruins of Suvenn Hall, the former royal palace, the Academy was designed to align with Su’s post-monarchical civic identity. While imperial in origin and funding, it is primarily staffed and attended by Suian citizens and integrated into the province’s educational network.
The Academy is unique in that it operates as both a scholastic institution and a technical school, educating young students in foundational disciplines while also offering certification paths for those pursuing specialized trades in magical-mechanical interfacing. Its dual-purpose design allows it to function simultaneously as a preparatory school, public research center, and fabrication hub for government-regulated technologies.
Though not a military or classified facility, the Academy operates under controlled access protocols, particularly in its research sectors. Instruction and experimentation are conducted under strict legal and ethical guidelines outlined by the MSTI. It is one of the few institutions in the Empire authorized to handle adaptive magical materials for non-military civilian application.
The Imperial Artificing Academy of Su is widely regarded as a symbol of Su’s civic recovery, educational pride, and modern contribution to the Sapphire Empire’s infrastructure.
Purpose / Function
The Imperial Artificing Academy of Su was founded as a centralized institution for instruction and research in applied artificing, mechanical logic, and regulated material augmentation.
Its curriculum spans from early general education through to professional certification, and it serves both as a primary academic facility and a state-run apprenticeship center.
It is jointly overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MSTI) and the Suian provincial administration. While imperial in origin, the Academy is considered a core civic landmark within Su, reinforcing its post-monarchical identity through public education, state service, and technical development.
Alterations
Repurposed Structure: The building was constructed directly atop the remains of the old Suvenn Hall, former seat of the Kingdom’s monarchs. Foundations were preserved, but internal layouts were stripped and restructured to meet educational needs.
2.3 AFE – West Wing Annex: A general education wing was added to accommodate lower-tier students enrolled in the preparatory stream.
2.7 AFE – Testing Gallery Reinforcement: Internal testing floors were reinforced with layered stone barriers following an overcharge incident involving unstable conduit materials.
3.1 AFE – Archive Reconstruction: The southern records vault was restored to hold copies of regulated research logs, including compliance documentation from MSTI.
Architecture
The Academy retains core elements of Suian Civic-Restorationist design, characterized by rational geometry, reserved ornamentation, and structural discipline.
Materials: Pale-cut regional limestone, reinforced sub-frames, low-glint surface metals.
Layout: Symmetrical, with quad-courts, colonnaded lecture corridors, vaulted fabrication halls, and integrated tiered classrooms.
Design Features:
Reused archways from Suvenn Hall are retained in ceremonial halls.
Central open-air plaza used for examinations and civic ceremonies.
Minimal external signage—students identify wings by embedded plaque codes.
Aesthetic Elements: Plain facades, rectangular windows, internal sculpture work referencing Suian historical reformers rather than royal figures.
Defenses
The building does not serve a military function but includes embedded safety provisions appropriate for an academic-technical facility:
Isolation Chambers: Located beneath the Testing Gallery, used for controlled material evaluations.
Emergency Seal-Off Systems: Mechanical dampers and blast shutters can close individual lab corridors.
On-Site Response Unit: Non-lethal, MSTI-trained personnel are stationed in the northern wing, primarily for lab oversight and facility evacuation drills.
Arcane Restrictions: While the school does not specialize in open magic instruction, regulated materials are secured under passive containment protocols. Spatial manipulation or unauthorized magical interference is prohibited campus-wide.
History
Pre-1.0 AFE: Suvenn Hall stood as the monarchical seat of the Kingdom of Su. Following the collapse of the monarchy and transformation into a provincial territory, the structure remained unused.
1.5 AFE: By imperial order, the MSTI commissioned the site to be converted into an artificing academy. Reconstruction began with local oversight and Suian engineering teams.
1.8 AFE: The first class of preparatory students was admitted.
2.0 AFE: Certification track in field-enablement artificing was introduced under MSTI supervision.
3.0 AFE: The Academy is recognized across the Empire as a reliable institution for regulated technic-craft education and structured material design.
Tourism
The Academy is not a public attraction, but limited engagement is permitted:
Annual Exhibition Day: Select works from senior students are displayed in the Grand Assembly Courtyard.
Civic Ceremony Access: Public civic rites, such as recognition of academic excellence or the Remembrance of Concord, are occasionally hosted on campus grounds.
Scholarly Visitors: Access may be granted to archivists, MSTI delegates, or certified foreign researchers by appointment.
Local Integration: The external plaza and lower forums are frequently used for civic meetings or guest lectures.
Unaffiliated tourism is not permitted. Lodging is not offered on-site, but Varnel provides nearby accommodations.
Founding Date
1 AFE
Type
College / Academy
Parent Location
Owner
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
