The Royal Rose Academy
Introduction
In the heart of the imperial capital of Stahlheim, beneath the soaring banners of Bavaria, stands the Royal Rose Academy of Battlefield Magic. Founded but a generation ago by His Imperial Majesty Kaiser Alarich IV von Drachenfels, the Academy was created with a singular purpose: to forge an elite order of BattleMages, warriors as versed in spellcraft as they are in steel.
The Test Arcanum
At the age of thirteen, all imperial citizens are summoned to undergo the Test of Arcanum — a rite as old as the Academy itself. A traveling Magistrate, cloaked in Imperial red, arrives bearing the enchanted Codex Arcanum, known colloquially as the Book of Testing.
Few succeed. Fewer still impress.
| Intelligence Score | Reaction of the Codex |
|---|---|
| 15 or lower | No reaction |
| 16 | The book stirs, its cover twitching slightly |
| 17 | The Codex levitates, trembling with energy |
| 18 or higher | The Book rises high and opens its pages, light spilling from within |
Those who awaken the Codex are granted a summons: admission to the Rose Academy.
Letter of Acceptance
To the Honored Student,
It is with great pride that we welcome you to the Royal Rose Academy of Battlefield Magic of Bavaria. Your aptitude for magic has earned you a place among our nation’s most promising protectors. Upon completion of your studies, you shall serve the Empire for a term of twelve years, defending it from threats both known and unknown. Prepare yourself. The path of a BattleMage is glorious — and perilous.
Signed, Grandmaster Erich Falkenrath, Archmagus of the Academy
Arriving at the Rose Academy
Grandmaster Erich Falkenrath
A Glimpse at School Years
Each year 250 to 300 young initiates arrive at Rose Academy for academic instruction, martial training, and frequent tests. Only 80 to 100 students graduate each year.
Commoner Prep Year
This year brings commoners and foreigners up to parity with the main Academy. On average 30% of commoners fail to pass the written and physical tests at the end of the prep year.
- Classes: Reading and Writing, Cantrips, Arcane Theory, Physical Training, Spellbook Casting
- Test: The Initiates Crucible
Study Hall
Year One
- Classes: Elemental Affinity, History, 1st-Order Spell Mastery, Swordsmanship, Scouting Missions
- Tests: Familiar Summoning, Cast a 1st-order Attack Spell in combat
Year Two
Students are awarded a Katzbalger broad sword with the Rose Academy design.
- Classes: Geopolitics, Rapid Casting, Advanced Sparring, Monster Hunting Missions
- Test: Tactical assessment, Cast a 1st-order Attack Spell and defense spell under pressure
Year Three
At 16+ years of age students become adult citizens of the Empire. Duels are now allowed.
- Classes: Zoology, Strategy, 2nd-Order Spellcasting, Dungeon Adventuring
- Tests: Year End Team Mission Test, Cast 2nd-order spell in combat. Duel Competition.
Year Four
- Classes: Command Tactics, Mid Tier Spell Mastery, Battle Casting, Weapon Mastery
- Test: Cast 3rd-order spells in field trial, BattleMage Tournament
- Graduates earn the rank of WhiteMagus and enter Imperial service
Graduation Possibilities
| Merit Points | Award Rank | Prestige | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–49 | Graduation with no decorations | Very low | Military enlistment as a sergeant |
| 50–99 | Ensign of the Jägerkorps | Low | Leads forest scouts; “barely made it” |
| 100–149 | Ensign of the Stadtwache/Navy | Moderate | Less prestigious positions, Junior officer |
| 150–199 | Ensign of the Rose | Med High | Junior officer, Gentry |
| 200–299 | Squire of the Rose | Minor Noble Elect | BattleMage/knight aspirant, imperial units |
| 300–349 | Squire of Eisendrachen / Sturmkrallen | Prestigious | Elite light cavalry, fast track to knighthood |
| 350+ | Knight | Elite | Immediate knighthood |
About the Bavarian Empire
Notes about Nobles in Bavaria
Nobles are allowed to wear their swords and armor at all times. Commoners are limited to daggers and some short swords in cities.
Spurs are only allowed to be worn in the city by members of Knight orders.
Inside cities Horses can only be ridden by nobles. Commoners must walk their horses.
Nobles in good standing are expected to have a Heraldic Medallion for official functions. Pretending to be a Noble with a stolen or fake medallion results in public flogging, branding on the cheek with a broken crown, and hard labor.
First Born Nobles in good standing are given an official Signet Ring upon becoming an adult at 16 years old. Tampering with or forging a signet is treason.
Duels
Grounds for a Duel
- Public insult to one’s honor, family, or Order
- Accusation of cowardice in the line of duty
- Theft or destruction of property of value
- Refusal to repay a lawful debt of prestige or honor
- Dispute over an official appointment or military assignment
Sanctioned Duels
- Right to Challenge: Any noble-born student may issue a formal duel challenge. Commoners may only challenge if defending personal honor.
- Champions: A noble may name a champion to fight in their place.
- Presiding Official: All sanctioned duels must be observed by an appointed authority — a Knight, Officer, Magistrate, or Academy Instructor.
- Defender’s Right: The challenged party may set conditions: no magic weapons, limitations on spell levels, specified weapons only.
- Terms of Combat: Victory declared upon yielding or inability to continue. Death is not the intended outcome.
Non-Sanctioned Duels
Forbidden, but they occur in secluded courtyards and outside city walls. If discovered, both combatants face demerits, public censure, or loss of social privileges.
Royals in Bavaria
Kaiser Alarich IV von Drachenfels — The Emperor. Purple and Gold.
His children:
- Heinrich von Drachenfels — deceased
- Katja Eisenherz von Drachenfels — Eldest Daughter, has signed a pact to not seek the throne publicly
- Deiter von Drachenfels — the missing Prince
Duke Torvald Eisnherz — Step son, husband of Katja. Warden of the Western Marches. Colors: Red, Black and Gold.
Alejandro di Montfaro — 3rd Prince of Iberia, son of His Majesty King Rodrigo IV di Montfaro.
Sir Étienne de Rochefort — Grand-Maître of the Order of the Silver Griffin of Gaul. Reports directly to Her Majesty Queen Isabeau de Vervaux.
Knightly Orders of the Bavarian Empire
Representatives of each order maintain a presence at the Rose Academy to instruct, observe, and recruit.
Schwarzritter (The Black Rangers)
The Emperor’s shadow. An elite cadre of BattleMage Knights sworn directly to His Imperial Majesty. Only twelve members at any given time — each at least 10th level or higher.
- Motto: “In Shadows, We Guard the Light.”
- Colors: Black & Silver
- Special Insignia: The Silver Seal of Four Crossed Swords
School Representative
Sir Albrecht von Schwarzgörche (“The Dreaded Knight Obrest”)
An imposing figure in black adamantine plate, wielding twin broadswords wreathed in ominous auras.
Leibwächter der Kaiserkrone (Imperial Crown Guard)
The Emperor’s personal guard. Selected from the best of all orders — symbols of Imperial authority.
- Motto: “Our Lives for the Crown.”
- Colors: White & Gold with Black trim
- Special Insignia: Gilded lion’s head clasp worn at the throat
School Representative
Dame Frieda von Winterthal
Earth BattleMage, master of three swords: Zweihänder, Bastard, and Broad.
Eisendrachen (Order of the Iron Dragons)
Commanders of Bavaria’s land armies. Elite members known as Drachen Reitern (Dragon Riders) serve mounted upon war-trained dragons.
- Motto: “Honor and Glory to the Empire.”
- Colors: Red, Black & Silver
- Special Insignia: Silver Spurs
School Representative:
- Sir Helmet Kreutzmark — Ice BattleMage Dragon Rider, Excursion Supervisor, rides an aging but formidable white dragon.
Sturmkrallen (Order of the Storm Talons)
Swift light cavalry archers and reconnaissance specialists. Elite members ride gryphons and hippogryphs.
- Motto: “Strike Swift and True.”
- Colors: Yellow & Black
- Special Insignia: Bronze Spurs
School Representatives:
- Sir Magnus Sturmholt — Air BattleMage, Spell Mastery Instructor
School Representative
Sir Otto Kreutzmark
Void BattleMage Summoning Instructor, master of three familiars.
Seewölfe (Sea Wolves)
Feared naval knights who rule the Empire’s seas.
- Motto: “By Fang and Wave.”
- Colors: Dark Grey & Silver
- Special Insignia: Black tricorn hat with gold-threaded epaulettes
School Representative
Captain Wolfram
Legendary warrior-knight who teaches history and geo-political strategy.
Calatrava (Defenders of Iberia)
A proud order of light cavalry stationed in Bavaria by command of Prince Alejandro di Montfaro of Iberia.
- Motto: “Honor Rides Before Us.”
- Colors: Black-on-Black
- Special Insignia: Silver-gilded rapier, colorful plumes, jingling steel spurs
School Representative
Lady Catalina Alfonso
Fire BattleMage Dueling Instructor, master of silent speed casting with a single rapier.
Griffon d’Argent (Order of the Silver Griffin)
Heavy cavalry famed for two-handed weapons. They believe nobility is earned through action, not birth.
- Motto: “Nobility Through Deed.”
- Colors: Sky Blue, Yellow & Silver
- Special Insignia: Silver gorget engraved with a griffin’s head
School Representative
Lady Keira of Clan Verdun
Air BattleMage, instructor in mounted combat, pike tactics, and jousting.
Bronzenen Auges (Order of the Bronze Eye)
An enigmatic order answering only to Duke Torvald Eisnherz. Advisors, tacticians, and troubleshooters.
- Motto: “The Land and People are One.”
- Colors: Orange & Black
- Special Insignia: Bronze chain bearing an amulet of a watchful eye
School Representative
Sir Kurtis Eisengriff
Arcane BattleMage, assistant combat instructor, accompanied by a disturbingly charming female imp familiar.
Bavarian Military Divisions
Stahlgard (Steel Guard)
The elite standing army of Bavaria. ~25,000 troops, 1,000 knights, 1,000 squires. Colors: Red and White.
Brückenmeister (Bridge Masters)
Elite engineers, masters of siegecraft. 25% of the corps are dwarves. Colors: Amber. ~2,500 troops.
Stadtwache (City Watch)
Professional law enforcers within Bavaria’s cities. Colors: Blue and White. ~4,000 across all major cities.
The Imperial Navy
~150 warships, 18,000 troops. Colors: Grey and White.
- Galleons: 50 (flagships & heavy combat)
- Caravels: 100 (patrols, escorts, and fast strike missions)
- Marines: ~3,000 heavy infantry
- BattleMages: 200 (1 to 2 per ship)
Jägerkorps (Monster Hunters)
Wild frontier scouts, tasked with hunting monsters. Viewed as the “dumping ground” for those unfit for courtly service. Colors: Green. ~3,500 rangers.
Das Fremdebanner (The Foreign Banner)
A foreign legion of Iberians, Gaulish warriors, Seyrune spellcasters, dwarven engineers, and elven archers. Colors: Tan. ~8,000 troops.
Eisenfalken (Iron Falcons)
Elite mercenaries. Feared for ruthless efficiency. Colors: Crimson & Black. ~5,000 mixed troops.
Fellow Students
4th Year Seniors
Princess Alexandra von Drachenfels (Fire BattleMage, Her Imperial Highness)
Alexandra is striking — fair-skinned with auburn hair that curls into ringlets, eyes that glow faintly ember-red when channeling her magic. She wears a short half-cape fastened with the Royal Seal of Bauvaria and often carries an elegant silver rapier.
- Personality: Poised, articulate, and fearless. Intolerant of cowardice.
- Weapons: Rapier and Dagger, Weapon focus casting and one hand casting
- Familiar: Red and Purple Faery Dragon named Octavius
- Notes: Seems to have enemies that wish her dead everywhere. Said to be engaged to a foreigner soon on the good of the Empire.
Leopold von Grünwald (Air BattleMage, Student President)
- Personality: Charismatic natural leader. Deeply loyal to the Empire and believes in strict hierarchy.
- Weapons: Rapier and Dagger
- Familiar: Young Green Dragon, Verdathrax
3rd Year Juniors
Dorian Kaltz (Void BattleMage, Minor Noble)
Thin, sharp-featured, light hair hiding one of his cold blue eyes. He wears an old family signet ring on a cord.
- Personality: Polite, sardonic, prideful but loyal to friends. After hours he plays games, gambles, and drinks with the delinquents.
- Weapons: Katzbalger and Wand
- Familiar: Ossifer the Imp (bat), Ublit the Quasit (Luna Moth)
- Notes: First Son of a minor noble family stripped of their lands after a failed defense from the Black Forest incursion.
Hanz Reiker (Arcane BattleMage, Commoner)
An average build peasant boy with messy dark hair from the northern farmlands. His magic skill is high and he has mastered 3rd order spells.
- Personality: Blunt and laughs too loudly, often argues semantics with teachers.
- Weapons: Katzbalger, one hand casting
- Familiar: Chuck the Imp in the form of tarantula
2nd Year Sophomores
Alaric Falkenstahl (Arcane BattleMage, Noble Son of a Count)
Tall, broad-shouldered, and perpetually confident. His crimson cloak and ornate saber mark his noble lineage.
- Personality: Charismatic, proud, easily angered by disrespect.
- Weapons: Rapier, one hand casting
- Familiar: A dark blue Quasit named Minion
Ulrich Dammfeld (Earth BattleMage, the One-Eyed Rock)
A sturdy and tall young man with short blond hair, an eyepatch, and a perpetual smirk.
- Personality: Bold, humorless, and protective of his team.
- Weapons: Zweihänder, one hand casting
- Familiar: Sprite Woman named Shea
Lorin von Kessel (Ice BattleMage, Son of a Baron)
Shorter and leaner than his peers, with a quiet intensity. Fights with defensive precision.
- Personality: Quiet with a cold tone.
- Weapons: Bastard Sword, Weapon focus casting
- Familiar: Ice Mephit named Daggit
Celene Weisslicht (Air BattleMage, Viscount Family)
Petite, graceful, and deceptively fast. Known for her quick wit and sharper tongue.
- Personality: Flirty, mocking, dangerously intelligent.
- Weapons: Rapier, Weapon focus casting
- Familiar: Quasit named Griggor often in the form of raven
Willow Brennhaus (Fire BattleMage, Merchant Class)
Long copper-red hair pulled into an elegant braid that shimmers like embers in sunlight.
- Personality: Quiet and sincere.
- Weapons: Messer, one hand casting
- Familiar: Vulma the Fire Nephit in the form of a fire Sprite
Contessa Mirabel D’Escarra (Arcane BattleMage, Daughter of a Margrave Iberian)
Golden brown hair in a long braid. One of the few that wear a fancy black blouse at school.
- Personality: Mischievous, quick-thinking. Verbally aggressive with boys that approach her.
- Weapons: Longsword (Spada), one hand casting
- Familiar: Spirit Hawk