The Grand University of Occiberge

The Grand University of Occiberge

Full Name: L’Université Royale des Sages

• (The Royal University of the Sages)

Prestige & Influence

• Among the oldest universities in Europe, founded in the 9th century.
• Known worldwide for literature, philosophy, and alchemical sciences.
• Young dragons serve as teaching assistants, knowledge keepers, and even philosophical debate partners.

Academic Specialties

• The Bardic & Poetic Arts – Training in oral storytelling, songcraft, and dramatic performance.
• Alchemy & Gastronomic Sciences – Research in vinegar aging, mushroom cultivation, and olive oil extraction.
• Draconic Studies – Understanding dragon history, biology, and their role in human culture.
• Philosophy & Ethics – Debates between human and draconic scholars on morality, war, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The University Library

La Bibliothèque de l’Écaille d’Or (Library of the Golden Scale)

• Named after the oldest dragon scholar, who donated thousands of ancient texts.
• Features scrolls, manuscripts, and enchanted books that require dragonfire to reveal hidden passages.
• Lectures are often held outdoors, with dragons serving as oral historians and debate moderators.

The Sigil of Occiberge[[1]]

The Sigil of Occiberge is hidden in the university but is a major force of the mystical education. ---

Faculty of L’Université Royale des Sages

Sage Aurédris the Gold (Dean of Philosophy & Ethics)

• Specializes in moral reasoning, political thought, and the philosophy of war & peace.
• Hosts the Grand Debates, where students challenge each other in theory and rhetoric.

Sage Nivorax the Silver (Dean of Alchemy & Gastronomy)

• Oversees vinegar production research, mushroom foraging studies, and ancient alchemical texts.
• Conducts experimental cooking combining dragonfire heating techniques.

Sage Vorlesh the Obsidian (Dean of Bardic & Literary Arts)

• Masters the oral storytelling traditions, epic poetry, and linguistic studies.
• Teaches “The Breath of Memory,” a draconic discipline where stories are spoken in rhythmic, almost musical patterns to improve recall.

Maître Léo Beauchêne (Grand Historian of Occiberge)

• Renowned historian of dragons and expert on the region’s legendary past.
• Wears robes embroidered with dragon scales gifted by young wyrmlings as a sign of respect.

Dame Vesperine d’Ardoise (Master of the Bardic Guild & Chair of Performance Arts)

• Former wandering bard, now oversees annual bardic competitions and storytelling festivals.
• Known for inventing a new form of sung storytelling that blends Occitan and Burgundian poetic structures.

Archmage Gaëtan Lavellan (Head of Alchemical Sciences)

• A mysterious scholar rumored to be immortal, having studied under Sage Nivorax for over 150 years.
• Specializes in elixirs, botanical alchemy, and transmutation of base ingredients.

Vicomtesse Francine Rémy de Noailles: (Head of Political Sciences)

• The Vicomtesse is an expert in the Social Graces.[[2]]
• Rumored to be the Mistress of the Sigil of Occiberge

University Traditions

The Ritual of the First Flame

• New students must light a ceremonial flame in the Hall of Aurédris.
• Dragons breathe a controlled flame over the brazier, setting a magical inscription that engraves the students’ names in the Hall of Records.
• Marks their official entry into the university.

The Grand Bardic Tournament (Held Every 3 Years)

• The most famous bardic event in the world.
• Competing bards must sing, recite poetry, and compose songs before an audience of scholars, nobles, and dragons.
• Winners are awarded the Golden Quill, which grants free passage and lodging anywhere in Occiberge.

The Vinegar Masters' Trial

• The Guild of Vinaigriers at the university holds secret taste tests for apprentice vinegar makers.
• Young scholars must craft an original vinegar blend using local mushrooms, wines, and alchemical techniques.
• Failure means starting over—success grants them the right to sell vinegar under the Occiberge seal.

Secret Societies of L’Université Royale des Trois Sages

A. La Confrérie des Veilleurs (The Brotherhood of Watchers)

• A shadowy network of scholars and dragons dedicated to preserving forgotten knowledge.
• Believed to control hidden archives beneath the Bibliothèque de l’Écaille d’Or (Library of the Golden Scale)
• Members wear black gloves with a golden eye sigil during secret gatherings.

B. L’Ordre des Chanteflammes (The Order of the Singing Flames)

• A bardic-knightly order that trains both swordfighters and poets.
• Said to have inherited draconic war songs that can strengthen allies and weaken foes in battle.
• Only the most gifted poets and warriors are allowed entry.

C. Les Alchimistes de l’Obscur (The Alchemists of the Dark)

• Rumored to experiment with forbidden transmutations, including flesh-crafting and dragonfire infusion.
• Many consider them legends, but whispers claim their laboratories exist beneath the mountains.

L’Ordre du Sceau d’Occiberge (The Order of the Sigil of Occiberge)

Purpose:

A mystical brotherhood of sorcerers, enchanters, and scholars who seek to harness and protect the Sigil of Occiberge, an ancient source of arcane power.

The Sigil is rumored to be buried deep within the university.

Only those who survive a mystical initiation ritual can attune to its energy and tap into its hidden power.

Hidden Location: La Chambre du Sceau (The Chamber of the Sigil)

• Located in the deepest level of the university, sealed behind layers of magical wards. The walls are lined with glowing runes, shifting and rearranging themselves in draconic, alchemical, and celestial scripts. A massive floating sigil dominates the center of the chamber, constantly shifting between different arcane symbols.

• The room is said to be "alive," reacting to those who enter, determining if they are worthy or unworthy.

Initiation Ritual:

• New initiates must undergo La Veille du Sceau (The Vigil of the Sigil), where they meditate for three nights in a trance-like state. During this time, their minds are tested by visions of the past, present, and possible futures. If the Sigil accepts them, they awaken with a small glowing mark on their palm—proof of their attunement to its power. Those who fail the test either go mad or disappear entirely, their fate unknown.

Ranks & Leadership:

• Apprenti du Sceau (Sigil Apprentice) – New initiates, still learning to channel its power.
• Adeptus de l’Arcane (Arcane Adept) – Basic Imprint. Full members who have mastered at least one of the Sigil’s secrets.
• Gardiens du Sceau (Keepers of the Sigil) – Advanced Imprint. The inner council, responsible for maintaining the chamber and protecting its knowledge.
• Le Voilé (The Veiled Ones)' – Master Imprint.