Hello, Generals!
Hocus Pocus! Just like that, it’s Devlog Friday once again! This week, we’re taking a look behind the curtain at a location that’s a huge piece of Linirean history: the Arcane Academy. This is a major location you’ll visit in the game's second stage, and it’s where the kingdom's magical legacy really began.
Back in the day, most mages were concentrated in the city of Arcania (which eventually became the Wastelands… but that’s another story for another day). Nivus, the legendary Archmage and friend to the King, got tired of Arcania’s elitism and decided to bring magic to the linirean people, founding the Arcane Academy. He personally authored most of the spells in the books, and trained countless apprentices.
Fun fact: Almost every famous Linirean magic user has pulled a few sleepless nights here cramming for their midterms in the Academy. Even a young, inquisitive Vez’nan once wandered through these halls, eventually discovering the Catacombs, the dark subterranean labyrinth deep beneath the foundations. This maze is so vast and its secrets so dark that even the future Dark Lord couldn't uncover them all!
We envisioned the Arcane Academy grounds as a mystical place that is equal parts beautiful and unpredictable. We wanted the campus grounds to feel inviting, lived-in, and a little bit chaotic. So, It features fantastic gardens and sculpted balconies where students practice their spells, but since there’s so much magic floating around, things get a bit wacky.
One of our lead artists, Agustin, loved the final look so much he said he’d move in tomorrow if he could! (Though the occasional rogue spell might make for a noisy neighborhood.)
Of course, the Academy isn't just for show; it’s built to defend itself and Linirea with secret magic glyphs imbued in the very rocks of the building. The Arcane Guards at the entrance are powerful wizard statues with ancient runes etched into their stone book pages to repel those who would do harm.
These attacks appear to be a common occurrence lately, as when Gerald arrives to the timeline, bandits are trying to raid the library to steal arcane secrets to use against the King.
One of the primary defensive branches of the Academy is the Scholar Mages. After years of dedicated study of ancient texts, these mages have learned to turn their books and parchments into a literal source of power. They represent the Academy’s front-line presence in the fight for Linirea.
Next week, we’re diving into another returning hero joining the adventure. This legend was a serious heavy-hitter in the original defense of Linirea. Any guesses on who it is?
Rupert: Do you know how many people attend the arcane academy?
A: It’s hard to count attendance once the students learn teleport spells. Let’s just say that at the time, if a Linirean could light a candle with their mind, they likely spent their youth within those walls. At its peak, the Academy did exactly what it set out to do, bringing magic to hundreds of linirean adepts.
Chris_M: Will we get wishlist milestone rewards for Genesis like we did for Alliance? (If we do, please include the map theme reveal)
A: We had a lot of fun with the wishlist milestones for Alliance, and they are definitely coming back for Genesis once we settle on some amazing rewards. Regarding the map reveal: keep a lookout for the pieces! 🧩
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