Explore The Town

With all the excitement of classes, learning the academies secrets and your ‘extra curricular activities’ you’ve not had the chance to explore the town that encircles the academy in earnest.

You had passed by a few shops and other points of interest on your way to the academy but aside from Glimbas, you’ve not inspected them further, instead you’ve just filed them away into your memory for such an occasion as this.

You begin your journey, navigating the labyrinthine halls that seem to contort as you travel down them, eventually finding yourself on the main avenue of the town, from here you can see most of the points of interest you were seeking.

The town is structured in a ring formation with three tiers leading up to the academy grounds with shops and points of interest scattered amongst the rings.

The first point of interest you spot is an alchemy shop thats close to the main gates of the academy which seems to have been split down the middle with two signs listing what each of the respective sides have to offer.

To the right side of the building which is very clinical and devoid of ornamentation rests a simple wooden sign stating in bold letters “Fiona’s Potions, Elixirs and Ointments”

The other side however is far from professional, with the bricks being painted vibrant colors reflecting the light nature of the store, it’s sign, in rainbow colored letters reads “Franny’s Sweets & Treats”

Resting across from it is a tavern, much like the one you had back home, made from lumber and stone with a worn wooden sign resting just above the door, proudly proclaiming the building as “The Wanderers Tavern”

Through the windows you can see that the tavern is moderately crowded, most tables being taken but with little commotion taking place.

On the next ring over is a kind of hybrid between a florist and a botanical garden, with stone foundations supporting a cylindrical wooden structure topped with a glass dome for a roof, even from here you can see the large tree that reaches up towards the top of its glass enclosure.

Standing out front is a sign that seems to have been grown rather then built with living plant matter reading out “Boetia’s Botanicals”

Further down the street towards the entrance portal is Glimbas shop, and in the alley next to it is a figure, their features obscured by the darkness that cloaks the alleyway, but strangely as you get close enough to spot them, your greeted with the feeling that their eyes are on you, beckoning you closer.

Halfway around the first ring around the academy, the sounds of battle draw your attention, leading you to a large grandiose circular structure without a roof and though you can see very little, the rising cheers of the crowd and the roar of the beast paints a very clear picture, this is an arena.

You’ve heard of such arenas in the larger cities especially ones with a large magic community, beast battles take place here.

Many wizards keep familiars but for those who specialize in the binding of ethereal beings, there are few larger tests of their abilities than the arena, pitting their thralls against those of another conjurer.

And what’s more, it’s not unheard of to take bets during such tests, after all, where there’s competition there’s also the possibility of profit.

With that you feel you’ve collected a nice list of things to look into for now though you also suspect with the ever evolving nature of the academy and it’s realm, it would be wise to return some time in the future.