Education in the Realms – Arlaign’s Board & Letters

Steel Realms Logo
Arlaign’s Board & Letters is the attempt at a publicly available education system, though there is no universal formal/’accredited’ education system in the realms. This structured education was created initially as propaganda to try and unify the loose alliances of the diverse and often conflicting lands and powers of the Noble East after the tide of darkness from the fall of the east was stemmed. Over time it became a true formal structure with various local adaptations. Although far from perfect, it created a structure for a more informed and unified populace that prevented it from fracturing and outright war. While its still in place in many places, nominally it has become a formal standard, spanning upbringings and regional nationalism. The goals now are enabling a larger vision of unity through enabling travel and communication, uniform safety measures, and cultural exchange.

Traditions of Public Education

Dunstrand’s tradition was inherited from the remnants of the Fallen East that settled in the Riverdans is one of only a few still [trying] to uphold the grandiose notions of the days of Dominion.

Umbak ensures everyone has a trade or skill to contribute.

Beryl in the Borderlands and the capital of Oerdney have a non-public universal education option for citizens who can afford it.

Like Umbak, most of the Merchant Cities ensure everyone has a trade or can be of service, though individuals must go into debt if their family, institution, or patron is not wealthy already. This always consists of 2 years service with nothing to show after room and board are paid for as well.

Non Public Education

Private educations consists of personal tutors, local volunteers and paid for teachers, boarding schools for the wealthy and middle classes, private school, and religious indoctrination which includes secular education as part of its curriculum.


Educational Pursuit in the Noble East

This Character Chronicle element is purely OPTIONAL. Each character participating should roll a d% and check the result below.

d100% < 1-50% > Wasted Pursuit: Despite your passion to learn, your options grew limited and you spent the last of your preparation resources and reputation seeking tutors and knowledge; Though you gained the basics of Arlaign’s Board & Letters your efforts did not bear fruit. Add an extra year (species equivalent) for this failed pursuit, you begin play with half the normal starting cost portion from your wasted pursuit.

d100% < 1-50% > An Apt pupil: Your passion for learning is evident to the scribes, tutors, and all you enjoin to augment your formal experience. Your education of Arlaign’s Board & Letters produces a systemic improvement; Your dedication pays off. You gain the bonuses noted for “Apt Pupil”.

d100% < 1-50% > A Star Pupil: Your dedication and discipline impress every tutor, scribe and tradesman you seek out for greater awareness and knowledge. You gain the bonuses noted for “Apt Pupil” & “Star Pupil”. Additionally you gain the Studious trait reflecting your deep academic pursuits & you are versed in the ways of those that seek and disseminate knowledge in the Noble East.

i20™ Arlaign’s Board & Letters Details

  • Social Integration – If a character’s starting Charisma is less than 10, it increases by 1.
  • Health and Hygiene – If a character’s starting Constitution is less than 10, it increases by 1.
  • Communication Boost – Mercat (Speak & Literate) +1, Gladnorian (min. 3)
  • Historical Perspective- Lore: Kingdom of Gladnor +1 > Common Enemies: Fall of the East +1 (Lore: Orrish +1) & Fall of the North +1 (Lore: Undead +1)
  • Common Law: Lore – Arlaign’s Charter +1
  • Geography – Geography of the Noble East +1

Apt Pupil: All Historical Perspective skills/traits are +2.

Star Pupil: All Common Law and Geography skills/traits are +2. You gain Lore: World Watchers +1.

iCore iCore™ Arlaign’s Board & Letters Details

Pages on the web site lean towards i20™ text flavor, discrepancies will be noted in the iCore™ tab.


Chronicle/Facts of the System

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.

Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge

Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore

For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.

A few places in the Heartlands still carry the ancient traditions of the fallen eastern lands of providing supplemental health, cultural, and in some cases academic primary education. In the Fallen East is where the origins of public education start. Originally a simple attempt to impart a common law, and communication it changed into more of a history lesson as the descendants struggled to remember and keep alive the customs of their past. Several large cities began literacy programs but these never had much of a chance before the doom came.

Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge

For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.

Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge

The order of the Sisterhood of Dohar Jaideen was initially tasked to formalize the ‘curriculum’ of Arlaign’s Board & Letters to educate and indoctrinate the ideas of strength in diversity and unity of purpose against the Orrish after the far east lands of Dominion fell. It struggled for hundreds of years, spreading slowly and including other orders.

Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty

It was the brain child of one of the stewards of the early King of Gladnor.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty


Warning
Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.
DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.


Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic