Education & Justice
CANON — Social Systems
Education
Basic Education (Universal)
| Stage | Duration | Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| Kinder | 1 year | ~5 |
| Grades 1-5 | 5 years | ~6-11 |
Curriculum:
- Reading & writing
- Alkin history
- Basic math & money skills
- Life preparation
After grade 5, students enter the real world.
Paths After Basic Education
| Path | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Trade/Work | Most Alkin | Apprenticeships, family business, labor |
| Elemental Schools | Discovered mages | Storm, Fire, Water, Earth schools |
| Temples | Spiritually inclined | Life, Barrier, Illuminate paths |
| Research Centers | Hobbyists/specialists | Alchemy, rune crafting (post-Liberation) |
Mage Discovery
Kael's Age (Year 600):
- The art of honing mana within oneself is largely forgotten
- No teachers, no schools to draw it out
- Only raw natural talents emerge — sink or swim
- Those who spark do so without guidance
Post-Liberation:
- Schools become open libraries
- Research stored for any student
- Rune Hold establishes:
- Rune-crafting District
- Alchemist's Hollow (repurposed escape tunnel)
Elemental Schools by Era
| Era | State |
|---|---|
| Year 600 | Nearly extinct, survivors operate like covenants (secretive, transactional) |
| Post-Liberation | Open libraries, democratized knowledge |
Justice System
Under Lazerin (Year 600)
The Citadel enforces strict dictatorship.
| Location | Authority | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Citadel & cities | Court system | Theater — verdict decided before you walk in |
| Outer villages | Local wise mage | True peace, self-governed |
Village Wise Mages:
- Not officially recognized by Citadel
- Tolerated because they're beneath notice
- Know when to bend the knee
- Grease hands when necessary
Crime & Punishment
| Crime | Punishment | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Petty crime | Fines | Debt trap — work it off forever |
| Heresy (unsanctioned magic) | Court sorting | Hunter, Guard, or Prison |
The Sorting: Discovered mages don't get freedom. They get assigned.
- Most are told their role
- Exceptional talents may choose (like Veyra)
The Hunter Academy
Reality: Battle royale in the Citadel's underground labyrinth.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Participants | ~100 mages |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Rules | None — just win |
| Prize | Work for the Citadel hunting heretics |
Veyra's Path:
- Caught at 12
- 4 years in the Academy (ages 12-16)
- Won at 16 → became a Hunter
- Age 19 at Chapter 1 → 3 years hunting
Bounty System
Hunters operate with:
- Citadel-sanctioned role
- Licensed mercenary status
- Dead or alive rule (alive pays more)
Veyra's record before Kael: Zero kills. Professional pride — good enough to bring them in breathing.
"The Citadel doesn't punish. It owns."