Deaf Culture and Magic- Abigal Williams
Compass Academy was America's first school of magic but it was also the first school in America that taught sign language and made it mandatory for all of its students. This information filtered outside of the academy, and the parents of deaf children in New England given the choice between sending their children to schools in Europe, or Zone city chose Zone. It was closer to home, provided food, shelter and clothing, and most importantly was free.
The more religious parents squared this decision to send their children to a school of magi by deciding that their childrens deafness was a sign that god wanted their children to become Magi, if things had turned out differently, if Merlin had not made his decision to found his school in New England then it is likely that american sign language would have been influenced by either British or French sign language then adopt Merlin's Phoenix style wholesale.
But he did and this was the world that Tomas Galludet was born into.
Tomas Galludet grew up a religious man and planned on becoming a minister, this plan was put aside when he met Alice Cogswell. The young 19 year old girl had lost both her hearing and her ability to speak at age 2.
Tomas became fascinated by the young witch and asked why she went to Compass.
Her father told him that Compass academy of magic was the only school that had found that was willing to try to educate his daughter, and the only school he found that had the tools to successfully pull it off. This information intriged Tomas and he asked if there were any other schools that had the ability to teach deaf students.
After scouring the nation with letters Tomas Galludet was shocked to find out that there wasn't a dedicated school for the deaf in the United States, in fact America didn't even have an official language of the deaf. So the two men decided to travel north to New Hampshire and talk to the mysterious Merlin.
Once there they were greeted with respect.
Merlin taught the two men his style of sign language and gave them book after book about both the subject and ways to teach deaf children. He also generously provided them some money and some of his students to help them.
The two men then founded the American school for the deaf. The school was sucessful, but the Magi volunteers often found themselves eager to pass their arts along to their deaf students to give them a way to make their way in the world. In time magic became a standard part of the curriculum at the school and as other schools for the deaf were founded others followed suit.
When funding got hard to come by many of these schools decided to accept hearing students who wanted to learn magic. The dedication to teaching sign language, one of the principle ways of using magic was not lessened by this inclusion, if anything it became more intense. This was the birth of the silent school of magic.
A philosphy that sign language should be the primary form of communication in a school of magic. This philosophy spread, resulting in some of the most gifted magi being deaf. The trope of the deaf magi was born.
Magi culture and deaf culture became intertwined, many european, asian, and african students of Compass academy ended up bringing ASL back back with them. Most people assumed sign language to be some universal language. This is not true French, british and Japanese sign language were all seperate languages with their own history and culture.
But as magic spread many deaf people found that the only people they could really communicate with Magi used a different language then they did, American loan signs ended up becoming more and more common with some local sign language forms being wiped out by the american colossos.
As for deaf culture, for many deaf people magic was one of the few and most lucrative ways they could make a living so many did. Using magic to sell ice, make roads, heal, send messages, create, and fight for their country.
Deaf culture and Mage culture became deeply intertwined, and still are even to this day
The New Yorker 1981
Robert Kline
After confering with experts of industry, magi, and students we have come up with a list of the best magic schools in the world.
10. An-Kor School of magic
Located on top of Yudal Mountain Mokpo Korea, An-Kor was founded by An-Kor Park the first east asian to learn magic at Compass. A member of the first 1337 An-Kor traveled home with books of magic hand translated into korean by Merlin himself. A native of Mokpo who had been kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery An-kor's long journey made him tough. He slew the pirates who enslaved him and was gifted with land to start his own school by the korean government in return.
When Japan took over Korea the students of An-Kor seemingly destroyed their school and scattered across the country. In truth they sunk the school deep underground and led a movement to preserve korean culture, history and fight a resistance movement. With the end of japanese rule An-Kor returned to the surface in triumpth and helped rebuild Korea.
During the communist invasion of the 1950s An-Kor students took the lead in defending their country. An-Kor in the modern era has one of the largest libraries in Korea, state of the art facilities, top notch staff and is one of the most respected schools of magic in the world. If you're looking for an education in magic it's hard to top An-Kor
9. Gallaudet school of magic
A specialist in the silent school of magic Gallaudet is the single best school of magic in California, Located in Oceanside Gallaudet is located right on the ocean offering its students a chance to enjoy the ocean. Gallaudete however is not a party school, it is a proud proponent of the silent school of magic and requires every student to complete a one month vow of silence to better master their craft.
Gallaudet's mixture of location, high standards, and excellent teaching staff all help it earn its spot in the top ten.
8. Vanguard Academy
Located in Auch France Vanguard is first and formost a miltary school, all students upon graduation are expected and required by law to serve in the french military. Students who are not native to France are required to serve in the foreignn legion.
Producing some of the most capable combat magi in Europe Vanguard has earned its reputation as an elite school of magic, but their focus on military matters and requirement to join the military, and other limitations force us to place it lower then their biggest rival Stonehenge.
7. Stonehenge Academy of magic
Created in 1840 Stonehenge is located In Amesbury England. Amesbury has the honor of being located on one of the strongest leylines on Earth. It's also the first true school of magic in the United Kingdom. Stonehenge remains an elite institution that only accepts the best of the best, as an educational institution is competes with Cambridge and other elite schools.
If you want your children to get connections with some of the richest and most powerful families in the UK then Stonehenge is a good bet. If you just want a quality education in the mystic arts Stonehenge still has you covered.
6. Salem Academy of Magic
Located in Salem Massachusetts
Compass's biggest rival Salem was founded by Richard Core,y a decendent of Giles Corey one of the men killed during the Salem witch trials. Salem's school motto is "more weight" and they built a reputation for excellence and defiance.
Salem is a school proud of its magic, its history, and thumbing its nose at anyone who has a problem with magic. Its facilities are beyond reproach, its staff is excellent, but its tendency for fanaticism, and the sometimes cult like attachment to their fallen mater's and a focus on magic as a lifestyle choice instead of a tool or a way to make a living forces us to place it much lower on the list then it could be.
5. Brunnsberg school of magic
Part of Sweden's mystic trinity, Brunnsberg is the only school in Sweden that teaches all four seasons. Unlike Trosa and Stockholm which focus almost entirely on the medicinal arts Brunnsberg has a more open mind. Teaching engineering, architecture, and focusing on the practical sides of magic. Despite receiving little financial support from the state Brunnsberg built a hard fought reputation for excellence.
The school itself was built and improved on by the students as class projects and over the years they have created a work of art. Brunnsberg is an elite school with a hard scrabble work ethic, an underrated Gem Brunnsberg deserves far more recognition then it gets.
4. Soloman academy
Located in New Jerusalem Israel, Soloman was the country's first school of magic, and over the generations they helped the country make the tundra bloom. Soloman's focus on practical studies and cutting edge research makes them a good choice for any prospective student.
3. Neuschwanstein
Built by Ludwig the mad, Neuschwanstien castle was built to be the late king's Magnum Opus, but as he borrowed more and more he found himself in debt. In order to save his vision he contacted the fabled Merlin for help. A deal was hatched, Merlin agreed to help fund the project in exchange for the castle being a sister school of Compass.
Delighted to have an actual magical castle Ludwig agreed, the result was the biggest castle in human history. When Ludwig died as per the agreement Neuschwanstein became a school of magic. The school itself is a master piece of construction and is considered to be the single best school of magic in Germany. It managed to survive both world wars intact with students surrendering to the western allies in defiance of orders from Hitler himself in exchange for sparing the school.
2. Warsaw Academy
The Polish city of Warsaw managed to hold out in a century long siege, and it owes much of its survival to the Warsaw Academy. The school is strict and exacting but they are the formost experts in wards in the world. If you want a quality magical education in Europe Warsaw is hands down the best.
1. Compass Academy
Located in the great bay in the city of Zone, New hampshire Compass is the first school of magic to ever be created. Funded by several means Compass does not charge tutition and never has. Its staff is numerous and at times it feels more like a small city then a school.
It teaches at every grade level, in every subject. It's not only the first school of magic but also the biggest school on planet Earth. If you're looking to learn anything compass teaches it. For the sheer breath of knowledge available, for the housing, food, and other option Compass simply can not be beat.
Tomas Pines CIA report A36b 1964
Different countries have different attitudes towards magic.
Most countries see it as a tool.
Korea though sees it as a part of their national identity, they were the first country outside the west to learn actual magic, the first country in asia to make a school of magic. They're also pretty much the only institution in Korea that didn't fold when Japan took over in 1910.
The military, the intelligensia, the government as a whole fell but for Korea's small magic community the annexation was the last straw, they literally took their largest school underground, scattered across the country and renamed themselves the Jayu and proceeded to successfully run a resistance movement against Japan for the next 35 years.
If a Japanese officer, or even just a regular japanese man raped your wife and daughter the Jayu would punish them. If they stole your property they were your only hope of getting it back. When Japan tried to destroy every aspect of Korean culture, their books, their history, the Jayu hid the books in underground libtaries.
Clothed in black coats and white masks the Jayu were a constant thorn in the side of the Japanese, it got to the point where they banned Saxophones upon pain of death. When Japanese occupation ended the Jayu contacted the americans and started the process of creating a free Korea.
Being a mage means something in Korea, and they're easily the most pro magic country in east asia. I fought side by side with the Jayu when the commies invaded, when the Chinese invaded and they're some of the hardest sons of bitches out there.
With this war in India we're going to need all the help we can get, the Koreans will send the Jayu. M, make sure our boys understand that these aren't normal spookies these are some of the hardest and scariest sons of bitches on the planet.
Thank god they're on our side.
Magic and Poland, Jacob Karazim
In the wake of the first Partition members of the polish nobility and upper classes desperately looked for some way to regain the territory they lost. Unfortunately for Poland they were a nation with enemies. To the east the russian giant stood like a colossos, to the west the Prussian army, the master of land warfare and to the south the Austrian Empire.
The news that America had allied itself with an actual Phoenix who wanted to open a school of magic was treated as a fairy tale by most of the world. A way for the british to excuse their defeat to the americans as propaganda. The first magi from the old world were a mixture of adventures, refugees, the desperate and the damned. The only organized push to educate people in the magical arts came from Poland. The first class of Magi had 108 polish students, the largest contingent from Europe.
Going into accelerated training programs these magi came back and trained other magi, and in secret more magi were sent to train at Compass to bring back this power to Poland. By 1790 poland had become terminally weakened by its alliance with Prussia. A new constitution was created, one that enfranchised the middle class. Russia then used this as a pretext to invade Poland.
The new constitution had cased some polish nobles to side with Russia but upon finding out that there would be a second partition they changed sides. The tiny polish magic corps inflicted grave casualties and helped turn the tide in numerous battles. It looked like Poland would beat Russia. Then Prussia, Poland's nominal ally at the time invaded.
Cathrine the Great with the support of the Russian church made the infamous July 13th edict that all polish magi were to be killed on sight. Surrender was impossible so many magi went underground, escaping to Warsaw, hiding amonst the populace and teaching more people. Eventually in 1794 they rose up.
This event was called the sorcerers' revenge, using magic carpets, traps, guerrilla combat and numerous other tricks the Magi were able to liberate the city of Warsaw, and staged an uprising against their oppressors. The war ravaged the country and the numerical and material superority of the enemy was unmatchable. Desperate Polish magi raised walls around Poland and started creating wards everywhere they could inside the city.
The city of Warsaw contains one of the worlds major leyline nexuses and they used this power to create defenses. When the russian army invaded the Magi struck hard. The weather, the air, the ground beneath them was turned against the russian army. The slaugher was so great that the russians decided to instead siege the city, building a series of forts around it killing anyone who tried to get out.
The Poles decided to double down on magic seeing it as their only tool for survival. Everyone inside the city of Warsaw would be forced to learn magic, using what knowledge they had they carefully managed their resources growing food, gathering water and keeping the city alive. The russian army was unable to invade the city with its increasingly more sophisticated wards and growing army of magi and the magi were unable to break the siege and the growing number of forts.
This stalemate ended with Napoleon's invasion and liberation of Poland. With the forts gone the Magi of Warsaw sought revenge on the russians, 1807 brought the short lived rebirth of Poland in the duchy of Warsaw. This was shortlived, though the magi inflicted numerous casualties the russian army was still too large. That said polish magi had used their moment of freedom wisely, converting the old forts into a giant wall and extending the city's wards.
The russian army once again failed to breach the wards and settled in for a long siege, once again Warsaw refused to surender and a stalemate came into being. Polish Magi could only exist in their city and even with great difficulty the russian army could not breach Warsaw's defenses. The Russians thought the siege would only last a few years. The year at this time was 1813, by 1913 the city of
Warsaw was still free from Russia and still a thorn in their side.
In 1915 Germany offered the besiwged city a chance to regain Poland if they fought the russians, of course the area Prussia and Austria had taken would not be given back but Russian occupied Poland would be free.
With lack of better options Warsaw agreed and helped liberate Poland from the russian army.
With the collapse of Russia into civil war, and the defeat of Germany, Poland was able to negiote their freedom. After a century long siege Warsaw stood as the capital of a free Poland once again. The leaders of Poland decided to extend the teaching of magic seeing it as a tool of national survival. They also took over the old russian forts and once again extended Warsaw's defenses. The long siegee had in many people's opinion made Poland paranoid.
This paranoia was validated when the Soviet Union and Germany allied together and invaded Poland. Polish Magi fought well but its military and Magi were forced to flee to Warsaw. The Soviet union tried to invade and like their imperial forebearers were slaughtered to a man. The Soviet union decided to create forts around the city of Warsaw and starve it and bomb it out.
This didn't work and when Germany invaded the Russians were swept from the board, the german military tried to invade Warsaw and like russia was slaughtered to a man, so the german army upgraded the forts around Warsaw and decided to concentrate on conquering Russia, Warsaw would come later.
This moment did not come, with the D-day Invasion and with disasters on the Eastern front the Poles saw a moment of weakness and opportunity, the polish resistance in coastal cities got ready, and the Poles inside Warsaw broke out. By the time the German army brought enough forces to even attempt to quell the uprising the Poles had successfully liberated a few coastal cities.
They held out for allied support and with the whole world watching the western allies sent forces to help liberate Poland. It was thought that the Soviet Union would help aid the allies in liberating Poland. Sadly with the death of Stalin in the battle of Moscow, Lavrentiy Beria took over the Soviet Union. The Beria regime decided that they would let the west bleed and would then be able to sweep in uncontested.
The western Allies instead, managed to conquer Germany at great cost, then America asked the Soviet Union to keep their bargain and help defeat Japan. Beria hemmed and hawed and decided once again to not help. With the end of the war there was a great deal of bitterness that would lead to the current cold war.
