Algeth'ar Academy

Algeth'ar Academy
Type	Academy
Leader(s)	Headteacher Doragosa
Race(s)	Dragon; Drakonid; Dragonspawn; Dracthyr; Various mortal races
Language(s)	Draconic, Various languages
Affiliation(s)	Primary dragonflights, Valdrakken Accord
Location	Northern Thaldraszus
Status	Active
Characteristics
Facilities	Inn Mailbox Stables Anvil & Forge Bank Auctions
Travel	Flight Master(s); Mass-transit; Portal(s)

This article is about the lore of the Algeth'ar Academy. For the instanced dungeon, see Algeth'ar Academy (instance).

“For thousands of years, dragons lived in a world of conflict and strife. I dared not dream of a future where we could study, learn and grow - all within the safety of our own domain. It seems I ought to allow myself to dream bigger. This academy is the culmination of a hope I had long since forgotten.”

— Osithra

The Algeth'ar Academy is a legendary place of higher learning for all dragons, where they share their history and knowledge. Though it fell dormant with the rest of the Dragon Isles, it has recently reopened and is back under the guidance of Headteacher Doragosa. In a series of exciting, new changes, the Academy is currently seeking new students from all walks of life,^[1] not just dragons, as well as volunteers, to help get it back to the bustling halls of education it once was. Those who walk the Academy grounds are sure to learn something new.^[2]

History

When the dragons had to leave the Dragon Isles during the War of the Ancients, Headteacher Doragosa thought of everything and created a complex simulacrum of herself to take care of any day to day tasks and upkeep while the isles laid dormant.^[3]

At some point, Professor Gastrinax was an emeritus of the Algeth'ar Academy until he was expelled by Headteacher Doragosa and the professors for his dangerous experiments.^[4]

Dragonflight

This section concerns content related to Dragonflight.

Doragosa, headteacher of the Algeth'ar Academy.

After the return of the Dragon Isles, the Algeth'ar Academy was open to the world once more. Long ago, its sacred halls were only open to dragons, but in the years that have passed Headteacher Doragosa saw the wisdom of welcoming any who wish to learn, and asked for Kalecgos's recommendation on any promising new students. As great allies to dragonkind, the adventurers received the honor to attend the school.^[5] Other visitors also received this honor, including Archmage Vargoth, Chief Telemancer Oculeth, Scrollsage Nola, and Naralex who could be seen chatting with a few professors.

During their visit, the adventurers had to help solve some problems within the academy. In an effort to clear the botany labs, Professor Mystakria and Professor Ichistrasz used too much life magic, creating an Overgrown Ancient that threatened to undo all their hard work in the Botanica.^[6] Without maintenance, the Lish Llrath arena was invaded by birds, notably Crawth who took up residence in the center of the Pitch and had no intention of moving.^[7] When the academy staff later tried to use Doragosa's simulacrum to help keep track of all the new students, they dicovered that the spell was degraded after all these years, causing it to become violent and unstable.^[3] The academy regained its calm after they were done with the threats.^[5]

Following the official reopening, the academy's staff made several orders to artisans in Valdrakken for supplies, including alchemic solutions for the future exams,^[8] and enchanting rods for the enchantment formations.^[9] Some students also ordered several magical scepters to play with.^[10] Headteacher Doragosa later asked the adventurers to assist some apprentices in their exams, especially to test their potions, which could have proved fatal for less accomplished people.^[11]

When a time-displaced version of young Anduin Wrynn appeared in the Everywhen Inn, his lucky card was stolen by dragon whelps who added it to their "card tornado" at the academy. The adventurer was sent to recover it, and once in his possession, the young prince took a portal home to his time.^[12]

After the Dragon Isles opened, Eadweard Dalyngrigge begged the Algeth'ar Academy to let him study the many volumes of Sindragosa's memoirs, and found a brief mention of a battle at Traitor's Rest.^[13]

Education

The Algeth'ar Academy's entrance with the banners of all five primary flights and the Valdrakken Accord.

As the dragonflights share their knowledge with one another at the Algeth'ar Academy, its entrance is marked by the banners of all five primary flights and the Valdrakken Accord. The dragon, drakonid, and dragonspawn students learn here to use their powers, but also study the history and magic of the other flights.^[14]^[15] At the same time, the scholars continue to deepen their knowledge and to experiment in their own fields of study. The arrival of the dracthyr in the academy is appreciated, as even they are young, what they lack in experience they make up for with a boundless thirst for knowledge.^[16]

Registration

Only those who are registered as a student can access the academy, which can be done at the official registrar^[17] or by being recommended as a promising student.^[5] When a student matriculates for their first year at the academy,^[18] they must join one of the five groups (named after the primary dragonflights) present at their respective camp at the Quad. Depending on their choice, they will receive a pin surging with energy of the said flight in order to enhance their abilities, and to show their allegiance.^[19] Each flight has a common score of study points their members earn during the year, and the blue dragonflight is known for having maintained the highest grade point average of all the flights.^[20]

Since the reopening, registrations are open to more than just dragons as well.^[21]

Formation

Headmaster's Enclave, the office of Headteacher Doragosa.

A principle of the school is to teach by example, while the rating and performance system is based on letters with the mentions + or - (like the American academic grading).^[22]^[23] A year of study at the academy is divided into semesters.^[17] In case of bad behavior, points can be deducted.^[17] Most of the students can be seen studying for their future assignments, and some are even enclosed in personalized fields created by Echonormu, accelerating time inside in order to study more.

As one of the most tenured professors in the academy, Professor Maxdormu uses his powers as a bronze dragon to help bring his history lessons to life. While this proves to be quite an educational and fun experience, it can occasionally go awry. Vexamus is one of his favorite lessons, but if any historical detail is inaccurate he will be quick to scold any rowdy students.^[24] He also teaches lessons on conflicts like the War of the Shifting Sands, using magical projections during his classes.

Across the school, a few professors can be seen teaching groups of students, such as Professor Bilmorus and Professor Dromokdormi. Ochresera notably serves as an oneiromancy instructor, while Professor Intinosa is known as the Master of Illusions. Professor Oxigos can be seen organizing dueling classes between students, especially in the use of defensive and polymorphism spells in combat tactics. Talcorvius is in charge of the alchemy classes and exams. Professor Saphigozi and Professor Vatlinteth are academy artists who organize painting lessons with their students, calling on voluntary models to work with. Professor Mystakria and Professor Ichistrasz seem to specialize in the field of botany and life magic.

If for a long time the magic of the black dragons was feared due to the corruption of their flight by the Old Gods, after the reopening of the academy, Archivist Edress received the opportunity to become a teacher. She is now able to pass her knowledge to a full class of students, with homework that requires grading, and is delighted that their ways will not be lost to the ravages of time.^[25]

While cleaning the academy, a few Unruly Textbooks attacked the adventurers and named some of their lesson chapters, including: "The Founding Principles of Hornswog Evolution", "Ecological Impact of Djaradin Hunting Behaviors", "Idealism as Portrayed in the Dracthyr Renaissance", and "Chemical Structure and Properties of Decay Magic".

Gestion

The Algeth'ar Academy's library.

The academy staff includes agents in charge of ensuring that the school functions as well as possible. The academy attendants are the most numerous agents, they can be seen protecting the academy, assisting the teachers in their classes, and cleaning the school alongside enchanted brooms. The Academy Chef and his assistant Stubert Sealgager are in charge of preparing all the meals.

Before it was corrupted after centuries of operation, the Echo of Doragosa was created to take care of any day to day tasks and upkeep, notably to keep track of all the new students, while the isles laid dormant.^[3] In the event of an attack or intrusion into the academy, the simulacrum had the mission of protecting the premises and could summon security agents to help in its task.

The red dragon Cauteristrasz serves as the school's caretaker and treats injured students with the help of the academy assistants.

Managed by Zuligosa, the Late Night Lab is an inn and meeting place between students located at the Algeth'era Court. Inside, the green dragon Bromithus is a skilled botanist and an accomplished oneiromancer, who is as skilled at keeping people awake as in helping them to sleep. His coffee is not meant for mortal consumption, unless they want to remain sleepless for an entire moon.^[26] Conversely in the academy, Dreamkeeper Y'sani specialize in tinctures and tonics to ease the burdens of the dragons, allowing them to sleep, as some of them have lived for a long time with a mind that refuses to forget the horrors that have beset Azeroth for ages upon ages.^[27]

According to Kemora, the academy's library is spectacular, as there are books there that even the Azure Archives Annex of Valdrakken do not possess. Under the care of the librarian Hopistella, it is necessary for the academy's members to obtain a library card in order to borrow the books.^[21]

Activities

The Lish Llrath arena above the academy.

Each flight has a team of players for the Talon Toss Championships (or "Lish Llrath" in Draconic), a sport played by dragons and dragonkin in the arena provided. Among the teams, the black dragonflight is represented by the Darkwings in the academy.^[28] According to Headteacher Doragosa, if the students continue to hone their skills they will bring back the tournaments once more.^[29]

The students can also host parties, and the red dragonflight is known for making the best of them.^[30]

The academy also saw the opening of the Hearthstone club after Yumadormu's efforts,^[31] who recruited among the dracthyr, dragons and mortals students to learn and play Hearthstone.^[32] They have their own club room in the Algeth'ar Tower, with the necessary equipment and furniture for their activities.