Faith’s Licentiate

[Tempest]

9th of Vha’lar 719

Trandino walked into his office while popping his neck. He was the dean over the institute of sciences at the Viden academy. There was a monumental meeting coming up later that morning. One with Faith Agustin. It had been many arcs since the dean had heard about the woman being in Viden. Last time if his memory served correctly, she had been a slave and her master had tried to get her into classes. Of course such a thing was not allowed at the academy so she had fell off their radar for a while. From what he understood of her past the Scalvoris academy took her on as a student.

He was not completely sure if that was before or after she got her freedom. However after everything the woman had done the man decided to have only a few others in on the meeting. Most would be there it meet with her and extend their services to her if she so desired. The blood magic research could really push different diseases to the edge of extinction. Clearing his head the man prepared for the meeting that would take place soon. When the woman had lectured, he had not been able to attend himself due to a prior engagement however he had heard great things about how her class had went.

Trandino called the other science institute leaders in to the meeting room to finish preparations for the licienture. Several would actually be below the level of education that the woman was trying to move to. However it was important that they be in attendance to ask any questions that come to mind about her past research and about any new trials and tests she would be performing. He meet with the group in the large meeting room. Most of the time the man would be the one leading the discussion but this time he would start it differently. The dean intended for Faith to lead with a description of her proposal along with her results of previous work. The man sent his assistant to go find her as the room filled with excited talking.

Verin was one of the men though over the institute of Arcana, he was know for his herbalism and research. Trandino himself was there known for his leadership and poisoncrafting. He also brought in an older member of the Sciences Ocraloch. He was not at the level of the other two, but the member of the staff needed to have more experience with interviews. The three men relaxed and discussed the woman and everything that she had managed to accomplish for the Order, in the war, and in health care. Upon here arrival they all quieted down and looked at her.

“Welcome, Mrs Faith Agustin. My name is Trandino, I am the dean of the institute of Sciences. I will be the one leading our discussion today,” Trandino stated and shook hands with her.

“Hello Madam, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Verin and I am over the institute of Arcana,” Verin stated and shook her hand next.

“Hello Miss Faith. I was able to sit in on your lecture. It was very impressive to see you at work. My name is Ocraloch, I am one the staff members under Dean Trandino,” Ocraloch stated and shook her hand next.

“Normally we would ask you questions about your proposal, however I would like you to present your proposal to every one first,” Trandino said and turned the floor over to the woman.

[Faith Augustin]

9th Vhalar 719

Was this it, Faith wondered? Was this the final time that she would have to do this and then, this trial, she would be awarded her Licentiate? She didn't know but, as much as she'd like to say she didn't care, the trembling in her fingers would prove her a liar. She was ready, she knew. She'd done everything that she could possibly do to prepare. She had with her a satchel, which contained three copies of her Thesis - she knew that they had copies, but that wasn't the point as far as she was concerned, a Domain Bag with her items prepared in there, and, of course, she had with her - nestled in the satchel - the hand-out for them which she had prepared. Sitting and waiting outside, she remembered the moment when she had sat and waited outside the office in the Scalvoris campus, wondering if she would be allowed to join. Her heart was in her throat then, too, she considered and she smiled at the thought of it. What a strange expression, to have one's heart in one's throat. Yet, it was how it felt.

She was called in quickly and she smiled gratefully at the receptionist who did so, making sure to make eye contact and say thank you. Manners, after all, cost nothing. Then, she stepped in to the office. There were three people there, all of whom she recognised, and she smiled a small smile. Faith had dressed in white and red to-trial. A subconscious choice, but an important one. White was the colour she never wore as a slave, it was a free woman's colour and such she was. So, she wore a white blouse. That blouse was tucked in to a red skirt - the very same one Padraig had commented on three arcs ago now, telling her that he liked her in red. She wore a red shawl over the blouse and her hair had a small red ribbon in it. The colour that Padraig had told her she looked nice in always gave her confidence, and it made her feel connected to her husband, too.

Each one of the three of them, she shook hands, smiled and nodded. Each got a personal greeting, a "Hello, it's a pleasure to see you again, sir." to Trandino, then a "It's very nice to make your acquaintence," to Verin and finally, to Ocraloch, she noded. "I remember. Third row from the back, end of the aisle, right next to the door. You were quiet. I understand why now." Her perfect memory did her good for some things. The Dean then told her that he was going to hand the floor over to her, that she was going to describe her thesis and Faith nodded. "Thank you, Dean Trandino. If I may?" She put down her Domain Bag and her satchel and then, she handed out the single sided piece of parchment.

Overview:
This is a consideration of the blood. It looks at the structure and function of blood, considering differences within - and between - species. It considers blood in it's natural, healthy state. Consideration then moves to blood when impacted by disease - both natural and unnatural (manufactured) before moving to an analysis of the impact of ether (here defined as energy, thus being Domain, Divine, Ectoplasm and Ephemera) on bloods.

Structure & Function:
The invention of the magnifiermicroscope has been fundamental in developing understanding of the structure of blood. This section considers differences in the two substances found when blood is separated - red and yellow blood in most races. While the yellow blood is largely a universal donation, the red blood seems to have types. There are major consequences here as a Type I blood in humans seems to be compatible with Type I in a number of compatible races.

Blood Health:
The main argument here is that the body seeks to maintain balance and blood is the messenger of this health. In the way that an imbalance or imperfection in the blood impacts the whole body, so too does the body health impact the blood. Issues of diet, fitness, and many other aspects will also have a significant effect on the blood.

Disease:
This section is largely concerning the Rynmere plague, but it also draws on a number of other diseases which have consequences on the blood. With a specific focus on disease which impact and degrade blood. It considers how these are largely targeted at the yellow blood.

Ether:
Here, the work considers the ways that Ether (in all varieties) changes blood. A consideration of different domain magic types leads to the conclusion that ether has an impact on blood, with different magical types making minute, but significantly different changes. The degradation of ether means that this has a limited life.

"This," she said, motioning to the piece of parchment "is a summary of the whole thing. Obviously, there is a lot more to it, and here are some spare copies, should you need them. I hope that's sufficient." Every contingency, every emergency, she knew that she was a dreadful fuss, but equally, Faith got the job done. If any of them hadn't read it - or had read it some time ago now and didn't entirely remember it, that was there and sorted for them.

"So," she said and, in that moment Faith realised something. He wanted her to teach them. To tell them about it. To really actually teach them. Well, that was acceptable, she thought - she could do that. So, she looked over at Oraloch and she smiled. "In my lecture, I told you. When I hold out my hands, I can see the blood on them. On all of yours." There was no judgement from Faith as she said that, no matter how much blood there was. "And I explained my philosophy. To be a medic, to save lives, to push the boundaries - that is to know failure and for us, failure is death. But, isn't it interesting how we even express it that way, see it that way, know it, instinctively, that way. Blood is life." She smiled and looked around at them. "And I need to understand it." It was true. That was fundamentally the case.

"All blood - every mortal race, even those born from the Immortals themselves - have two types of blood. The blood in their veins splits into two liquids, yellow and - usually - red, sometimes silver. My thesis considers blood from a number of angles. The structure and function of blood - which I believe is far from understood, still," Faith made sure that she went slowly enough that they could read if they chose to and she continued only once they had finished. "Then the notion on blood health, where I consider influences on blood and it's influence, in turn, on the body and general health. The third section looks at Disease and the impact of Disease on the blood."

Pausing for a moment, Faith glanced around to make sure that they were with her and she nodded. "Finally, I look at the impact of ether on blood. Different Domain Magics, different Blessings, each type of Ether identified here impacts the yellow blood and that is where I undertake an analysis." Faith looked at them and nodded. "It looks at blood. The reality of how important it is to the body, how ether impacts it and how, when blood is out of balance, everything else is. Is that what you were hoping for?"

The last question she addressed to the Dean. Faith was used to teaching and she was quite happy to do so. Hopefully, this is what he had meant, she thought. If not, that was fine. She'd just do something else.

Off Topic

Firstly. Thank you for this. So much! Secondly, the handout is something I used in another thread, so I've made sure that my non-handout words are more than 250.

[Tempest]

Trandino listened closely as she greeted each person in turn. He had not realized that Ocraloch had gotten the chance to sit in on her lecture. That had to been quite an experience, it would turn out to help them in the long run on if she had enough to consider for a continuation on her studies. The Scalvoris campus had never been really pushy about that. The woman did not seem nervous once she began to talk about her thesis on her project. The three sat there with the occasional nod while the two others looked at the proposal on the table. Trandino picked it up looked it over just to refresh his mind on what she planned on doing.

He had of course already read the complete thing with the results of her previous experiments and surgeries. The dean looked over when Ocraloch nodded as if completely understanding what she spoke of. He had been away from the operating area that Trandino seemed to almost be numb. The man glanced at his hands when she spoke of being able to see the blood on his hands. A part of him began to wonder for a moment when actually helping those that were in danger of dying had changed for him. Clearing his voice, he looked up at her for a moment regarding her words carefully.

“It seems you have big plans for any you can get to be your test subjects,” Trandino started, “have you only used the blood of those that have passed as you did against the Rynmere plague? Or have you also began using live test subjects in Scalvoris?”

“Sir I do not mean to argue with you. But Mrs Augustine has given us no reason to be suspicious of her. If anything I would give her my full endorsement without a second thought. She has saved the world, defeated a plague, and rose through the ranks of the academy’s when you turned her away years ago,” Verin said glancing over to him.

It did not seem uncommon for the two to argue the way Verin talked to Trandino. Ocraloch cleared his voice looking at the two as they spoke very openly in front of her.

“I agree with Verin Mr Dean. Her past as a slave should not even come to your mind. She has been a great help to the world and science. I agree that her progress should be granted. It is no question in my mind that she has the best interest of the people in this world at heart,” Ocraloch said with great confidence after hearing her plans.

“Slow down you two. While it is admirable you both are so willing to trust her. There is more to learn,” Trandino stated, “okay Mrs Augustine I have a few questions. Do you plan on conducting the next round of research here in Viden? How will your tests begin animals or humanoid subjects?”

[Faith Augustin]

9th Vhalar 719

She did as she'd been asked, she gave her information over, and then the questions began. As they did, Faith addressed each one as clearly as she could, despite the growing sense of unease which she felt. "My Charter was based on live blood from a range of races, and was done in collaboration with the three Academies," she said with a smile when Trandino asked about live subjects."I had volunteers from Rynmere, Scalvoris and Viden." But then, the three of them started to speak, to discuss different viewpoints and Faith's expression remained calm and neutral. Padraig would have known in a heartbeat, of course, by the way that the tips of her fingers pressed against each other. She listened, and she did not speak again, until Trandino spoke to her. Rather, she sat and simply kept her gaze calmly on them and her hands still, folded gently in her lap.

After Trandino asked his question, Faith paused for a moment before answering. "I was never turned away from Viden Academy," Faith said quietly. "When I was a slave, I wanted to join the University in Rynmere. That was where I lived." She looked at Trandino and did not drop her gaze. "Although I would have been, of course. Turned away from here, that is." She lapsed into silence for a moment and then she breathed in, unconsciously straightening her back, although her posture was always very good. "I would have been turned away from here because you do not, will not, accept slaves." Hands which had been crossed in her lap twitched slightly as she entwined her fingers together, and then the frown which had just begun to crease Faith's forehead cleared and she smiled.

"And yet, here I am, a former slave. Which is, of course, the real issue." Glancing at Verin and Ocraloch, then back to Trandino, Faith looked relaxed; her hands were no longer tensely held together and she considered what she was about to do - about to say. She considered it, saw it from all the angles, and then spoke. "Because the Viden Academy needs to be sure that it does not back down when it comes to it's stance and yet." She paused just long enough for them to see the irritation flash in her silver eyes. "And yet, you are aware that - because of who I am - I could and would bring a lot of kudos to your Academy. You want me on the back foot, and you want me grateful." She gestured to the paperwork. "That is my thesis. It is more than good enough, and you all know it. That is not why we are here. We are here to ensure that I feel obliged to Viden for deigning to take my Licentiate, when I have the audacity of being born into slavery." Faith leaned forward, just ever so slightly.

"My past as a slave is entirely relevant. It means that I understand power, and control." She very much did, of course. She understood it, she had lived it. Her intention was, had always been, to ensure that collaboration between Scalvoris, Rharne, and Viden meant that they all worked together for the betterment of medicine. But Faith's days as a victim of others were long since over "The purpose of this meeting is to pass - or not - my licentiate thesis. That is why we are here. The research within it is what you are here to measure, and that research has already been done, as detailed there. If it is deemed acceptable, then I will be granted the Licentiate from the Viden Academy. If it is not, I will not." When Faith grew determined, she was relentless and - in this moment - relentless was exactly what she was. "My future work is not being examined here. That document is the result of arcs of work already, and that is what you are here to judge. It is not a matter of trust, Dean Trandino." Silver eyes regarded each of them. "It is a matter of seeing the student, clarifying that this is their work via this meeting, and then passing - or not - what the student has submitted. You do not own my future, Dean, and I will not allow any attempt to control it."

She gave a slight smile. Faith was a very small person in height and stature, but she was unwavering in her commitment to what she did. "I would therefore like to stay on track. I have given you my thesis, you have heard a summary. Do you have any questions about it, or the contents of that document?" Because there would be no more subtle 'are you doing this in Viden' questions. One eyebrow raised and Faith looked at the three of them. "If so, I'm very happy to answer them," she said. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added. "Oh. And it's Dr Augustin."

[Tempest]

Dean Trandino sat there and stared at the woman as she spoke. It was clear that she had come a long way since her times as a slave. However her speech about the academy not taking slaves was not a lie whatsoever. He had never been one to hide his disdain for those who are weak to learn. They would have to gain their freedom before being given a higher education. He leaned back in his chair listening closely as the woman responded to his questions.

Her eyes narrowed very slightly when she mentioned being born a slave. Ocraloch seemed surprised to find it had been Rynmere to actually keep her from starting classes. Verin made a mental note to apologize for misunderstanding her personal history late after everything was done. In the pairs minds there was no question that she deserved to be allowed into the next step of her education. No matter what the dean said Mrs Augustin, correction Dr Augstin had well earned her stripes in their field of study. Now it was time to let her pass on the knowledge gained to the youth coming up. The dean shifted some when the woman stared him right in the eyes. It looked like she was trying to get him to argue with her. Clearing his throat the Dean looked at her papers again to give a reason for her to stop staring at him.

“I agree Dr Augstin. Your work has spoken for itself. The academy would be honored to have someone of your caliber teaching and researching here in the city. Do not let those with a prejudice against slaves stop you. Surely if you will only be in Viden for a short time all the academy's will allow you to work within their facilities. I completely endorse your licentiate,” Verin stated.

“It is sad to hear that slaves would be treated so poorly by the academies. However it is no surprise, please accept my apology for how hard your track has been. With no second thought, your research has spoken for itself, and I completely endorse your advancement to licentiate as well,” Ocraloch said.

With a sigh, Trandino could no longer stall. He had to give his answer, and it was clear his companions had made their decisions. Looking at them for a moment the man turned his attention to Faith Augstin. She had proved her worth it was true and her research was perfect with amazing results.

“Well Dr Augstin, it seems my partners have made their decisions. Your research is well done and speaks for itself. I endorse your licentiate as well,” Trandino took out the paper and signed it before handing it to Faith, “I am excited to see what more you can do.”

Trandino stood up with Verin and Ocraloch to dismiss her. He shook her hand and stepped out while she said good bye to Verin and Ocraloch. The pair were happy to welcome her to the academy as a new member.

[Tempest]

Name: Faith Augustin

Knowledge:
Research: 2
Intelligence: 2
Negotiation: 2

Loot: licentiate
Injuries: none
Renown: +5
Magic XP: none

Points: 15

- - -

Comments: It was such an honor to help Faith take this next step in her education. I cannot wait to see what else she does.

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