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Lystern College City Lystern has long been seen as the poor relation among the four colleges and might have been swallowed up by Xetesk hundreds of years ago but for the support of Julatsa and, to a lesser extent, Dordover. But after a long time struggling to attract students, the last century and a half have seen rapid growth. The city and college developed very close ties and actively sought recruits from eastern Balaia, particularly in the southern ports of Gyernath and Arlen. Numbers have grown steadily and while they are still lower than in any other college, a larger percentage stay in the college to research and train. This loyalty is engendered in students from their first days at the college and has been enhanced by three key factors. First, there is genuine closeness between mage and non-mage, with most students quartered with non-mage families outside the college. Secondly, Heryst, the enlightened High Elder Mage is in charge and universally popular; and thirdly, his General is Balaia's best known soldier - Ry Darrick. Lystern, whose mana colour is a deep green, operates an open tower structure. A dozen towers surround a central spire and any student is welcome in any of them. The magic Lystern operates is largely benign, though they have their versions of most offensive spells, and they have the most exciting research programme of any college (some of which is co-funded by Julatsa). The college is fast becoming the first choice for a new mage generation. Lystern College Lectures |