Ximax Academy: Layout III

Rayne (Alýr)

Dreamress

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 117
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 4.466

Ximax Academy: Layout III

« on: 12 April 2004, 23:26:00 »

All right, I think it’s about time we tried to start up discussion on Ximax Academy. Not a lot was discussed in the last discussion topic, but I’ll try to summarize what was agreed on in that and previous discussions. First, we have our list of towers:

The Tower of Xeua
The Tower of Ecua
The Tower of Wind
The Tower of Fire
The Tower of Water
The Tower of Earth
The Tower of Arithmancy and Alchemy
The Tower of Myth and Lore
The Tower of Tomes
The Tower of Foreign Culture
The Tower of History
The Tower of Records
The Tower of Dangerous Beasts
The Tower of Dangerous Experiments
The Tower of Health
The Tower of Passage (Official name)/ Old Guard Tower(called by teacher)/ Tower of Judgment (As called by students)
The Garden House
The Grand Dining Hall
The Guest House
Storage and Stables
House of Fine Arts
Physical Education
Recreation Area for Music and Arts
Recreation Area for Physical Education
The Club House (was the Herb and Plant Garden)
Ornamental Garden and Academy Gates

We need to decide on the shape and style of Ximax Architecture: Should it be different? Should it be uniform? If we want the towers to be different, we need to make sure we take into consideration the internal layout.

As for that, I suggested having the first floor be the lounge room: a place for students to hangout and such. Perhaps the second floor might be the tower library. From there, The next few floors will make up classrooms and labs. Perhaps even a storage floor. Then, we can have the dorms. The first few levels will be level 1 mages; the next floor, level two; the next, level three; etc, etc. And this will proceed up through the teachers, separated by levels varying between 7 and 10. Then the Archmage will have a tower at the very top.

Also, what materials will be used? In the previous discussion, we seemed to agree on marble, but that is opt to changed based on what we decide of the style. We also need to take the colors of each tower into consideration.

Our current tower colors are as follows:
Wind: Gray, Purple, Indigo
Water: Blue, Aqua, Turquoise
Fire: Red, Orange, Gold
Earth: Yellow, Green, Brown
Xeuá: White
Ecuá: Black

We’ll also need to decide on the shape and style of the outer towers and houses, as well as their internal layout. Do we want these towers to be uniform or different?

Note: We have a lot of freedom in what styles we want to do, and aren’t tied to the oirigins of Ximax. Though Ximax was originally built by a human, we can add elven qualities to the towers, or even dwarvish ones. Let’s be creative here!

I think that we’ve basically decided that the population of each tower will be 400 students and teachers, while the arch-schools will have a total of around 150 students and teachers each. The size of the towers will probably be shaped by these numbers. These numbers are opt to change if necessity calls for them to. We might want to think of the population of other towers, which should be small.

Later Stuff:

We’ll probably work on these things later, but we’ll need to look closer into what the population make-up will look like racially. Ximax has long stood out as being a place of many human but mostly elven students. More and more, however, it’s coming to light that many elven forests contain schools as well, and many of the elves that would go to Ximax are going to these closer schools.

We’ll need to decide whether or not Ximax will be government-funded, and how the satellite schools will function.

Eventually, deciding what kind of classes will be taught here will be something of an issue. Start thinking about those classes now and how they will be coordinated. We’ll also need to come up with some sort of schedule.

Last but not least, we’ll need to figure out the history of Ximax: Not just when the towers were erected, but when the rest of the school came into being. Even when it really bacame a school.

Now, I hope everyone's refreshed. Shall we get to it?

...Ripples in the Dream Pool...


	Logged

"There is much misjudgment in the world. Now, I knew you for a unicorn when I first saw you, and I know that I am your friend. Yet you take me for a clown, or a clod, or a betrayer, and so I must be if you see me so. The magic on you is only magic and will vanish as soon as you are free, but the enchantment of error that you put on me I must wear forever in your eyes. We are not always what we seem..." -Schmendrick the Magician, The Last Unicorn

Chronusian

Wandering Wind-Wizard

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 3
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 375

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #1 on: 13 April 2004, 22:57:00 »

Umm...As for the way the towers look... I think that they should all be architectured a little differently... but not so much that they all look look 100% different. The towers should be element specific besides color in someway. Maybe the fire tower could generate heat and light, or the wind tower have stones from floating aroound it. Simple things that set the towers apart, without having four completely different towers.

As for the inner layout... I think what you have is fine, but I think the Higher level mages should be below the lower level mages... That is of course, if the Archmage oversees the school... But from what I've seen (Or think I have) no one ever sees the ArchMages...

And something I haven't seen mentioned... The campus outside of the towers. Are there trees? Maybe there is a forest in Ximax? I think it would be necessary for mages to have such resources available.

Umm... thats all...

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Henry David Thoreau


	Logged

'Late? Don't be silly. I arrived just in time for tea.'

Rayne (Alýr)

Dreamress

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 117
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 4.466

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #2 on: 14 April 2004, 02:18:00 »

How are we going to have all the buildings look, though? I would like to keep the shape somewhat similar so that we are still able to have the same interior layout, but it would be nice to have something different.

Each of the towers tends to appeal to a certain race. Perhaps the wind tower might be inscribed with elvish runes, or something to that nature? Perhaps the Earth tower might have dwarvish symbols?

I still think that the higher levels should be above the lower ones. This sllows things to be more even. If we have the higher levels lower in the tower, then all of the high levels (7, 8, 9, and 10) would all need to be on the same level, instead of each having their own floor.

Some trees might be nice, but a forest would probably end up being something of a hindrance given that there are going to be a lot of people commuting to different towers. In some cases, emergencies may require a quick rush to the hospital tower. Having to mnage thrugh all those trees will probably end up doing some harm. Keep in mind that we do have a Garden House.

...Ripples in the Dream Pool...


	Logged

Kikhku

Newbie

Gained Aura: 0
Offline

Offline

Posts: 255

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #3 on: 14 April 2004, 10:07:00 »

I agree on the higher levels being higher in the tower.

Why not have the base of each tower identical: A large structure built of stone. As the tower rises higher (and as the students become stronger with their element, higher level students being at higher levels of the tower) the tower will take on more and more of that element's attributes. I am picturing the air tower starting with stone at the bottom, slowly melding into a glass structure, and the top floors will simply be currents of air which the archmage creates.
The fire building might be normal stone, then volcanic rock, and at the very top, flowing magma with flames leaping from it.
For earth, I doubt the tower would go very high. Perhaps just have the earth tower be a mound of dirt and a huge network of underground caves. Most earth mages are dwarven anyway.
Water would start with stone once more, and slowly the stone would become ice, and at the very top, liquid water.
I picture the tops of Xeua and Ecua as dust storms. Material would constantly be breaking up and gathering together, causing them to be shrouded in the resulting air and dust currents.

It makes sense really, the higher levels have higher level mages with stronger magic.


	Logged

Mina

Moderator

Gained Aura: 63
Offline

Offline

Posts: 2.833

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #4 on: 14 April 2004, 10:56:00 »

Well, if you want to go with a unique look for each tower, I think Xarl's ideas were pretty good.
Basically,
Wind: Yellow cone with doughnut-shaped rings cut out (not sure what this mean, but I get some really odd images from this)
Water: Upside-down icicle
Fire: Twin-towers spiralling around each other, meeting at a large ruby at the top
Earth: Miniature mountain (extends underground as well)

About the only thing I'd change is the appearance of the tower of wind. I think it'd be interesting if the tower is invisible, or perhaps only a shimmering outline of the tower is visible. I also get the feeling it might be nice to place the tower of water in the middle of some sort of miniature lake, but I can't seem to figure out how that will fit. I suppose the outer towers (those having nothing to do with teaching magic) will have a uniform appearance?

I agree about not having too many trees outside the Garden House. Some trees would be nice, as Rayne said, but having an entire forest will be a little troublesome. Besides, it'd be a little redundant, since the Garden House will, I think, pretty much have an indoor forest. Well, mini-forest anyway. And perhaps jungle, and desert, and maybe even something like a Zen garden. There should be enough space for all that, since it pretty much takes up the entire length of one side of the inner wall.

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.

Edited by: Mina Aylwin at: 4/13/04 18:57


	Logged

~~ Development Schedule & Notes • Santharian Timeline Draft ~~

Kikhku

Newbie

Gained Aura: 0
Offline

Offline

Posts: 255

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #5 on: 14 April 2004, 13:20:00 »

Water towers? Why worry about those when you have the most potent group of water mages in santharia (presumably).

Why not just have a waterfall flowing down the water tower. It would look beautiful if the entire tower was constantly covered in a torrent of running water, it would provide security, and it would provide more then enough water to keep an entire city watered, let alone the acadamy.

That could work well. And the tower would look really cool..


	Logged

Coren FrozenZephyr

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 157
Offline

Offline

Gender: Male

Posts: 3.357

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #6 on: 14 April 2004, 13:39:00 »

you mean like having an endless source of ice melting at the very top of the tower, and creating a waterfall as it falls?

Do we need to have a tower shaped like an upside down icicle? Why not have some sort of palm like (hand) thing or an open flower (something related to water? some special sort of a water lily perhaps) with the water surging up from the middle? Then perhaps instead of having a normal waterfall, the water coming out from this source could spiral around the building (so the water doesn't block all the windows and gas exchange etc)?

Fire: Maybe the ruby could always look as if it's about to explode (very red, glowing, hot etc)?

Earth: maybe (after a certain floor) the material / mud keeps molding and changing shape and type periodically? (perhaps this could serve as a Ximax clock tower? noon, bright sun, hot >> clay, dawn >> white marble, just making these up. Probably someone could come up with periods)

Development Schedule


	Logged

"Everything should be as simple as possible and not simpler." Albert Einstein

Development Schedule

"Is he allowed to do that?"
"I think that comes under the rule of Quia Ego Sic Dico."
"Yes, what does that mean?"
"'Because I say so', I think."
"That doesn't sound like much of a rule!"
"Actually, it's the only one he needs." (Making Money by Terry Pratchett)

Kikhku

Newbie

Gained Aura: 0
Offline

Offline

Posts: 255

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #7 on: 14 April 2004, 13:50:00 »

oooh, it could be an avalange. THe water magic is so strong at the top that the water is ice, then it melts as you go further down and the magic becomes weaker.


	Logged

Rayne (Alýr)

Dreamress

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 117
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 4.466

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #8 on: 14 April 2004, 14:14:00 »

When it comes to the water tower, I personally like the idea of having an endless streamof water coming up from the top and rippling down to perhaps a small mote serroundings the structure. From this mote, water can be pulled back up to the top. Basically, it's the same amount of water flowing continuously through the structure.

Ice is cold. Magma is hot. Let's be sure we keep all this in mind, all right? If we're going to have a building with magma floating down the sides, then we're going to have some very crispy students.Also remember that anythng too extreme (like duststorms, churning magma, whirlwinds) will have to be maintained. Spells don't just cast themselves.

So, let's keep in mind:
1. Practicality of design: maintaining some of these things might be a bit difficult.
2. Practicality of function: This is a school. It's main purpose is to teach, not to look pretty. Let's not loose focus!

...Ripples in the Dream Pool...


	Logged

HuunBerbar

Newbie

Gained Aura: 0
Offline

Offline

Posts: 35

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #9 on: 14 April 2004, 15:02:00 »

But it can look pretty on the side!!

M'hmm


	Logged

Mina

Moderator

Gained Aura: 63
Offline

Offline

Posts: 2.833

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #10 on: 14 April 2004, 15:53:00 »

I like the waterfall suggestion too. It certainly fits very well. As for the moat, perhaps make it look more natural, sort of like a miniature lake. I think that'd look pretty nice.

So, what does everyone think about my invisible tower idea?

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.


	Logged

~~ Development Schedule & Notes • Santharian Timeline Draft ~~

Rayne (Alýr)

Dreamress

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 117
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 4.466

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #11 on: 14 April 2004, 16:22:00 »

I think that it might perhaps be better if the tower could be seen. The Wind tower is an important tower, after all. Not being able to see it would come as a hindrance. Plus it would confuse a LOT of students.

...Ripples in the Dream Pool...


	Logged

Mina

Moderator

Gained Aura: 63
Offline

Offline

Posts: 2.833

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #12 on: 14 April 2004, 16:27:00 »

Well, I did mention that perhaps a shimmering outline of the tower could be visible. Looks better than a levitating tower or a tower with sections cut out of it, I think. Perhaps the main entrance could be visible, so the students don't get too confused.

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.


	Logged

~~ Development Schedule & Notes • Santharian Timeline Draft ~~

Rayne (Alýr)

Dreamress

Santh. Member

Gained Aura: 117
Offline

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 4.466

Re: Ximax Academy: Layout III

« Reply #13 on: 14 April 2004, 16:36:00 »

Yes, you mentioned that, but I think it would still lead to confusion. I would suggest it be seen. Having a random door to what would appear to be nothing at all would still seem a bit confusing. I might even prefer a floating tower, though that might be difficult to pull off.

...Ripples in the Dream Pool...