Pale Academy

In the immense, 'machine city' of Orzon (the capital of Doren), lies one of the most renowned institutes of learning in Toussaint. This academy, the Palinchrome, is a large keep made from a peculiar pale white stone that appears to have an opal-like veneer over it when hit with sunlight. Embedded in the rocks of the ancient Dorenese keep are gemstones of all shades of blue, found in the Opal Archipelago by the Dredgers' mining companies of west-Doren. The Palinchrome, more commonly referred to as 'the Pale Academy', is an academic institute which focusses on the research-fields of history, physics, geology, and language studies. Though the Dorenese peoples are generally relatively 'down-to-earth' and culturally resilient, they have always looked with great esteem to the famed researchers that are deemed talented enough to study in the Pale Halls. The Pale Academy has produced many brilliant minds such as the famous Duretta Bosque herself.

Maru was one such student at the Pale Academy. Even among the bright-minds of the academy, she was a star-student unlike any. It was here that the famous scholar and historic artificer, Duretta Bosque, saw the spark in Maru and took her under her wing.

Wartime Occupation
During the first years of the Great War, the Palinchrome keep was a safe-haven for scholars of all ways of life. However, as the war progressed, more and more empireal legionnaires that previously guarded the keep and the city of Orzon were moved to the frontlines at the Fine Line. As such, in conjunction with the increased hatred against elves and witches of 1382, it was decreed by Empress Aquilla I that the militant ideological group 'Ratio' would act as wartime stewards to the city.

This brought with it the Orzonese witch hunts and the occupation of the Palinchrome by Ratio militia, who actively scoured its student-base for witches and non-humans. Some students went into hiding, like Maru who was hidden away behind Duretta Bosque's bookcase. Many, however, were not so lucky.