The Ossirian year is divided into four pressure terms, each aligned to structural load cycles of the Auric Dome and the Wellspring’s mana tides. Breaks are scheduled when the city itself is most stable.
Students are informed early:
Holidays exist because the city needs maintenance windows.
Not for sentiment.
Start: Late Summer
Theme: Arrival, Core Stabilization, Orientation
Emotional Tone: Awe, disorientation, first pressure
When: Day 1 of Term I
Where: Abyssal Hall
What Happens:
First-years arrive in escorted yachts
The Auric Dome seals behind them
Initial MPI readings are conducted publicly
House placement rituals occur
Why It Exists:
The city recalibrates mana flow patterns when a new cohort enters.
This day synchronizes new Mana Cores to the Wellspring harmonics.
Player Tone:
Overwhelming scale. First real sense of being trapped underwater.
When: Week 2 of Term I
What Happens:
Mandatory medical and mana stability scans
Spell output restrictions temporarily lowered
Students flagged for instability are quietly assigned additional oversight
Why It Exists:
First-year cores destabilize after arrival. This week prevents delayed overload injuries.
Mechanical Function:
This is when instructors learn who is likely to explode later.
When: End of Week 4
What It Tests:
Mana Literacy & Core Health
Spell Geometry (non-release frames)
Elemental Orientation knowledge
Conduit Safety Law (if applicable)
Format:
Practical drills, not written tests.
Failure Consequence:
Restricted casting privileges until remediation.
Narrative Hook:
First sign some students shouldn’t be here.
Start: Mid-Autumn
Theme: Structure, Control, City Integration
Emotional Tone: Routine settling in, first rivalries
When: Mid-Term II (3-day holiday)
What Happens:
Ambient mana flow drops to baseline
Non-essential classes paused
City maintenance occurs
Students confined to District and Commons
Why It Exists:
The Wellspring naturally enters a low-output cycle. The city uses this for structural recalibration.
Student Experience:
The city feels eerily quiet. Spells feel heavier. No one likes casting during this period.
Narrative Use:
Ghost activity spikes during Wellspring Quiet.
When: End of Term II
What It Tests:
Core Health under controlled stress
Harmonic Listening
Physical Conditioning & Mana Circulation
Format:
Obstacle courses, controlled mana suppression, movement under pressure fields.
Why It Exists:
To ensure students can function when the city is under stress.
Failure Consequence:
Students flagged as “structural risks” receive movement restrictions and supervision tags.
Start: Winter
Theme: Endurance, Emotional Stress, Failure Testing
Emotional Tone: Fatigue, homesickness, real danger
When: Mid-Term III
What Happens:
The ocean outside darkens during seasonal abyssal migration
Exterior viewing panels dim
Public lighting lowers
City operates on internal light cycles
Why It Exists:
This is a natural oceanic phenomenon. The city reduces power draw to compensate.
Student Experience:
Cabin fever. Insomnia. Increased disciplinary incidents.
Narrative Use:
Jiminy’s influence spreads easier in Lowlight.
When: End of Term III
What It Tests:
Safe casting under stress
Spell interruption
Environmental awareness
Conduit stability (for Archivists)
Format:
Live drills in simulated crisis environments.
Failure Consequence:
Students may be temporarily barred from advanced classes next term.
Narrative Use:
This is where the trio likely first notices students disappearing.
Start: Spring
Theme: Application, Responsibility, Risk Exposure
Emotional Tone: Confidence growing, consequences arriving
When: Early Term IV (Festival Week)
What Happens:
Mana output spikes citywide
Public events, competitions, and performances
Spellcraft demonstrations allowed
Controlled spellcraft duels
Why It Exists:
The Wellspring naturally surges. The city allows public celebration during stable amplification.
Student Experience:
Everything feels easier. Magic flows smoother. Overconfidence rises.
Narrative Use:
Perfect time for Jiminy to abduct students unnoticed.
When: Final Week of Term IV
What It Tests:
Casting stability
Mana control under pressure
Structural awareness
Crisis response
Team coordination
Format:
Simulated city emergency scenario.
Failure Consequence:
Students may be held back or placed under long-term supervision next year.
Once per year
Students are restricted from the Center Circle.
City operates in emergency redundancy mode.
Spells feel slightly “off” across all districts.
Memorial for the Arcane Accord’s collapse.
No classes.
Archives open.
Students encouraged to read casualty logs.
This holiday quietly reminds students the Academy is a survival machine.