[Location] The Toadstool Cluster

[Paragon]

The Toadstool Cluster The Toadstool Cluster is a group of underground Magical Laboratories fully customized and outfitted for Magecrafting. They are situated a distance from the main classrooms and offices of the Magic Department but are still in the region of the East Wing. It is so named because in the field beside the East Wing quarters, one can see a bunch of odd toad-stool looking structures sticking out of the grass. These are actually the exhaust channels for the Laboratory in order to dissipate excess djed or whatnot from Magecrafting operations. There are five Labs placed together in a rough pentagram shape (see picture below). Due to the complicated and expensive nature of Magecrafting equipment and processes, the Labs are build together in order to facilitate easy and secure transport and sharing of resources. The Labs can are connected to the East Wing via an underground tunnel. Layout of Labs : From the top lab going in a clock-wise manner, they are officially designated as MCL1, MCL2, MCL3, MCL4, MCL5. Miscellaneous: Equivalent to a 400 sq.ft. Magic Lab (Elaborate), though if Gillar adds custom Magecraft Labs to the Price List like he did for Alchemy, then it'll be the customized ones. Note that only Magecrafting is able and is allowed to be performed here. Walls are made of masonry, and expert-level shields along with the underground feature of the labs are meant to protect the outside world from magical accidents. Professors from the Magecraft Department take turns to service and maintain the expensive and delicate equipment in the Labs, as well as the protective shields. Rumors: A common story is that creatures from another dimension would dance amongst the ring of toadstools when the moon was full, and anyone foolish enough to be within range will be grabbed and transported back to their world after the dance was over. Another story which is more well-known in the Magecraft Department, and to some extent the Magic Department, says that given the right set of circumstances a special door will appear in one of the labs leading towards the center of the cluster which will lead one to either the Void or the Ukalas, depending on who told the story. There is also a rumor of the ghost of a long-dead wizard who will appear sometimes and goad its victim into overgiving and joining it in death. Note on usage (students): Generally off-limits to students. There are no scheduled practical lessons like other forms of world magic, but instead students are required to book a minimum amount of 'lab practicals' per season to fulfill their graduation requirements. These lab practicals are actually either senior level students doing their final year projects, graduate-level students and professors doing research or the professors fulfilling their contract (see below). The student will learn on-the-job and act as an apprentice to whoever is in charge of the session they booked. A competent-level student can submit an application to be endorsed by a relevant professor for research or for a school project, and must be supervised by this same person when conducting the operation. Such sessions are not considered valid lab practicals. An expert-level student (usually talented seniors or graduates) is allowed to use the labs without supervision, but must still submit an endorsed application. Note on resources: The University will provide the resources and facilities for Magecrafting operations that are approved by the Administration and the Magic Department. However, should there be any damages to the instruments and equipments, or if there is a failure, a full report must be written and the department will determine the percentage of the costs that the student must pay depending on how much negligence was involved. The main reason for the strict supervision is due to this. The supervising professor is also held responsible for ensuring no damage is done and to take over and salvage the Magecrafting operation should he deem the student incapable of resolving the problem and thus preventing the waste of resources. Every step along the way must be carefully documented, and after the operation, the enchanted item along with a report must be submitted to the Magecraft Department. Note on renting facilities: Students and staff are allowed to rent the Magecrafting Labs for personal use, though standard lab rules still apply. They must pay the University for use of rent, and are expected to finance their own materials. This is the only way to keep their magecrafted product. There is no need for submission of any documentation, only that at the end of the procedure a professor from the Magecraft Department will personally inspect the Lab to ensure that everything is in order. Any damage to the instruments or equipment in the lab done must be paid fully to the University. Note on usage (staff): Labs must be booked beforehand with the Administration, with reasons stated. Research is highly encouraged and the University will generally provide the necessary resources (within reason). However, credit must be given to the University, and the results of any experiments or research must be first disclosed to the Head of the Magecraft Department before further actions can be taken. Besides these standard rules for Lab usage, the Magecraft Department also requires professors to successfully create at least an MC1 item per season (this is stipulated in their job contract) for the school. In order to subsidize the tuition of the students, the main source of income for the University to cover costs are the sale of Magecrafted items. MCL0 There is a rumour of a hidden room within the cluster. Strange events sometimes lead students into confusing passageways, creating a loss of normal direction. The elusive MCL0, informally known as Areesa's Attic, is then supposedly found by these lost students. Whether it actually exists, is yet to transpire. Moderator's Note: Thread use of this location is describe above in the "note on usage" section. Credit for this location goes to Eridanus.