Quote from: beejazz;587015Thanks for that. I've seen stuff like this before but never got into it. I'll be sure and give it a closer look later.

Welcome!  It's probably about the best one around.  Easy to use, intuitive, and makes very nice maps.

I might be doing broad work on organizations by type. Not specific organizations, more like broad advice. Mostly to get the ideas down before I forget them.

MAGE COLLEGES

Mage colleges are institutions whose primary purpose is teaching novices how to cast spells. Most colleges focus on generic magic that anyone can learn. The magic classes aren't aligned with particular schools, but schools sometimes have mentors of one class or another, should a character need that sort of guidance. Some colleges have unique spells and boons available to them as well.

There are five broad types of mage colleges, with different focuses and benefits for prospective students.

A retreat college is a college located far from outside influences, whose purpose is pure research. Students have few expectations placed on them, except to learn at their own pace for the benefit of their own personal projects. Usually, students are allowed to come and go as needed. Unlike a proper research college, a retreat college typically makes no claim on work produced by the students, though some donate materials voluntarily. Usually, there is no delineation between students and teachers within the membership. Most of the time the facility is supported by an independent commune or wealthy patron. This is one of the rarer forms of college, as it is difficult to sustain such an institution without some external source of income or defense.

A research college is a college geared towards the accumulation of knowledge. Students are expected to work on college assigned research projects which may take them outside the college. The college makes a claim on the research of its members. Typically there is a hierarchy within the college, with students and teachers being assigned more difficult work and higher benefits on the basis of seniority. Research colleges usually support themselves by charging for access to the body of work they have built up.

A standard college is effectively just a hybrid of the research and trade colleges. As such there is a lot of variation between colleges of this type. The purpose of this college is primarily the training of students, with research and trade associations as side benefits. The college does require research among the faculty, and keeps the product of their work, while the students are allowed more leeway for associating with outside organizations that may want to hire them. Typically there is a hierarchy within the college, with students and teachers being assigned more difficult work and higher benefits on the basis of seniority. Standard colleges may fund themselves by selling access to their library, charging tuition, receiving outside funding, or some combination of the above.

A trade college is a college geared towards preparing students for work in other organizations. Students are expected to work on assignments that will improve their competency in specific tasks, and faculty have few responsibilities beyond this training. Trade colleges are unlikely to allow students to work independently, but may arrange internship-like arrangements with future employers. Trade colleges typically support themselves with tuition and/or outside funding.

An elite college is a college geared towards developing an elite among mages from the already talented, and selling this elite to prestigious organizations. Students are selected based on who has enough talent to deal with the rigorous training, and on the ability to pay the high tuition. Teachers are chosen based on past achievements in the field, as well as reputation. Elite colleges are unlikely to allow students to leave on personal business, preferring to focus on rigorous training. Elite colleges sometimes make a show of disallowing recruiters on campus, but faculty sometimes accept bribes to look the other way.