[center][b]-----That Night-----[/b][/center]
The first opening day was largely spent by the students preparing themselves for what their future would be like. While others still needed to recover from the day before, soon enough everyone became fairly aware of how the college operates. The day had it's share of joy and tragedy, but ended like most other days do.... Usually.
But tonight was different. When the moon was up on high, and much of the college's people asleep, far north of the college deep in the nation of Djarkel, shadowy figures were busy at work. Dark and ominous chanting echoed among those gathered there tonight. Among them was a short human mortal. Despite being smaller and physically nonthreatening compared to the massive figures flanking him, he was revered greatly by those gathered. He walked through the mass of dark cloaks until he reached the edge of a precipice. Below was unnatural light, hailing from the Inferno. As the revered figure raised his arms to the skies, the chanting began to quieten. When it became silence, he spoke.

"My children gathered here today, have you ever been to hell? I think not. Did you know that once hell was nothing more than the absence of the gods? And if you've ever been in their presence, you'd realize that's punishment enough. But then your kind came along... And made it so much worse." One by one, each cloaked figure revealed themselves to being young, obviously magically enthralled men and women from around the world. Mortals of all races. They had a blank look on their face, but their eyes said all that needed to be known. The suffering they've been through, and the hatred that they held in their hearts.

"Evil...Is an ABSTRACT! It's a MORTAL. CONSTRUCT. But, true to their irresponsible nature, the mortals will not own up to being it's creator, so they blames their dark deeds on spawn of sin. But it's not enough to shadow their own existence, no! They turned Hell into a suffering pit! Why? Because it is beyond your abilities to make personal recompense for the sins you commit! No, you choose, rather, to create a psycho-drama, and dwell in a foundless believe that 'The Gods could never forgive your grievous offenses'! So you bring your guilt and your inner decay with you to Hell, where the horrid imaginations of so many gluttons for punishment gave birth to the sickness that has infected the Pit since the first one of your kind arrived there, begging to be punished! And in doing so, they have transformed the cold and solitude into pain and misery! I've spent eons, privy to the flames, inhaling the decay, hearing the wail of the damned! I KNOW WHAT EFFECT SUCH HORRORS HAVE ON THE DELICATE PSYCHE OF ANGELIC BEING!"

Removing his own cloak and rising into the air, the short figure revealed to be a Fallen Angel. No reaction from those gathered there tonight, but nonetheless the angel continued it's rant. "I'd rather not exist than return to such a place. But if everyone else must go down with me, so be it." The Fallen Angel floated above the Inferno Pit, and one by one the mortal thralls moved forward, falling to their deaths. Many would die, reduced to a stain against the rocks, but many more would fall into the Inferno itself, feeding the beast beyond. Four hours the thralls walked to their deaths, hundreds of thousands of people, young, with the potential of life and opportunity, instead filled with a hatred and suffering that perpetuated the existence of the Inferno. By the time the last sacrifice was offered, the angel's wings stopped moving, folding over his own body as he too fell into the pit. One more person arrived, but he did not remove his cloak, nor did he fall to his doom. Instead, he simply began to chuckle. That chuckle turn into a laughter, a loud, maddening laughter. It went on and on and on, until soon the figure turned back towards the pit. "Oh master of our Salvation, you who would free us from our eternal damnation. The proginator of all demonkind, lord of sin and master of evil. King of the accursed and unwanted... Our one and only true God, Kudd-Gro'Feesah. What is your command?"

[center][b]-----Winter Solstice-----[/b][/center]

Many months passed. Though the college had it's ups and downs, they managed to reach the Winter season with a solid student body of around two thousand people. From their first day coming to the college to the day they woke up, they have been hard at work improving and mastering their magics. Not only that, but many of the students have been working for the college's interest outside of their usual school work, offering their talents as mages as well as other additional services provided by the college people. Around this time, the greenery of the college fades away for a white coat of snow. Despite the weather dipping into the negatives most days, many of the students and staff find the weather appealing. Those who did not would still find comfort in the college itself, which had many amenities to ensure that the more sensitive students were not left to fend for themselves against the weather. Hearths fire burning eternally with a mixture of runic magic and Inferno Flames, warm drinks served to ward off the chill while also keeping it's students strong, and many constructs meant to help unlucky students recover from freezing and being lost.

Many even found time to use their magic for utility purposes. Many Pyromancers were employed solely for their ability to gather warmth for others, and even Crytomancers have been needed to deal with the sheer amount of ice slips that blankets the college. Lucilia, always ready, even still had certain plants and flora that could use an herbmancer's touch for the harsh winter nights, ensuring that they too had something to do this season. Even for those who did not use magic often would be offered a chance to earn some spending money with jobs around the college. Hunting had become one of the main activities around the college, and even the demon orc Tyrael has offered worthy students a chance to hunt in the Ravine, of course under heavy supervision.

Today was a special day for the college as well. Today was an annual gathering of Eania's and Djarkel's representatives to show their support of the college, putting aside their differences for the sake of the future mages. At least that's what it's suppose to be. In truth and as always, many of the College's staff work tirelessly to ensure that the illusion of the meeting was not broken. Because the truth of the matter was that both nations expected the college to support each of their causes, which often involved going against one another. As always, the college plays as a mediator for both parties involved, with both of them pressuring the college to take a side. Ultimately, it was up to the Archmage to make the final decision, and many of them in the past had always made sure to remain a neutral party. But this winter, the current Archmage was still sickly, with the Headmaster Khan taking his role as the college leader. The burden was his alone to share, with the fate of the college in his hands, as always.

Today there was a certain air of celebration that was not linked to any particular holiday or college celebration. It was thanks to the meeting between the two nations that brought this festive feeling around. Though it was mostly between the two nations, many various interest groups of both nations of Eania and Djarkel came to the college as well, to recruit students or simply make their appearance. Other organizations from other nations were also present, and like Eania and Djarkel, where vying for the college's support. Luckily they did not have as much as a presence as the nation's dignitaries. Where as a group of merchants would come in with a large caravan of fifty people and ten wagons, the transportation for simply a representative of Djarkel consisted of over five hundred soldiers, one hundred wagons of various sizes, many types of beasts of burden, and at least fifty Warlocks. Eania's own was almost equal in number, but boasted impressive war machines. It was rather unnerving seeing the two nation's armies so close to one another, more importantly near the college itself. And due to the meeting, Tyrael's had increased the number of demons present, but also all of them disguised. They had no intention of starting a war here, but they were not about to let it spark either. Should either nation attempt to attack one another, they would find that the college is more than capable of opposing either army. But they did not come here to measure the length of their masculinity. This was suppose to be a peaceful celebration.

The day began early in the morning, at around eight to be exact. Though winter suns tend to rise later into the day, the snow on the ground reflected the light from the various sources around the college to make the entire place look as though it was mid morning. Most students sleep in, unable to defeat their warm quilt sheets in their morning battles in the fairly chilly environment. But those who would wake up would find that much of the college is already awake, and preparing for another day with the dignitaries and other sponsors.