Greannmhar School of Magick
Founded in 1212, the Greannmhar School of Magick is a school for witches and wizards located in Connemara, Ireland.
"Greannmhar" [ˈɡɾʲan̪ˠwaɾ] means "humorous" or "witty" and reflects the playfulness and cleverness often associated with magic, and the school's focus on teaching students to use their magical abilities in creative and innovative ways.
From the outside, it appears like an old church with two belltowers.
Hidden Place
The school is a hidden place, protected from non-magical eyes and appears as the ruin of a church built at the side of a mountain, a river and a small lake. The location cannot be plotted and wards are in place to keep Mundanes away, instilling the feeling that the place is unsafe and should not be approached.
History
The Greannmhar School of Magick has a long and storied history that stretches back over 800 years.
It was founded in 1212 on the ruins of Anlárdraíochta, an earlier school of magic founded in the 6th century by Merlin. The school has faced many challenges over the years, including the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite these challenges, the school has persevered and remains the preeminent institution of magical learning in the British Isles.
In more recent times, the school has struggled with the rise of dark magic and the increasing danger it poses to the magical community. During Winter's Treachery, the school took a more active role in fighting dark magic, supporting the Wardens in mitigating the threats caused by it, as well as in pursuing Mafalda Wintergale.
Throughout its long and storied history, the Greannmhar School of Magick has remained a bastion of magical learning and a symbol of the power and resilience of the magical community in the British Isles.
Layout
The true secret of Greannmhar is the fact that it is not located in one place. While the grounds and entrance are in Connemara, parts of it are located in the Burren, the Wicklow Mountains and other locations. Not only are each of these locations hidden places, they are also built in loctions that are very difficult or even impossible to reach on foot. These parts are also shifted slightly back in time a couple of weeks or months, while the entrance in Connemara remains in the present. The parts are connected through liminal pathways, which manifest as doors allowing seamless transition between distant locations. In case of danger, these portals can be closed, completely separating the locations from each other.
School Grounds
The school grounds are located at the shores of a lake and feature a small dock for boats, often used to travel between Greannhmar and Glenmoor, a Wyrdball arena and a large garden.
School Uniforms
Students of Greannmhar are obligated to wear school uniforms during class and while on school grounds. If leaving the grounds during their spare time, they may change into more casual clothing.
The uniforms comprise shirts with long, white sleeves, trousers or a skirt, a cape with patterns stitched onto it, resembling the student's Coven and optionally scarf in the Coven's color. The cape's clasp has the Coven's emblem.
Coven
The school's students are sorted into Coven. The sorting is done by an oracle at the beginning of the student's first year. Each Coven represents certain attributes and properties. In Greannmhar, the Coven are named after the five magical elements.
Coven of Fire
This Coven focusses on traits such as ambition, passion and bravery. Often associated with energy, strength and determination, students of thsi Coven are driven to succeed and excell in their studies and quest for power.
The Fire Coven's color is red, it is headed by Jolene Holmwoode.
Coven of Water
The Coven of Water focusses on traits like adaptability, intuition and empathy. Water is often associated with fluidity, emotion, and intuition, so students of this Coven are skilled at understanding others and adapting to new situations. They may also excel in subjects like divination and potions, which require keen intuition and understanding of emotions.
The Water Coven's color is blue.
Coven of Wind
This Coven is known for its members' curiosity, creativity and pursuit of knowledge. They often have an affinity for divination, and excel at charms and transfiguration.
The Wind Coven's color is green.
Coven of Earth
Characterized by steadfastness, loyalty and strong sense of duty, members of the Earth Coven are focussed on the practical aspects of magic and are skilled in defensive spells and potion-making.
The Earth Coven's color is brown, it is headed by Sigfried Eberwulf.
Coven of Spirit
This coven is comprised of students who are unique in their abilities or interests. They might have a natural talent for a particular type of magic or be drawn to esotheric subjects. Spirit students are also known for their independence and unconventional thinking.
The Spirit Coven's color is white, it is headed by Niamh O'Ferrell.