Glimmerbrook: Brook Herbarium - part two (Underground)

Here is the 2nd part of the Brook Herbarium introduction. In the 1st part article you got to see the public part - that is all above ground level including the old graveyard. But that is only half the lot!

From the secret passage and through a wooden door...

Underground there exist a spacious area that has been used by the schools of magic for nearly a couple centuries. Most visitors have no idea, but members of those schools will normally come to Brook Herbarium simply to access the secret domain underground.

When you think you are there, you must still walk some more...

Nobody can tell for sure, but one theory is that this place was founded underground at the same time that the graveyard was established. That was in Year 57, not so many years after a secret Sage meeting that was held in Year 50, where the 5 families decided to split the magical universe into the 5 Schools of magic. Countess Prunella was the mind behind it all, and she gifted each tribe a colored sphere, that would identify their School Leader until end of time.

Then you will arrive the main street, leading to all 5 Schools' practice rooms.

Each School got their own room in the underground establishment. There they would perform their brewing and training of the next generation, as well as gather for the Master Meetings.

The Schools and families where:

School of Alchemy Magic - House de Gould

Countess Prunella kept this school for herself, she must have seen it as valuable but also as a School it would be easier for the members of the future counts' household to practice with some grade of discretion. The Leader of this School possessed a pink sphere, normally presented on a gem's display near the entrance of Gould Ridge Manor. Most visitors will not know what it represents anyway, so why hide it?

The School of Alchemy Magic's room will soon be filled with crystals and gems.

School leadership is always passed on to someone within the family. The one replacing a dead Leader must be a descendant + must have some bloodline, but not necessarily the strongest.

Due to discretion, Countess Prunella quickly decided this School to be the only School with no Sage.

Today Count Helfert (47) is the 5th Leader of this School. His bloodline is Ancient and he has 3 children (I believe all with Strong or Ancient bloodline).

School of Practical Magic - Silversweather family

A Carpender named Timian Silversweater was granted the School of Practical Magic. The Leader of this School possessed a blue sphere, normally presented on a simple stand, secluded in the family estate in Tickertown.

School of Practical Magic has a room filled with practical ingredients...

This School always had a Sage. Sages are normally found outside the Leader's family. They must be quite highly ranked Spellcasters, but bloodline is not required as they are just seen as temporary assistants. So, the Spellcaster signing up will pretty much be the School's Teacher. Sages are always approved at a Master Meeting, mainly to reduce any risk of future conflicts between schools, tribes and sages.

Today Minerva S. Charm (75) is the 4th Leader of the School of Practical Magic. Her bloodline is Strong. Her first husband was Leader of a different School, so their son can  not replace Minerva, but she also got a daughter with another man - she is already a Spellcaster and prepared to take over when that day comes.

School of Moon Magic - Lunvik family

Paddus Lunvik was granted the School of Moon Magic. The Leader of this School possessed a white sphere.

School of Moon Magic's practice room has not been used in 80 years!

Unfortunately Paddus' daughter, Pernilla, left Glimmerbrook and never looked back. She took the sphere and the School leadership with her, and since then nobody know if the School still exists, or if they play by the rules. If Pernilla had children, there might be a chance for someone to sort this out...

School of Untamed Magic - Ember family

A man named Quartz Ember was granted the School of Untamed Magic. The Leader of this School possessed an orange sphere, normally presented inside a bird cage, for symbolism. It probably exists in  the Ember residence in Tickertown.

This room has a little of everything.

This School always had a Sage, today named Morgyn Ember, Quartz' great-grandchild.

If it was not for being born without bloodline, Morgyn might have been the School's Leader instead. Thankfully his sister got a Weak bloodline, and could bring on the leadership. If also she was born with no bloodline, this School would died out, so there is now a big responsibility resting on her shoulders to bring on the traditions to a new generation. Perhaps the Master Meeting could have created another School. After all 4 is a bad number, 5 schools is way better!

Today Severina Ember (30) is the 4th Leader of the School of Untamed Magic. She is single and works as the live-in Servant at Gould Ridge Manor.

School of Mischief Magic - Charm family

A Jokester named Bendel Charm was granted the School of Mischief Magic. The Leader of this School possessed a black sphere.

School of Mischief Magic has the darkest Caldrun.

This School always had a Sage, today named Louginy Faba.

Today Darrel Charm (30) is the 5th Leader of the School of Mischief Magic. He is son of previously mentioned Leader Minerva and is engaged to a fresh Spellcaster.

In the same main street, on right hand side, there are the views into «he three traditional illusions».

They are meant for inspiration  as well as insight, but also remind the Spellcasters of the powers of their Magic.

There is a dragon skeleton!

Dragons used to be a real thing, and despite a skeleton seeming a bit scary, this is a good power. When there were more dragons, Magicians had even more power!

Then there is the prison cell where a torso of a lead Vampire is captured. He is made in stone, which might refer to a Spell, perhaps a clone was stonified, and he is isolated, which might also be the result of a Spell. Brave Spellcasters, they must have been!

Spellcasters are not necessarily in opposition to Vampires, they just basically don't share the interest in neither the moon nor the feat of Silver. Some say that the Mooncasters had a conflict ongoing with Vampires, and the great battle prove they were right!

The final illusion is a grand and much needed reflection of the Spellcaster!

Look at your reflection to gain self respect! It is impossible to look into this chamber without seeing yourself at the other end. Some Spellcasters tried to hide, it backfired on them, seriously! One became blind for the rest of her life, another became invisible until she got hit by a car!

Mester Meetings

So, I mentioned the Mester Meetings, but what are they?

All Leaders automatically become members of the common board lead by a Mester. Today Minerva Charm (75) is the Mester, but someone will need to replace her in a few years. They rank by Spellcaster rank, and if there are several of same range, by age. Minerva is Master, and has been leading the Mester Meeting board for decades.

Their meeting room is filled with treasures, including the largest red ruby that ever existed.

There is a  cowplant baby, which is said to originally being a mini goat being Spell bound. After 120 yeas it is still alive, as all needs were magically removed.

There used to be snakes in Glimmerbrook, and a few of them enjoyed modelling for a former Spellcaster. They were then paid with  mice.

So, now you know that there is more going on than those visiting Brook Herbarium are aware of! And we also understand better why most Glimmerbrook locals don't want tourists to flock to their quiet little hood.

Sorry that I forgot to show you where to find the secret access to the underground, but unfortunately our time is up! The next time you stop by, you can  search for yourself.