Caelum Academy is a school RP setting within the world of Final Fantasy XIV.The Academy stands as the shared vision of four noble houses of Ishgard, heirs to the legacy of the fallen House Caen: Roselune, Caelumont, Astralis, and Vesperaux. Long a prominent learning institution for the highborn, this Ishgardian knight academy deviated from tradition in recent times to pursue an unconventional goal: gather promising individuals from all over the star and place them on a path to knighthood under Caelum's knight order, Caelestia Aegis. In a city-state in flux, where minor houses have a chance to reimagine their positions, this novel, diverse military force has the goal of shaping Ishgard in House Caen's vision, one where highborn and lowborn alike are treated with empathy, respect, and dignity, bringing Ishgard closer to its ideal: Plato's Just City, ruled by philosopher kings.From the school calendar and the student council to houses and progression, when we created this setting, we sought to create an RP environment that felt immersive, alive, and rewarding.Caelum means heaven in Latin. The community's name alludes to the setting's Ishgardian roots and focus on the Heavensward story of Final Fantasy XIV.Location: Balmung, Ward 5, Plot 22, Empyreum(We have players from all servers of the Crystal DC. There is no need to be in the FC or be a Balmung native. In addition, we welcome visitors, but please stay OOC and be respectful to on-going RP scenes.)Note: Entering our Discord server is necessary for participation in the community, as that is where we run all our systems.Invitation link: http://discord.gg/caelumacademy
Caelum Academy is owned by the four heirs of the fallen House Caen. The academy, together with its knight order, Caelestia Aegis, serves as the houses' primary tool to achieve their ambitions for a new Ishgard.The academy is led by Assembly of Regents, a governing body of fourteen that oversees all staff, faculty, and students.
Ceres, a program created by Skye (@bluesanctuary) specifically for Caelum, manages all systems in the community: calendars, events, progression, quest parties, house assignments, character data, Student Council elections, and much more, its functions ever-expanding to adapt to user feedback and Caelum's vision for future content. It is the engine that keeps it all running.
The community features a wide variety of events. Whether you're into slice-of-life stories or grand narratives, tight-knit circles or large gatherings, school or adventure roleplay, there’s a place for you at Caelum.Some of our events include• Classes •
• House Events •
• Levequests •
• Hunts •
• Slice-of-Life Episodes •
• Student Clubs •
• Caelum MSQ Quests •
At Caelum, your character can join one of four schools:
• School of Combat •
• School of Magic •
• School of Arts and Sciences •
• School of Medicine •
The Schools are the pillars of Caelum's instruction, with each focused on a different discipline: combat, magic, medicine, and arts and sciences.Every student is expected to align themselves with a School and progress through its lessons and trials.The deans of each School are among the most learned and capable individuals in Eorzea, and their guidance shapes not just students' studies, but their futures.
Caelum offers a rich variety of quests for students, faculty, and knights to engage in:• Leves •
Short quests centered around some concrete goal set by a quest giver.
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• Tales •
Side stories following a particular theme, meant to explore different aspects of characters or the setting in greater detail.
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• Hunts •
Missions organized by the Fieldwatch division of Caelum, whose goal is to hunt fearsome beasts around the star.
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• MSQ •
Events of the main plot of Caelum, split into chapters following the rivalry of four noble houses of Ishgard as they seek to inherit their ancestral banner, House Caen.They all make use of a signup system developed for Caelum through Ceres, our custom Discord bot.
At Caelum, every class your character attends becomes part of their permanent record, which lets them accrue points towards graduation. These are used to advance through student classifications:
• Freshman •
• Sophomore •
• Junior •
• Senior •
For an overview of student progression, please view the relevant wiki page here.
Upon graduation, characters become full-fledged knights under Caelestia Aegis, Caelum's knight order, ready to apply their skills in high-level missions. During these, they wear knight uniforms, a symbol of their status and alliance.Caelum's concept of knighthood transcends traditional boundaries. Here, knighthood is built on three pillars: the defense of justice, the protection of the helpless, and loyalty to a higher calling. Above all, knights are to serve as the people's Heavenly Shield (Caelestia Aegis).
New students, faculty, and staff at Caelum are assigned to one of our academic houses, which are constantly engaged in friendly competition:
• House Phoenix •
• House Leviathan •
• House Garuda •
• House Titan •
Houses have specific themes and grant access to house-specific common rooms, dorms, and Discord channels. A house's members can be easily identified by the color of their uniforms.
Caelum functions on a semester system:
• Star Semester •
• Sun Semester •
• Moon Semester •
Each ends with an exam period, where students get to sign up, apply their knowledge, and advance to the next classification. You as the player can postpone your characters' exam sign-ups if you feel it makes sense narratively.
The academy has three focused application divisions that allow students to gain on-field experience regardless of their schools of enrollment, in the form of apprenticeships.• Medical •
The Academy’s operational healthcare wing, staffed by senior students and faculty who apply their healing arts in real-time. They respond to emergencies, care for the ill and injured, and offer support during missions and on campus.
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• Fieldwatch •
The Academy’s active operations branch, composed of skilled individuals who carry out missions (hunts) beyond the safety of the campus. These tasks range from reconnaissance and escort work to dealing with threats that cannot be ignored.
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• Artisans' Atelier •
Where artistry meets function. This division focuses on invention, craft, and practical design. Whether refining weaponry, constructing magitek, or working in fine arts and engineering, students are given the tools to shape the physical world.
The Caelum Student Council is the academy's student leadership. They're in charge of directing different student-led initiatives for policy changes, enforcing rules, promoting school spirit, approving student clubs, overseeing large-scale events (such as All Saints' Wake [Halloween]), allocating school funds for different activities, and resolving disputes between students. The Student Council's agenda can shape many aspects of student life.At the end of every term, Caelum Academy holds elections for characters to join the Student Council. The Student Council can have only seven members.Through this election, students choose a Student Council president, who joins the Assembly of Regents as a student representative.
The setting follows a major overarching story involving a political conflict between four noble houses of Ishgard, as they seek to inherit their ancestral banner, House Caen, and achieve their ambitions to shape Ishgard after the Dragonsong War. We call this the Caelum MSQ (or main story quest), giving players the sense that they are in a living, breathing world that is in constant flux. Here, people's actions matter, and they can have deep consequences on the story.Don't worry; you can quickly and easily get up to speed by reading through our MSQ chapter summaries on Discord (and soon, on the wiki).
When you join Caelum, you can choose between four different roles:• Student •
• Personnel •
• Lecturer •
• Teacher •
a standard role without any DMing responsibilities suitable for both new and veteran RPers. They have no minimum attendance requirements either.Their main purpose is to attend events.They also have the option to open a student club.
non-instructional employees of Caelum such as chefs, janitors, gardeners, and guards.They host slice-of-life events that serve as a break from the more academic-oriented classes and lectures, at least once a month.
instructional Caelum staff who host lectures at least once a month.Lectures can be held on a different date every month and can change their topics (though they must still all be related to the school the lecturer belongs to). In this way, lectures can be considered shorter classes or one-offs.The lecturer position is perfect for DMs who cannot commit to a specific schedule.
the main instructional staff of Caelum.At least twice a month, they have to host classes. They are regularly-scheduled RP events based on a specific and consistent topic. In some cases, classes may be hosted weekly.
The calendar automatically adjusts to your time zone.
— Campus location: Balmung, Plot 22, Ward 5, Empyreum —
Caelum Academy is led by the Assembly of Regents, which includes fourteen leaders from different sections of the academy. Regents oversee Caelum's teachers, lecturers, personnel, and students, under the direction of Headmistress Adelaine de Caelumont.In recent times, it was the regents who made the decision to open Caelum, long an educational institution for Ishgardian nobles, to foreigners for the first time in its history. They are in constant search of individuals from all over the star to train as knights, all to tip the scales in a broader political conflict in Ishgard.
Caelum's current headmistress and leader of the Assembly is Adelaine Caelumont, aunt to Count Ciel, the 15-year-old current head of her noble house.Originally trained as a knight for Caelestia Aegis, she traded her spear for books early in life, choosing to focus on educating the next generation of knights. Her educational focus is the School of Arts and Sciences, where she currently teaches Introduction to Philosophy, an initiative to edify well-rounded knights.Behind her cold, unfazed gaze is a warm, patient educator who will go to great lengths to ensure students' success. Under her leadership, Caelum Academy first opened its doors to foreigners, ushering in a new era for Caelestia Aegis.She serves as House Caelumont's current de facto leader.
Learned in the art of Astromancy and a decorated veteran of the Dragonsong War, Ishgardian nobleman Sacha Sinclair is a devoted diviner of the stars and an avid lover of tea, he is most often found beneath a night sky with cup in hand.Serving both as Knight Commander in service to the Holy See and Vice Headmaster of the Caelum Knight Academy, Sacha’s days are seldom his own. Yet, despite his many duties, he remains an approachable and steadfast presence within the academy’s halls. Known for his calm temperament and thoughtful counsel, he is often sought by faculty and students alike for guidance which he rarely refuses, save for when called away on matters of state.Respected, measured, and quietly devoted, Sacha Sinclair stands to take part in effort toward healing and renewal in the age that followed the Dragonsong War."I will be where you need me."
Hailing from the city-state of Sharlayan, Professor Larsian Huorlwesfv embodies calm confidence and poise, even when faced with the most perplexing of challenges. A sage whose expertise bridges both academic theory and hands-on practice, he brings boundless knowledge and a steadfast passion for the medical field and healing arts. His compassion and dedication shine through in his teaching, ever eager to share his wisdom with those who possess the same spark of curiosity, desire to learn, and passion to mend."They say knowledge seeks no man, but how can they seek it when we deign to give it? To those whose hearts burn with curiosity, my door shall ever remain open."
Forged in salt spray and gunpowder across the seas, Felix Halcroft has long since traded open waters for firmer ground. Serving as Dean of Combat and Commander of the Fieldwatch, he shoulders both roles with stubborn, quiet focus. When he isn’t drilling apprentices or leading Hunts into gods-forsaken corners of the realm, he’s buried in reports, refining procedures, or checking in on students. Rumour has it he sleeps, but most only ever catch him with a mug in one hand and a stack of paperwork in the other.Despite his gruff exterior and dry wit, Felix is less storm and more bedrock. He is slow to anger but swift to act. He expects much from those under him, not out of cruelty, but because he believes wholeheartedly in what they can become. The safety of Caelum’s staff and students—their growth into something stronger, kinder, and more steadfast—will always be his priority.
From the city-state of Sharlayan, Valentyna, or Val, for short, a gleaner by trade and an ecologist by study. Val embodies their peoples' desire for learning, always wandering the many fields of the star while taking notes on plants, beasts, monsters, and small subtleties of the many shifting patterns in an ecosystem. Val is a wellspring of knowledge on the many creatures of the world and will happily help anyone who asks for it.Do not touch them as they are shy and physically adverse to such things. In many ways, they are like a beast themselves, much more preferring the company of animals to other Spoken.
A free-spirited mage and a Shetona native of Xak Tural. Often spotted, or perhaps heard, wandering and pacing about the academy, bringing with him a loud laugh, an infectious good time, and a mysteriously bottomless supply of popcorn. He possesses an endless passion for all things magic, with a wealth of both academic and practical experience to share. Though he specializes in elemental and beast magics, he firmly believes there is a magical pursuit for nearly everyone.“Life's a grand adventure! Seek knowledge and passion not as a destination, but as fuel for an endless, joyous journey.”
Driven by the esoteric curiosities of the Star, Hingashi native Vyse Vendryes always finds himself busy sticking his nose into whatever he can. Though he operates as the Captain of the Caelum Guards, he is also a keen detective, doting father, and loving spouse. Often finding his hands full with work, the man is a workaholic and can often be seen skulking about academy grounds.Much like his levinlaced condition, Vyse is prone to highs and lows at the drop of a hat. He is all smiles and yearns for chaos, but even he knows when to cut back the jokes and take proper action. The safety of the academy and all who inhabit it will always be his number one priority, transforming him into the stalwart and cunning Captain his team holds in high regard."Don't do anything I would do—or do. I'm not your dad."
While born in (and self-exiled from) the humid jungle of Golmore, Hikari prefers to call the arid sands of Thanalan home. Having lived in Ul'dah for well over a decade, she's made a name for herself as a thaumaturge, Priestess, occultist, and mortician.But those titles aside, within Caelum's halls, the Estate Warden is nothing short of a font of warmth and familiarity with students and colleagues alike. She can be found sparking and fluffy as she speaks in delight about her work, or diligently working in the medical department, or playing with pets she's registered within the Wards. The estate, its staff, and its students, all hold a special place in her heart as a home far from home."Understanding, and being understood... is a precious thing. Something most definitely not to take for granted, either."
Unusual in being a Rava not born within Golmore, Zehlvi was born and raised in Gridania. He's never been one for the woods and quickly settled on the path of a Scholar and field medic, his experience and skills leading to his current career as a teacher at Caelum. Taking up the role of Treasurer wasn't in his initial plans, but it's a role he's adjusted to well.Though he can be harsh with his words, both within the classroom and when handling financial reports, this attitude stems from his trust in his colleagues, and the potential he sees in students, always driving them to aim higher. He doesn't sugar-coat things, and he expects the same in return regardless of the matter. But though he may grumble and roll his eyes, Zehlvi often cares far more than he'd like to let on, and enjoys his job more than his complaints would indicate."Not every decision is easy, nor is there always a clear, right answer. But hesitation is the worst of it. If you're going to make those mistakes, then make them. At least you learn something."
The shining example of House Tethyos, this noble knight is often found wandering the halls or deep within the library’s shadowed stacks. Ever vigilant, he retrieves, contains, archives, and protects both the mundane and the anomalous, texts that others might overlook or fear to touch. Within the Caelum Archives, he is not merely a steward of books, but a warden of knowledge.To this knight, this library is no mere hall of parchment and bindings. It is a citadel of thought, a forge where minds are tempered, and a vault where the past whispers to those wise, and brave, enough to listen."Faculty, students, and fellow seekers of knowledge, welcome to the Library of Caelum. We hope you find your book within these halls."
Once a semi-retired woman deciding to take a position as a lecturer to give classes once a month, she somehow ended up with just a few more responsibilities.Worn hands and a warm smile, she sees the academy and the Artisans' Atelier as a way to nurture budding talent and the love of arts and crafts. Formerly a travelling goldsmith, she made a name for herself in Ul'dah and specializes in Eorzean, styles but she always seeks to learn new styles. While a bit scatterbrained, she will always make time for a student, especially during a frustrating moment. Everyone is still learning, after all!This will surely be a dream retirement for her!"Bring your hands, the want to learn, and a smile. We can turn anything into a thing of beauty with the right touch!"
Born with boundless curiosity and endless wanderlust, this young and short-in-stature Miqo'te from Tailfeather, Catrina, prefers to go wheresoever the winds blow, always feeling more at home between trees or next to winding rivers. Her recent wandering brought her closer to home after a long stint of exploring ruins and wilderness across Eorzea, leading her to eventually find employment at Caelum Academy as one of their guards.Spending much of her time either behind her desk sorting through paperwork or out wandering the roads on the hunt, she can be an elusive figure. A white and orange blur when she is busy, walking as quick as her shorts legs will let her between storage room and desk. With piercing gaze and her quiet, slow and dragging voice, she is a storm kept bottled up, a calm that could break if pressed.Now serving as the Quartermaster for the prestigious knight academy as well as a Lieutenant of the Guards, she keeps a quiet vigil over the stores and resources ensuring that the Academy continues running without disruptions.
Born and raised as a highborn in Ishgard, Mordred Evaine is the elected representative of the Caelum Academy student body. Charismatic, assertive, and outwardly very compassionate, Mordred often flips between the graceful poise and elegance expected of his station and absolute silliness at the drop of a hat. There were many rumors surrounding him before he even became a member of Student Council. Was he the grilled cheese bandito? Did he know how to read? Why was he wandering about without shoes? Does he actually think he's that pretty? Does he know how to cook anything else? Oh gods, why did he bring the guitar to the assembly?But never fear. These questions were answered with the same kind of enthusiasm with which he approaches everything else.Treat others with respect. Treat yourself with respect. And have fun. These are your Academy days, so be sure to enjoy them to the fullest. Whether it is through making mistakes or finding solutions to them, if you have the hope to move forward, then you are sure to find your way.Or, to put into a shortened form, "Caw Caw."
Sunshine and sweetness of spirit, Nari can usually be found flitting through the halls of Caelum with a tray of cupcakes in one hand and a to-do list in the other!Always seen with a smile (and often something sweet), she brings boundless warmth and energy to every corner of the Academy. Whether she’s fluffing pillows, tidying classrooms, or offering a conversation over tea, Nari thrives on making others feel safe, seen, and cared for. Cheerful, attentive, and endlessly optimistic, she’s the heartbeat of House Leviathan... just don’t ask how she manages it all on so little sleep."Not everything needs fixing right away! Some things require kindness, time, and a lot of sugar!"
Here, you can find information on past presidents of the Student Council at Caelum.Though semesters are referred to as Star/Sun/Moon in RP to prevent conflict with the main timeline of the Final Fantasy XIV MSQ, here we refer to semesters as spring/summer/fall, alongside their real-life years, for clarity.Note: Caelum's first semester, the Spring 2025 Semester, had no Student Council.
Once a simple fishergirl from the west coast of Thanalan, Zoraya is now a proud pupil of Caelum, a glowing Ember of House Phoenix and elected President of the Student Council. Though she seems sheepish and simple at first glance, her curiosity and diligence is quick to surge to the surface, driven by the current of goodwill to see all students rise - To The Stars Above The Heavens!"Your voice is worth hearing, so I'm here to listen whenever you're ready."
Born and raised as a highborn in Ishgard, Mordred Evaine is the elected representative of the Caelum Academy student body. Charismatic, assertive, and outwardly very compassionate, Mordred often flips between the graceful poise and elegance expected of his station and absolute silliness at the drop of a hat. There were many rumors surrounding him before he even became a member of Student Council. Was he the grilled cheese bandito? Did he know how to read? Why was he wandering about without shoes? Does he actually think he's that pretty? Does he know how to cook anything else? Oh gods, why did he bring the guitar to the assembly?But never fear. These questions were answered with the same kind of enthusiasm with which he approaches everything else.Treat others with respect. Treat yourself with respect. And have fun. These are your Academy days, so be sure to enjoy them to the fullest. Whether it is through making mistakes or finding solutions to them, if you have the hope to move forward, then you are sure to find your way.Or, to put into a shortened form, "Caw Caw."
Click on an image to learn a bit more about each location
One of the first places new students, personnel, and faculty see when they first join Caelum.It is here that the regents conduct interviews with prospective members to learn more about them and their backgrounds. Its purpose is to serve as an entry point for new characters to join the community.Each character's journey begins here.
The headquarters for the School of Combat, serving as a base of operations for its faculty, personnel, and students.Its objective is teaching combatants techniques employing physical force, through weapons such as blades, lances, or projectiles.The armor and weapons adorning its walls hold a storied history of brave knights of ages past.The dean of the School of Combat has their office here, on the second floor.
The headquarters for the School of Magic, serving as a base of operations for its faculty, personnel, and students.Its objective is training magic-focused combatants in the art of destructive spellcasting, through subjects such as arcanima or thaumaturgy, and in the art of curative spellcasting, through conjury and healing-focused arcanima, among other topics.Its myriad books and artifacts, paired with its dark atmosphere, evoke a sense of mystery through the arcane.The dean of the School of Magic has their office here.
The headquarters for the School of Arts and Sciences, serving as a base of operations for its faculty, personnel, and students.Its objective is training non-combatants focused on liberal arts subjects such as history, languages, social studies, music, math, and philosophy. It also covers scientific disciplines such as alchemy, cosmology, geology, and biology, as well as engineering topics including magitek, airships, civil infrastructure, and equipment forging, among others.Its busy appearance, featuring contrasting styles, is a testament to this school's multidisciplinary nature.The dean of the School of Arts and Sciences has their office here, on the second floor.
The dormitory belonging to students of House Phoenix.Its aesthetic exemplifies the theme of House Phoenix: fire and vitality.Torches surround the room, firelight ever-present. Fixtures such as its billiard table and Steppe kitchen display the house's lively atmosphere.Its burning candles represent the finiteness of life
and its eventual rebirth through the flames of Phoenix.In many cultures, red is associated with life and energy. The color chosen to represent the house, Dalamud red, alludes to A Realm Reborn and its background story, where Dalamud's descent symbolized the rebirth of FFXIV itself.
The dormitory belonging to students of House Leviathan.Its aesthetic exemplifies the theme of House Leviathan: water and insight.House Leviathan evokes the feeling of being deep underwater. Bridges connect different areas of the flooded dorm.House Leviathan's dark blue symbolizes the ability to see the truth that lies deep underneath the surface.Its astroscope represents identifying the grand scheme of things beyond our immediate surroundings and limited senses.
The dormitory belonging to students of House Garuda.Its aesthetic exemplifies the theme of House Garuda: wind and freedom.The central idea behind this dorm is a bird's nest in a jungle. Foliage confines its first floor, evoking a sense of freedom through wilderness.Its three-story floor plan, which progressively increases in radiance as the visitor ascends, represents a bird rising towards the sky.Its couch suspended in the air, held by metal pillars, symbolizes a bird perched on the branch of a tree.
The dormitory belonging to students of House Titan.Its aesthetic exemplifies the theme of House Titan: earth and endurance.The rough, rocky surfaces of this dorm evoke a feeling of being deep underground. Beige carpet creates the illusion of a desert's sands.The central pillar supporting the second floor displays the central theme of endurance: the strength to withstand the test of time and never crumble under pressure.It is also the only dorm to include individual rooms for students, representing the formation of a fortress inside of oneself.
The meeting room for the Caelum leadership.It is here that the Caelum leadership meets regularly to discuss the state and direction of the academy.The table is an allusion to the Round Table of Arthurian legend, where King Arthur and his knights gathered.The checkerboard design represents the strategic purpose of the room.
A safe haven for Caelum members to recover from injury or illness.Its woody, cozy theme means to evoke a sense of warmth in patients.The clinic is jointly owned by the School of Magic and the School of Arts and Sciences, a result of the multidisciplinary nature of medicine.
The repository for Caelum's vast archives, storing tomes passed down through generations of Caelumont nobles.Its forbidden section is inaccessible to anyone without a librarian's key.
The hub for Caelum Academy's weekly Fight Night event.Caelum fighters gather here to train and test their mettle. Fights are overseen by an official referee from the central podium.The spectator area spirals around the room, symbolizing a snake, an animal associated with shrewdness and speed, both factors important to victory. The lion inside the arena stands in contrast, symbolizing bravery and strength, a different but equally powerful approach to battle.The central location of the arena directs the audience's focus toward the fighters. The overall theme is reminiscent of the Coliseum in Ul'dah.The academy holds tournaments with different prizes here.
The center of Caelum Academy.The banners of House Garuda, Phoenix, Titan, and Leviathan are displayed on one side, a symbol of both their alliance and friendly competition.Students, faculty, and personnel all have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a location to spend their time.The influence of Ishgardian architecture permeates its design.
The place where Caelum students have their meals thrice a day.The items on its menu are free of charge, a result of the investment the academy makes in each student.
A location where students spend a considerable amount of time.It is Caelum's largest classroom, whose concentration of seats is second only to the auditorium.Here, students get to attend classes and lectures, each one a step closer to graduation.
Caelum Academy's largest congregation area.It is the location of monthly assemblies, where Headmistress Adelaine addresses the student body, faculty, and personnel to make important announcements.It is also a great opportunity for new members to introduce themselves, optionally.