Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-25936766-20160718162017

Just a more in-depth, personal analysis on the themes of the different academies in each kingdom that I've been doing since about 2 days. Now, as we all know, each kingdom has different academies and combat schools, and within each kingdom, their academies and schools have names that seemingly follow a specific theme. But after some research, I realized that in some cases there's more than 1 possible theme.

This was mostly done to reach a headcanon on what would be suitable when naming fanon academies or combat schools within each kingdom.

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Let's start with Vale: This one is the easiest of all. It's Combat School, is called Signal, while it's Hunter Academy is called Beacon. Now, a signal is a signal, that is simple enough, but what is a Beacon? Laconically, it's a form of signal. In technical terms, it's a conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location. Usually made to point out important areas or as distractions. Which really fits Vale.

So, following that, Vale's theme is signals. More specifically, signals as used in communication. Now, honestly, I got no idea for what other names one could choose for a Valesian School/Academy besides the ones used in canon. Nearly all forms of signals are "[Insert name here] Signal". The best I can think of would be Morse.

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Now, Mistral. This one is interesting. It's Combat School is called Sanctum, while it's Academy is called Haven. Now, what is a Haven? It's a type of shelter, usually used to refer to bodies of water where ships take shelter. You may know them better as Harbors. Of course, the term Haven has been used to refer to more than just Harbors. Now, what is a Sanctum? Sanctum, is a Sacred or Holy Place, normally within a temple or church. The word itself means Holy, and while originally it does not mean it, it can and has been used to refer to Sanctuaries, sacred places like shrines, that while not designed for such, have been used as Havens.

So in the end, Mistral's theme is shelters, be they actual shelters like Haven, or just refer to things that while not Havens, have been constantly used as such, like with Sanctum(>Sanctuary). Options for names thus include: Refuge, Shelter, Sanctuary.

Originally, I also thought there could have been an alternative theme, a more divine one. After all, Sanctums are Holy Places, though Havens aren't necesarily Holy. So I thought "but if Haven is derived from Heaven, then it does fit in that sense!". BUT, after some research I realized that despite being nearly-identical, the words Haven and Heaven actually have very different origins, and are unrelated to each other.

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Now Vacuo. With this one, we only know of it's Academy: Shade. However, from just Shade, we get a possible theme: Things related to specifically blocking sunlight. Shade literally means "the blocking of sunlight", and also informally refers to the shadow caused by such. It's irrelevant what blocks the sunlight, Shade simply refers to the act. Shadows are the areas of darkness caused by said blocking of light.

Following this, options for names would be things designed or related to it specifically: Umbrella, Parasol (technical synonym of Umbrella, name literally means "Sun-Stopper"), and Curtain, along with Shadow and Umbra. However, it's also likely that Vacuo's theme is Darkness, given that that is the result of blocking light. That said, if it is Darkness, then all the previously-mentioned options except for possibly Curtain also work.

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And finally, Atlas. This is the most interesting, and the most unclear. Like with Vacuo, we only know of it's academy. Atlas. Named after the greek titan god of endurance and astronomy, the reason this case is unclear is because there are many possible options for what Atlas's theme can be:

1) Deities related to the sky and heavens. Atlas was condemned to hold the heavens after the Titanomachy. A misconception is that Atlas carries the world, but originally he was portrayed as holding celestial spheres, not a globe. Following this theme, options for names would be: Zeus, Dyeus, Ra, Jupiter, Ouranus, among others.

2) Greek Gods, maybe specifically Titans. This is the most direct. Options for names include: Ouranus, Kronos (with K, not Ch), Gea, among many many others.

3) Mythological entities with heavy punishments. In the Titanomachy, Atlas sided with the Titans. After they got their asses kicked, he wasn't confined to Tartarus, but instead sent to the (western) edge of the world to hold the heavens and prevent it and the earth from embracing each other.

Following this theme: Prometheus (chained to a rock with an eagle constantly eating his regenerating liver), Ixion (blasted with a thunderbolt and then binded to a burning wheel for all eternity for lusting after Hera).

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An interesting thing to note, is that of all the academy/school names revealed so far, all of them are written in modern English. Even Atlas Academy has the name Atlas as it's written in modern english.

Another interesting thing is that, directly or indirectly, the 4 Hunter Academies follow the CNR. Shade alludes to grey and black due to the shadow caused by blocking light. Haven=Harbor, a body of water used as ship shelter, thus alluding to blue. Atlas was punished with carrying the heavens, and the heavens and sky themselves can allude to multiple colors.

Beacon is the most indirect though. Beacons can include bonfires and lights, but also conspicuous structures with no light source whatsoever or anything colorful. So Beacon can fit CNR via lighted beacons, which are commonly used (ex: Every single modern car's lights), though when speaking generally, a Beacon doesn't necesarily fit CNR. 