Barrow College is an inter-Tradition Chantry in Cambridge, England.
Overview[]
Although the Chantry located here has traditionally been dominated by Hermetic mages, in recent years more and more Sons of Ether and Virtual Adepts have been accepted as fellows. In the past decade, two nockers, Osric "Otto" Mobile and Jackie Philpps have also been elected to the select group, and their collaborations with the Sons of Ether in residence have been productive, if sometimes explosive. Their common goal: the pursuit of knowledge, in whatever form it may take. Some claim that the young Ben Russell was an assistant here while studying at Cambridge, and the fellows will have you believe that nearly every British scientist and philosopher of the past two centuries has shared a cup of tea in the parlor. Many have, and that should come as no surprise; while magickal studies are the primary focus of their work, the researchers here excel in many fields.
One collaborative project between the various researchers that has drawn considerable attention has been the attempts to duplicate elfshot. The secrets of the magical arrowheads have been lost since the disappearance of the famed Wayland Smith, but recently a number of research trips to the barrow known as Wayland's Smithy have provided clues to the origins of these magical weapons. Legends tell that elfshot will burrow deeper and deeper into the flesh, evading all attempts by midwives and surgeons to remove it. In this way, a single mediocre archer armed with elfshot may hold a position longer than the best marksman wielding normal arrows. Avenues of research being pursued include the relative speed of normal versus enchanted arrows, potential protective armor, and the possibility of enchanting bullets in the same manner. The Chantry has received extensive funding from an anonymous source for this project, and some fear that its benefactor may be an Unseelie leader with designs on the throne. Others believe that the money can be traced to a group calling itself the "Round Table." Most of the researchers are hesitant to look a gift horse in the mouth, though, and simply wish to pursue their research without interference.
In recent years, rumors have persisted about a passible alliance between Barrow College and Waltham College in Oxford. Although this has been denied by parties on both sides, the possibility is far from remote. Though the methodologies and theories espoused by the two sides are radically different, members of both groups have been censored in the past for their willingness to debate new ideas with the opposition. Some claim that the recent departure of staunch Traditionalist Professor Twidmarch from the Chantry for parts north relates to these under-the-table dealings.
References[]
- MTAs. Isle of the Mighty, p. 36.