Battle Praxium
Purpose
The Battle Praxium (Praxium) is an independent, unaligned, training organization based in Zoluren. It was founded in Year 442 with the mission to impart combat (read: PvP) knowledge to its participants, as well as the necessary experience to correctly apply that knowledge. "Knowledge by itself is nothing," Rakkor Solari said upon founding the school. "Instead, we strive for combat knowledge correctly applied."
Meaning
prax•i•um (noun, form the Greek /praksəs/)
an institution where knowledge and/or skills are applied or used in practice, rather than in theory alone.
Discord
The Praxium maintains its own Discord server as a place for open, constructive brainstorming and questions on all aspects of DragonRealms PvP. New users can join with the following link: Praxium Discord Server.
Structure
There are only three designations within the Praxium. Instructors, those who teach. Students, those who learn. Alumni, those who have achieved the goal of combat knowledge correctly applied.
Instructors
- Rakkor Solari
- Leustyin
- Kalderen Lunari
- Madigan De'Mascus
Students
None yet enrolled
Alumni
None yet
Methodology
Each semester consisted of an 8 week course where Praxium students will learn the in's and out's of PvP combat. From the most basic of concepts to advanced strategies designed to maximize your guild's strengths and capitalize on your opponent's weaknesses, each lesson follows a four-part structure:
- Attitude - mental/emotional approach to PvP
- Instruction - accumulating knowledge of mechanics
- Implementation - practical in-game usage of the learned mechanics
- Application - you learn to fight by fighting
Enrolling
Each lesson is open to public audit, with the curriculum published in advance for those looking to read ahead. Auditors will be able to participate in every aspect of the training, save the Application component. Application of knowledge is reserved for those who have indicated a willingness to accept the sharpening and encouragement that comes from enrolling as a Student of the Praxium. Enrolling is as simple as signing up with one of the Instructors, and then participating during the weekly lessons.
Graduating
A Student graduates from the Praxium when all 8 lessons (which can take place over multiple semesters as necessary) are completed, and they have returned to Instruct one lesson of their choosing. Upon completion of the instructed lesson, the Student receives the honorary title of Alumni.
Location
Inside the Headquarters:
On 8/20/2026, the Praxium Headquarters was released and opened to the public. It features four rooms with props highlighting the Praxium's various themes.
[Praxium, Foyer] (20151)
The grand entrance to the Praxium is adorned with a massive banner that proclaims "Unity and Excellence in Combat". Smooth, polished stone floors echo with footsteps, their faint sound amplified by the vaulted ceiling above. On one wall, a masterfully carved relief depicts a detailed series of figures standing together in triumph, each marked by a guild crest: a Human Cleric, an Elven Barbarian, a S'Kra Mur Bard, a Human Paladin, and an Elothean Thief. Directly opposite, another relief showcases an Elven Bardess, a Prydaen Thief, a Human Warrior Mage, a Rakash Paladin, and a Halfling Thief, each rendered in exquisite detail as if caught mid-action. A single, wide archway beckons visitors deeper into the Praxium. You also see a wrought iron gate adorned with intricate scrollwork amid patterns of knots.
Obvious exits: none.
[Praxium, Gathering Hall] (20152)
The heart of camaraderie within the Praxium, this expansive hall invites students and mentors to share meals, stories, and insights. A massive stone table commands the center of the room and is surrounded by an assortment of finely crafted wooden chairs. Above, a pair of wrought-iron chandeliers casts warm light that illuminates the space. Centered upon each of the four walls is a banner bearing the academy's emblem. Their colors, vibrant yet dignified, add a touch of refinement to the space. Heavy stone doors set on opposite walls from one another lead further in. The archway to the foyer remains ever open, providing a clear path back to the academy's welcoming entrance. You also see a sturdy wooden chest reinforced with iron bands and rivets.
Obvious exits: none.
[Praxium, Sparring Courtyard] (20153) [Night Description]
In the open-air courtyard of the Praxium, the raised sparring platform remains a commanding presence at the center, its surface dimly illuminated by lanterns mounted along the high stone walls. The banners bearing the academy's crest hang still, their vibrant gold and navy hues muted by the shadows. The tall arches framing the courtyard become stark outlines against the darker sky above, hinting at the world beyond. Above the stone doorway leading back to the Gathering Hall, another large banner sways faintly, its embossed lettering catching the occasional flicker of light. The weapon racks and training dummies around the perimeter are cast in deep shadow, their forms resolute and waiting for the next clash of combat.
Obvious paths: none.
[Praxium, Sparring Courtyard] (20153) [Day Description]
The open-air courtyard of the Praxium hums with the energy of countless bouts fought in the pursuit of mastery and discipline. At its center stands a raised sparring platform, its surface reinforced to endure even the most intense clashes. High stone walls encircling the courtyard ensure privacy and focus, their surfaces adorned with banners bearing the academy's crest. Tall, weathered arches cut into the walls offer glimpses of the surrounding landscape while the sky above remains fully open, embracing the sparring ground in light and shadow. Above the stone doorway leading back to the Gathering Hall hangs another large banner, its vibrant fabric emblazoned with embossed lettering that captures the eye. Around the perimeter, weapon racks and training dummies stand ready, ever at the service of determined combatants.
[Praxium, Observation Chamber] (20154)
This room is built for spectators to immerse themselves in the action of the sparring courtyard. Theater-style seating rises from the middle of the room, each row slightly elevated to provide an unobstructed view of the central enchanted mirror. The mirror stands motionless, presenting a clear, detailed image of the goings on within the nearby courtyard. The walls are padded with thick, durable fabric to muffle the potential cheers and exclamations of enthusiastic onlookers, ensuring the chamber remains comfortable for all. A sturdy stone door to the Gathering Hall provides the only entrance and exit to this hub of excitement and engagement. You also see a pristine enchanted mirror set within a sturdy stone frame.
Obvious exits: none.
Outside the Headquarters:
The Praxium conducts the majority of its lessons from the (mostly) abandoned Promado Village square. This location ensures passersby aren't caught inadvertently by stray attacks, while still clinging to a modicum of civilization. Note, the location is non-justice.
Curriculum Preview
What are the fundamentals of PvP?
Attitude
- There will always be a bigger or more experienced fish in the sea
- You will not always win
- There will be times that you will lose...a lot
- Learn from your losses, laugh them off, and leap back in
- Attitude is everything
Knowledge on the mechanics
Core mechanics
- How you die
- Vitality, critical wounds
- Engagement ranges
- Time to pole? Time to melee?
- Stances
- Shield, parry, evasion...when do I use these?
- Debilitations
- Contested abilities
- Hard-CC
- Soft-CC
- Non-CC
Guild mechanics
- Knowing your guild
- Strengths, weaknesses, counters
- Knowing other guilds
- Strengths, weaknesses, counters
Application of knowledge
- Anatomy of a fight
- Verbal walkthrough of how the fight will likely progress
- Solo
- Prepared vs. unprepared
- "Punching up"
- Group
- Prepared vs. unprepared
Every lesson at the Praxium will focus on attitude, knowledge of mechanics, and an application of that knowledge. The best lessons are learned by hearing, seeing, and doing.
Semester Schedule
Semester 1
All sessions occur at 8PM Central time.
- July 27, Praxium Introductions
- August 3, Basics of Positional Combat
- August 17, Offensive Tools
- August 24, Debilitations
- Curriculum Link
- Log coming soon
- August 31, Know Your Guild
- September 7, Know Your Opponent Pt. 1
- September 14, Know Your Opponent Pt. 2
- September 21, Group Combat
- September 28, Graduation Day
Versus Series
Especially when you first begin to dip your toes into PvP, fighting against other guilds can be challenge. Below are short guides on how to best understand what another guild is trying to do in a fight, how they are likely spec'd stat wise, what spell scrolls they will probably on hand, and what levers you can pull to maximize your chances at winning.
Lecture Series
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to join <insert organization here> in order to train at the Praxium? No. The Praxium is intentionally independent of other established organizations. The Praxium is a neutral combat training school, not a "side" in an ongoing conflict. Students are accepted from all "sides", and from unaligned players wanting to achieve the aim of combat knowledge correctly applied.
Can I participate in the Praxium if I'm already an established PvPer and/or below to <insert organization here>? Of course! As stated above, the Praxium is intentionally independent of other established organizations, but veterans are just as welcome as people still considering hopping into PvP. We certainly hope to have Northern Watch, Ravens, Bardbarians, Team Good, Team Bad, etc... players attend the Praxium. A good PvPer is constantly learning, and "Always be learning" is another core part of our Attitude pillar.
Should I wait until I'm at least Circle <insert number here> before attending the Praxium? No. There is no "right" time to begin learning the foundations of PvP and applying those foundations in real scenarios/real fights. Regardless of how long to wait, there will always be someone bigger or more experienced in PvP, and you can be effective far before you realize it now. If you're on the fence and weighing your options, the Praxium will help inform those decisions for you.
Will there be PvP? Do I have to fight? The goal of the Praxium is to help each and every adventurer apply combat knowledge correctly. We absolutely believe that the best way to learn to fight is by fighting. Yes, we will equip you with the required head knowledge to PvP correctly, but then you will be asked to put that knowledge into practice...both through planned interactive instruction, but also through live combat. At least two people will fight every meeting. At least two people will then be encouraged and sharpened. We learn by doing, and this will be a safe place to succeed and to fail.
Do I have to attend all 8 sessions? No. Real life comes first, and we're kicking off over the summer. I expect people to miss several sessions. We will be running subsequent semesters where you can fill in the gaps live, but also publishing the curriculum online (in outline form) for others to make use of. You do have to attend all 8 sessions to be recorded on the rolls as "Praxium Alumni," but those 8 sessions can be spread out over multiple semesters.
Can I attend without becoming a Student? Absolutely. Anyone can audit the lessons. Auditors can be involved in all but the Application portion of the lessons. Feel free to attend and see what the Praxium is about before "committing" to being a Student.
Will there be logs posted from the lessons? The logs and curriculum outline of each session will be posted to the Praxium page of the elanthipedia (here). We want as many people to have access to these resources as possible. However, be reminded that there is a difference between head knowledge and application of that knowledge. You learn to fight by fighting. Consider the logs and curriculum as roughly 20-30% of the overall benefit that a Praxium Student receives.
Will there be a break between Semesters? Yes. We are looking at roughly a 4 week break between Semesters to give the current batch of Instructors a break, train up new Instructors, revise the existing curriculum, and make other necessary adjustments.