Educational Culture of Greater Mycorzha: Learning Through Community

In the Isles of Greater Mycorzha, education is woven into the very fabric of daily life, shaped by the values of shared wisdom, experience, and community support. Formal schooling, as we might understand it, is rare, and most islanders never attend a traditional school. Instead, the creatures of the Isles learn through the guidance of their community, embracing a deeply interconnected way of life that fosters organic learning and personal growth.

For the creatures of Mycorzha, education is not limited to classrooms or structured lessons. Knowledge is passed down through generations, shared freely by elders, artisans, and skilled members of the community. There is no rush to learn according to a specific timetable—children and adults alike engage with the world around them in their own time, guided by a passion for discovery and understanding.

From an early age, children are lovingly watched over by the elderly or other members of the community. The elderly, who may no longer be able to engage in the physically demanding tasks of foraging or travel, find great purpose in nurturing the younger generation. They pass down stories, practical skills, and cultural traditions in a way that feels natural and seamless. Through this, children gain a deep connection to their heritage, while also learning through hands-on experience.

Communities on the Isles are tight-knit and diverse, and the way education unfolds can vary from one area to another. Some villages may have dedicated elders who watch over and teach small groups of children, while in others, every adult in the community plays a role in a child’s upbringing. It is not uncommon for a child to learn everything from mushroom foraging to sailing or herbal medicine simply by observing and participating in daily life alongside their mentors.

In Cove City, for example, Nalin is a dedicated park ranger - spending their days teaching children and adults alike about the biomes of Mycorzha through the 7 city parks. Groups are often brought here to learn in a variety of different ways from early lessons in foraging to how to cultivate the local ecosystem to keep the Isles abundant with food and biological resources.

In Luna Valley, Glinda - a retired academic - chooses to home school her two little ones most days, but Soot and Cinder have been known to tag along on adventures with Amani, Indie, Persephone, and Talia where they get to learn even more wonderful things like how to paint, trade, and learn through exploration. All the adults in Luna valley know to look out for Soot and Cinder as they explore, and are often glad to pause and teach the little ones about whatever they may be doing if asked. So far their neighbors have taught them cheese making, how to make a salve to heal cuts, and at least one neighbor taught them how to make fart noises by rubbing two leaves together from a certain plant that annoys Glinda to no end.

Amani grew up within one of the many nomadic communities on the Isles and she spent her younger years with other little ones being told stories by the elderly in her community while they were safely watched in one of the large cloth huts they called home. When she reached her teenage years her passion for the arts was well known in her community, so she was then taught fine arts directly by her beloved mentor and leader in her community, Ostran. These are just a few examples of the many ways the creatures of Mycorzha share knowledge and learning as a way of life.

Given the abundance of natural resources and the supportive nature of the community, there is no pressure to attend universities or formal institutions. Islanders are free to pursue their interests without the need for credentials or competition. For those who do feel a deep desire to dive into specific studies, like those accepted at the prestigious Mystveil Academy, the journey is born from a passion for learning that transcends the need for external validation.

This approach to education, while informal, is rich in depth. Islanders believe that learning is an ongoing, lifelong process, shaped by one’s environment, interests, and interactions. While there is no formal curriculum, children are encouraged to ask questions, pursue their curiosity, and follow their passions, whether that leads them to the arts, trades, or sciences.