Archon Tattoo as a Reward

[DPZ2]

...we've been playing the same story, right?

By the end of 6.0, assuming you've done every bit of side content in the game, the WoL is:

Followed by a very long list indeed. If the Archons became Archons because of things like this, I would agree. The way they became Archons, however, is (1) attend the Studium in Sharlayan for a number of years (2) be academically brilliant (3) go beyond brilliance and contribute to general knowledge in a way that is sure to attract attention from other scholars (4) participate in an event that only 12 scholars (at one point) could achieve.

Note that neither of the Twins, or their father, or the Leaders of Sharlayan have achieved that goal. Even Krile does not have that particular designation (at least I don't have a single image of her with the tattoo).

Becoming an Archon is a goal for academics. It holds no privilege in the greater world. It is not awarded to those who haven't put in their time as scholars. It is awarded to extremely few scholars in any generation.

We are, indeed, Warriors of Light. That doesn't mean we could exist in the (relatively) cut-throat world of Academia.

Give us a "Warrior of Light/Darkness" tattoo for all of those wonderful things you've mentioned, but not a single one of those has any real use in Academia, unless you plan on becoming the Professor of Light.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Followed by a very long list indeed. If the Archons became Archons because of things like this, I would agree. The way they became Archons, however, is (1) attend the Studium in Sharlayan for a number of years

Y'shtola explicitly never attended the Studium and still got her Mark. I don't believe it was ever stated that Thancred or Yda (the real Yda, not Lyse) attended, either, and they have (or had) Marks.

A sidequest in Old Sharlayan spells out that Archons earn their Marks from a special trial in the city. The Studium is one way to earn the right to take the trial, but clearly it's not the only one.

[DPZ2]

Y'shtola explicitly never attended the Studium and still got her Mark. I don't believe it was ever stated that Thancred or Yda (the real Yda, not Lyse) attended, either, and they have (or had) Marks.

A sidequest in Old Sharlayan spells out that Archons earn their Marks from a special trial in the city. The Studium is one way to earn the right to take the trial, but clearly it's not the only one.

I just played through that particular sidequest in the last week (the benefit and curse of having alts). The quest's name is Scholarly Perspective. The text that lays out the qualifications required are:

Those who have acquired mastery over specialized disciplines, or whose deeds have led to significant advances in their chosen field, are invited to enter said chamber and receive the title of “Archon.” We place great value on the pursuit of knowledge, and thus the Archons are held in especially high regard. As the embodiment of our ideals, they are permitted to browse the forbidden archives, and have ever stood at the center of our nation's greatest achievements.

[Gemina]

Y'shtola explicitly never attended the Studium and still got her Mark. I don't believe it was ever stated that Thancred or Yda (the real Yda, not Lyse) attended, either, and they have (or had) Marks.

I'm not positive on this, but I believe Y'shtola being under the tutelage of Matoya, and likewise with Thancred being placed under the wing of Louisoix was how their academic efforts were recognized. Not exactly from the Studium, but kind of like getting a G.E.D. Yda, not too sure. The whole being dead thing makes it difficult for me to recall her past.