The Institute Archives

== Overview ==
The Institute Archives is an institution within the Institute that gathers, protects, and creates knowledge, as well as educating the people, primarily all youths of ages 7 through 13 (Primimanis) and young adults that seek higher knowledge as well as membership within the Archives (Ovmanis). It is headquartered in the First Bastion, in The Archives HQ. It is headed by the Speaker for the Archives, who is elected from within the Head Archivists Council. It was established in 1 PC by First Speaker Areon "to host the Institute's vast wealth of knowledge and records, and to raise a new generation of natural philosophers adept in writing and reading."
== Archives ==
=== Founding [Edu 1] (0 PC) ===
"The Institute, first and foremost, is concerned with the decipherment of the Elder Texts, and needs minds full of knowledge of the natural world for the decipherment to commence. As such, the Institute Archives are founded, to host the Institute's vast wealth of knowledge and records, and to raise a new generation of natural philosophers adept in writing and reading. All children between the ages 7 through 13 are expected to attend a communal school in the First Bastion, while those in the colonies are sent several scholars of the Archives to oversee that their youths learn to read and write."
=== Squid Aquaculture [Ani 1] ===
"As the Institute expands into the nearby coasts, it can see its kin the Squids swimming serenely in the calm, tropical oceans. The Archives note old De'van texts which tells of a myriad of ways to tame these creatures. To harvest ink, one will first clean the squid in fresh water, then take the squid to a bucket, scaring the squid and forcing it to fire its ink. The bucket is then boiled, evaporating the water and leaving a condensed, black ink powder. The ink powder is then mixed with oil of various kinds, molded into a cylindrical or rectangular shape. When using to write, the Solidatrum is grounded and mixed with either water or oil, forming liquid ink to be dipped in with a pen. The solidatrum is also used as material for sculpting, as it is both soft and rigid. It is also one of The Institute's prized exports. The first farms and Solidatrum manuafactories are founded along the coasts, with some becoming large enough to export it to foreign markets."
=== 'On Measuring the Earth's Radius' by Exon (43 PC) ===
On Measuring the Earth's Radius' by Exon was published on 43 PC, in which Head Archivist Exon described a potential process of measuring the Earth's radius by measuring shadows from poles in faraway cities. By measuring the distance from the First Bastion and the southern tip of Great Devin, and by measuring the length of the shadow cast by a pole at the southern tip of Great Devin when the sun was directly overhead in the First Bastion - so as to not cast a shadow - Head Archivist Exon was able to produce a fairly accurate calculation of the radius of the Earth. This would provide a foundation on which the Institute Metric would be founded a mere year later.
=== 'Theses on the Institute Metric' by Clauron (44 PC) ===
'Theses on the Institute Metric' by Clauron was published on 44 PC, in which First Speaker Clauron emphasised the need for a standardised system of measurement to provide a solid basis for flourishing science, industry, and commerce. Inspired by Exon's work a year prior, these theses were widely supported by all in the Institute, using the earth's radius as measured by Exon's method as the cornerstone on which the Institute Metric is founded. This would culminate in the Standardisation Council of 45 PC, from which the Institute Metric would finally be born. Interestingly, Clauron first mentioned the neccessity for the Metrum Papers in this paper, highlighting the importance of spreading the Institute Metric beyond its borders, to civilisations that do not have knowledge of the Institute Standard language.
=== 'Elderon's Decipherment' (The Canon Papers) by Elderon (56 PC) ===
'Elderon's Decipherment' by Elderon, also known as the 'Canon Papers', was an attempt to canonise the myriad interpretations of the Elder Texts. Written in 56 PC, during which time the Standardisation Council was still in effect, this paper provided the standard foundation on which later decipherments of the Elder Texts would follow. After the publication of this paper, any interpretations outside Elderon's Decipherment was banned, a tradition that would last until the rise of the Young School during the mid-300s. The near fanatical faith in the 'Canon Interpretation' is what gave the Age of the Cult its name. While the paper was regarded as a backwater piece of old tradition that obstructed progress by the Young School, modern historians argue that a few of its ideas were revolutionary at the time, and still forms a bedrock of modern decipherments. These include the notion that the Texts are mathematical and scientific in nature, that the Texts convey information about the Elders, and that we must strive for further scientific advancements to better understand the Texts.
=== 'On Right Triangles' by Teleron (98 PC) ===
'On Right Triangles' by Teleron was published on 98 PC, laying the foundations for Institute geometry. It starts by stating the equivalent of the Pythagorean Theorem, providing a proof using areas of squares. To do this, paper first used the notion of 'squaring', in which numbers would be multiplied by itself. This paper then goes on to discuss the founding of Irrational Numbers, proving numbers such as sqrt2 cannot be written as a ratio between integers. On a more practical side of things, this paper would provide a framework for Institute architecture, allowing the Institute to build higher, spacier, and more robust structures than ever before.
=== 'On the Planets and their Motions' by Exeron (151 PC) ===
'On the Planets and their Motions' by Exeron was published on 151 PC, in which Archivist Exeron attempted to explain the Astral Maps of the Elder Texts in a geocentric model, as opposed to the heliocentric model that had been the accepted model after the Canon Papers. While the heliocentric model often misaligned with observations due to the assumption that planets moved in perfect circular motion as opposed to ellipses, Exeron proposed a geocentric model similar to that of Ptolemy's. While this seemingly contradicted the Elder Texts, it would provide a more accurate description of the planets' motions as confirmed by observations.
=== 'On General Arcanism' by Miron (244 PC) ===
'On General Arcanism' by Miron was published on 244 PC, in which Speaker of the Archives Miron outlined a general explanation of arcanism, a study of the immaterial, telepathic, and 'magical'. Miron was a member of the First Contact expedition to Rusmenstar, and there he met his teacher in telepathism, Kithli of Rusmenstar. Following her instructions, Miron eventually obtained mild telepathy, which he would teach along with Kithli to willing members of the Institute. By studying Rusmenstari rituals and magic, Miron was able to create a worldview that divided this world into the Material Realm and the Immaterial Realm. In this paper, he assumed the existence of sentient 'Will', and used the concepts of 'Body' and 'Soul' to explain telepathisms. More controversially, Miron hypothesised the existence of the Spirit (Will without a Body but with a Soul) and Homunculi (Will without a Soul but with a Body). This would pave the way to Kimeron's research, one of the most infamous archivist in Institute history. 
=== 'On Homunculi' by Kimeron (289 PC) ===
'On Homunculi' by Kimeron was published on 289 PC, in which Archivist Kimeron outlined a possible process with which the Homunculus, a Will without Soul but with a Body, hypothesised by Miron, could be created. Kimeron postulated that if a living person could be removed of their Soul, then this would be enough to create a homunculus. Another possible way of creating a Homunculus would be to give a Corpse, or other inanimate objects, Will. However, Kimeron hypothesised that the latter would not be possible unless the properties of Will could be defined as much as the Body or Soul. He would go on to perform experiments on animals to figure out a variety of ways with which he may remove their Soul.
=== 'On the Fusion of Species' by Kimeron (295 PC) ===
'On the Fusion of Species' by Kimeron was published on 295 PC, in which Archivist Kimeron outlined the possibility that Souls of the same or different species might be merged into one. According to Kimeron, Will is indivisible, but they are mergeable; and this theory could be tested best by attempting to merge Souls, or the least, modifying it. Because the Body is much more difficult to modify and more finicky than Souls, Kimeron argued that in order to attempt any merger of Wills, the Soul is the better vessel to do it with. This paper was called unethical by most Archivists of the time, but the Young School a few decades later adapted Kimeron's ideas, in which a Soul would not be merged with another but rather modified. This modification in Soul, Kimeron argued, would bring about a modification in the Body, a useful tool in the field of biology and medicine.
=== 'Compendium of Hallucinogenic Plants around the World' by Kjemii (301 PC) ===
'Compendium of Hallucinogenic Plants around the World' by Kjemii was published on 301 PC, in which Archivist Kjemii, specialising in herbology and medicine, provided a full list of hallucinogenic plants that the Institute had access to at the time. This would provide useful for further research into the Soul, Homunculi, and Kimerae (Chimeras), as hallucinations were proof that some plants would act not only on the Body, but also the Soul. The paper received a mixed reception in the Institute, however, as the more socially conservative worried that the paper might provide youths with a fascination for drugs.
=== 'Theses on Legalism' by Koron (333 PC) ===
'Theses on Legalism' by Koron was published on 333 PC, generally seen as the hallmark of the Young School. In this paper, Koron argued that a standardised system of written law and justice be made encompassing the entire Institute, as opposed to separate customs and unwritten rules being the norm for each institution within the Institute. Koron compared the 3 nations of Aangtje-te, Avalonia, and the Institute in their political philosophies, calling each weak and disunited (Aangtje-te), unprofessional and populist (Avalonia), and partial and sectarian (The Institute). To remedy this, Koron proposed a new institution - the Legates, who would be in charge of enforcing and judging laws that apply throughout the entirety of the Institute. While this proposition was ignored by the Speakers at the time, this would prove to be the manifesto under which the Young School actively pushed for reform and change - and ultimately achieved.
=== 'On General Metallurgy' by Quoron (341 PC) ===
'On General Metallurgy' by Quoron was published on 341 PC, in which Head Archivist Quoron detailed a number of processes to produce the best bronze, pig iron, and theorised that the production of steel may be possible if the temperatures of the furnace were increased to higher levels. With his laboratory on the hills of Central Great Devin, where the winds blew frequently and fiercely, he was able to attain temperatures that were not possible elsewhere, allowing him to conduct multiple experiments on bronze and iron. Quoron would later come to invent the Bellows, a portable device that funnels air to create winds, helping increase the strength of fire and thus the temperature of the furnace. While his early Bellows would only allow him to create the lowest-grade iron, his subsequent disciples would come to perfect the art of metallurgy and steel production. 
=== 'On the Rediscovery of Old Devan Magic' by Kroton (361 PC) ===
'On the Rediscovery of Old Devan Magic' by Archivist Kroton was published on 361 PC, after the Young School Reforms which lifted the ban on researching magic used by the Old De'van Kingdom before the Founding. Old Devan Magic was focused primarily on manipulating the will of others to do their bidding, though it was clear that the methodology was never examined further beyond its practical applications. Kroton hypothesised that this was a form of Soul manipulation, and even an evidence to what Kimeron hypothesised was possible - the removal of Soul from a Body to produce a Homunculus. This idea would be further examined in later works, especially his disciple Pyron.
=== 'On the Decoupling of Souls' by Pyron (389 PC) ===
'On the Decoupling of Souls' by Pyron was published on 389 PC, outlining a process with which to decouple Souls from the Body, producing a free-floating Spirit (Spiritum Volem) and a Body without Will (Homunculus). The process involves sending hyperenergetic telepathic winds, while simultaneously injecting hallucinogenic drugs to victims to weaken the tie between the Body and Soul. The wind would then 'blow out' the Soul from the Body with such force that they would detach. While the experiment, conducted with a prisoner sentenced death, was successful, the amount of drugs and telepathic power needed was too great for this method to be used in industry. Pyron also hypothesised that a similar, more efficient method was used by Old Devan Magicians in their Imperius Curses.
=== 'On Telepathic Modifications to the Soul' by Pyron (393 PC) ===
'On Telepathic Modifications to the Soul' by Pyron was published on 393 PC, outlining a process with which to modify the Soul with the ability to telepathically interact. Rusmenstari telepathic items and rituals were heavily studied, which focused on 'installing' an artificial Mouth and Ear to the Soul. Pyron managed to reproduce this result by miniscule 'Soul surgeries' using focused telepathic beams to chip away at the Soul to create a Mouth and Ear. The process, like Soul Decoupling, was hugely expensive, but the technology was quickly made efficient and affordable, and became widespread within the Institute in a century.
=== 'Theses on Mathematical Notations' by Ethon (401 PC) ===
'Theses on Mathematical Notations' by Ethon was published on 401 PC, arguing and putting forth a series of mathematical notations to replace words such as 'plus' and 'minus' in mathematical equations, calculations, and papers. The extent of these notations were: +, -, x, /, ^, (), =. This greatly simplified mathematics within the Institute, making it much easier to read and understand with training. Within a decade the notations were adopted across the Institute, including in maths curriculums in Institute Primimanis (Primary Schools).
=== 'Theses on Banking' by Merii (403 PC) ===
'Theses on Banking' by Merii was published on 403 PC, arguing for a Centralised Banking System managed either by the Interfaces or a completely new institution, in which papyrus pieces with written numbers would act as alternatives to existing gold auroleae. By depositing gold centrally, the possibilities of a bankrun as seen in Avalonia and Stryng would be reduced, transfer of currency would be eased, and security of private banks would be guaranteed to a degree by the Institute. This would cause Institute economy to enlarge itself, enabling lendings to be more viable for ventures built on new technologies and contacts with newfound civilisations.
=== 'On the Manipulation of Emotions by the Soul' by Neron (411 PC) ===
'On the Manipulation of Emotions by the Soul' by Head Archivist Neron was published on 411 PC, in which Neron specified a number of ways, using primitive emotion-aspected telepathic waves and a variety of herbs and hallucinogens to manipulate an individual's emotions by disturbance of its soul. While Neron's method only specified on the 2 most basic of sentient emotions - pleasure and displeasure - the paper also goes further into possible extensions and modifications to his methods to encompass more complex emotions, such as calm, rage, anxiety, amusement, lust, and more. The Institute would slowly perfect this method, with help from future technologies and models, of manipulating one's emotions. After 2 centuries, the practice is widely used both as a therapeutic experience and as a method of torture.
=== 'On Arches' by Ixion (432 PC) ===
'On Arches' by Speaker of the Archives Ixion was published on 432 PC, detailing a practical use of his theories of geometries he had written prior - including on parabolic and other such conic curves. The paper details the use of arches for the construction of highly stacked buildings and for bridges, both over water to transport carts and over land to transport water. The arches would prove vital in the construction of aqueducts, which in conjunction with water lifts, revolutionised Institute hydroengineering technologies, from urban fountains fit for drinking, sewage systems, and irrigation systems.
=== 'On the Measurement of Temperatures' by Clyron (454 PC) ===
'On the Measurement of Temperatures' by Head Archivist Clyron was published on 454 PC, at the height of the Little Ice Age that caused crop failures and hunger throughout the Institute. To solve this problem, a significant leap in agricultural productivity was required, and temperature was seen as one of the biggest variables that needed optimisation. Thus, Clyron made a scale of temperature, the Tempum, to measure accurately a system's level of heat; divided into 144 (100 in base 12) equal intervals, with 0 at the freezing point of pure water and 144 at the boiling point. The Tempum was within a year of its conceptualisation added to the Institute Metric, being used extensively in the creation of the Greenhouse Method.
=== 'On the Greenhouse Method' by Moron (455 PC) ===
'On the Greenhouse Method' by Speaker of the Archives Moron was published on 455 PC, utilizing the Tempum and the newly made papyrus-cotton blend sheet (Papyricotonpallium) to optimise growth conditions for staple crops of the Institute - Rice, Cotton, and Papyrus. The papyricotonpallium was resistant to ripping, while at the same time being thin enough to let sunlight through, providing a cheap alternative to glass as the Greenhouse's material of construction. While its implementation was too late to stop the famine of 456 PC, the method proved incredibly useful in increasing Institute agricultural productivity and botanical sciences.
=== 'On Idae and Vitae' in the Strynger Transcripts ===
'On Idae and Vitae' in the Strynger Transcripts divides what was simply 'Immaterial Energies' into 2 separate elements: the Vitae, or the Immaterial Energies that form and interact with the Soul, and the Idae, whatever Immaterial Energies that are not Vitae. Strynger technologies differentiate between the two, and have devised methods of separating the two so as to gain greater effects from both Idae and Vitae. This would provide insight within the Institute that Immaterial Energies are, much like the Material Realm, composed of various different elements.
=== 'On the Use of Vitae as Fertilisers' in the Strynger Transcripts ===
'On the Use of Vitae as Fertilisers' in the Strynger Transcripts formulates a way of accumulating and using Vitae to nourish plants, significantly increasing their agricultural yields. Vitae acted on souls of plants to make it require less ATP to survive, instead transferring the Vitae of the soul to use as an alternative source of energy. The same principles have since been applied to fungal and animal species, while research is being conducted to see the effects of its reverse - to use Vitae to force an organism to require much more energy than it otherwise would, making it weak and easy to destroy.
=== 'On the Origins of the Organic Body' in the Strynger Transcripts ===
'On the Origins of the Organic Body' in the Strynger Transcripts details how our body is created. First, our body is made up of little building blocks called Cells, whose insides are separated from the outside by the Cellular Membrane. Its insides are filled with an aqueous solution (called the Cytoplasm) of Proteins, the building block of the body, Amino Acids, the building block of Proteins, and various other materials required in the creation and maintenance of the Cell and its functions. Within the Cell is its Core, within which its DNA is stored; the DNA acts as an instructions manual for all the Proteins the Cell needs to produce to maintain, function, and replicate. Reader Proteins read the DNA, producing a copy of it called the mRNA, which is then lodged out of the Core into the Cytoplasm. The mRNA is then intercepted by a Ribosome, who reads the mRNA to assemble the Protein, gathering the Amino Acids it needs from tRNAs that grab onto Amio Acids to bring it to the Ribosome. Once the mRNA has been fully read, the Protein is then folded, and is ready to function, be it within the Cell, or outside.
=== 'On Decoding Physical Life' in the Strynger Transcripts ===
'On Decoding Physical Life' in the Strynger Transcripts details how the DNA encodes instructions on creating a functioning Protein. The DNA is composed of 2 parts : the Stem, which acts as a binder, and the Code, which houses the information on Proteins. The Code is made up of 4 different letters, commonly called the A, C, G, and T, of which 3 letters combine to form a Codon. A Codon is a code for a specific Amino Acid, and when the Codon from an mRNA (a duplicate copy of the DNA) is read by a Ribosome, a tRNA (a shuttle of sorts for the Amino Acid) with the appropriate Amino Acid is summoned to the Ribosome to be made into Protein. The Ribosome, reading the Codons from the mRNA, creates a string of Amino Acids, who are folded to create the Protein.
=== 'On Phlogistones' in the Strynger Transcripts ===
'On Phlogistones' in the Strynger Transcripts describes the Phlogiston, an organ where all the body’s Conversion Enzymes (also known as Mana Enzymes) are located. Proteins that grab onto Idae are added to Red Blood Cells, carrying them to the Phlogiston. There, Idae is converted into Vitae via the Soul, giving the Organism a source of Vitae Fertilisers. The Phlogiston may only be added to a species via Gene Modification Technologies, passed onto the Institute via the Strynger Transcripts. While maps of genes for all the Institute's species have been created and phlogistones implemented in them within a century of its introduction, cattles that fix Idae as Vitae in the Cytoplasm of the Phlogiston's Cells were imported from Stryng - the Grasstail Lizards.
=== 'On Psihori Wayfinding Techniques' by Sylon (499 PC) ===
'On Psihori Wayfinding Techniques' by Archivist Sylon was published on 499 PC, in which Sylon detailed the navigational oral traditions passed down by the highly spiritual Psihori peoples of the Island of Psihoris. Their oral traditions, which they tattoo onto their bodies, speak of various seafaring heroes and ancestors that brought them to this island. Interestingly, the method in which they achieved this is passed down in striking detail - including watching the stars, speaking with their spirits, seeing the waves to find out where islands are, what kind of fish reside in which waters, et cetra. These Psihori traditions were carefully recorded by the Institute, who has since used the knowledge to navigate to distant lands such as Anstria and Aecatenis.
=== 'On the Military Applications of Fire' by Sikeno (510 PC) ===
'On the Military Applications of Fire' by Sikeno was published on 510 PC, in which a member of the Arms and a Strynger, Sikeno, brought insight into how fire may be produced and ejected to be effective in military applications. Some Strynger avian species that breathed fire were modified to act as cattle for their flammable oil, later named the Agneoleum, which were processed into pressurised steel compartments which may spew it at the enemy. This proved particularly useful in naval battles, as Agnioleae tended to float on water, forming a barrier of burning fire that restricted the movement of enemy wooden ships. The agneoleum was also encapsuled in wooden catapult balls, which would crack mid-flight to shower the enemy in these kinds of fires, useful for sieges and burning enemy supplies.
=== 'On the Origins of Species' by Tjakii (515 PC) ===
'On the Origins of Species' by Archivist Tjakii was published in 515 PC, after his investigation into the wildlife of the Dordic Isles. Here, he found species of lizards that all had similar characteristics, but varied wildly in their diets and sizes. Large lizards that preyed off of rodents had tougher tongues, while smaller lizards that were hunted by the local birds had the ability to camouflage into their local surroundings. Others still featured longer nails to latch onto treetops while others developed little gliders to jump between the trees. Tjakii came to the conclusion that these lizards had a common ancestor, and that by being separated into different islands they were forced to adapt to the local environment. Perhaps, he hypothesised, this theory of Evolution could explain why all the sentient species of the world featured a face, two arms, a torso, and two legs, but differed on their outward appearances - they all had a same ancestor, and they simply evolved to be fit to survive in their natural habitat.
=== 'On the Theory of Atoms' by Tymion (523 PC) ===
'On the Theory of Atoms' by Archivist Tymion was published in 523 PC, in which he hypothesised that the world is made up of various indivisible particles, the 'atoms'. After studying in depth Institute biology, especially on the formation of Proteins, Tymion concluded that a building block of organic matter must exist for the organic processes within the cell to function. While this theory of atoms remained a hypothesis for centuries since Tymion's first inception, it would gradually be proven true as matter such as Water started to be divided into its constituent elements.
=== 'Decipherment of the Images' by Helion (527 PC) ===
'Decipherment of the Images' by Head Textor Helion was published in 527 PC, in which he hypothesised several symbols on the Images of the Elder Texts to be atomic symbols of the Amino Acids, based on the number of similar-looking symbols and the number of discovered Amino Acids to be the same - 21. This decipherment brought about much debate within the Texts, with some arguing that the number 21 was a mere coincidence. However, this would prove to be a central piece in the argument for the existence of Atoms, and one that would be proven in the centuries to come. 
=== 'On General Optics' (551) ===
'On General Optics' was published on 551 PC, outlining the fact that certain shapes of Perlivitrae (clear glass), mostly curved, could distort vision of light going through it. It was also noted that multiple lenses could be stacked with distance to produce a magnifying effect, making small and far-away object visible to the eye. This discovery would signal the beginning of Institute Optics, and the principle paper on which the invention of the Cisvoirum (Telescope) and the Provoirum (Microscope) could be attributed to.
=== 'On the Semimaterial Realm' by Pareon (568 PC) ===
'On the Semimaterial Realm' by Archivist Pareon was published on 568 PC, in which he describes a phenomenon in which material matter and immaterial matter seemed to bond together - perhaps the source of the glow from Hadragari crystals. Pareon named these material-immaterial pair the 'Semimaterial Realm', and hypothesised that these were the source of what many call 'Magic' - material disturbances caused by an immaterial stimuli. The discovery of the Semimaterial Realm would prove to be a breakthrough in Institute Arcanism, as the bridge between the Immaterial and Material realms was finally discovered.
=== 'On the Elder Texts and the Anstrian Cube' (569) ===
'On the Elder Texts and the Anstrian Cube' was published on 569 PC, outlining the possible connection between the Elder Texts of the Institute and the Anstrian Cube of the Anstrian nation. The Anstrian Cube is an enigma even to the Anstrians, and Institute archivists were welcomed to investigate as to its origins and nature. The Anstrian Cube, unlike the Elder Texts, were completely black, as if to deny reflecting any light of any sorts. It would not emit any light or heat even when heated using agnioleae, and its mass was immeasurably massive. While no direct connections could be proven, it was certain that both artifacts were indeed of alien origin.
=== 'On Celestial Arcanism' by Joint Institute-Ha Irunah Experiments (572) ===
'On Celestial Arcanism' was published on 572 PC, by a Joint Institute-Ha Irunah study which delved into the possible explanations for Irunahi celestial arcanism. A hypothesis was proposed by those within the Institute that Idae, or ambient immaterial matter, was tiered, each more reactive in bonding with different elements. Earthbound idae would thus function differently from Oceanbound idae and Skybound idae, proven centuries later by advanced Spiritoriae which confirmed different spiritual ecosystems inhabiting different environments. Irunahi mages cast several celestial spells, whose effects the Institute measured numerically. The higher in altitude the source of idae, the larger the energy stored in these spells got at the expense of precision. Centuries later, the phenomenon would be explained by the inverse square law of immaterial superposition, but at the time only hypotheses and observed data could be published in good shape. 
=== 'On Observing the Immaterial' by Pareon (575 PC) ===
'On Observing the Immaterial' by Head Archivist Pareon was published on 575 PC, in which he described a process with which to utilise the Semimaterial realm to observe the immaterial. This proved to be a huge leap forward in Institute archanism, as so far research into the Immaterial had relied upon sensitive telepaths using their souls to inaccurately measure immaterial disturbances - now, precise measurements of the Immaterial realm could be made using this technique. A process to bind an immaterial object to a material one - semimaterialisation - would be conducted via a modified phlogiston enzyme, and put into Hadragari crystals for stabilisation. The process would continue until the crystals stopped emitting light - a sign that all immaterial matter within the crystal had been bonded. The immaterial could thus be measured using material means.
=== 'Compendium of Spirits' by Pujikii (589 PC) ===
'Compendium of Spirits' by Head Archivist Pujikii was published on 589 PC, in which she observed the immaterial realm meticulously using an improved form of Pareon's method of Semimaterial Observation. Through this, she managed to detect several souls that resided only in the immaterial realm, without a material body - a being hypothesised by Miron centuries prior as a 'spirit'. Some of these Spirits possessed similar qualities and behaviours with one another, while some were grossly different. Pujikii then created a primitive Compendium of Spirits cataloging a total of 15 different species of Spirits, some of whom fed on another, hinting at a possible existence of an Immaterial Ecosystem.
=== 'On the Liquidstenum' (591) ===
'On the Liquidstenum' was published on 591 PC, in which a new type of material, the Liquidstenum, was introduced. Limestone, soot, gravel, clay, and water would be molded together, producing a thick liquid that could then be cast. After several days, moisture in the liquid would evaporate, leaving behind a rigid stone structure that was stronger in strength than existing limestone or marble. This made Institute use of arches and domes much more economical, and combined with moldable Shapetrees, produced an architectural style that focused on well-ratioed curves in form.
=== 'On General Life Modification' by Celterion (596 PC) ===
'On General Life Modification' by Speaker of the Archives Celterion was published on 596 PC, in which he fused the methods of Neron (General manipulation of the Soul in emotions and telepathy) with Strynger methods of Body modification through the use of Genes, to create a combined process with which to modify life, both material and immaterial. This method, later named Celterion's Method, was a form of ascension for all those within the Institute - so far as biology and arcanism allowed, they could modify themselves to their heart's desire. Decades later, when Celterion's Method became commercially feasable, it was common for Institute Avalons to modify themselves to grow to ~180cm in height, Institute Stryngers to grow even more colourful feathers and meticulous hands, and Institute Pjuuraks to grow even whiter furs.
=== 'The Map and Encyclopedia of the Known World' by Joira (600 PC) ===
'The Map and Encyclopedia of the Known World' by Arsenalist Joira was published on 600 PC, in which she catalogued all the places the Institute could reach in both maps and detailed images. The map spanned a total of 6 continents, some more detailed than others - the continents of Kasharis (Kashar Maht), Barasidis (Barasud), Serpencuris (Serpent's Run), Idaris (Idaros), Cygis (Cyge), and Aecatenis (Everchains) were mapped either in its entirety or in parts. This mapping and cataloging, however, revealed an unsettling truth - most civilisations on the east coast of Kasharis had, over the decades, collapsed, save for Rusmenstar, including civilisations which the Institute had made contact with - Elvain and Tropicagical. The phenomenon was named the East Kashar Collapse, and would be the subject of much debate and contention, as one possible explanation given by those within the Institute blamed Avalonian colonies for this phenomenon.
=== 'On Idaeic Levitation' (604) [Defunct] ===
'On Idaeic Levitation' was published on 604, which delved into the engineering behind Myrklander Livferks, which seemed to float with the individual. These Livferks were found to possess a special immaterial chamber with just the right idic density to be buoyant in ambient idae, controlled by advanced technologies that sensed ambient idic pressure and adjusted the Livferks' density. The Institute could not replicate any of these processes, but was able to recreate the levitation effect on a small scale. Floating lightbeetle lanterns were created experimentally, which would often swing around as ambient idic pressure changed around it, but the principle would be used to create idae-to-kinetic engines that would revolutionise Institute industries centuries later.
=== 'On General Logics of the Interfaces' (607) ===
'On General Logics of the Interfaces' was published on 607, which delved into the engineering behind Myrklander Aetherslates and Runewares. It was discovered that the logic used behind these were not so dissimilar from those used by the Interfaces; the mathematical and logical algorithms comprised of two states, commonly refered to as TRUE or FALSE, were manipulated by NOT, AND, OR, and combinations of those to produce effective calculators. While other variables differed between the two systems, the simple fact that the two systems operated on a binary system made conversion between them much easier and simpler.
=== 'On Variables and Functions' (610) ===
'On Variables and Functions' was published on 610, building upon the mathematical avenues the paper from 607 opened up. Mathematical concepts of Variables and Functions were developed, in which a Variable could be any number with a specific definition - be it that it be an integer or exist within a certain range - and a Function, which would perform predetermined calculations to one or multiple Variables to produce a singular output. This greatly revolutionised the usage of the Interfaces, and with in optimisations in Institute commerce, central banking, administration, and engineering precision.
=== 'On the Lacunae: Degradation of Immaterial Energies' in the Valkadian Transcripts ===
'On the Lacunae: Degradation of Immaterial Energies' in the Valkadian Transcripts introduced a brand new phenomenon in the Institute Archives, in which existing Idae and Vitae would decay into an unstable and volatile yet highly energetic form of Immaterial Energy- the Lacunae - under certain circumstances. The Valkadians had used this form of Immaterial Energy since time immemorial to perform its arcane arts, including the ability to raise the dead and control their motions. Unlike idae however, the lacunae was highly unpredictable, sometimes spontaneously combusting - a property that would later be exploited in Institute dimensional physics.
=== 'On Condensing Idae' in the Valkadian Transcripts ===
'On Condensing Idae' in the Valkadian Transcripts introduced the Valkadian Crystal, a strange form of matter that was neither Material, Immaterial, nor Semimaterial - it was Transmaterial, for it was not a Material-Immaterial bond like Semimaterials but one that transmuted between the two states depending on surrounding states both material and immaterial. These crystals would be heavily studied for its physical properties and the conditions in which it underwent 'condensation' and 'vapourisation', which would later be used to control ambient idic densities to better control idic levitations.
=== 'On the Valkadian Eye' in the Valkadian Transcripts ===
'On the Valkadian Eye' in the Valkadian Transcripts introduced the Valkadian Eye, which could 'see' the immaterial world without special utensils such as the Spiritorium. The Valkadian soul was highly perceptive of its surroundings, thanks to the Valkadian Eye whose lenses exhibited semimaterial properties, making it sensitive to both material and immaterial stimuli. These studies would prove instrumental in making Institute observation into the Immaterial Realm more precise, as Institute Optics could finally be used to measure the Immaterial realm numerically and empirically.
=== 'On Raising the Dead' in the Valkadian Transcripts ===
'On Raising the Dead' in the Valkadian Transcripts introduced a particular form of Valkadian arcanism in which the Lacunae is used instead of Vitae in a dead corpse to reanimate it. Valkadian scholars have confirmed that there are several 'tiers' as to these undead, however, depending on their sentience and the amount of immaterial energies these undead can control. Valkadian scholars within the Institute have begun to seek ways to perform experiments without being in violation of Institute law; the solution was found to buy corpses from the impoverished. This forced Institute necromancy to depart from Valkadian necromancy, however, as the price of corpses were significantly higher here than in their homeland, relegating Institute necromancy to highly advanced and technical endeavors than mass production.
=== 'Theses on the Similarity of the Undead and Homunculi' (648) ===
'Theses on the Similarity of the Undead and Homunculi' was published on 648 in regards to the recent discovery of the Valkadian undead. It was long speculated that low-tier undeads without properties of sentience were effectively homunculi, in that they both did not share any sentience and only acted following their superiors' commands. However, unlike the undead, which requires that the Soul still exist for Lacunae to be used effectively, the Homunculus is entirely devoid of any Soul, acting much like self-replicating machines with no connection to the Immaterial realm.
=== 'On the Definition of Sentient Life' (655) ===
'On the Definition of Sentient Life' was published on 655, in which the need to differentiate Sentient Life from Animals was starting to rise due to the growing number of species within the Institute, with the need to define their rights and privileges as separate from animals. The paper defined these points as characteristic of Sentient Life: 1. The existence of both Soul and Body, 2. The ability to imagine, 3. The ability to form large societies that depend on trust between strangers. These 3 points were characteristic of Convergent Evolution towards Sentience, for species that possessed all 3 of these characteristics could cooperate with members of the same species that they had just met, creating large societies. It was later commented that the Institute was a shining example of how property 3 was applicable inter-species, as different species were able to create a functioning and prosperous large society within the Institute.
=== 'On Society and Power' (671) ===
'On Society and Power' was published on 671, in which a distinctly Institute approach was made on defining and deconstructing society and power, the chief concern among the Valkadian masses. Power is less defined by individual strength, but rather by strength in numbers, as large societies and nations have proven that it exhibits a synergistic behaviour much stronger than the simple sum of its parts. Power comes from cooperation between individuals, whose synergies amplify as those with different expertise come together to form something greater, as different individuals may be trusted to do tasks professionally that the other members cannot. The paper was later used as somewhat of an Institute propaganda, for the Institute was the shining example of how the paper advised its readers to gain power - by cooperation, by trust, and by varying expertise.
=== 'On Distilling Pure Alcohol' (688) ===
'On Distilling Pure Alcohol' was published on 688, outlining the process for obtaining alcohol, the essence behind alcoholic drinks that was the primary reason for making their drinkers drunk. It was a well-known fact that pouring ricebeer and papyrusliquor on wounds would reduce the chances of patients dying, and pure alcohol used in medicinal practices increased the survival rates for the sick. Alcohol, which was a transparent liquid much like water but with a lower boiling temperature, could be separated from other liquids and impurities via a multistep boiling process, in which a precise temperature was maintained where water would still stay liquid but alcohol could be evaporated. The evaporated alcohol would then be condensed in a separate vial, to be used as an ingredient in artificial liquors or as a disinfectant in medicine.
=== 'On Chance' (690) ===
'On Chance' was published on 690, describing a new system of mathematics that focuses on a new concept called 'probability'. Probability is described as 'the ratio of a well-defined event occuring given well-defined circumstances should the same circumstances repeat infinitely' in the paper, where a cubic dice-rolling was assigned a theoretical 1/6 'chance' of each face rolling. This paper would pave the way for the rise of Statistics, which would allow records spanning centuries to be mathematically analysed to produce a rigorous result founded on good logic.
=== 'On Universal Transliterature' (701) ===
'On Universal Transliterature' was published on 701, in which a hypothesis concerning transliterature, or the art of translating between languages without an interpreter, was put forward on the basis that every language ever founded within the Institute and beyond could be translated to each other and be well-understood. The paper argued that because languages were simply thoughts given certain forms, if thoughts could be passed around in its purest form, universal transliterature could be possible without a standing form of a language. While the idea of 'thoughts in its purest form' was considered too mystical in nature, Institute Standard was modified to act as the effective bridge between all languages. Meanwhile, the search for 'the purest thought' would later pave the way for a refined aspect of Vitae being found - the Sophiae.
=== 'Compendium of the Miniscule World' (704) ===
'Compendium of the Miniscule World' was published on 704, featuring numerous images and illustrations of tiny objects viewed through the Provoirum (microscope), including anatomical dissections of small animals such as ants, termites, and mosquitos, and of larger objects such as avalon tentacles, Valkadian crystals, and Interfaces. The results were striking - insects seemed to share similar anatomical parts such as hair with the sentient species of the Institute, further adding to the list of proofs for the Theory of Evolution. Avalon tentacles seemed also to be composed of black flesh, hypothesised to have evolved to protect it from demoisturing by sunlight, Valkadian crystals seemed to be 'flowing' in a strange way, although it did exhibit behaviours of a typical solid material matter, and the Interfaces were discovered to be composed of little sources of light that were bundled in 3, each giving off differing intensities of green, red, and blue. While the compendium was interesting for both entertainment and academical purposes, its true power lied in the direction it gave for the Cygian Plague that would break out on the same year as its publication.
=== 'On Viral Immunity and Vaccines' (716) ===
'On Viral Immunity and Vaccines' was published on 716, built on the previous Institute innovations of Statistics, the Provoirum, and the Strynger tradition of Vaccinations. The Stryng used to excercise biological warfare, and in defence to their own tactics used to 'vaccinate' its populations against their own attacks for immunity. While the exact methods as to it was forgotten in time after the great civilisation's collapse, the Institute was able to partially mimic the effects of vaccines by realising that people who survived from the Cygian Plague never contracted it again. The observation was quickly followed by a statistical analysis that found areas congested with high populations of mice were sources of mass outbreaks, and when these mice were investigated further with the provoirum, little fleas carried the source of the cygian plague. After experimentations, a primitive vaccination process was invented in which these fleas with the infection would be boiled and ground, then served with hot water with essentia papyrae as sweetener. While even using this method 1% of all those vaccinated would die from the disease, it was a much better alternative to simply catching the disease and having a 1/3 chance of dying.
=== 'Theses on East Kashar Collapse and Colonisation' (736) ===
'Theses on East Kashar Collapse and Colonisation' was published on 736, in which scholars pushed for permanent settlements to be created on the Kashar mainland to investigate the East Kashar Collapse. While out-of-continent settlements of Proterris and Stationei Pro Kasharis 1 & 2 were traditionally used to analyse events on the continent, centuries of passive conduct did not produce much results other than the fact that no hostile threat existed within the continent's interior. Thus, the scholars argued, that the collapse must have been either geological, meteorogical, or immaterial in nature, and that to investigate these elements of the Kashar mainland, permanent settlements were necessary. The sentiment further compounded by the fact that the Avalonian Republic had started to colonise the mainland themselves centuries prior, which the Institute scholars deemed to be one of the causes of the collapse. Thus, to prevent further Avalonian contamination of the mainland and to preserve at least its northeastern corner for scientific study, the Second Institute was formed on mainland Kashar.
=== 'On the Geology of Kashar' (749) ===
'On the Geology of Kashar' was published on 749, providing a map and study on the eastern coast of Kashar. It was found that the continent exhibited strangely symmetrical biome distribution centred around the equator, perhaps due to the amount of sunlight it received due to the earth being of the spherical shape. A tropical jungle found on the western parts of Aangtje-te was typical in Central East Kashar Coast, centred around the collapsed nation of Tropicagical. To its north and south existed temperate rainforests, concentrated around the coasts, while the interior was filled with less humid yet still dense temperate forests, much like that of western Devin. Further inland existed a vast mountain chain that explorers could not venture beyond. Further north existed the collapsed civilisation of Sunflower Valley, named so by its beautiful river valleys filled with rich meadows of yellow and brown sunflowers. To its interior lied a vast field of grassland, which the explorers did not dare cross due to lack of good sources of water. It was based on this expedition that the locations for the Second Institute was decided; in between the deceased civilisations of Sunflower Valley and Neimuria was Noriellis; between Neimuria and Synskinrwat-Elkeray was Noviterminis; and between Synskinrwat-Elkeray and Tropicagical was Novidevis.
=== 'On Immaterial Pressure' (754) ===
'On Immaterial Pressure' was published on 754, producing a hypothesis on how Valkadian crystals are formed using a new optical device that utilised the principles of the Valkadian Eye, called the Immatrivoirum. Using the Immatrivoirum, the team of archivists measured carefully the density of idae around a naturally occuring Valkadian crystal, finding it to be unnaturally high, being 'attracted' to the Valkadian as if it were gravity. Artificial attempts at creating the environment necessary to create these crystals were set up, creating a miniscule chamber and blasting concentrated beams of telepathic idae through it. While the experiment was successful in creating an incredibly small version of the Valkadian crystal, now named Solididum (Solid Idae), the cost of production was much too high in comparison to simply importing it from Valkadia. The experiment would however be a proof-of-concept of the Immaterial Pressure and how certain elements of Idae could be materialised under the right conditions.
=== 'Theses on Naval Warfare' (763) ===
'Theses on Naval Warfare' was published on 763, directly following the conclusion of the East Kashar Border Dispute and the Battle of Novidevis between the Institute and Avalonia. While the battle itself was a narrow victory for the Institute, especially given its numerical disadvantage, the cost of 4 Fleets that had sunk during the battle was still shocking. The damage had mostly been done out of collateral damage, as Institute war triremes could not control itself hurtling into batches of floating, burning agnioleum on the oceans, getting its outer hull burnt and sinking as a result. The importance of naval formations, much like that of land warfare, was made clear as a result, and a new class of fire-resistant, manoeuvrable ships used as screens were made to absorb damage from agnioleae and fire from enemy ships, while larger ships who were focused more on firepower became increasingly compact with multiple agnioleum catapults, being placed further back to do damage from long distance. Scouting birds were also used to locate enemy ships so as to further increase the accuracy of catapult barrages.
=== 'On the Definition of Life and Death' (776) ===
'On the Definition of Life and Death' was published on 776, after an experiment on lichdom by Valkadian archivists within the Institute garnered fame on whether they should be considered living or dead. Proponents of 'living' argue that Liches have sentience and soul and therefore are deserving of all the rights of the living, while proponents of 'dead' argue that Liches hail from a corpse, functioning as an automaton with only the memories and personality of a deceased individual. The debate on the status of liches was hotly debated in the Archives and Legates alike, and the need for a clear definition between 'living' and 'dead' was increasingly more necessary. Thus, a test was devised within the Legates that defined legal 'living' as such: if a clearly living person could not distinguish the dead from the living, the dead must have equivalent rights as the living. Following this principle, called the Cordon Test, liches were given humanhood, officially regarded as 'living' as opposed to 'dead' by the Institute.
=== 'On Invisible Light' (785) ===
'On Invisible Light' was published on 785, where a test involving prisms and thermometers discovered that a hidden spectrum of light existed outside of what was visible. While the rainbow scattering of light under optical devices was well known at the time, no one bothered to place a thermometer next to the light being scattered. When it was discovered that the space next to the rainbow of light was measurably hotter than the darkness surrounding it, it was hypothesised that a hidden, 'invisible' spectrum of light existed outside of visible light. Due to its propensity to heat objects, it was given the nickname 'Hot Light', and due to its position at the end of the red side of the spectrum, it was also called 'Transred Light'.
=== 'On Heuristics' (799) ===
'On Heuristics' was published on 799, where the concept of 'heuristics' was first mentioned. While Institute culture until now had been very much focused on being as efficient as possible, this paper argued that searching for the most efficient method was paradoxically more inefficient than methods that were 'just enough'. Heuristics were defined as 'easy methods of problem solving that were efficient enough, but not the most efficient'. While the paper originally was published to criticise over-efficiencies that did very little to improve yields while taking up much resources in the process of finding the efficient method itself, the word 'heuristics' increasingly became more synonymous with a characteristic of sentient thought process where simple, widely used solutions are favoured against hyperefficient algorithms. This distinction of thought from algorithm was also an important stepping stone for the discovery of the Sophiae nearly a century later.
=== 'On the Life Cycle of Spirits' (810) ===
'On the Life Cycle of Spirits' was published on 810, where developments in immaterial optics allowed for spirits to be viewed with increased accuracy. They were now visible as fuzzy lights, with a core that was brighter than the rest as if it were a lantern shining in a thick fog. With this enhanced immatervoirum, the life and death of spirits were able to be viewed with greater precisions. Spirits were created where vitae was sufficiently dense enough to produce a small soul, though the mechanisms behind vitae congregation was still left a mystery. When this soul is made, it 'eats' surrounding idae, increasing the 'size' of the soul surrounding the core, and when sufficiently large enough, another core is made from the soul's eminent vitae, and the process continues. When specific idae is not present, however, the vitae and thus the soul is diminished, until the core dissipates away due to lacking enough surrounding vitae to surround it. The composition of the core was later named the 'Sophiae', for it was the principle Immaterial Energy with which thoughts originated from.
=== 'On the Translation of Immaterial Energies' (835) ===
'On the Translation of Immaterial Energies' was published on 835, examining various strategies with which immaterial energies of Vitae, Idae, and Lacunae could be harvested for material energies of Momentum, Heat, and Light. Firstly, semimaterial turbines could be spun from high idic pressures and winds, though the process was very inefficient. Secondly, a semimaterial in which the immaterial particle degraded easily into lacunae emitted significant amount of heat. The semimaterial was later named Thermistenum (Heatstone). Thirdly, Hadragari crystals held within them specific semimaterials that emitted light when interacting with vitae, the core principle behind Institute spiritoriae. These semimaterials were separated from the silicate matter surrounding it, and were then stored inside transparent phlogistones (bionic idae to vitae engines) to produce a brilliant glowing effect. Lastly, the turbine method was tried again, but this time using Solid Idae to produce stronger and more guided idic winds than before. While weaker than windmill atop high mountains, this method of producing kinetic energy was widely utilised as measurable, persistent, and unbound by geological limitations.
=== 'On the Definition of Thought' (847) ===
'On the Definition of Thought' was published 847, an attempt at separating the mechanisms of logic and heuristic behaviour from mechanical functions of the body and soul. While thought was defined as 'the ability to choose between various options', since it was impossible to test whether an individual could have chosen option B as we only saw that he chose option A, the definition was quickly dropped. Another definition proposed was 'the process with which decisions are made', the looseness in the definition of 'decisions' quickly made the definition irrelevant. A last definition was 'the ability to crave happiness', where happiness was defined to be certain reactions in the brain and soul that made one crave for similar stimuli. While research was conducted into which stimuli the brain and soul craved, it was quickly discovered that the core of the soul, commonly found in spirits, played a vital role in adjusting the soul to crave for happiness. As this field of study matured, the definition also was slightly modified to be 'The ability to pursue happiness and escape unhappiness', and this line of thinking was a cornerstone to the eventual Institute discovery of Sophiae.
=== 'On Immaterial Superposition' (867) ===
'On Immaterial Superposition' was published on 867, where phenomena of overlapping vitae in spirits caused quite a commotion within the Institute Archives. It was later discovered that souls in general did not possess a specific shape or volume like its material cousin (the Body), but were rather composed of a Soul Core (Anima) and surrounding Vitae. These vitae were bound to the Anima, and vitae belonging to different anima could occupy the same space. This was later called Immaterial Superposition, as the principle of spatial exclusivity did not apply in the immaterial realm, at least amongst souls. It was later discovered that this flexibility and size of an individual's vitae surrounding the anima was the source of several species' ability to 'conjure spells', as the Anima could very easily control immaterial energies residing within its soul, and the proficiency with which the soul could be manipulated was the defining factor of how effective those 'spells' were.
=== 'On Sophiae' (880) ===
'On Sophiae' was published on 880, giving a name to the immaterial energies that made of the Anima. The Sophiae, along with the mechanical and material Brain, was the driving force behind thought and consciousness, and what the ancient archivist Miron called 'Will'. Interestingly, Souls could exist without Sophiae to bind the Vitae together, as was the case in Liches and other undeads, though they typically had other mechanisms involving the use of Lacunae to be in its stead. The Sophiae, unlike the surrounding Vitae, was not and could not typically be the subject of manipulation, for it was what manipulated the surrounding Vitae, but under special circumstances in which the connection between the Brain and the Sophiae, or between Sophiae and Vitae was disturbed, it was seen from an outside observer as a 'mind-controlling phenomena', similar to those seen in Old De'van texts and other cultures.
=== 'On the Domestication of Spirits' (899) ===
'On the Domestication of Spirits' was published on 899, where careful manipulation of one's Vitae could make the surrounding spirits react to it in a variety of ways. Using phlogistones as a source of Vitae to lure several Spirits towards a single place was incredibly effective, and several spirits were domesticated this way with a variety of abilities that followed with it. The Spiritum Telepathica was a spirit used to connect two faraway souls to communicate with each other, as it was incredibly agile in making itself stretch; the effect could reach several kilometrae at it greatest. The Spiritum Idica was a spirit that produced a special variant of Idae that bonded well with material matter, making it a good source of producing semimaterials. The Spiritum Astra lived high up in the atmosphere, where celestial Idae was prevalent, and its ability to track starlight even in cloudy days made it an exellent tool for navigation even during bad weather.
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