The Institute

*Played by Enderex#2970*

### Cultures / Ethnic Groups

Avalon (Primary, Founding)Pjuuraks \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Strynger \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Psihori \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Anstrian\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Kanha\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Skaver\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Amiae\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Valkadian\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## Government Details

### Leaders

Head of State: First SpeakerHead of Government: Administrative Unit 01

## Meta informations

### Inspirations

Second Foundation, United Federation of Planets

## **Overview**

The Institute is an island nation spanning both the Kashar-Maht and Serpent's Run continents. Its mainland is situated on the western parts of the Devan Isles, Terminus Island and the Dordic Isles, with port islands spanning the Serpent's Run from near the continents of Cyge and Idaros.

The Institute, first and foremost, seeks to decipher the 'Elder Texts', a number of tablets found on the hills that would later become the First Bastion. The Texts are snow-white metallic tablets inscribed with ancient or alien scripts and imagery, with a map of distant stars on one of them. This has lead many to believe the Elders originate from those stars, and some within the Institute actively pushes for the Institute to devise methods of reaching the stars.

Long ago, Great Devin was controlled by a myriad of loosely confederated city states. However, as the Elder Texts were discovered, strife ensued among these cities, almost escalating into civil war. Mediated by the northern migratory tribes (Ãangtje-te*)*, Avalonia and the Institute finally found peace. The Institute has since then seeked to acquire knowledge from all over the globe, experimenting and deepening their understanding of the world to acquire hints to deciphering the texts. Thus, Natural Philosophy became the Institute's de facto 'religion'. The Institute is ruled by the Speakership, headed by the First Speaker. Much of the administrative work within government is automated by Interface Units, various Automatons found alongside the Elder Texts. These units specialise in different roles. The overseeing unit over all others is called the Administrative Unit 01.

Slavery is not practised within the Institute, and there exists no recognised system of hierarchy outside institutions within the Institute. The Institute uses a standardised system of currency centred around the Aurolum (Gold Coin) and Argentolum (Silver Coin), while Papyrus-based banknotes are also in circulation around urban centres.

The Institute is a multicultural, cosmopolitan nation, inhabited by a multitude of different species from all around the world. Its architectural style is a blend between ancient Greek and ancient Chinese, utilising wood, stone, and marbles extensively. It tends towards the more minimalist and functionalist architecture, and uses a lot of white and blue in its architecture.

## **Histories and Planned Histories**

### Pre-Institute and Founding (-1000~0 PC)

*Much of the content here is shared with Avalonia.*

Civilisation first began on Great Devin around 1000 years before the founding of Avalonia and the Institute (-1000 *Post Consellem*; After Foundation). These ancient De'vans used stone tools for agriculture and city constructions and prospered forming complex democratic and mercantile societies ahead of its time.

Around -150 PC, a Witch Queen named Rivin came to power and dominated the entirety of Devin. Though her rule gave greater stability and prosperity to the island at first, she grew increasingly corrupt as the years passed. However, the discovery of the Elder Texts in -19 PC on the hills of what would later become the First Bastion proved to be a turning point in her reign.

As she obsessed over the Texts, funding for expeditions ever increased. One such group of explorers, who would become the Founders of the Institution, abandoned their loyalty and went into hiding in West Devin. The First Bastion was then established in -17 PC. There, the Founders slowly gathered popular support against the Queen, preaching of the Texts' powers and prophecies, promising prosperity and freedom from the Queen. By -14 PC, most of West Devin was in the hands of the Institute, and the Founders built up defences in the First and Second Bastions in preparation for conflict.

During this time, Republican factions sprung up throughout all of Devin.

In -3 PC, a group of nomadic Pjuurak tribespeople, who would later form Ãangtje-te, arrived in the largely desolate northern part of the island. Ãangtje-te was confederated in -2 PC. In 0 PC, the Xin uprising overthrew threw the Queen, and both the Republic of Avalonia, in the East, and the Institute, in the West, were officially founded.

Republicans are purged in Institute-controlled Devin, and negotiations immediately broke down. The Triple Concordat was then signed on verge of the Bronze Age on 1 PB, mediated by Ãangtje-te, which established a formal peace in the De(u)van Isles, dividing the archipelago equitably among the three powers.

### Age 1: Age of the Cult (0~350 PC)

The Founders of the Institution, who had realised the Texts' so-called prophecy, now had great religious authority over the Institution. The Texts and Elders were venerated as gods and sacred texts, and purges were made to rid the Institute of any supporters of the Queen, the old nobility, and factions supporting democratisation. While this age provided the Institute with the economic, military, and societal foundations by uniting the people under a single Cult of the Text, canonised decipherment of the Texts stifled its true translation for millennia to come.

On 45 PC, The Standardisation Council was created for the standardisation of the Institute's measurement systems and language. This would culminate in the creation of the Institute Standard and Institute Metric on 49 PC.

On 56 PC, High Text Elderon published the *Canon Papers*, merging the teachings of the Founders with new knowledge and insights. 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.

During this age, the Institute came across various civilisations outside the Devan Isles, and traded knowledge and various exotic goods with them. This created an influx of new ideas and knowledge that would lead to the formation of the Young School - a group of forward-thinking institutors who advocated for greater autonomy in decipherment, greater institution transparency, legal standardisation, and greater democratisation.

On 333 PC, Koron published *'Theses on Legalism'*, considered the father of the Young School movement. While reformist movements before Koron wasn't centralised, the publishing of this paper brought together various reformists within the Institute. After decades of resistance to the old order, and with Koron rising to the position of Speaker Among the Peoples, the Young School Reforms was approved by the Speakership on 351 PC. Koron was appointed as the first Speaker of the Legates, and this newfound institution would quickly rise in prestige and signifigance.

### Age 2: Age of Change (351~700 PC)

After the Young School Reforms, the Institute was now not withheld by the *Canon Papers* in deciphering the Elder Texts. Various new ideas, inventions, and decipherments were put forth during this time, propelling the Institute academically.

During this time, the Institute made contact with nations in a total of 5 continents: Kashar-Maht, Serpent's Run, Cyge, Idaros, and Barasud. Meeting over a dozen civilisations from these 5 continents, various ideas, theories, sciences were exchanged, some even going so far as to exchanging immigrants. With major world events such as the East Kashar Collapse and the Fall of Stryng, various refugees and immigrants entered the Institute, as it transformed from a predominantly Avalon-lead society to a multicultural, multispecies organisation.

It was also during this time that the Institute expanded its infrastructure greatly, constructing ports along the island chains leading to Idaros, Cyge, and Barasud, aiding in the Institute's efforts to go out and seek new life and civilisations. On the downside, expansion into far-flung islands posed a threat of security on these islands, prompting the Institute to militarise. This was also in response to meeting civilisations in Idaros, whose nations had undergone an arms race, shocking the Institute into increasing its own military in both quantity and quality.

Philosophy in the Institute also underwent great change. From 451 ~ 456 PC, a Little Ice Age threatened the Institute into mass famine, leading to the creation of the Tempum (Unit of Measurement in Institute Metric) and the Greenhouse Methods. In addition, immigrants who showed little to no interest in the Elder Texts became more and more common within the ranks of the Archives, leading to the Institute adopting a much more practical approach to natural philosophy - it no longer existed for the sole purpose of gathering knowledge and deciphering the Elder Texts, it now existed primarily to better the lives of the general public and to make the Institute more wealthy and strong. Papers on Banking systems and Military use of Fire was written during this era, signalling a more practical approach to science from the previous age.

### Age 3: Age of Colonialism (701~ 1100 PC)

The Institute expands rapidly in all directions, creating colonies, outposts, and trading posts in Barasud, the Everchains, the Second Institute on the Kashar mainland, and more. Trade and industry booms from an ever increasing connectivity in the Institute, as its urban centres reach its limits on sustainable populations.

The Age of Colonialism, however, saw animosity between the Institute and Avalonia boil over multiple times. Starting with the East Kashar Dispute over Novidevis Soris on 760 PC, conflicts were rife with the following the Great Devan Crisis (833 PC), boiling over into the Age of Cosmopolitanism with the Echo Crisis (1161 PC) and the Aangtje-te Crisis (1252 PC). These series of events prompted Institute militarisation, leading to an Institute who could project power ever further than before.

All was not great in the world in this time period, however. As the reasons for the East Kashar Collapse was finally discovered - a severe famine caused by the Little Ice Age that had destroyed the already arid environments that were frequently exposing primitive civilisations to severe droughts - a second crisis hit, in the form of the Cygian Plague. This plague was a wake up call for the Institute to start investing in its communications infrastructure, as well as its medical research, culminating in Immunity Theory and Vaccinations. However, to other civilisations that were not as advanced, such as Aangtje-te and Anstria, the Cygian Plague was a death sentence, collapsing their nations in its entirety and forcing a migration crisis into the Institute that would bear the seeds of the Great Devan Crisis with Avalonia.

### Age 4: Age of Cosmopolitanism (1100~ 1400 PC)

The Institute seeks to find knowledge from all around the world, sending envoys with gifts of knowledge to the furthest parts of the world. Trade flourishes, funding Institute experiments.

### Age 6: Age of Enlightenment

The Institute enters the Scientific Revolution, making breakthroughs in deciphering the Text.

### Age 7: Age Post First Contact

The Text is fully deciphered - it gives the most basic outline of the Elders' origins, their location, biology, culture, science, and more. (Think Arecibo Message, Voyager Golden Disk, but much more advanced) The last tablet gives basic instructions of the use of the Interface Units, a highly advanced computer with the Elders' collective knowledge in it, along with various utilities (such as spreadsheets and calculators) that aided in the Institution's administration from millennia past. The Institute sends a reply probe to the way of the stars' coordinates, in the hopes they might meet the Elders.

## Institutions

Institutions within The Institute are the bodies of government responsible for specific tasks. It is a great honour to be accepted into any of these institutions, and is regarded as a sign of merit. Those belonging to an institution are called institutors, while those without an institution are called non-institutors. Their numbers are roughly 1:9. Each institution had separate laws and customs that governed who got accepted into its ranks and who had which powers, which was cause for widespread nepotism and corruption.

After the reforms of the Young School on 351 PC and the creation of the Legates, these institutions have become more standardised, meritocratic, and more democratic. Every institutemen are now subject to the same laws, created and judged by the Legates and approved by the Public Assembly.

Every young Institutemen between ages 7 and 13 are required to attend the Primimanis, where they are taught basic literary skills of reading and writing, basic arithmetic, natural philosophy, and society. For those who wish to enter the institutions, however, they must enter the Ovmanis, whose entry requires one to take an exam on subjects taught in the Primimanis. The Ovmanis, similar to universities, offers its pupils various courses on natural philosophy, foreign languages, military strategy, civil engineering, and so on, taught by Archivists, Envoys, Generals/Admirals, Workists, and other institutors. After taking specialised courses in the Ovmanis, the pupils then may apply to join an institution of their choice, with each institution requiring different requirements for admission - be it written exams, internships, recommendations, or any mix of the above. Attendance in the Primimanis function as effective citizenship, and is entirely free, while attendance in the Ovmanis requires an annual tuition. These tuitions are affordable for the middle class and upwards, and numerous scholarship programmes offer those less well to do a chance to become an institutor.

Each institution is headed by a Speaker, who represents the institution's interests in the Speakership. The Speaker is elected from within their respective institution, with the First Speaker being elected from within the Speakership. The position of Speaker is traditionally kept until death, though cases of resignation have occurred in the past. Senior institutors with the right to elect Speakers are called Heads (ex. Head Archivist), while any rankings below them are numbered from 1 downwards (ex. 1st Admiral, 3rd Envoy, 5th Interfacer, etc.). These rankings vary with each institution, with some having only 3 while others may have as much as 6.

### The Speakership

The leadership of the Institute, headed by the First Speaker. It is comprised of 10 members - the First Speaker, Speakers of the 8 institutions, and the Speaker Among the Peoples.

### The Archives

Headed by the Speaker of the Archives, the Archives manage the protection and production of knowledge, education in the Primimanis, and experimentation. It is considered to be the most prestigious institution of the Institute. Members of the Archives are called Archivists.

### The Interfaces

Treasury. It is also responsible for general administration (census-taking, taxation, licensing, etc.) of the Institute, and used to be the judicial body for institutionless individuals before the creation of the Legates. The Interfaces control 80% of all Interface Units (computers of alien origins), using it to effectively administer the vast Institute. It also controls the Institute Central Bank, who issues Institute banknotes for ease and security of commerce. Members of the Interfaces are called Interfacers.

### The Texts

The Texts focus on deciphering the Elder Text, and the origins of the Elder Text and Interface Units. While the Texts used to be one of the most prestigious institutions during the Age of the Cult, it has since fallen in reputation. Members of the Texts are called Liturgists.

### The Arms

The Army. The Arms are responsible for commanding land units, military strategy, development of military technologies, production of equipment, and general security. Members of the Arms are called Armers, while their senior commanders are called Generals.

### The Arsenals

The Navy. The Arsenals are responsible for commanding naval units, naval strategy, development of maritime technologies, production of ships, and naval security. Members of the Arsenals are called Arsenalists, while their senior commanders are called Admirals.

### The Envoys

The Foreign Office. The Envoys are responsible for studying foreign languages and cultures, conducting diplomacy, immigration, and espionage. Members of the Envoys are called Envoys.

### The Public Assembly

Electing body of the Speaker Among the Peoples. Membership in the Assembly is picked randomly from male adult citizens. Comprised of 50 members from the First Bastion, 10 from the Second Bastion, 10 from Terminus, 10 from the Dordic Isles, and 20 from other rural areas around the Institute. While having no official power, the Speakership often finds public opinion from this assembly, giving it considerable influence. Seated in the Chamber Among the People.

After the Young School reforms, the Public Assembly now comprises of 5 members from each institution (Archives, Interfaces, Texts, Arms, Arsenals, Envoys, Works, and Legates) and 60 members without an institution, elected from provinces. It now has the power to veto any laws the Legates make, requiring a majority to approve a law in order for it to pass, and a 2/3 majority to force a repeal of existing laws.

### The Works

Responsible for the construction of public works. Members of the Works are called Workists.

### The Legates

Responsible for the creation, amendment, and judgement of laws. Created by the Young School Reforms of 351, these laws do not interfere with the internal workings of each institutions, concerning mainly with criminal cases and inter-institution disputes. Members of the Legates are called Legators.

## Regions and Cities

### Great Devin (Grandevis)

* First Bastion (Primellis)
	+ Institute HQ
		- Speakership Chamber
		- Room of the Elder Text
		- Chamber Among the People
	+ The Archives HQ
	+ The Interfaces HQ
	+ The Arms HQ
	+ The Texts HQ
	+ The Envoys HQ
	+ The Legates HQ
	+ The Works HQ
* Orodis Peninsularis
* Bastion-Upon-Sea (Marellis)
* Campis
* Second Bastion (Biellis)
	+ The Arsenal HQ
	+ Second Bastion Port and Trade Zone
* Third Bastion (Triellis)

### Terminus (Acimonis Terminis)

* Terminus Bastion (Terminellis)
	+ The Terminus Arsenal
	+ The Foreign Quarters
	+ Terminus Port and Trade Zone
* Central Terminus (Terminidentis)
* South Terminus (Soriterminis)

### The Dordic Isles (Acimonei Dordis)

* The Purgatory (Purgatoris)
* The Refuge (Refugis)
	+ The Dordic Arsenal

### Outlying Islands (Acimonae Ex Devis)

* Acimonae Pro Kasharis:
	+ Proterris
	+ Prima Stationum Pro Kasharis (SK 1)
	+ Bia Stationum Pro Kasharis (SK 2)
* Acimonae Pro Cygis:
	+ Noriparadis
	+ Nymmis
	+ Procygis
	+ Sentinis
* Terrae Pro Barasidis:
	+ Probarasidis
	+ Sorixis
* Acimonei Serpencuris:
	+ Proanstris
	+ Soriostis
	+ Psihoris
	+ Itis Ostis
* Acimonae Pro Doris:
	+ Proidaris
	+ Exserpentis
	+ Proaecentis
	+ Qucis

### Second Institute (Bia Institutum)

* New Devin (Novidevis)
* New Terminus (Noviterminis)
* Northern Bastions (Noriellis)

## Language

The Institute's sole official language is the **Institute Standard (Iloerum)**, derived from the western dialects of Old De'van.

Each word class (ie nouns, verbs, adjectives...) has its own suffix added on to root words, while prefixes add meaning. For example, the root *Lum-* (light) can be tranformed into

*Lumum* : Light

*Lumae* : Lights

*Lumor* : Enlightened person

*Lumis* : Light tower

*Lumo* : The light's ~

*Lume* : To light up

*Enlume* : To enlighten

*Enlumem* : Enlightenment

*Lumede* : Lighted up

*Lumese* : Is lighting up

*Lumeve* : Will light up

*Pilume* : Can light up

*Vilume* : Want to light up

*Dilume* : Must light up

*Nilume* : Not light up

*Vilumeve* : Will want to light up

*Luma* : Bright

*Lumia* : Light of

*Lumei* : Lights of

*Lumit* : Brighter

*Lumix* : Brightest

While several words are joined together to form more complex words (*Coneridae*; 'joint words').

*Scientum* : Science (*Sci*: Knowledge, *Ent*: Art)

*Sonentum* : Music (*Son*: Sound, *Ent*: Art)

*Acimonum* : Island (*Aqui*: Water, *Mon*: Mountain)

*Akerum* : Coup d'etat (*A*: Against, *Ker*: Political Power)

*Panakere* : To revolt (*Pan*: Widespread)

*Contorium* : Meeting/Council (*Con*: Between different, *Tor*: Talks, Dialogue)

*Granipanabistum* : Great Plague (*Gran*: Big, *Pan*: Widespread, *A*: Against, *Bid*: Body, *Styr*: State of Being)

*Noriexem* : Northern Exodus/Expansion (*Nor*: North, *Ex*: Out)

*Temolia* : Age of (*Temp*: Time, *Ol*: Slice)

*Iloerum* : Normal Language (*Il*: Normal, *Oer*: Language)

Sentence structure largely follows that of english, though articles do not exist. There is little to no verb conjugation based on the subject. The subject can be left blank, with a statement implying that the subject is first person, while an inquisitive will imply the subject as second person.

*Mange Rizae.* : (I am) eating rice.

*Mange Rizae?* : (Are you) eating rice?

*Sciae ese ex cognum et naturum.* : Knowledge comes from the mind and nature.

*Primorator Areon e in Adkasharis Item cor Contoria Pankasharis.* : First Speaker Areon is in the Expedition to Kashar for the Pan-Kashar dialogues.

## System of Measurement

*See Institute Metric for further details.*

## Industries and Exports

*See Institute Industries and Exports for further details.*

## Gallery

Flag of the Institute ArchivesFlag of the Institute InterfaceFlag of the Institute SpeakershipFlag of the Institute First SpeakerFlag of the Institute ArsenalFlag of the Institute EnvoysFlag of the InstituteFlag of the Institute ArmsWar Flag of the InstituteInstitute Avalon and Pjuurak Debating