The Institute of Mortality is a clandestine and ominous institution nestled within the city of Hiki, situated in the dark corners of the Vache Kingdom. This secretive institute serves as a haven for warlocks, sorcerers, and wizards who seek to delve into forbidden and perilous realms of magic. Within the Institute, students are taught and encouraged to practice the arcane arts that are considered heretical and highly dangerous by the wider society. The focus of their studies extends to necromancy and demonology, pushing the boundaries of mortal comprehension.
History
The history of the Institute of Mortality is veiled in shadows and cloaked in mystery. Its true origins have been obscured by the passage of time and deliberately concealed from prying eyes. Legends and rumors swirl about its inception, hinting at a clandestine group of renegade mages who dared to delve into the forbidden depths of magic. According to whispers and tales passed down through generations, the Institute emerged as a gathering place for those who sought to explore the darkest and most perilous aspects of the arcane arts. It is said that these mages, disillusioned with conventional magic and yearning for unfathomable power, banded together in secret, forming a clandestine society of their own.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and an unquenchable thirst for forbidden knowledge, these renegades pushed the boundaries of magic beyond what was deemed acceptable by society. They delved into the forbidden realms of necromancy, demonology, and soul manipulation, unearthing secrets that others dared not uncover. As the centuries passed, the Institute of Mortality grew in influence and power, gathering disciples who were equally drawn to the allure of the dark arts. They became a tightly-knit community of like-minded individuals, devoted to the pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the manipulation of life and death itself.
To protect their secrets and shield themselves from the prying eyes of the world, the Institute chose to remain hidden, carefully selecting only a chosen few to be initiated into their ranks. Initiation into the Institute was a rigorous and secretive process, ensuring that those who entered its hallowed halls were truly dedicated and capable of delving into the darkest depths of magic. Throughout its history, the Institute of Mortality has maintained an aura of secrecy, shielding its existence from the scrutiny of outsiders. Its hidden nature has allowed it to operate beyond the reach of societal norms and the constraints of conventional magic. Only a select few, chosen by the Institute itself, have been granted access to its forbidden teachings and the esoteric knowledge it possesses.
Hierarchy
At the pinnacle of the Institute's hierarchy stands the Archon Supreme, the enigmatic dark lord and denier of death. This figure, rumored to be an eternal dragon of undeath, wields immense power and influence over the Institute and its members. The Archon's decrees are absolute and unquestionable, commanding the loyalty and obedience of all within the Institute. Directly beneath the Archon Supreme are the Hierarchs, the highest-ranking necromancers within the Institute. These masters of necromantic arts have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of immortality, pushing the boundaries of their magical abilities. Some of the Hierarchs have embraced the forbidden path of lichdom, transforming themselves into undead beings in their relentless quest for eternal life.
Next in the hierarchy are the Archknights, loyal mages who have willingly embraced the path of undeath. These individuals have undergone years of rigorous training, honing their skills in the dark arts of necromancy. They serve as the enforcers of the Archon's will and are entrusted with important tasks within the Institute. At the lowest rung of the hierarchy are the Apprentices, a select few mages who have gained the privilege of witnessing the Institute's experiments. These individuals, sometimes subjected to the Archknights' experiments as live subjects, are the hopefuls who aspire to climb the ranks and delve deeper into the forbidden knowledge that the Institute offers.
Archon Supreme: Ario Valmir, a once dark elf male, now transcends the boundaries of mortality and flesh. Ario Valmir has achieved a state of being that surpasses the limitations of his former self. Through his mastery of dark magic and his unyielding pursuit of power, he has transformed himself into an entity of iron and undeath. His physical form has been forsaken, and his soul now resides within an imposing shell of iron. Ario Valmir is rumored to possess unimaginable power, and some even whisper that he has ascended to the status of a deity. He is the ultimate authority within the Institute of Mortality, revered as the Archon Supreme and the denier of death itself.
Hierarch: Ellabeth Redmor, a dark elf female, stands as one of the most accomplished and dedicated followers of the Archon. Her mastery lies in the realm of demonology, where she has delved deep into the intricate art of summoning and binding powerful entities from the netherworld. Ellabeth possesses an innate understanding of the dark forces that lie beyond the mortal realm, and she harnesses these powers to further the Institute's goals. Fearless and resolute, she experiments with demons, exploring the boundaries of their control and unlocking forbidden secrets. Her unwavering loyalty to the Archon and her expertise in demonology have secured her position as a Hierarch within the Institute.
Hierarch: Malakor Doorm, a dark elf male, bears the distinction of being one of the first Hierarchs to embrace the path of undeath. Fueled by a profound sense of self-disgust, Malakor initially sought solace in his transformation into a lich. However, the Archon, recognizing Malakor's potential and the unique perspective he could bring, persuaded him to rejoin the Institute's ranks. Now, Malakor roams the world, seeking the pleasures and experiences that come with immortality. As a Hierarch, he offers his wealth of knowledge and insights into the realm of undeath, adding a nuanced perspective to the Institute's teachings and experiments.
Hierarch: Eddard Black, a human male, has a tumultuous past that led him to the Institute. Once a respected and renowned wizard within the Dominion, tragedy befell Eddard when he lost his two daughters. Consumed by grief and desperate for a means to restore them to life, he turned to the forbidden art of necromancy. His dabbling in the darkest aspects of magic caught the attention of both the Dominion and Ario Valmir. Fearing persecution and seeking refuge, Eddard found sanctuary within the Kingdom with the aid of Ario's followers. Now, as a Hierarch of the Institute, he imparts his knowledge and understanding of necromancy to those willing to traverse the treacherous path of life and death manipulation.
Beliefs & Goals
The Institute of Mortality operates under a set of beliefs and goals that fuel their dark pursuits. Their overarching belief revolves around the acquisition of power from realms beyond mortal understanding. They view themselves as seekers of ultimate power and immortality, striving to unlock the secrets that lie hidden in the darkest corners of existence.
The Institute's goals are driven by a relentless desire to transcend the limitations of mortality and achieve a form of immortality that defies the natural order. They seek to harness the powers of necromancy, soul manipulation, and forbidden magic to reshape the very fabric of life and death. Their ultimate ambition is to conquer death itself and claim their rewards from the gods, defying the natural order and reshaping the world in their image.
Rules
The Institute of Mortality operates under a set of rules that reflect their dark and dangerous practices. One of their fundamental tenets is the concept that all power demands sacrifice. They are willing to go to great lengths, including sacrificing their own humanity and the lives of others, to attain the ultimate power they seek. Additionally, they believe that the gods will not deny them their rewards, implying a sense of entitlement and defiance against the divine forces.
The Institute's rules are shrouded in secrecy, known only to its members, and enforced with unwavering commitment. They operate within a moral framework that diverges greatly from societal norms, embracing a ruthless pursuit of power and immortality at any cost. The Institute's practitioners are driven by an insatiable hunger for forbidden knowledge and a willingness to traverse the darkest paths of magic, unencumbered by the concerns of morality and ethics.
Schools of Magic
The Institute of Mortality encompasses various schools of dark arts, each delving into different aspects of forbidden magic. Two prominent schools are Demonology and Necromancy:
Demonology: Demonology is a school of magic that revolves around the summoning, binding, and control of Demons. Within the Kingdom and the rest of the world, the practice of demonology is highly taboo due to the immense risks and unpredictable nature of working with these malevolent entities. Those who attempt to bind demons often find themselves succumbing to madness as the demons possess their bodies. The Institute of Mortality, however, dares to explore this dangerous realm and seeks to uncover the secrets and powers hidden within the demonic realms. The practitioners of demonology are divided into different ranks based on their level of mastery and experience:
- Ascendant: Those who have dedicated an extensive 50 years of study to mastering the intricacies of demonology, displaying unparalleled expertise in summoning, binding, and controlling demons.
- Summoner: With 30 years of dedicated study, summoners have developed a solid foundation in demonology and have acquired the necessary skills to successfully summon and interact with demons.
- Provoker: Provokers, with a decade of study, are at the early stages of their journey into demonology. They are still honing their skills in summoning and establishing control over lesser demons under careful guidance and supervision.
Necromancy: Necromancy, another school of magic within the Institute, focuses on spells that manipulate the forces of death, unlife, and life force. While necromancy itself is not uncommon within the Kingdom, the practitioners of the Institute of Mortality take this practice to extreme lengths. Rather than merely preserving souls or communicating with the deceased, they delve into the mysteries of the afterlife and seek to experiment with undeath by raising the dead and unraveling the secrets of the realm beyond mortal existence. The practitioners of necromancy are also classified into different levels of expertise:
- Ascendant: Ascendants are necromancers who have dedicated a significant 50 years of study to delve deep into the intricacies of necromancy, attaining profound knowledge and skill in manipulating the forces of death and unlife.
- Necromage: Necromages have spent 30 years of rigorous study, mastering the fundamental principles and advanced techniques of necromancy. They possess considerable knowledge of raising and controlling undead creatures, as well as manipulating life force.
- Novice: Novices are those who have recently embarked on the path of necromancy and are in the early stages of their training. With 10 years of study, they are introduced to the foundational aspects of necromantic magic and learn the basics of manipulating life force and communing with the deceased.
These schools of magic within the Institute of Mortality serve as focal points for the practitioners to deepen their understanding, expand their abilities, and push the boundaries of what is considered morally and ethically acceptable in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.