Overview
The Imperial Institute is the home of the Xalmyrran Council in Irrathis, Teryndal. The Council Hall sits inside the Institute complex, making the Institute the council's main seat for summons, briefings, tournaments, research, mission planning, and defense planning against the darkness across Xalmyrra.
Layout
The Institute stands near Irrathis's central square, close to Teryndal's Assembly, fine residential streets, and the city's main public routes. Its high spires, massive gates, broad stairs, sprawling courtyard, stone paths, towering arches, and grand doors make the complex visually imposing. Scholars, adepts, council workers, mages, citizens, and visiting leaders pass through its grounds.
The complex includes the council hall, a vast library, halls filled with scholarly records, and secluded chambers used by council heads. Its grounds also include statues honoring Xoh'Tenol.
History
In ancient Xalmyrra, the Institute already stands at Irrathis's heart as the home of the Xalmyrran Council.
The ancient Institute is destroyed with Irrathis when Jorhan returns from Xolterra with a spiral shard, fights Aldred in the council hall, and takes Aldred's shard. Jorhan later uses the spiral shards to remake Xalmyrra into repeating cycles, and the Institute under Aldar and Brynor is the council complex in Jorhan's remade Xalmyrra. Aldar summons teams there, studies threats, keeps records, and directs missions against the darkness from the complex. Eira is left outside the Institute as an infant and comes under Aldar's care; Aldar later guides her from a distance while she lives in the orphanage before she enters school and council work.
During the cataclysm, the Institute and the Assembly are shielded, and Eira pulls survivors into the protection of the Institute's shields. Afterward, the Institute continues to operate as a command site for the council and a gathering place for Xalmyrra's defenders.
Hidden Chambers
The Institute includes concealed lower chambers beneath the council hall. Under Aldred, a hidden descent leads to a gate and protected power intended for a true wielder. When Aldar leads the council, mages return to the gate beneath the council hall to investigate gates, cycles, hidden history, and travel beyond Xalmyrra.