Editing Astral Sea Freebooters (section)

=== The Institute ===

http://images.epilogue.net/users/hythshade/central_city.jpg

The Institute is a small world plane, inhabited by a dull heroic-tier civilization dominated by humans.  The plane, however, is named after the plane's most exalted university, which is, many consider, the finest learning facility in all of the known multiverse -- simply known as "The Institute".  

The Institute brings people from all across the Astral Sea, and thus has spawned an Astral Port of vibrant trade and commerce.  The Institute is governed by Provost Henrik Plume, who is answerable only to an advisory council of Chancellors.  The Provost administers the Institute with an eye for detail and a hunger for academic freedom.

The vast libraries of the Institute are thought to contain a copy of every book, every ritual, and every scap of information that is available anywhere in the Astral Sea.  The libraries are so vast, however, that most visitors are forced to hire a professional guide to find whatever it is they are looking for.  Many a guideless student, hoping to save a few coins, has vanished in the darkest corners of the library, never to be seen again.

The Institute is served by Charter House, an astral fortress orbiting just outside the color veil.  Charter House has docking facilities and a Teleportation Circle.