The Intellectual Institutions are a collection of Guilds, Academic Institutions, Libraries and Scientific Organisations who pursue the collecting and sharing of knowledge and the understanding of the world. Under the Intellectual institutions fall the Scribes Guild Libraries, the Alchemists Guild, Stormhaven Jared University, Jared University etc.

They are often torn between their noble ideals of knowledge for knowledge sake, and the reality of dealing with the commerce guilds to get funding. Some among the Intellectual Institutions fear the corporitiziation of knowledge. They fear that certain scientific fields being left behind because they're unprofitable for the commerce guilds, or banned by the Eldritch Inquisition for 'public safety'.

Many will look upon the growing presence of the shadowfell, the feywild, and the ancient portals with great curiosity. As new worlds to explore and understand. And many rounds of funding have already been gathered to finance expeditions.

Structure & people

Many of the different institutions maintain their own hierarchies and roles. With academic and scientific institutions these may be: Student, Researcher, Lecturer and Professor

While the Scribes Guild might have roles like: Scribe, Clerk and Archivist.

And the Alchemy Guild might assign names and specializations to their like: Alchemy-Student, Novice-Herbalist, or Grand-Master-Alchemist

Leaderschip

The Intellectual Institutions are governed by the Council of Advice. Where hundreds of experts gather in conference, organized quarterly by the Scribes Guild and hosted by the Jared University of Stormhaven. During this conference, which is held townhall-style any individual can present request speaking time with the Conference Moderator, to share their knowledge and expertise, and for others ask questions.

All who visit may vote on a proposed 'Advice by the Council', and the advice is always non-binding. For organizations and individuals to accept or reject on their own. But taking on a project against the advice of the Council can make it very difficult to get funding from the Commerce Guilds and may even warrant a visit from the Eldritch Inquisition

Quest Giver

Create a a Member of the Intellectual Institutions that the players will often meet, they are revelant to quests related to this faction. Adventurers will probably see this person first and associate them with the faction. Make them memorable!

Professor Gr'eg Prattleton

Professor Prattleton is a Goblin from Anfyn. After being rescued by adventures multiple times, he went to get educated in Stormhaven he got his degree in History and Feywild studies and dabbled in Alchemy at Stormhaven Jared University. He reguarly goes on expeditions to ancient sites, temples and dungeons and then gets stuck there. He will often need rescuing.

He is good friends with Amadeus the Singing Ogre, Quest giver of the Crusaders of Lady Elaine.

Opponent

The Intellectual Institutions are often at odds with the Eldritch Inquisition. While the Eldritch Inquisition's goal of gathering more knowledge about (potentialy dangerous) magic and planes is aligned with the Intellectual Institutions. Their views differ in what to do with attained knowledge, as the Intellectual Intstitutions wish to publicly share knowledge, while the Eldritch Inquisition might label certain knowledge too dangerous for the general public to know and wish to hide it.

Location

The Intellectual Institutions have many holdings in Stormhaven with its University and Libraries. But any place where knowledge is gathered, you may find members.

History