The divination and alchemical progress of Atlas is the best in the world. By now they have enough power sealed away to destroy the world many times over. Each year brings new dangers which are thrown into the endless vaults, guarded day and night. The purpose of Atlas is so remote from the advancement of Magecraft that their relations with Estray and Clocktower are distant at best. Their motivations and actions appear strange at times due to their use of divination which denies the existence of free will. They attempted to seclude themselves from the current war to save the world from a current disaster but have recently thrown themselves into the war for unknown reasons.
Membership of the Atlas Institute:
Unlike the other parts of the Mage’s Association, the Atlas Institute is organised along military lines. ‘Membership’ is referred to but in fact is only the position of Research Associate - an honorary role only. True location in the formal structure of Atlas can be distinguished by their military titles and chain of command. Research Associates are included in general notices but lack specific orders from a commanding officer, often the head of that division for recruits with unusual talents.
Divisions and Ranks:
There are three Divisions in the ranks of the Atlas Institute, each of which addresses a different part of their needs. These are referred to by their alchemical symbol - Salt for the Military Division which commands their armies, Sulphur for the Demon’s Division which predicts the future and Mercury for the Alchemical Division which conducts research.
Beyond this, each Division has internal ranks in the order of the alchemical metals in the following order from least to the greatest - Lead, Tin, Mercury, Iron, Copper, Silver and Gold. These ranks therefore combine in each member of the Atlas Institute with the obvious exception being those of Mercury - they state their rank alone.
Salt:
The armies of the Atlas Institute are gathered together under the banner of its Military Division - Salt. These forces are rightly feared throughout the world of Magus, due to their alchemical focus on the use of the human body as a tool. There are no lengths of self-modification that are unacceptable to the Atlas Institute and even the lowliest footsoldier can have the strength of a giant, along with weaponry which is the cast-off failures from Mercury. Of course, the items that they consider failures are usually powerful enough that many Magus are confused, thinking that these terrifying Mystic Codes represent the limits of Atlas’ power. For everything short of the end of the world, they will do.
Deployment to Salt is normally the starting rank for outside Magus - it is simple enough to join given the oaths, loyalty tests and, of course, physical modifications. These grant combat powers great enough for many to consider joining, only to abandon it before making the final plunge. The problem for most Magus Families is that Atlas regards Salt as soldiers - rank and file to obey orders from above. Loyalty to your Family is nothing in Atlas. There is a greater goal. To this end, however, the members of Salt have more influence than most with resources poured into what they can persuade their commanders is needed. Promotion can be rapid for the powerful, loyal and imaginative.
Some discretion is allowed in following orders but, in most cases, rapid expulsion will follow from any disobedience. Atlas does not hold grudges and lower-ranked soldiers will leave with no hard feelings on either side. More senior Magus, Iron or above, are hunted down. In some cases the information can be removed through contracts with Mesmers or the like. In other cases they are never seen again. No such problems happen in mere transfers to Sulphur or Mercury. Atlas takes care of its own.
Sulphur:
The most significant development of the Atlas Institute and the mechanism by which they undertake their great work is managed by the Demon Division - Sulphur. The technique of dividing the mind, most commonly used in Mercury for fuelling further research, has been exploited to create a structure capable of impossible feats of computation. Thousands of Magus participate in the existence of the ‘Demon’ - that which is capable of simulating and divining the future of the existence of all humanity. The methods which are used to accomplish this are unknown, even to most of the Magus who are members of Sulphur. What is generally known is that the Demon brings out a probability in answer to questions, nothing more. That probability is the chance that the matter asked about will end the existence of humanity.
Membership of Sulphur is divided into two sections - the Demon itself and the researchers who tend to it. The Magus who are part of the Demon are normally incapacitated, kept deep underground and tended by caretakers. Volunteers, the infirm and other suitable conscripts are sedated as their minds are devoted entirely to the calculations needed. This work can be best described as its own reward. The researchers, on the other hand, have the daunting job of improving a device which no human understands. As such, most researchers are chosen for their own potential for growth, with their current understanding of magic secondary to the chance that they will be the source of the next breakthrough. Promotion is based on improvements and therefore very rare. Membership has only one perk, though it is a unique one - the researchers gain access to the Demon and the right to use ‘cycles’ of the device on personal research.
Leaving Sulphur is common, especially at the Iron rank. Most of the Magus hit a wall in progress, are unable to advance, and leave once they have exhausted their interest in the Demon. Those who do advance are normally seized with an obsession with the future as well as their own work in predicting it. Even when they leave they usually end up working on the same topics, attempting to recreate a small part of what they saw there. Atlas does not punish those who do leave as the secrets of the Demon are incomprehensible to outsiders and therefore harmless.
Atlasia:
Beyond this, each Division has internal ranks in the order of the alchemical metals in the following order from least to the greatest - Lead, Tin, Mercury, Iron, Copper, Silver and Gold. These ranks therefore combine in each member of the Atlas Institute with the obvious exception being those of Mercury - they state their rank alone.
Mercury:
The core of the Atlas Institute is in its Alchemical Division - Mercury. Here you will find their researchers, dedicating their lives to projects to prevent the extinction of humanity. They have abandoned the pride of most Magus - they do not generally have any Magic Crest worth speaking of or Magic Circuits. They regard the development of these as being distractions from their goal - mastering the self in both mind and body. This is not an idle boast, from incompetents who are incapable of developing a Magic Crest. The Alchemists of the Atlas Institute are not only geniuses, outstanding in their field, they have divided their consciousness to reach heights of intellect beyond any individual. The body is not sacrificed in this process, but instead raised to its ultimate fulfilment - to support the work of a brain elevated by Alchemy.
It is not possible therefore to join this division if you have not progressed beyond the ranks of Lead and Tin. They only accept Magus who have proven their worth and are Mercury or above. More than that, they are only interested in those who are a genius at Alchemy or another art of equivalent creative power in their Atelier. To those willing to dedicate themselves there are rewards, of course. The resources of the Atlas Institute are shared between thousands of Magus, entirely unlike the selfish works of Clocktower or Estray. It is far beyond the powers of a single Magus’ Atelier to duplicate the potential output. Even if it were not for their techniques to enhance the body and mind, any Magus so equipped could make a decade’s progress in research in a single year.
Leaving the Mercury Division is unusual, to say the least. Normally it is the result of a redeployment to Salt or Sulphur and a more senior rank. Due to personal discoveries this can be necessary to best serve the needs of Atlas - not a decision which is without protest from the Magus concerned. Other than that, there is the occasional fugitive from Atlas, though those are usually caught and returned to their Atelier to be kept subdued under guard, never to leave again. For most Magus the fact of leaving, the loss of access to the resources, improvements to their Atelier and the powerful techniques of Mercury is punishment enough.
Leaving the Mercury Division is unusual, to say the least. Normally it is the result of a redeployment to Salt or Sulphur and a more senior rank. Due to personal discoveries this can be necessary to best serve the needs of Atlas - not a decision which is without protest from the Magus concerned. Other than that, there is the occasional fugitive from Atlas, though those are usually caught and returned to their Atelier to be kept subdued under guard, never to leave again. For most Magus the fact of leaving, the loss of access to the resources, improvements to their Atelier and the powerful techniques of Mercury is punishment enough.
Salt:
The armies of the Atlas Institute are gathered together under the banner of its Military Division - Salt. These forces are rightly feared throughout the world of Magus, due to their alchemical focus on the use of the human body as a tool. There are no lengths of self-modification that are unacceptable to the Atlas Institute and even the lowliest footsoldier can have the strength of a giant, along with weaponry which is the cast-off failures from Mercury. Of course, the items that they consider failures are usually powerful enough that many Magus are confused, thinking that these terrifying Mystic Codes represent the limits of Atlas’ power. For everything short of the end of the world, they will do.
Deployment to Salt is normally the starting rank for outside Magus - it is simple enough to join given the oaths, loyalty tests and, of course, physical modifications. These grant combat powers great enough for many to consider joining, only to abandon it before making the final plunge. The problem for most Magus Families is that Atlas regards Salt as soldiers - rank and file to obey orders from above. Loyalty to your Family is nothing in Atlas. There is a greater goal. To this end, however, the members of Salt have more influence than most with resources poured into what they can persuade their commanders is needed. Promotion can be rapid for the powerful, loyal and imaginative.
Some discretion is allowed in following orders but, in most cases, rapid expulsion will follow from any disobedience. Atlas does not hold grudges and lower-ranked soldiers will leave with no hard feelings on either side. More senior Magus, Iron or above, are hunted down. In some cases the information can be removed through contracts with Mesmers or the like. In other cases they are never seen again. No such problems happen in mere transfers to Sulphur or Mercury. Atlas takes care of its own.
Sulphur:
The most significant development of the Atlas Institute and the mechanism by which they undertake their great work is managed by the Demon Division - Sulphur. The technique of dividing the mind, most commonly used in Mercury for fuelling further research, has been exploited to create a structure capable of impossible feats of computation. Thousands of Magus participate in the existence of the ‘Demon’ - that which is capable of simulating and divining the future of the existence of all humanity. The methods which are used to accomplish this are unknown, even to most of the Magus who are members of Sulphur. What is generally known is that the Demon brings out a probability in answer to questions, nothing more. That probability is the chance that the matter asked about will end the existence of humanity.
Membership of Sulphur is divided into two sections - the Demon itself and the researchers who tend to it. The Magus who are part of the Demon are normally incapacitated, kept deep underground and tended by caretakers. Volunteers, the infirm and other suitable conscripts are sedated as their minds are devoted entirely to the calculations needed. This work can be best described as its own reward. The researchers, on the other hand, have the daunting job of improving a device which no human understands. As such, most researchers are chosen for their own potential for growth, with their current understanding of magic secondary to the chance that they will be the source of the next breakthrough. Promotion is based on improvements and therefore very rare. Membership has only one perk, though it is a unique one - the researchers gain access to the Demon and the right to use ‘cycles’ of the device on personal research.
Leaving Sulphur is common, especially at the Iron rank. Most of the Magus hit a wall in progress, are unable to advance, and leave once they have exhausted their interest in the Demon. Those who do advance are normally seized with an obsession with the future as well as their own work in predicting it. Even when they leave they usually end up working on the same topics, attempting to recreate a small part of what they saw there. Atlas does not punish those who do leave as the secrets of the Demon are incomprehensible to outsiders and therefore harmless.
Notable Members:
Atlasia:
Atlasia, otherwise known as Gold, is the head of Mercury and the entire Atlas Institute. This is not necessarily so - the most senior post is chosen from the three Divisions as the Demon deems it necessary, with the previous Atlasia coming from Salt. There are many discussions now in Atlas about why there is not a new leader, one with a more military background even now.
Atlasia has focused the efforts of Atlas on research, looking to solve current problems through the advancement of technology. She does not leave their headquarters, delegating much of the day-to-day running of the Divisions to their respective commanders.
Roxandra:
[Insert Photo]
Roxandra was originally a Copper Sulphur who specialised in using the power of the Demon to discover more about the future than just the survival of humanity. This succeeded, granting her knowledge about the nature of the next Pope. Desperate to prevent the future she saw and without open support from Atlas, she raised an army to destroy the Conclave in Rome. While her intention was to prevent the next Pope from being chosen her plan failed - the current war with the Church is, to some, a vindication of her predictions. To others, she was merely in error and caused the war to happen as the predictable result of her attack.
Roxandra occasionally attends the summits and, since the outbreak of hostilities, has been accepted back into Atlas. Her current rank is Iron Sulphur.
Atlasia has focused the efforts of Atlas on research, looking to solve current problems through the advancement of technology. She does not leave their headquarters, delegating much of the day-to-day running of the Divisions to their respective commanders.
Roxandra:
[Insert Photo]
Roxandra was originally a Copper Sulphur who specialised in using the power of the Demon to discover more about the future than just the survival of humanity. This succeeded, granting her knowledge about the nature of the next Pope. Desperate to prevent the future she saw and without open support from Atlas, she raised an army to destroy the Conclave in Rome. While her intention was to prevent the next Pope from being chosen her plan failed - the current war with the Church is, to some, a vindication of her predictions. To others, she was merely in error and caused the war to happen as the predictable result of her attack.
Roxandra occasionally attends the summits and, since the outbreak of hostilities, has been accepted back into Atlas. Her current rank is Iron Sulphur.
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