The Epicenter of Magic
Nestled in the center of Kyntyr, the capital city of Svaelyn Isles, the Arcane Institute is arguably the most prestigious magical organization on the continent. The Institute is tasked with the education of pupils of the arcane arts as well as regulating and codifying their research. The finest mages across the continent gather at the Arcane Institute to study under esteemed masters and hone their craft or conduct high-level research into the arcane. There are departments for the various schools of magic, including restoration, alchemy, enchanting, and even necromancy, albeit in a limited capacity. While the university portion of the Institute focuses on education and research, there are other facets of its operations as well. The funding for its upkeep comes from donations from prominent patrons in Svaelyn Isles and beyond, as well as the revenue generated from the sale of books and magical implements created by the Institute.
The Pegasus Assembly
The Arcane Institute is run by a council of mages representing each school of magic the Institute recognizes — the Pegasus Assembly. The council itself takes decisions together through deliberation and proposals but they are nominally led by a new Archmage, elected from among the council every ten years. The Assembly takes it upon itself to regulate the study and use of magic across the continent. While mages are not required to register with the Arcane Institute in any capacity, the Pegasus Assembly has been known to station representatives around the continent to keep tabs on magical matters for many reasons, including catching wind of anyone performing magecraft in a way the Assembly deems unfit, whether for ethical reasons or other concerns. This has caused controversy with many arcane practitioners, who argue the Assembly has no right to be the standard-bearer or authority of magic upon the continent.
Knowledge
At its best, no tenet is as sacrosanct to the Arcane Institute as the pursuit of knowledge. As the premier mages' guild on the continent, they are perhaps unmatched concerning the production, archiving, and proliferation of arcane knowledge. That said, it would be untrue to say this pursuit has always been pure and free of political infighting, scheming of its high-ranking members, and petty squabbling. Time and again, the mages have proven to be anything but immune to greed, pride, ego, and factionalism.
Hierarchy
Perhaps typical of the high elven culture the Institute is nestled in, the organization has a healthy respect for strict hierarchy. There are essentially no democratic or particularly inclusive elements to its structures, decision-making processes, and ethos. The Pegasus Council, led by the Archmage, makes all the decisions for how the Institute is run, and their word is law. In line with the meritocratic tenets of high elven culture and society, the Institute asserts that only the truly worthy make it to the highest echelons of power, and as such, they have the authority and the aptitude to lead the organization in an able manner.
