Institute of Animation

[Mellifluous Magenta]

1. Organization Name
Institute of Animation
2. Objective
The Institute of Animation is an alchemist's guild specializing in the creation, stewardship, and development of slave homunculi. Homunculi created by the guild are crafted within a laboratory via alchemical means. Their creation is enabled by a number of classified formulas that each birth a different class of homunculi which are specialized for a specific purpose. Most homunculi created by the Institute are rated as servants, who are typically destined to be sold or rented to wealthy clients as house staff. However, other classes of homunculi include various types of mages, warriors, and entertainers. The former two classes are typically sold or rented to military commanders, adventurers, mercenaries, nobles, and other paramilitary clients as slave soldiers or battle mages. As a result, they are generally the most expensive.

While the primary aim of the Institute of Animation is to turn a profit, the guild also supports research in homunculi and alchemy, of which it is often on the bleeding edge.
3. Who may join?
Alchemists, researchers, and scientists. Homunculi created by the Institute of Animation are also considered to be a part of the organization.
4. Organization Location
As the Institute of Animation is on the frontlines of bleeding edge, controversial alchemical research, the Institute maintains two primary locations. Its public-facing base is in the heart of Tirial, Serendipity, within the city of Maestoso. It is here that homunculi slaves are sold and exhibited to potential clients. 

The second base is a subterranean complex placed deep within the Terrin Mountains, just outside of Serendipity's borders. Here, the Institute has sprawling alchemical laboratories where homunculi are grown and birthed in a quasi-industrial fashion. This facility is also where many homunculi are held in stasis.

Finally, there are a number of training and living facilities for homunculi spread throughout Serendipity. For especially promising mage homunculi, they are often trained at one of the many magical colleges and universities in Serendipity, with their tuition covered by the Institute. 
5. Current Members and Ranks
Slave Homunculi: Created by the Institute, homunculi are contracted to serve the organization for a set number of years in the event that they are not purchased directly by a client. Their housing, medical, food, clothing, and other necessities are covered by the Institute.

• NPCs

Employees: The Institute's employees include alchemists, research-oriented mages, and various skilled professionals.

• NPCs

6. Additional Information
While the Institute of Animation is often callous and amoral in its research, they are rarely outright brutal or callous towards homunculi. Homunculi are treated as investments. As such, they are fed, trained, and housed in spartan, yet comfortable living facilities. Homunculi also have the chance to earn their freedom with years of service. However, many of the more expensive mage (and sometimes warrior) homunculi are contracted to serve for a decade or more, to recoup on the cost of their creation.