"The words 'Nullius in Verba' are written across the stonework above the great bronzewood doors. Her Renewed Majesty has granted these grounds to the finest minds in Albion to work here. Their purview is to invent, to hypothesise, to discover, and – most crucially – to watch the stars.'"[1]
When London ascended into the High Wilderness, so did its greatest minds. Still known as the Royal Society, they've taken up residence in a desolate part of Albion.
Science Central[]
"Irrigators spray out plumes of misty water, preserving this oasis in the heart of the dusty Ormswold."[2]
Mansions of stone and glass rise from lush verdant gardens, and a familiar mist streams in from hidden vents. The only thing breaking the silence is the distant whirring of machines from below.
Airy House[]
"'Yonder lies the Airy," an engineer informs you. 'The very roost of science!'"[2]
The Royal Society, as always, is a home for London's greatest scientists, researchers and inventors. They are situated in a space-mansion called Airy House. The Mellifluous President offers rewards to those who are willing to aid the Airy House in its scientific ventures by donating curious finds to the Celestial Exhibition. Some of its exhibits, however, are only available to those with "appropriate qualifications." As grandiose as the Celestial Exhibition sounds, it seems that only the Mellifluous President is interested in it...[3]
Despite the Society's location in a dusty and dreary patch of sky, the Airy House lies in a lush and verdant garden. The Society had to grow it themselves, using seeds from the Reach and giant sprinklers to stamp their mark in the High Wilderness. Unfortunately for them, the garden was eventually abandoned in favor of more interesting ventures, and the barely-tamed vegetation there ran wild and became hazardous to traverse.[4]
Nell's Tower[]
"The Ministry has stamped permits for this particular usage up to the next century."[5]
"I know what the Bursar's up to. Distracting us from the fact that London's got us pointing the telescope at a dead corner of the sky. 'A matter of national security' they said. Got the wrong coordinates if you ask me. Anyway, until they say we can move it, our studies are on hold."[6]
...to watch the stars...
If the Society was a crown, then Nell's Tower would be its grandest jewel: a vast observatory that towers over the rooftops, with a massive steel telescope piercing its dome and staring up into the sky. This is where astronomers observe the stars and their behavior... but mostly only one particular star.[5] For whatever reason, the Ministry requires a roomful of paperwork to turn the telescope even the slightest bit.[7] Is it because the Clockwork Sun is that important, or because they discourage new discoveries? Regardless, don't look at it for too long. The false star's light is dangerous, even from so far away.[8]
The Rochester Club[]
"A cosy country house bolted onto the side of the Society's glass houses and overgrown lawns, this is the meeting place of the infamous Rochester Racing Club."[9]
On your mark!.
The Rochester Club is a cosy country club located on the side of the Society's glass houses- the armchairs, cozy fire, plentiful brandy, and eager members spending their time inside.[10] The members of the club love one thing about all others: high speed racing! There's not much of a barrier to entry; anyone with a powerful enough engine might be able to join in the fun.[11]
Portsmouth House[]
"The workshops under the Airy are known collectively as Portsmouth House. The glass and brick factories are staffed by harassed inventors and engineers, working constantly to produce the next advancement in adventuring equipment."[12]
A regular result of Portsmouth House experiments.
Portsmouth House is the mechanical heart of the Society, where progress doesn't halt even for a minute. Armies of engineers led by the Energetic Mechanic[13] and the Inscribed Tinkerer[14] use the workshops to develop and produce innovative contraptions: machines straight from fantasies, mechanisms with self-awareness, and even law-furnaces.[15][16] Of course, anything aside from simple munitions and explosives is strictly reserved for those closest to the engineers.[17]