Gold Institute

A crucible in the Valles Marineris where the only path to power is through total domination.

Far into the future on Mars, the Institute serves as the brutal training ground where the Society's elite Golds are forged. It is a massive recreated medieval region located in the Valles Marineris, designed to test the most promising young members of the ruling class. Under the watchful eyes of Proctors, the students are drafted into one of 12 school Houses. The goal is simple yet deadly: conquer rival Houses through strategy and force. As Darrow discovers upon his arrival as a transformed Red, this environment demands absolute ruthlessness. It is where the future leaders of the Solar System learn that mercy is weakness and that survival depends on outmaneuvering those who were once your peers.

Quick Facts

Location

Valles Marineris (Mars)

Notable alumni

Darrow (Reaper)
Sevro au Barca
Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)

Lore & Background

Students are drafted into Houses named after gods, such as House Mars or House Minerva. Each House is given a castle within the simulation and must capture the standards of other Houses to enslave their students, forcing them into obedience. The environment is controlled by Proctors who observe from afar but interfere when necessary; for instance, Fitchner revealed that ArchGovernor Nero Augustus was bribing officials to ensure his son, Adrius, known as "the Jackal," would win.

The stakes are lethal: during the initial "Passage," students pair off and fight barehanded until one kills the other. Darrow killed Cassius's brother, Julian, in this first test. Later, when House Mars fractured into factions, the bloodthirsty Titus raped enslaved peers before being sentenced to death by Darrow and executed by Cassius. The simulation allows for complex political maneuvering, as seen when Darrow manipulated House Minerva led by "Mustang" (Virginia) to defeat Titus.

Reader's Guide

Students must master the art of using captured standards to enslave rival Houses, as demonstrated when Darrow enslaved House Minerva and House Diana before choosing to let Mustang escape rather than kill her. Leadership demands cold calculation; Darrow maintained his disguise by sentencing Titus, another transformed Red, to death. The Proctors play a dangerous game, sometimes aiding the Jackal or kidnapping students like Mustang to manipulate outcomes. To win, one must adapt quickly: when House Mars fractured, Darrow rose by eliminating internal threats and forging external alliances. Ultimately, the objective is to conquer all other Houses. Once Mustang delivered the Jackal and House Mars had conquered all the others, Darrow won the Institute's title, though at the cost of his friendship with Cassius.

Did You Know?

Darrow earned the nickname 'Reaper' because he wielded a scythe during his time in House Mars.
Adrius au Augustus, known as 'the Jackal,' amputated his own hand to escape being trapped by Darrow.
Mustang is actually the twin sister of the Jackal and was rescued by Darrow from the Proctors at Olympus.