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Description
Little is known about the Pilot's College, even its location is merely speculated. However, when the keel of a new Empyrean ship is laid, an existing Pilot dies, or a vessel is upgraded for travel between the Voidgates, a Pilot appears as if summoned.

This Pilot will requisition a chamber deep within the craft, often as near to the prow as possible, and sequester themselves there for weeks on end, before finally emerging to present the Captain or Navarch with a beautifully ornate Charter of Navigation. The Pilot is now bound to the ship for life and responsible for every soul on board. Since Lupernikes first established contact with the College, no ship dares sail the Void without such a Charter.

Yet no crew or Captain has found out how the College knows a Pilot is needed or where new Pilots come from.

Though they can be male or female, all Pilots show psyber-mimetic augmentations of a kind uncommon on Gaia and they all wear the blindfold that has become synonymous with their appearance. You see, either Pilots are born this way or, at some point during their training at this mysterious College, they are surgically blinded. On the few occasions a Pilot has accidentally allowed their silk binding to slip, bottomless black pits have been glimpsed where their eyes should be.

More loquacious Pilots have informed the curious that this is an effect of the kanopan oil they use to keep their empty sockets from healing and sealing up. "They must remain open." is all a Pilot will say. This oil is also responsible for the characteristic smell associated with Pilots; a bitter, musky, and indefinitely unsettling orange-like odour.

Without Pilots, many ships would have been lost among the ever-changing corridors through the Void between Gates. Or so the Pilots tell us because none have ever done so without said Pilots.

Most Pilots do not resemble the mixed bag often considered the Empyraen norm, their features coming from some branch of humanity, perhaps, the Empyraeum has had limited contact with.

Description
Little is known about the Pilot's College, even its location is merely speculated. However, when the keel of a new Empyrean ship is laid, an existing Pilot dies, or a vessel is upgraded for travel between the Voidgates, a Pilot appears as if summoned.

This Pilot will requisition a chamber deep within the craft, often as near to the prow as possible, and sequester themselves there for weeks on end, before finally emerging to present the Captain or Navarch with a beautifully ornate Charter of Navigation. The Pilot is now bound to the ship for life and responsible for every soul on board. Since Lupernikes first established contact with the College, no ship dares sail the Void without such a Charter.

Yet no crew or Captain has found out how the College knows a Pilot is needed or where new Pilots come from.

Though they can be male or female, all Pilots show psyber-mimetic augmentations of a kind uncommon on Gaia and they all wear the blindfold that has become synonymous with their appearance. You see, either Pilots are born this way or, at some point during their training at this mysterious College, they are surgically blinded. On the few occasions a Pilot has accidentally allowed their silk binding to slip, bottomless black pits have been glimpsed where their eyes should be.

More loquacious Pilots have informed the curious that this is an effect of the kanopan oil they use to keep their empty sockets from healing and sealing up. "They must remain open." is all a Pilot will say. This oil is also responsible for the characteristic smell associated with Pilots; a bitter, musky, and indefinitely unsettling orange-like odour.

Without Pilots, many ships would have been lost among the ever-changing corridors through the Void between Gates. Or so the Pilots tell us because none have ever done so without said Pilots.

Most Pilots do not resemble the mixed bag often considered the Empyraen norm, their features coming from some branch of humanity, perhaps, the Empyraeum has had limited contact with.