The Ocularum

[pumpkinhollow]

THE OCULARUM Contact: Neil West Location: West Dream Analytics Overview - This page is intended for RP threads taking place at or in relation to the Ocularum! Additional information regarding the organization and its workings can also be found below. - On the outskirts of Pumpkin Hollow, where the rural Northwest Hollow meets the edges of Lockwood Forest, there is a cottage. A thatched roof with wooden detailing houses a tall brick chimney from which a rich pinewood smoke rises in plumes. Warm and inviting windows glow with lantern light. A red door with a golden knocker is seated below a sign. "WEST DREAM ANALYTICS," it reads. This is both the home and the business of psychic dream therapist Neil West. Indeed, it is also the meeting place of the organization which he founded--- the Ocularum. You must be invited to attend either by another member or by Neil himself, though they don't tend to be picky. Moreso they are cautious. They've been burned before for speaking out against the church's way of doing things. But they are committed to action. The Ocularum believes that they can settle the issue of Pumpkin Hollow's haunting once and for all, and that the Temple of Sacred Roots is doing nothing but hindering progress. But if you earn their trust, they will show you the secrets which they believe are key to finally undoing the curse besetting the island. Membership Initiation | Due to their poor relations with much of the island, the Ocularum is slow in its induction process. Start with a simple orientation and earn the trust of its members over time to learn more. Benefits | Those who work with the Ocularum will find themselves less impacted by the effects of the curse and better prepared for what the island throws at them. This is in part due to Neil's occult expertise and strategies taught by him for dealing with these things, but members also find themselves passively having better luck as well. Drawbacks | Neil's outspoken views against the Temple's methods and ongoing feud with Dahlia Leeds has not made the Ocularum particularly popular. Joining them may occasionally earn you the ire of others. There are also sometimes murmurings about "costs" among the members, implying that there may be some financial expectations. Philosophy The Ocularum believes that the solution to Marrow Isle's problems lies in occult knowledge and direct action. Whether the result of an angry ancient deity, restless spirits, or a leyline of dark energy beneath the land, there is some terrible magic plaguing the island. It can be treated. It can be harnessed. However, the Temple's insistence on waiting around for dead or apathetic goddesses to answer the prayers of the people is putting this on hold. The Historical Society is no better, focusing on reactionary measures gleaned from dusty old books. And the heretics in the forest are respectable folk but are exposing themselves to unnecessary danger. The Ocularum needs bold and dedicated truth seekers who aren't afraid to step into the unknown for the sake of protecting themselves and their neighbors. art credit, code credit

Comments

[apocryphalarchivist]

[ The pat to his shoulder was more than he'd expected, but the enthusiasm came as a relief, at the very least. Scratch the fear of "cult-like initiation" off the list, this was seeming more and more to be what it said on the tin. At least, for the moment. ]

Not quite, I'm afraid. I've taken up fishing predominantly to get a better look at that so-called "impenetrable horizon", but haven't gotten the opportunity to do much beyond fish as of yet.

[itsjustabaddream]

[ Neil chuckled at that. ]

Good luck with that. I can't say I've ever heard of anyone getting past it without a shipwreck, and I imagine Captain Booth isn't too terribly keen on letting you try using his beloved rust bucket.

[apocryphalarchivist]

Has anyone seen a shipwreck occur, though? I've heard a dozen people say they've heard, but seen is an entirely different matter. And no one can put me in touch with any sailors who have experienced it - at least, not yet.

[itsjustabaddream]

Of course. I believe Reverend Clayton attempted to go to his children on the mainland and woke up in the clock tower, assuming the rumors are true. He and I don't speak much.

[apocryphalarchivist]

I hadn't thought much to speak with the Church as of yet, either, if I'm being completely honest, so I haven't had the opportunity to ask. Pleasant enough people, I've heard, but... I've never been terribly religious. I tend to steer clear.

[itsjustabaddream]

Interesting, all things considered. [ He chuckled lightly. ] I find religion terribly interesting, in fact. But I'm not a fan of religious institutes, nor am I one for the, ah, "earthly mothers".

[apocryphalarchivist]

I got that impression, from the bulletin board. The church seems to take issue with the Ocularum a fair bit, doesn't it?

[itsjustabaddream]

Indeed. But in fairness to them, we do loudly denounce their religious beliefs. So it makes sense that they wouldn't care much for us.

[apocryphalarchivist]

I suppose you have a point. I don't much care for niceties that would hinder investigation, though.

[itsjustabaddream]

Nor I. Hence why I don't spare their feelings. Their gods are dead. So much so that even death has fled them. If they won't hear it, they aren't worth the time.

[apocryphalarchivist]

Agreed. I look forward to what we're able to find while working together.