THE OCULARUM

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Taking an instinctive half-step back, Jon furrowed his brows, meeting Neil's gaze. What he was looking for was beyond him - but, when Neil found it, his face dropped. ]

...You know of them, then. I didn't--- realize their reach extended even beyond the grave.

Considering one of them is "the grave," I am less inclined to be surprised.

[ Neil chuckled at his own joke. ]

No, I daresay they exist wherever humans do. And places where humans do not exist have their own fears to cower from. In any case, you are among your own kind now. Might I know your name?

[ Despite not loving the notion that they could reach that far, Neil did have a point. Despite being in a strange sort of purgatory, there were people here. The question made him blink, however - he'd gotten so caught up in things, he hadn't even introduced himself. So much for properness, Mr. Sims, get it together. ]

Jon. [ He replied, extending a hand to shake. ] And am I correct to assume you're... Dr. West?

[ Neil took Jon's hand and shook it, jovial and firm. ]

Yes, but do call me Neil. You have no need to be formal with me.

Neil it is, then. And if I may ask... what does our own kind entail?

What has it entailed so far? [ He chuckled. ] The pursuit of knowledge and truth, undeterred by foolish nonsense, false religions, or social expectations. In order to conquer the horrors that plague this island and discover what it will take for you to return to your home world, it's clear that we are the only ones with the strength of sight needed to demystify the, ah, bullshit, for lack of better words.

[ A chord was struck, it seemed. Though still suspicious, it was clear that Neil was the best start to truly figuring out how to leave this place. It was entirely possible that the members of the Ocularum were in a very similar boat to him, as well. A wall of reservation crumbled. ]

It sounds like your cause and my own since I arrived here are aligned, then. I've been investigating since I set foot here. Before I woke up on that ferry, I spoke with... a woman. [ Even as he spoke, it sounded like he couldn't quite make heads or tails of it. ]

She wouldn't answer many questions, but said that I would be essentially trapped here until I find my way out, in order to survive my imminent demise. I don't know if I entirely believe all of that, though. At least at face value.

A woman, you say. Curious. [ Neil brought a hand to his chin, pondering this. ] Clearly she is some sort of interdimensional entity, if she was able to pull you here. You've been asked to test your mettle against our curse, I would imagine, and the reward is a return to your old life.

That's exactly it, though. What is her interest in this place, and how exactly am I supposed to do anything about it? Of all the people in the world?

What, indeed? [ He smiled. ] Consequently, I believe that is something the Ocularum could help you with.

[ There was a tentative moment, the gears in his head clearly turning. He couldn't argue with that. And, slowly, he gave a nod. ]

And I think I should like to offer the Ocularum my assistance, as well.

Splendid! That's magnificent news. [ Neil clapped Jon's shoulder heartily. ] I believe we'll work together quite famously. Have you made any interesting discoveries since arriving?

[ 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.

[ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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

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.

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

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.

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

The Ocularum

THE OCULARUM

Overview

Membership

Philosophy

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