House of Keys

Introduction Update 2/7/20 Meeting of the Magi: Another weekly pow wow of the wizards in town but this time the host chose to meet at the House of Keys. It's easily located in town on campus and has the facilities to host such an event plus plenty of goodies to hold people's attention. Until you throw a secret bomb into the room and run away. Ominous Secrets: The host confusedly mentioned a secret that many of them should find out in the coming days and that we needed to prepare ourselves for the burdens of this coming news. The host didn't actually tell people what the secret was, it's source or nature and that's just not something you do in a room full of wizards. We're the Wise folk - it's in our damned name for a reason. When you deny information to us we tend to get seriously cranky - and they did. This eventually lead to the host just walking out of the room. Holding the Bag: After the host unceremoniously left the meeting, Marshall was left as the only person in the room with the potential to hold onto what had been kindled. So, as the duly authorized Steward of the house - in the absence of Master Smallwood who was, again, drawn away with his duties - he tried to make something out of a pile of nothing. But wait, We have Books: Desperate to salvage the night's event, Marshall - on seriously unsteady feet - stood up and tried to tempt the exodus of guests with an invitation to tour the library. Only some took him up on the offer. The Archives: Those remaining were encouraged to view the archives in an attempt to change the nature of the discussion and potentially remove the foul taste in everyone's mouth about the meeting. Several people seemed interested in the collections held by the House and a few offers of support were made. The Guardians: Marshall revealed that their previous attempts to contact the three guardians were only partially successful. Each of the guardians connect with an associated essence and one of the spheres of magic. To fully awaken the House requires the proper combination - which they still did not have. Prediction: Branton discovered with his psychic abilities that should anyone try to make contact with the three guardians who do not match the appropriate essence, the consequences could be dire indeed. Update 2/5/20 Book Club a Success:Thanks to everyone who showed for the first Bookclub. Last night's discussion was around the potential correlations used to locate an unknown target by looking at their associated connections. As Joel put it - its the Kevin Bacon Theory of finding someone not by knowing who they are but by understanding who they know and extrapolating who they are in the network of people based on their connections within it. Then later we discussed the inherent temptations faced by magi and how these temptations are what drive and shape us as individuals. The archives project was also mentioned and a few people seemed interested both in participating and in accessing the lores contained in the Chapter House. Not bad for around two hours of rp. I'll try again next week. Update 2/1/20 Book Club: The first meeting is on Wednesday Nights (5 pm PST / 8 pm EST) to see who can make it. The idea was floated around for a weekly or bi-weekly gathering of the scholarly types among the Magi/Sorcerers (Orphans & Trads welcome) at the Chapter House. The meetings would be BYOB (Bring your own book) where Lores are shared and collected, rotes, spells and paradigms are discussed, news spread and the like. The gatherings would probably last about two hours (ish) with people welcome to show up early and linger after and continue their talks if they'd like. The House of Keys would host the Book Club at the Chapter House on campus. Plenty of meeting space and fun for those who wish to go exploring within the walls. For those who have never been to the House, +hangouts/jump Key House will get you to the courtyard. Just don't wander into the gardens yet because the rose bushes haven't been fed in a while. Update 1/29/20 Courtyard Cleaned: The courtyard has been properly cleaned of debris and such and is now open once more. Folks will be welcome to appreciate the tile work, flowers, bushes and trees that somehow seem to keep their green year round. (OOC: +hangouts/jump Key House should drop you in the courtyard now. From there just head inside through the big black doors). Update 1/28/20 Archives: Master Twig has given Marshall the task of replenishing the collection of lores and such for the chapter's library. As such he's starting to make the rounds of the other members of the Order and those scholars of the traditions to see if they would volunteer their knowledge. The exchange is simple - those who contribute to the archives would be able to draw knowledge from the collection as well. As the collection grows with more and more contributions, the strength of the archives and the reputation of the Chapter House increases as well. Update 1/18/20 The Lower Levels: After a conversation with a perspective Associate, Marshall heads down to the lower levels to show them the crafting hall. Fully equipped for most construction needs one might come across for nearly any project, the hall seems to have been built or furnished by a more mechanically minded magus; possibly a Child of Ether? Rumor circulating around the House was that the associate was allowed to accompany an important courier mission to Germany and back. Talk about baiting the hook. Update 1/11/20 Back in Business: After a few months abroad, Marshall has returned from his basics in Hermetic training. The hall has been mostly empty in his absence with only the caretakers keeping things going while the magi that helped rediscover it went about with their lives. Update: 4/10/19 Game of Groans: Cody has a personal loss and finds Marshall in the Lounge. Eventually it turns into a near full Chantry meeting to help him through this troubled time. Update: 4/8/19 Meeting Merlin, I mean Menkner: A new visitor to the Traditions Hall, Menkner, Jasmine, Teagan and Marshall discussed the condition of their newly inherited Library. Update: 4/7/19 Tea Time: The Kitchenette in the Lounge has been brought back up to snuff. Now there's a coffee maker, tea pot, eletric kettle and a small, mini-fridge tucked away in one of the lower cabinets. Let there be Light: Thanks to the electrical wonders of Teagan, the fuses and bulbs have been replaced within the house so people shouldn't be running around in the dark. Search: Jasmine is searching throughout the magical community to find those awakened that could potentially assist with our node problem. Paper Trail: Marshall discovered a box of old files in the office upstairs. It contained material along three subjects: the building of the house, the dossiers of what are considered the first pledge class of initiates and then files that were encoded. The encrypted documents were obscured with the Enigma Code from the German's in the 1940's. Merek, River, and Jasmine seem to have an idea of what was within their pages. Update: 4/4/19 Gaol Gone Wrong: Jasmine and Cody found a big something in the basement that was...hungry. Shiney: Teagan, in her efforts to crawl around and not bang her head upon things in the library found a shinything (tm). Balance is Needed: At Jasmine's suggestion, three women (Jasmine, Teagan and Lilian Handover) tried to channel energy into the fountain. It didn't end well. Unweaving the Woven: Thanks to the assistance of Merek, a series of faulty security wards were unwoven by the Scooby Gang. Open for Business: With the security wards dialed down, the building is now open for regular visits. Those people who wish to hangout there and explore the mysteries may do so. More plottage to come. Update: 4/3/19 All Gone: Marshall reported that the OTC Society members were 'all gone' and was given a key by a friend who was apparently a member. He discovered that the house was empty and that strange things were afoot at the circle Kay...I mean Key. That's Super Dark: Marshall and Jasmine discovered that one of the rooms was nearly drowning in inky, magical darkness. No light would pass the threshold into the Lobby. Jasmine attempted to unweave the magic but it was a bit too slippery. Green Gardens: A few other faces showed up to help with the investigation and they discovered that the plants in the atrium weren't just alive they were VIBRANTLY alive; thriving despite their conditions. Let's (NOT) Do the Time Warp Again: Cody had to touch something. Yup. He just -had- to touch something. And he got whipped around in time without anything but his athame and his...*ahem* wand. He made it back in one piece and boy does he have a few things to process. It's Full of Stars: Not to be one-upped by weirdness, Jasmine decided to look at something she probably shouldn't have looked at with her Etherical sight. We saw her flop to the ground in pain, confusion and possible orgasm. Cody -may- have appeared naked right before or after she collapsed. No connection. We swear. Eyes Lead the Way: So who's going to open the hidden door first? [ edit ] RP Hooks Mortal Campus Rp Secret Society: What goes behind closed doors - generally stays there. News clippings and university records from 1927 report that a "Key Society" finished constructing the building that year but no mention was made as to who the society was nor its purpose. The fascia stones were reportedly imported from Egypt with the foundation blocks brought in from Cambridge. Local builders and architects made quite a noise about its construction for they were not offered the chance to put a bid in for the project nor know any of those who completed it. Rumors The Key House has three wondrous keys within it that gave the OTC its power and influence within campus and beyond. The OTC is a cult worshiping some Egyptian god - rumors have circulated wildly of a large statue within the center of the building with an altar for sacrifices. Some have speculated that the glass dome over the center can be mechanically opened to let in the light of the full moon - necessary for their secret rituals. The OTC recently lost many of its members to forces unknown. No cops were called, no statement issued by the campus but SOMETHING happened during the last full moon and now the number of suspected Key Holders on campus has dropped to only a handful. OTC members are given a key necklace to be worn on their person at all times; it's how they can get into the building and past their security. Supernatural Mage Traditions Hall: It's a holding and outpost of the Traditional magi within the city. Not as open as some nor restricted as others, it's a safe space for meeting, teaching and temporary housing for those in need. Cabal Incubation: One of the main purposes of the Chapter House is to assist in the creation of Cabals; groups of Magi and Sorcerers that work together for common purpose. Sorcerer Teaching Chantry: The purpose of the group is to help educate its members in various lores, mystical arts and the necessary skills required in life. Hangout: Someplace that's safe to discuss matters that most people wouldn't understand, condone or be able to contribute to the topic. Others Changeling: Hiding from the Banality-filled world? Need a dose of Harry Potter to get ya through the next few days? Let's talk. Ghoul: On the run from your master? Willing to do dishes? Something can be worked out. Shifter: Not feeling the vibe of your tribe? Wanting a change and think you could call a bunch of reality-benders your new fam? It's not impossible. Influences This is just a list of the fictional themes present in the group: Being Human: A werewolf, a vampire and a ghost share a flat. What could possibly go wrong with this? Stargate Atlantis: You arrive in a mystical stronghold only to find that the batteries are almost dead. There's plenty of opportunity to explore this ancient space but be careful that you don't wake something up. The Magicians: The various groups on the campus could easily be seen as Traditions or cabals. Mysteries The current mysteries of the Chapter House include (Updated 1/18/2020) The Lost Cult: The whole of the OTC cult vanished and the only clue is known to Marshall. The Empty Prison: Who's to say what may have been locked up within the Gaol? (On Hold) Failing ZPM: The defenses are down, the enchantments have wavered. The last bit of energy within the Node hangs on by a thread. Teagan, Lilian Handover and Jasmine tried but there's a trick to everything. Thankfully they were able to figure it out and get things back into working order - at least mostly. Origins: Before the node went quiet once more, Cody was able to use some of its powers to get a sense of where it's been and where it might end. Others have delved into the history of the House either through the collections in the library or by the fountain but the picture isn't quite as clear as some would like. Was that a Growl?: During the exploration, a low, soft rumbling noise was heard as certain things happened. Was it a warning or a threat? This seems to have been connected to the Gaol found within the House. What was the OTC cult holding, how did it escape and where is it now? [ edit ] Chantry History          The Key House is the home of an old, secret society on the campus known of UC Prospect similar to the academic honors clubs on Yale's campus (skull and bones / wolf's head, etc.). Rumors have circulated for years that the "Key Holders" (the common name for the members of the Secret Society) were an elite group of students and alumni on campus. Although many knew of their existence, no one seemed to be able to locate where they met or what, exactly, they did. Membership was rarely offered and when it was the recipient was sworn to secrecy about what happened behind closed doors. Like any secret society, speculation about their activities ranged everywhere from child sacrifices, drunken orgies to power-brokering within the city and the nation and everywhere in between. Location          The Key House is located on a corner of the campus that seems to have been forgotten. This is a square building constructed in the Moorish revival style complete with a small court yard, double stairways that lead up to the massive iron-clad doors with three windows set above. The waist-high, stone wall that surrounds the courtyard completely encloses the grounds but rather than following the perfectly square proportions of the building, the perimeter wall is a perfect circle. Viewed from some adjacent rooftops, the building appears to be two stories tall with a central, domed, wrought-iron skylight that encloses a garden-like courtyard common to Edwardian architecture. There doesn't appear to be a parking lot behind the structure nor does there appear to be any entrance other than that of the front doors. Familiar Faces Professor Twig: Professor Horace W. Smallwood was known as 'Twig' by many due to his small physical appearance. Though small in stature, Professor Smallwood is a giant of intellect, possessing three different doctorate degrees in Archaeology, Ancient Languages and History. As a Master within the Order and a scholar of the Bonisagus House, his achievements within the study of primal magic are quite impressive - just ask him. Twig serves as as an adviser to the Chapter House though is academic duties typically keep him far too busy to deal with the day-to-day operations; that's what good apprentices are for. Membership Guest: Guests of the House must be invited in by a pledge or member. While within the House they should be accompanied by their host so as not to accidentally wander into a restricted section. Pledge: Typically an introductory phase lasting a short time while you are assessed for membership, pledges are given access to the House's mundane resources to pursue their interests. Once the pledge process has concluded the person is sorted into one of two different status depending upon their ability: Associate or Member. Associate: As a non-magus you have access to the House's mundane resources and are permitted to request housing and supplies should you require them. Member: As a magus you have full access to the Chapter's mundane and magical resources and are permitted to request housing within the dormitory should you require it. Members are encouraged to assist in the operation of the House in a manner commensurate with their abilities. [ edit ] Plan [ edit ] External Relations House of Keys/External Relations [ edit ]

House of Keys [ edit ] Overview Name The House of Keys Aka "Key House" Type: College Chantry / Chapter House Location: UC:Prospect Campus Sponsor: Order of Hermes Governance: Triumverate Contact: Marshall Benefits:Current These benefits extend to the house itself and those members while they reside within it. Arcane: Node: Status: Library: Details Benefits: Planned Wonder: Mentor: Familiar: Retainers: Cult: Influence: +hangouts/jump Key should get you through the front door if you're a Tradition Mage or a Tradition-Affiliated Sorcerer. If not, just message a member to get you inside. [ edit ] Cabals As the strength of the node increases the number of cabals it can support will grow also. For now this is just a list of those people who are affiliated with the House. (AKA, those with a clue) Marshall Jasmine Teagan Lilian Handover Cody River [ edit ] Gallery [ edit ]

Logs 2019.04.03:All Gone 2019.04.03:Let's (NOT) Do the Time Warp Again 2019.04.04: Balance is Needed 2019.04.04: Open For Business 2019.04.04:Gaol Gone Wrong 2019.04.07:Paper Trails 2019.04.10:Game of Groans