Characters & Spirits¶
The People and Powers Behind The Curious Order¶
J.B. Prescott
"We are all travelers on the creative path, guided by those who came before and spirits that dwell within."
Welcome to the Characters Section¶
The Curious Order of Ink & Flame draws its power from two sources: the remarkable human being who founded it and the mystical spirits encountered through his lucid dreaming practice. This section explores both the historical figure of Julius Beverly Prescott and the Five Curious Spirits that embody the principles of DRIVE.
Together, they form a complete picture of the philosophy in action—mortal determination meeting transcendent wisdom.
Featured Profiles¶
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J.B. Prescott
The founder, visionary, and traveler whose extraordinary life spanned military service, adventure, pulp fiction glory, and philosophical innovation.
From Santa Barbara ranches to WWI skies to Hollywood studios to the founding of an enduring creative order.
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The Five Curious Spirits
Vigil, Resilio, Fantasio, Visara, and Harmonia—the mystical guides encountered in lucid dreams, each embodying a principle of DRIVE.
Lion, tortoise, owl, eagle, and deer—companions on the creative journey.
J.B. Prescott: A Life of Narrative DRIVE¶
The Man Behind The Order¶
Julius Beverly Prescott (1888-?) lived a life that reads like one of his own adventure serials. Born on a California ranch, he transformed himself repeatedly—from cutting horse rider to Army Air Corps pilot, from pulp fiction writer to philosophical teacher, from Hollywood screenwriter to the founder of a creative movement that endures to this day.
Key Life Phases¶
The Ranch Years (1888-1906) Growing up on a Santa Barbara ranch, learning horsemanship, self-reliance, and the value of hard work.
Military Service (1906-1918) Enlisting in the Army Air Corps, becoming a decorated WWI pilot, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The Adventuring Years (1920s-1930s) Leading the Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers on 11 major expeditions across the globe.
The Futurian Era (1930s) Joining the legendary science fiction group alongside Isaac Asimov, Frederik Pohl, and Damon Knight in New York.
Hollywood Disillusionment (1938-1940) Two transformative years writing noir detective fiction and witnessing the dark underbelly of the dream factory.
Founding The Order (1940) Establishing The Curious Order of Ink & Flame and codifying the principles of Narrative DRIVE.
The Writing Years (1940s-1950s) Creating his magnum opus "Challengers of the Secret Tree" and cementing his literary legacy.
The Parsonage Period (1945-1946) Time spent with rocket scientist and occultist Jack Parsons, exploring the intersections of science and mysticism.
The Five Curious Spirits¶
Guardians of Creative Wisdom¶
Through the practice of lucid dreaming, Prescott became "The Traveler," exploring mystical realms where he encountered five spirits. Each spirit embodies one of the five principles of DRIVE, offering guidance and wisdom to those who seek it.
The Traveler's Insight
"Do not think of these spirits as distant deities but as constant companions. They walk beside every creator who commits to the path of Narrative DRIVE."
Meet the Five¶
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Vigil 🦁
Spirit of Dedication
The majestic humanoid lion with golden mane radiating like the sun. Vigil stands tall with unwavering focus, grasping quill and scroll—the tools of committed craft.
Wisdom: "Commitment is the cornerstone of creation. Focus on the mastery of one task, and let dedication be your backbone."
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Resilio 🐢
Spirit of Resilience
The steadfast humanoid tortoise whose intricate shell bears the marks of every trial overcome. Resilio moves with deliberate strength, carrying shield and vine.
Wisdom: "Every setback is a lesson in disguise. Embrace your challenges, for they forge resilience."
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Fantasio 🦉
Spirit of Imagination
The mystical humanoid owl with color-shifting feathers and galaxy eyes. Fantasio's celestial wings glow softly with otherworldly light, holding ancient book and glowing star.
Wisdom: "Let your mind soar beyond the ordinary. Imagination is limitless; explore it fearlessly."
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Visara 🦅
Spirit of Vision
The majestic humanoid eagle with brilliant white and gold feathers. Visara's piercing eyes see beyond present into future, carrying eye-shaped amulet and horizon-pointing staff.
Wisdom: "Maintain a clear vision of your goals. Let it be your guiding star."
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Harmonia 🦌
Spirit of Empathy
The graceful humanoid deer whose glowing antlers radiate gentle light. Harmonia carries a delicate harp of light, bringing warmth and understanding wherever she walks.
Wisdom: "Empathy connects us all. Through understanding and compassion, your work will touch hearts."
The Spirits in Practice¶
How to Work with the Five¶
The spirits aren't abstract concepts—they're practical guides for navigating the creative life:
When facing a new project: Call upon Vigil for the dedication to commit fully
When encountering setbacks: Seek Resilio's wisdom to transform obstacles into growth
When creativity feels blocked: Let Fantasio open your mind to boundless possibility
When direction seems unclear: Look to Visara to clarify your vision and purpose
When disconnected from others: Invite Harmonia to deepen empathy and connection
Psalms for the Spirits¶
Prescott composed poetic invocations for each spirit, designed as meditations and calls for guidance:
From the Psalm of Curiosity
"O seekers of the boundless, hear this call, To wander paths where shadows twist and turn. In every corner, knowledge waits for all, A flame of truth, in hearts shall ever burn."
From the Psalm of Resilience
"When storm clouds gather and the light seems dim, Stand firm and strong against the driving rain. For in the heart, a strength that will not dim, Resilience born from trials faced in pain."
Character Relationships¶
Prescott and The Spirits¶
The relationship between Prescott and the Five Spirits is unique in mystical literature. Rather than positioning himself as a prophet receiving divine revelation, Prescott framed the spirits as aspects of universal creative truth that anyone can access through dedicated practice.
He insisted that every creator is "The Traveler"—the protagonist of their own story, capable of encountering these same guides through meditation, lucid dreaming, or simple contemplation.
The Order's Community¶
Beyond Prescott and the spirits, The Curious Order has been home to countless practitioners over the decades:
- The Architects of the Spiral - Guides who help others through creative challenges
- The Keepers of the Flame - Leaders who uphold EXPANSION principles
- Fellow Travelers - All who commit to the path of Narrative DRIVE
Symbols and Iconography¶
Personal Symbols¶
Prescott's Compass A weathered brass compass from his adventuring years, symbolizing the search for direction amid uncertainty.
The Traveler's Staff Metaphorical walking stick representing the journey of self-authorship and creative exploration.
Spirit Symbols¶
Each spirit carries distinctive symbols that appear throughout Order imagery:
| Spirit | Primary Symbol | Secondary Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Vigil | Quill & Scroll | Golden Mane |
| Resilio | Shield & Vine | Patterned Shell |
| Fantasio | Ancient Book | Glowing Star |
| Visara | Eye Amulet | Horizon Staff |
| Harmonia | Light Harp | Blooming Flowers |
Quotations and Wisdom¶
From J.B. Prescott¶
On Being The Traveler
"Every one of us is 'The Traveler,' the protagonist of our own tale, constantly writing and rewriting the story of our lives through our choices, actions, and reactions."
On The Spirits
"These profound and mystical experiences became the foundation of our Curious Order of Ink & Flame. They are not distant deities but constant companions on the creative path."
On Legacy
"With every breath, we are both author and protagonist of life's tale. Through each action, reaction, and choice, we write and rewrite the narrative of our existence."
Visual Representations¶
Recommended Imagery¶
Throughout the wiki, you'll find suggestions for visual representations of the characters:
For Prescott: - Vintage photographs from his adventuring years - Portraits in his Flying Cross uniform - Images from his Hollywood period - Artistic renderings as "The Traveler"
For The Spirits: - Detailed artistic interpretations of each spirit's humanoid animal form - Symbol arrays showing their associated iconography - Illuminated manuscript-style presentations - Modern digital art capturing their essence
Character Connections¶
Cross-References¶
Explore how the characters connect to other aspects of the wiki:
J.B. Prescott appears in: - The Adventuring Years - His 11 major expeditions - Hollywood Years - Creating Zeb Marlowe - The Parsonage - Time with Jack Parsons - Interviews & Anecdotes - In his own words
The Five Spirits influence: - The 47 Cantos - Poetic meditations on DRIVE - Narrative DRIVE - The foundational framework - Challengers of the Secret Tree - Characters inspired by the spirits
For New Readers¶
Where to Start¶
If you're interested in real history: Start with J.B. Prescott's biography to understand the remarkable life behind the philosophy.
If you're seeking creative guidance: Begin with The Five Spirits to discover which spirit's wisdom speaks to your current needs.
If you want the complete picture: Read both pages in order, seeing how Prescott's lived experience informed his mystical encounters.
The Living Legacy¶
The characters in this section aren't mere historical footnotes or abstract symbols—they represent living principles that continue to guide creators, thinkers, and pioneers today. Prescott's life demonstrates what's possible when we commit fully to curiosity and creative courage. The Five Spirits offer timeless wisdom for navigating the challenges every creator faces.
Together, they form the heart of The Curious Order of Ink & Flame.
Every creator is The Traveler. Every journey summons the Five Spirits.
Which spirit calls to you today?
Semper curiosus, semper creator.