J.B. Prescott: The Adventuring Years¶
The Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers (1920s-1930s)¶
Before J.B. Prescott became the renowned founder of the Curious Order of Ink & Flame, he lived a life that rivaled the adventures of his own fictional creations. Born in 1888 on a Santa Barbara ranch, Prescott's early years instilled in him a love for open spaces and a thirst for exploration. However, it was during the 1920s and 1930s that Prescott truly embraced the spirit of adventure, forming the Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers with a select group of his fellow Futurians.
Prescott's adventuring years were marked by a unique blend of scientific inquiry, cultural exploration, and a touch of the mystical - elements that would later infuse his epic "Challengers of the Secret Tree" series. Unlike some of his pulp contemporaries who wrote solely from imagination, Prescott drew inspiration from his real-life escapades, lending an air of authenticity to his fantastic tales.
The Team¶
The Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers consisted of Prescott and his hand-picked team:
- Isaac Asimov - The group's scientific prodigy
- Frederik Pohl - The strategic mastermind
- Judith Merril - Linguistic and cultural expert
- Cyril Kornbluth - Quick-thinking problem solver
- Hannes Bok - Artistic chronicler
Together, they embarked on expeditions that would shape not only Prescott's writing but also the philosophical underpinnings of his later creative order.
Major Expeditions¶
1. The Machu Picchu Cipher Expedition (1927)¶
While Machu Picchu had been "discovered" by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Prescott believed there were deeper secrets to uncover. The team spent three months at the site, with Judith Merril's linguistic skills proving crucial in deciphering a series of quipu (Incan knot records) found in a previously unexplored chamber. These records hinted at a network of underground tunnels, which the team partially mapped.
Literary Impact: This adventure later inspired the "Labyrinth of the Sun God" arc in "Challengers of the Secret Tree."
2. The Amazon Jungle Expedition (1928)¶
This expedition, which later inspired the "The Emerald Enigma" arc in "Challengers of the Secret Tree," saw the team searching for a lost Incan city rumored to house an ancient astronomical device. Prescott's account of pushing through the verdant undergrowth, deciphering cryptic stone markers, and finally emerging into a hidden valley where the ruins lay, reads like a pulp novel but was grounded in the team's actual experiences.
The "astronomical device" turned out to be an intricate solar calendar, which Asimov spent months studying and attempting to recreate.
3. The Gobi Desert Anomaly (1930)¶
Prompted by reports of strange magnetic disturbances, the team ventured into the Gobi Desert. Here, they encountered an unexplained phenomenon where compass needles spun wildly in certain areas. Asimov theorized about localized magnetic fields, while Prescott couldn't help but imagine more fantastic explanations. They discovered ancient petroglyphs that seemed to depict the phenomenon, suggesting it had been occurring for millennia.
Literary Impact: This expedition formed the basis for the "Sands of Time" storyline.
Notable Event: During this expedition, a sandstorm separated Prescott and Asimov from the rest of the team for three days. Their survival in the harsh desert environment, using only their knowledge and limited supplies, became a defining moment for both men and later inspired a tense chapter in "Sands of Time."
4. The Tibet Expedition (1931)¶
The Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers mounted an expedition to Tibet, seeking evidence of the mythical Yeti. This journey would later form the basis for the "Abominable Allies" storyline in Prescott's series. While they found no conclusive proof of the creature's existence, their interactions with local monasteries and their study of cryptozoological phenomena in the region provided rich material for Prescott's later works.
Hannes Bok's artistic skills proved invaluable, as his sketches of purported Yeti footprints and local folklore depictions became central to their research.
5. The Angkor Wat Astronomical Alignment Study (1932)¶
The team spent six months at Angkor Wat, studying its astronomical alignments. They discovered that certain structures lined up with celestial events in ways previously unrecognized. Hannes Bok's detailed sketches of the alignments and architecture were later published in scientific journals.
Literary Impact: This expedition inspired the "Celestial Architects" arc in Prescott's series.
Notable Challenge: The team had to navigate complex local politics and gain the trust of Buddhist monks to access certain areas of the temple complex. Judith Merril's diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity were instrumental in building these relationships.
6. The Greek Deep-Sea Expedition (1933)¶
Perhaps one of the most transformative experiences for Prescott came during a 1933 deep-sea expedition off the coast of Greece. Using early diving equipment, the team explored a series of underwater caves, discovering a trove of ancient artifacts that suggested an advanced civilization predating known Greek history.
Literary Impact: This adventure formed the basis for the "Atlantean Resurgence" arc in "Challengers of the Secret Tree." Prescott's vivid descriptions of the claustrophobic dive, the play of light in the submerged caverns, and the awe of touching objects unseen for millennia, clearly stemmed from his firsthand experience.
7. The Bermuda Triangle Underwater Expedition (1934)¶
Intrigued by tales of ships and planes disappearing in the Bermuda Triangle, the team conducted a series of deep-sea dives in the area. While they didn't find evidence of supernatural phenomena, they did discover unusual underwater rock formations and strong, unpredictable currents that could potentially explain some of the disappearances.
Literary Impact: This adventure later evolved into the "Poseidon's Fury" storyline.
8. The Egypt Valley of the Kings Dig (1935)¶
The team undertook an archaeological dig in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. This expedition, which unearthed a previously undiscovered tomb, later inspired the "Pharaoh's Gambit" storyline. Prescott's detailed accounts of the tomb's intricate traps and puzzles, while embellished in his fiction, were rooted in the genuine challenges the team faced in navigating the ancient structure.
It was here that Pohl's strategic thinking and Kornbluth's problem-solving skills truly shone, allowing the team to safely explore the tomb without damaging its historical value.
9. The Roanoke Island Investigation (1936)¶
The team spent several months on Roanoke Island, investigating the historical mystery of the lost colony. They uncovered new archaeological evidence suggesting that some colonists may have integrated with local Native American tribes. Cyril Kornbluth's keen eye for detail was instrumental in piecing together clues from disparate sources.
Literary Impact: This expedition formed the basis for the "Vanished Horizons" arc.
10. The Tunguska Event Follow-up Expedition (1938)¶
Thirty years after the mysterious Tunguska event in Siberia, the team mounted an expedition to the area. They collected soil samples, interviewed locals, and mapped the extent of the devastation. While they couldn't conclusively explain the event, their scientific approach to the investigation set a new standard for studying such phenomena.
Literary Impact: This journey inspired the "Siberian Impact" storyline.
11. The Easter Island Statue Excavation (1939)¶
In one of their last major expeditions before World War II, the team participated in excavations on Easter Island. They were among the first to discover that the famous moai statues had buried bodies beneath the surface. Frederik Pohl's organizational skills were crucial in managing this complex dig.
Literary Impact: The team's theories about the purpose and construction of the statues later influenced the "Silent Sentinels" arc in Prescott's work.
Challenges and Growth¶
Throughout these expeditions, Prescott and his team faced numerous challenges: - Harsh weather conditions - Equipment failures - Political unrest - Health issues - Physical danger
They often had to rely on their wits, skills, and teamwork to overcome obstacles. These real-life adventures not only provided rich material for Prescott's fiction but also shaped the ethos of the Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers.
The emphasis on: - Teamwork - Respect for local cultures - Scientific rigor - Openness to wonder
These became hallmarks of both the Order and Prescott's later writings. Each expedition reinforced the idea that the greatest discoveries come not just from physical exploration, but from the melding of diverse skills, perspectives, and a shared sense of curiosity about the world.
The End of an Era¶
Prescott's adventuring years came to a gradual close as the 1930s waned, with the looming specter of World War II shifting global priorities. However, the impact of these experiences on Prescott was indelible. The principles of dedication, resilience, imagination, vision, and empathy that he and his team had lived by during their explorations became the cornerstone of the Curious Order of Ink & Flame.
In his later years, Prescott would often reminisce about this period of his life, not with the exaggerated bravado of a pulp hero, but with the quiet reverence of a man who had seen wonders and faced true challenges. He understood that the greatest adventures were not just about discovery, but about the growth and connection forged through shared experience.
Legacy¶
The legacy of the Curious Order of Adventuring Explorers lived on in Prescott's writing, infusing his works with a tangible sense of wonder and authenticity that set them apart from much of the pulp fiction of his era. More than that, these experiences shaped Prescott's worldview, fostering a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, scientific inquiry, and the power of human cooperation - themes that would become central to both his fiction and his philosophical teachings in the Curious Order of Ink & Flame.