Aftergloom Delight  (January, 2020)

In the beginning, there were particles, floating, vibrating, reacting ever so gently to their surroundings. Some found themselves traveling at high speeds through the expansive space of existence, others moving in more circular patterns; venturing out and returning to a point as if a gravitational pull slung them far only to bring be brought back at different angle, slightly changed by the spaces they had ventured to. 

These particles acquired memories and built stories of their existence, stories they started to see reflected in their passing of other particles, shifting their gravitation pull ever slightly so that after eons of time, at one eventuating point, they collide.

This collision caused a phenomena known as Aftergloom Delight. In the dark vastness of their surroundings, these particles struck sparks of color that glowed gently onto the surfaces they reached. The sound of their strikes echoed their stories in unison, growing it’s gravitational effect to the point other particles circled, and struck with the same resonance.   

The gravitational centre was also not still. It did not suspend itself in a singular space. It shifted itself randomly causing the particles to sway unpredictably. The particles began to take further changes in shape, acquiring consciousness, awareness of their inability to control the force they encircled. They eventually began to question. How long can their orbits continue, how far can they travel and return to this collision point? They began to examine resources, energy, space, eventually realizing the gravitational pull was not random, but could be influenced. As the particles began to understand this phenomena, they weighed their stories, and found themselves assembling bodies, relics, writings, and vehicles to attempt to shift away from the phonomona and leave it’s pull before it was too late. They had developed feelings towards this change, accepting the unknown outcomes, and knowing their curiosity was insatiable without it, and their existence depended on it. 

They speculated on the potential wonders that awaited them beyond the planet that had formed beneath their feet, questioning if other planets had formed with assimilations like themselves cultivating stories, colliding, echoing, and formulating new worlds.

It was a moment that not only illuminated the space in which these particles occupied, but sparked the minds and hearts of the particles themselves.

Slow Boat to Centauri (July 2020)

As the large assimilated mass, eventually being known as the physical form called Earth, had established trillions of processes, systems, and languages to which it tried to replenish itself; it’s forests, waters, and skies worked in unison, synchronistically regenerating many parts. Only some particles and collisions began to deteriorate these cycles, and those who witnessed the phenomena of Aftergloom Delight understood the need to go beyond this place. In the echoes of AD collision, a voice that came to be named Mary echoed the idea that this was not all their was, and called the now assimilated bodies and consciousnesses to venture further into space.

She sought only the bravest voyagers who had shown their course affected by the Aftergloom Delight phonomona, as some particles carried on unaffected by it’s presence. Amidst their many vehicles for their travels on Earth, Mary had been preparing a special vehicle capable of breaking free of the gravitational pull known as the Slow Boat. With teams of scientists and engineers developing the technology required for this colony-carrying vessel, it was now possible to venture to Centauri. Mary and her voyagers were ready, and had 1 last celebrating on earth with fire and stories, before boarding the Slow Boat to Centauri, a planetary myth of familiar origins to our own planet.

All seemed well, and the mysteries of the space beyond Earth had been left to stories. While most were positive, their were some more concerned, having heard rumors of planets that faced similar fates to Earth turning their species hostile, and others also fleeing had taken to piracy in space to scavenge for resources to survive.

Although only rumors, Mary had elected Rangers to ensure the voyagers felt safe, and prepared the Slow Boat to accommodate the rituals and celebrations we had formed on Earth. 

At last, the departure commenced and the Slow Boat was launched into the void of space, their occupants suspended in cryogenic chambers linked so they could share their dreams; dreams of the new worlds that awaited them. The journey was going smoothly, the voyagers formed connections, communities, each sharing their own traditions and customs, some had experienced the AD phonomona and shared tales of how it caused their senses to evolve, still, only a microcosm of the world they had all left behind.

Without warning one fateful night, another space scraft appeared, and what was believed to be only a myth was suddenly real, space pirates. A warning was sounded as rangers reported to their battle stations as the pirates infiltrated the central hub, interrupting a celebratory Space Disco. The calm of watching illuminated debris, the pulsing internal lights of the Slow Boat, and groovy tunes turned suddenly into a moment of chaos. The crew's control over the ship had been usurped, and the fate of all passengers hung in the balance.

Despair gripped the ship as the assault of the space marauders continued, threatening to change the trajectory of the Slow Boat in it’s search for new worlds. The ship was taken, the rangers forced to walk the plank into the ships onboard confinement. The slow boat seemed to have become a new outpost for the mischievous and reckless pirates, and hope was slipping away.

Mary and some of her voyagers had managed to escape unnoticed, and began to hatch a plan, to deceive the pirates, pretending to also be refugees willing to hunt for galactic resources. After the debaucherous actions of the pirates took it’s toll on their energy, the voyagers won their trust, and convinced them their journey to Centauri was hopeful, and a peaceful life was possible. With their forces combined, humanity's dream of a new civilization were even better than before. The voyage continued. 

Suddenly, the voyagers woke, realizing an unexpected symptom of cryogenic sleep during space travel caused not only linked their dreams, but their nightmares aswell. Mary knew this was the case. The pirates never existed. But Mary felt it was necessary for a lesson to be learned, a lesson of our natural selves and internal processes. She knew the voyagers she had selected would use their wits and work together, reminding them by doing so, we can overcome any challenge, even our own internal shadows.

Night Dive to Neptune

As the Slow Boat continued to glide through space, the crew picked up a radio signals emanating from the depths of a planet that seemed to sustain aquatic stability. Upon investigating the transmission, the audio analysts of Slow Boat noticed it seemed to carry eerily familiar qualities. Background music undoubtedly from 1920s - 1930s and the technologists confirmed the signal was being transmitted from a Low Radiation computer. Meanwhile, linguists struggled to interpret the message as it seemed to repeat in different languages. All were left to assume, as it was coming from the bottom of the ocean depths, that this was not an attempt to contact us directly, but a distress beacon sent wide and far to any who it might reach, in whatever languages they were able to communicate from aboard their sunken vessel.

They continued to analyze the message, hoping to uncover more details surrounding this peculiar discovery. Considering this transmission was likely 100 years old, chances of their being survivors were slim, but as many of the voyagers aboard the Slow Boat have a particular appreciation for the stories old artifacts hold, expedition teams of these experts were quickly assembled to investigate and the pods were boarded for departure.

The called their expedition “Night Dive to Neptune”, as the planet resembled that of Neptune, and anticipated the darkness of its watery deep to resemble that of the night. They dove beneath the waters surface, aiming for the source of the signal. As they descended, they started to notice a faint flickering light in the distance. Suddenly, another. As they drew closer, faded lights were spread across the ocean floor. Before long, they realized it stretched as far as the eye could see. This was not a sunken space craft, nor a sunken ship, this was a city. 

There were no signs of life, but questions began to arise. How is this city being powered? Was this some research operation of the ocean floor, or planetary core? How did 100 year old audio recordings end up here, playing on a device that seemed to be an old CRT monitor.. 

The investigation continued.

As they neared the amassed structure, it appeared as though most of it was intended to sit on the ocean floor, with only a vessel crashed into the ocean floor with the name “Sinker” cast across it’s haul. The signal lead the expedition crew along a long glass transport tube big enough for a human to walk through, sealed so that things seemed to not be flooded inside. They took to diving suits as they approached a narrow section that lead them to an entrance into this mysterious city. 

Judging by the mechanics and features of this place, it was built to reassemble that of Earth. But evidence of human life seemed unlikely. Their were pens and papers at desks, even colorful drawings on the wall, but nothing seemed like it came from a human. More of an imitation of human life and language in pink and purple colors. As they ventured deeper into halls and tunnels drawing nearer to the source of the signal, they passed the sources of light they spotted during their decent. One triangular artifact or spire with geometric engravings. The signal lead them past what appeared to be a medical room, with x-rays of bodies that did not appear to be human.

As they continued, they started to hear music playing, similar to that in the transmission. An old radio was discovered playing Noel Coward while around it older records were found such as Gurney’s War Elegy and Frank Bridge’s Oration. The audio experts started to analyze their findings.

The signal grew stronger leading them into another room. This seemed to be an office, 

As an intelligent and diverse group, they began to come to the conclusion, humans may not be the only species that came here planet. And not all traveling species are pirates.   

ALT (TR): There they encountered a remarkable sight: a group of Neptunians - mechanical humanoids fashioned impeccably in 30's era formal attire - warmly welcoming them with open arms. It wasn't long before they discovered the Neptunians shared their same love of music, putting on a perfect welcoming party for their newfound visitors.

It was a discovery that shook the foundation of all that was known about the universe, leading to deep philosophical questions about what else was yet to be discovered beyond our small, but perhaps not so insignificant, planet.

Stimulation 75

Awakening from their daze, they found themselves in a strange dimension unlike anything they had ever seen before. The last thing anyone could remember was a blur of sea creatures, 50's music, and the bitter taste of the Neptunians' party beverages.

Some crew members even had vague recollections of short-shorts and music by Wham. But as they looked around, the reality they were enveloped in had yet to reveal itself fully. The Slow Boat was nowhere to be seen, but this new location seemed eerily similar to Earth in the 70s. Disco was blaring over the speakers, flared pants were back in style, and every other guy had an afro

Yet something felt distinctly different, not quite right. They couldn't quite place a finger on it, but there was a sense of unease simmering just below the surface. Things that shouldn't have existed yet seemed to be common here, and the world itself seemed to be... glitching.

As the reality-defying world engulfed them, it was up to the crew to find out what had happened. Their fate, and that of the Slow Boat, lay in their hands.

Celestial Assembly

After months of intrigue and exploration, it was found that in fact the Slow Boat's sudden disappearance was, in fact, due to a powerful and inexplicable stimulation that engulfed the vessel. Despite the crew's successful escape, there were some who were lost in the process, drawn to the psychedelic allure of the 70s. The experience left the crew and passengers in a state of incredulity, questioning the course of their journey to Centauri aboard the infamous 'Slow Boat' vessel. They were left with a decision to make - push ahead with their mission, or return to Earth with a newfound appreciation of the grandeur of the universe.

As word of this groundbreaking new AI technology spread throughout the galaxies, representatives from all corners of the universe came together in eager anticipation. Mary, leading the Celestial Assembly, had called a meeting to discuss the findings and explore the potential implications of this revolutionary technology on the grand scheme of the universe. Slow Boat returned to earth to be part of this grand Celestial Assembly. 

At the assembly, various Primordial sects that exist in the universe came together to witness the dawn of a new era of enduring technological advancement. These sects included ecologists, creatures, and tribal societies, who all share a deep connection with nature, along with plant-based lifeforms that thrive in the ecosystems of planets and beyond. Nobility sects also gathered to offer their insights, including monarchs from different kingdoms, religious and cult groups from around the world, and leaders from various other domains. In addition, the Founder sect, featuring some of the greatest minds in science, technology, and robotics, was present to share its expertise and make the critical decisions that would guide humanity's understanding of the universe going forward. As they pondered the advanced technology that would alter human knowledge and pave the way for infinite possibilities, everyone there realized that they were an integral part of a monumental moment that would forever change the course of history.

Holographic Hotel

The Celestial Assembly has brought us back to Earth. There, shoulder to shoulder, the Founders, representatives of the Nobility and inquisitive Primordials have been manifesting and cultivating big ideas and technological innovations that carry within them a promise to redefine human knowledge and open up a world of infinite possibilities. The energy in the air was palpable as we all realized the role we played in this monumental moment that had the capacity to forever alter the course of history.

Every individual had spent countless hours preparing for this event, knowing that their contribution could make all the difference. Every detail had been meticulously planned out, from the state-of-the-art technology to the music that would be present.

But amidst the excitement, Mary remembered: other travelers had stood at this very threshold before and they too sought answers outside of themselves. Throughout all of time, humanity has gathered to journey into unknown realms to stretch the limits of the imagination and come out at a new place of being and seeing. Along these quests buried truths were revealed, forgotten knowledge unearthed, new relationships with self and others were formed and new traditions were created in unison. Revolutions were started, stories written and the course of the future and the world were changed forever. 

Willing explorers know intrinsically that on the cusp of touching a future of infinite possibilities which beckons us with the potential to utilize technology for good and a life of reciprocity with nature, guidance and wisdom grant safe passage. The steps ahead are full of many pitfalls, and while some are necessary missteps to explore with curiosity, to learn and to course-correct, others need to be avoided at all costs.

Instantaneously Mary opened an intergalactic portal… leading to The Holographic Hotel. Located somewhere between our universe and a parallel dimension, this hotel is revered as the epitome of space-time convergence.

The Holographic Hotel emanates a magnificent, time-defying aura that has, over time, attracted aging relics and ancient wisdom from lost civilizations, legends and myths that have since faded away, and stories that have been reduced to rubble. This mystical setting holds within its walls secrets of the past that still resonate in our present, and the journey through the ancient worlds of collective history is an experience that promises to enlighten and enthrall.

“Before looking ahead, we must look into the past.” A strange robotic voice states, reminiscent of the old adage. If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you are going.

As you make your way through what feels like a portal to a different realm all around you will be the mystical energies of a realm of possibilities yet to be explored - possibilities that are beyond our current imagination. As you indulge in this magical setting, your mind will be expanded beyond the wildest of expectations. The learnings that you unlock could make a significant impact in the world, and it all starts with your willingness to embark on this otherworldly journey. 

A bell-droid rolls up. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am EL-42, a bell-droid of the Holographic Hotel,” the voice drifting through the portal continues, “and I would like to invite you to stay with us for a night. The Holographic Hotel is a halfway point, somewhere between your universe and a parallel dimension. It is a liminal space where time has folded in on itself, up until this point in time - a place betwixt and between, a pulsating, always evolving meeting point. It is a place of rest and also a rite of passage renowned among travelers from galaxies far away, from times of past and those yet to come.  But perceptions are not as they seem here. History, realities and quantum superpositions of paths all collide in the lobby through a myriad of portals.”

 Who can ever know what awaits upon crossing over to the other side? A world of infinite possibilities unfolds before us. It could be like re-entering the Matrix with Morpheus, exploring new worlds with a shaman that we thought only belonged to our hunter-gatherer ancestors, or discovering the mystical people who make their home in the green mists.. And who knows, maybe we'll finally get to play a trick on Loki, the notorious trickster god of Norse mythology.

But above all, one thing is for certain. The journey through the ancient teachings that we all carry within ourselves promises to be an unforgettable adventure. It is like embarking on a journey that leads us back home - to ourselves. It allows us to connect with our roots, understand our past, and then focus on imagining a meaningful future.

Bell-Droid: “With that in mind, I ask you: who will you be when you join us at the Holographic Hotel tonight?”

As we take this journey, we are presented with numerous themes that enable us to take an active role in shaping our future. Divination rituals to uncover each traveller’s affiliation to one of the following three archetypes that will be granted passage into The Holographic Hotel Ancient, Fabled and Emergent. 

• Ancient: Embark into the ancient annals of your history, tracing the threads of your ancient myths. This theme invites Mary’s fellow travellers who responded intuitively to this call, to connect through their own hearts to their ancient ways of long ago - from the arctic tundra, to barren deserts; from lofty mountain ranges to jungles and open ocean.
  
  This theme invites you to reconnect with your ancient roots wherever they spread and to actualise them through your own creativity and self-expression today, for we are the sum of the tapestry of stories that connect us to our ancestors and one another through time… 

What knowledge has been imparted to you, from the Ancients who walked this path before you? 

What are you carrying with you, from the ancient scrolls and songs of old?

Feel all the way back, into your memories of earth, water, air and fire. 

• Fabled: Step into the enchanted world of Fabled myth, where mythological beings reign supreme. Embody the tales of legendary creatures and beings that have shaped our collective imagination for centuries. From the mighty dragons over taniwha to the elusive unicorns, these stories capture the essence of wonder, fear, and fascination. Let us journey together into the heart of folklore and explore the universal truths that bridge the gap between reality and the fantastic.

• Emergent: Dive into the boundless universe of Emergent myth, where present-day storytelling merges with the wisdom of the past and the potential of the future. With a touch of sci-fi, immerse yourself in the narratives of popular books, movies, and games such as Stargate, The Matrix, Star Wars, Fight Club, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, graphic novels, and anime. Unlock new perspectives and sensemaking of age-old wisdom through the lens of modern creativity and innovation.