Long Version (first episode) - second person ("you")
(Sound of feet walking on dirt or snow and then stopping. Sound of wind and city bustling sounds)
You have come to the Wizard's Tower.
It rises high above the roar and din of the city, yet it also exists deep within the enchanted forest. It is a place that exists in many realms at once—within this world, yet outside of it.
You’ve come here on your quest, for you were told that here you may find guidance, secrets, clues, and answers.
You arrive road-worn, cloak heavy with dust, boots carrying the earth of many lands.
You knock three times upon the old wooden door, (three knocks) and whisper the password you were given: “Ex tenebris lux”
The lock clicks, the door opens, (sound of door opening) and you step into the darkness within. (door closes with a loud final sound and echos in the silence- and silence falls)
You find yourself in a large, dark stone tower. Before you is a spiral staircase that leads both up and down.
You see that the stairs descending below open into a subterranean alchemy laboratory, crowded with many strange chemical apparatus. An athanor burns hot and an alembic holds a substance being distilled above a soft flame. (faint sound of laboratory)
As you move to ascend the stairs you notice before the first step a tarnished, broken crown lying half-forgotten upon the floor.
As instructed, you then begin to climb the stair toward a light that shines far above. (sound of walking up stairs)
As you climb, you pass many chambers, each one different from the next.
You pass a chamber where a sword and a royal blue shield marked with a golden lion lean against the wall.
But you pass by and keep rising. From the stairwell, you look out a narrow window and see a moonlit garden where roses grow around two ancient trees.
The next chamber is supported by two great pillars, one white, one black; around one coils a a serpent, while upon a nearby workbench lie an old compass and mason’s square along with other building tools beside a rough block of pale stone.
You climb past a library, its towering shelves disappearing into shadow beneath the weight of countless books. In a narrow alcove a large tome lies closed upon a stone lectern, bound in black leather and fastened with seven brass seals.
You keep ascending and see a Temple with frankincense drifting from its altar and before it a golden chest borne upon long poles. Two winged beings kneel upon its lid, their wings arched inward to form an empty space between them. (a single distant bell)
You pass a great standing mirror, its glass hidden beneath a heavy white veil. The cloth stirs, though there is no wind.
You climb beyond a chamber where various musical instruments hang upon the walls. A lute rests upon a chair, and faint music still echoes in the air.
You keep rising and behold a small Oratory, where above a simple kneeling place hangs a single lamp and a plain cross, with a red rose blooming at its center. (very faint gregorian chant)
At the entrance is a small cloister where clear water wells from a silver chalice set upon an old stone pedestal. The water overflows the cup and falls into a shallow basin. (sound of a soft fountain) A sudden deep thirst rises in you—yet still you climb.
You continue on and come upon a closed ancient oak door fastened with an ornate lock.
As you climb you see upon the wall of the stairwell a faded tapestry showing a blackened bird consumed in flame, passing through many colors before rising golden beneath a radiant sun.
Moving higher still, through a great doorway at the end of a side hall, you glimpse an empty throne, sitting in shadow in a vast and silent chamber — and beside it, upon a plain wooden table, rests a luminous crown. (high sound bowl tone)
You ascend to the top of the stair, where a small lantern hangs from the ceiling. Beyond it, a final flight leads to a rooftop observatory open to the heavens, where a great telescope points toward the starry sky and various star charts and an astrolabe lay upon the table beside it.
But you turn aside to approach the final chamber. There, a small, simple wooden door stands partway open and light spills out into the landing. You push it gently and enter the study of the Wizard. (sound of wooden door creaking open)
(sound of fire)
The circular room is warm and alive with the flicker of firelight. A simple wooden desk stands before the hearth; two chairs wait beside it. The desk is strewn with open books, rolled scrolls, maps, and scraps of parchment covered in notes, diagrams, and lines of verse; around it rise shelves holding Scripture, grimoires, books of alchemy and astronomy, histories of lost kingdoms, poetry, and tales of knights and kings. Upon a small table rests a spread of painted cards—figures of kings, queens, a fool, angels, and a turning wheel — beside a polished black mirror and several stoppered bottles containing tinctures of various colors. Behind the desk, a circle has been drawn upon the stone floor, beside it lies a smaller triangle surrounded with words written in an unknown tongue. Upon the wall hangs a tapestry of ten shining spheres joined by many golden paths; above the mantle, a hexagram has been set into the stone. Upon the mantle, an old key, a weathered map, and an antique compass lie near a human skull and a narrow hourglass whose sand softly falls. A carved staff, a cloak, and well-worn boots wait near the door. Beneath the open window rests a lute. Beyond it, stars scatter across the night, and a raven sits silently upon the sill.
The old Wizard sits at his desk, writing in flowing script across the pages of a great book lying open before him. (sound of quill scratching on parchment) He does not look up, but gestures with his off hand toward the chair beside the fire.
He completes the passage, and sets down his pen. From your chair you can read the last part: “…and the Prince, halfway along his life’s path, found his way at last to the Tower. And so the true journey began.”
The Wizard rises, uncorks a bottle, and pours two goblets of blood-red wine. (sound of uncorking, pouring) He hands you one, then takes the seat beside you before the fire. (sitting in a chair sound)
The Wizard closes his eyes and bows his head, holding the cup in front of his mouth with both hands, before taking a slow drink. You drink as well, and the elixir stirs your spirit.
Together you gaze silently into the flames. (fire sound increases) The stillness of the night deepens and the world outside falls away.
At last the Wizard turns, and his eyes meet yours. They are a deep blue, and within them burns an ancient light.
“Welcome, traveler. I knew you must eventually find your way here…”
He silently raises his cup…
"Now — let us begin." (Fire persists and then fades out)
(MUSIC INTRO - Fortune My Foe by John Dowland)
<Begin intro episode proper>
Long Version (first episode) - third person narrator
Way of the Wizard — Episode 0: The Wizard's Tower
The Wanderer has come to the Wizard's Tower.
A spire rising high above the east wing of the castle, the castle itself nestled deep in the mists of the mountain — and yet hidden in plain sight even within the roar and din of the city, though few who pass below ever think to look up, and see it.
He is road-worn and weary, having wandered a long path to find this place. His cloak is wet with rain wrapped around him to keep the cold at bay, his boots heavy with mud.
He knocks three times, softly, upon the old wooden door, and whispers the password he was given: In principio erat Verbum.
The door opens. He steps into the darkness within.
Past the subterranean alchemy lab, where something turns slowly in a sealed vessel and the air hangs heavy with sulphur and cold earth, he begins to climb the spiral stair, toward a light that shines far above.
He passes the dojo, where a sword and a shield bearing a golden lion wait upon the wall.
He passes the Temple, frankincense drifting from its altar.
He passes the library, its shelves rising up into shadow, weighed with old tomes.
And there, at the turning of the stair, he passes the Oratory — a small bare chapel, a single lamp, and upon a plain cross, one red rose blooming at its center.
He passes the music chamber, where a lute rests upon a chair, and a faint music still echoes in the air
Higher now: through a great doorway down a side hall, he glimpses an empty Throne, enthroned in shadow in a vast and silent chamber — and beside it, upon a plain wooden table, a luminous crown.
He passes a closed door, fastened with an ancient and ornate lock.
He passes the observatory, open to the heavens, a telescope and the charts of the turning stars.
And at last he comes to the top of the stair, to a small and simple wooden door standing partway open. He pushes it, and enters the study of the Wizard.
An astrolabe and an armillary upon the sill; charts pinned and curling; a globe; a skull set among the candles; a staff leaning in the corner; sealing wax; a crystal that catches the firelight, and a deep red stone that seems to pulse with the light reflected within it. A raven sits perched by the window.
Through the window opening a clear and mystic night, the stars blazing bright. Moonlight falls into the round room and mingles with the small, warm fire.
The old Wizard sits at his desk, writing in flowing script across the pages of a great book lying open before him. He does not look up, but gestures with his off hand toward the chair beside the fire. He finishes the passage, and sets down his pen.
"...and the prince, who had long wandered came at the middle of his life’s journey to the tower in the midst of the deep dark forest.”
The Wizard uncorks an aged bottle, pours, and offers a goblet of blood-red wine. He takes the chair beside the Wanderer, before the fire. They drink, and the warmth stirs the spirit.
He says nothing.
Together they gaze into the flames. The stillness of the night deepens. The world outside falls away.
At last the Wizard turns, and his eyes meet the Wanderer's. They are a dark and oceanic blue, and within them burns an ancient light — and the Wanderer sees there sorrow and joy, light and darkness, and all of life reflected, as in a deep still water.
And the Wizard says:
"Welcome. I was wondering when you would find your way here..."
He lifts the chalice, and takes a slow sip.
"Now — let us begin."
ALTERNATE IDEAS
(or lights his pipe and inhales the smoke and then blows out a long breath. The smoke billows out and twists and turns as it rises up to the ceiling, and he thought he almost saw letters, words, and shapes forming and dissolving...)
(You don’t know how the conversation started, but one of you started talking and the story has already begun…)
“In principio erat Verbum.”
(Or “ad rosam per crucem” or “Rex quondam rexque futurus”, “ora et labora”, “Ex tenebris lux”, “VITRIOL”)
——
(SOUNDS) footsteps on city street knock door opening and closing walking up stairs crackling fire wine uncork, liquid pouring sitting in a chair sound of summer insects at night owl hooting, wind blowing, rain falling, etc…
You sit by the fire, through the tower’s window you see the starlit night and the silvery moonlight entering the chamber. He says nothing, yet his ancient blue eyes look softly into yours, and you know there are no secrets, and in those eyes is reflected The Great Mystery itself…. You have come seeking occult knowledge and esoteric wisdom. You have come to explore the mysteries and in your quest to drink from the holy grail to heal the kingdom and attain salvation of your soul…
Short Version
You have come (again) to the door of the Wizard’s Tower… You knock and whisper the secret password: (whisper) Ad Rosam per crucem. The door yields; you step into darkness.
You pass the subterranean alchemy lab and climb the spiral stair— past a library of old tomes, past a temple where frankincense rises. At the peak, beneath the observatory, a small door glows warm.
You enter the study. He looks up from a great book—expecting you. Ancient eyes meet yours;
You have come for …. He pours a goblet of blood-red wine and takes the seat beside you. You sip; warmth stirs your spirit. The world outside disappears. Without knowing when it began, one of you speaks— and the story is already underway.
Passwords:
- “Ars Regia et Scientia Divina”
- Liber librum aperit
- Whom does the Grail serve?
- Lux e Tenebris
- Sub Rosa Crucis, in Arcano
- “Fiat Lux” (“Let there be Light”)
- “In principio erat Verbum”
- “Per Aspera ad Astra” (“Through hardships to the stars”)
- “De Profundis ad Lucem” (“From the depths to the Light”)
- “Solve et Coagula” (“Dissolve and Coagulate”)
- “As Above, So Below” (English) or “Quod est superius est sicut quod inferius” (Latin)
- “Veniat Regnum Tuum” (“Thy Kingdom Come”)
- “Ego Sum Via, Veritas, et Vita” (“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”)
- “Ad Lucem per Tenebras” (“To the Light through Darkness”)
Wizard’s Activities
- tending a vessel at the athanor. F
- turning an empty cup in the firelight
- pulling a volume from the shelf.
- sitting in meditation
- writing in a great big book
- gazing into a polished black mirror,
- playing the lute
- consulting an ancient tome
- gazing through the telescope….
- writing,
- gazing into scrying mirror, stone - gazing into a polished black mirror,
- playing lute
- Meditating
- Looking at tarot cards/spread
- Telescope
- alchemical vial
- reading an ancient tome of lore
- consulting the I-ching,
Gift to the listener:
- a goblet of wine
- a page torn from the Book
- a clear crystal ·
- a sealed envelope.
- …….
Weather outside:
- rain ticking on leaded glass
- wind around the eaves
- quiet snowfall
- ⁃ summer crickets.
Farewells
- We shall meet again
- And so, the road goes on
- And the Work continues.
Other possible Main intros
- climbing the wizard’s tower and sitting with the wizard in his study to talk, or going down into the alchemist laboratory, or up to the astronomy tower
- Meeting The holy grail knight on the road, at his campfire, at the crossroads, or at a simple country chapel, at a roadside inn, etc.
- Sitting with the spiritual master in the monestary garden, at the meeting house of the disciples, in the simple dark nightime cell with a single candle burning… etc…
- Coming to talk with the Wise King in his chambers, at the warrom table, in the throne room, ….
-
You have come to the Wizard’s Tower. ( The Wanderer has come to the Wizard’s Tower.)
A spire, hidden in plain sight within the roar and din of the city, rising within the deep wild forest, nestled into the misty mountain, and rising far above the East wing of the castle, ….
The traveler is road-worn, weary, having wandered a long way, having lost or forgotten something they can't name.
You knock softly three times on the old wooden door and whisper the secret password you were given: “Ad Rosam per crucem”
The door opens and you step into the darkness within. You pass by the subterranean alchemy lab and then ascend the spiral staircase towards the light shining far above As you walk, you pass by many different rooms, each unlike the others Past the dojo,a sword, a shield bearing a device. the magical temple, with frankincense wafting from the altar… the library with shelves full of old texts and tomes, the Oratory - A small bare chapel: a cross with a single red rose at it’s center, a single lamp, the music chamber, Glimpsed down a side hall and through a great doorway, an empty throne sits in a large chamber… A closed door with an ancient ornate lock…. the observatory with a telescope and sky charts,…
Finally you come to the room at the top of the stairs and to the small simple wooden door. The door is partway open, and you push it and enter within. You enter into the study of the Wizard
He bids you enter, for he has been expecting you. The old Wizard sits at the desk, writing in a flowing script in the large book laying open in front of him. He does not look up and keeps on writing, Yet gestures with his off hand for you to take the seat by the fireplace. He finishes the passage and puts down his pen.
You gaze out the nearby window opening of the castle wall and you see a clear mystic night and the stars blazing bright. Moonlight shines into the circular room and merges with the light of the small, warm fire.
The Wizard uncorks an aged bottle and pours and then hands you a goblet of blood-red wine. and then takes the chair beside you in front of the fire You take a sip, its warmth stirring your spirit. He says nothing, yet his blue eyes look softly into yours, and you know there are no secrets, and in those eyes is reflected …..The Great Mystery
You both gaze into the flames, the stillness of the night deepens, and the world outside disappears.
He says “Welcome, I was wondering when you would eventually find your way here…”
“Now, let us begin…”
(You don’t know how the conversation started, but one of you started talking and the story has already begun…)