Diary of Lisa Chan

Thursday, December 31, 1964

I was invited to a so-called New Years Eve party at the estate of one Magdalena Carter in the Hollywood Hills. Mrs. Carter lives in the Alden House, a place built decades ago by the famous architect, Frank LLoyd Wright. The house is interesting, incorporating elements of Mesoamerican architecture, and quasi-occult symbology engraved into the reinforced concrete. I could tell soon after entering that the ambient mana in the place was unusual.

I was driven to the party by a man named Holmes. Along the way we picked up an actress, Kit, whose connection to Mrs. Carter and the Prometheans I still can't figure. She seems entirely mundane in nature, with no real interest or knowledge in the occult. We were the first to arrive at the party. The house was beautiful, with exquisite grounds and interior design, and an amazing view of Los Angeles. The next guest to arrive was a man named Kuranes.

Kuranes struck me as a bit of an eccentric, but I like eccentrics. I later came to find out that he was a truly talented magician, with a command of a wide variety of incantations. I think it is unusual for one so young to be so skilled. I believe he is a prodigy, an up-and-coming master of the arcane. I hope to be able to learn a few things from him. Ever since my days with Wei in San Francisco, I have been without anyone to study with or learn from.

The next guests to arrive were Elaine Baxter and Jonathan Angel. Much like Kuranes, they seemed eccentric and in many ways lost in their own worlds. We did not do much mingling, to be honest. They kept to themselves, engaged with their gadgets. Elaine had a few cameras, one of which appeared very unusual, and was photographing everything in sight. I got the impression that she was not interested in the architecture, either. Jonathan had some sort of scientific instrument that he was using to... well, I don't really know what it was for. It was some kind of electronic device. Both Elaine and Jonathan have some paranormal gifts, but I do not believe they are schooled in magic. Jonathan exhibited an ability to sense things in time, both past and present.

It was not long after Elaine and Jonathan arrived that we had found ourselves in trouble. Kit left with her husband, Steven, as soon as he arrived with the scientist. She was upset about him for something, and we did not see them again that night. What did happen, though, was that Elaine found an old radio from the 1920s and started messing with it. I don't know why she did that, but suffice it so say, if she gets an idea in her head she acts on it. She does not seem like the type to wait around. It turns out the radio was not as it seemed, and housed an elaborate magical device. When Elaine turned the knobs, a thunderous sound boomed out, and the chatter of a thousand voices in a thousand languages reached my ears. It was nonsense as far as I could tell. Shortly thereafter, a more sinister voice spoke out, announcing that at last it had escaped and at last we would serve it. The sinister voice and the situation with the radio caused us more than a little distress. Elaine pulled a gun and shot the thing. All this did was make a hole in the radio.

It was at this point that the final guest arrived with a ring at the door. I answered, and looked up at the largest Indian man I had ever seen. His name was Jinda, and he was a quiet and reflective seeming fellow. I think he was about four times my size! He came inside and made immediately for the sandwiches at the bar (and kept going back for more).

Jonathan and Kuranes kept studying the radio. Through some means, Jonathan was able to discern a network of crystals embedded in the radio. Kuranes determined the crystals bore powerful enchantments, and after Kuranes and Jonathan studied the device further, they determined there was dangerous magic at work. Elaine ran outside for some reason and we heard another gunshot. We went to see what had happened, and found that the entire premises had been enclosed in a glowing purple dome, a magical barrier meant to prevent anything from passing. It was evidently bulletproof.

We went back in and set about finding a solution to our predicament. Kuranes analyzed the radio. Elaine worked on developing her photos, and I cooked some food for the seemingly insatiable Jinda (the various weapons hidden around the kitchen were an interesting decorating choice as well...). Kuranes determined the magic in the crystals was going to transport the entire house to another plane after about another hour or less. Elaine discovered via her photographs that there was a spirit housed in the painting of Calvin Alden that was watching us. Jinda was able to use his psychic powers to communicate with the spirit. He indicated to us that the device had been constructed by Xavier Hellestromme, a powerful mage who had been banished sometime ago, whose fate was unknown. It is entirely conceivable that he had been inadvertently freed by Elaine when she manipulated the radio. Whatever the case, we knew we had to figure out a way to halt the ensorcellment that was upon us.

After some deliberation, we decided to pool our strength and try to counter the plane shifting spell on the crystal. We came together in a magical ritual, and through an exhausting effort, we were able to destroy the spell. The magical barrier outside dissolved soon after, and we were clear. Holmes, who had been spending his time operating the manastat to assist us in our magicking, told us that we had been selected to be the New Prometheans, to work as investigators, troubleshooters, and general problem solvers for the Promethean Foundation. We all gladly accepted, and some of us even moved into the guest houses on the grounds adjacent to the Alden House. I chose the house next to the one where Kuranes was already staying. I look forward to learning more about the foundation, its history and resources, and to some fruitful study of magic, and I think this bunch could all use some home cooked meals.

Friday, January 1st, 1965

I have lived in America for over 30 years, but I still do not consider January 1st the New Year. It makes this whole time of year seem surreal to me, the way I am out of step with everyone else when it comes to having that feeling of starting along the cycle again, with new goals and hopes. For me, it's just the middle of the winter, though that only means so much in Los Angeles.

I started the day with a bicycle ride to the park, and a training session. Today I worked on some of the forms of Luohan Quan, one of the components of Five Ancestors Fist. I will admit that Luohan Quan is probably my weakest area. I started decades ago by studying Fujian White Crane, and have added the other four styles over the years: Da mo, Taizu Changquan, Monkey Fist, and lastly Luohan Quan. I am still by far the most adept at the Fujian White Crane, but in time I believe I will master all of the Five Ancestors Fist, as long as I maintain my studies.

After my morning training session and some breakfast, I got in touch with Holmes, who was kind enough to help me move my things from my efficiency in West Hollywood to the guesthouse at the Alden House. On the way back, we managed to find a few stores that were open, and I got a new leather jacket. If I'm going to be a Private Investigator, I will need to have some new wardrobe options, and I think a leather jacket is a nice addition. My new place is far more spacious, and I am excited to work with the Promethean Foundation, to collaborate with and learn from the talented people they have selected. It is actually quite an honor to have been invited to join them. I was told from a very early age, first by my parents and then by Wei, that I had great potential, with a strong connection to the arcane. It will be nice to finally put this to the test.

After moving in, I spent several hours on thaumatological studies and work, followed by another training session in the early evening, again focusing on Luohan Quan. I can see myself getting into a nice routine of training and study.

So, all in all, today was a lot less eventful than yesterday.

Saturday, January 2nd, 1965

Today was exhausting. I woke up early and took a bicycle ride around the hills, to familiarize myself with my the area around my new home. I found a park with a beautiful view of the city, and I stopped for a couple of hours of Da mo training. Da mo is the component of Five Ancestors Fist that teaches breathing exercises. In some ways, this is the most difficult. It requires great attention to form, and total focus on the moment.

I returned to my new home at midmorning, had a quick breakfast, and spent the rest of the day at work practicing my incantations. I lost track of time, and when I at last stopped, the Sun had already set. My energy was drained from the study, but I went ahead and got a light workout in. I did some cardiovascular conditioning, and went through a few taolu for Luohan Quan. I am going to sleep well tonight.

Sunday, January 3rd, 1965

Today was another exhausting day of magical training. Prior to commencing, I practiced some Monkey Fist in the yard and had some breakfast. With the magical effort that lay ahead of me, I did not feel like I had any time for a bicycle ride, so I just stayed on the grounds of the estate to train. For the rest of the day, about eight or nine hours, I was doing nothing but practice the motions and incantations of magic, breaking intermittently to meditate and breathe. I felt that it was important that I take this opportunity to practice before my work with the Promethean Foundation begins. Who knows what is in store for us, or when we'll next have time for study and improvement? Following my day of theumatological practice, I went through two complete Luohan Quan taolu, three times apiece. Tomorrow, Magdalena Carter returns from wherever she has been, and I and the others will commence our work. Things should get interesting...

Monday, January 4th, 1965

I am busy getting started learning Persian, but I feel that it is important that I document today's events for posterity. Today was the greatest day of my life. It started with a training session then breakfast with Magdalena Carter and my fellow Prometheans. We learned about a mansion in Pasadena that warranted investigation by the Promethean Foundation. It had been owned by a magician named Jacob Jansen since the '20s when he moved in, until January, 1964, when he passed away. He was survived by his wife, who passed some months after him. There were others with some connection to the property whose lives ended mysteriously, but after my great discovery, all of that seems inconsequential.

Jacob Jansen was rumored to be in possession of a Persian magical text called The Book of The Gates, though Mrs. Carter and others were skeptical. I think they were incorrect to doubt this, for I found this very tome in our exploration of the house in Pasadena. My discovery of this book may, in fact, be the most important turn of events in human history. It is clear that the late Mr. Jansen attempted to make use of it, but perhaps he was too much of a dabbler or charlatan to be able to use it properly. In fact, the house was haunted by a spiritual entity that he had inadvertently summoned. While it is a crime that he held the book for so long then locked it away to sit in a safe, unused, for nearly a year, it is fortunate that I came upon it when I did. Not only will I be able to return this entity in the house to its place of origin and rid our world of its dangerous presence, but I will be able to do so much more.

From what I have gathered in my studies thus far, this book is the most important development in the history of our entire planet. It contains the deepest, most complex secrets of the most powerful, far-reaching magic known in this or any universe. With it, I will be able to right all of the wrongs that plague our civilization, and hasten us toward greatness. Unfortunately for me and the rest of humankind, it is written in Persian, so I must first gain fluency in this language. This is a small hurdle, but a hurdle nonetheless, and I must focus all of my effort on mastering Persian so that I can begin to unlock the infinite benevolences kept within The Book of Gates.

I feel that I must bear the burden of using this book alone. Perhaps in due time I can call upon other mages to assist me, but to allow others direct access to The Book of The Gates would be a mistake. It is clear that I was destined to be the one to take possession of this book. Too many coincidences had to fall into place for it to be otherwise: I had to come from China to America, I had to run afoul of the Hells Angels in Oakland to end up in Los Angeles, I had to meet a student working on a grant from the Promethean Foundation, and I had to be sent on my very first task by them to this very house in Pasadena where this book had been awaiting me, after it had made an even longer, more circuitous journey across time and continents. All that said, I believe the others have a sense of the gravity surrounding the book. Elaine offered to pay for a Persian tutor to speed my learning. Deep down, she knows this book is the answer, and she senses that I must undertake this task. She is ready to do whatever it takes to see this through, and for now that means helping me understand it. I think her commitment and loyalty will be greatly rewarded by the blessings this book will bestow upon us.

Kuranes must also know the book is as important as it is. He, too, saw it sitting in the safe at Mr. Jansen's house. He, too, must feel how powerful it is, but he also knows it was meant for me. He did not try to take the book when we found it, and he has made no attempt to get in my way since I took it. He must be patient and be ready to do whatever I need him to when the time comes for me to put the book to use. Like Elaine, he too will share in the infinite benisons the book has in store for us and the rest of humankind. Truly, this is the beginning of a great revolution. Let it be known that January 4th, 1965 was the day humankind began its ascension through the miracles held in The Book of The Gates.

It remains to be seen what role the others will play in my quest to make use of The Book of the Gates. Perhaps destiny has sent them to be my assistants, or perhaps they are the pawns of forces that would oppose the enlightenment of humankind that the book offers. I will be wary, but I honestly cannot spend much time thinking about them. Whatever they are meant to do, it is insignificant compared to me understanding the book itself, so that is where my efforts will lie. Tomorrow and for the foreseeable future, I will be learning Persian. It is the first of many steps, and I must not hesitate or falter. I have heard that Persian is a difficult language, but no easy journey was ever worth taking, and there could be no more important or worthy journey than understanding everything held within The Book of The Gates.

Tuesday, January 5th, 1965

Today was a long day. I worked on deciphering The Book of the Gates as soon as I woke up, but I was repeatedly interrupted, first by Holmes and then by Elaine. They were overly concerned with me eating breakfast and just would not let it go. Apparently the apple I had was insufficient. Shortly after the interruptions, I was pulled away from my studies to return with the other Prometheans to the Pasadena Mystery House. I thought it would be a good idea to look around Mr. Jansen's study for more information about the book, so I agreed to the excursion. When we finally got around to loading up for the trip, I met Ryan Keaton, a scientist who has had a long association with Mrs. Carter and the foundation. They have known each other since the 1920s, though Keaton does not look much older than 30. He is a scientist, but there is clearly something magical about him as well. From what I have heard, he has had many encounters with mages and the occult, though he has no actual magical ability of his own. I can only surmise that his relentless studies of the arcane have rubbed off on him in some way.

We arrived at the house in the early afternoon, our sluggishness in getting there thanks to a truly horrific batch of traffic. I went straight to Mr. Jansen's study and looked over his notes. Kuranes went to the library and was busy looking around for something there. I don't know what. The only item of interest I found was a receipt for The Book of The Gates for $895. It did not specify where the receipt was from, but I knew that Jonathan could figure that out. I went to find him with the others in the observatory, but I did not broach the subject of the receipt with him. I planned to wait until we were back at the Alden House to get him to investigate its origin. Regardless, I think the $895 price tag was an incredible bargain. Despite his chicanery and buffoonery, at least Mr. Jansen was able to identify a great deal when he saw it.

The others were busy wasting time in the observatory. They were insistent upon communicating with the entity there again. I did not see the point; we know that it wants to go home, and I know how to send it there, but they just would not listen. They were also doing some scientific analysis on the magical device the observatory housed, some sort of gate-opening telescope. I did notice some Persian inscriptions along the dials of the device, and I'm sure its design was a product of Mr. Jansen's study of The Book of The Gates. That said, such things are unnecessary to conduct magic for someone who has training, so the device was only of passing interest to me. Maybe it would be useful, and maybe not. After they had squandered the bulk of the afternoon tinkering about and needlessly brainstorming, I finally convinced them that the best course of action was for us to return to the Alden House and let me get started unlocking the secrets contained in the book. We headed back.

Just as I was about to take Jonathan aside to get him to examine the receipt, he realized that there had been a secret government agent watching the Mystery House. He suspected that a man he saw near the premises was with the Office of Scientific Intelligence. It was a little unsettling to hear that the OSI was interested in the house, because I just knew this was not going to end well. This agency may have been responsible for the disappearance of a previous team of Prometheans years ago, and Mrs. Carter considered them something of an adversary to the Promethean Foundation. We all mostly agreed that we should go back to the Mystery House and try to prevent them from ruining the place and taking everything there that might end up being of value. I also felt that the entity in the observatory would pose a serious threat to their lives. I do not know these OSI agents, but even gifted, well-trained people could easily be overcome by the Mind of the Mystery House. I wanted to prevent a fate worse than a few bruised ribs from happening to these people, if I could.

When we arrived, we snuck through the house and found an agent in the observatory. He used psychic powers to obfuscate himself from us, and to attack our minds. It seemed that we were in a dire fight, but after we subdued him we all realized he was actually a really good guy and did not pose a threat. I didn't think he posed a threat to the entity, either. I believed he and his team would find a way to do what's best for the entity and for the people of the United States. We still decided to take most of the paintings by Austin Spare that Mr. Jansen had collected. They were made with magical paints, and could contain secrets or powers that we cannot yet discern. I doubt they are of any great importance or that they will be of any help in my study of The Book of The Gates, but it is possible that Mr. Jansen collected them for a good reason, and that the reason is related to the book.

We left and returned to the Alden House. I am not sure what to think about our encounter with this OSI agent. I think the agent himself is a good, well-meaning man, but I cannot be so sure about his bosses or colleagues. I have gotten mixed reports about the OSI, and Jonathan in particular seems to have little good to say about them. As long as they do not try to interfere with my study of The Book of The Gates, then I don't see what harm they pose.