{"title":"Agharta Collection","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"agharta-aftershave-cologne-part-3-of-the-agharta-trilogy","title":"AGHARTA Aftershave\/Cologne | Part 3 of the AGHARTA Trilogy | Distinctive, Bold \u0026 Adventurous!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_large.jpg?12298592709528216483\" alt=\"AGHARTA\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eFirst and foremost, for those who just want the straight notes of AGHARTA, behold: Talc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind the Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003e[Our Story Begins Below]\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all PAA's unique Aftershave\/Colognes you will find nothing but the best ingredients inside every bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eINGREDIENTS: Alcohol, Rose Water, Essential Oils \u0026amp; Resins Glycerin, Hedione, Seaweed Extract, Aloe Vera\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCheck out our entire \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/search?q=AGHARTA**\u0026amp;type=product\" title=\"AGHARTA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAGHARTA Line ========\u0026gt; HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eNow for those who are fans of our trilogy soaps, this is for you! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eRead on...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis my friends has been a long time coming, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAGHARTA.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e The final installment of our recent trilogy and what an adventure it's been. For those that follow what we do here, you know PAA is more than about just shaving, but about an experience. Maybe a shave happening in our own unique PAA universe or your own shave realm\/dreamscape pieced together by stimulating all the senses. I hope that opening up a new jar of our suds or aftershave is like walking into a movie theater as the lights begin to dim, or discovering lost treasure, or listening to a vinyl record and following along with the liner notes. \u003cem\u003eI know it is for me!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eSoapmaking for me doesn't just end when the soap is cured. There's the story, the label design, the photos and artwork chosen to tell the tale, the research, the scent research and how they work with each other, the dry erase board, the clippings, sometimes even the travel. (Remember I'm the guy who drove to Roswell, New Mexico just to release a soap!) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis approach, if you want to call it that, seems to confuse some, especially those that really are not paying attention. They see maybe bits and pieces, flashes and confuse it for something that it's not. With their mouths always full with critique they really never have a chance to hear what's being said. Which often says more about them than us. Often I am reminded of \u003cem\u003eFlatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions\u003c\/em\u003e by Edwin Abbott, where the denizens of Flatland are so fast to demonize, fear or despise something so quickly without understanding what they are actually seeing, \u003cem\u003eho hum.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eIf it was all just about money, I would just make soap and save myself some heartache. This is what we do, maybe it's a tad eccentric, maybe it's art, but it certainly drives me day in and out and I am very grateful to be able to do what I do; pouring all my interests and passions into one cup. I wish that everyone could sip from a similar cup! So thank you again to those that \u003cem\u003e\"get it\"\u003c\/em\u003e and have stuck with us...\u003cem\u003eBut I digress. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AGHARTA Trilogy, AKA: The Shaver Mystery is what I believe to be our most epic yet! Not only do all three soaps thematically work in unison to tell pieces of the ongoing saga, but the scents are also interchangeable! Meaning, they compliment each other opening up a truly creative mix and match experience! So get creative with them in your daily combinations!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow for a little background. I am a huge fan of adventure, fantasy and sci-fi...I geek out to it, hard. The more obscure the better. One of my favorite authors and not too well known to most is\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_Sharpe_Shaver\" title=\"Richard Shaver\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRichard Sharp Shaver\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cem\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/em\u003e The man was either a genius or completely out of his mind! I was first introduced to him in my early teens by my best friends older brother. (Who would have guessed I would be a Sharp Shaver myself some day. T\u003cem\u003ehere is no such thing as coincidence.\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis outrageous and sometimes perverse tales of the inner earth colored my adolescent mind and probably not for the better. The fantastical worlds he created were a well spring of endless possibility. What made these stories all the richer (pun intended) was that he believed them to be true!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI won't take up space with a bio on Mr Shaver but I encourage you all to look him up, absolute madness of the wunder kind! So I refer to this trilogy as The Shaver Mystery in an homage and in hopes of at least one person \u003cem\u003e\"getting it\"\u003c\/em\u003e...but not holding my breath! :)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat said, that was my introduction to the concept of the hollow earth. From that point on it was always of interest to me be it fiction or theory, i ate it all up and continue to do so finding new material on the subject or revisiting the classics. Note, I am not admitting to subscribe to such a belief but in reverie I do often entertain the possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUp until this point, the trilogy has only really been cryptically told in images and prosaic fragments from the prior 2 releases:\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/high-jump-47-epic-artisan-shave-soap-classic-masculine-scent\" title=\"High Jump 47 Artisan Shave Soap\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh Jump 47\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/strange-island-epic-artisan-shave-soap-sage-lavender-copaiba-balsam\" title=\"Strange Island ARtisan Shave Soap\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrange Island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. If you are just tuning in, I suggest you read those two sales pages first and in order. Please approach them with a willing suspension of disbelief. Maybe fill in the blanks with your own whimsical additions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeck, you could even go back to last years Harvest Moon Trilogy and start there! That was \u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/dixie-aftershave-cologne-contains-aloe-carrot-extract-liquid-silk-hedione-more\" title=\"Dixie Aftershave Cologne\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDixie\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/the-wow-signal-aftershave-cologne-w-alum-aloe-liquid-silk-more-3-5-oz\" title=\"The Wow Signal! Aftershave Cologne\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe WOW Signal\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand finally \u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/harvest-moon-artisan-shaving-soap-seasonal-4oz\" title=\"Harvest Moon Artisan Shave Soap\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHarvest Moon\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/limited-edition-steeplechase-sport-crown-king-kokum-butter-artisan-shave-soap-4oz\" title=\"Steeple Chase ARtisan Shave Soap\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSteeplechase\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e was also an offshoot of the story as was Ciderhouse 5, supplemental if you will. Much like \u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/cold-spices-3-0-artisan-shave-soap-lightly-mentholated\" title=\"Cold Spices Artisan Shave Soap\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCold Spices\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is a supplemental part of \u003cem\u003ethis\u003c\/em\u003e trilogy. Most of my labels are telling some kind of tale and are created for those with eyes to see, sort to speak. I consider them pillars holding up the PAA Universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut I digress yet again, \u003cem\u003epardon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow we get to AGHARTA, the journey is over. Up until this point AGHARTA too was propelled by visual snippets and lyrical fragments but from here on in I subconsciously, it would seem, decided to take a more traditional approach, a scent description that accidentally turned into possibly a novella. Sigh, this is so typical for me, nothing is ever simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really did just set out to write, \u003cem\u003eI swear\u003c\/em\u003e, another fragmental description of the scent and the scene. This was around 7 o'clock pm last night and lasted till about 10 pm. I awoke today and was back at it sporadically throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really wanted folks to be able to climb into the story with me and see what I was seeing when pushing and pulling at all these things and concepts; conspiracy, scent; painting with smell, mystery, soapmaking, adventure, label and artwork design, Douglas Smythe, and all that jazz. I really owe it to the lot of you that have been patient enough to play\/follow along and even do some digging yourselves, bravo!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a whole wacky world out there still and I do belief there is much more to be discovered under our oceans, on land, deep in the jungles, in my labels (!) and as you may have guessed by now, underneath our feet! I want you to keep that excitement you feel welling up inside you as you read these words, it's infectious and should be shared and applied to your everyday life, it's okay to be a grown up kid and it's ok to geek out on soap, you already know that much. Be kind to each other and now lets begin our race of Good vs Evil, shall we?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSPECIAL THANKS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e to the staff and rangers of Kartchner Caverns, AZ! I can only imagine what you were thinking when we barged in dressed for a journey to the center of the earth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Agharta_Journey_1_Color_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003cb\u003eMay 2016 - Deep Underground\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"VRIL!\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas woke up kicking and screaming in cold sweats, nearly rolling himself out of his makeshift tent. Another hauntingly real nightmare that faded just as fast as it came on. In vain he tried to grasp at the fleeting images that playfully flitted in the dim atmosphere around his bed roll. In his dream they were being pursued, for what he did not know and by whom he could not see? \u003ci\u003eNo one could possibly know they were here.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eLooking around at the darkness that engulfed him and his small, sleeping band of \"would be\" explorers. \u003ci\u003eWould be\u003c\/i\u003e meaning: if they weren't lost they \u003ci\u003ewould be \u003c\/i\u003eexploring. It had already been over a month now of trekking through these mysterious ancient tunnels, getting nowhere, and almost a year since this whole misadventure began...\u003ci\u003eand how did it begin?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 2015\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eHome after 3 weeks of traveling for work he could finally sit down, just sit, nothing more except, maybe stare at \u003ci\u003enothing\u003c\/i\u003e, completely zone out. Maybe gaze at a door knob for a few hours, anything as long as it was mindless and \u003ci\u003eun-thought-provoking.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eIt had been go, go, go since the moment he boarded the plane out of Phoenix, nonstop wet shaving action! But now he needed to process it all, call his family, make a quick meal, unpack, pour himself a much needed drink and maybe pay some bills. Motivated by that last thought, he picked through the pile of mail that was spilling out of the drop slot of his front door in an arch; suspended animation. He should have had the post office hold it for him. He made a mental note for next time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThere were a few women's catalogs for Fran, loads of junk mail for both of them and some random letters. Douglas Smythe was a huge fan of a good old fashioned handwritten letter, though his handwriting, if you could even define it as such, was that of a 3rd grader’s, simply put, \u003ci\u003eatrocious\u003c\/i\u003e. He knew this and it seemed not to bother him, if it did, he never let on. It did bother a few of his \"pen pals\" however but being who they are, \u003ci\u003ekind\u003c\/i\u003e, they never mentioned it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eHe separated the junk from the obvious epistolaries and headed towards the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal. Over this sad little \u003ci\u003edinner\u003c\/i\u003e he picked through the letters and began to place them in the order he would read them in. He discovered among them six that did not contain return addresses and in a script he did not recognize, possibly written in pen and ink? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eTypically he would insert his prized antique letter opener into the upper right corner of the flap and slice the envelope open, but he was not at his desk. He could get up and improvise with a butter knife, but moving more than he had to was out of the question. So uncharacteristically, he gently peeled open the letter as one does when given a wrapped gift by a stranger or a new friend, so as not to come off like the impatient beast we all are. The envelope seemed very old and opened quite easily. Inside were two pages folded twice and yellowed with age, they looked to have been torn from a diary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\"What the hell?\" Doug said out loud becoming interested. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eConfused he turned the envelope over again and checked the date stamp, 1947, “\u003ci\u003eRight” \u003c\/i\u003ehe thought. Underneath the faded ink, a single 15 cent Airmail stamp was affixed to the corner. It didn't make sense. He then delicately unfolded the brittle pages and began to read what appeared to be journal entries from one \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAdmiral Richard E. Byrd\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eEach envelope contained more of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ejournal entries\u003c\/span\u003e, entries that seemed to border on the incoherent ramblings of a man gone mad! When Doug was done reading and rereading the journal he looked at the clock, it was now 1:46 am.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn, I wanted to be in bed and in a deep coma by now.\" he mumbled scoldingly, and then, poured himself a drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eBut he suspected he was onto something big and digging into the details while physically and mentally exhausting, was always worth it, and maybe added a little more \u003ci\u003ewoo woo\u003c\/i\u003e to it all, at least at this hour. The entries not only described a strange ancient world seemingly beneath our very feet but also referenced a map. A map that contained detailed instructions, and locations of entrance ways all over the globe, but most importantly, a direct route to the mythical, inner earth city of AGHARTA. \u003ci\u003eOf course, there was no map included. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eHad to be a joke he thought. He finished his gin and tonic and then with a sly smirk, he mixed another and stirred it with his finger. Fran, his girlfriend and partner in crime, had been away visiting with some old college friends on the East Coast. It suddenly became clear they were obviously playing some sort of trick on him, and in his, by now, over exhausted state, had been sucked into their clever prank. She would be home in a few days and he would confront her then. For now, he reinserted the silly, probably tea stained parchments, back into their rightful envelopes. In doing so he noticed something odd. A strange pattern on the inside of the enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eAfter carefully prying it open and flattening the false envelope on the table, it was clear this was a portion of an antiquated, hand drawn map. In a few minutes and with great anticipation, he laid all six pieces out before him on the coffee table. \u003ci\u003eIt was a puzzle! \u003c\/i\u003eHe hated puzzles, ever since he was little. He always felt like he was putting together something that someone else took apart\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e Cleaning up someone else's mess never appealed to him. But this time it was different, he was part of something, seeing something through, part of an epic tale that was still being told. Besides, it was only six pieces, hard to screw up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn it, where'd I put the scotch tape?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eAlmost 12 months later Douglas and a rather skeptical Fran were making their way around the Superstition Mountains, East of Phoenix, Arizona. A truly spooky place and home to the myth of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Lost Dutchman's Mine\u003c\/span\u003e or so the story goes. Not as well known, Geronimo was said to have secret subterranean tunnels in and all around this place also. Tunnels that crisscrossed over into Mexico as well as other nearby states. Apaches would be seen in the Superstitions one minute and then suddenly, they’d disappear only then to re-surface a day later and miles or even states away! At the time this was considered great magic but over the years it came down that this was done through access to ancient tunnel systems that had been in place long before the Native Americans discovered them and put them to use confounding the white man.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eWith map in hand, Douglas and Fran found the entrance to what the Hopi called the underworld, home to the Ant People and what Admiral Byrd referred to as the Inner Earth. Rather than an immediate great expanse it was more of a corridor between two worlds and it would seem they had many, many miles to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e                           \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e               \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e                \u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Maria_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 1935\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eA world away and many years before in Berlin,\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMaria Orsic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e head medium of the newly reestablished Vril Society stares out the window of the grand dining room of a Gothic era manor. The Vril Society combined ancient pagan and Eastern religion with modern occult and Nazi ideology. As in the days of old when great leaders and common folk would travel many miles to consult the oracles of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDelphi\u003c\/span\u003e so were the mediums of the Vril society used. But unlike in those days of old the common \u003ci\u003evolk\u003c\/i\u003e or people, were not welcome. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eMany high ranking members of the Nazi party were secretly passing in and out of the doors of this new\/old black church. \u003c\/span\u003eThe mediums used were all women with long, natural hair, unlike the popular short style of the time. It was believed the length of the hair functioned like a cosmic or psychic antenna. Antennae that would aid them in communication with the dead, the unborn and even aliens. Being the head seer Maria Orsic had it good, to a certain extent, in fact once removed, she was running the country. Aside from the most powerful woman in Germany she was also considered possibly, the most beautiful, a fact she knew well and put to good use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                                           \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBorn on Hallow's Eve\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eEver since she was a young girl she knew she was different, she learned very quickly that she could see and feel things few others could. She had very few friends growing up her own age, those that were, were often ghosts from other times and usually, other places. She was also a rather bright girl and this was recognized in her by a new teacher from her village that took a special interest in her. He was a very worldly man who wore a red moustache and was rumored to practice alchemy by the old women of the town. He went by the name \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHerr Germain\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eEven when she was off to study at university, a great privilege for a woman back then, especially of such common stock, Herr Germain kept her under his tutelage visiting her at night with sacred texts. As tradition would dictate, these occult lessons lasted only as long as a candle would burn. However soon was g\u003c\/span\u003eone the curious little girl trying to control the strange unruly forces that flowed through her. She had become by now, a cold, cunning, beautiful and ambitious young woman. She seemed to favor dabbling more on the darker side of the craft than on the light. So much so, even Herr Germaine felt uncomfortable around her. It would seem he had created a monster, and with this in his mind he confronted her one evening before her studies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eNo one really knows what happened to the mystical scholar after that night. Maybe he left the city, maybe he took flight, but he was gone and she was now unstoppable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eLike a shooting star she shot in and out of certain influential social and political circles...\u003ci\u003eshe had a gift.\u003c\/i\u003e She was of great use to many of the rich and powerful around Austria and Germany. When is the best day to travel? Who do the stars recommend I marry? When do I sell? When do I buy? When do we overthrow the standing government? When do we ring in the new vision? She was very successful in the \"advice\" she administered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIn many an ancient manuscript she would see the word Vril, an easy to overlook word that sounded nonsensical to most, but magical to those with ears to hear. The first time she heard the word Vril was in a conversation at a party in Vienna. A young, driven man with a hacking cough and a dark look in his eyes brought it up. He was speaking of a book he had read not long before, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Coming Race\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Fantastic stuff, pure science fiction and easy to forget, \u003ci\u003ebut she didn't (and nor did he).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eNow 8 years later she was running and shaping the Vril Society, not to mention the destiny of the country. Vril was real, Vril was obtainable, Vril would mean endless power for her and the fatherland. \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Spear of Destiny\u003c\/span\u003e was already in their possession and other powerful relics were being discovered around the world everyday by their stormtroopers. But if they could attain Vril, and if the legends were true, she could amplify her powers by 10 fold. She knew where it was, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAGHARTA\u003c\/span\u003e, but getting to the fabled land was proving much more of a task than the Great Mistress Orsic was used to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThen one day while \u003ci\u003escrying\u003c\/i\u003e she saw a foggy figure in a pith helmet, mispronouncing German words and waving a map. Who was this and from what time was he from? He was clearly American she could tell that much by the body language even before he spoke a lick of his native tongue. But anymore detail was vague and fading fast. The practice of scrying or looking into a mirror, bowl of water, or pretty much anything reflective, was not an exact science and a lot was left to interpretation, \u003ci\u003eunless you really knew what to look for.\u003c\/i\u003e Before long the scene before her dissipated but she would try to revisit this specter again later and learn more when her head was clearer. This was the closest she had come to obtaining what in her mind was her magical birthright. Her whole life up until now had been just preparation for the journey she knew she was about to embark upon. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                               *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eIt had been days of endless hiking and snacking in between meals for Fran and Doug. The caverns were truly an archeologists dream; cave art from all throughout the ages adorned the walls and relics and ruins of all kinds and from all cultures littered their path. It was always exciting to stumble upon something new and always a bit freaky and less inspiring to stumble upon the skeletal remains of others who had made their way into the tunnels before them. They would wonder out loud what their stories were and how they came to their eventual end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eDuring one of these \"wonderings\" Douglas was interrupted by a low scratchy moan, which he assumed at first was Fran's stomach signaling lunch time, lunch was important stuff. But judging by the concerned look on her face he quickly realized it came from up ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThey both raked their flashlights across the cavern, wielding them like light sabers. \"I think \u003ci\u003eit\u003c\/i\u003e came from up above, from that overhanging ledge!\" Fran whispered as gravel fell down on them like rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eBefore Douglas could get a word in or crack a joke, \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003ewas on top of him. \u003ci\u003eIt\u003c\/i\u003e seemed like all hands; frantically poking and grabbing, not for Doug's side arm but for his canteen. Water bottle in hand and a push from Doug the \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003esprang back\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ewildly\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ebegan to chug. Soon the thing began gasping and making sounds, making words, stringing them together into sentences and gasping some more. Unfortunately these words were not in English, but Fran soon figured them to be German or a similar dialect. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\"It's a man!\" Doug blurted out, followed by a softer; \"duh.\" to himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eIndeed it was a man, a wild man in a rather improvised outfit of this and that, with a great beard and long, stringy red hair. He didn't smell bad but he didn't smell good either. Douglas searched through his backpack for a granola bar and his German language book. With flashlight in mouth he skimmed the pages briskly. Knowing that this trip would take them all over and under the world he brought a small stack of different language primers and split them up between both of their packs. At the time, Fran complained about the extra weight but now she seemed more than grateful for the extra 25 pounds of books and snacks he and she had been lugging around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eFirst off, German was \u003ci\u003enot \u003c\/i\u003eDoug's language. It did not come natural to him as such was the case with Spanish. \u003ci\u003eBut he tried.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\"W\u003c\/span\u003eer und was hubschrauber waren Ihre welpen geboren am?\" For emphasis and to drive his introduction home, he waved a scotch taped map in front of the stranger and tapped his chest. The man looked at Douglas blankly. Fran looked on painfully and hoped for the best, giving Doug a supportive thumbs up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Let's try this again, Mein gynäkologe ist eine schwindlig...\" Douglas stammered looking up and feeling pretty sure of himself handing the wild man a granola bar, then continued; “…schwester und getränke wie ein toaster\" This did not have the effect he was hoping for, but it did have an effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Great, just great, I hope what \u003ci\u003eyou're on\u003c\/i\u003e wasn't in the water!\" said the man with a light hint of a German accent, dropping the snack and putting his finger in his mouth touching the back of is throat and forcing himself to gag. With a pang of loss, Doug’s eyes followed the granola bar as it fell to the ground. Both Fran and Douglas exhaled and looked at each other relieved and somewhat hungry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd then there were 3.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                  *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eIt turns out the man was far from wild, in fact, he was quite cultured and very well spoken. Once he caught his breath and realized they were not trying to drug him, he introduced himself as Aldous and apologized for his rudeness. He had been wandering the caverns without a torch for weeks now, surviving on grubs and giant toadstools whenever he stumbled upon them.The only real thing he could recall, and it was much less a real thing and more like just a made up, silly word, was \u003ci\u003eVril \u003c\/i\u003eand it was very important that he locate it. He also considered the possible fact that this was a delusion due to a healthy portion of those curious, giant cave mushrooms that made up most of his diet. But yet still, a small part of himself couldn't dismiss it so easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eThe more research Maria did the more intel on this stranger from the future she procured. It also turned out that 12 years from now a US Admiral, ironically with the last name Byrd, would accidentally fly into AGHARTA. It is this Admiral that apparently had the foresight and ability to send the map to a one Mr. Douglas Smythe almost 70 years into the future. \u003ci\u003eBut why?\u003c\/i\u003e Her information was still piecemeal and thin but it looked as though this odd looking man in a pith helmet was nothing more than an eccentric soapmaker from the future. \u003ci\u003eIt made no sense.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e                                                            *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eAs the days past, Aldous became more coherent and was actually quite fun to have around. From what he could remember and from what Fran and Doug could piece together, Aldous had been bumbling around down here in the dark for a lot longer than a few weeks, and possibly ages! What a brilliant mind however, he knew everything about everything, a Jack of all trades, \u003ci\u003emaster of all!\u003c\/i\u003e He knew all about the process of making soap and perfuming, was old hat to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eAfter awhile both Fran and Doug felt they could contribute nothing of interest to the ongoing orations and just let the man ramble on as they walked. It was much like listening to an audio book on a long trip, so much so, each was hesitant to \"pull over to a rest area\" in risk of missing one captivating detail escaping Aldous' mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eSuddenly in the middle of one of Aldous' stories Doug noticed the compass. The needle seemed to be second guessing itself, whirling around it's case and then wandering back slowly. It was at this time they all noticed they felt lighter too, and reinvigorated. They could move faster through the endless passage at greater speed. How odd, \u003ci\u003ebut how cool.\u003c\/i\u003e Aldous explained this away in terms of magnetism, what we and most top dwellers commonly confuse for gravity. They were getting close he assured them but when pressed how he could be so sure, he pleaded the 5th. Either Aldous \u003ci\u003ewas \u003c\/i\u003ea bit mad or maybe holding something back, which was hard for them to believe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eThere was now a strange, whimsical tinge to the cavern air. It creeped up on the nose like the salt of the sea does as one gets closer to the beach. But it wasn't water or salt, not even ozone, but a surreal sweetness with a rather rich, distinctive boldness to it. Words actually fail in describing it, \u003ci\u003eat least in English and bad German.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p10\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p8\"\u003eIf synesthesia had her say, she would describe it as a mythological symphony performed by all the heroes and villains of all the sagas, and all the epics, from all the myths up through all the science fiction films of the 20st century and all of what’s to come. Could this new, sudden appreciation of the air around them also be explained away by magnetism? If so, one would wager to bet it was that of a different sort. They were now drawn ever so nearer, as if hooked under nostril by a near do well succubus (or incubus in Fran's case). They moved on with a renewed and unexplained urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                           *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eMaria walked up and down the line of men in deep thought as she inspected the soldiers she had assembled as her team. 4 specialists, 2 scientists and 23 foot soldiers, many, including the scientists, were members of the Vril Society and occultists in their own right. It was in her best interest to play this expedition close to the vest and the less curious eyes from outside her inner sanctum the better off the mission was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThere were two entrances to the hollow earth she learned of, one was located on a \u003ci\u003estrange island\u003c\/i\u003e off the antarctic but another portal was much closer in the Bavarian Forest. The door to the underworld was reported to be through an ancient oak tree located dead center in the forest. She had handed over the coordinates to one of her specialists but packed a dousing wand as well, just in case. It was only known among a few within the craft that dousing was not only useful for locating underground springs but also other inter dimensional pockets and spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eRecalling all that she had recently learned through scrying, time seemed to play by different rules within the realms of the inner Earth. She was convinced it was layered with other dimensions that were alive and interweaving between space and time. Just the sort of stuff a dowsing rod would be drawn to. If all that failed however, there was always the Spear of Destiny which she had wrapped in cloth tape in an effort to disguise it as a walking stick. She felt rather intuitively it would direct her directly to the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p6\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThe Spear was believed to be the very one that the roman soldier Longinus used to pierce Christ's side at the crucifixion. Whether it was or wasn't, so many believed it to be, thus making it a rather potent or charged talisman none the less. That's really how magic works, through intent and\/or through popular belief. They boarded their train to Bavaria feeling prematurely victorious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAs she had suspected, the simple use of the coordinates, map and compass proved futile. The compass was of little use once they had entered the dark, evergreen canopy of the forest. The needle spun like a drunken dervish on ice skates. Same went for the dousing rod, useless. In the end they were led by the growing pull of the spear. They came upon a shady glade and in the center of it stood a giant, ancient oak tree, the portal to the inner world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe Oak Tree let off a certain energy, almost tonal, captivating all the human senses. Shaking off the reverie, one of the scientists planted a green candle firmly into the ground in front of the great trunk and lit it with a match. He then gingerly, began to knock on the massive tree. Three then gave pause. After a few seconds, six more. Again he paused. Finally nine more raps. A heavy door within the sacred oak swung out on invisible hinges. Everyone except Maria exhaled with relief. Now to find this Smythe \u003ci\u003echaracter\u003c\/i\u003e and his small team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                         \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Mushrooms_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eIt was time to set up camp again. It really had become second nature to the group by now. Doug would set up the \"tents\". At this point in their quest the tents had deteriorated way past any real usefulness due to this unique environment they were not designed for. But the very act of setting them up tended to keep him grounded and sane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe metal posts seemed to oxidize and corrode more and more with every new day losing critical, structural integrity. Twice Doug had awakened nearly suffocating, inhaling nylon and creating, not necessarily an unpleasant sound but a comical, vibratory buzz reminiscent of someone playing the hair comb. So he resorted to using pieces of scrap wood and roots he found along the way in place of the original posts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe nylon material seemed to be getting thinner too, so cheap rain ponchos were repurposed and thrown over the clumsy shelters. Not like there was a chance of rain but it did help to maintain heat at night. It also helped create a false sense of security, creating a barrier between them and whatever strange critters and creatures were out there only now starting to make their presence known. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThey only seemed to be blurs at first as they lazily ducked into the rocks and crevices for cover from the strangers. But as our heroes grew closer to their destination, some of these strange beings became more curious and gave them a sniff or two before disappearing through another hidden tunnel or simply dematerializing. It was always tough to say for sure their method of exit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eOne memorable and popular \u003ci\u003esniffer\u003c\/i\u003e, if you will, was what many a surface dweller would call a Bigfoot and in parts of Scotland, Am Fear Liath Mòr (Greyman). The creature was easily 8 feet in height, covered in hair and had a certain \u003ci\u003eeffluvium\u003c\/i\u003e about him that would really assault ones nose within 15 feet of the it. The eyes and facial expressions were so very human causing a certain connection between our travelers and the beast. Then it was gone. This became such a common occurrence with this particular fellow that they gave him a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJonathon\u003c\/i\u003e. Then, after awhile, they gave his nickname a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJon.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were the trailing, glowing orbs seen through the corners of their eyes. They were heading in the same direction they were going, as if caught in the same invisible current. If looked upon directly, they would disappear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas was familiar with a similar phenomenon and called them \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePrairie Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. There were frequent sightings of these out West in the US as well as reports from as far away as Tibet. Aldous was astounded, he knew nothing of them. In all the time he had spent trapped in this maze, he had never come upon them. He theorized that they may be some unknown classification of bioluminescent animal, sentient and possibly the reason for the little parties no longer need for flashlights. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The veil is thin here.\" He cryptically declared and then noticeably caught himself before giving any further an explanation. Fran raised an eyebrow and gave Doug a look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSo tents\u003c\/i\u003e, though hardly protective, they were still a welcomed escape away from certain anxiety inducing stimuli lurking around without leashes outside in the caverns. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut let us return to the daily chores.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAs Doug creatively constructed the tents Fran and Aldous would begin to prepare dinner, which was a regular vaudeville routine. Two cooks despite lacking a kitchen, were still two cooks too many. They could never agree on anything and each would micromanage the other. Fran would eventually win in the end. Her Kung Fu was definitely stronger than his. After eating they all sat around the fire and pored over the map making plans for the next day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eEveryone did their own meager laundry and by now Doug had gifted Aldous some of his extra clothing. Washing was done in a collapsible wash basin whenever they came upon a spring or underground river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe topic of conversation this particular night before cashing in was not that of the map but about their strange new companion, Jonathon or Jon. Aldous was convinced their fury, ripe smelling friend was trying to communicate something of great importance to them, \u003ci\u003ebut what? \u003c\/i\u003eHis appearances became less random and now a few times a day rather than once every now and again as it had begun a few weeks back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAnother oddity they had also noticed were the fresh \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003erunes\u003c\/span\u003e on the walls; etched in with a sharp stone or quartz only moments before they had stumbled across them. Was this also Jon trying to convey something? \u003ci\u003eA warning or a welcome?\u003c\/i\u003e A signpost to AGHARTA maybe?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were also small piles of rocks or what Aldous called Cairns. Historically, these were man (or creature) made trail markers, or at least in modern times. Further back in the past and prehistory they were used to convey many different messages, mark dates and even bury the dead. It was unclear what all this meant and a tad unnerving to the group but they kept such thoughts to themselves as they fell asleep each night exhausted under thin nylon breathing perfumed air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eWere they lost?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                            *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eTraveling through the corridors of the inner earth proved difficult for Maria and her team without a map to consult. The spear did help by pulling, but pulling where? She needed to find Smythe and collect the journal entries along with the map. Without the key details contained within them they were almost as good as lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"We're lost!\" Douglas sighed removing his pith hat and wiping away the sweat on his forehead with a dirty bandana. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"What do you mean we're lost?\" asked Fran sitting down on a rock next to him, removing a shoe and dumping out some misplaced stones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The panels of the map, they are in the wrong order.\" he held the map under her nose and pointed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eFran didn't know why she or any of them hadn't noticed this before. It was more than obvious; streams that should have been connecting from panel to panel stopped dead and the path they had been following stopped and started at different places. Something was wrong, \u003ci\u003eand where was Aldous?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAldous thought he heard a \u003ci\u003e\"pssssst\"\u003c\/i\u003e from behind him as the three of them traipsed at their own pace along the trail. He turned his head back in time to see a finger from around a bend they had just past curling and beckoning him back. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to see what this was all about, he'd catch up with Doug and Fran in a jiff, seemed harmless enough. But that was not to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThen there were 2.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e                                                          To Be Continued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":19532891649,"sku":"","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-aftershavecologne-part-3-of-the-agharta-trilogy-distinctive-bold-adventurous-677661.jpg?v=1759252070"},{"product_id":"agharta-eau-de-parfum-edp-30ml","title":"AGHARTA Eau De Parfum (EDP) | 30ml","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is gonna make a lot of people \u003cem\u003eVERY\u003c\/em\u003e happy, and for good reason, AGHARTA is something \u003cem\u003eVERY\u003c\/em\u003e special.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile: \u003c\/strong\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eYou read right folks, I decided to give in and finally give you what you have been asking for, a full on Eau De Parfum. True to form, it lasts even longer than our already long lasting aftershave cologne! Aside from scent strength however, our EDPs also possess a whole other dimension and shape! They are quite amazing to say the least.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e30 ml Bottle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eIngredients: Denatured Alcohol, Essential\/Fragrance Oil\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":7812918083632,"sku":"","price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-eau-de-parfum-edp-30ml-901984.jpg?v=1726346758"},{"product_id":"agharta-mens-athletic-long-shorts","title":"AGHARTA Men's Athletic Long Shorts","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor those in the know.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot only does this epic, retro design represent the many tunnels and ways to AGHARTA it also represents the rabbit hole of traditional wet shaving!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/pages\/search-results-page?q=AGHARTA\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"AGHARTA\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFind The Entire AGHARTA Collection ===\u0026gt; HERE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSports outfits can be a lot of hassle, but with these long shorts there's no need for that. Just throw on a pair and go running, swimming, weight-lifting, or participate in any other activity that pops in your mind. These shorts won't let you down!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e • 96% polyester, 4% elastane\u003cbr\u003e • Fabric weight: 5 oz\/yd² (169.5 g\/m²)\u003cbr\u003e • Four-way stretch water-repellent microfiber fabric\u003cbr\u003e • 6.5’’ inseam\u003cbr\u003e • Elastic waistband with a flat white drawstring\u003cbr\u003e • Mesh side pockets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"size-guide-title\"\u003eSize guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"table-responsive dynamic\" data-unit-system=\"imperial\"\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"5\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2XL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3XL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaist (inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e29 ⅞\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e31 ½\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e33 ⅛\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36 ¼\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e39 ⅜\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e42 ½\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 ⅝\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHips (inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e37\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38 ⅝\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ⅛\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43 ¼\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e46 ½\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e49 ⅝\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e52 ¾\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"XS","offer_id":29494443573296,"sku":"7003234","price":32.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"S","offer_id":29494443606064,"sku":"7826361","price":32.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":29494443671600,"sku":"1914077","price":32.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":29494443737136,"sku":"7265750","price":32.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":29494443802672,"sku":"1316309","price":32.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2XL","offer_id":29494443868208,"sku":"8824705","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3XL","offer_id":29494443933744,"sku":"7622459","price":35.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-mens-athletic-long-shorts-231561.jpg?v=1759254636"},{"product_id":"agharta-star-jelly-aftershave-a-whole-new-species-of-aftershave-lightly-mentholated-5oz","title":"AGHARTA Star Jelly Aftershave ~ A Whole New Species of Aftershave - Lightly Mentholated | 150 Ml","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOOM, Behold...Star Jelly, A whole new aftershave experience! Better Than a Balm!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStar Jelly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf an aftershave balm and alcohol based splash were to have a baby, our \u003cstrong\u003eStar Jelly Aftershave Formula\u003c\/strong\u003e would be their love child. Not to be confused with an alcohol free balm, meaning; this stuff still contains alcohol and a kiss of menthol to give you that classic splash feel at first. Then there is that familiar cool down we all know and love...but something more is going on, \u003cem\u003esomething cosmic!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike traditional balms, our Star Jelly absorbs rapidly into freshly shaven skin without any greasy, heavy feeling build up! Star Jelly leaves your skin moisturized and silky.  \u003cem\u003eA refreshing, alternative that you instantly will fall in love with! \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat's Inside?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAllantoin: \u003c\/strong\u003ea naturally occurring nitrogenous compound used as a skin conditioning agent. It can be derived from animals, however the allantoin we use is derived from plants. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaprylic\/Capric Triglycerides:\u003c\/strong\u003e from coconut oil and glycerin, it’s considered an excellent emollient. It’s included in cosmetics due to its mix of fatty acids that skin can use to resist moisture loss. This ingredient’s value for skin is made greater by the fact that it’s considered gentle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVegetable Glycerine:\u003c\/strong\u003e is derived from soy and is used in cosmetics and body care products to assist in retaining moisture, which can cause skin to appear moist and hydrated. It is invaluable as a natural source ingredient with emollient like properties which can soften the skin's appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients: \u003c\/strong\u003eDeionized Water, Perfumers Alcohol, Caprylic\/Capric Triglycerides, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate\/VP Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Menthol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e150ml Amber Bottle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29634842296368,"sku":"","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-star-jelly-aftershave-a-whole-new-species-of-aftershave-lightly-mentholated-150-ml-679936.jpg?v=1726346760"},{"product_id":"agharta-vinyl-bubble-free-stickers-available-in-3-sizes","title":"AGHARTA Vinyl Bubble-Free Stickers | Available in 3 Sizes","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor those in the know.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot only does this epic, retro design represent the many tunnels and ways to AGHARTA it also represents the rabbit hole of traditional wet shaving!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese stickers are printed on durable, high opacity adhesive vinyl which makes them perfect for regular use, as well as for covering other stickers or paint. The high-quality vinyl ensures there are no bubbles when applying the stickers, and the stickers can be used both indoors and outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e • High opacity film that’s impossible to see through\u003cbr\u003e • Fast and easy bubble-free application\u003cbr\u003e • Durable vinyl, perfect for indoor and outdoor use\u003cbr\u003e • 95µ density\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Available in 3 Sizes!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Don't forget to clean the surface before applying the sticker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"size-guide-title\"\u003eSize guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"table-responsive dynamic\" data-unit-system=\"imperial\"\u003e\n\u003ctable cellpadding=\"5\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3X3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4X4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5.5X5.5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight (inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 ½\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 ½\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"3x3","offer_id":30243418767408,"sku":"3246838","price":7.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4x4","offer_id":30243418800176,"sku":"1698630","price":8.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5.5x5.5","offer_id":30243418832944,"sku":"7346204","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-vinyl-bubble-free-stickers-available-in-3-sizes-870331.jpg?v=1759254732"},{"product_id":"agharta-artisan-shaving-soap-ultra-premium-ck-6-formula-5-oz-1","title":"AGHARTA Artisan Shaving Soap | Ultra Premium CK-6 Formula","description":"\u003cdiv data-product-description=\"\" class=\"product-description rte\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-form-regular=\"\" class=\"product-form--regular\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-form-area=\"\"\u003e\n\u003caside class=\"share-buttons\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"share-buttons--list\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/aside\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-description=\"\" class=\"product-description rte\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" alt=\"AGHARTA\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_large.jpg?12298592709528216483\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst and foremost, for those who just want the straight notes of AGHARTA, behold: \u003c\/strong\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind the Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-form-regular=\"\" class=\"product-form--regular\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-form-area=\"\"\u003e\n\u003caside class=\"share-buttons\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"share-buttons--list\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoap Ingredients:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ePotassium Stearate, Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate, Aqua, Potassium Kokumate, Sodium Lactate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Potassium Castorate, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Cocoa Butterate, Potassium Avocadoate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Butter, Astrocaryum (Murumuru) Seed Butter, Platonia Insignis (Bacuri) Seed Butter, Parfum [Fragrance]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoap Net Wt 4 oz (113 g)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/aside\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-description=\"\" class=\"product-description rte\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-product-description=\"\" class=\"product-description rte\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e[Our Story Begins Below]\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eNow for those who are fans of our trilogy soaps, this is for you!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eRead on...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis my friends has been a long time coming,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAGHARTA.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe final installment of our recent trilogy and what an adventure it's been. For those that follow what we do here, you know PAA is more than about just shaving, but about an experience. Maybe a shave happening in our own unique PAA universe or your own shave realm\/dreamscape pieced together by stimulating all the senses. I hope that opening up a new jar of our suds or aftershave is like walking into a movie theater as the lights begin to dim, or discovering lost treasure, or listening to a vinyl record and following along with the liner notes. \u003cem\u003eI know it is for me!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eSoapmaking for me doesn't just end when the soap is cured. There's the story, the label design, the photos and artwork chosen to tell the tale, the research, the scent research and how they work with each other, the dry erase board, the clippings, sometimes even the travel. (Remember I'm the guy who drove to Roswell, New Mexico just to release a soap!)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis approach, if you want to call it that, seems to confuse some, especially those that really are not paying attention. They see maybe bits and pieces, flashes and confuse it for something that it's not. With their mouths always full with critique they really never have a chance to hear what's being said. Which often says more about them than us. Often I am reminded of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eFlatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eby Edwin Abbott, where the denizens of Flatland are so fast to demonize, fear or despise something so quickly without understanding what they are actually seeing, \u003cem\u003eho hum.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eIf it was all just about money, I would just make soap and save myself some heartache. This is what we do, maybe it's a tad eccentric, maybe it's art, but it certainly drives me day in and out and I am very grateful to be able to do what I do; pouring all my interests and passions into one cup. I wish that everyone could sip from a similar cup! So thank you again to those that\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"get it\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand have stuck with us...\u003cem\u003eBut I digress. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThe AGHARTA Trilogy, AKA: The Shaver Mystery is what I believe to be our most epic yet! Not only do all three soaps thematically work in unison to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etell pieces of the ongoing saga, but the scents are also interchangeable! Meaning, they compliment each other opening up a truly creative mix and match experience! So get creative with them in your daily combinations!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNow for a little background. I am a huge fan of adventure, fantasy and sci-fi...I geek out to it, hard. The more obscure the better. One of my favorite authors and not too well known to most is\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Richard Shaver\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_Sharpe_Shaver\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRichard Sharp Shaver\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe man was either a genius or completely out of his mind! I was first introduced to him in my early teens by my best friends older brother. (Who would have guessed I would be a Sharp Shaver myself some day. T\u003cem\u003ehere is no such thing as coincidence.\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHis outrageous and sometimes perverse tales of the inner earth colored my adolescent mind and probably not for the better. The fantastical worlds he created were a well spring of endless possibility. What made these stories all the richer (pun intended) was that he believed them to be true!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI won't take up space with a bio on Mr Shaver but I encourage you all to look him up, absolute madness of the wunder kind! So I refer to this trilogy as The Shaver Mystery in an homage and in hopes of at least one person\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"getting it\"\u003c\/em\u003e...but not holding my breath! :)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThat said, that was my introduction to the concept of the hollow earth. From that point on it was always of interest to me be it fiction or theory, i ate it all up and continue to do so finding new material on the subject or revisiting the classics. Note, I am not admitting to subscribe to such a belief but in reverie I do often entertain the possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eUp until this point, the trilogy has only really been cryptically told in images and prosaic fragments from the prior 2 releases:\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"High Jump 47 Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/high-jump-47-epic-artisan-shave-soap-classic-masculine-scent\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh Jump 47\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Strange Island ARtisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/strange-island-epic-artisan-shave-soap-sage-lavender-copaiba-balsam\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrange Island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. If you are just tuning in, I suggest you read those two sales pages first and in order. Please approach them with a willing suspension of disbelief. Maybe fill in the blanks with your own whimsical additions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHeck, you could even go back to last years Harvest Moon Trilogy and start there! That was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dixie Aftershave Cologne\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/dixie-aftershave-cologne-contains-aloe-carrot-extract-liquid-silk-hedione-more\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDixie\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Wow Signal! Aftershave Cologne\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/the-wow-signal-aftershave-cologne-w-alum-aloe-liquid-silk-more-3-5-oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe WOW Signal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eand finally\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Harvest Moon Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/harvest-moon-artisan-shaving-soap-seasonal-4oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHarvest Moon\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Steeple Chase ARtisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/limited-edition-steeplechase-sport-crown-king-kokum-butter-artisan-shave-soap-4oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSteeplechase\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas also an offshoot of the story as was Ciderhouse 5, supplemental if you will. Much like\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cold Spices Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/cold-spices-3-0-artisan-shave-soap-lightly-mentholated\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCold Spices\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a supplemental part of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ethis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etrilogy. Most of my labels are telling some kind of tale and are created for those with eyes to see, sort to speak. I consider them pillars holding up the PAA Universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eBut I digress yet again, \u003cem\u003epardon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNow we get to AGHARTA, the journey is over. Up until this point AGHARTA too was propelled by visual snippets and lyrical fragments but from here on in I subconsciously, it would seem, decided to take a more traditional approach, a scent description that accidentally turned into possibly a novella. Sigh, this is so typical for me, nothing is ever simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI really did just set out to write,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eI swear\u003c\/em\u003e, another fragmental description of the scent and the scene. This was around 7 o'clock pm last night and lasted till about 10 pm. I awoke today and was back at it sporadically throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI really wanted folks to be able to climb into the story with me and see what I was seeing when pushing and pulling at all these things and concepts; conspiracy, scent; painting with smell, mystery, soapmaking, adventure, label and artwork design, Douglas Smythe, and all that jazz. I really owe it to the lot of you that have been patient enough to play\/follow along and even do some digging yourselves, bravo!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThere is a whole wacky world out there still and I do belief there is much more to be discovered under our oceans, on land, deep in the jungles, in my labels (!) and as you may have guessed by now, underneath our feet! I want you to keep that excitement you feel welling up inside you as you read these words, it's infectious and should be shared and applied to your everyday life, it's okay to be a grown up kid and it's ok to geek out on soap, you already know that much. Be kind to each other and now lets begin our race of Good vs Evil, shall we?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSPECIAL THANKS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto the staff and rangers of Kartchner Caverns, AZ! I can only imagine what you were thinking when we barged in dressed for a journey to the center of the earth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Agharta_Journey_1_Color_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003cb\u003eMay 2016 - Deep Underground\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"VRIL!\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas woke up kicking and screaming in cold sweats, nearly rolling himself out of his makeshift tent. Another hauntingly real nightmare that faded just as fast as it came on. In vain he tried to grasp at the fleeting images that playfully flitted in the dim atmosphere around his bed roll. In his dream they were being pursued, for what he did not know and by whom he could not see?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eNo one could possibly know they were here.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eLooking around at the darkness that engulfed him and his small, sleeping band of \"would be\" explorers. \u003ci\u003eWould be\u003c\/i\u003e meaning: if they weren't lost they \u003ci\u003ewould be \u003c\/i\u003eexploring. It had already been over a month now of trekking through these mysterious ancient tunnels, getting nowhere, and almost a year since this whole misadventure began...\u003ci\u003eand how did it begin?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 2015\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eHome after 3 weeks of traveling for work he could finally sit down, just sit, nothing more except, maybe stare at \u003ci\u003enothing\u003c\/i\u003e, completely zone out. Maybe gaze at a door knob for a few hours, anything as long as it was mindless and \u003ci\u003eun-thought-provoking.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt had been go, go, go since the moment he boarded the plane out of Phoenix, nonstop wet shaving action! But now he needed to process it all, call his family, make a quick meal, unpack, pour himself a much needed drink and maybe pay some bills. Motivated by that last thought, he picked through the pile of mail that was spilling out of the drop slot of his front door in an arch; suspended animation. He should have had the post office hold it for him. He made a mental note for next time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThere were a few women's catalogs for Fran, loads of junk mail for both of them and some random letters. Douglas Smythe was a huge fan of a good old fashioned handwritten letter, though his handwriting, if you could even define it as such, was that of a 3rd grader’s, simply put,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eatrocious\u003c\/i\u003e. He knew this and it seemed not to bother him, if it did, he never let on. It did bother a few of his \"pen pals\" however but being who they are,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ekind\u003c\/i\u003e, they never mentioned it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eHe separated the junk from the obvious epistolaries and headed towards the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal. Over this sad little\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003edinner\u003c\/i\u003e he picked through the letters and began to place them in the order he would read them in. He discovered among them six that did not contain return addresses and in a script he did not recognize, possibly written in pen and ink? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eTypically he would insert his prized antique letter opener into the upper right corner of the flap and slice the envelope open, but he was not at his desk. He could get up and improvise with a butter knife, but moving more than he had to was out of the question. So uncharacteristically, he gently peeled open the letter as one does when given a wrapped gift by a stranger or a new friend, so as not to come off like the impatient beast we all are. The envelope seemed very old and opened quite easily. Inside were two pages folded twice and yellowed with age, they looked to have been torn from a diary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"What the hell?\" Doug said out loud becoming interested. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eConfused he turned the envelope over again and checked the date stamp, 1947, “\u003ci\u003eRight”\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ehe thought. Underneath the faded ink, a single 15 cent Airmail stamp was affixed to the corner. It didn't make sense. He then delicately unfolded the brittle pages and began to read what appeared to be journal entries from one \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAdmiral Richard E. Byrd\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eEach envelope contained more of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ejournal entries\u003c\/span\u003e, entries that seemed to border on the incoherent ramblings of a man gone mad! When Doug was done reading and rereading the journal he looked at the clock, it was now 1:46 am.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn, I wanted to be in bed and in a deep coma by now.\" he mumbled scoldingly, and then, poured himself a drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eBut he suspected he was onto something big and digging into the details while physically and mentally exhausting, was always worth it, and maybe added a little more \u003ci\u003ewoo woo\u003c\/i\u003e to it all, at least at this hour. The entries not only described a strange ancient world seemingly beneath our very feet but also referenced a map. A map that contained detailed instructions, and locations of entrance ways all over the globe, but most importantly, a direct route to the mythical, inner earth city of AGHARTA.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOf course, there was no map included. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eHad to be a joke he thought. He finished his gin and tonic and then with a sly smirk, he mixed another and stirred it with his finger. Fran, his girlfriend and partner in crime, had been away visiting with some old college friends on the East Coast. It suddenly became clear they were obviously playing some sort of trick on him, and in his, by now, over exhausted state, had been sucked into their clever prank. She would be home in a few days and he would confront her then. For now, he reinserted the silly, probably tea stained parchments, back into their rightful envelopes. In doing so he noticed something odd. A strange pattern on the inside of the enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eAfter carefully prying it open and flattening the false envelope on the table, it was clear this was a portion of an antiquated, hand drawn map. In a few minutes and with great anticipation, he laid all six pieces out before him on the coffee table.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eIt was a puzzle! \u003c\/i\u003eHe hated puzzles, ever since he was little. He always felt like he was putting together something that someone else took apart\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCleaning up someone else's mess never appealed to him. But this time it was different, he was part of something, seeing something through, part of an epic tale that was still being told. Besides, it was only six pieces, hard to screw up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn it, where'd I put the scotch tape?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eAlmost 12 months later Douglas and a rather skeptical Fran were making their way around the Superstition Mountains, East of Phoenix, Arizona. A truly spooky place and home to the myth of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Lost Dutchman's Mine\u003c\/span\u003e or so the story goes. Not as well known, Geronimo was said to have secret subterranean tunnels in and all around this place also. Tunnels that crisscrossed over into Mexico as well as other nearby states. Apaches would be seen in the Superstitions one minute and then suddenly, they’d disappear only then to re-surface a day later and miles or even states away! At the time this was considered great magic but over the years it came down that this was done through access to ancient tunnel systems that had been in place long before the Native Americans discovered them and put them to use confounding the white man.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eWith map in hand, Douglas and Fran found the entrance to what the Hopi called the underworld, home to the Ant People and what Admiral Byrd referred to as the Inner Earth. Rather than an immediate great expanse it was more of a corridor between two worlds and it would seem they had many, many miles to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                           \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e               \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e                \u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Maria_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 1935\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eA world away and many years before in Berlin,\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMaria Orsic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e head medium of the newly reestablished Vril Society stares out the window of the grand dining room of a Gothic era manor. The Vril Society combined ancient pagan and Eastern religion with modern occult and Nazi ideology. As in the days of old when great leaders and common folk would travel many miles to consult the oracles of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDelphi\u003c\/span\u003e so were the mediums of the Vril society used. But unlike in those days of old the common \u003ci\u003evolk\u003c\/i\u003e or people, were not welcome. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eMany high ranking members of the Nazi party were secretly passing in and out of the doors of this new\/old black church.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe mediums used were all women with long, natural hair, unlike the popular short style of the time. It was believed the length of the hair functioned like a cosmic or psychic antenna. Antennae that would aid them in communication with the dead, the unborn and even aliens. Being the head seer Maria Orsic had it good, to a certain extent, in fact once removed, she was running the country. Aside from the most powerful woman in Germany she was also considered possibly, the most beautiful, a fact she knew well and put to good use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                                           \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBorn on Hallow's Eve\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eEver since she was a young girl she knew she was different, she learned very quickly that she could see and feel things few others could. She had very few friends growing up her own age, those that were, were often ghosts from other times and usually, other places. She was also a rather bright girl and this was recognized in her by a new teacher from her village that took a special interest in her. He was a very worldly man who wore a red moustache and was rumored to practice alchemy by the old women of the town. He went by the name \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHerr Germain\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eEven when she was off to study at university, a great privilege for a woman back then, especially of such common stock, Herr Germain kept her under his tutelage visiting her at night with sacred texts. As tradition would dictate, these occult lessons lasted only as long as a candle would burn. However soon was g\u003c\/span\u003eone the curious little girl trying to control the strange unruly forces that flowed through her. She had become by now, a cold, cunning, beautiful and ambitious young woman. She seemed to favor dabbling more on the darker side of the craft than on the light. So much so, even Herr Germaine felt uncomfortable around her. It would seem he had created a monster, and with this in his mind he confronted her one evening before her studies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eNo one really knows what happened to the mystical scholar after that night. Maybe he left the city, maybe he took flight, but he was gone and she was now unstoppable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003eLike a shooting star she shot in and out of certain influential social and political circles...\u003ci\u003eshe had a gift.\u003c\/i\u003e She was of great use to many of the rich and powerful around Austria and Germany. When is the best day to travel? Who do the stars recommend I marry? When do I sell? When do I buy? When do we overthrow the standing government? When do we ring in the new vision? She was very successful in the \"advice\" she administered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003eIn many an ancient manuscript she would see the word Vril, an easy to overlook word that sounded nonsensical to most, but magical to those with ears to hear. The first time she heard the word Vril was in a conversation at a party in Vienna. A young, driven man with a hacking cough and a dark look in his eyes brought it up. He was speaking of a book he had read not long before, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Coming Race\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Fantastic stuff, pure science fiction and easy to forget,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut she didn't (and nor did he).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eNow 8 years later she was running and shaping the Vril Society, not to mention the destiny of the country. Vril was real, Vril was obtainable, Vril would mean endless power for her and the fatherland. \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Spear of Destiny\u003c\/span\u003e was already in their possession and other powerful relics were being discovered around the world everyday by their stormtroopers. But if they could attain Vril, and if the legends were true, she could amplify her powers by 10 fold. She knew where it was,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAGHARTA\u003c\/span\u003e, but getting to the fabled land was proving much more of a task than the Great Mistress Orsic was used to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThen one day while \u003ci\u003escrying\u003c\/i\u003e she saw a foggy figure in a pith helmet, mispronouncing German words and waving a map. Who was this and from what time was he from? He was clearly American she could tell that much by the body language even before he spoke a lick of his native tongue. But anymore detail was vague and fading fast. The practice of scrying or looking into a mirror, bowl of water, or pretty much anything reflective, was not an exact science and a lot was left to interpretation,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eunless you really knew what to look for.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBefore long the scene before her dissipated but she would try to revisit this specter again later and learn more when her head was clearer. This was the closest she had come to obtaining what in her mind was her magical birthright. Her whole life up until now had been just preparation for the journey she knew she was about to embark upon. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                               *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eIt had been days of endless hiking and snacking in between meals for Fran and Doug. The caverns were truly an archeologists dream; cave art from all throughout the ages adorned the walls and relics and ruins of all kinds and from all cultures littered their path. It was always exciting to stumble upon something new and always a bit freaky and less inspiring to stumble upon the skeletal remains of others who had made their way into the tunnels before them. They would wonder out loud what their stories were and how they came to their eventual end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eDuring one of these \"wonderings\" Douglas was interrupted by a low scratchy moan, which he assumed at first was Fran's stomach signaling lunch time, lunch was important stuff. But judging by the concerned look on her face he quickly realized it came from up ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThey both raked their flashlights across the cavern, wielding them like light sabers. \"I think \u003ci\u003eit\u003c\/i\u003e came from up above, from that overhanging ledge!\" Fran whispered as gravel fell down on them like rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eBefore Douglas could get a word in or crack a joke, \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003ewas on top of him. \u003ci\u003eIt\u003c\/i\u003e seemed like all hands; frantically poking and grabbing, not for Doug's side arm but for his canteen. Water bottle in hand and a push from Doug the \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003esprang back\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ewildly\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ebegan to chug. Soon the thing began gasping and making sounds, making words, stringing them together into sentences and gasping some more. Unfortunately these words were not in English, but Fran soon figured them to be German or a similar dialect. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"It's a man!\" Doug blurted out, followed by a softer; \"duh.\" to himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIndeed it was a man, a wild man in a rather improvised outfit of this and that, with a great beard and long, stringy red hair. He didn't smell bad but he didn't smell good either. Douglas searched through his backpack for a granola bar and his German language book. With flashlight in mouth he skimmed the pages briskly. Knowing that this trip would take them all over and under the world he brought a small stack of different language primers and split them up between both of their packs. At the time, Fran complained about the extra weight but now she seemed more than grateful for the extra 25 pounds of books and snacks he and she had been lugging around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eFirst off, German was \u003ci\u003enot \u003c\/i\u003eDoug's language. It did not come natural to him as such was the case with Spanish.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut he tried.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\"W\u003c\/span\u003eer und was hubschrauber waren Ihre welpen geboren am?\" For emphasis and to drive his introduction home, he waved a scotch taped map in front of the stranger and tapped his chest. The man looked at Douglas blankly. Fran looked on painfully and hoped for the best, giving Doug a supportive thumbs up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Let's try this again, Mein gynäkologe ist eine schwindlig...\" Douglas stammered looking up and feeling pretty sure of himself handing the wild man a granola bar, then continued; “…schwester und getränke wie ein toaster\" This did not have the effect he was hoping for, but it did have an effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Great, just great, I hope what\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eyou're on\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewasn't in the water!\" said the man with a light hint of a German accent, dropping the snack and putting his finger in his mouth touching the back of is throat and forcing himself to gag. With a pang of loss, Doug’s eyes followed the granola bar as it fell to the ground. Both Fran and Douglas exhaled and looked at each other relieved and somewhat hungry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd then there were 3.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt turns out the man was far from wild, in fact, he was quite cultured and very well spoken. Once he caught his breath and realized they were not trying to drug him, he introduced himself as Aldous and apologized for his rudeness. He had been wandering the caverns without a torch for weeks now, surviving on grubs and giant toadstools whenever he stumbled upon them.The only real thing he could recall, and it was much less a real thing and more like just a made up, silly word, was \u003ci\u003eVril \u003c\/i\u003eand it was very important that he locate it. He also considered the possible fact that this was a delusion due to a healthy portion of those curious, giant cave mushrooms that made up most of his diet. But yet still, a small part of himself couldn't dismiss it so easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eThe more research Maria did the more intel on this stranger from the future she procured. It also turned out that 12 years from now a US Admiral, ironically with the last name Byrd, would accidentally fly into AGHARTA. It is this Admiral that apparently had the foresight and ability to send the map to a one Mr. Douglas Smythe almost 70 years into the future.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut why?\u003c\/i\u003e Her information was still piecemeal and thin but it looked as though this odd looking man in a pith helmet was nothing more than an eccentric soapmaker from the future. \u003ci\u003eIt made no sense.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e                                                            *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eAs the days past, Aldous became more coherent and was actually quite fun to have around. From what he could remember and from what Fran and Doug could piece together, Aldous had been bumbling around down here in the dark for a lot longer than a few weeks, and possibly ages! What a brilliant mind however, he knew everything about everything, a Jack of all trades,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003emaster of all!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe knew all about the process of making soap and perfuming, was old hat to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eAfter awhile both Fran and Doug felt they could contribute nothing of interest to the ongoing orations and just let the man ramble on as they walked. It was much like listening to an audio book on a long trip, so much so, each was hesitant to \"pull over to a rest area\" in risk of missing one captivating detail escaping Aldous' mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eSuddenly in the middle of one of Aldous' stories Doug noticed the compass. The needle seemed to be second guessing itself, whirling around it's case and then wandering back slowly. It was at this time they all noticed they felt lighter too, and reinvigorated. They could move faster through the endless passage at greater speed. How odd,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut how cool.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAldous explained this away in terms of magnetism, what we and most top dwellers commonly confuse for gravity. They were getting close he assured them but when pressed how he could be so sure, he pleaded the 5th. Either Aldous\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ewas\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ea bit mad or maybe holding something back, which was hard for them to believe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eThere was now a strange, whimsical tinge to the cavern air. It creeped up on the nose like the salt of the sea does as one gets closer to the beach. But it wasn't water or salt, not even ozone, but a surreal sweetness with a rather rich, distinctive boldness to it. Words actually fail in describing it,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eat least in English and bad German.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p10\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eIf synesthesia had her say, she would describe it as a mythological symphony performed by all the heroes and villains of all the sagas, and all the epics, from all the myths up through all the science fiction films of the 20st century and all of what’s to come. Could this new, sudden appreciation of the air around them also be explained away by magnetism? If so, one would wager to bet it was that of a different sort. They were now drawn ever so nearer, as if hooked under nostril by a near do well succubus (or incubus in Fran's case). They moved on with a renewed and unexplained urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eMaria walked up and down the line of men in deep thought as she inspected the soldiers she had assembled as her team. 4 specialists, 2 scientists and 23 foot soldiers, many, including the scientists, were members of the Vril Society and occultists in their own right. It was in her best interest to play this expedition close to the vest and the less curious eyes from outside her inner sanctum the better off the mission was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThere were two entrances to the hollow earth she learned of, one was located on a \u003ci\u003estrange island\u003c\/i\u003e off the antarctic but another portal was much closer in the Bavarian Forest. The door to the underworld was reported to be through an ancient oak tree located dead center in the forest. She had handed over the coordinates to one of her specialists but packed a dousing wand as well, just in case. It was only known among a few within the craft that dousing was not only useful for locating underground springs but also other inter dimensional pockets and spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eRecalling all that she had recently learned through scrying, time seemed to play by different rules within the realms of the inner Earth. She was convinced it was layered with other dimensions that were alive and interweaving between space and time. Just the sort of stuff a dowsing rod would be drawn to. If all that failed however, there was always the Spear of Destiny which she had wrapped in cloth tape in an effort to disguise it as a walking stick. She felt rather intuitively it would direct her directly to the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p6\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThe Spear was believed to be the very one that the roman soldier Longinus used to pierce Christ's side at the crucifixion. Whether it was or wasn't, so many believed it to be, thus making it a rather potent or charged talisman none the less. That's really how magic works, through intent and\/or through popular belief. They boarded their train to Bavaria feeling prematurely victorious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAs she had suspected, the simple use of the coordinates, map and compass proved futile. The compass was of little use once they had entered the dark, evergreen canopy of the forest. The needle spun like a drunken dervish on ice skates. Same went for the dousing rod, useless. In the end they were led by the growing pull of the spear. They came upon a shady glade and in the center of it stood a giant, ancient oak tree, the portal to the inner world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe Oak Tree let off a certain energy, almost tonal, captivating all the human senses. Shaking off the reverie, one of the scientists planted a green candle firmly into the ground in front of the great trunk and lit it with a match. He then gingerly, began to knock on the massive tree. Three then gave pause. After a few seconds, six more. Again he paused. Finally nine more raps. A heavy door within the sacred oak swung out on invisible hinges. Everyone except Maria exhaled with relief. Now to find this Smythe \u003ci\u003echaracter\u003c\/i\u003e and his small team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Mushrooms_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt was time to set up camp again. It really had become second nature to the group by now. Doug would set up the \"tents\". At this point in their quest the tents had deteriorated way past any real usefulness due to this unique environment they were not designed for. But the very act of setting them up tended to keep him grounded and sane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe metal posts seemed to oxidize and corrode more and more with every new day losing critical, structural integrity. Twice Doug had awakened nearly suffocating, inhaling nylon and creating, not necessarily an unpleasant sound but a comical, vibratory buzz reminiscent of someone playing the hair comb. So he resorted to using pieces of scrap wood and roots he found along the way in place of the original posts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe nylon material seemed to be getting thinner too, so cheap rain ponchos were repurposed and thrown over the clumsy shelters. Not like there was a chance of rain but it did help to maintain heat at night. It also helped create a false sense of security, creating a barrier between them and whatever strange critters and creatures were out there only now starting to make their presence known. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThey only seemed to be blurs at first as they lazily ducked into the rocks and crevices for cover from the strangers. But as our heroes grew closer to their destination, some of these strange beings became more curious and gave them a sniff or two before disappearing through another hidden tunnel or simply dematerializing. It was always tough to say for sure their method of exit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eOne memorable and popular\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003esniffer\u003c\/i\u003e, if you will, was what many a surface dweller would call a Bigfoot and in parts of Scotland, Am Fear Liath Mòr (Greyman). The creature was easily 8 feet in height, covered in hair and had a certain\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eeffluvium\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eabout him that would really assault ones nose within 15 feet of the it. The eyes and facial expressions were so very human causing a certain connection between our travelers and the beast. Then it was gone. This became such a common occurrence with this particular fellow that they gave him a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJonathon\u003c\/i\u003e. Then, after awhile, they gave his nickname a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJon.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were the trailing, glowing orbs seen through the corners of their eyes. They were heading in the same direction they were going, as if caught in the same invisible current. If looked upon directly, they would disappear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas was familiar with a similar phenomenon and called them \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePrairie Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. There were frequent sightings of these out West in the US as well as reports from as far away as Tibet. Aldous was astounded, he knew nothing of them. In all the time he had spent trapped in this maze, he had never come upon them. He theorized that they may be some unknown classification of bioluminescent animal, sentient and possibly the reason for the little parties no longer need for flashlights. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The veil is thin here.\" He cryptically declared and then noticeably caught himself before giving any further an explanation. Fran raised an eyebrow and gave Doug a look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSo tents\u003c\/i\u003e, though hardly protective, they were still a welcomed escape away from certain anxiety inducing stimuli lurking around without leashes outside in the caverns. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut let us return to the daily chores.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAs Doug creatively constructed the tents Fran and Aldous would begin to prepare dinner, which was a regular vaudeville routine. Two cooks despite lacking a kitchen, were still two cooks too many. They could never agree on anything and each would micromanage the other. Fran would eventually win in the end. Her Kung Fu was definitely stronger than his. After eating they all sat around the fire and pored over the map making plans for the next day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eEveryone did their own meager laundry and by now Doug had gifted Aldous some of his extra clothing. Washing was done in a collapsible wash basin whenever they came upon a spring or underground river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe topic of conversation this particular night before cashing in was not that of the map but about their strange new companion, Jonathon or Jon. Aldous was convinced their fury, ripe smelling friend was trying to communicate something of great importance to them,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut what?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eHis appearances became less random and now a few times a day rather than once every now and again as it had begun a few weeks back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAnother oddity they had also noticed were the fresh \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003erunes\u003c\/span\u003e on the walls; etched in with a sharp stone or quartz only moments before they had stumbled across them. Was this also Jon trying to convey something?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eA warning or a welcome?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA signpost to AGHARTA maybe?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were also small piles of rocks or what Aldous called Cairns. Historically, these were man (or creature) made trail markers, or at least in modern times. Further back in the past and prehistory they were used to convey many different messages, mark dates and even bury the dead. It was unclear what all this meant and a tad unnerving to the group but they kept such thoughts to themselves as they fell asleep each night exhausted under thin nylon breathing perfumed air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eWere they lost?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                            *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eTraveling through the corridors of the inner earth proved difficult for Maria and her team without a map to consult. The spear did help by pulling, but pulling where? She needed to find Smythe and collect the journal entries along with the map. Without the key details contained within them they were almost as good as lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"We're lost!\" Douglas sighed removing his pith hat and wiping away the sweat on his forehead with a dirty bandana. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"What do you mean we're lost?\" asked Fran sitting down on a rock next to him, removing a shoe and dumping out some misplaced stones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The panels of the map, they are in the wrong order.\" he held the map under her nose and pointed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eFran didn't know why she or any of them hadn't noticed this before. It was more than obvious; streams that should have been connecting from panel to panel stopped dead and the path they had been following stopped and started at different places. Something was wrong,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eand where was Aldous?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAldous thought he heard a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"pssssst\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom behind him as the three of them traipsed at their own pace along the trail. He turned his head back in time to see a finger from around a bend they had just past curling and beckoning him back. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to see what this was all about, he'd catch up with Doug and Fran in a jiff, seemed harmless enough. But that was not to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThen there were 2.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e                                                          To Be Continued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40786620776496,"sku":"","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-artisan-shaving-soap-ultra-premium-ck-6-formula-178075.jpg?v=1759255170"},{"product_id":"agharta-artisan-shaving-soap-aftershave-bundle-deal-ultra-premium-ck-6-formula-5-oz","title":"AGHARTA Artisan Shaving Soap \u0026 Aftershave Bundle | Ultra Premium CK-6 Formula","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description rte\" data-product-description=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-description rte\" data-product-description=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_large.jpg?12298592709528216483\" alt=\"AGHARTA\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst and foremost, for those who just want the straight notes of AGHARTA, behold: \u003c\/strong\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind the Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-description rte\" data-product-description=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e[Our Story Begins Below]\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eNow for those who are fans of our trilogy soaps, this is for you!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eRead on...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis my friends has been a long time coming,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAGHARTA.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe final installment of our recent trilogy and what an adventure it's been. For those that follow what we do here, you know PAA is more than about just shaving, but about an experience. Maybe a shave happening in our own unique PAA universe or your own shave realm\/dreamscape pieced together by stimulating all the senses. I hope that opening up a new jar of our suds or aftershave is like walking into a movie theater as the lights begin to dim, or discovering lost treasure, or listening to a vinyl record and following along with the liner notes. \u003cem\u003eI know it is for me!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eSoapmaking for me doesn't just end when the soap is cured. There's the story, the label design, the photos and artwork chosen to tell the tale, the research, the scent research and how they work with each other, the dry erase board, the clippings, sometimes even the travel. (Remember I'm the guy who drove to Roswell, New Mexico just to release a soap!)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eThis approach, if you want to call it that, seems to confuse some, especially those that really are not paying attention. They see maybe bits and pieces, flashes and confuse it for something that it's not. With their mouths always full with critique they really never have a chance to hear what's being said. Which often says more about them than us. Often I am reminded of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eFlatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eby Edwin Abbott, where the denizens of Flatland are so fast to demonize, fear or despise something so quickly without understanding what they are actually seeing, \u003cem\u003eho hum.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 1.4;\"\u003eIf it was all just about money, I would just make soap and save myself some heartache. This is what we do, maybe it's a tad eccentric, maybe it's art, but it certainly drives me day in and out and I am very grateful to be able to do what I do; pouring all my interests and passions into one cup. I wish that everyone could sip from a similar cup! So thank you again to those that\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"get it\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand have stuck with us...\u003cem\u003eBut I digress. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThe AGHARTA Trilogy, AKA: The Shaver Mystery is what I believe to be our most epic yet! Not only do all three soaps thematically work in unison to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etell pieces of the ongoing saga, but the scents are also interchangeable! Meaning, they compliment each other opening up a truly creative mix and match experience! So get creative with them in your daily combinations!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNow for a little background. I am a huge fan of adventure, fantasy and sci-fi...I geek out to it, hard. The more obscure the better. One of my favorite authors and not too well known to most is\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Richard Shaver\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_Sharpe_Shaver\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRichard Sharp Shaver\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe man was either a genius or completely out of his mind! I was first introduced to him in my early teens by my best friends older brother. (Who would have guessed I would be a Sharp Shaver myself some day. T\u003cem\u003ehere is no such thing as coincidence.\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHis outrageous and sometimes perverse tales of the inner earth colored my adolescent mind and probably not for the better. The fantastical worlds he created were a well spring of endless possibility. What made these stories all the richer (pun intended) was that he believed them to be true!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI won't take up space with a bio on Mr Shaver but I encourage you all to look him up, absolute madness of the wunder kind! So I refer to this trilogy as The Shaver Mystery in an homage and in hopes of at least one person\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"getting it\"\u003c\/em\u003e...but not holding my breath! :)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThat said, that was my introduction to the concept of the hollow earth. From that point on it was always of interest to me be it fiction or theory, i ate it all up and continue to do so finding new material on the subject or revisiting the classics. Note, I am not admitting to subscribe to such a belief but in reverie I do often entertain the possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eUp until this point, the trilogy has only really been cryptically told in images and prosaic fragments from the prior 2 releases:\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"High Jump 47 Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/high-jump-47-epic-artisan-shave-soap-classic-masculine-scent\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh Jump 47\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Strange Island ARtisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/strange-island-epic-artisan-shave-soap-sage-lavender-copaiba-balsam\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrange Island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. If you are just tuning in, I suggest you read those two sales pages first and in order. Please approach them with a willing suspension of disbelief. Maybe fill in the blanks with your own whimsical additions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHeck, you could even go back to last years Harvest Moon Trilogy and start there! That was\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dixie Aftershave Cologne\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/dixie-aftershave-cologne-contains-aloe-carrot-extract-liquid-silk-hedione-more\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDixie\u003c\/a\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Wow Signal! Aftershave Cologne\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/the-wow-signal-aftershave-cologne-w-alum-aloe-liquid-silk-more-3-5-oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe WOW Signal\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eand finally\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Harvest Moon Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/harvest-moon-artisan-shaving-soap-seasonal-4oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHarvest Moon\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Steeple Chase ARtisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/limited-edition-steeplechase-sport-crown-king-kokum-butter-artisan-shave-soap-4oz\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSteeplechase\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewas also an offshoot of the story as was Ciderhouse 5, supplemental if you will. Much like\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9900ff;\"\u003e\u003ca title=\"Cold Spices Artisan Shave Soap\" href=\"http:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/products\/cold-spices-3-0-artisan-shave-soap-lightly-mentholated\" style=\"color: #9900ff;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCold Spices\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a supplemental part of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ethis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etrilogy. Most of my labels are telling some kind of tale and are created for those with eyes to see, sort to speak. I consider them pillars holding up the PAA Universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eBut I digress yet again, \u003cem\u003epardon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNow we get to AGHARTA, the journey is over. Up until this point AGHARTA too was propelled by visual snippets and lyrical fragments but from here on in I subconsciously, it would seem, decided to take a more traditional approach, a scent description that accidentally turned into possibly a novella. Sigh, this is so typical for me, nothing is ever simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI really did just set out to write,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eI swear\u003c\/em\u003e, another fragmental description of the scent and the scene. This was around 7 o'clock pm last night and lasted till about 10 pm. I awoke today and was back at it sporadically throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eI really wanted folks to be able to climb into the story with me and see what I was seeing when pushing and pulling at all these things and concepts; conspiracy, scent; painting with smell, mystery, soapmaking, adventure, label and artwork design, Douglas Smythe, and all that jazz. I really owe it to the lot of you that have been patient enough to play\/follow along and even do some digging yourselves, bravo!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eThere is a whole wacky world out there still and I do belief there is much more to be discovered under our oceans, on land, deep in the jungles, in my labels (!) and as you may have guessed by now, underneath our feet! I want you to keep that excitement you feel welling up inside you as you read these words, it's infectious and should be shared and applied to your everyday life, it's okay to be a grown up kid and it's ok to geek out on soap, you already know that much. Be kind to each other and now lets begin our race of Good vs Evil, shall we?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSPECIAL THANKS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto the staff and rangers of Kartchner Caverns, AZ! I can only imagine what you were thinking when we barged in dressed for a journey to the center of the earth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cimg data-mce-fragment=\"1\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Agharta_Journey_1_Color_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003cb\u003eMay 2016 - Deep Underground\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"VRIL!\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas woke up kicking and screaming in cold sweats, nearly rolling himself out of his makeshift tent. Another hauntingly real nightmare that faded just as fast as it came on. In vain he tried to grasp at the fleeting images that playfully flitted in the dim atmosphere around his bed roll. In his dream they were being pursued, for what he did not know and by whom he could not see?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eNo one could possibly know they were here.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eLooking around at the darkness that engulfed him and his small, sleeping band of \"would be\" explorers. \u003ci\u003eWould be\u003c\/i\u003e meaning: if they weren't lost they \u003ci\u003ewould be \u003c\/i\u003eexploring. It had already been over a month now of trekking through these mysterious ancient tunnels, getting nowhere, and almost a year since this whole misadventure began...\u003ci\u003eand how did it begin?\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 2015\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eHome after 3 weeks of traveling for work he could finally sit down, just sit, nothing more except, maybe stare at \u003ci\u003enothing\u003c\/i\u003e, completely zone out. Maybe gaze at a door knob for a few hours, anything as long as it was mindless and \u003ci\u003eun-thought-provoking.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt had been go, go, go since the moment he boarded the plane out of Phoenix, nonstop wet shaving action! But now he needed to process it all, call his family, make a quick meal, unpack, pour himself a much needed drink and maybe pay some bills. Motivated by that last thought, he picked through the pile of mail that was spilling out of the drop slot of his front door in an arch; suspended animation. He should have had the post office hold it for him. He made a mental note for next time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThere were a few women's catalogs for Fran, loads of junk mail for both of them and some random letters. Douglas Smythe was a huge fan of a good old fashioned handwritten letter, though his handwriting, if you could even define it as such, was that of a 3rd grader’s, simply put,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eatrocious\u003c\/i\u003e. He knew this and it seemed not to bother him, if it did, he never let on. It did bother a few of his \"pen pals\" however but being who they are,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ekind\u003c\/i\u003e, they never mentioned it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eHe separated the junk from the obvious epistolaries and headed towards the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal. Over this sad little\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003edinner\u003c\/i\u003e he picked through the letters and began to place them in the order he would read them in. He discovered among them six that did not contain return addresses and in a script he did not recognize, possibly written in pen and ink? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eTypically he would insert his prized antique letter opener into the upper right corner of the flap and slice the envelope open, but he was not at his desk. He could get up and improvise with a butter knife, but moving more than he had to was out of the question. So uncharacteristically, he gently peeled open the letter as one does when given a wrapped gift by a stranger or a new friend, so as not to come off like the impatient beast we all are. The envelope seemed very old and opened quite easily. Inside were two pages folded twice and yellowed with age, they looked to have been torn from a diary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"What the hell?\" Doug said out loud becoming interested. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eConfused he turned the envelope over again and checked the date stamp, 1947, “\u003ci\u003eRight”\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ehe thought. Underneath the faded ink, a single 15 cent Airmail stamp was affixed to the corner. It didn't make sense. He then delicately unfolded the brittle pages and began to read what appeared to be journal entries from one \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAdmiral Richard E. Byrd\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eEach envelope contained more of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ejournal entries\u003c\/span\u003e, entries that seemed to border on the incoherent ramblings of a man gone mad! When Doug was done reading and rereading the journal he looked at the clock, it was now 1:46 am.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn, I wanted to be in bed and in a deep coma by now.\" he mumbled scoldingly, and then, poured himself a drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eBut he suspected he was onto something big and digging into the details while physically and mentally exhausting, was always worth it, and maybe added a little more \u003ci\u003ewoo woo\u003c\/i\u003e to it all, at least at this hour. The entries not only described a strange ancient world seemingly beneath our very feet but also referenced a map. A map that contained detailed instructions, and locations of entrance ways all over the globe, but most importantly, a direct route to the mythical, inner earth city of AGHARTA.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOf course, there was no map included. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eHad to be a joke he thought. He finished his gin and tonic and then with a sly smirk, he mixed another and stirred it with his finger. Fran, his girlfriend and partner in crime, had been away visiting with some old college friends on the East Coast. It suddenly became clear they were obviously playing some sort of trick on him, and in his, by now, over exhausted state, had been sucked into their clever prank. She would be home in a few days and he would confront her then. For now, he reinserted the silly, probably tea stained parchments, back into their rightful envelopes. In doing so he noticed something odd. A strange pattern on the inside of the enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eAfter carefully prying it open and flattening the false envelope on the table, it was clear this was a portion of an antiquated, hand drawn map. In a few minutes and with great anticipation, he laid all six pieces out before him on the coffee table.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eIt was a puzzle! \u003c\/i\u003eHe hated puzzles, ever since he was little. He always felt like he was putting together something that someone else took apart\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCleaning up someone else's mess never appealed to him. But this time it was different, he was part of something, seeing something through, part of an epic tale that was still being told. Besides, it was only six pieces, hard to screw up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"Damn it, where'd I put the scotch tape?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eAlmost 12 months later Douglas and a rather skeptical Fran were making their way around the Superstition Mountains, East of Phoenix, Arizona. A truly spooky place and home to the myth of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Lost Dutchman's Mine\u003c\/span\u003e or so the story goes. Not as well known, Geronimo was said to have secret subterranean tunnels in and all around this place also. Tunnels that crisscrossed over into Mexico as well as other nearby states. Apaches would be seen in the Superstitions one minute and then suddenly, they’d disappear only then to re-surface a day later and miles or even states away! At the time this was considered great magic but over the years it came down that this was done through access to ancient tunnel systems that had been in place long before the Native Americans discovered them and put them to use confounding the white man.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eWith map in hand, Douglas and Fran found the entrance to what the Hopi called the underworld, home to the Ant People and what Admiral Byrd referred to as the Inner Earth. Rather than an immediate great expanse it was more of a corridor between two worlds and it would seem they had many, many miles to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                           \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e               \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e                \u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Maria_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eApril 20, 1935\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eA world away and many years before in Berlin,\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMaria Orsic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e head medium of the newly reestablished Vril Society stares out the window of the grand dining room of a Gothic era manor. The Vril Society combined ancient pagan and Eastern religion with modern occult and Nazi ideology. As in the days of old when great leaders and common folk would travel many miles to consult the oracles of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDelphi\u003c\/span\u003e so were the mediums of the Vril society used. But unlike in those days of old the common \u003ci\u003evolk\u003c\/i\u003e or people, were not welcome. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eMany high ranking members of the Nazi party were secretly passing in and out of the doors of this new\/old black church.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe mediums used were all women with long, natural hair, unlike the popular short style of the time. It was believed the length of the hair functioned like a cosmic or psychic antenna. Antennae that would aid them in communication with the dead, the unborn and even aliens. Being the head seer Maria Orsic had it good, to a certain extent, in fact once removed, she was running the country. Aside from the most powerful woman in Germany she was also considered possibly, the most beautiful, a fact she knew well and put to good use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                                           \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBorn on Hallow's Eve\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eEver since she was a young girl she knew she was different, she learned very quickly that she could see and feel things few others could. She had very few friends growing up her own age, those that were, were often ghosts from other times and usually, other places. She was also a rather bright girl and this was recognized in her by a new teacher from her village that took a special interest in her. He was a very worldly man who wore a red moustache and was rumored to practice alchemy by the old women of the town. He went by the name \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHerr Germain\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eEven when she was off to study at university, a great privilege for a woman back then, especially of such common stock, Herr Germain kept her under his tutelage visiting her at night with sacred texts. As tradition would dictate, these occult lessons lasted only as long as a candle would burn. However soon was g\u003c\/span\u003eone the curious little girl trying to control the strange unruly forces that flowed through her. She had become by now, a cold, cunning, beautiful and ambitious young woman. She seemed to favor dabbling more on the darker side of the craft than on the light. So much so, even Herr Germaine felt uncomfortable around her. It would seem he had created a monster, and with this in his mind he confronted her one evening before her studies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eNo one really knows what happened to the mystical scholar after that night. Maybe he left the city, maybe he took flight, but he was gone and she was now unstoppable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003eLike a shooting star she shot in and out of certain influential social and political circles...\u003ci\u003eshe had a gift.\u003c\/i\u003e She was of great use to many of the rich and powerful around Austria and Germany. When is the best day to travel? Who do the stars recommend I marry? When do I sell? When do I buy? When do we overthrow the standing government? When do we ring in the new vision? She was very successful in the \"advice\" she administered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003eIn many an ancient manuscript she would see the word Vril, an easy to overlook word that sounded nonsensical to most, but magical to those with ears to hear. The first time she heard the word Vril was in a conversation at a party in Vienna. A young, driven man with a hacking cough and a dark look in his eyes brought it up. He was speaking of a book he had read not long before, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Coming Race\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Fantastic stuff, pure science fiction and easy to forget,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut she didn't (and nor did he).\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eNow 8 years later she was running and shaping the Vril Society, not to mention the destiny of the country. Vril was real, Vril was obtainable, Vril would mean endless power for her and the fatherland. \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe Spear of Destiny\u003c\/span\u003e was already in their possession and other powerful relics were being discovered around the world everyday by their stormtroopers. But if they could attain Vril, and if the legends were true, she could amplify her powers by 10 fold. She knew where it was,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAGHARTA\u003c\/span\u003e, but getting to the fabled land was proving much more of a task than the Great Mistress Orsic was used to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThen one day while \u003ci\u003escrying\u003c\/i\u003e she saw a foggy figure in a pith helmet, mispronouncing German words and waving a map. Who was this and from what time was he from? He was clearly American she could tell that much by the body language even before he spoke a lick of his native tongue. But anymore detail was vague and fading fast. The practice of scrying or looking into a mirror, bowl of water, or pretty much anything reflective, was not an exact science and a lot was left to interpretation,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eunless you really knew what to look for.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBefore long the scene before her dissipated but she would try to revisit this specter again later and learn more when her head was clearer. This was the closest she had come to obtaining what in her mind was her magical birthright. Her whole life up until now had been just preparation for the journey she knew she was about to embark upon. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                               *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eIt had been days of endless hiking and snacking in between meals for Fran and Doug. The caverns were truly an archeologists dream; cave art from all throughout the ages adorned the walls and relics and ruins of all kinds and from all cultures littered their path. It was always exciting to stumble upon something new and always a bit freaky and less inspiring to stumble upon the skeletal remains of others who had made their way into the tunnels before them. They would wonder out loud what their stories were and how they came to their eventual end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eDuring one of these \"wonderings\" Douglas was interrupted by a low scratchy moan, which he assumed at first was Fran's stomach signaling lunch time, lunch was important stuff. But judging by the concerned look on her face he quickly realized it came from up ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThey both raked their flashlights across the cavern, wielding them like light sabers. \"I think \u003ci\u003eit\u003c\/i\u003e came from up above, from that overhanging ledge!\" Fran whispered as gravel fell down on them like rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eBefore Douglas could get a word in or crack a joke, \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003ewas on top of him. \u003ci\u003eIt\u003c\/i\u003e seemed like all hands; frantically poking and grabbing, not for Doug's side arm but for his canteen. Water bottle in hand and a push from Doug the \u003ci\u003eit \u003c\/i\u003esprang back\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ewildly\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ebegan to chug. Soon the thing began gasping and making sounds, making words, stringing them together into sentences and gasping some more. Unfortunately these words were not in English, but Fran soon figured them to be German or a similar dialect. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e\"It's a man!\" Doug blurted out, followed by a softer; \"duh.\" to himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIndeed it was a man, a wild man in a rather improvised outfit of this and that, with a great beard and long, stringy red hair. He didn't smell bad but he didn't smell good either. Douglas searched through his backpack for a granola bar and his German language book. With flashlight in mouth he skimmed the pages briskly. Knowing that this trip would take them all over and under the world he brought a small stack of different language primers and split them up between both of their packs. At the time, Fran complained about the extra weight but now she seemed more than grateful for the extra 25 pounds of books and snacks he and she had been lugging around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eFirst off, German was \u003ci\u003enot \u003c\/i\u003eDoug's language. It did not come natural to him as such was the case with Spanish.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut he tried.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\"W\u003c\/span\u003eer und was hubschrauber waren Ihre welpen geboren am?\" For emphasis and to drive his introduction home, he waved a scotch taped map in front of the stranger and tapped his chest. The man looked at Douglas blankly. Fran looked on painfully and hoped for the best, giving Doug a supportive thumbs up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Let's try this again, Mein gynäkologe ist eine schwindlig...\" Douglas stammered looking up and feeling pretty sure of himself handing the wild man a granola bar, then continued; “…schwester und getränke wie ein toaster\" This did not have the effect he was hoping for, but it did have an effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"Great, just great, I hope what\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eyou're on\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewasn't in the water!\" said the man with a light hint of a German accent, dropping the snack and putting his finger in his mouth touching the back of is throat and forcing himself to gag. With a pang of loss, Doug’s eyes followed the granola bar as it fell to the ground. Both Fran and Douglas exhaled and looked at each other relieved and somewhat hungry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnd then there were 3.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                                *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt turns out the man was far from wild, in fact, he was quite cultured and very well spoken. Once he caught his breath and realized they were not trying to drug him, he introduced himself as Aldous and apologized for his rudeness. He had been wandering the caverns without a torch for weeks now, surviving on grubs and giant toadstools whenever he stumbled upon them.The only real thing he could recall, and it was much less a real thing and more like just a made up, silly word, was \u003ci\u003eVril \u003c\/i\u003eand it was very important that he locate it. He also considered the possible fact that this was a delusion due to a healthy portion of those curious, giant cave mushrooms that made up most of his diet. But yet still, a small part of himself couldn't dismiss it so easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                                 *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eThe more research Maria did the more intel on this stranger from the future she procured. It also turned out that 12 years from now a US Admiral, ironically with the last name Byrd, would accidentally fly into AGHARTA. It is this Admiral that apparently had the foresight and ability to send the map to a one Mr. Douglas Smythe almost 70 years into the future.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut why?\u003c\/i\u003e Her information was still piecemeal and thin but it looked as though this odd looking man in a pith helmet was nothing more than an eccentric soapmaker from the future. \u003ci\u003eIt made no sense.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e                                                                 *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eAs the days past, Aldous became more coherent and was actually quite fun to have around. From what he could remember and from what Fran and Doug could piece together, Aldous had been bumbling around down here in the dark for a lot longer than a few weeks, and possibly ages! What a brilliant mind however, he knew everything about everything, a Jack of all trades,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003emaster of all!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHe knew all about the process of making soap and perfuming, was old hat to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eAfter awhile both Fran and Doug felt they could contribute nothing of interest to the ongoing orations and just let the man ramble on as they walked. It was much like listening to an audio book on a long trip, so much so, each was hesitant to \"pull over to a rest area\" in risk of missing one captivating detail escaping Aldous' mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eSuddenly in the middle of one of Aldous' stories Doug noticed the compass. The needle seemed to be second guessing itself, whirling around it's case and then wandering back slowly. It was at this time they all noticed they felt lighter too, and reinvigorated. They could move faster through the endless passage at greater speed. How odd,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut how cool.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAldous explained this away in terms of magnetism, what we and most top dwellers commonly confuse for gravity. They were getting close he assured them but when pressed how he could be so sure, he pleaded the 5th. Either Aldous\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ewas\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ea bit mad or maybe holding something back, which was hard for them to believe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eThere was now a strange, whimsical tinge to the cavern air. It creeped up on the nose like the salt of the sea does as one gets closer to the beach. But it wasn't water or salt, not even ozone, but a surreal sweetness with a rather rich, distinctive boldness to it. Words actually fail in describing it,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eat least in English and bad German.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p10\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p8\"\u003eIf synesthesia had her say, she would describe it as a mythological symphony performed by all the heroes and villains of all the sagas, and all the epics, from all the myths up through all the science fiction films of the 20st century and all of what’s to come. Could this new, sudden appreciation of the air around them also be explained away by magnetism? If so, one would wager to bet it was that of a different sort. They were now drawn ever so nearer, as if hooked under nostril by a near do well succubus (or incubus in Fran's case). They moved on with a renewed and unexplained urgency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                           *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eMaria walked up and down the line of men in deep thought as she inspected the soldiers she had assembled as her team. 4 specialists, 2 scientists and 23 foot soldiers, many, including the scientists, were members of the Vril Society and occultists in their own right. It was in her best interest to play this expedition close to the vest and the less curious eyes from outside her inner sanctum the better off the mission was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThere were two entrances to the hollow earth she learned of, one was located on a \u003ci\u003estrange island\u003c\/i\u003e off the antarctic but another portal was much closer in the Bavarian Forest. The door to the underworld was reported to be through an ancient oak tree located dead center in the forest. She had handed over the coordinates to one of her specialists but packed a dousing wand as well, just in case. It was only known among a few within the craft that dousing was not only useful for locating underground springs but also other inter dimensional pockets and spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eRecalling all that she had recently learned through scrying, time seemed to play by different rules within the realms of the inner Earth. She was convinced it was layered with other dimensions that were alive and interweaving between space and time. Just the sort of stuff a dowsing rod would be drawn to. If all that failed however, there was always the Spear of Destiny which she had wrapped in cloth tape in an effort to disguise it as a walking stick. She felt rather intuitively it would direct her directly to the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p6\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003eThe Spear was believed to be the very one that the roman soldier Longinus used to pierce Christ's side at the crucifixion. Whether it was or wasn't, so many believed it to be, thus making it a rather potent or charged talisman none the less. That's really how magic works, through intent and\/or through popular belief. They boarded their train to Bavaria feeling prematurely victorious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p5\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAs she had suspected, the simple use of the coordinates, map and compass proved futile. The compass was of little use once they had entered the dark, evergreen canopy of the forest. The needle spun like a drunken dervish on ice skates. Same went for the dousing rod, useless. In the end they were led by the growing pull of the spear. They came upon a shady glade and in the center of it stood a giant, ancient oak tree, the portal to the inner world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe Oak Tree let off a certain energy, almost tonal, captivating all the human senses. Shaking off the reverie, one of the scientists planted a green candle firmly into the ground in front of the great trunk and lit it with a match. He then gingerly, began to knock on the massive tree. Three then gave pause. After a few seconds, six more. Again he paused. Finally nine more raps. A heavy door within the sacred oak swung out on invisible hinges. Everyone except Maria exhaled with relief. Now to find this Smythe \u003ci\u003echaracter\u003c\/i\u003e and his small team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                         \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e*     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/Mushrooms_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eIt was time to set up camp again. It really had become second nature to the group by now. Doug would set up the \"tents\". At this point in their quest the tents had deteriorated way past any real usefulness due to this unique environment they were not designed for. But the very act of setting them up tended to keep him grounded and sane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe metal posts seemed to oxidize and corrode more and more with every new day losing critical, structural integrity. Twice Doug had awakened nearly suffocating, inhaling nylon and creating, not necessarily an unpleasant sound but a comical, vibratory buzz reminiscent of someone playing the hair comb. So he resorted to using pieces of scrap wood and roots he found along the way in place of the original posts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe nylon material seemed to be getting thinner too, so cheap rain ponchos were repurposed and thrown over the clumsy shelters. Not like there was a chance of rain but it did help to maintain heat at night. It also helped create a false sense of security, creating a barrier between them and whatever strange critters and creatures were out there only now starting to make their presence known. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThey only seemed to be blurs at first as they lazily ducked into the rocks and crevices for cover from the strangers. But as our heroes grew closer to their destination, some of these strange beings became more curious and gave them a sniff or two before disappearing through another hidden tunnel or simply dematerializing. It was always tough to say for sure their method of exit. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eOne memorable and popular\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003esniffer\u003c\/i\u003e, if you will, was what many a surface dweller would call a Bigfoot and in parts of Scotland, Am Fear Liath Mòr (Greyman). The creature was easily 8 feet in height, covered in hair and had a certain\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eeffluvium\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eabout him that would really assault ones nose within 15 feet of the it. The eyes and facial expressions were so very human causing a certain connection between our travelers and the beast. Then it was gone. This became such a common occurrence with this particular fellow that they gave him a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJonathon\u003c\/i\u003e. Then, after awhile, they gave his nickname a nickname, \u003ci\u003eJon.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were the trailing, glowing orbs seen through the corners of their eyes. They were heading in the same direction they were going, as if caught in the same invisible current. If looked upon directly, they would disappear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eDouglas was familiar with a similar phenomenon and called them \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePrairie Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. There were frequent sightings of these out West in the US as well as reports from as far away as Tibet. Aldous was astounded, he knew nothing of them. In all the time he had spent trapped in this maze, he had never come upon them. He theorized that they may be some unknown classification of bioluminescent animal, sentient and possibly the reason for the little parties no longer need for flashlights. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The veil is thin here.\" He cryptically declared and then noticeably caught himself before giving any further an explanation. Fran raised an eyebrow and gave Doug a look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSo tents\u003c\/i\u003e, though hardly protective, they were still a welcomed escape away from certain anxiety inducing stimuli lurking around without leashes outside in the caverns. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut let us return to the daily chores.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p9\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAs Doug creatively constructed the tents Fran and Aldous would begin to prepare dinner, which was a regular vaudeville routine. Two cooks despite lacking a kitchen, were still two cooks too many. They could never agree on anything and each would micromanage the other. Fran would eventually win in the end. Her Kung Fu was definitely stronger than his. After eating they all sat around the fire and pored over the map making plans for the next day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eEveryone did their own meager laundry and by now Doug had gifted Aldous some of his extra clothing. Washing was done in a collapsible wash basin whenever they came upon a spring or underground river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThe topic of conversation this particular night before cashing in was not that of the map but about their strange new companion, Jonathon or Jon. Aldous was convinced their fury, ripe smelling friend was trying to communicate something of great importance to them,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ebut what?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eHis appearances became less random and now a few times a day rather than once every now and again as it had begun a few weeks back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAnother oddity they had also noticed were the fresh \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003erunes\u003c\/span\u003e on the walls; etched in with a sharp stone or quartz only moments before they had stumbled across them. Was this also Jon trying to convey something?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eA warning or a welcome?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA signpost to AGHARTA maybe?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eThen there were also small piles of rocks or what Aldous called Cairns. Historically, these were man (or creature) made trail markers, or at least in modern times. Further back in the past and prehistory they were used to convey many different messages, mark dates and even bury the dead. It was unclear what all this meant and a tad unnerving to the group but they kept such thoughts to themselves as they fell asleep each night exhausted under thin nylon breathing perfumed air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eWere they lost?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                            *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eTraveling through the corridors of the inner earth proved difficult for Maria and her team without a map to consult. The spear did help by pulling, but pulling where? She needed to find Smythe and collect the journal entries along with the map. Without the key details contained within them they were almost as good as lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                              *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"We're lost!\" Douglas sighed removing his pith hat and wiping away the sweat on his forehead with a dirty bandana. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"What do you mean we're lost?\" asked Fran sitting down on a rock next to him, removing a shoe and dumping out some misplaced stones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\"The panels of the map, they are in the wrong order.\" he held the map under her nose and pointed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eFran didn't know why she or any of them hadn't noticed this before. It was more than obvious; streams that should have been connecting from panel to panel stopped dead and the path they had been following stopped and started at different places. Something was wrong,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eand where was Aldous?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e                                                             *     *     *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003eAldous thought he heard a\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"pssssst\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom behind him as the three of them traipsed at their own pace along the trail. He turned his head back in time to see a finger from around a bend they had just past curling and beckoning him back. He shrugged his shoulders and turned to see what this was all about, he'd catch up with Doug and Fran in a jiff, seemed harmless enough. But that was not to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThen there were 2.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e                                                          To Be Continued\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/AGHARTA_AD_Final_480x480.jpg?v=1469676748\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"No Discount","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40786618810416,"sku":"","price":44.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-artisan-shaving-soap-aftershave-bundle-ultra-premium-ck-6-formula-304297.jpg?v=1759255175"},{"product_id":"agharta-solid-cologne-contains-prickly-pear-oil-a-high-energy-musk","title":"AGHARTA Solid Cologne | Contains Prickly Pear Oil | Inner Earth Barbershop","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Talc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAGHARTA is one of our most EPIC, Classic Original Phoenix Shaving Scents...nowhere else on the surface of the planet does this fragrance exist! A darker, unique interpretation of traditional barbershop scent. Those who know, know...\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eas above, so below!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolid Cologne?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI must confess, I was not a believer in Solid Colognes until recently! Many times when asked if I would ever consider doing one, my default answer was always:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Solid Colognes are for hippies and little girls.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI really believed this. I mean, I vividly remember my little sister getting some that came with a doll of hers when she was 5! I also remember seeing the stuff on offer in many a new age store on the shelf next to the incense in intricately carved soapstone compacts, lol. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI assure you dear reader, my answer wasn't meant to be hurtful or mean spirited, and I admit I was simply wrong and uneducated in the ways of this magical stuff!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo what changed my mind you ask? Quite simply, it was the history. It turns out I actually owned a book on solid perfumes! I know, how is this possible? But it does happen. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhenever I delve into anything I go full tilt and many years back, when I began working on honing my skills as a perfumer, I ordered every book out there! Some books were even in French! And one, as I mentioned, was on Solid Perfumes... totally didn't read the subtitle when ordering it, all I read was \"Perfume\". When it arrived, uninterested, I tossed it to the side, only to stumble upon it once more, years later, while transferring books to a new shelf.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd after the many requests from people over the years I did become more curious as to what all the hoopla was about in regards to the balm. So I put the tome on my bed and promised to take a quick gander at it before I fell asleep that night. That gander turned into a marathon session, a real page turner!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI am embarrassed to say I was way wrong, my previous exposure to the stuff was very limited, and I really had no right making up my mind to write it off so quickly. Solid Perfumes \u0026amp; Colognes were born out of a rich history and are totally different animals when it comes to scent carriers. I was looking at them completely wrong.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFact is, a Solid Cologne is a much more personal, intimate, and tactile creation when compared to say, an Eau De Parfum, Cologne, or Aftershave. It is not meant for everyone in the room to smell but rather those closest to you, as well as yourself. It isn't meant to live on the shelf in your bathroom, but more as a travel companion tucked in your backpack, briefcase, gym bag or carry on!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is part of the history!\u003c\/em\u003e Back in the day, solid perfumes were kept close, often on the body, hidden in the secret compartment of a ring, or worn close to the heart in a locket or metal ball called a Pomander. It was always there for a quick whiff or application to the hot spots or facial hair. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany men and women even carried scent boxes with them back in the day for inhaling while walking the fowl streets of medieval cities! Some of these boxes and compacts held multiple scents to be enjoyed one at a time or all at once or in different combinations. The sniffer could turn on or off the different scents of the accord...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThat's just AWESOME! \u003c\/em\u003eLike playing your own composition on a musical instrument. Scent for scents sake!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven plague doctors got in on the act and kept solid perfume on themselves as well. Many now know that doctors of that time wore curious bird like masks, the beak of which was stuffed with aromatic herbs. These herbs were thought to prevent the spread of the plague, and they were also used to eclipse the stench coming off the patients. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat you may not know is these doctors also came outfitted with a cane that hid a secret flip lid in the handle. This compartment held a blended, solid perfume that could be accessed in a pinch and smeared under the nose. \u003cem\u003eBrilliant!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn Ancient Egypt, solid perfumes were a large part of the culture. An Egyptian  woman often wore what was called an unguent, or scent cone, containing the perfume, on the top of her head. Unlike modern solid perfumes, which are mixed with wax and oils, these ancient fragrances were blended with animal fat, and during the course of the hot day it would melt and anoint the wearer...\u003cem\u003ethat's pretty epic!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI could go on, but instead, I encourage you to do your own research. I promise you it is fascinating and will give you a greater appreciation of Solid Cologne and Perfumes!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo, with the weight of history dancing in my head I went to work on creating my own Solid Cologne, and it came out wonderful! Rather than dissolving absolutes, resins, and balsams into alcohol as I typically would for an alcohol based perfume, I carefully heated them, and along with the scent oils, blended them into the Beeswax, Shea Oil, Jojoba oil, Prickly Pear Oil matrix.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI find that, as the perfumer, the scent stays truer longer to the original shape I was going for. Meaning, \u003cstrong\u003evolatile top notes last longer\u003c\/strong\u003e and heart notes fade slower too! Base notes will last much, much longer as they mix and mingle more organically with your own body chemistry and natural oils seamlessly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSolid Cologne is a total and complete departure from the chemical reaction one experiences with an alcohol based product. It is more like a harmonious alchemical marriage, than a quick burn and evaporate dry down effect. Very different energetics when compared, and don't misunderstand me, they are both wonderful, but again, unique from each other, and that's what I didn't understand before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven the mechanics of application are different. Apply it once or revisit it many times during the day as a pick me up, no one will even notice when you do. There's a very sensual element at play here, like a secret with yourself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI really have to say, this whole process enriched me as a perfumer, I truly felt part of a greater work. Ok, it's getting a little woo woo, but I think you are picking up what I'm putting down, no? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's true, I really misunderstood solid perfumes in the past and dismissed them way too soon in my arrogance. If you are like I was, I encourage you to become humble and check them out, otherwise you are doing yourself a great disservice. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNow...How DO I Use Solid Cologne?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRub a finger across the top of the solid cologne and apply it to the pulse points \u0026amp; hot spots: wrists, neck, inside of elbow, behind the ears, and heart. You can also use in the beard, moustache or hair. Reapply through the day or whenever yo need a pick me up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.5 Oz Heavy Duty Glass Jar \u0026amp; Bakelite Cap\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeeswax, Shea Oil Jojoba oil, Prickly Pear Oil, Fragrance \u0026amp; Rosemary Extract\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandmade in Arizona, USA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eNet Wt. 1.5 oz.\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31576781717552,"sku":"","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-solid-cologne-contains-prickly-pear-oil-inner-earth-barbershop-968724.jpg?v=1726346760"},{"product_id":"agharta-conditioning-shampoo-puck-a-phoenix-shaving-classic-original","title":"AGHARTA Conditioning Shampoo Puck | A Phoenix Shaving Classic Original!","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Talc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe perfect hair care solution for travel and camping! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside each of our conditioning shampoo pucks you will find Yucca Root \u0026amp; Cider Vinegar! Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy looking hair in both men and women. Its acidity is close to that of natural hair, it's a great conditioner and excellent natural cleaning agent. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNet wt 3.5 oz (100 g) | Packaged in Biodegradable Wrapper\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients: \u003c\/strong\u003eGlycerin, Purified Water, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium 7, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Powder, Cider Vinegar, Yucca Root, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Laurate, Essential Oil\/ Fragrance \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements","offers":[{"title":"Shampoo No Container","offer_id":32343765680176,"sku":"","price":10.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Shampoo With Container","offer_id":32343765712944,"sku":"","price":12.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-conditioning-shampoo-puck-a-phoenix-shaving-classic-original-745624.jpg?v=1726346758"},{"product_id":"agharta-moroccan-argan-oil-body-soap-distinct-bold-adventurous","title":"AGHARTA Moroccan Argan Oil Body Soap | Distinct, Bold \u0026 Adventurous","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\"(But) when it comes to feel and moisturizing, their (Phoenix Shaving) body soaps are second to none. With their natural ingredient blend of coconut and argan oils, their soaps leave your skin with a soft, velvety feeling that is out of this world.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e~ Cigar \u0026amp; Spirits Magazine March\/April 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile: \u003c\/strong\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eYou're gonna absolutely love this no BS, manly, 5 oz bar of awesome! A Super Luxurious, Rich bar of man soap that leaves your skin silky smooth and scented how you like it! \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 oz Bar Soap - \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePackaged in Biodegradable Wrapper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glucitol\u003cspan\u003e, Coconut Oil, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Argan Oil, Kokum Butter, Silk Amino Acids, Bamboo Extract, Sunflower Extract, Aloe Leaf Extract, Carrageenan Extract, Marshmallow Root Extract, Fragrance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Shaving","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39391968657456,"sku":"","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-moroccan-argan-oil-body-soap-distinct-bold-adventurous-805556.jpg?v=1726346759"},{"product_id":"agharta-natural-deodorant","title":"Agharta Natural Deodorant | Part 3 of the AGHARTA Trilogy | Distinctive, Bold \u0026 Adventurous!","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is gonna make a lot of people \u003cem\u003eVERY\u003c\/em\u003e happy, and for good reason, AGHARTA is something \u003cem\u003eVERY\u003c\/em\u003e special.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScent Profile: \u003c\/strong\u003eTalc, Ambergris, Amyris, French Vanilla Bean, Japanese Sandalwood, Cedar and Oak Moss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"text-decoration: none; background: #f59542; font-size: 16px; text-align: center; font-family: arial-black; cursor: pointer; color: #07548f; padding: 12px 30px; border-radius: 3px;\" href=\"https:\/\/phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com\/collections\/agharta-collection\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFind The Agharta Collection HERE!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAbsolutely zero parabens, propylene glycol, alcohol or triclosan can be found in our creations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eIn all Field trials they have passed with flying colors: first dates, cocktail parties, camping, tight rope walking and the random briss...never failed once. Made with the purest \u0026amp; highest quality ingredients on earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOur deodorants are handcrafted one batch at a time.  We use the best ingredients we can find to bring you a superior product.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNOTE: This is DEODORANT not Antiperspirant!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003engredients\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Arrowroot Powder, Shea Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Zinc Oxide, Organic Non GMO Corn Starch, Kaolin Clay, Organic Avocado Oil, Cape Aloe Powder,  Potassium Alum, Essential Oils and\/or Fragrance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eHandmade in Arizona, USA\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eNet Wt. 2.5oz.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42046231642160,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/5884\/files\/agharta-natural-deodorant-part-3-of-the-agharta-trilogy-distinctive-bold-adventurous-967055.png?v=1747797624"}],"url":"https:\/\/phoenixshaving.com\/collections\/agharta-collection.oembed","provider":"Phoenix Shaving","version":"1.0","type":"link"}