[[ Grand Plan ]]

Victor finds the ARC, possibly at the same time as his sister, but either way they both end up being initiated as neophytes. They discover that it is one of several groups across London, but learn that they cannot meet the other groups . They explore the hidden secrets of the world through symbols and (particularly) sexuality, and seek to change the world through art and campaigning.

The Magister refuses to take on Anna’s planned campaigns on prison reform and women’s suffrage, and will not divulge what campaigns the Rose+Croix is really undertaking. Oscar, who is a significant figure in London’s organised crime, devises a plan to steal her sealed volume.

Ending 1: Victor sides with Oscar, and they plot to steal the book. They fail, and they are expelled from the ARC. Victor loses his job and his name is made mud. He still (possibly) has the love of his sister, and lives with her support.

Ending 2: Victor sides with Oscar, and they plot to steal the book. They succeed, and discover that the Magister is secretly the Magus, and she has been blocking all attempts to improve the world but instead has been using the network to amass an enormous amount of wealth and power. When confronted, she explains that she has been building resources for an immense spiritual release, and the theft of her book proves the time has come. (a) They accept, and the three have sex. The Magister reclaims her book, and Victor and Oscar leave the temple expecting to find a world transformed. (b) They refuse this explanation. After an argument, Victor becomes the new Magus and pushes all of the resources of the ARC towards building a better future. (c) They refuse this explanation. After an argument, Oscar becomes the new Magus and seizes control over the Magister’s wealth and resources, shunning his former friend and lover.

Ending 3: Victor pretends to side with Oscar, but tells the Magister. She tells him to distract Oscar when he comes for the book, and he does. The Magister secures her book and tells them both that they must leave and never return or she will disgrace their names. They flee.

Ending 4: Victor abandons the ARC in disillusionment to live, lovingly, with (a) his sister, (b) Oscar, (c) Charlotte.

Characters:

The Magister, Lily Kennan. In her early thirties, she has dark hair and dark eyes. She is of average height and moderate build. She secretly hoards money and power so that she can bring about a spiritual revolution, but in so doing she has become scheming and uncaring for others. In person, she is reserved but has a spry sense of humour. She is an excitable lover.

The artist, Charlotte Caruso. In her mid thirties, she has dark hair and blue eyes. She is short and of moderate build. She has a husband, Antonio Caruso, whom she keeps secret from the group and vice versa. Antonio is very religious and is dedicated to eradicating cults, leading to conflict, on a very particular story thread.

The poet, Adam Cohen. In his late twenties, he has dark hair and brown eyes. He is of average height and slim. He is secretly out of his depth—he joined the ARC and other group to get inspiration for his work, but now doesn't see a way out.

The clerk, Victor Ardent. He's twenty-two, has light brown hair and green eyes. He is slightly shorter than average and of moderate build. He is the narrating character.

The tailor, Anna Ardent. She's twenty, has light brown hair and green eyes. She is about the same height as Victor and of a fit build. She secretly yearns to marry an aristocrat and live in luxury, despite her progressive and socialist beliefs.

The criminal, Oscar Hooper. He's twenty-three, has dark hair and blue eyes. He is tall and of slim build. He pretends to be a law student, but secretly has been rising up the ranks of an organised crime group called the Feathermen, and is plotting to overthrow its patriarch.

The governess, Emily Murray. She's twenty-seven, has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is of moderate height and a slightly pudgy build. She is having simultaneously having affairs with her charge's father and nineteen-year-old older sister and doesn't want them to discover each other.