You could say--secret Societies--by definition, are certainly failing to serve their purpose
if they’re making their way onto this list.
But thankfully for us--literature affords us the privilege of perspective.
Third Person omniscient perspective… or..
At the very least, first person perspective--with a little drizzle of unreliable narration.
You see, there’s nothing quite like turning the page of a book and being enticed by a
strange symbol carved on a door--or a letter delivered at midnight--a signet ring cast
into a fireplace.
Secret Societies, man.
Let’s take a look.
Hello horror fans, what’s going on, and once again welcome back to the scariest channel
on YouTube--Top 5 Scary Videos.
As per usual, I’ll be your horror host Jack Finch--as today, we curiously take a look
at the Top 5 Most Mysterious Secret Societies In Literature.
Roll the clip.
Volunteers Fighting Diseases.
Verbal Fridge Dialogue.
Vernacularly Fastened Door.
Yeah, I can’t exactly keep this up--but for the curious amongst you, of course, that
clip was from the fantastic Netflix depiction of Lemony Snickett’s even more fantastic
series, A *Series* Of Unfortunate Events.
Obviously--the entire premise of that series is based upon the mystery of a secret society--and
yeah, it’s pretty apt framing for this particular list.
Although, the Netflix series is far superior to the film.
And although he was brilliant, Jim Carey’s Count Olaf was certainly overshadowed by Neil
Patrick Harris.
Two thumbs up.
Kicking off at Number 5--The True Knot
And whilst some of you may be scratching your head slightly at this entry, given the superseding
events of the end of Stephen King’s fantastic novel and sequel to The Shining, 2013’s
Doctor Sleep--I’m pretty certain that the properties of these terrifying psychics are
the definition of this list.
And why?
Because really--this steam-hungry organisation of vampiric psychics have obviously been scheming
their way across the United States--if not the entire planet--ever since Jack Torrance
went nuclear at The Overlook Hotel.
And also, if we approach this from the assumption that all of King’s works of fiction are
connected via The Dark Tower--then The True Knot, from a meta perspective, are one of
literature’s most well kept secret----societies.
Erm, let me try and explain.
Throughout the events of King’s 2013 sequel, Doctor Sleep describes a group of nomadic
psychics, roaming the country in RVs and caravans--that feed off the life force of spiritually gifted
children--a now adult Danny Torrance being one of their intended victims.
These gifted children, who demonstrate the Shining seen in King’s first novel--exude
a life-force that they refer to as steam--which when consumed, keeps them young and extends
their lifespan beyond its natural limits.
Yeah, sounds like the perfect recipe for some immortal secret society, right?
As their creed throughout the novel explains--We are the chosen ones, we are the fortunate
ones.
We are the True Knot--and we endure.
Yeah…
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure that’s a checklist for what constitutes
a secret society.
Also, no spoilers--because Doctor Sleep is awesome, and if you’re not in the business
of reading the novel, the film is out and the end of this month--so yeah, no excuse.
Swinging in at Number 4--SPECTRE
Woah!
Curveball.
I bet you guys didn’t expect to see James Bond slink his way onto this list.
But, we’re not so much concerned with The Man Who Killed The Man With The Golden Gun,
but more so his most devious of adversaries--the secret, shadowy organisation--known only as
SPECTRE.
In many ways, again--this is the definition of a secret society--and organisation of individuals
on an international scale--who’s sole motive is to--well, who knows what their sole motivation
is--but several things are certain, they make a boat load of money--they’re straight up
evil--and they’re also incredibly stylish.
I don’t know about you, but what is it with evil, villainous organisations and extravagant
architecture?
We’ll never know.
SPECTRE--which forms the acronym for Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism,
Revenge and Extortion--is *the* definitive overarching villainous body of Ian Fleming’s
legendary James Bond series.
And who better to lead them into chaos--then the evil genius and supervillain, Ernst Stavro
Blofeld--yes, the guy in the swivel chair with the monocle and the Persian cat--and
yes, the guy that’s been parodied by pretty much every crime comedy ever--but that’s
not the point, because at the start he was awesome and terrifying, and I don’t care
what you think.
First appearing in the 1961 novel, Thunderball--SPECTRE would see many incarnations through Fleming’s
series--whilst always maintaining their malevolent aim of seemingly perfectly tempered chaos.
Seemingly, though, the most telling of their motivations--was purely a personal one.
It seems that the definitive supervillain, Blofeld himself, created one of the most intricate
and evil organisations in literature--simply just because he had a grudge.
Next up at Number 3--The Esoteric Order of Dagon
And I’m pretty certain that some of you were waiting for this entry--and truth be
told, we cannot do this list without including this particular sect of scheming fish men.
In many ways, The Esoteric Order of Dagon is the quintessential secret society--particularly
if we’re including the ones that have a giant, eldritch deity at the heart of their
traditions.
Yeah, a bizarre set of handshakes don’t look so weird when compared to a bizarre set
of handshakes with tentacles.
Now, that’s a good question--is a handshake still a handshake if it’s with a tentacle?
Let me know.
You see, as so brilliantly designed in Lovecraft’s 1931 novella, The Shadow Over Innsmouth--the
Esoteric Order of Dagon were the ocean-worshipping secret society, founded by the bizarre and
gill-ridden Captain Obed Marsh.
You see, as Captain Marsh found on his journey across the seven seas--there are ancient things
that lurk in the water.
After learning a ritual from the inhabitants of an unnamed Polynesian Island on how to
summon the Deep Ones--he took this new found knowledge back to the town of Innsmouth, where
he summoned them--and entered an eternal pact.
It was a two way relationship--the inhabitants of the town would have a constant supply of
fresh fish--and the townspeople would have to offer human sacrifices.
But of a bum deal, if you’re asking me.
Obviously, as time went on--this bizarre pact eventually led to the three oaths of secrecy,
the final one being a human pledge to sire or bear a Deep One Child, perpetuating the
fishy, Father Dagon worshipping race.
Although they *were* technically destroyed--I’m pretty sure Lovecraftian fiction left this
one open ended--I’m looking at you New Orleans.
Coming in at Number 2--The Talamasca
Okay.
Now we’re really getting into the heavyweight champion of literary secret societies--because
seriously, move over Illuminati--this is a cause for some concern, The Talamasca would
like to have a word with you.
Now, hopefully if you’re read Anne Rice’s brilliant Vampire Series--or even had your
interest piqued by the 1994 film starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt--then you’ll know
that beneath the comings and goings of our civilization--exists a much older, and much
more permanent race of creatures.
Vampires.
And of course, being a sort of secret society in themselves--it goes without saying that
the secret societies of a secret society--are pretty damn secretive.
And this is what I was irking toward with our opening statement of this list--it’s
important *not* to know things, when faced with these mysteries of literature.
The Talamasca Caste--sometimes known as the Order of the Talamasca--or simply, Talamasca--are
a secret society set up during the early days of mankind, with the sole purpose of keeping
track of the paranormal comings and goings of the denizens of Earth.
I mean, it goes without saying really--you wouldn’t really let them sit there, seething
with impossible power for thousands of years, right?
Witches, spirits, werewolves--and of course, vampires--all fall within the ever gazing
eye of the Talamasca.
You see, in an expert fashion, Rice leaves just enough breadcrumbs of this organisation
throughout her work--and as they claim in Queen of the Damned--We Watch, and we are
always there.
In several cases, it is even alluded to that The Talamasca has existed as an entity since
before the birth of Christ--with their origin, strangely, and even more perplexingly being
tied--to Bees.
Yeah, you heard that right.
Your guess is just as good as mine.
And finally, coming in at our Number 1 spot--The Amyr
Uh.
Guys.
I’m sorry--but if it seems like I’m harping on about The Kingkiller Chronicles--that’s
because I am, and if you haven’t got the message yet--read this remarkable series and
let your mind work overtime in trying to figure out just what the hell is going on.
You see, Patrick Rothfuss, the creator of The Kingkiller Chronicles--demonstrated in
both his first novel, The Name of the Wind, and his second, The Wise Man’s Fear--has
a pretty remarkable knack of only giving us shapes of a story--and leaving us to attempt
to figure out the truth behind them.
Again, I’ve mentioned it before--but part of the true charm of this series, is the possibilities
behind it’s many twisting tales.
We’re never truly given definitive answers--only allusions.
And the most mysterious of those grand allusions--are The Holy Order of the Amyr.
And you know what?
In many ways, this is one of the only true secret societies in literature that we could
put on this list.
Because--the truth is--we know nothing about them.
It’s pure speculation as to how the Amyr came to be--who they are--and what their motivations
were.
We do know *some* things about them though, which is a testament to how well woven this
story is.
The Amyr were founded by the Tehlin Church--in the early days of the ancient Aturan Empire.
Their sole purpose was for their specially selected members to be equal part knight-errand,
a roaming purveyor of justice--and a vigilante.
In explicitly--they were exempt from the law, and their role was to enact their judiciary
powers across the land for the greater good.
The highest of their ranks--the Ciridae--were denoted by their tattooed hands, depicting
the Amyr’s Symbol--a Flaming Tower.
You see, the whole point of this series is the pursuit of knowledge--the seeking of a
secret.
Hopefully, one day--we’ll find out.
Well, there we have it horror fans--our list for the Top 5 Most Mysterious Secret Societies
In Literature.
What do you guys think?
Do you agree?
Disagree?
Have any more to add?
Then let us know your thoughts down in the comment section below, as well as any choice
picks of your own.
Before we depart from today's video--let’s first take a quick look at some of your more
creative comments from over the past few days.
Chris Harmon says--
Jack, have you seen the 2014 Australian zombie movie, Wyrmwood?
If you have, do you recommend it?
Thanks
--Hey Chris!
I have indeed--and yes, I certainly would recommend it.
Do you like Mad Max?
Do you like Zombies?
Then you will thoroughly enjoy Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead.
Well, on that note--go watch Wyrmwood!
And unfortunately, that’s all we’ve got time for in today's video--cheers for sticking
around all the way until the end.
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seeing you in the next one.
As per usual, I’ve been your horror host Jack Finch--you’ve been watching Top 5 Scary
Videos--and until next time, you take it easy.