A Challenge From Door

[iopenthings]

::A large hand-lettered sign has been placed on the wall next to the bar.::



A theoretical exercise, from Door, for anyone who wants to talk about it.

An associative house: a house in which the rooms are not actually connected by doors. Each room is in a different part of London Below. Travelling from one room to another is done by pictures hung on the walls of the rooms. One touches a picture, and moves to the room shown.

If, that is, one is a member of the House of Arch.

The problem, then: can any of you (or many of you, collectively) come up with a way for others to travel through the house? Better scenario: Only certain rooms are available. Best scenario: It's somehow keyed so that one has to be "introduced" to the house, if you will, before you can travel in it.

I'm going away for the next few days. I'm here for questions tonight, if you have any, and am looking forward to hearing ideas next week.

Comments

[weallscream.livejournal.com]

Just walk through the walls.

[iopenthings]

But, you see, the rooms are all miles and miles apart from each other. *I* don't even know where they all are. I'm not sure they all even *exist* in the purely physical realm.

[weallscream.livejournal.com]

Oh.

Swedenborgian space.

[deusexvocis.livejournal.com]

Quantify that term? Some of us, divine or otherwise, have a bit of trouble with that one.

*intrigued*

[weallscream.livejournal.com]

It's where you go when you sleep.

Or die.

Sometimes.

Read. (http://www.geocities.com/ganesha_gate/borg.html)

[clumsy_auror]

Hmmm. We might be able to do something clever with portkeys.

Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[deusexvocis.livejournal.com]

If I may suggest, my knowledge is a bit limited on this sort of thing despite aeons in divine service...but what about a cooperative portkey system? Simply touching the paintings seems to defeat the bloody purpose of the protection afforded by an associative house, don't you think?
So, for example (this may be a bit tricky), one could charm a certain ring or other bauble to act as a reactive portkey. Upon contact with said portait (containing the rest of the enchantment), it would send you to the associated room. Thus, a passkey system with very unique keys.

What do you think?

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[pubdog.livejournal.com]

I'm behind a portkey idea, they're tidy. Although cooperative portkeys might be a bit complicated.

I reckon I could adjust the fidelius charm to work -- if one person's a secret-keeper for the portkeys you just simply won't see 'em till they've told you they're there. Couldn't touch 'em if you wanted to. It'd be a bit tricky but if it works on houses it ought to work on paintings.

Or replace the paintings with magical portraits that ask a password first.

I like the secret-keeper idea, rather. Magical portraits can be...tetchy.

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[kabeleced]

That wouldn't work unless the portraits were portkeys as well, and passwords can be stolen.

Hm. Perhaps your idea with a secret-keeper for the passwords?

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[clumsy_auror]

Fidelis could work, that's true. But are there existing charms on the paintings that'll have to be broken? My curse-breaking's not up to scratch, and I don't think Bill's been around lately.

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[pubdog.livejournal.com]

We'd need to study them, to be sure, just to see where they go -- it'd take time. If they're similar to pre-existing portkeys though, why not simply put the whole room under a Fidelius?

[clumsy_auror]

I don't see why it couldn't be done. When Door gets back, let's try and find out more about these portraits.

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[clumsy_auror]

*excitedly* I think that could work! But you're right, the tricky part will be making sure that the portkeys react properly to each portrait's protrection spell, and that they don't go splinching the person.

I'll give it some thought today whilst I'm at work.

Re: Not quite as secure as Heaven, but one makes do.

[deusexvocis.livejournal.com]

*looks rather pleased with himself in that smug way that only angels and demons can*

Well, if it sparks a few new ideas, it's worth it to have spoken up, I guess.

[young_tmriddle]

I'll work on some arithmancy equations - there should be a mathematical formula that allows for synchronizing portkeys in fluctuating spaces.

What? I was a brilliant student, in addition to being a future Dark Lord, I'll have you know.