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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » Old News & Rumors
[Trailhead?] Society for Paranormal Investigations
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Chedawan
Boot

Joined: 20 Oct 2012
Posts: 13

 		[Trailhead?] Society for Paranormal Investigations
was "First post - and an unusual website"
Hi,

Just wanted to briefly introduce myself. I have been lurking on and off for a long while, going back to approximately I Like Bees, and early Perplex City, but never been a poster. Real life and all that getting in the way. However, the other day (and annoyingly I cannot remember where I stumbled across it) I clicked a link and arrived at a website/blog.
It may well not be an arg, but is mightily bizarre and screams of something of the ilk. I've run a few searches, but can find nothing on the matter.

Essentially it appears the blog sprang in to existence a couple of weeks ago, as a 'paranormal info' site I suppose, since which time a recurring theme of 'the shadows cult' has become more and more prevalent. With posts alluding to business cards being handed out by said cult. This screamed trailhead to me, and peaked my interest... A search on google finds no other reference to this 'ancient and influential cult'.

Before anyone asks/accuses, imam nothing to do with this site, I merely saw it and it aroused my curiosity, and I knew of nowhere else to go and discuss this, to see if it is an arg, something similar, or indeed a personal blog that I've just read too much in to.

The site is --->. http://www.societyforparanormalinvestigations.com/

I thought it telling that the picture of the sinister cults card, still includes their contact details, whilst warning of their dangers.

Anyhow, I'll shut up and let you have a look with your more experienced eyes.

[edit - changed thread title so people can 1) find it 2) will be more likely to check it out with a subject in the title - kona]

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:42 am
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mrshomersimpson
Entrenched


Joined: 10 Jun 2012
Posts: 998
Location: scotland

 		let me be the first to say.. WELCOME!

I had a look over the site and it does look pretty awesome!

I was going to email but i was sadly not approached by a cult.

I could email on the pretense of wanting to know more. See where this goes.

Thanks for pointing this out, i'm kinda into this stuff!

will keep posted!

so i emailed.... and i'm thinking now upon closer inspection of the facebook page ECT.. that it's not an arg?! LOL i sure hope it is because if not i just emailed a cult! However, given that on the FB page they show you newspaper articles ect... it might just be happening... :S

i have to say i am rather spooked now! However OP you are right, if it is so dangerous why post the details! LOL GAHHHH worried*

where is Akiva when you need him!

The last time i joined a cult it didn't end well..... Wink
_________________
Has the unique "jumping in with 2 feet first and asking all the random awkward questions everyone's thinking but not asking so i do" policy......

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PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:41 am
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TallulahBelle
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Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 779
Location: Sweden

 		I agree it looks like an ARG, only lots of shit checks out.
Here's the local newspaper story: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Fears-possible-Tamworth-cult-target-vulnerable/story-17110648-detail/story.html
Here's the police who commented: http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/local_policing/tamworth/lpt_commander
Here's that OscarOneThree's comments in the local paper dating back to last summer: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/people/OscarOneThree/profile.html?pageOffset=20

I don't know what to make of this.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:46 pm
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Chedawan
Boot

Joined: 20 Oct 2012
Posts: 13

 		Thank you for the warm welcome.
Hopefully if you do contact them, we will get an idea as to what this actually is... I can't find any refs to this cult anywhere else.

As for stuff checking out, I agree it does... However, I guess if someone saw it and the local newspaper picked it up, they wouldn't think ARG, and would contact a real police officer (with them being a genuine newspaper), the police officer in fairness has said he hasn't heard anything about it, which I suspect lends more to it getting out there as an arg???

I am wondering if maybe the creator (who one presumes is the JAmes Vincent from the site) has perhaps leaked his own story to the local paper - doesn't look like Tamworth is thriving with news from the paper's website - and that is the trailhead... Hoping it'll be picked up by bigger online news sites. Just a thought, or maybe it's me thinking it is an arg, and coming up with things to fly in the face of it not being.

If its not a game... It's mighty strange.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:32 pm
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Stroma
Decorated

Joined: 05 Jul 2012
Posts: 156
TallulahBelle wrote:
I agree it looks like an ARG, only lots of shit checks out.
Here's the local newspaper story: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Fears-possible-Tamworth-cult-target-vulnerable/story-17110648-detail/story.html
Here's the police who commented: http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/local_policing/tamworth/lpt_commander
Here's that OscarOneThree's comments in the local paper dating back to last summer: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/people/OscarOneThree/profile.html?pageOffset=20

I don't know what to make of this.


But is http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk reputable? The articles only proof of this supposed cult is the website in OP.

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:38 pm
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jono
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Joined: 07 May 2008
Posts: 299

 		Well this is very odd.

I would say that if you were a super powerful cult with paranormal powers, why in the world would you give your card out in Tamworth. Tamworth is small and to be honest pretty dull, its not exactly the city/town everyone flocks to for its business or culture.

Quote:
Here's the local newspaper story: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Fears-possible-Tamworth-cult-target-vulnerable/story-17110648-detail/story.html


I would make a point that the "This is x" sites are crowd sourced, if you go to the front page you can see the button to submit an article, so if this was an ARG the PM could have submitted this article themselves (it would be an ethical mine field but it could be done)

It might explain why its in Tamworth as local newspapers are not the best for fact checking (due to lack of funds) and tend to print slightly odd stories due to a lack of things going on (Today's headlines involve a cake and an interview with a local circus for instance).

I will point out that whoever wrote this article seems as bemused as we are note now they never confirm anything

Quote:
The symbol of the alleged cult, which apparently is handed out as business cards


The language in this caption and the rest of the article keeps pointing out that this is alleged and without any actual evidence I would lean to this being a prank of some form of advertising.

The real kicker for me are these two bits:

Quote:
But Tamworth police chiefs this week said they had received no reports in relation to any such activities in the town.


Quote:
But he also said that in a late-night incident last week he, and a colleague, witnessed a ritual at a location near the town centre.


As someone who has visited Tamworth I can tell you that while it is a small place the town center does have people and bushiness in it and frankly if something had happened someone would have seen it and there is plenty of chance of Police to use CCTV to see who was involved.

The same goes for the cards, if it was a common thing the news would have got passed round people via word of mouth and you would think that the story would have got someone who received a card to comment.

I did ask someone I know who lives in Tamworth and he has no idea about it and has seen nothing odd and he went and asked several people he knows and all of them are just as clueless.


I am thinking this is either one fantastic prank or the build up to something. Maybe its the tourist board, I mean its quite the slogan "Visit Tamworth and be attacked by the Cthulhu's hordes!!"

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:49 pm
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mrshomersimpson
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Joined: 10 Jun 2012
Posts: 998
Location: scotland

 		when i checked up Dr James Vincent, Society Chief.

Nothing formal came up.

I would imagine if he was a real professor Or society chief he would have done more or been more prevalent that he is online

I emailed both the addresses on that page. just to see. I have not received a reply yet.

I asked a friend who lives in England and he agreed with many of the things @jono has already posted.

If it is a prank then its pretty well done!

We can hope for an email back at best ....

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:56 pm
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Chedawan
Boot

Joined: 20 Oct 2012
Posts: 13

 		I've done a bit of googling and found that there is a thread on this story in a large forum for magicisns:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=485000&forum=14&7

The op of that thread, interestingly is from Tamworth... He has a website listed

http://www.anthonyblack.biz/blog.php

And has just released a book it would seem....

http://www.lulu.com/shop/anthony-black/resurrection-dreams/paperback/product-20387347.html

Now I am wondering if this may well not be a marketing campaign.
.
He lists as one of the effects in his book as a 'secret project' :

"This is an idea I am very excited about, and one which will be of benefit to our community as performers. By buying this product you are agreeing not to resell/share it"


Could it be that his secret project is an example of a transmedia advertising?


Though I truly do hope it is the tourist board...mso much better than advertising the cake or local circus otherwise mentioned

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 2:51 pm
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draghkar
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Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Netherlands - the hilly part of it that is

 		not sure for now.. will lurk a bit to check this out..
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:06 pm
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njberry
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Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 778
Location: southampton, england

 		@angela

did you email the shadow cult or the dr ?

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:03 pm
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draghkar
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Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Netherlands - the hilly part of it that is

 		an article in the local newspaper..

http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Fears-possible-Tamworth-cult-target-vulnerable/story-17110648-detail/story.html

the comments are interesting to read..

it also contains a link to an image:


The profile of the doctor:
http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/people/Dr_J_Vincent/profile.html

including his image:




Then there is this character "achiepop" profile: http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/people/Achiepop/profile.html

who quotes the following:
Quote:
Yog-Sothoth knows the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present, future, all are one in Yog-Sothoth. He knows where the Old Ones broke through of old, and where They shall break through again. He knows where They have trod earth's fields, and where They still tread them, and why no one can behold Them as They tread.


More on Yo-sothoth on wiki: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yog-Sothoth


Then his latest post says:
Quote:
"Oh dear me! Have the Shadows got Dr Vincent???

Quick - they'll be torturing him with constant playing of Apache - somebody help the poor man!"


if an ARG, then we might have a lead for investigation..
_________________
I live... wake me when I die
Call me nightshade, since I am known as such in the summer court

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:49 pm
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njberry
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Joined: 23 Aug 2012
Posts: 778
Location: southampton, england

 		hmm its sounding more like an ARG atm

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:15 pm
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draghkar
Entrenched


Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Netherlands - the hilly part of it that is

 		the thing that throws me off still is the fact that it contains too much real life items.. like the reference to he police department, with the current constable..

also the fact that it appeared in the local newspaper..

must be either a real elaborate one, where everyone is into it, or ....
_________________
I live... wake me when I die
Call me nightshade, since I am known as such in the summer court

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:07 pm
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draghkar
Entrenched


Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Netherlands - the hilly part of it that is

 		some observations..

on the facebook site of "Society for Paranormal Investigations" http://www.facebook.com/societyforparanormalinvestigations?ref=stream

there is a character that keeps posting comments.. this character "gormless harry" http://www.facebook.com/gormless.harry?fref=pb claims he worked at anthony black, the same person referenced by @Chedawan in an earlier post..

the pictures seem the same..

coincidence? I dont know yet.. but it might be a line for investigation...

another find:
dr james has his own facebook site as well:

http://www.facebook.com/james.vincent.790256?fref=pb

And a tumblr account:
http://dr-j-vincent.tumblr.com/
_________________
I live... wake me when I die
Call me nightshade, since I am known as such in the summer court

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:50 pm
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draghkar
Entrenched


Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 771
Location: Netherlands - the hilly part of it that is

 		OK before I start losing my mind over this one already a summary of websites for you guys to check.. there is a very good linkover between the sites, so if this is an ARG, then it promises to become big:

Facebook sites
Anthony Black
James Vincent
gormless harry
Society for Paranormal Investigations

Tumblr pages
http://dr-j-vincent.tumblr.com/

Websites
Society for paranormal investigations
Anthony black blog

Newspaper articles
http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Fears-possible-Tamworth-cult-target-vulnerable/story-17110648-detail/story.html#comment-3492698


When more links and so on are found, I will update this list..
_________________
I live... wake me when I die
Call me nightshade, since I am known as such in the summer court

PostPosted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:24 pm
Last edited by draghkar on Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:56 am; edited 1 time in total
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