In reply to Salim bin Kabina (msg # 817):

"Perhaps that should be our first port of call if the distance is not to great ? Either way should we continue the discussions in a somewhat more private setting ? To the cars ?"

In reply to George Perkins (msg # 818):

The offices of the Cairo Bulletin was just around Tahrir square, although it was a large square! It did take some time to traverse.

Nigel Wassif was delighted to help.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 819):

Delighted to be of help, the slender and refined reporter grabbed his pith helmet and walking cane. In his bespoke suit Nigel cut a dashing and (perhaps deliberately) aristocratic figure.

"By Jove! I would love to show you the site. This has been kept hush-hush, you know, but the mummy was found in the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. (The others being the Great Pyramid of Cheops or Khufu, and Khafre.)

"It is heavily guarded by the government now, so if you should like to visit the actual site in any detail I must accompany you."

JM had followed along deep in thought as they met back with the others.  There was more discussion with Dr. Khafour but now was not the time.  He listened as Molly explained what they had learned and nodded in agreement with the plan of action.

When they reached the newspaper offices, JM stepped forward and extended his hand his hand to Nigel. "John-Marc Falcon, a pleasure to meet you.  Your help is most appreciated Nigel, most appreciated.  I served some time here during the Great War.  I'm surprised we never met."

Molly found Nigel to be a breath of fresh air but then he was in the newspaper business so it wasn't a surprise to her.  She casually looked around the shop as much as she could without running through it to see what they were working on, and finally had to ask if she could look around some time.

"What a delightful set up you have hear.  Sometime you MUST show me around it.  Imagine being on the breaking edge of the news and you say you can get us into it to see close up?  You must be important to be allowed such a privilege."  Molly grew up believing that flattery usually got you at least past the front door and this was one door that the group needed to get past.  If she had to divert Nigel's attention while the others snooped she would sacrifice herself to do it.  Of course it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice since he really did cut a dashing figure in his outfit.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:09, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

The Count introduced himself and Mr Perkins to the newspaperman. He continued to use the pseudonym that they had been using as a precaution, but the man looked to be trustworthy. He had finished his cigar as they crossed the square so as to not fill the offices with smoke though it looked as though the majority of the staff also partook in the habit.

The Count was eager to depart, a look around a dig site in Egypt would be the highlight of the trip if they had been just a group of tourists.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 823):

"I am really top notch, old boy. Not much of note has happened the last couple days since we met. Let's depart!"

He popped his head into his editor's office to let him know he was taking the rest of the day off, then exited the stuffy Cairo office building to emerge into the sweltering Cairo afternoon sun.

Within an hour, they had traversed the city to the west.

Crossing the bridge to Gezirat Boulaq, they stopped at Alexander's estate. There they picked up some supplies to make a picnic of it, and add a couple stout Bedouin guards to their retinue.

Another half hour saw them cross the second bridge over the Nile to the river-port city of Giza. Out of the haze and charcoal smoke of the city loomed the Giza plateau further west and south. They could make out the tips of the three main pyramids at Giza overlooking the jumbled buildings of Giza and Cairo and the waters of the eternal Nile river that ran between them.

Once they had climbed up onto the Giza plateau, they once again saw the three pyramids (Cheops, Khaufre, Menkaure). Guarding them was the ancient stone beast, the Sphinx.


The area seemed strangely deserted. Off in the distance an Egyptian led three loaded camels off to some local market. There were no tourists. A hot wind blew off the desert to the west.

Following a rude dirt track between the drifting sands, they passed by the pyramids of Cheops and Khaufre, seeking instead the smaller pyrmaid of Menkaure.

The Clive dig site was guarded by a bored-looking Egyptian policeman armed with an antique and indifferently-maintained breech-loading Martini rifle. Another guarded the passage into the burial chamber hidden in the pyramid of Menkaure.

Nigel left to talk to them. A few notes changed hands and the policemen wandered off towards God knows where, rifles casually slung over shoulders. After a few minutes, Nigel returned.

"As mentioned, the Clive expedition has left their digs here, and moved south to the ancient capital and necropolis of Memphis, where they remain. This dig will remain as-is for a time, until the Egyptian authorities finish cataloguing it. Then they will re-cover it. After the disappearance of the other two guards when the mummy was stolen, these chaps were none to eager to remain here after dark. They've been persuaded to take a break until the sun goes down, whereupon they would leave anyways. Not that I blame them one whit, eh what?

"The mummy and its sarcophagus were stolen from a tomb hidden inside the pyramid. Would you like to visit the tomb now while it's hot, then tea when the sun is setting?"

Salim busied himself by setting a guard of their four Bedouin escorts. These men were armed with even older muskets and sabres. Their rifles looked lovingly maintained, scabbards well-oiled.

Cynthia is delighted to visit the young Mr. Wassif, but like the Count, she will maintain her pseudonym.

"I think taking advantage of what natural light we might have would seem to be ideal. Yes, I'd love to go in now.

"I have to ask though... the guards, did you persuade them by legal means? I understood you to have legitimate access here, yes?"

"Why is the pyramid going to be buried again? Wouldn't these artifacts be better served in a museum or academy, rather than hidden under the sand?"

Mungo waited until Nigel answered Cynthia's questions and then piped up, "May we go inside?  I've never been inside before so it would be thrilling plus to get out of the heat."

Despite having seen the pyramids before on his previous duty here in Egypt, JM is still fascinated by the huge objects.  As well he'd never seen the diggings up so close and he gazes around with fascination.  As the guards head off he considers the dark tunnels.  "I'd say we make haste while the sun is shining.  Let's get inside while the natural light helps at least a bit."

The Count followed the others towards the pyramid. He kept a close watch to try and see if they have been followed as they move through the sand.

Still he could not help but gaze in wonder at the Ancient treasures that surround them. An idea entered his mind to buy a picture of the view, but he quickly stifled the notion.


Count Sigismund Bathony rolled 69 using 1d100 with rolls of 69. Spot Hidden 75%

JM looked about curiously as they moved into the tunnel.  "I've been around these old ruins before but never down in one."

19:20, Today: John-Marc Falcon rolled 9 using 1d100 with rolls of 9. Spot Hidden [73%].

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 828):

"Legal, Miss Holloway?" He chuckled. "Yes, of course. Legal enough, if you understand. But it never hurts to keep up previous business arrangements. This is Egypt.

"The pyramid is immense. It can't be buried! What will be buried are the excavations of the temples and other buildings that were once here. As you can see, nothing can be seen here now. But there was once a city here. Doubtless there remains thousands of other structures hidden here within a stone's throw under the sands."

He led them towards the tunnel into the pyramid.

Using his camera (an older box model), Nigel took a photograph of the pyramid. Then he took out a torch and, switching it on, led them into the passage.

It was dark and cool inside. After a short trip through one unmarked stone passage, then another, they entered into a small room. There was some trash and wall markings from the archaeologists and guards who'd recently departed.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 834):

"This is the chamber where the sarcophagus was found.

"It was three tons of alabaster. Two pieces only, the lid and the box reliquary. It seems... difficult to picture how it was placed here. And how it was stolen in less than one night's time!"

Nigel took out a photograph taken from inside the chamber. It showed an immense sarcophagus. The lid was off, showing the mummy inside. Various archaeologists in khaki and pith helmets posed around it.

It was difficult to picture how such a massive object could have been moved in or moved out as the passages were smaller than at least the bottom and maybe the top as well.

Cynthia responds to Nigel's comment, "but then doesn't it behoove us all the more to dig down, not up? What is the purpose in burying Egypt's history?"

Cynthia surveys the room slowly, taking careful account of both the ancient and more recent signs of malicious activity. She is very conscientious to look before stepping or touching. She is looking specifically for the indicators the good doctor had told them of, or other symbols that were discovered in Gavigan's possession, or any indications of how the mummy theft was conducted.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Thu 02 Apr 2015.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 836):

Molly nodded at what Nigel said.  "It certainly does seem somewhat far fetched but then one can't argue that it was taken.  Tell me Nigel, may I call you Nigel, what are the rumors about how it got out.  I know that on digs there are always rumors going around when something impossible seems to have occurred."

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 837):

Shaking his head, Nigel lit a slender brown cigarette. The ember glowed orange in the gloom.

"You may indeed call me Nigel. There are unfortunately no solid rumours or theories. The police say it was bandits, but no one can furnish any scientific explanation as to how the sarcophagus was removed. Nor engineering, for that matter.

"Blast... it seems like it's rather too cool in here, even given we're inside the pyramid."

There was a definite chill that one would not expect in the desert, even effectively under so many tons of rock. Those looking notice their breaths are actually visible.

Molly exhales to see if there is a certain direction their breath vapor is going towards.  She doesn't like the idea that "something" is out there and perhaps coming their way.  Of course it could just be an natural phenomena.

"This doesn't bode well.  Why is it so chilly?"

"The walls are so bare. From books, I imagined they'd be decorated with hieroglyphics or other ornamentation. Is this common?"

The Count studied the walls of the chamber to see if any decoration had been removed to try and disguise the occupant. It would seem strange for a member of royalty to not have their burial chamber covered with paintings, even from the little he had read on the subject.

Count Sigismund Bathony rolled 6 using 1d100 with rolls of 6. Spot Hidden = 72%