After checking his suit in the mirror one last time, Leo made his way out to welcome the newest members of their group. After opening the door, Leo smiled and nodded at Tiny. "It's good to see you again, Tiny. How are you doing today?"

"This young feller is wondering whether he might partake of the refreshments, Doc. I could fancy a drink and a bite myself. Shall we start things off?"

As she heads for the refreshments, she tosses back over her shoulder, "So what'd you think of my shiny new crate, Doc? Figure she'll suit your needs?"

McNeil politely greeted Dr. Elias' valet as he was admitted to the suite. His thoughts remained preoccupied with all of the items he had examined from the Penhew Foundation, some of the information having followed him late into the previous evening, isolating him to a few hours of fleeting, frequently interrupted sleep. He had been careful to look as fresh as possible as he prepared himself that morning, not wanting to make his fatigue readily obvious to his new employers.

Seeing that Dr. Elias was discussing Miss ten Boom's aircraft, and presumably travel arrangements, he found an unobtrusive spot in the room in which to stand. He gave the refreshments only a brief glance. Neglecting food was a bad habit from the field that he'd yet to break. Whenever his mind found a problem on which to work, other concerns often fell by the wayside.

"Oh, please do have some of the, er, refreshments." Doctor Elias gestured toward the spread, though waited for the others before he sampled some of the lighter portions of the fare.

"I think your aircraft will be a splendid way for us to take the next leg of our journey. Of course we will need to decide precisely where we are going. We are involved in a...bit of a mystery, you see, and there are signs pointing in many different directions. Cairo is one of our options, and probably the closest to London. Though I'm curious what everyone else thinks before we make a decision."

Leo frowned a moment as he realized that 'everyone else' wasn't a particularly large number of people anymore. Only Rosalie had a full grasp on everything, though Price should also have an opinion.

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 6):

Fredde turns with a large whisky in her hand.

"Good," she says, nodding, "I am as free as a bird until April, when the cool weather begins and the Fokker will be needed for operations. I can take you anyplace, as long as we have money for petrol. Well, I don't know that I would be comfortable yet crossing the Atlantic, and a trans-Pacific flight is quite impossible, of course, though perhaps with careful preparation..."

She guffaws and takes a big bite of a small sandwich.

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 3):
Tiny turns to Dr. Elias and responds with a very firm handshake, "Doing fine, just a bit of a twitch in me left eye every once in a while.  Glad to see you again doc.  Them are right fancy duds you're wearing.  I like me new duds, G'uvner Price did all right by me.  I think Fredde has the right idear, I'm off to the mess."

Tiny moves to the refreshment table, grabs a large glass fills it with 'something brown' and drinks it in one 'sip'. "Wonderful, just wonderful!" He fills his glass again, then takes a couple of sandwiches. He disposes of them fairly quickly.

Price, as always wearing a well-tailored suit, smiled, his tailor had done very well, "Looking very smart indeed Tiny."

"While a suit doesn't make the man, it certainly put him in the best light, and you are positively beaming."

"There are a lot of possibilities, but it appears all of them make Cairo a likely first stop. So my vote is we make it our first stop." Price said before taking a sip from a cup of tea.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:51, Sat 01 Dec 2018.

McNeil cleared his throat. "Cairo certainly seems a logical next step. Mr. Gavigan's collection of antiquities clearly supports his adherence to the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh and Egypt is where they find their origin. And, of course, that was the destination of the Carlyle Expedition."

"There was...a great deal of unsettling material among Mr. Gavigan's effects. One of the statues in his possession was a depiction of the Bloated Woman. She is the central figure of a cult centered in China. I'll confess that I can recall few details about them at the moment, but I can brush up on my history with a trip to the British Museum."

"Mr. Gavigan also received some parcels from an importer located in Shanghai, including a statue of a figure that was...inhuman. Clearly, he had some connections in China. Eventually, once the investigations in Egypt are at an end, a trip to the Far East might prove profitable."

"I don't believe either a Transatlantic or Transpacific flight are on our agenda any time soon, Miss ten Boom," he said. Ever with a dour but capable countenance and rarely prone to displays of emotion, it was a unique occurrence that Avery even showed a level of mild annoyance at Miss ten Boom's nonchalance. He didn't venture much more, as he assumed that her flippance was likely a result of ignorance rather than malice. Long in service to the Elias family, Jackson may not have been his biological son, but Avery always treated the lad like he was.

"I've taken the liberty of preparing a small memo that might briefly introduce yourself and Mr. Amboy to some elementary details of what we've been through, so that you can have an understanding of the general situation."

He handed each of them a sheet of paper, with a few sentences typewritten on them.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
On January 15, 1925, Jackson Elias, son to Dr. Leonardo Elias and cousin to Rosalie Elias, was murdered in New York City by individuals with ostensible cult connections evidenced by their strange attire, primitive weaponry, and the symbol they carved on the victim's forehead.

Together, along with other cousins of the late Jackson Elias, Vincent Moretti and Walter Brandon and a very near cousin by marriage and long-time associate of the family, Stanley Bishop, the group looked into this group of cultists. They were joined by reporter Thomas Cotton as well as assistant Annabel Ashcroft, who since returned to New York. It was later discovered that these cultists perished in some manner of gang violence.

Among other things found on Jackson's person at the time of his death was a business card for Edward Gavigan of the Penhew Foundation, which lead the group of us here. Some investigation revealed that Gavigan was a member of a group of dangerous eccentrics related to the ones responsible for Jackson's murder, and that they had something most foul planned to occur at Gavigan's country estate. They informed the police of the incident and provided assistance in helping rescue captives from Gavigan before things went too far.

While in London, the group suffered the losses of Stanley Bishop, Vincent Moretti, and Walter Brandon. A miscellaneous list of other items discovered have pointed to other branches of this cult in Cairo, Kenya, Shanghai, and Australia.

---

Turning to the others, Avery leaned into a meticulously organized folder system and retrieved two items that he placed on a table for consideration.

"As I'm certain you recall, there were a few items recovered that particular day from the Chelsea Hotel that may be helpful in the consideration of our next steps. This first one is perhaps relevant regarding a trip to Cairo."

A Letter to Roger Carlyle from Faraz Najir

"With respect to Dr. McNeil's suggestions regarding China, this is something that we found that is a lead, even if a bit vague."

Matchbook for the Stumbling Tiger Bar

As she begins to read Avery's memorandum, Fredde sets aside her drink. Her demeanour changes completely. She folds the paper into thirds and sets it aside. Rising from her chair, she crosses to Dr Elias and formally shakes his hand.

"I am very sorry to learn of the tragic loss of your son and for the deaths of your other family members. That organizations such as this should be allowed to flourish in civilized lands is monstrous. What can the authorities be thinking? They must be rooted out and destroyed.

"I am at your disposal. I am not a scholar, but whatever talents I possess are yours to command."

She finds Rosalie and expresses similar sentiments.

Tiny takes his time in reading the paper that Avery has given him.  Tiny's face saddens and he begins to slowly shake his head.  "Damn! Bloody damn murderers and monsters. And poppin up all over our bloomin world!  'ere I am thinkin that the Great War had ended.  Now, we're all facin another disaster.  I'm ready and willin to help put down these monsters, anytime, anywhere."

Leo returned a wan smile to the pair of newcomers to their intrepid crew. "Thank you for your condolences and offer to help stop this...coming disaster. We need all the help we can get."

He paused a moment to gather himself - it wasn't lost on Leo how much his family had shrunk in the last few days. Vibrant members of society snuffed out in their prime. At least if Leo followed them into the grave, he would have lived a relatively full life.

"That said, do you have any opinion on our next destination? Cairo is the current leader, but if you've any thoughts to the contrary I'd like to hear them."

"Well, I take it like this, Doc, having my Fokker for transport will put you--that is, us--in Cairo a couple weeks before these cult people will expect. That could prove an advantage."

Tiny thinks a minute, then responds, "Don't know the weather in them other places, but I sure know I don't want to be in Cairo in the summertime.  Was there a fortnight after Gallipoli recovern, before being sent back here.  It was late June and early July of 1915, and it was gettin hot then.  So's my vote is Cairo. I do know one or two good dives...ehhh pubs there."

”For what it is worth, Dr. Elias, I’m inclined to agree with the others. Cairo offers the most direct link to the Brotherhood and the Carlyle Expedition,” McNeil offered. ”I believe a trip to Shanghai might ultimately prove fruitful as well. But I think that Egypt is the best choice at this juncture.”

"Now the question is what is the plan in Cairo? Given that it is Cairo, and the focus of the Penhew Foundation, perhaps Gavigan can be found here. We should find out what the Foundation is up to down there." Price said keeping his focus on the Penhew Foundation.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:27, Wed 19 Dec 2018.

Avery sat nearby with a pencil and a notebook, making notes on their conversation, which he would later transcribe and send to Annabel Ashcroft in New York for archival, safekeeping, and her role in keeping the Carlyle's informed of the investigation's progress.



Harry's question drew a comment from the usually reserved retainer.

"From what I've gathered, Mr. Price, there are two leads to Egypt. One is the note that was discovered at the Chelsea Hotel, a note written presumably to Roger Carlyle that Jackson managed to get his hands on somehow. The other is the generalized Egyptian nature of this Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh."

"We should find out if the Foundation is involved in any digs in Egypt."

"If we are going to make this an expedition, I suggest we make the necessary preparations and seek out an outfitter. Considering what we saw back at the estate perhaps a few elephant guns wouldn't be a bad choice." Price added.

Leo frowned for a moment. "What sort of expedition are you thinking we shall undertake, Mister Price?"

"Well it is a hunt, isn't it. This Gavigan and his collaborators are the quarry. But this is a tiger hunt because we are being hunted as well." Price replied.

"But otherwise I suggest we bring gear necessary to operate in the field including proper clothing and kit. That and a stop at the bank to exchange some pounds for local currencies as well." Price added.

Leo nodded. "That sounds like reasonable precaution."

He looked around at the others to see if anyone else had something to add.

Tiny refills his large glass with 'something brown', raises it towards Dr. Elias and drinks it. "I loves a good hunt, may we kill as many monsters as we find! Wonderful, just wonderful!"

”I could make a few polite inquiries here in London regarding any archaeological expeditions that are currently taking place in Egypt,” O’Neil volunteered, ”People in the profession tend to keep up on what others are pursuing, out of professional curiosity...or jealousy.”

He held up the piece of correspondence that Avery had provided, the letter to Roger Carlyle. ”Our first inquiries might be about this Faraz Najir. Apparently he owns a shop in the Old Quarter of Cairo and was plying some artifacts that he believed would be of particular interest to Carlyle. As this was in Jackson’s possession at the time of his death, I would imagine it was a matter he intended to investigate.”

Tiny gets a thoughtful look upon his face, "Before we leave I'm thinkin' that a few items to do some 'arm to them monsters might be needed.  I'd like a 'andgun, a shotgun an a knife along with me kit.  I'm not sure what's now allowed into Cairo.  Also, if the coppers 'aven't got to 'im, a smugglin Norwegian captain name a Lars Torvak, 'e's on the Ivory Wind.  And then there's the warehouse in which me sorry hide was caught.  I'd like to look them both up, if the coppers' 'aven't."

Before their departure for Egypt, the group manages to accomplish a few objectives to support their upcoming voyage and prepare for what they may have waiting for them.

• Leo composed a telegram to his wife Catherine, and also sent to her a letter by post with some more detail about their recent trials and tribulations, and what they are looking to get into next. He was able to secure a short appointment with Lord Arthur Balfour, an old friend, during which he ended up convincing the man of some of his recent strange travails. Balfour promised to look into the situation a bit more, and provided a letter of introduction to one of his contacts in Cairo. Leo is also able to acquire a BSA No. 4 Sporting Rifle that will be delivered to the aerodome.
  
• McNeil is also able to acquire a substantial quantity of liquor for transport. Additionally, in conjunction with Dr. Elias, he conducts some research into Gavigan and the Brotherhood.
• On Gavigan, the pair are able to learn little of his life. It is clear that Gavigan had little in the way of family money or connections. He has no criminal record of any kind, though was once assaulted by a neighbor, who before being dragged to a mental institution hysterically accused Gavigan of killing his whole family, who had died when their home caught fire. In terms of his career as an Archaeologist, Gavigan has played a secondary role on a handful of digs in Egypt with his role generally limited to being mentioned among members of expeditions, but despite a lack of evidence of major accomplishments of his own, he rose quickly and high within the Penhew Foundation. In recent times, he has eschewed field work for work at the Foundation itself in London.
• Of the Brotherhood, there is little mention save a single reference that points towards a tome called Life as a God. When the reference comes up, Leo mentions that they have a copy of the book, and offers to let Dominic take a look at it.
• Harry meanwhile oversees an exchange of pounds sterling to the Egyptian Piaster, and contacts an outfitter to set their number up for a hunt in Africa, with firearms to be delivered to the aerodome. The outfitter secures them firearms permits for both Egypt and Kenya.
• Fredde manages to sell the motorcycle for as much as she bought it for, sends a cable home informing her father of their travel plans, and easily secures a few quarts of whiskey for the journey.
• Tiny finds that the warehouse where he was being held was cleaned out completely, and that Lars Torvak is in the wind; none of the usual suspects have seen him lately. Later inquiries inform him that the police already had the contents of the warehouse on hand. He is able to learn that the contents consisted of a substantial number of firearms and also strange artifacts. Still, he is able to supply himself for the journey.

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:56, Fri 11 Jan 2019.