"Thank you," Rosalie said simply, though her eyes said far more of her gratitude than she could ever express.

She began helping to pack away Leo's medical kit, sterilizing his instruments and throwing the bloody gauze and bandages in the waste bin.  Afterward, she cleaned up in the bathroom and then rejoined the others, glancing at the pile of items they'd taken.  "Might as well make myself useful," she suggested.


OOC: Rosalie can help sift through the stolen goods -- whatever isn't taken or claimed by the boys.  She can also help with the Latin, if her Latin is good enough.   

Leo shook his head at Vincent's suggestion of indebtedness. "No, you're not indebted to me. Not in the least. We all bring something to this group, Vincent. You were injured keeping others from harm - a selfless act and one that is appreciated. But you need to stop worrying about your place here or of what you feel worthy. You are one of a very small number of people in the world that knows about what we're up against here. We need you to do your part, just as I am needed to do mine, if we have any hope of surviving long enough to discover just what is happening and how to stop it."

Leo paused for a moment and tipped his head slightly to the side, though his stern tone didn't really change. "Rosie and I are probably going to need you to keep us safe more than once in the near future, Vincent, and you can't do that if you won't let us keep you on your feet. Or worse, you slip off and are gone for good."

He looked over at Rosie and then back toward Bo and Thomas. "Rosie will stay here with Vincent and dig through some of the material. I'll go with you pair to hunt for public information."

16:47, Today: Dr. Leonardo Elias rolled 70,97,68 using d100,d100,d100 with rolls of 70,97,68.  Library Use (75).

After three hours, Tommy, Leo, and Walter returned from the library. After an exhaustive search of multiple sources of records, they managed through Leo's guidance to locate information on a property located in Essex, in an area called the Naze at the edge of the North Sea. The estate has passed from one set of hands to another over the years since it was constructed in the 17th century, but some five years ago it was acquired by Edward Gavigan. They are unable to locate any other property owned by Gavigan during that time, however.

Vincent's chosen tome is a leather bound manuscript, slightly damaged with some foxing and occasionally irregularly sized pages. No title or author is given on the cover but a frontispiece identifies it as Ye Booke of Comunicacions with ye Angel Dzyon. The manuscript contains text in archaic English and an unknown set of symbols as well as marginal notes in what appears to be Greek.

This book is a loosely organized collection of what can be described, for lack of a better term, as séances between an unnamed medium and an “angelic spirit” identified in the text as Dzyon (or sometimes as Dzyan). The sessions are supposed to transcribe the wisdom of Cehuti, an archangel (?), and are composed of a mixture of divine pre-history, angelic law and magic, confounding cabalistic discussions, and suggestive discussions of how certain humans may be elevated to divinity. The papers that form the text seem to have been collected and organized along specific themes and not chronologically. Some of the portions in the non-English symbols appear to be written contemporaneously with the regular writing but not in the same hand. The work itself is confused and sometimes self contradictory. While portions of the English text seem to be translations of the two types of ciphers used, other portions are left untranslated. Certain sections, particularly those dealing with incantations, are heavily annotated in Greek.

Rosalie picks up a large vellum manuscript bound in brass-capped leather. The interior of the work (entitled Liber Ivonis) is in illuminated Latin, accompanied by copious marginal illustrations, miniatures, and decorated initials (most of which seem to consist of a rather fanciful toad or frog). The manuscript binding is in fair condition—some of the brass fittings have been lost, the inside cover has been gouged repeatedly (apparently to remove a book plate, the scraps of which remain, but are totally illegible), and there are recent small scorch marks on the rear cover. The manuscript interior is in excellent condition. The artwork within depicts many strange scenes, some of which are rather disturbing and unlike those found in a typical medieval work. Based on her experience studying old manuscripts, Rosalie can  date the manuscript to the early 13th century, most likely the Sicilian Court of Frederick II. The cover is more recent, probably dating from the early 16th century.

This work is a grimoire allegedly written by the magician Ivon “of Hyperborea.” It serves as both a grimoire and to provide an autobiographical account of the author’s life, from his time as an apprentice to his departure from Hyperborea. Ivon, after his apprenticeship, journeyed about “Hyperborea” encountering many strange beings and individuals (some of whom he traveled with for a time). Most importantly, he pledged his service to some sort of batrachian being of great power (Xatogua—“he who sleeps and is served by crawling shadows”) in exchange for the being’s vast magical knowledge. Beyond Ivon’s tutelage under this strange furry being, there are also discussions of astronomy, astrology, protective magical signs, and a lengthy passage about a dragon of some sort that laid waste to much of “Hyperborea.” The work concludes with a discussion of Ivon’s flight from this kingdom due to some sort of religious conflict as well some commentary about his apprentice (apparently written by said apprentice). The frequent illuminations of the tome often depict the disturbing topics contained within in a shocking manner. The artistic style is somehow more representational than that typically found in medieval manuscripts, yet contains elements that would almost be described as modernist, if the book did not date from the 13th century; certain stylistic elements suggest the artist was trained in the Persian Miniature school. The combined effect of the unsettling illustrations with the bizarre text is an undoubtedly disturbing one.

OOC:

Greater research into these books will take longer than the time that you have to sort of skim the tomes.

15:40, Today: The Keeper, on behalf of Rosalie Elias, rolled 41 using 1d100 with rolls of 41.  History 71%. (Just to give you some advanced information on the book, already included in the paragraphs)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Wed 05 July 2017.

[Did we find the estate on an Ordnance Survey map? That is, do we have some idea of the layout of the place?]

After a somewhat frustrating morning at the library chasing dead ends at last they settled on something that looked like it might be a lead. With the clock ticking toward their agreed meeting time Tommy scribbled down the last of his notes, thanked the clerk and joined 'Bo and Leo in a taxi back to the hideout.

It was as short drive, punctuated only by the stop stat traffic of the dense city. Spooked by the loss of Bishop the night before the trio had the driver drop them off a short way down the street from their destination and took care to watch for unexpected interest before ducking back down the stairs to join the others.

Quickly they relayed what that had found.
"Yeah, so Gavigan does have a place outside of town. Essex, near the sea. These English love a good cold beach right? Couldn't find any other addresses.

The question is, what next? Gavigan must know we are on to the place...that is, if Vincent's surprise in the Penhew Foundation hasn't gotten to him first. If we go over to Essex, we need to decide now if we want backup. It's too far from London for anyone to come save us if we get caught up in a mess.

Or maybe this whole thing is getting too dangerous and we hand it over to the Police...".

ooc - Did we confirm that the Essex property is Misr House? Or only that Gavigan owns a property there (but we didn't confirm its name)?
Also, best roll I've made for a while!
09:51, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 3 using 1d100 with rolls of 3.  Tommy spot hidden vs 70.

OOC:

Yes, you've confirmed that it's the Misr House. (You went searching for the Misr House and found this property associated with that listing so...)

To Walter's query, you have some dated maps outlining the lay of the land, though not detailed plans of any buildings.

The building sits upon an estate to which Gavigan has title. The estate itself is situated in the middle of the marshes at the edge of the North Sea, about seven miles southwest of Harwich. Driving there would take about two hours. The area can be reached by train in just over an hour.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:43, Thu 06 July 2017.

With the book open in his lap, Moretti found himself struggling to focus on the challenging text, his mind preoccupied with Leo's stern words. Silently, he wondered if the physician would be angered when he learned of the agreement that Moretti had made; what he had pledged to ensure that Bishop's remains made it home to his family in America.

After several false starts, Moretti was able give his complete attention to Ye Booke of Comunicacions with ye Angel Dzyon. Scanning through the pages, he was disappointed to find nothing that explicitly pointed to Gavigan, the Brotherhood, or their activities. Halfway though skimming the volume's contents, he recognized that weeks of study would likely be needed to fully comprehend the text's esoteric concepts.

When he reached the end, he closed the book with a sigh, relating what he had learned to Rosalie when she was able to take a break from her own reading.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Wed 05 July 2017.

Rosalie looked up from her reading as the others joined them and checked her watch, surprised that they'd been gone for a few hours.  Rubbing one temple, she closed the manuscript she'd been reading and pushed it away from her.  "Welcome back.  I am glad that your search was a bit more fruitful than my own.  I've spent the past three hours reading about a magician that made a pact with a furry shadow demon."  She sighed and rose from the cot. "So, you discovered the location of Gavigan's property?  Do we think this might be where they're meeting?  Did you find any reference to Misr House?"

"A magician and a furry demon?". Cotton wrinkled his nose suspiciously. "More legends and nonsense? I thought Gavigan was in to Egyptians.". He shrugged, not really understanding.
"But yeah - the place I mentioned near Harwich - we think that's Misr House. Probably a couple of hours from here.
It's outside the city like Zubaida said and fits with the what we found in the Penhew Foundation. Question is, why are they meeting? And how do we play if if they know we are coming?".

Moretti cleared his throat. Putting his book aside, he stood, feeling a fresh throb of soreness as he did so. Ignoring it, he lit a cigarette. "Zubaida said that these gatherings occurred once a month. That the lorry would pick up a group of people from the Blue Pyramid and take them outside of the city. The location of Gavigan's estate fits that last criteria. So, I think it's safe to assume that this is some kind of....worship gathering. A time for the Brotherhood to pay homage to their god....the Black Pharoah. In this instance, given what we discovered at the Penhew Foundation, their purpose, at least in part, may be to perform some manner of ritual intended to harm several members of the Elias family. Probably by utilizing the mirror."

He inhaled smoke, exhaling slowly. "But remember, what seems to have prompted Jackson's interest in all this were the murders, murders he associated with the Brotherhood through what he'd read in Life as a God. The methods of sacrifice described in that book and what has been done to each of the victims here coincide precisely. I think it's a fair bet that this estate of Gavigan's, the Misr House, is where these killings are carried out."

He pauses, looking at the floor. "Part of my instinct would be to go there. To kick in the door and try to kill Gavigan and anyone else tied to the Brotherhood. But after what happened to Stanley..."

"If the Misr House is where the Brotherhood performs its sacrifices, then there is bound to be evidence there that ties them to the murders. I think we should consider tipping off Barrington and Scotland Yard to the location, making certain that they understand that there's reason to believe another murder will take place this evening. If we choose to do it, we should throw in a few details that reference the exact methods of the sacrifices, enough to get Barrington and his men galvanized. Remember, they lost an inspector to Gavigan and his monsters."

He took another long inhale. "The only uncertainty is the mirror. We wouldn't be able to lay hands on it, though I'd guess there's a fair chance in could end up in evidence. But if the police act quickly enough, they should disrupt whatever use Gavigan might be trying to put it to."

"It's already after noon and the claendar indicated the sacrifice is today or tonight, which fits in with what the dancer told us. That doesn't give us much time to convince Barrington, who is pretty hostile to us and told us to keep our noses out of it.

"The Misr House estate is too big for the few of us and three shotguns to have a chance in hell. Even if Gavigan hasn't brought in a mob of his cult members, a place like that probably has enough sevants to see us off. With Gavigan's magic, we'd be going in like Custer at the Little Big Horn, and likely not coming out.

"Leo, do you think we can give Barrington enough reason to mount a major police raid and is there time enough to do it?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Fri 07 July 2017.

Moretti exhaled another stream of smoke. "Bo, to be fair, I wouldn't characterize Barrington as hostile. He was just stern with regard to any suggestion of one of us taking the law into our own hands. He's by the book. Not one of those that'll look the other way when someone's doing something blatantly illegal. You know the kind. You've dealt with your share."

He turned his attention to Leo. "Barrington told Stanley and I that he was on the verge of taking Jackson's ideas seriously. Or any halfway reasonable lead for that matter. He's clearly under a lot of pressure to reach a resolution on the case. I'm not saying he might not need some convincing. But I think if he had even a couple of facts that tied Gavigan and the cult to the murders, he'd feel compelled to follow up on them."

He sighed. "If you're worried about not being able to convince him in time, sir, you and the others could always go ahead and find a way out of the country now. Get passage away from here in the next couple of hours. I could stay and approach Barrington, give him enough to get him out to the estate, even if it gets me into some legal trouble." He shook his head. "I can't leave London anyway. Regardless of what happens."

Tommy frowned.
"I thought we went over this Vincent - we are stronger together. No one is getting left behind in London. Why cant you leave?".
He paused to let his freind clarify before picking up on the main conversation.
"Sounds like we are agreeing. If we want to pursue Misr House, we need Barrington involved. So what do we have that he can't ignore?".

Moretti took another slow draw on his cigarette. "We did agree to that, paisan. And as long as the rest of you are here in London, I'm going to remain with you, whatever course you choose. But when the rest of you decide it's time to leave England, I have to remain here."

"Up until now, everything I've asked for from Derby Sabini, the guns, medical help, this safe house...he was willing to provide all of that for my use out of respect to Joe Masseria, who's an important trade partner to him. But Stanley...asking Sabini to ensure that his remains were cremated, without any public record, and then smuggled out of the country to the States...it's a significant request. As far as Sabini knows, Stanley was killed as part of a criminal enterprise, which means that by him becoming involved, he's risking being found as an accessory to something he has no part of. For him, it's a gamble. In the end, he was willing to help me, but not without something in return."

He shrugged. "Sabini doesn't need money. He needs help protecting his assets. Racetracks and smuggling. And there's a lot of rival gangs trying to horn in on his territory. The Birmingham Boys. The White Family. He needs soldatos, gunmen to deal with his enemies. So, I gave him a trade. A year's service in exchange for seeing Stanley safely home. It was fair. But now that I've made a pledge, given my word, it's not negotiable. I'm bound to my promise."

He crushed out his cigarette. "So, done is done. No point in concerning ourselves with it now. With regard to Barrington, I wonder if giving him some of Gavigan's correspondence, along with the robes and other accoutrements we found in the spice shop would be sufficient to convince him of the cult's existence?"

"Ah paisan.". Tommy shook his head regretfully. "Then I understand. There is nothing we can do.".
He sighed in acceptance.
"You know, Bishop would be mad at you for making such a deal. But he...and we...are real lucky to have a freind like you. His family will appreciate this, its just a shame there was no other way.". The young reporter looked to Moretti earnestly. "Just you make sure to look me up for a beer when you get back to New York savvy? I'll look forward to telling you all about how we cleared up this Carlyle mess and lived happily ever after.".

For a few moments Tommy was silent as he let the weight of Vincent's announcement sink in. Standing up he stretched and looked sidewards at his companion. "You still got Al-Sayad's robe in the trunk? Avery could you help me dig it out?".
Busying himself while the others responded to Vincent the reporter studied the robe.

Is the robe marked in any particular way? How easy would it be to make a copy? Am thinking of disguises all round ;)

"Very good, sir," he said. Checking Vincent for his agreement, Avery produced the robe. It was a black silk robe, embroidered with an inverted ankh.

"Vincent!"  Rosalie sounded shocked.  She stared at the gangster incredulously.  "I can't believe you'd make such a deal, even considering the circumstances.  We could have made other arrangements.  You shouldn't have to use yourself as a bargaining tool." 

Shaking her head, she turned away, looking toward the window.  "We have a limited time to do whatever is that we need to get done to prepare for this assault.  Weapons, men, transportation.  If we're going there to destroy that mirror, to end the secret reign of these demonic cultists, then we should make haste.  Thomas, what do you intend to do with those robes?"

Leo considered the options that had been suggested, but those with the most experience in these matters seemed to think the only safe route was to try to bring the police in. He nodded at that suggestion, though his ability to respond was cut short by Vincent's revelation. The physician's mouth hung agape for a few moments before his lips compressed into a thin line. "Vincent, you - thanks for taking care of everything we've needed here. It's been a lifesaver. But - I'm not sure you fully grasp what it is we're up against. Or maybe you do. We will try to correspond if we can after we leave. If you stop hearing from us, you'll need to find someone to pass your knowledge of these cults. If there's anything you need to write down to remember things, best do it now."

Leo sighed heavily and looked down at the floor for a moment before processing and responding to the rest of the comments. He looked around at those gathered, and nodded his agreement with the general sentiment. "Okay, we need to get Barrington involved. Let's get him what we can that we won't miss, along with the information about the meeting. Perhaps he has someone that can use that robe to get close to the meeting or something. At any rate, I trust your judgement that we're not up to the task of going to the Misr house."

Leo spent a few more moments considering. "So is the consensus that we tip off the cops then keep watch? Or do we split and leave Vincent here to make certain the mirror is destroyed, while the rest of us ship out?"

"I didn't say we shouldn't go to Misr House. Only that we need help.".
Tommy folded the robe and hung it over the foot of the cot he was beside while he clarified. Glancing to Roaslie he answered her question with a shrug.
"I didn't have any exact plans for the robe...I was just wondering how easily we could copy it maybe to get us in to Misr House as a disguise. I've not really thought through if that is a good idea or not!".

"But Leo yeah, I think what you are saying makes sense. Tip off the cops, and watch what goes down. Be ready to help them out - hell the tip off could even tell them that there will be some friendlies on the ground.
Incase it all goes to hell though we should be ready to get out of London quickly, and out of England soon after that. If the police show and we find nothing, Barrington may come after us - he's got to pin Twefik's death on someone and our breakin at the Penhew Foundation might give him cause too. Maybe Millicent could help with that...

More importantly if we leave this to the police, how will we really find out what is going on? If we want to know what Jackson was on to and how this all links back to the Carlyles we might need to get in there while the police are a distraction. Once Barrington has evidence he might well lock up the whole thing for the crown.".

Moretti's usual poker face registered surprise at Leo and Rosalie's comments. Shaking his head slowly, he said, "The only value I've ever had in my life in Harlem was my skills. My...capacity for certain tasks. I knew Sabini would have use of them. And it needed to be done. Stanley was important to the Elias family."

He focused on Leo. "I know what these people are, sir. What they can do. I'm not afraid of them. I mean, I understand the harm they could do to me. But if their attention diverts to me, leaving the rest of you to escape, that's an outcome I can live with. If all goes well, I can send a telegram to Miss Ashcroft with what becomes of them. What actions the police take."

"Respectfully, I think you should all go. Get out of the country today. I will take the robes, the cult items, some of Gavigan's writings and Life as a God and lay everything in Barrington's lap. If he takes action, which I think he will, I can always get into the Misr House later, should the mirror remain at the estate. Everyone here knows I'm a capable thief. I'll locate it and destroy it."

"Your call Leo.
But if you decide to leave London and tip off Barrington I'd ask your permission to stay here myself a while longer with Vincent. I need to know what is in that place. I'm a reporter - it's my job to tail Barrington into Misr House and document what is found there.".
He shrugged.
"Besides, the Times won't be happy with me if I dont. And I could always follow you a few days later. Vincent would keep me safe.".

Bo sits shaking his head at what he's hearing.

"Tommy, you know Barrington won't let you publish anything you see at Misr House, if it would upset the English public. That is if he didn't clap you in the jug just for being there. You're making Leo's decision harder. If we go, we all go. Except Vince, of course, who's got himself tied into staying."

He raises his eyes to the ceiling and sighs: "Y'know, if we'd left Stan in his bed at the hotel, he'd have got home to his family anyway. Dammit."

He sits up straight, his voice raw with emotion.

"And what makes you so sure Barrington will even get into Misr House? He'll have to have a warrant from a judge to force his way in. He's not going to move without that. And if he goes there with a handful of unarmed coppers... Well, I expect Gavigan and his cultists will have ways of dealing with that.

"The new murders will happen by midnight tonight, right? If they didn't already happen in the wee hours this morning. Then there won't be any evidence for Barrington to find, even if he does get in there.

"And then Gavigan comes for the rest of us, unless we're out of his reach."

He turns to his uncle. "Leo, we have to go. Right now."

Leo listened to the commentary from everyone, nodding along at various points as he digested what they were all saying. His frown deepened throughout, but eventually he nodded at Bo's opinion.

"Let's do as Bo says. And no, Tommy, we're not splitting up any further. Vincent will do what he can and then contact us with the results. We will follow one of the other leads that we have. Though which one?" The physician looked around for suggestions.

Moretti nodded in agreement with Leo's decision. "Whatever I learn, I'll be certain to include in my letters to Miss Ashcroft, That way, you won't miss any part of the story that's important, paisan." He clapped the reporter on the shoulder. "But Leo and Bo are right. You need to get out of England. Go somewhere safe."

He lit a fresh cigarette, pausing to take in the faces of those gathered there. "I'm never going to leave this city," he understood with a terrible, cold certainty, "I'm never going to see any of these people ever again."

Looking to Leo, he added, "Sir, it might be best if I'm not part of the discussion of where you're going next. Should something go wrong, I can't tell what I don't know."

Pausing to gather his coat, he stepped outside into the winter afternoon.

Cotton nodded as Vincent excused himself. He watched the Italian go, brooding over Leo's decision. If he and Vincent could just...

"I'm not sure Leo. We are so close! We don't understand anything yet and maybe Misr House holds some kind of answer...".
He let his voice trail off. It would do no good arguing.

With a sigh Tommy returned to the subject at hand.
"We have leads in Egypt, Australia, Mombasa and Asia I think. Back in New York I was game for heading West to Asia after that survivor...I forget his name...but now we are in London perhaps we follow the Carlyle expedition.".
He looked to where Millicent sat quietly.
"After all, that path may interest our benefactor Mr Gray further.".