RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Masks of Nyarlathotep (Chaosium Call of Cthulhu)

18:23, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Saturday, 14 March 1925.

Posted by The KeeperFor group 0
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 58 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Sun 1 Jan 2012
at 04:44
  • msg #154

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925


It was not till Bathony had taken a seat in the taxi that he realised they where one down.

"Should we wait for Mr Webley around the corner, will he be rejoining us ?"
Imran Singh
player, 66 posts
Decorated Ex-Soldier
Loyal Sikh Manservant
Sun 1 Jan 2012
at 05:37
  • msg #155

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

"Driver, please drive to the end of the alley," says Singh, "Mr. Webley is looking for a way into the Shipley's cellar."
Taxi Cab Driver
Mon 2 Jan 2012
at 04:43
  • msg #156

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #155):

"Roight, guv. 'E didn't say where 'e was goin', just t' stay 'ere."

The driver helped Cynthia inside, then put the packages in the boot. Getting back in he released the brake and put the taxi in gear. He drove down to the alley mouth, then stopped (still on Holbien Mews".

"'Oi'll just stay 'ere, if that's fine with you, squire."
John-Marc Falcon
player, 54 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Mon 2 Jan 2012
at 05:20
  • msg #157

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

John-Marc laughs loud enough to be heard by the Major

"Air cavalry?  No, aeroplanes are the future, not the past!
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 59 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Mon 2 Jan 2012
at 07:18
  • msg #158

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #155):

"Should we offer assistance Mr Singh, though to be honest I am not sure what that would be."

He then got out of the taxi to see if he could spot Mr Webley along the alley.
Major Charles Storm
NPC, 16 posts
Major, US Army, Ret.
Former Cavalryman
Mon 2 Jan 2012
at 07:46
  • msg #159

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

John-Marc Falcon:
John-Marc laughs loud enough to be heard by the Major

"Air cavalry?  No, aeroplanes are the future, not the past!


"Fanciful to think of planes replacing cavarly, I know! Ah, maybe not, those new tanks and combat cars, those will replace the horse, no doubt. Trucks. Trains. Maybe these aeroplanes, these are just a fad, you'll see! Zeppelins, are much more useful for war, for passengers and cargo!"

The slate-grey ocean passed beneath them. Off to the left was the mouth of the Thames, ahead was Mersey Is.
The Keeper
GM, 296 posts
Tony Stroppa
Mon 2 Jan 2012
at 21:18
  • msg #160

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

Up in the Air

At a cruising speed and altitude of 90 knots and 5,000 feet, the Brisfit quickly covered the offshore leg of its journey. Thames estuary and river mouth a dark mass to the left, Mersey Is. below. Off to their right lay the North Sea. The overcast thinned a bit, letting in the early spring sunshine.

They turned right, following along the coast to the northeast. Soon, they were over Walton-on-Naze and the headland of the Naze itself, near where the al Misr Estate was located. The Naze (headland, in Old English: naes or literally "nose") was a slowly-eroding headland jutting out into the North Sea. On the heights of the peninsula an octagonal dark brick tower rose, placed there in 1720 to assist in navigation.


Beyond the Naze was a protected estuary called "Hamford Water", and somewhere in this marshland, approximately 5 miles southwest of Harwich was the al Misr Estate. Formerly belonging to Sir Aubrey Penhew, since passed on to Edward Gavigan via probate. Knowing where the estate was on the map was one thing, finding it on the ground was another. The estate had 2 components: a vast walled-in tract of rich farmland either rented out or left to go fallow, and the mansion itself set on an island on the south side of the estuary separated from land by a slough and reedy marshes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:55, Tue 03 Jan 2012.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 56 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Tue 3 Jan 2012
at 04:33
  • msg #161

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

"Pish posh!  No, we need new tactics, they are far more than scouts or cavalry!  Three dimensions Major!  You have to expand your thinking for aero warfare!"

JM Slowly tilts the Brisfit right and left as they descend out of the clouds on time and view the shoreline, he uses the flaps to slow them and after taking a glance at his map low in the cockpit and comparing it, he calls out, pointing to their right.

"That's the estuary Major!  Pull out your glasses and I'll bring us down closer so you can look better!?"

JM angles for shadowing the estuary in lazy banks that allow for good scanning and easy observation, cutting airspeed even more as he does, making their way to the mansion itself

"Pay close attention to the water!  I'll get us a view of all of it!"
Major Charles Storm
NPC, 17 posts
Major, US Army, Ret.
Former Cavalryman
Tue 3 Jan 2012
at 07:54
  • msg #162

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #161):

"I've had enough damn progress with those blasted tanks, thankyouverymuch!"

He pulled out his field glasses and started looking.

"Ah yeah, I see it now! Okay. Goddam, this view is tremendous!"
The Keeper
GM, 297 posts
Tony Stroppa
Tue 3 Jan 2012
at 09:00
  • msg #163

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

Most of the estate was farmland enclosed by stone-walls. The outer plots were rented or leased out, the land closest to the water gone fallow covered with bramble and weed. The al Misr mansion itself was actually on a small island in the estuary, separated from the shore farmland by a shallow slough and reed-filled marsh but connected via a short bridge on the southern tip going north-south.


On the island, there was a sprawling 2-story mansion. As well, they could see a large stele rising from the manicured grounds behind the mansion.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 57 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 04:15
  • msg #164

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to The Keeper (msg #163):

Look for the ship or anything suspicious, I will circle slowly!

JM banks and slowly circles the area, trying to get the Major a good look even at inauspicious areas, and looking naked eye himself for anything suspicious himself.
Major Charles Storm
NPC, 18 posts
Major, US Army, Ret.
Former Cavalryman
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 08:41
  • msg #165

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg #164):

After about a half hour of observation Storm put down his binoculars and yelled,

"All right, I've seen enough and I've marked the map. Not much we can see, no fortifications or supply dumps. I think that's enough! I'm freezing, by God!"

There was no ship or yacht in sight, although there was a small wooden wharf on the island not far from the bridge that would allow a dinghy to to tie up.

Observations:
  1. The fence surrounding the fields is made of undressed stone, six feet high.
  2. Access through the outer perimeter wall is an iron gate.
  3. There is a gatehouse
  4. The gatehouse is connected to the main house by a telephone line.
  5. The phone line also hooks into the truck line along the main highway.
  6. The road to the island travels along a 5-foot levee.
  7. The fields on either side of the road are sunken below river level and are currently fallow. The receding is likely caused by centuries of farming.
  8. Massive dikes along the riverside protect the fields.
  9. The bridge to the island is a turnstile bridge. There doesn't seem to be a need for this, the channel seems too narrow to admit any but the smallest craft.
  10. al Misr House is (as mentioned) on a river island, which is higher than the now-sunken fields.

Taxi Cab Driver
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 08:51
  • msg #166

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

London, Holbien Mews

The group waited in the idling taxi for Phil to return. The driver turned to address the Count. "'Scuse me, want me to go 'round back, guv?"
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 60 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 09:07
  • msg #167

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

Taxi Cab Driver:
London, Holbien Mews

The group waited in the idling taxi for Phil to return. The driver turned to address the Count. "'Scuse me, want me to go 'round back, guv?"


Spurred into action he addresses the driver;

"No my good man would you be so good as to turn off the engine and wait, thank you."

He then addresses Mr Singh as he leaves the taxi;

"I think I will take a quick look to see if I can locate Mr Webley."

With that he begins to count the houses down the alley until he believes he is at the correct gate.He stops and remaining perfectly still tries to hear anything from the garden.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 58 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 17:09
  • msg #169

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Major Charles Storm (msg #165):

JM laughs and banks back to the heading home, eye on his compass.

"Roger!  Returning to the aerodrome!"

He climbs and brings the Brisfit to about 90 knots cruising, relying on instrumentation to get them back to the aerodrome.
Phil Webley
player, 42 posts
Drifter - Good looking
Weak, sickly and clumsy
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 17:50
  • msg #170

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #167):

Phil slipped out the rear gate of the house. "Sorry I'm late fellers." He got into the cab. "No way into the basement from outside there was a window but it was barred."
Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 111 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 18:54
  • msg #171

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

"He has a painting matching the frame we found in the upstairs closet. I think we may want to get a better look  at it."
Taxi Cab Driver
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 19:05
  • msg #172

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #171):

"Right, back to the hotel?"

He started the cab back up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:48, Thu 05 Jan 2012.
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 61 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Thu 5 Jan 2012
at 23:40
  • msg #173

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #171):

"I agree and he seemed somewhat reluctant for you to even look at it. There is also the missing girl to think of. As this was the last place she was seen and even with Mrs Shipleys insistence she left I get the feeling she is in dire straits."|

He tried to shield the taxi driver from the conversation.
Imran Singh
player, 67 posts
Decorated Ex-Soldier
Loyal Sikh Manservant
Fri 6 Jan 2012
at 01:08
  • msg #174

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg #173):

"Perhaps Maloney should report it to the police."
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 62 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Fri 6 Jan 2012
at 04:33
  • msg #175

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Imran Singh (msg #174):

Yes I thought we could do that, maybe accompany Inspector Darlington if he was able to obtain a warrant to search the house."

"It is just I think time maybe against us... it is probably to late if something has happened."
Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 113 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Fri 6 Jan 2012
at 14:29
  • msg #176

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

"Unfortunately, I don't think we have any better options."
The Keeper
GM, 300 posts
Tony Stroppa
Sat 7 Jan 2012
at 08:22
  • msg #177

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

Up in the Air

The Brisfit roared home on a reverse course.
Taxi Cab Driver
Sat 7 Jan 2012
at 08:24
  • msg #178

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg #176):

The driver waited patiently, meter clicking away. The fare would be several pounds so he would be satisfied. Otherwise he seemed a little perplexed at the goings-on but things seemed to be normal now.

"Right then, sorry to bother you, but shall I take you back to the 'otel?"
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 63 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Sat 7 Jan 2012
at 23:50
  • msg #179

Re: Saturday, 14 March 1925

In reply to Taxi Cab Driver (msg #178):

"Yes driver I think back to the hotel. That is if no one has any objections ?Or should we go via Mr Darlington's office ?"

He then spends the ride back to the hotel or the office in silence.
Sign In