In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 717):

His face betrayed shock and anger at the mention of the Black Brotherhood. He did smile, not unkindly, at Cynthia's offer.

"Thank you very kindly, but I think not. This is my area of expertise, I assure you. Bismallah, I will decide if it's safe to let you keep these articles. Would you let a child decide whether or not you should take away a loaded revolver from them?

"As for these cultists you talk of, yes, I am all too familiar with them. I and friends of mine have clashed with them and their agents on occasion. Recently, they tried to gain control of Egypt. But their plans are much larger. They reach from here, to England and the Americas, down into Africa and even Asia.

"They are worshippers of a dark and evil power, cursed by God. For they worship one known as Nyarlathotep."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Mon 12 Jan 2015.

JM shuddered a bit at the mention of the dark god of the cultists.  "You can be certain Doctor that we are utterly opposed to these cultists and the evil that they represent.  They have killed many of our friends and should they know we are here they would move without mercy against us.  We thwarted them in England, killed many of them and have tracked them here.  We will need your assistance both in tracking down the evil and rooting it out and using what we can of these items to aid our attacks."

Well they had played their hand and given the deck away it would seem. The Count did not add to the pleas towards the man they hardly knew. He just watched the Doctors reaction, ready should it be needed to retrieve their items by force.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 719):

Dr. Khafour nodded. "All right. You have my full cooperation.

"Except, of course, I shall insist on keeping these items for safekeeping. Until you understand how to use them, they are not safe in your hands!"

OOC: You may try Fast Talk to convince him on the spot, or you may use Persuade if you want to spend a considerable amount of time (working that into your post).

Cynthia arches an eyebrow.

"I may be a visitor here, but where I come from that is called 'theft', and I believe it to be considered a sin in both the Bible and the Koran." Cynthia doesn't bother noting the crowd of men surrounding the doctor.

"Regardless, we have already learned how to use the Mirror of Gal. We are concerned with its history, for clues we can use to find who we are looking for. If you are not willing to discuss this with us, then like I said, we will leave--with our mirror. However, if we are working towards a common goal, then of course, we are willing to accept what you teach us about its safe use. Ultimately, our concern is rooting out the Black Brotherhood, and this mirror is a lead. Its occult uses are secondary, but we need it in our possession to uncover its history."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 722):

Dr. Khafour dismissed her objections with an irritated wave.

"Let me assure you, in the realm of antiquities I am the primary arbiter of what constitutes "theft" here in Egypt both in a moral and legal sense. By the authority invested in me at the pleasure of both His Excellency's and His Majesty's governments.

"And if these artefacts were formerly in the possession of the "Black Brotherhood" or the "Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh" then I'll wager you do not possess a bill of sale or letter of authentication for them as you would in a legal sale. (Not that it would matter.) Those are rather rough chaps. As for my faith if I were to obey the Qur'an they should be destroyed immediately as blasphemous.

"I am impressed with your sincerity, I do believe we are working towards the same goal. I see you have some fragments of knowledge gleaned from some place.

"The articles will remain with me, here, where they are safe. I will proceed with instruction on what you have, and when I am satisfied they are in good hands you will be awarded custody, never fear. You know something of the Mirror of Gal, perhaps. Do you know the power and uses of the sceptres? The powder of ibn Ghazi, the substance known as obra'an and Ganesh-Gal?"

"Perhaps, depending on what we learn, we will not require the mirror regardless. I think perhaps it best that we move forward with our discussions, and afterwards decide where best to move it.

"Yes, we've learned quite a bit about the ability to see individuals from a distance, or to curse them and such. Of course, we are not so foolhardy so as to experiment with it though, so I'm sure there is much we don't know yet. I think it best though, if it's not great trouble to you, to 'start at the beginning', as it were. We won't know if there are holes in our knowledge until we stumble over them."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 724):

"Please do. I should love to hear everything, however you'd care to divulge it.

"As well, I am aware you possess two statues. One is a representation of Nyarlat-Hotep in his "Bloated Woman" guise. The other is of the one known as "Great Cthulhu", carved in soapstone. It is more dangerous, being a reservoir of psychic energy. Tell me, did any of you feel a tingle as you handled it?"

This was something of a shock. Dr. Khafour was aware of the statues although the group had not brought them along!

In reply to Dr. Ali Khafour (msg # 725):

It seemed no one was going to speak up.

"Again, I dearly wish to hear of your exploits. While we talk, let's get these items into safekeeping downstairs."

He starts gathering the artefacts and carefully putting them back into the bag.

As the good Doctor made a move to secure the objects the Count stood. "As you have been told these items will be leaving with us. We have suffered to much at the hands of these people for them to disappear into the unknown with someone we have just met. I am sure you are above reproach, but invariably your staff are not. So if you would be so kind as to take your seat we will be leaving if you have nothing more to add."

The Count kept his hand on the revolver in his pocket should the Doctor physically protest. The man knew to much of their possessions and only a certain group know they had the statues.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Sat 17 Jan 2015.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 727):

The Doctor smiled at Bathony, but otherwise refrained from responding as he finished packing the things up. If he felt threatened in any way, he didn't show it.

"Kindly follow me."

In reply to Dr. Ali Khafour (msg # 728):

At the implied violence, Rashid looked very distressed.

"Uh... my good Count... please, let's not do anything... hasty?"

He got up, unsure how to proceed other than to follow the Doctor. If he wanted to continue in his chosen field, he was in a very difficult position indeed.

Mr Perkins moved from the window to in front of the door of the office. He withdrew his FN automatic and crossed his arms as he barred the door to the Doctor. "You probably want to put them back down on the table and to take your seat, Boyo."

The larger Northerner was in no mood to be caught out again by those professing friendship while angling to stab them in the back. "And you will be keeping your hands where we can see them... so there are no accidents."

In reply to George Perkins (msg # 730):

Dr. Khafour simply laughed heartily at Perkins. Instead of looking intimidated, he looked like he thought this was hilarious.

"Oh my! You're serious! Ha ha ha ha! That's quite remarkable! Ho ho ho!"

He settled down after a few seconds, wiping his eyes. "My dear man, I guess if you are such hapless a fellow that you are prone to such "accidents" should give your gun to someone else! Ha ha ha! What a clumsy oaf you must be!

"Ahem. Ah well. I take it you are not aware I have fought many times against the mad cultists of the Black Brotherhood, otherwise known as the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh. On their home ground yet, and won! No, you're blinded by your lust for these objects. Already, they've started exerting their evil influence over you. You won't let them go now, of course, even if it means you give up learning how to use them safely.

"Because now... they're using you.

"Is that it? You refuse my offer of help, then? Even if you know you'll get your items back And you'll have the expertise to use them? Those are the terms of the deal. All right then. Please go. Take care not to violate the law, as you do not seem to want or need my assistance you are quite on your own in that regard."

In reply to Dr. Ali Khafour (msg # 731):

There was a soft tap on the door. A muffled voice asked, "Doctor, is everything all right in there?"

Keeper's Note: Everyone who wants to can make Listen checks!

Bahadir had expected gunfire, somehow. At least, it wasn't out of the question. People killed for far lesser causes,and here were artefacts of stupendous might. He had already stepped back doorwards in trembling anticipation, and at that knock, he instinctively brought his ear nearer to the door and listened.

Bahadir Sahin rolled 16 using 1d100 with rolls of 16. Listen.

"Please, stop, put everything down."

"Dr. Khafour, you have to see things from our perspective. We don't know you. We are on a mission, and you are attempting to seize our only lead. How can you in good faith ask us to simply hand them over to someone we only just met? You may be trying to test the mirror's control over us, but in reality you are testing only our commitment to our mission. And I believe you will find that quite firm."

"We are eager for your teaching. Why else would we have come? And I would like nothing more than to hand these over to a trusted person such as yourself once we have dug out our quarry. We stand to benefit each other, but this depends on us handling one another with respect and honor, sir. Please, we are eager for your teachings and our time is short. Put the mirror on your desk and if you will, we can begin immediately."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 734):

"You know the conditions of my assistance. They were not onerous by any means but if you are not willing to abide by them, justify your decision however you like."

He looked at the door. "Yes, Ali. They were just leaving. Before someone has an "accident". I am unharmed and coming to the door now."

Moving around his desk, an empty-handed .Dr. Khafour went to the door. He opened it, motioning for the group to leave his office. Outside in the anteroom waited an unfamiliar man, not the assistant they'd seen earlier.

"Ali" was slender, dressed in white Bedouin robes. His face was covered save for his dark eyes. He wore a Sam Browne belt, although his pistol was holstered. A wicked knife was sheathed in his pistol belt. He nodded to Dr. Khafour, who returned his nod.

"It's all right, dear chap. They have declined our help."

"A pity," replied Ali.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Tue 20 Jan 2015.

Cynthia looks to the reactions of the armed men and tenses herself, scanning the room for cover or windows.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Tue 20 Jan 2015.

Bahadir had heard the furtive footsteps, and he tried to indicate it in anxious gestures. Though he found the man named Ali before him, he wasn't sure there weren't others as well who would step up soon. Even he plunged a hand into the depths of his pocket for his humble,though not innocuous, firearm.

The Count began to collect the items and place them back into their traveling covers. "To be honest with you Doctor if you gave me a hammer I would smash them on your desk. I have no interest in activating these things and to do so in my mind would attract this brotherhood like flies. They are evil and their use will leave a mark on one's soul that is not easily removed."

He continues to pack the items up as he adds; "We have lost family and friends in pursuit of these fiends and I will not stop until I have their heads and have smashed this cult. Gavigan and his Penhew Institute were just the first."

Before leaving the Count again addresses the Doctor; "Your knowledge of our possessions is unsettling as only the Brotherhood know we possess these items. I would deem it unwise to try and procure them by other means."

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 738):

Dr. Khafour looked amused. "You really think only the Brotherhood could know? Actually, I doubt they even know. Think about it.

"Always a pleasure."

In reply to Bahadir Sahin (msg # 737):

The man called "Ali" shifted his dark, dead eyes towards Bahadir. "I'd keep whatever that is safely in your pocket. Sir.

"As for you, Mister Perkins. I'd put your bloody gun away before an accident happens. And by "accident" I mean I will take it away from you and shove it up your arse so far up that if you should sneeze you'll blow your nose off."

In fact, Perkins probably had a good three stone on the man. Perhaps this "Ali" was completely barmy? His stance, however, suggested he was without fear of the larger man and would at least try making good on this threat.

Sahin was amply perplexed,and felt like a thoroughbred fool.

"We're about to be captured!" exclaimed he to Rashid.

In reply to Bahadir Sahin (msg # 741):

Rashid looked poleaxed. "Allah preserve me! Not again!"