In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 790):

Mr Perkins gave a nod before adding; "Yes lets get out of this sun at least." He fanned the front of his jacket before following the others over the street. He used the opportunity of crossing the road to disguise he 360 degree scan of their surrounds as if he was looking for traffic.

He stood outside as the Count found a table, standing in the shade of a large date palm that stood next to the road.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:29, Wed 04 Feb 2015.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 792):

"Yes certainly. The day has been hard, even by relaxed Mediterranean standards."

He fell in line with Rashid, and took a glance in the general direction of the coveted artefacts as he repaired to the coffee shop.

After indicating the location of the Clive Expedition on the map, Dr. Khafour asked JM, "is there anything else you can tell me that might be of assistance in your quest? I am afraid I am not up to date on the Black Brotherhood, my expertise is more in the area of artefacts."

Outside, the groups settled down at the cafe beside the Maidan Tahrir to enjoy some late morning coffee and tea.

In reply to Dr. Ali Khafour (msg # 795):

Molly had been quiet so far, taking in what was being said but reigned in her fears and Mungo and loked over at Dr. Khafour.

"Dr. Khafour, if you don't mind me contributing to this conversation, can you tell me what you know about the ibn Tulun Mosque?  It is my understanding that somebody was told to steal an important artifact from there."

She didn't bother saying that it was Faraz Najir who was asked to steal it and the people asking him to do so was Tewfik al-Sayiid and, perhaps, even the Brotherhood itself.

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 797):

Dr. Khafour looked over at her sharply, then his gaze was lost in thought. "The mosque of ibn Tulun... Hmmm. Yes. It is the oldest complete mosque in the city. Located a mile west of the Citidel of Saladin.

"Kept there is something that is known as the "Girdle of Nitocris". It is an ancient item of which little is known. Prophesy says that it is needed to complete the resurrection of the Queen of the Black Pharaoh. I believe it is very securely watched over by some of Allah's most favoured guardians. As it should be. Anyone looking to revive the Black Pharaoh will want to resurrect his consort as well."

In reply to Dr. Ali Khafour (msg # 798):

Mungo won the battle over nerves and smiled.  "Ohhhh.  That does sound both exciting and dangerous.  Please tell us more.  Is it something that you wear like a real girdle?  The Black Pharaoh?  That doesn't sound good.  Enlighten us please."

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 799):

Smiling, Dr. Khafour shook his head.

"That I do not know for I have not seen it. Only have I heard the prophesy. The holy men of the mosque are ones that I should not like to trouble, and they are well prepared to deal with the Brotherhood should that be an issue. As their possession is legitimate I have had no reason to interfere further.

"Girdles were, of course, in use long before the treacherous and tortuous garments made popular in Europe the last century or so. "Girdle" used to mean a wide belt or sash-like garment that "girdled" or encircled the midsection.

"Common sense would dictate for it to have survived this long, the girdle would be made of metal. I believe it is actually a clasp of sorts for holding a cloth garment together. A similar "girdle" is the Tjet of Isis, her holy symbol."

He showed her Isis' symbol as it adorned temples and tombs:



"See? The Tjet of Isis resembles an Ankh with the arms pointing down. It is said the Tjet of Nitocris is much like the Tjet of Isis but reversed like the Ankhs your friends displayed earlier: upside down. As well, the Tjet of Isis is made from red stone to represent fertility, the, ah, menstruation of women. The Tjet of Nitocris would be black, like the Black Pharaoh."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Fri 13 Feb 2015.

Mungo/Molly blushed at the reason for the red stones in Isis.  "Yes, well umm that makes sense.  Why are the symbols upside down though?  There must be a reasoning for that.  The black stones would make sense for the Black Pharaoh.  What else do you know about him?  Does he have a name?  I can't imagine him being born and called the Black Pharaoh from child birth."

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 801):

He poured more tea for himself, Molly and JM.

"A reversed symbol can mean anything, I suppose. The apostle Peter insisted on being crucified on an upside-down cross, as he did not consider himself worthy of being crucified like his master, your Prophet Jesus. The upside-down cross is still the Papal symbol. European occultists of recent ilk like Alistair Crowley have used the upside-down cross to subvert Christianity. I imagine this is the same, perhaps one of the first examples of such a mystical inversion.

"The "Black Pharaoh" is of course a nickname. I believe the Black Pharaoh is the god known as "Nyarlat-hotep". In the waning days of the Third Dynasty as a powerful priest and prophet known as "Nepren-ka" appeared, preaching of the Black Pharaoh, an early, foul god worshiped prior to Ra and the other Egyptian gods. He seized power from the descendants of Zoser and declared himself Pharaoh. It was then both Nephren-ka and the Black Pharaoh became one in the eyes of the people, I believe they were always one and the same. The Black Pharaoh was eventually defeated and banished by the ruler Sneferu (who established the 4th dynasty) with the help of Isis. Almost all references to Nepren-ka and the Black Pharaoh were then extirpated but his cult survived in the lands beyond the last cataract.

"Later, Queen Nitocris of the 6th dynasty was also a priestess who spread worship of the Black Pharaoh anew. She attempted to resurrect the Black Pharaoh but was thwarted and killed herself. But not before causing the deaths of many nobles and priests who opposed her in a massacre. The Great Pyramid of Giza is also said to have played an important function in her foul rituals.

"Some say the Black Pharaoh was but one god of a pantheon that predates the gods of Egypt. These gods are abominations in the eyes of the True God, Allah. They are utterly inhuman and dedicated to chaos and madness.

"Nepren-ka was said to possess a great and terrible beast, of which the Sphinx of Giza is staid to be a small, inaccurate representation.

"The voice of Nephren-ka was also said to have been carried across the land by a mysterious Black Wind, which also destroyed at his whim.

"The Black Pharaoh created many bestial manlike creatures as servants and worshipers, of which their forms may be seen on walls and tombs as men with beast heads. They are said to exist still deep underground or in the desert, waylaying the unwary.

"Last, but not least, there is a prophesy that the Black Pharaoh shall arise again "fingers and toes" after the Great Good One. Many believe this refers to the prophet known as Jesus of Nazareth. A new age will then begin with the downfall of Man's Dominion upon the Earth. Freedom and a stark, mad truth will descend on the worshipers of the Black Pharaoh, both human and inhuman."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:25, Sun 22 Feb 2015.

Once they had found a seat the Count sat and watched the traffic and hassle and bustle of the Cairo in front of them. He ordered a mint tea in a pot and a couple of glasses. Taking another cigar from his leather case the Count snipped the end with a small knife and lit it all without taking his eyes off the scene through the coffee shops doors.

As he exhaled the smoke from his cigar he asked those gathered around the table; "I do hope Ms Fuller and Mr Falcon are having a better time of it them we did. Though to other things, where should we inquire next ? This Mosque, follow up on this leader of the cult, look for other members of the expedition or go to the site the mummy was found ?"

"This other European would seem to be the avenue of least risk. The temple too sounds like an area of perhaps great gain without requiring we get shot at."

It seemed like it was time to go. JM and Molly were ushered out of the building. They were told that they may keep their acquisitions for now, but if they wanted to learn how to use them they would need to follow Dr. Khafour's instructions. As well, if Dr. Khafour believed they were somehow acting in a dangerous manner he would take further action.

Outside in the heat of the Maidan, they were guided by Salim, Alexander's man, to where the others were waiting at a nearby coffeeshop.

Watching the traffic both foot and road the Count took a sip of the mint tea when it arrived from the shade of the table he had found in the coffee shop. The table was just far enough in to miss the dust and smell of the road and to offer some welcome shade. He had been rather reserved after their encounter with the Doctor and had spent sometime going over the event in his mind.

When the Count spotted the others returning he gave them a jolly wave and jumped up to offer his seat to Molly and then went to find two more for himself and Mr Falcon. Taking his new seat the Count took a sip of his mint tea before asking; "So my friends were you any better at the negotiations ?

-

Before leaving, Molly nodded to Dr. Khafour and thanked him for the information.  "You have given us much to contemplate on and it is appreciated."

After meeting up with the others, Molly thanked the Count for giving her his seat.  "We were more successful?  That is hard to say.  He certainly is an interesting person.  We are allowed to keep our...acquisitions...for now but in order to use them, IF we are going to use them, we should seek out his aide again.  If you don't mind if I speak aloud as I am trying to figure out all this stuff I will try to recap on what I know."

Molly took a deep breath and leaned in a little and lowered her voice hoping to keep the information just to her group.

"He mentioned that Queen Nitocris mummy which was kidnapped and speculated that it might be used in a ceremony or something to bring back the Black Pharoah.  There have been plenty of expeditions which have all ended badly. It might be good to look at the area where it had been. He gave us the bona fides to do so.  He also mentioned about one of the researchers who had been dismissed which is like a loose lead.  I'm not sure if he is still in Cairo or not but perhaps that information could be obtained.

Queen Nitocris was actually a priestess who worshipped the Black Pharoah, or the God Nyarlat-hotep.  Back in the 3rd Dynasty or something there was another priest, Nepren-ka, who worshipped him but by the 4th Dynasty the Black Pharoah and Nepren-ka was defeated Sneferu with the help from Isis.  Sneferu is the one who started the 4th Dynasty.  You'd have thought that would have been the end of it but no, the cult still carried on and later on Queen Nitocris tried to resurrect the Black Pharoah.  She wasn't successful but many nobles and priests died.  The Great Pyramid of Giza was said to play a very important part in her rituals and plans.  Perhaps we should go and investigate that also.  Speaking of Giza, the Sphinx of Giza is said to somewhat resemble a beast that Nepren-ka had.  The voice of Nephren-ka was also said to have been carried across the land by a mysterious Black Wind, which also destroyed at his whim.  Beastial man like creatures seemed to have been a favorite theme for the Black Pharoah.  If you look at the pyramids and things looks for depictions of men with beastial heads.  They were said to still exist deep underground and take out people who aren't careful and aware."

Molly was lost in her recounting of what she had learned and wasn't even paying attention to if she had lost her own groups interest.  She was like this when she was composing stories for her Uncle.

"There is a prophecy that says that the Black Pharaoh is to rise again.  He mentioned something about "fingers and toes" after the Great Good One.  Some think that is a reference to Jesus.  Of course the prophecy goes on to say that when that happens it will be the downfall of man's dominion upon the Earth, etc. etc. etc.  If you believe in that, then it means that they will try to raise up the Black Pharoah again and that brings us back to Queen Nitocris.  The artifact that was stolen was her girdle.  Remember that back then girdles would more of a clasp and not what females might use them for nowadays.  Has anybody seen the Tjet of Isis?  It looks like an Ankh with the arms pointing down and has red stones."  Molly might casually reference what females might use girdles for today but even she wasn't going to mention what the red stones represented.  "The Tjet of Nitocris looks a little like it but would be black like the Black Pharaoh. Putting that all together, Queen Nitocris almost succeeded once in resurrecting him.  If they bring him back, they would want his consort/priestess/whatever to be brought back also wouldn't they?  I'm not sure if anybody else could bring him back.  Perhaps they need to bring her back first?"

Molly took another big breath and leaned back in her chair again.  She looked at the others and then Mungo, who had been quiet for far too long of a time, smiled.  "Sooooo, what do we investigate first?  Pyramids of Giza?  Crime scene of stolen Mummy at a museum?  Hunt down another European researcher?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:41, Sat 21 Mar 2015.

The Count knocked some ash off the end of his cigar as he took in what Ms Fuller had just divulged. He then spoke up: "If we were to follow a natural progression in our investigation the dig site would be first, then the museum and we could possibly look for the researcher at the same time or even engage our allies in that task and once found introduce ourselves ?"

-
This message was last edited by the player at 04:34, Mon 23 Mar 2015.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 808):

Molly nodded at what the Count said.  "If we have people who could do the search for the researcher it might be best.  They can try to find him while we look elsewhere.  There is, after all, no guarantees that he is currently in the area.  I say we follow the Count's suggestion.  I think I have just the outfit for a dig sight with the cutest but functional hat to match."

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 809):

Roger lit a smoke and said, "that reporter chap, friend of Alexanders? Nigel? he might have a line on a European at odds in Cairo? Especially if the fellow's been putting the word out that he's looking for work."

"How far is this dig site? I would have imagined the museum would be closer and safer. But then, I suppose we have enough already to make a proper search of the site. Will we need anything else to get there safely? Do we have any concerns about locals or government interference?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 811):

Salim pointed in the direction of the Great Pyramids.

"Just across the Nile is the city of Gizeh. There are trams and roads that cross the river.  From there, the trip to the Great Pyramids is very quick. We have water and will be passing by my master's estate, we may stop for any other supplies.

"We can be there perhaps in an hour or two if you wish."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 811):

Mr Perkins took his pipe out and started to stuff it with tobacco as he replied; "To be honest we can probably play the dumb tourist role while we are looking at the site as long as we are able to locate it. We might need some inside knowledge of where to look as the Giza Pyramid grounds are vast I believe. As for interference I would expect trouble from both if we are discovered."

"Oh goodness, I had no idea we were nearly that close! I have to imagine the location is full of people then; visitors, researchers, police to protect from theft. Is that correct?

"I wonder if it's too late to duck back into Dr. Khafour's and ask for a written pass."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 814):

"The pyramids at Giza will have some tourists, of course, but I shouldn't think they would be overrun. You may ask for a pass to visit but none will be needed to tour the surface as the pyramids and Great Sphinx are open to the public. The tunnels under the pyramid, yes, those might require permission to enter as they have archaeological value.

"Again, that reporter chap may prove invaluable. He is quite likely nearby this time of day, as the offices of the Cairo Bulletin is located just on the other side of Tahrir square.

In reply to Salim bin Kabina (msg # 815):

The Count turned and asked Salim; "So how far is the old Clive expedition site at Gizeh ?"

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 816):

Salim spread his hands and shrugged to show he didn't know.

"I am not aware where that site was, so I cannot tell you."