Using Agatha's dream map the group located another potential entrance about a half-mile away from the Sphynx. It was the mouth of a well or shaft bored deep down into the limestone of the Giza plateau, and covered with old stout wood beams. After uncovering it they discovered the shaft went down several hundred feet. Alexander's workers set about rigging a framework to support a block and tackle while other workers were sent to one of his warehouses to gather as much rope as they could as quickly as possible.

It started to get late. The stars came out, and they could see the lights (and smoke) of Cairo to the east across the dark Nile. While they waited (smoking and drinking tea) by the second potential entrance, Roger ran up to them and said, breathlessly, "at the place near the Sphynx... at midnight... a door appeared in the solid rock there! A portal or entrance! I don't know why we didn't see it before!

Now the team needed to decide if they would hazard this shaft, or go back at try the entrance that somehow now revealed itself near the Sphynx.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 504):

"Perhaps we should try the entrance. Maybe we didn't see it before because it had something to do with the moon." Chi-yin suggested, finishing up her tea.

"I worry the front door is a trap. But then, everything in there is likely a trap. Perhaps we lay some of our dynamite along the way, and if we hit any resistance, we lead them to it?"

"If it is the main entrance perhaps others from the cult will begin to arrive. We maybe able to integrate ourselves within them ? At the very least perhaps we should take a look."


-

"You're right. They've been a step ahead of us all the way and I assumed they'd already be here ahead of us. But perhaps they've not come yet. We'll need to watch our back as much as we do ahead."

At the entrance near the Sphynx, Fulty looked at the door that was newly revealed at the "witching hour", 1am. He held up a lantern.

"By thunder, I see some hieroglyphics! Let me read them... Beyond is the temple of the Black Pharaoh. Speak His name and enter. Now, what did Dr. Khafour say his name was again?"

Keeper Note: If you don't know his name I'll allow a Knowledge check to remember.

One of their explosives experts, Faruk Basara, explained, "indeed, we can lay some Dynamite behind us. Then as we retreat, light the fuse and run. I shall do this, and leave enough time to escape. Insh'Allah."

He looked over at his brother, Haji Basara, who nodded in agreement.

At least this mystery can be solved. Cynthia goes back to her notebook and flips through. "Nepren-ka! His name is Nepren-ka." She hops back a few steps before anything happens. Dark gods may prefer people to "enter" via pits or snakes or something equally awful.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 511):

With Cynthia's invoking of the name, the stone portal at the entrance by the Sphynx silently swung open inwards.

Inside was a dark passage, but there were lit torches in the distance.

The Counts eyes were wide open as they doors opened at the utterance of the dark gods name. He entered with the other trying to keep noise to a minimum and staying in the shadows if there were any....



-

 In reply to The Keeper (msg # 512):

 "Amazing." Chi-yin whispered, and Went with the others down the pathway, trying to be as quiet as possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Tue 30 May 2023.

"I hope we don't regret that..."

Cynthia double-checks she has what gear she may need inside, readies her shotgun, and proceeds carefully and quietly.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, the group entered the ancient tunnels. The walls were fitted stone blocks as one might find in the temples and pyramids of a bygone era. Guttering torches and flickering reed lamps were fastened to the walls, providing a fitful yellow illumination. The air was somehow well-ventilated and few cobwebs clung to the stonework in places. The walls were bare of illustrations and hieroglyphs.

The map led them forth, past many dead ends and side tunnels, in a generally north-northwestern direction towards the Great Pyramids. Eventually after the better part of a half-hour's slow and cautious creeping they came to a T-junction. A wide tunnel crossed from left to right. This seemed to be an important through-fare. They would need to decide to go left or right. To the left seemed to be the direction of a large (very large) ceremonial chamber. To the right were a series of small rooms, almost like cell blocks. They heard cries from the right, voices (male and female) calling for help in Arabic. To the left was the murmur of a large crowd.

Let us go right and see if we can find some robes or the like that might help us disguise ourselves. I think it is pure luck we have not run into anyone who could raise the alarm."


-

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 517):

"That," Chi-yin said, "is a good idea. We are very lucky indeed. Let us pray our luck stays that way."

Unlike the smaller tunnels, this corridor was wider and taller. Obviously some kind of main thoroughfare. Where the smaller tunnels they'd traversed to arrive at this junction were straight and showed skilled if ancient craftsmanship, this main tunnel seemed more organic. Still made from fitted stone blocks, but not entirely straight or level. Rising and falling, twisting back and forth if still proceeding in a generally straight line. In addition to being somewhat disorienting this also made it impossible to get a clear line of sight for much of a distance. Hieroglyphs, frescoes, murals, friezes, etc. While the ankh was the most recurring motif, there were other more horrific scenes depicted of ancient Egyptian men and women, humans with the heads of animals (crocodiles, snakes, jackals, etc.), giant animals with human limbs and heads (notably, a toothy shark with human legs and arms), plus countless alien and formless beings, all performing obscene and degrading activities.

A few torches and candles sputtered from wall brackets mounted here and there providing a dim light that did not travel far.

The distant chanting far to the left got louder. Again, the random undulations of the corridor prevented them from seeing far in that direction.

Instead, the party quietly went right, towards the cries of what they assumed were prisoners.

As they traveled, they noticed at one point the lower, shadowed part of the wall along the floor had twisting vines. Among the vines grew small, black roses.
This message was last updated by the GM at 05:18, Sun 11 June 2023.

Cynthia pauses to examine the roses, but declines to touch them. Botany is hardly her field of specialty.

"I have to imagine these visitors are going to be very popular at the climax of the event down the hall. If we get into a gun fight here, they'll certainly hear us, and we'll be trapped. But we could set up an ambush very easily and with knives, dispatch them. I recommend whomever feels comfortable doing that deed hold back here, to cover our trails and perhaps secure some robes. Perhaps put out the torches to ensure a perfect hiding spot. The rest of us can set off ahead. I feel for the prisoners, but I don't care for them giving away our ambush either, so we'll want to avoid being seen by them as well. Any complaints?"

Times like this, Cynthia feels comforted to have dynamite on hand, and will ensure she has some in her pocket, along with a lighter. She has an impression there will be more of these cultists than her shotgun can address alone.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 520):

The roses did certainly look evil and it was wise not to touch them!

Continuing further, they came to some massive valves, doors clad in copper. Presumably, these sealed the chambers where the prisoners were being held. If they were thick enough they could well deaden any sound of combat beyond. With the racket the ceremony was making far down the other end of the main tunnel, it was possible no one would hear anything anyways.

The Count looked the door over to see how they were secured. There had to be something stopping the prisoners escaping outright. He turns to Ms Holloway "I am happy to stay here if need be."


-
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Thu 22 June 2023.

That stops Cynthia in her tracks. She considers protesting, but stops herself.

"Please... Be careful."

Cynthia will examine the valves, assuming they direct some force in order to close and open the doors, and perhaps to lock them from one side or the other. Once satisfied she understands the contraption, she will continue, discreetly, further down the hall, avoiding sight of the prisoners.

The heavy doors seemed to be unsecured. Pushing on one slightly revealed it was well-balanced and oiled, and moved slightly inwards when pushed.

George was more concerned with people coming down the hallway, but he will lend a hand opening the door if it is needed. He then lets Cynthia enter first again watching the hallway.


-

Cynthia readies her scatter gun and (SLOWLY) enters the doorway!! She tries to steady herself to sight any figures on the other side before shooting, but with the adrenaline pumping, she's not certain about her restraint on the trigger.

The door slid open on greased hinges. Someone had been maintaining the portal. Likely because of the unholy festivities unfolding not too far away, and likely serviced by the same luckless souls that kept the wall lamps lit down the uneven hallway.

Inside was a medium-sized chamber lined with barred cages, most holding people. But what was most notable were three men, obviously guards wearing white cultist robes, wielding whips, ceremonial clubs of the Black Brotherhood. All had remarkably lifelike full-head masks that blended seamlessly into their shoulders. One had on the head of a snake, the other a crocodile and the last of a jackal. The masked men paced back and forth about 20 and 30 feet away, keeping the terrified prisoners intimidated. But fortunately their backs were to the door. The cages holding the prisoners were offset from both the left and right walls, allowing a fairly close approach if one were stealthy enough.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 521):

Chi-yin thought the roses looked very strange.

 She knew that black-colored roses often signified death. How appropriate. she thought.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:42, Sat 15 July 2023.