i think it would make sense for Matt and Chalky to know JM. He did serve in Egypt and Palestine during the war.

Otherwise there are two NPC pilots, Roger and Karlheinz. Maybe they could meet up with them drinking in a Cairo dive bar that caters to aviators, especially those looking for work, like straight out of a pulp adventure?

The rest of the group is done with the scene involving the Mirror. It is night, they could then head there to pick the pair up. Adventure ensues!

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 1):

RIP Vale Greg Stafford (1948-2018) founder of The Chaosium.

https://www.chaosium.com/blogv...-stafford-1948-2018/

Tony

Perhaps Matt and Chalky reach out to JM knowing he is in town.  He'd know them by reputation and through mutual friends at the very least and would be receptive to meeting for a cold beer or two at the very least.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 3):

Always receptive to meeting for a cold beer.

JM has his aircraft at a British military airport so his presence would be known to the aeronautical community.  With his work in the War and running his air service he should have a fairly high profile.  I'd guess that just a bit of asking around would gain you his location and a note sent by a mutual friend should connect us.

We could meet at Alexander's house or at a western hotel for a set of cold ones.

In discussions with the GM we've settled on Matt and Chalky being based at a little aerodrome outside Cairo. They pop in frequently to pick up parts and fuel. I'm thinking they may have access to a truck but will definitely have at least one horse.
While being based outside Cairo they definitely frequent the city regularly

Welcome aboard! We always need some new sacri... err.. saintly relations. Yes.

I'd think that there would be any number of small aerodromes around the outskirts of the city.  That would be quite convenient.

Unfortunately our aircraft is not functional although this is little known

I'm fuzzy on the geography... would it be worth the effort to try to fly to our next destination?  We'd need a car when we got there though.

JM has a plane that could be used although it's a bit big.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 10):

If you are fuzzy about geography you can use Google Maps. These are real locations! Some names have changed. RAF Heliopolis is now Almaza Air Base and Almaza Airport is now Cairo International Airport.

As the crow flies Dashur is 20 miles from Almaza Airport. It would be a short hop by aeroplane.

I'll try to get a game map up soon.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 11):

Cairo does have a primitive civil aerodrome, Almaza Airport. It seems to be co-located with RAf Heliopolis, in the suburb of Heliopolis.

Where is Chalky's and Matt's airfield? In the desert to the south past the Necropolis? NE somewhere around Heliopolis? West across the Nile out by Giza? South in the farmlands?

Thanks,

Tony

I've got little idea of physical Cairo. Anywhere I think would be okay. I assume it'd be about a twenty minute truck drive away of poor roads

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 13):

Not living in Cairo I can only guess what the guidebooks tell me! if you don't have any better ideas pick one of my suggestions. Again, sorry, I'm trying to get a map up but I've been busy at work.

Plus I've had a nerve-wracking situation at home. Pest control got a minor hit on our bed for bedbugs (we live in an apartment, this happens) and we're waiting to see what's going to happen. I did kill one and that could be it, or if it's an infestation it could be in the initial stage. Still, hard to concentrate!

Thanks,

Tony

Oh no!! Bed bugs are such a pain in the tush. If you found one, there's definitely going to be more. I'd treat it as an infestation and be wrong rather than vice versa because it gets so much harder if they spread to other locations.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 15):

Thanks for the concern, although this is not my first rodeo! Or second.

The canine team did not find any live ones this time, and have never been wrong before. We actually have stopped similar outbreaks in the past by early detection and quick action. I talked to our landlord today and we're going to have a preventive treatment, then go from there.

Thanks,

Tony

I'm glad you jumped on the issue quickly!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 17):

Cairo map has been posted.

RAF Heliopolis and Almaza Airport are a few miles off the right edge by the rail line to Suez. That is also where Matt/Chalky's aerodrome is located. It's all farmland.

The bar is right off the rail line and main road to Cairo.

Tony

That's fine. In this context I imagine the "airfield" (a field with a shed) belongs to you!

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:21, Thu 01 Nov 2018.

Hope everyone had a delightful halloween! We take our holiday pretty seriously. My youngest and I spent a few days assembling my King in Yellow costume and I'm rather delighted with it. I may have to post pictures.

 Sounds brilliant, with or without tentacles?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 20):

That's amazing! Do you have pictures? Our Gianna went as "Batman" (and yes, we did spend a lot of time clarifying she wasn't "Batgirl"). In her opinion Batgirl was the sidekick (and she makes a kicking motion to the side) while Batman is the hero, and she's a hero!

Whoops! I was hoping the new PCs would hang out in the bar until the others had established themselves as having arrived there so everyone can RV at the same place and time.

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:17, Thu 01 Nov 2018.

I'm about to start a game of Cthulhu Invictus. It is 'The Legacy of Arrius Lurco'

It's in the Players Wanted but to find it a search of 'Cthulhu Invictus: The Legacy of Arrius Lurco' will also turn it up.

(The Keeper okay'd this post)

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 23):

When you send the link I'll be happy to forward that on to other games I'm in.

Speaking of other games, as many of the older players know I am co-GM of a zombie survival-horror game" "The Last Flight". It has been running for five years, which is very unusual for a genre of game that tends to be very short-lived! (It has even carried on despite the sad passing of its founding GM, Ian Brooks.) It is set in the UK, and is a co-operative game focused on exploration and community-building.

link to another game

Thanks,

Tony

See if this works:

https://drive.google.com/open?...OZGvjSwS3FSrZwdc4q1z

(no tentacles. Dremeling the deer skull took enough time.)

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 25):

If I may post a little correction, in Cairo there is a Gunsmith bazaar located in the ancient Bazaar Khan-el-Khalili up against the wall of the Citidel of Saladin. There is a mind-boggling array of small arms of all kinds piled on dusty tables and in crude racks, amid barrels and boxes of typically hand-loaded ammunition of almost any calibre. Many weapons are hand-made copies with varying skill but some are of formerly great quality sold off for quick cash, all of which are well-worn and in various states of repair.

War surplus is also available there in bulk if you know the right people. Service rifles and pistols from the British and Allied armies area available, along with Ottoman weapons supplied by Germany. Explosives and automatic weapons are available with a little more effort and expense! (In fact, I think with Alexander's help you picked up a box of Mills bombs in the bazaar?)

That doesn't mean that Chalky and Matt have heard of this market, and JM is talking specifically about military weapons.

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:51, Fri 23 Nov 2018.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 26):

Sorry about speaking from ignorance about the availability of weapons.  I can modify my post a bit if that would be more appropriate.

And we are a nasty, suspicious bunch getting ready to gun down what are likely some innocent soldiers out for a drink... :)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Mon 26 Nov 2018.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 27):

No problem, it was a while ago since the subject of guns has come up and I'm not bent out of shape. You don't have to change anything, we'll just continue on.

As for the people showing up, sure, I imagine if it's a load of RAF out for a late one they will be very surprised to be cut down as they enter the door!

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 28):

My assumption is that Matt didn't see the need to take his revolver to the pub, hence he picked up the chair.

I'm sure we'll wait at least a moment to see if whoever enters are zombie cultists or flyboys out for a good time :)

A couple of questions if I may;

- How big is the bar room?
- Are the windows large, small, barred etc?
- What sort of door is it? Is it heavy duty?
- Is there a back way out?
- Who else is in the bar with us?

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 31):

It's not a large room, a wood shack. 12 x 30 feet. Electric lighting, with ceiling fans no telephone. Looking in, the narrow end is facing road. Bar along the rear as you walk in. Jakes are outside in back. Door (open) with screen door out the back to get to the jakes is to the right of the bar. Window behind bar with shelves of liquor bottles. Another door to the stockroom is behind the bar and a cellar accessed by trap door behind bar. The front door is a medium wood door (currently open) with an outer screened door (closed) to keep out insects and let in a breeze. There is only Mehmet the Turklish bartender.

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:43, Thu 29 Nov 2018.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 32):

There are no windows on the front wall facing the road or on the rear wall, but both side walls had narrow windows high up.

Tony

JM's going to let loose with his Webley.  Can I fire multiple shots?  What damage does it do?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 34):

A copy of the rules and Investigator's Weapons has been posted in the game links.

The Webley has a RoF of 1. Initiative is in order of DEX rank. Chalky's .32 has an RoF of 3.

I think the general rule is that ready firearms fire first in order of DEX rank. Then movement and melee attacks and second shots, also in DEX rank. Firearms with a RoF of 3 or higher take those shots at the end of the round (at half DEX).

The bad guys all have 9 DEX, Ties are rolled off.

Thanks,

Tony

Thanks, I had forgotten that the investigator rules were linked.

I'll shoot!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 36):

Ha ha, I just linked them now.

That said you can get off more shots if you panic fire but that will make your target random!

Thanks,

Tony

Nah... no desire to hit Matt :)

Well, Chalky's bar tab just got cleared

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 39):

Poor Mehmet. I named him after a friend, I hope he doesn't mind!

I have also ranked everyone according to DEX. Three PCs (JM, Bathony, Cynthia) all have the same DEX (13). It's not necessary to roll randomly to see which of you go first!

Thanks,

Tony

I posted for JM firing and missing just by a bit.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 41):

That's fine.

Everyone with a ready weapon gets a shot in before the cultists shoot.

Then we go around again with melee/movement/2nd shots (if applicable) and so on. After second shots are 3rd shots. Please see the Combat Notes thread. Everyone's DEX is now ranked.

Thanks,

Tony

Should I roll now?

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 43):

Roger, you may roll now as all your DEX ranks are higher than theirs. They might shoot back if they have a firearm. After that will be another round for movement/melee/2nd shots, then another round for 3rd shots.

Thanks,

Tony

Sorry if I rolled too many times. I thought it best to get the whole round's rolls out in one 'burst'* to keep the round fast.

*Yes, a pun

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 45):

Ha ha, that's fine! It's not like I posted guidelines or anything. CoC combat is a little cumbersome in that in a turn you have a first round of shots, then a second round of shots plus melee and movement, then another round of additional shots.

Come to think of it there's no difference, really, if you make all your rolls at once! Because Chalky's all done once Matt posts his attack then the bad guys get to roll their attacks.

Thanks,

Ton thay

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 46):

To clarify, we are not using the optional rule in the Investigator's Weapons Handbook that higher skill levels allow for a higher RoF. Do not take any other rules in that supplement (that are not restatements of rules in 5th ed.) as valid without checking. I'll let it go for this turn but I'll revisit this later.

Thanks,

Tony

Is this in regard to Chalky?
I thought the .32 got three shots/round

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 48):

No, he's good. It's with regards to Bathony and Perkins, who are using revolvers with a nominal RoF of 1. But I linked to the "Investigator Weapons" handbook for the weapon lists without remembering there were optional/additional rules for combat included. Just for the record, we are not using optional or additional rules at this time other than hit locations. If unsure, please ask!

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 49):

Perkins is armed with a FN Model 1910 in .380 ACP, should I roll a couple of more times ?

In reply to George Perkins (msg # 50):

Interesting, I don't see a listing for the FN Mle. 1910 in the handbook. the Rof for a .38 automatic is 2 in the 5th edition rulebook. He can roll again. In fact, I think everyone who intends on shooting more than once a turn should make all to-hit and damage and if possible location (d20) rolls at the same time, at the start of the turn.

(I missed that Bathony hit a target with his first shot, damage doubled as it's an Impale. Both his and Perkin's second shots miss.)

If no target is specified I will roll randomly for who is hit.

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:17, Fri 07 Dec 2018.

We're not hitting well... :(

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 52):

Well, there are probably 2 down. Just 3 to go!

I realised that you can up your RoF by using panic fire, which really turfs your accuracy.

Thanks,

Tony

I'm not complaining; none of us have died yet :)

I thought about panic fire but with our folks clustered near the bad guys it seemed better to fire selectively.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 53):

Added George's two additional shots.

-

Can I do panic throw?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 56):

I don't see why not. She can make two throw attacks. Bathony and Matt are in the line of fire.

Speaking of Bathony, he needs to make a damage roll (doubled due to impale) plus a d20 location roll.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 57):

In the rolls thread now. Cheers.

I'm away for the weekend. Won't be able to make any posts until Monday.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 59):

No problem!

For those making multiple attacks (which for now is only Chalky unless others want to make panic shots!) all attack rolls are made at the start of the turn, including target designation. If they go down before your final shot, that's the way it goes, it's a wasted bullet.

Thanks,

Tony

'Put another in, just to be sure'

Poor old Chalky must be flustered, those went all over the place

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 61):

I've never been in combat and I'm not a soldier but in the few analogous situations (games, paintball, etc.) once you start shooting at someone it's kind of hard to stop due to adrenaline and almost complete focus. The real world term for this phenomenon is "bullet fever".

Tony

JM will be taking his single shot as well.

Can one move a step or two to get a clearer line of fire at the cultists?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 64):

I don't think moving is out of the question. You just take your shot in the second round of firing along with melee.

Tony

That seems fair.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 66):

Hello everyone! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Relaxing Boxing Day!

Thanks,

Tony

As an additional note I'll be off in Barbados for a week plus tomorrow so probably no posts from me until then, but it's possible we may have internet. So who knows!

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 68):

Had a great Christmas thanks but, sadly, already back at the grindstone.

A wonderful Christmas was had at our end of things!  Enjoy Barbados!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 70):

Man, Matt and Chalky sure know how to make an entrance!

Good news, I have wi fi at the hotel. I'll be able to check in daily if I feel like it.

Thanks,

Tony

It was quite the little tussle!  Nothing like a bit of violence to inaugurate new players.

That will be quite the crime scene we've left the police. I think Chalky and Matt will be under a bit of a cloud in Cairo now

No one will be left alive to put you at the scene of the crime... :)

The RAF guys saw us there last. Still, it's obvious by its layout that it was a defensive fight so that's a plus. But I do think there'll be some questions to answer when we get back.
Assuming we make it back. :)

We may all be dead or insane or both before the authorities get around to tracking us down... :)

Happy New Year!

Tony

Happy and prosperous New Year to all.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 78):

Happy New Year to you all. May Azathoth send his blessings.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 79):

We will be having another player join the game. Hooray! (As my daughter would say.)

Wong Chi-yin is a Chinese antiquarian who grew up in England. I would suggest she have one fighting skill as this adventure is a little on the pulp side, if you catch my drift.

Thanks,

Tony

Awesome

Welcome to our new player!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 82):

Thank you.

I apologise for Chalky being a bit pushy there. I'm more trying to convey a sense of urgency rather than trying to give any orders

Welcome, welcome!

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 84):

No problem at all!  We sometimes need a push...

I'm assuming we can drive down to meet Matt and Chalky at an aerodrome near Cario...

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 87):

Their aerodrome is here, near Heliopolis and not near Cairo.

You could follow them or we can say you made a plan to meet up?

Thanks,

Tony

I think a meet-up will cut out wasted time. Where shall we meet our new fellow player?

I would say, whichever is faster :) Is the new player at the aerodrome as well?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 90):

The new PC is an antiquarian. If you are still going out to investigate the Lesser Bent Pyramid out at Dashur (where the vision told you that Omar Shakti and the cultists had taken the Girdle of Nitocris) she can help.

Once you get back to Cairo and you talk to newsman Nigel Wassif or Dr. Khafour at the Cairo Museum you will be introduced to her as she has recently visited the Bent pyramid and Lesser Bent pyramid at Dashur. Alexander Mahfouz can also make the introduction (in fact, this probably works the best.)

One thing to consider is that it's around midnight. Do you want to wait until morning to go to Dashur or head out right away to try and catch Omar Shakti and the Dark Brotherhood in the act?

Thanks,

Tony

I'd much prefer to add a new player as quickly as possible but I'd rather not let what ever's about to happen get off without interference.

Has the new player a reason to go to the same location and we could meet by chance?

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 92):

Yes, you could conceivably meet her camped out at Dashur, if she was conducting her own independent investigation.

Thanks,

Tony

I vote for a quick move to Dashur for in and out of character reasons.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 94):

Happy to go to Dashur, not sure what bad things are about to happen but don't want to miss them.

Indeed, if Shakti is having a party, I plan to crash it.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 96):

Just to remind you, you already have several sets of cultist robes, symbols and adornments from your explorations (looting) of Tewfik's spice shop and the secret room in the basement of the Penhew Institute in London, and al Misr house in Essex. They were transported to Cairo along with your recovered tomes and artefacts and are being stored at Alexander's estate.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 93):

Very well. I'd be quite happy to meet the crew in Dashur.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 98):

Groovy!

We can kind of gloss over your prep. I assume you are gearing up for a possible conflict? Taking a lorry or the touring car? Or both?

Thanks,

Tony

Probably the touring car.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 100):

In Chi-yin's case, she will have gotten to Dashur by her own means. I'll PM you so we can settle that ASAP.

Thanks,

Tony

A fast forward is fine.

I will put together an equipment list for Matt tomorrow evening. I'll be travelling most of tonight so I'm unlikely to have a chance before then.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 103):

It doesn't need to be exhaustive, you can fill in the blanks later. The main thing is to move events along to Dashur!

Thanks,

Tony

Onward and upward!  To Narnia and the North!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 105):

Yep, as soon as Matt and Chalky are done with their gear lists, or whatever they're taking from their aerodrome.

Thanks,

Tony

List finished. On the PC page

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 107):

C'mon and post what Chalky and Matt are grabbing and let's di di mao!

Thanks,

Tony

Do you want me to post it here? :confused:

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 109):

Of course not. In this situation if you don't post in-character what your character has, then he doesn't have it. (Not always, but it's the case here.)

So please post what your PC is taking from your aerodrome in the in-character thread. You do not know if you will be able to return or not due to your possible involvement in a murder so choose wisely (and realistically). Let's get this show on the road, people!

Thanks,

Tony

Roleplaying is awesome for the history buff.
I now know that at the time the game is set Jerrycans weren't invented and instead a rough rectangular sheet metal ten-US-gallon (38 l; 8.3 imp gal) can was used instead :)

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 111):

Ha ha! So that's what a "swag" is!

At least 82% of everything I know about the world and 90% of what I know about history I learned in RPGs or wargames.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:19, Sat 19 Jan 2019.

Can we find another combat knife around the aerodrome?

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 113):

Unless you had one there, probably not. But you can get ahold of one easily enough!

Tony

To kick off our Cthulhu Now campaign of "At Your Door" (set in 1986) my sit-down group had a barbeque on Sunday.

One of my players, Sid (Siddartha) is Hindu and can't eat beef, Naz (Nazir "don't call me "Nazi" for short!") is Muslim and can't eat pork. (So everyone got beef steakes and Sid got a pork steak. I made sure it was a halal butcher.) Naz was also playing a Tamil-American and Muslim, when his character met the group's NPC armourer/surplus store owner/half-crazed Viet Nam vet "Jamaal" and greeted him with "Salaam alikum" I was ready with the correct response.

I got into the practice of having the correct response after wearing a kheffiya for many years. Every once in a while someone would see it and recognise what it was and greet me that way. So I didn't want to seem ignorant or flat-footed. But then they would ask if I was a fellow Muslim. I would respond "no, I'm a Christian. We're the next best thing."

Tony

I didn't realize we were going to swing by Alexander's...

Did we learn how to do the hide from scrying trick from the professor? If so, is that something we can do since we do seem to have a moment and all of our equipment at hand?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 116):

Alexander's place is actually on the way as you need to cross to the west bank of the Nile, and the closest bridge (but not the only one) goes across the island where it is located.

You don't have the ingredients to (yet) create more concealing powder.

Tony

Mann... I should just grab some talc and see if anyone notices.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 118):

Only a minor detail!!!

We could jury rig the Lewis gun onto the truck if necessary.  We don't have too much time though.

Tony, how much of the "Special" ammunition do we have left ?

Special?   Were you talking about the 2cm Californium rounds we keep in the Nuclear Damper box just for dealing with Mythos creatures?

Is the Lewis gun the infantry or aerial version?

I've got a summer cold that's floored me. I may be laggy

Ummm... I'd guess the infantry version...

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 125):

You curently have one "ground" and two "aerial" Lewis guns. The latter can also be dismounted from the ring and have a barrel shroud, pistol grips and bipod attached with the spade handles removed. It would take some time to covert them.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:42, Tue 05 Feb 2019.

No time to convert the other two guns.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 127):

Matt is your driver. He is driving a 3-ton Thornycroft J-Type lorry:



Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:41, Thu 14 Feb 2019.

Oooh.. convertible. Cherry red, I imagine?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 129):

Sure, why not? A little faded and dusty!

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 130):

Desert camouflage can be a light pink colour, or alternatively painted with red lead to keep the rust at bay.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 131):

I think the latter sounds reasonable. Just don't eat the paint chips!

Tony

How far out into the river is the boat or raft?

Looking more while it is still dark?  Looking for what?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 134):

You can ask this in-character. There is an obvious answer!

Remember why you came to Dashur in the first place? What prompted this excursion that couldn't wait until the daytime? Eh?

Tony

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 111):

I know, you're right!

Great posts Wong Chi-yin!

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 137):

Thanks.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 138):

Updated campaign map has been uploaded.

You are near Dashur, in the SW area. Markings for the Lesser Bent Pyramd and the Clive expedition camp have been added. So has Alexander's estate on Gezirat Boulaq and RAF Heliopolis.

A few notes. The Clive camp was north of where I said it was. Adjacent to the road most of you travelled down was a double rail line, although you didn't see any trains on the way down.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 139):

Okay,thanks.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 140):

At some point it was asked if you could fly from Cairo to Dashur at night. As mentioned, landing would be a problem. Airfields were rarely lit up at night unless they had electrical lights. To get around this a larger flare would be dropped and would hang, suspended by parachute, for several minutes to allow for a landing. (One problem is that this would destroy the pilot's night vision so they either had to make the landing or loiter for a while before trying again.)

Tony

Is there even an airfield around Dashur?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 142):

Not really, I was just making a general point.

Tony

As a head's up, I am moving house, so I will be a lot less active until probably late April. Sorry for the inconvenience!!!

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 144):

Best of luck with the move! Post when you can, we'll (most likely) be here.

As well, I don't recall anyone saying they would bring the cultist robes along with you, either in the lorry or after you dismounted. If you forget something like this (and I could be wrong here) it's best to come clean and ask, I'm more inclined to agree if its reasonable.

As it is, I decided on a 1/5 Luck roll to remember to bring sufficient cultist accountrements to fix up the original occupants and JM succeeded in his roll. You're good!

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:37, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 145):

Msg #201 Cairo thread. The Count made sure they had the robes.


-

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 146):

Thanks! My apologies, like many things in life I was mistaken. Either way, you have them!

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 147):

No problem Tony.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 148):

I looked in the wrong thread!

But looking in the right thread, I see you only took 3 sets of cult vestments (all that were in the bar). We can say you remembered you had the additional sets you brought from England.

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Sat 09 Mar 2019.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 149):



"Flashlight"? Torch is acceptable!

I keep forgetting to mention Mrs Wong is armed with a "caravan" (over-under) double-barreled 20 gauge shotgun.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 150):

It's alright.

Torches for sure!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 152):

Of course bloody torches. (Electric torches!) I think only Cynthia would use "flashlight".

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 153):

Matt would say flashlight I suspect but Chalky may point out that in more polite parts of the world 'torch' is the correct word.

I'm afraid that I'm dropping out.

Thanks for playing with me.

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 155):

Oh, that's too bad.

In reply to Andrew 'Chalky' White (msg # 155):

Sorry to hear that, best of luck!

Thanks,

Tony

It's been a busy week for me with some unplanned travel.  I'm back though.

In which direction did the tracks go?  Did they go both ways through the hidden door?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Mon 01 Apr 2019.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 158):

Great to have you back!

You can try Tracking first. The tracks seem to be coming and going from a concealed door in the north side, obviously a secret passage to the north entry point. We'll take it from there, please post Tracking rolls to the Dice Roll thread!

Thanks,

Tony

Track is 10% but we'll give it the old college try!  :)

I am going to be on holiday for a week from tomorrow and unlikely to have any internet access. I will try to look in if I am able. Cheer's.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter as well to all!

Did my most fantastic roll result in anything?

Not gonna tackle a god...

So do we try to bargain or lay into it?

Bargain.

Yea, for sure!

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

Good idea.

Since running doesn't seem to be an option

So guys... do we swear to abandon our foolish quest?  I'm not sure what power such an oath would have.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 171):

Looks like the alternative is getting pasted by a Pharaoh so we don't have much a choice.

Fie on that! Death before dishonor! To the front, men! I will be right behind you, with the shotgun.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 173):

Hey! No OOC discussion of an IC choice!

On another note before the almost inevitable TPK, do you remember a brief period back in early April (in-game) where people all around the world (mainly the insane but also some sensitive artists and aesthetes) started having vivid nightmares and episodes of mania? It subsided in a week or so, about the time you were transiting from London to Cairo. Ever wonder what that was?

Thanks,

Tony

Has my magic value come back so I can cast again?

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 175):

It regenerates in 24 hours. As the incident on the Nile occurred earlier this game-day it would not have time. Using a spell like Ebon Wheel of Mist that (as far as you know) blinds you to Nyarlathotop or at least his minions is actually a decent idea. The problem is it can take time to form and, well, he's standing right in front of you!

Tony

No clue on the mania... :)

For some reason it seems to me this is game over whether we have a TPK or we accept the offer and leave Egypt and give up the quest.  Frankly I don't see much of a way around it facing off with a creature such as this.  I guess we could go back on our word but if there are safeguards we may just end up TPK anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Thu 04 July 2019.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 177):

Moreso than for any other game, CoC has always seemed to be one where the players accept the possibility of their own mortality. I'd be more than a little disappointed if you decided it was game over if the worst happened, there are always new PCs to bring on (or old ones to play). Pushing through a TPK has always seemed a point of pride in CoC. (I've been part of one, although it was a 1-shot at a convention I would have been game to continue on with a new character.) CoC is not always a game that plays fair.

"Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over..."

As to what the madness was about, read the short story "Call of Cthulhu" by H. P. Lovecraft!

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 178):

I think we should try to keep going.

I was thinking we could fake our deaths in a airplane accident and continue our investigations.

I do understand CoC is all about TPK in the end.  We always called it Victims and Veggies when we played it due to the high mortality rate.  Still, I have quite an affection for the character and would prefer to continue playing JM without the heavy hand of a NPC that basically can make us go poof.

That said lets keep going and have fun! :)

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 180):

That's a good idea: fake our own deaths.

I'm not sure if the ruse would fool a god but its worth a try.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 182):

Remember, he's a god. Not the God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VF5P7qLaEQ

I'll allow players a couple more days to get some more posts in, then move things along!

Tony

I was sort of waiting to post to see if there was any revelation to be had in the images of the African adventure.

As for a TPK I'd almost prefer going down in a fight to having the characters just shuffled back off to end their part in the investigation.  That's how it seems to me at least.  It's like a big let down.

I may be totally misreading the situation and overreacting but I'm feeling pretty blah about the current scene.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 184):

I'm waiting on a couple other investigator posts, then you'll get the revelation!

This scene is supposed to make your characters feel intimidated and cowed. If that's how JM and the other feel, then Nyarlathotep has done his job, mission accomplished. But ask yourself, if you were really that insignificant, if you weren't somehow a threat, would he bother trying to convince you to leave him alone?

Thanks,

Tony

Oh I certainly feel that we are striking close to the mark!

It just feels very much like 'game over'...  I may be too pessimistic.  We certainly have plenty of options :)

Sorry for the delay. Was in Chicago for the week pursuing a lost arti... umm... pizza.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 187):

Funny.

Good pizza for sure!

It was pretty good, although we made deep dish at home, not quite knowing what deep dish /should/ be like, and I do rather like what we made better (which was about four inches of pizza toppings like a layered cake, rather than what we got in Chicago which was just... tall.)

I tend to like the NYC style best but Chicago does have great pizza.  We lived in Rockford outside of Chicago for a while and got some great pie.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 191):

Sorry for the absence! A lot of my free time got sucked into playing and completing an adventure for The Fantasy Trip, a proto-GURPS RPG published in the last 70's and early 80's by Metagaming. An adventure I'd always wanted to play was MicroQuest #5, "Security Station" published in 1980. First I needed to make all the necessary components, then learn TFT, create a character. Playing stretched over a couple weeks in some form or another. In the end it took a lot longer than I expected but it was well worth it to cross this off my bucket list. SS came out around the same time as the similar-themed Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, which I also loved.

The adventure was solid, if a little underwritten. Medium atmospheric but without loads of high tech enemies or loot. It was also written solo "Choose Your Own Adventure" style that could be confusing at times. The rules were both complicated and yet somehow dated. It was interesting to see how TFT evolved into the later Man-To-Man and then GURPS once Jackson left MetaGaming.



Anyways, thanks for your patience!

important note: JM, Cynthia, Bathony and Perkins all recognised the Black Pharaoh from the bust they found (and removed) from the secret room under the Penhew Institute. No SAN loss.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Wed 07 Aug 2019.

So the effects posted in the Character Rolls don't apply in terms of sanity loss?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 193):

If you are talking about what I posted, then because he lost 5 SAN and passed an Idea check he suffers the effects I posted. Although if you wish to make your own Idea roll I'm happy to allow it. If you fail then you still eat the SAN loss but don't go insane.

Thanks,

Tony

I was confused by this note;

important note: JM, Cynthia, Bathony and Perkins all recognised the Black Pharaoh from the bust they found (and removed) from the secret room under the Penhew Institute. No SAN loss.

This makes it seem like I did not lose SAN.

Sorry for the delay but back from a camping adventure.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 195):

Ah, right. You lost SAN for seeing the massacre. There was also a potential for losing SAN due to the fact you realise who you are seeing before you, but no one lost Sanity for that.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 192):

Good to have you back.

Hi everyone,

I'm off on vacation for the week until next Sunday. I'll check in every few days but probably won't be able to take time to post without getting "the look". See you then!

Should anyone wish to post a reaction to Cynthia filling the avatar of a god with lead, fill your boots!

Tony

I'm guessing that JM is rather out of it and can't attack as well.

Hey, it's 'go big or go home', not 'go insane (and then go home??)'

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 199):

Correct. I hope whatever happens next, be it TPK or mass insanity, you'll still want to continue!

Thanks!

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 201):

I thought she was shooting at the Matt ?

I'll look at the chargen rules :)

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 202):

Nyarlathotep somehow took over or possessed Chalky's body. I assumed she was shooting at him. But it seems ambiguous, perhaps she was shooting at Matt instead as he made a break to escape through the portal to ancient Egypt?

Tony

We're rolling characters either way unless we all go through to ancient Egypt and do a CoC game in 2,000 BC... :)

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 205):

Ooh, that sounds fun!

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 206):

It would be interesting but I think stepping through the portal is a 'roll a new character' kind of thing.

Well, probably should shoot Matt on principle, but no, I was mostly focusing on the one who is directly threatening us.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 208):

So having been told IC and OOC not to do that, you as a player thought it would be a good idea ?


-

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 209):

I forgot to ask. Does Cynthia want to use both barrels?

Thanks,

Tony

Yes

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 211):

Let'r rip!

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 209):

1) It's been three months. If anyone wanted to negotiate, they had plenty of time. After I'm dead, they'll have plenty more time.

2) Speaking with it, this creature benefits from negotiations. It wouldn't be parlaying if parlaying wasn't what was giving it profit. But also, it's a cheat, so parlaying won't profit us.

3) It's embodied in a mortal human. We have a Lewis gun pointed at it. I'm gambling it's strength is royal awe, and today it skimped on the kevlar.

4) We're already down three investigators. We don't have the luxury of time.

5) Cynthia doesn't bow

So yes, as a player, I think this is a good idea. I would have had a long discussion about it here, but no table-talk (I feel like maybe I get a pass since I've already committed?) I'd have discussed it in-character, but then we'd lose surprise. I won't feel bad if people hang back to see what happens. If I turn into a newt or explode, parlaying is probably the smarter option.

So you have no problem if it kills the entire party as well as other peoples characters that they have been playing for 8 or 9 years ?

Many of us have played this campaign before and some have GM'ed it, it would be silly to say that you had no idea how this encounter plays out.


-

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 213):

1.) I think the other players were trying to respect the rule of table talk to discuss this OOC, and of course it's not like your characters can take a minute and discuss this IC.

2.) It has been long enough so let's resolve this! At this point I am waiting on a post for Bathony and Perkins. once there is a post about their actions, like gawping at Cynthia's display of bravado, take cover, etc. JM is out of it, as is Chi-Yin.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
I can pretty much guarantee there will not be a TPK. But some PCs probably will go insane!

---

3.) You do have 4 characters, I believe Chi-Yin is still very much in the game. I believe I can easily scare up more players, I don't think I've ever actively solicited for this game so I imagine if I put up an ad for the legendary Masks of Nyarlathotep there will probably be dozens of applicants.

Tony

JM would have been very reluctant to negotiate for anything other than getting away alive and relatively unharmed had he not flipped out.  He'd certainly not accepted any gifts from such a creature.  It seems now we are committed to a course of action so let's see where it rolls.  Certainly death or insanity is a major part of this game but it seems like a rather ignoble way to go in this encounter.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 216):

I wouldn't say that having Nyarlathotep punch your ticket would be particularly ignoble!

Tony

It's certainly a spectacular way to go.

It is more that this encounter was like hitting a brick wall at 100 mph.  Boom!  You're done.  We were making progress and seeming to close on the bad guys, the players and party were moving along briskly and... bam!  Checkmate.  That's what gets me about the nature of this particular encounter.  I personally felt deeply engaged in the action for the first time in a long time.  Now it's just... helpless... demotivating.  And hanging fire for so very long in the cusp of action makes it worse. :(

I'm sure there are ways around it to negotiate and cheat the god at least for a while but it didn't develop that way.  I'm very curious to see how things develop now that we've broken the stalemate with a bit of violence.

I love the game and am not trying to whine.  I understand that in this game you face impossible odds and die or go insane.  It's just very frustrating for me right now given that we were seeming to pull together so well.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 218):

I wouldn't get too discouraged. And Masks has some scenes where a TPK is a real threat. I'm glad you're feeling engaged, hold onto that thought! Your meeting and being confronted by a god is at least something of a climax in the story.

Tony

I'm good!  The game and everyone are great.  I just hope that this isn't the LAST climax :)

Boom!

So should I have JM wake up eventually?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 221):

Yeah, I'll roll on how long it takes for him to snap out of it. I see Cynthia's player hasn't had a chance to log in since I asked for a SAN check.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 222):

What is the duration roll?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 223):

We'll say he snaps out of it within 10 minutes or so.

Both he and Chi-Yin gain 5 percentiles of Mythos Knowledge.

Tony

10 minutes it is!  I added the 5%... very hard earned.

Did we lose Matt and Chalky's players then?

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 225):

Yes, "Chalky" largely (but not completely) withdrew from RPOL months back. Matt also let me know he was dropping out. It seemed a good way to shuffle them off; Nyarlathotep can only manifest in human form by possessing someone. You may see Matt again, you never know!

Tony

Or Matt's descendants!

It would be cool if he establishes a secret society that survives through the ages in order to overcome the power of the Dark Pharaoh!  :)

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 227):

Yes, "Nubians" have served many important roles in the Empires of the Nile...

Tony

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 227):

That sounds like a neat storyline.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 229):

It would be super cool... :)

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 229):

Such roles filled by black Africans include the elite border guards and eventual royal/national police force called the "Medjay" (referenced in The Mummy 2). And of course an entire line of kings known as the "Black Pharaohs".

Thanks,

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:27, Wed 09 Oct 2019.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 231):

Well then we need to meet a descendent of Matt!!!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 232):

That would be interesting.

How high up from the floor is the hole blasted through the roof, how steep does it go up and how big is it?  Is it smooth or can we manage handholds?

Happy Halloween, a day late.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 235):

It's still Hallowe'en here so that's fine!

It is getting a little late. Despite that we are still hearing a lot of fireworks going off. Of all the days in the year this is the only one where you'll hear fireworks randomly going off in the days before and almost continually on the day of. For some reason that's a local tradition only here in Vancouver, Canada.

When I was a kid in the late 70's early 80's a good friend of the family happened to live in a cul-de-sac behind us. He was an RCMP officer and every year he would drag some wood pallets into the middle of the cul-de-sac, light them up in a massive bonfire and then shoot off massive amounts of fireworks. His fellow Mounties might stop by in their patrol cars to say hi during the evening but otherwise didn't shut him down.

It's unclear how or why this tradition started about a century ago. One theory is that the local Chinese community had a tradition of using fireworks and firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and this was co-opted by the local white population for Hallowe'en (plus the Chinese could supply both elements cheaply and in bulk). The bonfires were possibly borrowed from Guy Fawkes day celebrations by the UK-born population.

Ad from 1928:



Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 236):

Neat.

Fireworks are always fun.

I took off the week for the holidays (I almost always do). This year, in our new house, since it's a town home with very little yard to play with, we ran "floating candles" around the bottom two floors and set a palmistry table, where I, the reader, and a gaggle of neighbors, drank wine and dipped into candy bowls well into the night. Fortunately I'm past the hangover in time for work!

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 239):

Sounds like fun!!!!  We had a lot of trick or treaters which was nice.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 240):

My girl was saying, "this is MY kinda night!" over and over.

My apologies, I've been promoted at work and finding it a little difficult to focus. Plus with more responsibilities I can't post at work like in the past. With any luck I shall be more back to normal soon but until then please excuse an appalling post rate on my part.

Thanks!

Tony

I totally understand. I got a promotion a few years ago and had to hand my old game off to one of the players. It's tough!

Hang in there Keeper!

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 241):

Good.

Happy thanksgiving.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 242):

You are all very kind!

With a bit of luck I see a restart soon, within a week or so.

Thanks!

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 246):

Good. Happy New year.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 247):

Happy New Year!

Tony

Hey, a bit late but Happy New Year.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 249):

And a merry 2020!

Lots have happened in Nov-Dec. The job keeps me busy and I can't post at work anymore but things are settling down. In my sit-down gaming life my Cthulhu Now campaign is on pause so we can play some Traveller.

My apologies for the brief hiatus, I hope everyone is still interested?

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 250):

Of course I am.

Yes still here.

Do you work where I work? Because they just blocked RPoL a few weeks ago for me too.

Still around. The pokey posting rate is perfect for me :)

The spoil sports at work blocked all the fun gaming sites a couple of years ago.  However I can go wireless on the laptop into the wifi for visitors that is outside the firewall and get in... :)

JM is ready!

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 253):

IT blocked Facebook but not RRoL. I work at a film school so they are mostly concerned with no downloading or sharing of copyrighted files. No, I just have a lot more responsibility and no longer have hours of free time to read up on rules and so on.

Thanks,

Tony

Funny, seems like the forgot to block RPoL today... That, or there is an OCCULT INFLUENCE....

I feel like this isn't the first time we've been through time-bending. At this rate, Cynthia is going to be the youngest-looking retiree at the home in forty years time.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 256):

Yes, you lost about 6 hours when you explored the Menkaure pyramid at Giza.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:28, Fri 24 Jan 2020.

I'm thinking the murals and such are not outrageously dangerous.

Hope everyone is okay.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 259):

Thanks for asking!

So far so good for my family. I'm just having a rough go at work at the moment. Finding it hard to get my mind into the game.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 260):

I'm off now, my first day. Its going to ba a long month...........

We're doing okay here. I'm actually the continuity coordinator for my agency, so they're keeping me hopping, but after two weeks things seem to have settled.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 262):

Likewise. I'm head of security for the school I work at, so after being saddled with some deeply upsetting layoffs (I mean, way to go, HR) things are starting to stabilise.

Tony

We're still stable although if this lasts several months there may be layoffs for us as well.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 264):

My department will soon go down to me plus one. After that, management may look into paying street people with meth.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 265):

Gods, that's crazy!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 266):

Ha ha, not literally. But I imagine management is considering similar plans for survival.

Tony

Hello everyone,

Re-Restart time!

As you all know, I was promoted last fall to a supervisory position in the Guest Services department at my school. Not being able to post from work, and just being busier in general, really took a toll on my gaming afterwards. While I am lucky to not be laid off, this means as almost everyone in my department was (and I had to wield the axe, which has bummed me out quite a bit) my own workload remained about the same.

But things are so bad here I've been shifted to working evenings (my boss, a manager, has been forced to take over my dayshift position). This means I will now have more time, and wish to go for another restart. Thanks for all of your patience, I am happy if anyone decides they want to go for it again and understand if not.

Thanks,

Tony

Hi all, I'm a new player to this game and will hopefully be taking over Alexander.

I'm from Denmark but now living in the US (have also lived in Ireland and Amsterdam). I've been playing RPG's for 40+ years and have also ran some CoC games online. Hope you'll ease me in gently once the game restarts  :)

Cheers
Soren

1) I totally get it. It's hard being an adult gamer!! I started a weekly video-chat game for my kiddo and his friends, and wow, I don't remember running a game being so exhausting!!

2) Still around. I appreciate the patience when I disappear too ;)

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 269):

Welcome Soren.

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 271):

I found the idea of reading-in Soren on Alexander a little daunting. He has graciously agreed to take over Roger Bedford, ex-RAF pilot.

Roger doesn't have a lot of history so let's say he is a friend of JM (John-Marc), a Canadian who also joined the RAF. Perhaps they served together? Roger was kicking around Cairo when JM and his companions arrived and JM looked him up at the run-down hotel he was staying in. They needed another pilot as JM had transferred his 2 personal aircraft from England: a Great War-surplus twin-seater Bristol F.2 "Brisfit" (not demobilised and quasi-legally fully armed) and a Vimy Commercial aircraft (a Vickers bomber converted into a passenger aircraft by replacing the fuselage) operating from his home on an airfield by RAF Lympne in south-eastern England. (He had intended to start an air courier business from England to Africa and so has legal paper on the Brisfit's armaments.)

Since teaming up with them things were fairly strange. He joined them at the mansion of Alexander Mahfouz on the exclusive and wealthy Boulaq island in the Nile. There they told of clashes with cultists of the "Bloody Tongue" in New York and the murder of their friend, journalist Jackson Elias. Elias was on the story of the ill-fated Carlyle Expedition, supposedly all murdered in Kenya after taking a break from their digs in Egypt. But he uncovered evidence of rich dilettante Roger Carlyle's survival (via a witness in Kenya) and the investigators were hired by Roger's sister Erica Carlyle to find him, possibly in China (due to a matchbook found in Elias' personal effects).

They then traveled to London, following Elias' investigations. There they clashed (again) with more cultists, this time the "Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh". It seems they were behind the Carlyle Expedition via the Penhew Institute for Egyptology and its head, Edward Gavigan. A game of strike and counter-strike played out, with the investigators raiding the Penhew Institute a warehouse where illegal goods were shipped to and from China, and locating the decrepit freighter used as transport. Many cult artifacts and some tomes were recovered. (You got more tomes from Erica Carlyle, left to her by Roger before he vanished/was murdered.) Events in England culminated with a clandestine police raid on Gavigan's Essex estate, resulting in the deaths of many cultists including Gavigan, but also some of their friends (Maj. Storm, Howard Lampton, Francis Simmons, Phil Webley) and some police. (Plus the mysterious disappearance of an investigator, Imran Singh.) There was also some conflict with a probably-insane artist, Miles Shipley, who may have also been a cultist or even a high priest of some kind. (His house was burned to the ground but his remains were never found, instead an obviously fake/hoax skeleton combining the body of a man and the head of an alligator was pulled from the ashes.) One important cultist, an Egyptian named Tewfik al-Sayed, escaped without a trace.

Next was a trip to Egypt by aeroplane (the Commercial and Brisfit). While in France they learned that at that time near the end of February all the inmates of insane asylums behaved like lunatics for about a week. Artists also had dreams of cyclopean ruins rising from the depths. Travelling to Italy they stopped in Rome to conduct research in the Vatican archives but were again attacked by cultists, this time corrupted Catholic monks! (Also, Italian Fascists.)

Finally reaching Egypt they made their base at Alexander's mansion on Boulaq el-Gezireh island across the Nile from Cairo. There they learned of the Carlyle Expedition's finding a mummy. Dr. Khafour at the Cairo Museum informed them this was likely the remains of Queen Nitocris, bride of the (forgotten and shunned) Black Pharaoh. Cultists would then likely try to steal the Girdle of Nitrocris, being kept at the Mosque of ibn Tulun (currently an insane asylum). The investigators tried to transport the Girdle to safety at the Museum but were attacked by cultists (Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh) on land and tentacles by Nike (they split the party to provide a decoy). Somehow the girdle was switched by a cultist infiltrator at the Mosque and now it's in the hands of a powerful local cult leader, Omar al-Shakti. Using a mystic mirror gained in London the next day saw the Girdle in the hands of al-Shakti at a location they identified as being the "Lesser Bent Pyramid" in Dashur. They traveled to Dashur and entered the pyramid, hoping to catch al-Shakti. Roger stayed outside to stand guard. From Roger and Alexander's point of view the group vanished for 2 weeks! Finally, they were rescued from inside the Lesser Bent Pyramid by a hole being punched in the exterior blocks by... something.

Roger and Alexander are at Dashur, having met the group as they are hauled out of the hole in the face of the pyramid near the top.

Tony

Welcome Soren!

I'd be glad to have JM and Roger friends and war chums from the same squadron.  We could have served together in France or met in Egypt and Palestine in 1917-1918.  I'm completely open.  Or perhaps we've already done some post-War work together in the Middle East prior to our most recent meeting.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 273):

Speaking of what you know, everyone should have a look at the Clues thread to refresh your memory:

link to a message in this game

As well, Books and Tomes:

link to a message in this game

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 272):

Wow, nice little biography.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 275):

My pleasure. It was a good way to reacquaint myself with a sprawling adventure.

Tony

I had to read it twice!!!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 277):

OK! So I do not have time to get one out tonight, but I'll try and post to set up the adventure going forward. The summary should help but I think a fresh start in the in-game morning will also be good.

Tony

If anyone has anything to add please do so.

In a day or so I'll post to get this show on the road!

The plan seems to be to visit van Hueleven and see about his progress with the stolen (er, appropriated) ancient Egyptian scrolls. Then a trip to the Cairo Bulletin to see if Nigel Wassif has any information on the worker who saved Warren Bessart. After those ducks are in a row it's off to see Sir Clive and his expedition down at the Memphis dig.

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:22, Wed 05 Aug 2020.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 279):

I've seen it put forth to split the party. This always ends well! But in that case you do have a few NPCs available. I'll list them to jog your memory and update the new players. (Roger would be familiar with most if not all NPCs.)

NPC Investigators, up for mostly anything:

George Perkins - British Great War veteran, Count Bathony's man.
Doctor Phillip Weston - British psychiatrist.
Karlheinz Bergmann - German Great War veteran.

Local NPCs:

Alexander Hussein Mahfouz - Wealthy pro-British Egyptian.
Marjyan Mahfouz - Alexander's wife.
Salim bin Kabina - Alexander's right-hand man.
Mah'mud - Cairene street urchin, living with Alexander
Faruk Basara - Egyptian Great War veteran.
Haji Basara - Egyptian Great War veteran.
Nigel Wassif - Reporter for Cairo Bulletin (source of news and rumour).
Dr. Ali Khafour - Famed head of the Department of Antiquities at the Cairo Museum.

Departed but not Dead:

Molly 'Mungo' Fuller - London reporter. Headed back to England.
Prof. Ralph T. Fulty - American academic. Headed back to England.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 279):

Fun.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 280):

Neat.

Splitting is always evil :)

On that note, I'll be away in Yosemite until Wednesday

Back and catching up!

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 283):

Yosemite must be lovely.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 285):

I just got back from vacation as well, Whistler BC. It was great! Work has been so busy this week I've not had a chance to follow up.

Sorry, will try to get to the game soon.

Tony

Yosemite is fabulous!  The problem with our visit was that with the fires to the north and west of the park there was a LOT of haze and smoke in the valley.

The first day we hiked up the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada falls and you could feel the smoke making your lungs ache a bit.  Our clothes smelled of smoke.

The next few days were much better but it was still hazy.  Fortunately we've been to the park a number of times so the impact on the views was not so bad for us.

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 287):

We've been lucky with fires here. Not as bad as California but last summer there was a haze all over the city from fires hundreds of kilometres away!

Sorry again for the delay. I haven't had that much free time, and for obvious reasons the free time I have in the evenings now is spent with my family (as I have been working evenings, and thus unavailable during the week, until now).

Thanks,

Tony

Ohhh! Great post from Nathan Issac's player!

Thanks,

Tony

Thanks Tony.

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 290):

A great lead in to the game!!!!

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 290):

Welcome.

Looking forward to going insane adventuring with you all!

Welcome Nathan Isaac!

Going on vacation next week for the holiday and birthday celebrations. Hoping to get some camping time in as well. No worries, I can't imagine my posting rate could get any worse...

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 294):

No problem, this is a very slow relaxed game. As per normal with me!

Tony

That's right, you tell him! Harumph.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 296):

He could just shoot her, you know.

My apologies, I've been dealing with an annoying and distracting problem in our apartment the last few weeks. Hopefully it's resolved tomorrow so I can move things ahead!

Again, thanks for your patience.

Thanks,

Tony

I would so love for Nathan to turn up at this point and prevent a possible case of felicide.

Shooting people for being idiots is not ladylike, but Cynthia won't complain if someone else does the dirty work.

Lets let the cat woman do it for us.


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In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 300):

What makes you think she's bulletproof?

I wish there was a way for Nathan to show up as well.

Let's see. Van Huelevan has been researching the scrolls. He's probably reached out to contacts in the Cairo museum, Nathan could be one. It's not wild at all; Nathan knows (or at least knows of) Chi-Yin, a former colleague of his, and the Clive expedition was no secret. He could show up because van Huelevan has not been secret of wanting to flee Egypt for Holland and he doesn't want him to do so for some reason, likely losing access to the scrolls which are Egyptian property. The Egyptian authorities would want to prevent this, he might be in the company of a policeman or two.

Tony

That would work. He could be on Van Huelevan's tail and in doing so run into Chi-Yin at the same time hence killing two birds with one stone? Maybe Van Huelevan is one of the main reasons why Nuwa asked Nathan to track her down in the first place?

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 302):

I hadn't made van Huelevan openly antagonistic towards Chi-Yin, if anything he's completely indifferent to her. And he only got the scrolls (which the museum wants) after he left the Clive expedition.

Ok Roger, roll to hit with a punch!

Tony

Seems like a fair hit

07:08, Today: Roger Bedford rolled 42 using 1d100 with rolls of 42.  Punching a Dutchman on the snoot (50%).

07:11, Today: Roger Bedford rolled 2 using 1d3 with rolls of 2.  Punch damage.

I'm about to make Nathan's first post. There seems to be a mix of third person past tense and third person present tense in the IC threads. I'll write in third person past tense because that's what I'm used to but if you want me to change that then please let me know.

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 305):

We haven't settled on a style. It depends on the poster, really! I tend to use 3rd person, sometimes 1st person, myself.

Thanks,

Tony

Nice to see how well the policemen are doing their jobs :D

Sorry everyone! I've been distracted by home troubles. We had a problem apartment on our floor. Since then we've dealt with a wave of bedbugs and now cockroaches. (To hide this from our too-smart daughter so she's not icked out we refer to them as "Bandits" and "Charlie".) Truly, 2020 is the year that keeps on giving! But it's made it very hard to concentrate on this and other games. I haven't lost interest but am just taking it easy for now.

Thanks,

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 308):

That sounds awful. Especially the cockroaches. Do you own or rent the apartment?

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 309):

Thanks for the kind words. We rent, so the landlord (who is basically ok) is on the hook for all treatments. If I fault her it's for not having everybody treated at once instead of letting it get out of hand. (She had the affected suite treated plus the adjoining ones, but they had probably spread farther throughout the floor using the radiator.)

Tony

Yikes! Roaches are obnoxious, but bed bugs are really frustrating. Yeah, apartment living is tough to manage. (We moved to a house, it's a rowhouse, so now we get to deal with our neighbors' mice. Cute! Until they chew up the dishwasher.)

I didn't notice the date catching up on me. I will make my last post on this site for 2020 tomorrow (Thursday 17th December). After that I won't be back until Monday 4th January 2021.

Unless I forget I'll wish you all a merry Christmas now.

Here's a Christmas Cultist song for you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB39OqlJsm4

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 312):

Sorry for the slow posting! I'll conclude Nathan's interaction with Neris. If it's ok I can NPC Nathan to interact a little with Chi-Yin, enough to establish contact, and pick that up later.

Thanks,

Tony

Sure NPC away. Just please don't have me return in January to find Nathan either sporting a fetching new straight jacket or being used as eldritch horror food. :D

In reply to Nathan Issac (msg # 314):

Cool. You can get a post in before you go!

Thanks,

Tony

Yes, Merry Christmas! Give obeisance to the dark presence that observes us night and day, and judges our souls worthy of punishment or mercy.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 316):

Merry christmas and Happy new year.

As noted, if anyone wants to speak over me with van Huevelen, they are welcome to! My engaging him is solely conditional on no one else speaking first :)

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 318):

At this point it's kind of Nathan's call what to do with the man. Have him taken to cells or released into their custody so that he can guide you to the temple of cats.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 319):

Absent Nathan's input if no one objects then van Heulevan takes you to the temple of Bast.

Tony

No objections from me. I'm definitely in the camp of, 'if it is a place on the map, I would like to go there'.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 319):

The temple of cats! Sounds like a lovely place.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 322):

Probably smells it as well.


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Don't be a sour-puss. Every cat is lovely, and there is no greater joy than a pile of purring fluffiness. Their wee poos are just God's way of ensuring we don't die of cuteness.

When we were getting a new kitten my wife said it would "poop rainbows". She lied!

Tony

What are we supposed to be doing in the Bast temple again? You guys seems to have a history with the priestess. Returning some scrolls?

In reply to Roger Bedford (msg # 326):

The scrolls have been returned, but if not this would be a good time to return them. The overall narrative here is that van Heuleven stole some scrolls from here, Neris (the Priestess) asked the PCs to help get them back. They kind of helped make this happen already.

(Further, in exchange for saving him van Huelevan as a former member of the current Clive expedition would then be able to get you an invite to their dig site to allow you to snoop around. As it happens Chi Yin can also wrangle an invite as she as a former member of the Clive expedition.)

I imagine right now they want to make contact with the priestess, Neris and see if there could be some future cooperation. After all, Bast is Egypt's protector and even in greatly diminished form may still be powerful. If she's not there then maybe a message can be left. Someone is actively maintaining this place, after all.

Tony

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 324):

I adore cats.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 328):

I love cats as well! Chi-Yin may be present if you like.

There is mention of a girdle. I will post in short form why this item is important for the reference of new and old players:


The girdle is the Girdle of Nitocris. It will be used with the mummy of Nitocris to resurrect her. Once she has crossed the Nile and reentered the land of the living she will become the bride consort of the Black Pharaoh. The Girdle was being guarded in the ibn-Tulun Mosque, then stolen as it was being brought to safety. Right now the girdle is in the hands of the Cult of the Bloody Tongue and its leader, Omar al-Shakti. Soon there will be a ceremony where she will be resurrected.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 329):

Basically, the PCs present are:

Cynthia
Couth Bathony
Chi-Yin
Roger

Perkins and Nathan are there, guarding Jan van Huelevan.

Salim bin Kabina is guarding the Renault touring car.

Tony

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 330):

Once the group is done here, you'll be heading into the Nile delta to find a survivor (Nyiti al-Wasti) who witnessed an unholy ceremony that involved the Carlyle expedition. He also saved Warren Besart, Roger Carlyle's agent in Cairo.

What I'll also do is post a bit of a recap to make sure everyone is mainly up to speed. I'll post it in the Clues thread for reference.

Thanks,

Tony