"Steady... steady... " JM called out softly to his comrades as he backed away.  His hand went to his holstered pistol but did not draw.  Something told him that weapons might have little effect on a creature of this nature.

Chi-yin had no idea of what to say or do, and she stood there wondering if she should make a move.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 128):

Matt started to go for the Lewis gun. The Lewis gun was set down on its bipod in front of the throne. Right behind it stood that crazy pharaoh-like cat (who, truth be told, had the features of a white man and unnaturally black skin, definitely not a son of Africa like him!) was standing right behind it. He had appeared from nowhere, like a magician.

The man smiled. Amused. The two whirling blurs beside him reared up, coiled, ready to strike. Hungry.

JM stepped forward his hands held up.  "Mighty Lord, we apologize for disturbing you.  We mean no harm nor do we wish to fight or otherwise offend you and your servants."

Matt has second thoughs about grabbing the gun. For a start it would tak ehim too close to whatever it was he now faced and its things. He stepped backwards making sure his bolo was near to hand but unsure of what action he could take with it.

In reply to Matthew 'Matt' Clancy (msg # 135):

The ancient pharaoh smiled sardonically at Matt and his unseen servants seemed to settle down. He then replied to JM in unaccented English.

"That's better. I do not require anything from you but your complete attention and obedience. You are to give up this foolish quest immediately. Go home, go back to your families, to your lives, such as they are. Live out your short remaining days in peace to await the inevitable. For we Gods are not swayed nor do we take note of your puny efforts for you are insects, we are beings of unlimited power and our plans are not for you to interfere with. If you leave now meekly and gratefully you will not be harmed.

"Do you wish to know of the fate of those that came before you? Or will you leave now with your bodies and sanity intact?"

JM listened nervously as the powerful being spoke.  He glanced at his friends.  "We have no desire to see what has occured before. Such things are not for mortal eyes.  We will gratefully withdraw."  Any resistance to such a creature and its servants would be foolhardy.

The Count stayed still and hoped that Mr. Falcons plea would be heard and be enough. He takes a glance to Mr> Perkins who was still standing by the entrance and the large block that now covered it.


-

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 137):

The god's eyes narrowed, considering what JM said (and did not say). "Will you utterly and completely forsake your foolish errand? Swear to me now that you do, that you may yet live. If not you will suffer the consequences."

In reply to Nyarlathotep (msg # 139):

Seeing the indecisiveness of his puny foes, the god smiled in triumph.

"As a reward, I shall grant each of you your fondest desire. Know that I cannot force anyone to love you, for love is a lie. But all else is possible."

He (it?) then began to chuckle to himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Wed 26 June 2019.

JM squared away his shoulders and nodded slowly as he felt the consensus of his comrades.  "I... we... swear to abandon our quest."  He shook his head at the offer of the fondest desire. "I lack the wisdom to truly seek my deepest desire by means of a gift.  I must humbly refuse to bother you to provide me with such a boon."

"I to decline your gift as I am not worthy of such a thing..." The Count does not other wise move, overawed with the appearance of a God.


-

Cynthia keeps her shotgun up, not that the thing is likely to do much harm to a god. "I would be willing to take such an oath, except why would you hold to your side once you had my word?"

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 143):

"Come now. Why would I renege if I get what I want? What I don't trust is you not to tell me what I want to hear. There will be... safeguards in place to make sure you leave Egypt immediately. If you are not on your way home by the time the next moon is full, I shall hunt you down and claim your souls. Only England and America shall be safe for you. An my agents shall keep watch.

"Those who wish to submit, kneel before me to receive my blessings."

All Chi-yin could do at the moment was stand in the shadows, wait and watch.

George was standing rooted to the spot, his head going back and forth in a silent No. They had no escape he had deduced that much from the solid sandstone block.


-

Seeing the puny mortals cower before him, Nyarlathotep sneered.

"Look you, at the fate that came for those before you."

He waved his hand and before them arose the images of a savnanah, probably in Africa. There was a safari-style camp, with a number of Europeans lounging about while African porters and bearers went about their tasks.

"Look closely."

JM was unwilling to bow before such a creature but he recognized that they had no choice.  Still as the god offered an explanation he leaned forward to look.

George did not move, his head still moving side to side.


-

The Count took a step forward to look at what the god was indicating.


-

Cynthia will look, against her better judgment. But she will keep half an eye on the beast in front of her, to see how entranced it is by its own illusions.

Matt slowly started to edge around the side, maybe thinking about going for the Lewis gun propped up behind the Black Pharaoh.

Fascinated, he stopped and stared at the incredibly lifelike image!

They stared at the scene.

In the vision, JM, the Count and Cynthia all recognised the members of the Carlyle expedition from the photographs they were shown. Chi-Yin didn't recognise any of them. It seemed they were in the highlands of Kenya somewhere. Mountains loomed in the background. This might well be their final resting place, if the rumours of their demise were true.

There was noted Egyptologist Sir Aubrey Penhew, beautiful society woman and photographer Hypatia Maters, Dr. Robert Huston, and of course Roger Carlyle. Missing was his mistress M'Weru and bodyguard, Jack Brady. African servants served tea and porters busied about getting ready to move out somewhere. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, with but a few puffy white clouds.

Suddenly, more clouds moved across the sun. It grew darker. A few of the Africans looked up, unsure and a little spooked by the rapid change in weather. More and more looked up, then around, speaking in fearful and apprehensive tones. The white members of the expedition remained oblivious, sipping tea and eating sandwiches. Overhead was now a mass of clouds and the wind blew up, replacing the former calm. Then from the sky came a tremendous flapping sound, as specks appeared from all horizons. This got everyone's attentions, and they could see fear and panic starting to take over. Before the Africans could bolt en masse, the ground erupted with hideous, filthy beings like a cross between a jackal and a man! From the air dove massive viperine creatures with clawed limbs and massive black batwings to attack! More foul creatures oozed out of the ground, masses of black formless things like amoebas with pseudopods that lashed and struck.

Pandemonium erupted. The Africans were slaughtered in droves whether they tried to flee or stand their ground. The white members were singled out for a most gruesome extermination, being ripped, clawed, bit and squeezed to death!

Keeper's Note: Make SAN checks, please.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 153):

Chi-yin stifled a gasp, for fear the creature would set it's eye on her. So that was what had happened to the Carlyle expedition. How terrible, to suffer in such a manner.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 154):

The vision progressed to fountains of blood and limbs pulled from sockets, then tossed about! Men and women were held by several of the horrid jackal-men, their bellies slashed open spilling bluish entrails into the dirt. The winged serpents engaged in a tug-of-war with one hapless soul, splitting his torso in two spilling out its contents in a rain of gore and offal. Those that ran were caught from above and dropped down onto sharp rocks.