Wet and cold, Tommy managed to heave himself behind a tree and bring his breathing under control after coughing up some of the scummy water he had gulped down. Emptying the gun of water, he was confident that it was ready to use again. He heard footsteps approaching as he waited, and he peeped out from behind a tree to see a patrol of two men walking together and talking quietly as they passed by presumably without taking any note of his presence in the area.

As the two guards past nearly within feet of him without noticing, Tommy could finally should he so desire breathe a sigh of relief. Luck might not have been with him, the guards making their patrol so close to where he was hiding himself, but his skills at being observant and stealthy had paid handsomely.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:54, Tue 24 Oct 2017.

As the guards moved away Tommy stayed hidden until he was sure they were gone.
Which direction were they heading?
He checked his watch and noted the time and route of the patrol in his notebook, which had avoided the worst of the much held tightly inside a pocket clung to his chest despite several now ruined pages.

North. That was where the house would be, and surely where Bo would be found.

Ooc-if the guards went west, im guessing they are circling the island, in which case Tommy would sweep behind them so as not to get caught in their return trip. Hopefully however they went back the the guard post, so the west side is theoretically clear.
Either way, a discreet approach to view the house is what Tommy needs.
Oh, and what were the guards wearing? Were they armed?
Am thinking about impersonating them, and also telling Leo the enemy we face.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Fri 27 Oct 2017.

Tommy watched the guards continue on their patrol headed in an easterly direction. He managed to find a dry patch in his notebook and noted down various particulars about the patrol as he watched them walk away into the distance.

---

The guards came from the north, and have now headed east. It would appear that they are making a counter-clockwise rotation around the more central part of the island.

Just so that you have a map handy now that the other thread is locked:



Also, just so that you know where Tommy is currently, he's closer to the westernmost part of the island. The house, from his current position, is not due north. It's northeast-ish. He can get there however you want him to, but I just want to make sure you know where Tommy is.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Wed 01 Nov 2017.

Think
Picturing the map they’d formed so far the reporter hunkered down against a gnarled tree stump while he planned his move.
The guards had come from the North, which meant they thought the North was clear. Perhaps there his enemies attention might be less focussed...at least for a short while.

Afraid for Bo Tommy moved in that direction, laying low and swinging East as he moves to find a position to examine...or infiltrate the house.

OOC:

To be clear, are you going to leave the cover of the lighly wooded area and head east, behind the guardhouse, across the road and on the other side of the cul-de-sac?

Or do you want to head northeast towards the house using the trees as cover?

Ooc- not planning on crossing the road.
Am assuming on the pic we are just to the left of the road. So was expecting g to follow its curve in the trees north east.

Tommy moved from tree to tree as he headed to the north and east of his position towards the house, the sparsely wooded area barely providing him enough cover to get by. On his way there, he noticed a tall four sided column that tapered to a rounded point, and bore hieroglyphic inscriptions all along its length. It was made from a very dark stone. Each side of the stele had iron shackles embedded into it.

After getting a good look at it, he moved yet further ahead to get a better view of the Misr House itself. The house itself while English in its origin seems to have been updated on the exterior with Egyptian style columns, ankhs, and statues, giving the place a queer appearance. At two stories, he'd guess that the large manor house might have a dozen or more bedrooms and servants quarters to boot, besides other common areas proper and necessary for the functioning of such a residence.

Knowing time was of the essence Tommy forced himself to pause and scan the place in more detail.
Could he see any movement? There might be guards or housekeepers.
How about ways in to the house? Doors or windows ajar...

He couldn’t quite decide if the lack of activity was a good sign that Bo had not been caught, or worse, that meant whatever had happened to Bo was now over...final.

Ooc- does the house look in a good state of repair and an active lived in estate? Or perhaps it is more dilapidated and unused? I.e. is it actually functioning?
Regards escape routes-any vehicle or garage in sight?
And I presume no phone line going to the building?
Any basement windows, or coal Shute access?

The gentle layer of fog that seemed to mask the island didn't allow him to see into the windows, though he could make out the general structure of the house. There was of course a front entrance he could see from his position, and a few windows at the front of the house, and on the left side of the rectangular home, though he couldn't see into or determine their status without getting closer. The house itself while English in its origin seems to have been updated on the exterior with Egyptian style columns, ankhs, and statues, giving the place a queer appearance. It appeared to be in a state of excellent repair.

Scouting a bit further back into the treeline, he moved around to a position that allowed him to see the rear of the house, which sported more windows and what looked to be a coal chute. He didn't see any sign of telephone lines, however, but he did see a two car garage on the premises.

Right. It's not a wreck - that means house staff inside. But there aint a load of cars parked outside so there can't be that many car there? It was too far to walk each day for someone who might live back in town..but that didn't mean there wasn't a bus or that staff couldn't kip over night.

Cotton thought hurriedly, conscious of the sinking sun. Seeing no sign of Bo or commotion as he swept to the rear of the house he swore again to himself. Bo must be in there then? And Vincent...if he's got any sense must have left by now to get help. If Leo did his job Barrington and the cavalry will be here in a couple of hours too...

The cars could be a way out, but first he turned to look North - was there a boat house, or boat moored up?
The reporter couldn't flee yet of course...he'd come this far. But if he found Bo a swim through the swamp under a hail of bullets might not be what they needed.

Having determined all he could Tommy took a deep breath and moved closer to the rear of the house. Where he could he clung to cover, watching the windows to see signs of watchers, trying to assess how risky a dart to the coal Shute would be.

ooc - with darkness approaching that might help Tommy's cover? While it is light can he make out if the coal Shute is padlocked? Basically looking for a way to sneak in to the house.

Tommy can't see any kind of a boat house or boat moored up. Looking to the house, he saw that the coal shute wasn't locked up.

OOC:

I made a Spot Hidden roll on your behalf:

14:39, Today: The Keeper, on behalf of Thomas Cotton, rolled 17 using 1d100 with rolls of 17.  Spot Hidden 70.

In the future though, it will speed things up a bit if you proactively make any rolls you think I might call for.

Shaking his head, knowing this was a bad idea Tommy took his chance.
Head low, trusting to luck and the setting sun the reporter scurried toward the coal chute, weapon held low, praying he’d be able to slip inside.

Like a ghost ;)
22:02, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 5 using 1d100 with rolls of 5.  Stealth vs 80

Aim is to slip inside, leaving the chute slightly ajar for light. Once he makes out if he can see down there (perhaps other basement windows?) he’ll reach back and let it close properly.

A shadow, the young American reporter made it to where he had observed the coal chute. Opening the chute door, Thomas noted that there was just enough room for him to fit into the hole, but as the light from the sun diminished, with the chute on the wrong side of the building, he could see only blackness looking within.

---

Is he going in? How is he going to try to prop it open?

Ooc-yep, in we go.
A lump of coal or other random piece of clutter like block of wood should be enough to prop it open. Even if it’s dark down there, Tommy should have enough awareness to find the chute entrance again?
I can’t see the other misr thread so can’t see what we declared to bring with us...I don’t suppose it included a torch? I guess not. Or did I mention any kind of flame source? I’m also guessing not, but I’ll do a luck roll just in case.
 Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 28 using 1d100 with rolls of 28.  Luck.

Even if it’s pitch dark in there (no other window cracks) Tommy can feel his way around-there must be a door-all he has to do is hug the (left) wall and follow it along. The propping of the chute is to allow a point of reference and glimmer of light.

Tommy found a stick that he could use to prop it open before sliding himself down into the coal chute. Even with his particularly slender build, he had to really force himself through the opening to get inside shimmying down the short metal slide, but eventually when he made it through he found himself subject to a sharp dropoff, indicating that the basement was deeper than he presumed. Landing on top of a pile of coal was small comfort to his backside.

After a few moments, his eyes gradually adjust to the darkness, and he can make out a small source of light, seeming to come from a doorway inlaid into the ceiling of this room on the far side opposite of where he was leading up above, situated just above a small set of stairs that he could make out.

From around the room, he can see various boxes and crates not arrayed in any particular order. From the scant and distant source of light, he can't make much out about anything from a distance.

---

OOC:

Tommy has a flashlight with him, but it will be temporarily (for several hours at least) ruined on account of him having taken a swim with it and taking no precautions to keep it out of the water. He can attempt to dry it out in the dark to reduce its recovery time, but for the moment it is something of a moot point.

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:42, Wed 29 Nov 2017.

Ughhhh!
Cotton gasped as he slid in to the darkness. For a moment he feared some cruel joke of fate had sent him plummeting to his death until a split second later he stumbled on to solid ground.
The fumble for his flashlight was no more promising and again he cursed the bad omens when he realised it was soaked and dead for now.
What have you gotten yourself in to?

Still, the dim glow from above was a source of hope. No time to dawdle.

First, with light ahead of him the crack in the chute was no longer needed. Carefully he reached back up the way he came...easing away the stick if he could extend that far. If he could not ...he would pause to test a close crate, and if light enough to lift (quietly...not drag) he’d steer it in to position. This was as much about securing an escape route for he and Bo. Or perhaps returning the way he had come was an avenue now closed.

Next the reporter took a brief moment to wipe down the torch. He wouldn’t leave it here, but perhaps if he patted it down...even using coal dust on the outside (since he was surely messed by the stuff by now) he could accelerate its drying. He put it down for a few moments while he turned his attentions to the rest of the space.

Remembering to be quiet he examined a few of the crates. Could he peek inside easily? Did they have labels on them that he could make out in the murk? He’d never be able to open or catalogue them all and Bo was his target here-but he wouldn’t walk by a potential asset blindly. Who knew; perhaps they held torches, trendy cult clothes and Tommy guns. Or bodies, nightmares and rats...

Satisfied of his surroundings the reporter pocketed up the still drying torch and eased toward the stairs. He tested each step carefully incase of heavy creaking and paused to listen to the room above.

Ooc-I’m imagining a large cellar, but since you don’t mention othe exits I’m assuming there are none to explore except up.
If there is anything like a box of matches near the coal (makes sense there might e an old boiler down here?) then he’ll snaffle them. Any sign of a shovel too incase I need to whack someone? Feels like a route I should avoid tho.

23:29, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 20 using 1d100 with rolls of 20.  Listen.
Success vs 75

Oh and to not hold up the others, maybe it’s safe to assume Tommy isn’t making it back to the meeting place. Best case he will get out of here and meet them on the road, and worst case...we’ll not think about that. Even if he does get out if Vincent left with the car it’s too far to walk back on foot and he can’t trust a local driver for a pick up I think?
Mostly don’t want to annoy the others by holding up their fun.

Listening carefully above, Tommy could hear the sounds of a person moving, though not exactly what was happening.

Looking about the basement area, he could see that it didn't span the entirety of the length of the building - probably just about a third of it.

---

OOC:

Unfortunately, it's too late not to hold the others up. Any solo-quest type of activity necessarily holds up the entire party, as timelines split causing great divergences. The choice to go it alone was the choice to hold up the rest of the group, as it were, so there's no turning that back until Tommy's timeline matches up with theirs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:18, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

There was no use hanging around.
He paused to make sure that shuffling sound was not immediately outside the door. Presuming it was further afar , if there was a key hole Tommy would peer through; otherwise he’s open the door a little to peek out. His eyes would scan whatever he saw, looking for a dark place-an empty room or alcove, somewhere to hide behind as he tried to get his bearings.

The sounds were at least a few feet away. Tommy lifted the door slightly, and a smell of cooking wafted into the basement hideaway along with much more bright light than what he was experiencing in the basement. In front of him, he could make out only a countertop. From his angle, he could make out set on the edge of the counter on a cutting board was a large ham, though he couldn't see much more. From a few feet away, presumably to his right somewhere, he could hear the noise of someone about general cooking work as he might imagine it to be.

Damn
Cotton froze as he heard the rustling movement of the 'chef' (or whomever it was) and tried not to think about how delicious a fat slice of that ham might be slathered with mustard in a thick crusty sandwich.

The last thing he wanted to do was raise an alarm, but could he wait in the cellars indefinitely? Not while Bo was still missing.

He looked back down to the crates and crept back down and moved to check again there was no other way out.

ooc - 2 questions to clarify form actions in msg16:
-you didn't mention what was in the crates Tommy peeked in to? Food stuffs, weapons, crockery, tools etc?
Looking for inspiration on what Tommy might have to play with.
-can you clarify if the coal chute is a valid exit, or if it was too steep for him to get back out that way?

My current thinking is something like:
-check for other exits (I'm assuming there is nothing)
-if, 5 minutes later when that is done the 'chef' is still in the kitchen, Tommy won't wait indefinitely in the dark.
-I'm thinking about emerging in the kitchen and acting like I was down there doing some menial job for Gavigan...carrying the shovel, mucky with coal...and depending on the chef's response smashing the shovel in his/her face.
-Since im considering that action, I also need to see if there is anything like rope, or hemp cord etc binding the crates so I can tie down the chef after I take him/her out and dump them in the cellar.

If there is nothing else notable down there (and if there is a shovel...or worst case some other heavy thing)he'll creep back up the stairs to listen again, ready to emerge.

It takes Tommy some time to go through what is in the basement. He mainly finds kitchen staples and cleaning supplies here, but also discovers a small cache of hunting rifles and ammunition.

OOC:
- It's theoretically possible to get up the chute, but extremely difficult.
- There are no other exits
- It's dark, so it's going to be hard, and time consuming to find things. So a Spot Hidden roll is needed:

11:44, Today: The Keeper, on behalf of Thomas Cotton, rolled 68 using 1d100 with rolls of 68.  Spot Hidden 70.

- There's no gardening equipment, though you can find cleaning tools (broom/mop) etc.
 

When Tommy thought he heard the movement above stop, he took his chance to emerge into the rooms above, which he found to be a kitchen. That said, it was only a matter of time before he was caught, alone in the Misr House. Unlike previous attempts to sneak about places, this building was lived in and populated not just by one man but an array of servants that helped maintain his lifestyle - and seemed to be unusually handy in a fight.

The last thing he remembered was being surprised, restrained, and knocked out. When he woke up, he was in a cell.