This snippet from the weekly paper catches your eye. Below the fold is a continuation of the story that provides details on how to send your application to join the expedition.

Professor Larkin asks that you list your experience with archaeological expeditions and your background in Peruvian, or at least South American, pre-history. The tone is more of an adventure or treasure hunt than a serious museum sponsored expedition.

The telegram reaches you in early February and a few days later a fat envelope with travel tickets arrives as well.

OOC: Please post in character of your journey and your character sheet should include a list of belongings. Each of you is allowed (though not required) to own a personal firearm of you choice. Anything that would cost more than $100 must be vetted by me along with a detailed story about how you came into possession of the item.

Dr Montgomery Ashton-Psmith stood on the deck of the ship. The voyage from Southampton to the West Indies had been quiet enough, though the rough seas had sometimes affected his stomach and left him retching. Now he was looking forward to seeing the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean.

He puffed gently on his pipe, wondering more about what he had gotten himself into. One last adventure! he had told himself. Mother had been nagging him for years to marry, and he was running out of excuses. His brothers were both married, and both with children, now it was your turn, Monty.

He hadn’t told her of his voyage before he left, he was too scared of what she would have said. He had posted her a letter from Southampton, telling her that he was off on a research project and would be away for several months. She would be livid of course, but at least he could delay the inevitable for a while. He knew he would have to marry one day, but he still felt young. Mother would have another list of suitable matches for him when he returned, but that was for another today. Today was for adventure!

He retired to the lounge and ordered a large whisky, before settling in to continue his reading on the Incas. The book he had was quite entertaining, though the author seemed more than a little obsessed with the sacrifice of children to their heathen gods. Savages, but that was a long time ago I suppose.

February 1921, evening, Cheap hotel in New York City
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Lucky made his way to the back of the cheap hotel he was "staying" at after dark. He examined the alley closely and when he decides it was "safe enough" he walks into the alley.  Head down and trench coat on, he walks purposefully to the docks, checking behind him and in front of him at every intersection. Lucky arrives at the steamship "Carrillo" and boards the ship for Kingston, Jamaica carrying only a large grip. He gives the ticket to the purser and is shown to a small third class cabin that he would be sharing, it was all he could expect for a free trip.

The trip to Kingston was uneventful, Lucky rarely left the cabin and had few discussions with his cabin mates. Arriving at Kingston he disembarked and headed to the to the steamer ticket office to determine where the ship from Southampton was to dock.  Lucky finds a cheap hotel near the docks and waits for the Southampton ship to arrive.  When it does, he boards the ship quietly, third class again. After the ship sails to the Panama Canal, Lucky leaves his shared cabin and walks around the ship in the areas which he is permitted to.

January 18th 1921, Pucallpa, Peru
Caught wind of an expedition that's taking my fancy. Some Professor or somesuch is putting a crew together in Lima to go explore some pyramid around these parts, looking for gold. Sounds like a pretty penny could be made. Reckon I might go see about signing up. Going to see Gabriel tomorrow about joining me for the first leg of the journey. I'll miss the Ucayali, but it'll be good to get back up into the highlands.

February 5th 1921, Andean Mountains, Peru
Me and Gabriel have been following the Rio Huallaga for eight days now and I never fail to be impressed by its ferocity. It's reputation for being unavigable is well deserved, but it makes for an easy guide up to the summit. Gabriel says we'll be at it's source within the week.

February 12th 1921, Andean Mountains, Peru
Gabriel turned back for home yesterday. I'll be missing his company and his stories most of all. He's a good friend and I hope to cross paths with him again. We reached the source of the Huallaga yesterday and I have taken a day to recover before tackling the summit. Perhaps the spirit of the source is giving me the strength to cross the range, or perhaps it's just my superstition talking, but I feel energised here, like I was ten years younger.

February 18th 1921, Cerro de Pasco, Peru
It seems the spirit of the Huallaga really did give me strength! I made good time over the summit and to Cerro de Pasco. I have sent the Professor a letter telling him I'd be interested in his expedition, confident it will reach Lima before I do. I'll be spending a few days here; the trek has been gruelling, if uneventful, so a couple of days to rest up and resupply won't hurt. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to sign up with one of the silver convoys heading for Lima; I hear they pay well for good men.

March 11th 1921, Lima, Peru
Damn! Got to Lima and a message from the Professor said to meet in some cantina a week from now. I'm early and got nothing to do but drink alone and twiddle my thumbs.

Harker put down his pencil, slugged back a shot and refilled his glass from the bottle in front of him. He looked muzzily at the journal, tried to focus, failed, then squinted at the telegram from the professor again. He grizzled, sank another shot and snapped the journal shut. He was drunk. Very drunk. Too drunk. He fumbled for some money, too much and slapped it on the bar, picked up his gear and grabbed the bottle. He took a swig and wove out the door into the clear night air. He took a deep breath and began raucously singing a Spanish ballad in his broad Bristolian accent as he wound his way toward his cheap lodgings. It was going to be a long week.

Augustus Larkin has arranged to meet the prospective members of his expedition for dinner at 7 p.m. on March 18, 1921 at the Bar Cordano, a restaurant and bar in the Lima District. This will be the first time that Larkin has met any of them face to-face. The restaurant is simply but tastefully furnished, with wood paneling and fixtures and a tiled floor. The food is good, with seafood a specialty. The waiter recommends the escabeche, a hot, sweet and sour fish dish.

As the investigators arrive at the restaurant, they are shown to a table where three men are already seated.

Larkin stands and introduces himself.

"Gentlemen, so glad you could join our expedition. I'm so excited. Please. Sit down, have a drink, let us get to know one another. This is Luis de Mendoza, my aide de camp and Jesse Hughes a folklorist from New York City. He's a last minute addition to our team."

Augustus Larkin is a young man in his early thirties, but he does not look well. His skin is pale, he is sweaty and there are dark circles under his eyes. Mendoza looks to be about thirty as well, a gaunt man with pronounced cheekbones and deep-set, piercing blue eyes. His hair is unkempt and he merely nods when he is introduced. Hughes is a little older than the others, perhaps in his early 40's. He is an African-American man of average height and build, with short hair and a wide grin. He's wearing a tweed suit and a fedora hat. He smokes a pipe and often gestures with it to emphasize points when talking. Mendoza glares at him a lot.

"Waiter, a carafe of you Pisco Sours please and glasses for all," Larkin sits and invites you all to have a drink.

"How was your journey?" he asks in his English accent.

OOC: Please make small talk as appropriate. Let me know of any background research you have attempted along with any specific observation rolls you want to make at this point.



Fun Fact: The Bar Cordano is still there and is reputed to be the home of the Pisco Sour cocktail

"As a man's salutations, so is the total of his character; in nothing do we lay ourselves so open as in our manner of meeting and salutation." Johann Kaspar Lavater

  Lucky stands up and introduces himself to the people at the table.  To Augustus Larkin, Lucky bows and says "Thank you so much for you letting me join you and your amigos.  My trip was very well and I was happy to leave New York's cold weather.  I intend to serve you well and faithfully sir."

Having left most of his travelling gear in his hotel room, Harker nonetheless wore a dangerous looking field-knife at his hip, as well a holstered revolver. His clothes were cheap, common and travel stained, albeit clean and he most definitely did not look like he belonged in the company he found himself in. He eyed the gentlemen warily as they gathered at the table. Without waiting on ceremony he roughly grabbed a chair and sat down heavily, looking around, searching in vain for somewhere to spit. After a brief moment, he gave up, swallowing it and coughing uncomfortably. He rubbed his eyeballs and sighed. "Hullo." he greeted everyone with a grin "Pleasure to meet you" he said stiffly in his broad Bristolian accent.

When the carafe of sours arrived, he did not hesitate to pour himself a generous glass and knock it back, smacking his lips. "Aaah. That's not bad Prof. Very refreshing." he beamed at everyone and poured himself another. "Oh, I be Harker, by the way. Harker Carpenter." he half stood and started aggressively shaking everyone by the hand in a crushing grip in the most uncouth manner possibly imaginable.

OOC: Whilst I could type a phonetic interpretation of a Bristol accent, it would probably only lead to confusion, so please add you own interpretation! If you're not sure what a Bristol accent sounds like; imagine an overblown stereotypical "pirate" accent. Yeah. That one. Seriously. It's not far off.

For reference, Harker has an APP:20 and STR:80, so that's how uncouth he is and just how crushing that handshake is ;)

Previously, while aboard ship:

Walter had enjoyed his time aboard the ship from Southampton, getting to meet a couple of other Gentlemen who also seemed to be joining Professor Larkin's expedition as well as relaxing in advance of what he expected would be a tiring time. His experiences during the Great War had taught him that if an opportunity to rest presented itself then you took it, refreshing both your physical and mental energy in preparation for more exhausting times to come. He therefore spent much of his time dining well and reading a number of books, including one about the Incan Empire that he found particularly fascinating, a book called Comentarios Reales de los Incas, specifically the 1918 version of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega's 1609 original work, edited by James Bardin of the University of Virginia. At points though he set down that book and studied a number of maps of Peru instead, seemingly committing to memory certain compass bearings between major landmarks and locations.

He was not idle however, running a number of times around the deck every morning and again before dinner, dressed in tennis shoes, shorts and singlet, pushing himself extensively to maintain his fitness. The crew also organised a number of games of shuffleboard and Walter participated enthusiastically, possibly a little too much as his competitive spirit got the better of him, so after a while he avoided playing, choosing instead to shoot clays of the back of ship to keep his eye in.

OOC: Comentarios Reales de los Incas, originally by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, this edition edited by James Bardin https://archive.org/details/el...oog/page/n7/mode/2up

---

Now:

Dressed in a stylish suit with a Somerset Light Infantry Regimental tie, for those that could identify the green and blue stripes, and highly polished brown Oxford Brogues shoes, Walter shook hands enthusiastically with all of the other members of the expedition. A few he had met on his journey to Lima but most were new faces. His handshake was vigorous, his grip strong, clearly a man who thought that a good handshake told you a lot about a person.

"I am very pleased to make all of your acquaintances," he said rather formally his accent clearly English with upper class tones, following it up with, "Luscombe. Walter," as he spoke to each person in turn. His bearing was one of a military man, something not uncommon in 1921, an officer once of the British Army presumably.

Upon greeting Harker he smiled pleasantly at an accent he recognised from his childhood, apparently unconcerned by the rough and ready appearance of the man. "Bristol if I'm not mistaken," he said by way of opening. "I've been there on numerous occasions back when I was a boy. My guardian used to live there and I would stay with him and his family during the holidays from boarding school as my family were in the Argentine. Well either Bristol or at my grandparents in Devizes."

Though slightly more subtle than Harker, those who could spot these things would notice that Walter was also armed, the distinctive bulge of a pistol concealed in an underarm holster on his left side. Clearly he wasn't prepared to wander around an unknown city without some form of protection either.

"I don't believe that you were on the ship from Southampton with the rest of us so were you already in country?" he continued to Harker. "Or have you travelled from elsewhere?"

While he made small talk and sipped at his Pisco Sours, his eyes kept flicking to Professor Larkin and his two companions, Luis de Mendoza and Jesse Hughes, trying to judge their characters and to work out the interaction between the three of them. It was clear that Mendoza didn't like Hughes but why did Larkin feel the need to introduce Hughes as a late addition to the team? That was only from Larkin, and possibly Mendoza's, perspective as this was the first meeting of everyone participating in the expedition.


OOC - based on those observations above is that a use of the Psychology skill? His skill is 30. Thanks.

«Gentlemen...,» Archibald greets his companions-to-be as he joined at the table. Those can see a man in his early 30s, dressed in a a rather worn, slightly old fashioned suit. Those in the know however will recognize the signature of an exclusive London taylor. «... it is my pleasure to meet you all and especially Mr. Larkin in person. Lord Archibald Byron is the name.»

OOC: I still owe you most of the stats for him and will hence not do any rolls for now. Will try to get the numbers together soon. I thought I'll join at this point though instead of making a habit of not writing. With regards to the travel, I suppose Mr. Larkin will have sponsored the cheapest tickets and those traveling first class will hence not yet have the pleasure meeting him, although they might have seen him of course. He will, due to some "disagreements" with his family not have had the funds to "upgrade" to first class.

Leaving London hadn't been easy. With an angry toff putting a price on your head the usual modes of transport tend to be somewhat limited, especially when you aren't a man predisposed to travelling lightly. However, several greased palms and several close shaves with some extremely uncouth toughs later Charles Meecham managed to find himself – and three large trunks of his finest outfits and accessories - outward bound from Southampton on a trip halfway round the world with most of those who know him thinking he's off to France. It's not Charles' first moonlight flit and it would be a terribly poor show to be made by some amateur thugs.

That isn't to say Charles allowed himself to become complacent. Baron Stafford was unlikely to let their little misunderstanding be forgotten very quickly (though, seriously, he can't have expected genuine Rembrant's for that price!) and so the trip down to Jamaica was spent very carefully looking over his shoulder, assessing his fellow passengers for threats and growing his short goatee out into a well rounded beard with fantastic moustaches. Even when you're on the lam you can't let standards slip.

From Jamaica onwards he allows himself a little time to relax and enjoy the sunshine. It's his first time in this part of the world and he might as well enjoy it. Especially after that nice captain upgraded him to a delightful first class cabin. Charles didn't even have to spin him a line for that...well, he might be related to the ship owner – who knows everybody they're related to? The rest of trip Charles spends drinking, smoking and gambling with some of the other passengers and generally being the life and soul of the party.


As Charles strolls the streets of Lima in the early evening on his way to the meeting there is certainly no missing him. Clad entirely in a crisp white linen suit with a blood red cravat and the unusual addition of a pith helmet dipped to one side at an angle just shy of being 'jaunty'.

Upon arrival at the Bar Cordano Charles looks around approvingly; not bad for a rustic drinking hole. It's not Les Deux Magots but Charles is pretty confident he can spend a very good evening here. He greets the group with a warm smile and twinkle in the eye, removing his suede gloves to shake hands. His grip is confident but light, that of a businessman and not someone used to earning a living by his hands. He winces slightly at both Harker and Walker's much firmer grips and pats them both jovially on the arm, ”Well you're both strapping gentlemen, I'm very glad you're on our side eh?” His accent is pure upper class Englishman, practically to the point of parody.

”It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Charles Meecham and I am entirely at your service.” He casts an appraising glance over at Harker and adds ”And it looks like I'm the muscle for our little exploration” before bursting into good humoured laughter at his own joke and sitting down to sip at his drink.

Harker smiled warmly at Walter. "Aye. Bristol born and bred. I'd be shocked if you'd seen me on your liner over here; haven't been to sea in...oooh, more years than I care to count. Been tromping around jungles too much for that! Hah!" he gave himself a derisive laugh and snuk a disdainful glance at Meecham and his, in his opinion, poor attempt at humour.

The first pitcher of Pisco Sours disappears quickly and a refill is sent for. Larkin and Hughes are drinking carefully. Mendoza does not drink at all. He lifts the glass to his lips once in a while, but merely sips. The mood is jolly, however.

Hughes drinks carefully but contributes to the conversation frequently. He has a store of folk tales and even songs that he scatters through his conversation in am amiable way. If he is aware that Mendoza is staring daggers at him, he pays it no mind. His focus is on Larkin.

"So, now we're all here, Larkin," he speaks in a New York accent, "you can tell us about the prize you've found. Where is this pyramid, and how come no one has ever heard of it?"

The ship had docked in Lima a couple of days prior to the scheduled meeting with Professor Larkin, so Monty used the time to explore a new city, finding the newly opened Museo de Historia Natural, the Museo Nacional de Arqueología Antropología e Historia del Perú, and the Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. All proved most diverting, with many interesting artefacts and publications. He used his time to expand his knowledge of local history, although the visits were all too brief given his tight schedule. He promised to return to each as soon as possible.

———

As evening approached on the 18th of March he dressed for dinner, selecting a freshly laundered black dinner suit, pressed white shirt and black bow tie, along with his favourite cufflinks and a pair of polished black leather shoes. He slipped his pipe, matches and tobacco into one pocket, and his notebook and pack of pencils into another. Shortly he was ready.

He arrived promptly at the Bar Cordano. There were some faces he recognised from his voyage. He gave them a warm halloo, having enjoyed their company on the long sea voyage. Others were new to him, so he greeted them formally. “Dr Montgomery Ashton-Psmith, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

He accepted the drink. He’d never heard of a pisco sour, and found it sharp but refreshing. He drank it quickly and requested another. As introductions were made he took out his pipe and began to fill it with tobacco from his pouch. As Professor Larkin began to explain the details of their expedition he lit up, blowing a large cloud up into the air.

Richard sat on the upper terrace of The National Club looking out over Lima, with its Spanish Misson style architecture interspersed with the odd European style building. His index finger rested on the edge of the crystal tumbler as he watched the ice cubes and the generous portion rum within. It had been just over ten days since he arrived in Lima and was able to finally step off the ship and what a journey that had been, two months at sea it was like being on the troops ships again though in rather more style.

It was not the time it took just the company he had to keep and finding something, anything to amuse himself. The problems with the other passengers started before they even embarked on the ship. He had struck up a conversation with an older woman in the first class line and when he had formally introduced himself she very nearly pushed her daughter into his arms and so it began. For two months this went on, the invitations, happen chance meetings which would happen several times a day or the feeling he was being watched by the woman's servants. To be honest her daughter Alice was not unattractive if a a little bookish and Richard got the feeling that their trip to South America was for the sole purpose of finding a husband something he would find out later Alice was not so keen on.

So Richard went along with the whole thing so as to not cause offence knowing that society in Lima was very small and to make a bad impression before he had even arrive had the potential to be a black mark against him. So he played along while trying to keep both the mother and daughter at arms length. There was only a limited amount that could be done on these ships, billiards, a walk on the promenade, reading in the library, board games or drinks in the salon so it was that Alice and Richard would play chess most mornings followed by lunch and then perhaps drinks before dinner while under the watchful eye of the mother.

Also during the voyage Richard basically read the library on board to past the time, even finishing some books he would have rather just stopped reading. He concentrated on anything to do with South America and its history, geography etc... and then anything that took his fancy. Richard also managed to keep on top of his correspondence, dropping the pile onto the desk of the receptionist at the club once they had arrived.

Richard looked at the new pile that he had just finished creating before taking his seat on the terrace, “That would be it for a while.” he thought to himself, everyone should be up to date on what had happened and for a few people where he was.

They had made their way to the club as soon as they had cleared customs, Richard was a member of several clubs that had reciprocal arrangements with the The National Club so he had handed his membership card for The Naval and Military Club and filled out the register before taking the keys to his suite. Or the two bedrooms and small sitting room with a balcony, it was adequate for his needs so he could not complain.

Since his arrival he had spent his days seeing the sights and playing the tourist. Richard even took the chance to have dinner with Alice and her mother at the club, who looked markedly under the weather and incessantly complained of the calibre of men on offer for her daughter. Alice had perked up no end though and Richard thought it may have something to do with the fact that her marriage was looking like a non starter. This was not the only time they had run into each other of course they had also been invited to the governors reception and Richard had run into them at the various tourist sights, but Richard now got the impression that this was just happen chance. Perhaps Alice's mother thought there might be bigger fish in the sea.

But now to other matters as Richard downed the rum in one and ordered another. He checked his pocket watch and seeing the time caught up to the waiter to cancel his order. Once he was in the small lobby Richard checked his jacket and tie in one of the mirrors and then placed a planter style panama hat on his head as he descended the stairs and made his way to the bar/restaurant that he had been instructed to meet the good professor at.

Richard introduced himself to the three men present at the table and any others present. "Captain Richard Lines so very good to finally meet you all."



-
This message was last edited by the player at 11:00, Wed 27 May 2020.

In reply to Jesse Hughes (msg # 14):

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." Albert Einstein

  After hearing Hughes question to Larkin, Lucky stops nursing his drink, lights up a La Preferencia Cuban Cigar and listens intently.

Over a pleasant dinner, despite the frosty atmosphere between de Mendoza and Hughes, Larkin explains his plan to head up to the highlands, locate the site of the lost pyramid, and recover some valuable artifacts. While Larkin is subtle about this last point, careful to give the expedition a veneer of archaeological validity, he leaves no doubt that he expects everyone involved to become wealthy or, at least, realize some measure of success within their chosen academic fields.

He tells the investigators that he bought a few interesting items from an alpaca farmer near Puno, who claims that his grandfather recovered them from tunnels beneath a pyramid high in the mountains. The grandfather never returned to the site because of superstitious fear, but told his family that there were other treasures in the tunnels. While the farmer could not give a precise location for the site, Larkin states that his subsequent research has provided enough detail to narrow it down and make an expedition viable.

Larkin then shows the investigators the two items he claims to have bought from the farmer. One is a pendant in the form of a man holding two rods or staves, embellished with rectangular shapes. The other is a golden cup, carved with geometrical patterns and circles and inlaid with turquoise.



OOC: Options for examining the materials at hand: A straight up successful Archaeology roll will gain you some insight into the artifacts. A successful 1/2 History or Library Use roll reveal some more details. Please go ahead and use the RPOL dice roller.

After the food Charles leans back in his chair and produces a silver cigarette case, pushing one out for himself before offering them politely to all at the table. Lighting up he smokes quietly while listening to Larkin's explanation of the job at hand and only seems to show interest when the possibility of enrichment arises.

His eyes positively glitter when the items are produced and his gaze settles on the golden cup. If Larkin allows it Charles lifts the item almost reverently from the table and turns it carefully over in his hands, admiring it from every angle. Blowing smoke from the corner of his mouth he nods approvingly, "Nice piece Mr Larkin, very nice indeed. And you're saying there are piles of this stuff under a mountain somewhere ready and waiting to get picked up?"

He returns the cup to the table and strokes his moustache thoughtfully, "Just out of interest what's the legal position with all this? Are we entitled just to take what we find or is there an obligation to involve the local authorities?"

Richard had worked on his pipe once the dinner was over he had another class with a good measure of rum in it and as the others spoke he produced a long match and lit his pipe.

If allowed he to would have a look at the items that were sitting on the table.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 29 using 1d100.  History = 25%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 99 using 1d100.  Library use = 50%.



-

Walter looked at the two objects as they were passed around and something seemed to connect for him.


23:17, Today: Walter Luscombe rolled 7 using 1d100.  History check 35% skill - 1/2 skill diff.

Monty enjoyed dinner. He began with a vegetable soup then moved on to some sort of fish stew, followed by a selection of fresh fruit for dessert. Once dinner was concluded he took a large brandy to go with his pipe and listened carefully to Larkin’s description of their expedition. It sounded fun, and offered him some wonderful opportunities to research new species in the wilds of Peru. Maybe he’d discover a new lizard, wouldn’t that be just larks!

When the objects were passed around around something resonated. Had he seen something on his recent cultural exploration? He was intrigued.


09:34, Today: Dr Montgomery Ashton-Psmith rolled 47 using 1d100.  Library Use, target 50.

Harker was about as boorish and crude a dinner companion as could be expected. Though he was not openly hostile to anyone, the further up the social ladder he perceived them to be, the chillier his interaction. He was complementary about the food, in his way; packing it down in large quantities with few words spared for the quality. When dinner was finally wrapped up, he leaned back on his chair, arms behind his head and stretched. "Aaaah. Not bad. Not bad. If I do say so myself. Hm, rum is it? Think I might join you in that. Make it double." He winked at the waiter with a cheeky grin. As his drink arrived and the cup and pendant were handed around, Harker peered at them as he handled both with disrespectful callousness "Ooh...I reckon that'd look right good on a girl I know up Pucallpa way. Pretty little thing." it wasn't clear if he was referring to the girl or the pendent as he passed them on.

With Meecham talking to the Professor, Harker turned to Mendoza "Puno, huh? Lot of natives down that neck of the country, shouldn't be too hard to find a local that'll point us in the right direction." he sipped his rum "Wouldn't mind taking a look at your maps, if you brought them...?" he left the question hanging with a raised eyebrow.

"We were wise indeed, could we discern truly the signs of our own time; and by knowledge of its wants and advantages, wisely adjust our own position in it. Let us, instead of gazing idly into the obscure distance, look calmly around us, for a little, on the perplexed scene where we stand. Perhaps, on a more serious inspection, something of its perplexity will disappear, some of its distinctive characters and deeper tendencies more clearly reveal themselves; whereby our own relations to it, our own true aims and endeavors in it, may also become clearer." Thomas Carlyle

  The two pieces are passed around and finally make it to Lucky.  He inspects them closely, turning them around to get a full view of them in the light.

OOC:
11:20, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 28 using 1d100.  Inspect pendant and cup - Library Use (25%):.
11:19, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 50 using 1d100.  Inspect pendant and cup - History (20%):.

Neither of the artifacts stir any sense of deep knowledge in those that observe them other than that they are very old and quite likely very valuable. They also seem to be a good indicator that Larkin is on to something and there may be treasure hidden in the high hills.

When Carpenter asks him about a map, he taps the side of his head.

"It's all in here, old boy, where no one else can steal it. I've had these finds stolen out from under me before, but this one . . . I'm the only one who knows."

He goes on to tell more details about how he got on to the site, having heard about a lost pyramid while traveling in the highlands near to Lake Titicaca, a few days journey from Puno from an alpaca farmer.

The farmer, Ernesto Mollo, said his grandfather had found the site and taken some items (the pendant and the golden cup) but went on to say that the site was cursed and a fearful place. Larkin dismisses this as local superstition rather than having any basis in fact. It was pure chance that he met the farmer and says it’s now "all our good luck" to be the first professional expedition to visit the pyramid and bring it’s story and treasures to the outside world.

"Especially the treasure," he adds with a chuckle, scooping the two golden artifacts back into his possession.

Monty listened carefully to all of the discussions before joining in. “Now, Professor,” he said to Larkin, “can we assume that you have taken care of our accommodations? Food and other supplies, tents, porters and so on?”

"I travel light; as light, that is, as a man can travel who will still carry his body around because of its sentimental value." Christopher Fry

  Lucky adds, "And, how long do you expect us to be gone and when do we leave?"

Walter seemed to stare at Jesse Hughes for a little while before asking him a question when a lull developed in the conversation.

"Mr Hughes, please can you tell me what a folklorist does?" he enquired. "It sounds like a most interesting profession." He seemed to be more interested in Jesse's reaction than the actual answer to his question though. Since the items had been passed around something seemed to have occurred to Walter and Jesse Hughes appeared to be the focus of his attention now.

In response to Ashton-Psmith and Ortega's questions, Larkin confirms that their hotel accommodations are already covered. In addition he has hired three trucks and drivers to take the party and some supplies up to the city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Once there, he plans to buy some pack animals and stock up with fresh food. He hopes that the journey to the pyramid will take no more than four days across country.

Larkin plans to provide any supplies necessary, but if the investigators need to buy anything special, he is happy to reimburse them, provided they can produce receipts. He aims to leave Lima for Puno early in the morning of Monday March 21. He instructs the investigators to meet him at 8 a.m. on Monday morning at the Hotel España.

In the meantime he suggests that some supplementary research may be helpful. If the investigators have time to assist perhaps they might find time over the weekend to visit the Museo de Arqueología y Antropología (Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (National University of San Marcos), where there may be old records tucked away and forgotten about. But he is insistent that any additional research must not delay the departure of the expedition.

As to the duration of the expedition once they arrive on site, he cannot speculate. He hopes with the detailed hints he has as to the likely location of the pyramid, that they will find something within a week. But it may take many weeks to tease out the pyramid's mysteries -- and treasure.

"As little as we can get away with, Mr. Luscombe," Hughes jokes in reply to Walter's question. Seeing that the Englishman may be truly interested in his profession, however, the American continues.

"We collect stories, sir. Old stories. Folk stories. Songs, funny little dances, the sayings kids say when they're playing games of catch or selecting who goes on what team. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe -- you've heard kids sing that a thousand times, right? Sound like nonsense, but kids in America, kids in England, have been singing it pretty much the same for hundreds of years. Maybe thousands. Best guess is that it goes back to ancient Celtic counting for tallying sheep herds and such.

"That's what I do, look for the funny bits that have ancient roots. Unearth old legends. How about you, what are you looking for here in Peru?"

Walter nodded at Jesse's explanation and smiled in return. "Very interesting. Very interesting indeed. I did a little reading about the mysterious cultures of the region myself on the boat over. One was a particularly interesting book about Mayan Death Cults. Very interesting indeed."

He sipped his drink before continuing. "As regards myself, my reasons for being here are very simple. I'm looking for an adventure, ideally one that helps me become one of those great Adventurers that they write books about. I'm no archaeologist or professor of any relevant period of history or even a folklorist, but I figure that all great expeditions need people to take the lead in organising getting there and getting back again so I thought that I might be able to help a little there, though I suspect that Mr Carpenter may know the land quite well. I've also got some experience with map making and that sounds like it might be useful as the region we're going sounds uncharted to me. I also offered, with Professor Larkin's permission of course, to write up an account of the expedition afterwards for posterity and with a bit of luck that will be worth publishing."

Monty was satisfied that their group leader had accounted for all accommodations on their proposed exploration. He made a mental note to spend the Saturday back at the museums and libraries, but this time with some more relevant focus. He would also visit the university, though he doubted any of the academic staff would be in attendance over the weekend.

"...so one day my mother sat me down and explained that I couldn't become an explorer because everything in the world had already been discovered. I'd been born in the wrong century, and I felt cheated." Ransom Riggs, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

  Lucky turns to Carpenter and says, "I'm not so good at studying old books, but I would like to get a lay of land; and perhaps a few bars. Interested?"

As the conversation turned to more scholarly matters and upper-classman dreams of "adventure", so did Harkers mind turn to excusing himself from it and finding a less...salubrious establishment to finish out the evening. Ortega's invitation was just the ticket. He nooded affirmation to the hispanic man with a grin, then stood up, barely managing not to knock his chair over in the process and addressed the table at large. "Well. This all sounds veeery interesting and it seems we all stand to make a tidy profit, but I don't reckon you'll be needing my expertise right now and a dinner table is hardly the place to be discussing the dangers of the Peruvian highlands. Professor; if you want to talk shop you know where to find me, otherwise I'll see you all Monday morning. Gents." he stroked his 'chops and nodded his farewell. He turned to Ortega "You coming? I know a good place near here."

In reply to Harker Carpenter (msg # 34):

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." Youngman, comedian

  Lucky nods to Carpenter and utters, "Si mi amigo!" Lucky gets up and follows Carpenter out.

Larkin is looking very pale and sweaty. He makes his excuses, something about a bout of malaria, and gets up to leave. Mendoza stands with him and helps him out of the door.

"Maybe I'll see you at the museum," he grimaces as a spasm of pain racks his body. "If not, on Monday, at the Hotel. We'll get started."

As these two leave, Jesse Hughes speaks quietly to the others.

"Can you stay a moment, gents?" he asks, touching the arm of those already starting to leave. "One more round of sours? On me?"

"Certainly," replied Walter accepting the new drink when it was ordered. His last one was largely untouched however, his sipping of it has noticeably slowed down since something about Jesse Hughes had occurred to him.

He waited intendly for what Jesse had to say.

Richard retook his seat as the second round of drinks was ordered. He checked his watch and then placed it back into his pocket as the tumblers were placed in front of them. He took a sip as he wondered what Mr Hughes wanted to add.


-

Monty also leaned in, curious what the Folklorist had to add to the conversation now that their benefactor had departed.

In reply to haruspex (msg # 36):

"Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promise only; pain we obey." Marcel Proust

  Lucky stops, turns around and sits down. He notes, "The señor, looks not so well.  Is it bad?"

This message was deleted by the player at 10:50, Wed 03 June 2020.

Harker grumbled something under his breath, something along the lines of the fortitude of upper class stomachs or lack thereof, but kept it to himself. He smiled the polite, forced smile of someone that would clearly prefer to be somewhere else, before sitting down again "Alright. I reckon I can stay for one more round. 'Specially if you're buying. What's up?"

Charles was rising to leave but sits back down at the request of Mr Hughes and helps himself to another drink, "I'm with Mr Carpenter, so long as you're buying the drinks we can speak all evening."

He then produces another cigarette and carefully lights it while watching the folklorist intently.

When Larkin and Mendoza are gone, Hughes grins and tips his hat at Walter.

"Mr. Luscombe here, I think, has seen through my little facade," he says. "Probably the picture on the back of that book you mentioned, huh?" he adds with a wry laugh. "Never did think it caught my rugged good looks."

He sips his drink and leans forward, drawing the others in to a conspiratorial circle by speaking softly.

"My real name is Elias. Jackson Elias," he starts. "Nobody famous, but I've published a book or two on the occult. I'm down here in South America for a follow up on the piece I wrote six years ago about Mayan Death Cults. There are some crazy legends in the mountains. And that's where I first got wind of Larkin.

"He was trying to drum up an expedition six months ago to to explore a pyramid in Puno, but the locals would have nothing to do with it. I heard about it from a Professor Sanchez, over the University of San Marco. He offered to fund and outfit the expedition, but Larkin turned him down.

"Next thing I know, he's got ads in papers all over the world, asking for investors and adventurers to join him. When he had an offer of all the help he could use right here, on his doorstep.

"And that Mendoza! He's a horror show, right. I've heard some wild tales about him, too.

"Anyway, I decided to hitch along with his latest plan and see what he's up to. I though I could keep it on the QT, but Mr, Luscombe here has twigged my little subterfuge, and I don't want it to come out in the wrong way. Can I count on you fellows to keep it quiet?"

Harker scratched at his chops, his face twisted into an ugly grimace. "Death cults and pyramids go hand in hand down these parts and the locals don't like foreigners messing around in their business, huh? I don't reckon you're breaking any new ground there Mr.Elias. I'm just here to get paid." he drank his drink and looked him hard in the eye.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 08:18, Thu 04 June 2020.

"I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up." Benjamin Franklin

  Lucky shrugs then, in a sinister tone responds, "As long as you don't mess with us finding riches and don't stop me from getting my fair "cut", you can call yourself General Grant."

  Lucky pulls out another cigar and lites it. "Carpenter, don't we have something to do?"  Lucky gets up and heads for the door.

Monty listened as Mr Hughes, sorry, Mr Elias, told his tale. Curious indeed!

“Mr ‘Hughes’, while I dislike subterfuge in the main I do understand your caution in this matter. I will not break your confidence, though I shan’t lie if challenged. I am a scientist, and am only interested in discovering truths, wherever they may lie.”

Harker stood, without breaking his gaze at Elias-Hughes "Aye. Reckon we do." he responded to Ortega, his tone as stony as his expression. He nodded again to the others "Gents. This don't sound like none of my business. Good night." His piece said, he followed Ortega to the door.

"So Mr.Ortega..." he began, much more relaxed "...What's the game tonight? Drink? Girls? Cards? You pick." he grinned and gave the latino a hearty slap on the shoulder as they made their way out.

In reply to Harker Carpenter (msg # 48):

"People in bars are always claiming to be boxers, hoping thereby to ward off attack, like a black snake will vibrate its tail in leaves and try to impersonate a rattlesnake." William S. Burroughs, And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks

  Lucky smiles and offers Carpenter a cigar, "Let's begin with a drink!"

In reply to Jesse Hughes (msg # 44):

"Yes, Mr. Jackson, I did recognise you from a book I read on the boat over," replied Walter with a nod of achknowledgement, pondering something as he spoke. "A lucky selection in London before I left I think. One thing though. Why did you need to keep your name secret from Professor Larkin? Were you concerned that he wouldn't let you join us if he knew who you really were? And what about Mendoza? He has been staring daggers at you all evening. Does he know who you really are? Is that the reason for his dislike of you? Or is there something else? And please do tell us the wild tales about him. I am very happy to keep your confidence about your real name as long as you are truthful with all of us." He smiled at Elias before continuing, giving him his best winning smile. "You are clearly better informed about the background to this expedition so please share away."

He took another sip of his drink. They were stronger than he had expected.


OOC: GM - I don't know if some form of Persuade or Charm check is required to get Elias talking but please say if it is (or just make the dice rolls in secret on my behalf). Walter has Persuade 60% and Charm 50%. He also has Psychology 30% should that be relevant.

"Well, Mr Elias, we've all had cause to adopt a nom de plume now and again. Nothing wrong with that. Your secret is safe with me."

Charles carefully extinguishes his cigarette, clearly the most interested he's been in events all evening. "What makes you think there's anything untoward about Mr Larkin's plans? I would imagine that bringing a museum into this kind of thing involves all sorts of strings and they'll have funny notions about displaying pieces for free. Presumably Mr Larkin thought if he sorts it out independently we get to make arrangements for what we find with no stuffy museum breathing down our necks? There's nothing wrong with that either."

Hughes loads and lights his pipe while he talks and as he tells his tale, he has the gift of bringing the images to life for his audience.

He tells you that in researching a follow up to his very successful book on Mayan Death Cults he spent many hours among the written sources held in some of New York’s research libraries; There he  discovered references to the legends of the kharisiri also often referred to as the pishtaku:  white-faced men who sucked the life out of innocent farmers and their families in the Peruvian highlands. While the historical information seemed to be mostly fanciful folklore, Elias found that these accounts gained credence when he found contemporary stories of murder and mutilation in the same locales. Seeking a new direction for a new book, he believed he had enough reason to suppose that some form of pagan ritual was at the root of the tales of the pishtaku, and that in all likelihood, the attacks were perpetrated by humans, perhaps as some form of human sacrifice, which to his mind, could be evidence of death cult operating in Peru.

Thinking of the country’s history, he soon developed the hypothesis that the legends stemmed from the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Had a cult that had arrived with the Spanish survived to the modern-day? Elias now believes that the details of the myths indicate an all-too-real cult that practices murder as ritual practice.

He made his way to Peru last year, and spent four months in the southern Andean highlands, in the region around Lake Titicaca, meeting the local people and researching stories of the pishtaku. He soon realized that many people saw the pishtaku not as stories from history but as a real and  tangible threat. While some could only pass on second-hand accounts, a few were able to recount seeing pale-faced monsters from personal experience. Currently, Elias considers such first-hand information to illustrate the fact that a death cult is still active in the region.

While speaking with the locals, Elias was warned about a man named Luis de Mendoza; a person mentioned by some as a man to be feared. While no one was able to provide concrete proof of any wrongdoings, some even referred to de Mendoza as a pishtaku. Elias, ever the rationalist, took this as an indication that the man was a key figure in the death cult, rather than an actual monster. Making note of the name, Elias was surprised to encounter de Mendoza in Puno, although the two men did not actually meet there.

Instead, Elias followed him from a distance, making notes of his movements and contacts. In so doing, Elias learned of de Mendoza’s association with Augustus Larkin and, ultimately, Larkin’s plan to find and explore a lost pyramid. While no one has been able to confirm the fact, Elias believes that the pyramid and surrounding site are, somehow, linked to the pishtaku.

"This very real, gentlemen," he concludes his tale. "I came looking for history and I found an active horror story. Someone is killing the farmers up there in the mountains and these two are involved somehow. I think I may have asked a few too many questions, and Mendoza may be on to me.

"I don't know why Larkin turned down the museum's offer of help and decided instead to seek independents like yourselves. But I think the answers to those questions are up there in the mountains. And I intend to find out what is going on. I give you fair warning because I do not think either of these hombres are telling the truth. Whatever reason Larkin wants to find that pyramid, Mendoza wants it too. And that scares me silly."

He clenches his pipe between his teeth and sits back to hear what the others have to say about his story

Walter listened to Elias explain his suspicions. "And you are certain that Professor Larkin is implicated as well as Mendoza? Could it be that Mendoza has manipulated the Professor and simply persuaded him to avoid working with the museum as that will increase the likelihood of any items found going to the museum and not to auction? It could be that Professor Larkin's motivations are simply financial." He didn't say it but it occurred to Walter that several people sat round the table were probably motivated by the financial aspects of the expedition as well.

"Regardless I will come and help you with this as it is clearly the right thing to do," he continued. He was a former British Army Officer and a Gentleman. No other course of action was acceptable and if he could face down German Sturmtruppen, or Stormtroopers, then he wasn't about to be scared of some deranged members of a death cult. "If it leads to another book however then I would like a credit within it, possibly even to co-author it with you, depending on what happens." The last was said with a friendly smile.

Monty’s face paled at the, discussion of murder and death cults. That wasn’t what he signed up for. He picked up his tumbler and drained the brandy inside, the strong liquor assaulting his throat.

He tried to think about his predicament. Should he make his excuses and withdraw right now? But then he would have to go home and face Mother! And marriage! Suddenly the death cult didn’t seem so terrifying...

He refilled his pipe, packing the tobacco down while trying to ignore trembling fingers, hoping the other men wouldn’t see his nerves. He struck a match, immediately regretting it as the flickering light betrayed his fear. He lit the pipe and sucked down a large lungful of air, then blew out great clouds. That calmed him, and his nerves softened.

“Well, Mr Hughes, this all sounds grim indeed, and if half what you say is true then we would do well to be cautious. However, I would still like to accompany you all in this endeavour. There is clearly much to be learned, and if we can help the local populace at the same time then all will benefit from our efforts. I’m in!” He did his best to sound brave, but felt a slight tremor in his voice as he spoke. He flushed slightly, and went to take another drink before remembering his glass was empty, so waved to the waiter to bring him another.

He also made a mental note to go shopping in the morning, hoping to find a serviceable revolver to bring with him on the expedition. Hopefully it wouldn’t be needed, but he would rather not take his chances.

In reply to Jesse Hughes (msg # 52):

"Try again; you have millions of alternatives. Fill yourself with the bullets of hope and you will kill failure with one shot." Israelmore Ayivor, Dream Big!: See Your Bigger Picture!

  Lucky hearing what Hughes says before he leaves for the door, he shrugs and comments to Carpenter, "Well, That sounds like we need more bullets and shells to take along!"

Richard enjoyed his drink and pipe he listened to each man as they spoke. It would seem that perhaps they had not been told the whole story which was unfortunate as these things rarely got off the ground in the best of circumstances.

-

"Well, you guys seem pretty gung ho for the treasure," drawls Hughes as the others make their preparations for a night on the town. "If any of you are interested in following up and getting some more of the archaeological details on what we might find up there, I've arranged to meet up with Professor Sanchez tomorrow at two o'clock in the afternoon at his office in the Museo de Arqueología y Antropología." His Spanish is good, but with a Cuban accent rather than Mexican or Castilian.

"It's a Saturday and the museum is open -- though my understanding is there's not really a line at the door." He laughs at his own joke.

Charles nods sagely as he stands up and finishes the last of his drink, "Well, Mr Hughes" he pauses for a theatrical wink at the name, "I for one will see you there. If nothing else we might get an idea as to how much the content of this trove might be worth. I'll see you all anon."

With that he tips his hat at the others and makes to leave.

In reply to Jesse Hughes (msg # 57):

"Yes Mr Hughes I to shall accompany you, if you don't mind ?" He takes another sip and then finishes his drink.

-

“Yes, I will accompany you too. I shall see you tomorrow, shall we say 1.30 outside the museum?”

Once their business for the evening was concluded, Monty retired to his hotel.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Fri 12 June 2020.

"I will join you as well," Walter agreed with a polite nod to Hughes as he finished his drink.

---

Once they had separated from Hughes and were making their way back to their hotel, Walter addressed the rest of his companions who were still present. "If anyone wants to borrow the book that Mr. Hughes referenced then please let me know. As he mentioned I recognised him from author's picture inside the front cover and that's how I knew that his real name was Jackson Elias. It's an interesting read."