Jesse Hughes is waiting for the others when they arrive at the front gate to the museum. Prof. Sánchez has an office in the Museo de Arqueología y Antropología (Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) which is part of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (National University of San Marcos).

The museum is a recent addition to the campus. While the university was founded in 1551, making it the oldest seat of higher learning in the Americas, the museum was only opened in 1919. It is housed in a long, two-story stone building, painted dark yellow, fronted by the University Park.

Prof. Sánchez's office on the ground floor. It is an airy, tall-ceilinged room with white walls and shelves full of books and artifacts. A large hardwood desk dominates the room, piled high with papers, books, and journals. He keeps the windows open on summery days to air the room.

While Sánchez is not expecting any visitors other than Hughes, he is happy to meet the investigators and include them in the discussion. Sánchez speaks passable English and tries to accommodate anyone who does not know Spanish.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," he smiles, "how can I help you?"

Monty had not slept well. Maybe it was the pisco sours, maybe it was the ghost stories. Either way he rose early, shaved, bathed and dressed. He went down to the salon for breakfast but couldn’t eat, settling instead for a passable pot of tea. Leaving half the pot untouched he abandoned breakfast plans and headed off into the city.

His first stop was to somewhere he could find refuge, somewhere familiar, the Biblioteca Nacional del Perú. His time was limited, so he found a few volumes than mentioned Mayan cults and historical practices. He did some study, but truth was, his heart wasn’t in it this morning. After an hour or two he gave up his efforts, having found out little of real value.

Leaving the library he decided to perform a more practical task, shopping. Hopping into a local taxi he instructed the driver to take him to a reputable establishment to purchase some additional equipment for his expedition. At the store he found a used but serviceable Colt .45 revolver with belt holster and ammunition, as well as a solid looking hunting knife in a sheath. He also purchased some additional ammunition for his hunting rifle, just in case.

Leaving the store he felt better. Maybe it was the weaponry, maybe it was the warm mid-morning sun, but either way he was beginning to feel more confident about his forthcoming adventure. He adjourned to a local cafe, and partook of a late breakfast of coffee, toast and an omelette.

His meal concluded he decided to walk to the University. It wasn’t far, and the exercise would do him good. He arrived in good time to meet Mr Hughes, greeting him warmly upon arrival. As they entered Professor Sanchez’s office he greeted the academic. “Good day Professor, Dr Montgomery Ashton-Smith, University of Oxford. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

It had been quite the night in the end. Richard had retired to his accommodations at the club and had spent an enjoyable afternoon in the bar reading and catching up on some correspondence before a lovely dinner. He retired for the evening quite late and rose from bed late as well as he was suddenly in a rush to have breakfast and make his appointment.

Richard greeted the Professor and introduced himself.



-

Walter was dressed in a good suit, thinking that it was probably the last time he would get to wear one for several weeks at least. Soon it would be sweaty safari suits and not enough washing.

When Professor Sánchez introduced himself, Walter replied in kind. "Captain Walter Luscombe," he said simply as he warmly shook the professor's hand.

He had Elias Jackson's book in a jacket pocket, just in case any of the others were keen to read through it. Titled "The Smoking Heart", and written in 1915, it was an interesting investigation and discussion of Mayan death cults. He also had his Luger on him, secured in its underarm holster, spare magazines in a pocket.

"Hangovers don’t last forever but drunk memories do." — Unknown

  Lucky slowly enters the museum, with his head hung rather low.  After a while he locates Prof. Sánchez and the rest.  "Anyone need a Spanish to English talker?"

Charles follows the others into the museum and introduces himself to the Professor but otherwise keeps a low profile at the back for the time being - his main interest is in how much the potential haul might be worth and he's knows better than to come right out and ask it  when dealing with academic types.

Professor Nemesio Sánchez is a young man in his mid thirties. He speaks passable English and will speak in that language to anyone who does not speak to him in Spanish. Hughes gets the conversation going by reminding the professor that he is interested in knowing more about the possible pyramid that Larkin is looking for. Sánchez tells the investigators that he has offered to help Larkin on a number of occasions, only to be ignored or rebuffed each time. His suspicion is that Larkin wishes to loot the site without interference. There are no legal restrictions in Peru to prevent foreigners from doing this — a fact that frustrates Sánchez deeply. Sánchez refers to people who would remove his country’s treasures in such a manner as huaqueros, a Quechua word that translates as "grave robbers."

Sánchez believes his only recourse is to identify the exact location of the pyramid and get there first, although he acknowledges that Larkin seems about to launch his own expedition and that time is running out.

"All is not lost, however," he adds. "One of my brightest students, Trinidad Rizo, has been going through the university library and archives for any possible information about the pyramid. She has found an old document dating from the mid-16th century, written by a conquistador by the name of Gaspar Figueroa, which may refer to the site in question.

"The document is difficult to read, however, and she has been working on a summary that picks out the pertinent details. She has almost finished it. She was just in here a short while ago to tell me, but she wanted to go down to the storerooms under the museum to look for an artifact that she thinks is related to this tale. She should be back at any moment to join us. Your timing could not be better."

While everyone waits for Rizo to arrive, Sánchez is happy to answer any questions the investigators may have about Peruvian history and archaeology.

Monty listened carefully to what the professor was saying. He was certainly getting the impression that Larkin was not the fine fellow he had been expecting. Still, he was here now, so he may as well see where this rabbit hole led.

“I have some little skill with languages, though I am no expert. I would be happy to assist Miss Rizo if she will allow. Should I wait here, or go and find her?”

"Professors go batty too, perhaps more often than other people, although owing to their profession, their madness is less often remarked." Michael Gruber, The Book of Air and Shadows

  Lucky asks Professor Sánchez, "Profesor, ¿qué sabe usted de las personas que actualmente viven en el área alrededor de la pirámide?"

OOC:"Professor, what do you know of the people currently living in the area around the pyramid?"

Slightly conscious that he was part of Larkin's expedition and what Sánchez clearly regarded as a looter and a grave robber, Walter felt a little awkward and embarrassed in the conversation with the Professor. It also showed that Hughes, or Elias Jackson and he kept reminding himself was the man's real name, had some gall and Walter was quietly impressed with that.

"Yes," he said, echoing Jesus' question. "What can you tell us about them? Do they know of the pyramid? Are they descended from the natives who lived in the area prior to the conquest? Have the missionaries been successful in the area or do the locals still follow the old ways?"

Charles looks everywhere but directly at the Professor given he is exactly the sort of grave robbing foreigner Sanchez is worried about. At Dr Montgomery's mention of going somewhere, anywhere, else Charles jumps at the chance, "I agree with the good doctor here, perhaps we should see if we can assist this young student? No need to have her delayed if we can help her carry her books and relics and whatnot."

Several minutes pass in small conversation and Professor Sanchez glances at his pocket watch.

"That girl is taking her time," he comments. "She knew you were coming. But she is easily distracted. Perhaps some of you gentlemen would care to go and look for her? She is down in the basement looking for an item she felt was mentioned in the ancient manuscript. It's easy to find, just take the stairs across from the front entrance down one level and turn right at the bottom.

"I'll stay here in case she comes by while you are gone."

Hughes elects to stay with the Professor in his office as well.

Monty stood up, nodding. “Basement it is then.” As he walked towards the door he landed around to see who else was following him.

Outside the study, he headed towards the front entrance to find the stairs down.

"She who follows another’s course, finds a sure path to her own remorse." John Kramer, Blythe

  Lucky shrugs and follows Dr. Ashton-Psmith.

Richard also gave a nod and accompanies the other men to the basement. He was one of the last to arrive at the museum having taken a longer route then he had expected through the city.


-

It's easy enough to find the stairs leading down to the basement storage areas. As you descend, you hear the sound of whimpering as if an animal in pain and a deeper voice grunting and growling in the room below. There seem to be some slurping sounds as well.

Richard picks up the pace on hearing the sounds as the descend the stairs. "It sounds as if someone is in trouble." He will try and find the source of the noises as he withdraws his weapon from it holster under the lapel of his jacket.


-

"Speech: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more" BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

  Lucky quickly follows suit and draws his .45 from his shoulder holster.

As they descended, Monty heard strange sounds. “What on earth was that?” he muttered quietly to nobody in particular. He turned to his companions, horrified to see that some of them had guns in hand! Immediately he remonstrated in a loud whisper. “Gentlemen, please! Put those things away. This is a place of learning, not... not some Wild West show!”

Charles turns slightly pale and quietly sidles behind one of his companions with a drawn weapon, whispering "Sounds like a wild animal has got in, what happens when you build a museum out in the styx I suppose. We best out it out of it's misery and do the professor a favour I say."

Turning the corner into the dimly lit storeroom, the investigators see two figures entwined on the floor. For a moment it seems they may have interrupted a sexual tryst, but then the woman screams in agony and the man's face rears up -- face of horror. It is Luis de Mendoza, but his mouth has changed in an awful way becoming a circular maw of horrid teeth surrounding a central spur of bone that drips blood and pale liquid. Beneath him, a young woman still struggles, but she has a terrible circular wound in her chest, corresponding exactly to the shape of de Mendoza's transfigured mouth. He roars in rage as he spots the investigators, but bends once more to violate the woman even as they enter the crowded storeroom.

OOC: SAN roll all around please. Lose 1 SAN if you succeed, 1d6 if you fail. San loss of 5 or 6 will render your character incapable of action for 1d3 rounds.



OOC: Once you have determined who can move and who cannot, please tell me who does what and how you move in the storeroom:

https://d20site.com/pix/storage_basement_1.jpg

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.

And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." Friedrich Nietzsche

  Lucky moves quickly into having a clear line of sight and will shoot when no player is in the way.

OOC:12:46, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 61 using 1d100.  See Luis de Mendoza: Sanity: 70.
SAN loss 1

Rounding the corner, Monty spied the source of the strange noise. Seeing the strange mess of teeth and gore he immediately stepped backwards, recoiling form the horrific sight.

As Mendoza, or the hideous beast that looked like him, roared, Monty fumbled in the brown paper bag he was carrying, trying to retrieve his newly acquired revolver.


Passed check so -1 SAN
15:29, Today: Dr Montgomery Ashton-Psmith rolled 26 using 1d100.  Sanity check, target 35 or less.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Wed 08 July 2020.

Seeing that what was making the noise was so much worse than a mere wild animal Charles backs away in horror getting as close to the stairs as possible but too transfixed by the terrible sight to flee completely. At least not while he had armed companions nearby...

OOC: Failed SAN roll but then only rolled a 1 for loss of sanity anyway!

Just to make sure I have you all with the right weapon and skills before we get into the hack and slash.

Character                            Weapon         Damage   Range     Rounds    Attack      HP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Richard Lines                Mauser C96     1d8      15 yards  10        70%         10
Jesus Ortega                         Colt 45 ACP    1d10+2   15 yards   7        20%         11
Dr. Montgomery Ashton-Psmith         Colt 45 Rev    1d10+2   15 yards   6        20%         12
Charles St. John Meecham             Derringer .25  1d6       3 yards   1        20%         10
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have updated the combat map with a grid to control movement and range. Each square is 2 yards on a side (since ranges are given in yards and that gives us a grid that is close to the standard 5 foot per square) Please tell me where your character is standing at the beginning for the first combat round -- since you just arrived here and took your first look around the corner, your must be in F5, F6, G5 or G6.

Since this is our first combat, I'd like to take it slowly with everyone starting the round by saying what they intend to do in as plain English as they can. We will then resolve in descending order of Dex. Please do not start rolling dice until I ask for it -- I will disregard all such rolls.

Tell me where you are and what you will do in the next 10 seconds or so.

https://d20site.com/pix/storage_basement_1.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:31, Wed 08 July 2020.

Richard lowered his pistol and aimed for the beast on top of the woman. He squeezed the trigger and sent a round in the direction of the "man".


-

I am in G6. I intend to withdraw my pistol from the bag it is currently in (I only bought it this morning). I will then take aim and fire.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Nothing is impossible to kill. It's just that sometimes after you kill something you have to keep shooting it until it stops moving". Mira Grant, Feed

  Lucky, having a clear line of sight, will shoot at Luis de Mendoza.

Captain Lines and Lucky Ortega both fire their weapons at the . . . beast.

OOC: Please go ahead and roll your attack and if you succeed, then the damage you do.

Lines -- 70 or less on 1d100
Ortega -- 20 or less on 1d100

Charles makes his way to the foot of the stairs ready to run and get help if things don't go to plan with all the shooting.

OOC: I'll be at F6 if nobody else wants that square.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
If I wanted to shoot someone’s face, they’d know it." Jessica Marie Baumgartner, Fantastic Tales of Terror: History's Darkest Secrets

  Lucky shoots at Luis de Mendoza.

Lucky is at F5
OOC:09:04, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 55 using 1d100.  Attempt to shoot Mendoza with Handgun (20%): 20/10/4.1

The unmistakable sound of a pistol shot from the basement echoes in the hallway outside the office. Sánchez flinches looks suspiciously at his visitors. Have they come to rob the museum?

The shot flies wide but echoes loudly in the stairwell.

The creature that has been attacking the woman begins to rise to its feet, turning to face the newcomers.

As the creature moves Richard also raises his weapon to fire another shot as he sees the impact of the first.


Captain Richard Lines rolled 64 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70% First shot.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage.


-

Monty pulled his newly acquired pistol out of the bag and took aim, then fired a series of rapid shots to kill the creature stone dead.

Or, that was the plan...

As he pulled the trigger there was a sharp click. He pulled again, another click, then again.

“Damnation!” he cursed loudly. He had forgotten to load the weapon! He hadn’t been expecting trouble so the new gun had sat in the bag empty, along with the bullets in a box.

He reached back into the bag and grabbed a fistful of bullets, then tried to remember what the shopkeeper had shown him. He fumbled for the little catch to release the drum, then began to hurriedly stuff rounds into the chambers, dropping more than one on the floor as he did so.

Shots ring out. Lucky's .45 booms loudest, but the bullet flies wide. Captain Lines also shoots, the sharp crack of his Mauser yielding a satisfying impact on the creature that is now rising quickly from the body of the girl. But the damage seems to have little effect. It staggers briefly but then continues to stand and takes up a long sword from the ground. Its eyes are full of hate and determination as it starts towards the men clustered at the bottom of the stairs.

Ashton-Smith fumbles with bullets trying to load his revolver while Meecham hovers at the back of the group with one foot already on the stairs that lead up and out of this hell hole. The girl on the floor whimpers and bleeds from a horrible wound in her chest.

Round 2 layout is here:

https://d20site.com/pix/storage_basement_2.jpg

Character                            Weapon         Damage   Range     Rounds    Attack      HP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Richard Lines                Mauser C96     1d8      15 yards  10 9      70%         10
Jesus Ortega                         Colt 45 ACP    1d10+2   15 yards   7 6      20%         11
Dr. Montgomery Ashton-Psmith         Colt 45 Rev    1d10+2   15 yards   6        20%         12
Charles St. John Meecham             Derringer .25  1d6       3 yards   1        20%         10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis de Mendoza                      Sword          1d8+1d6   1 yard    -        50%         15
                                                                                              9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In reply to haruspex (msg # 36):

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Kevin was ready to shoot anything that got in his way, even though he already knew shooting would only bring more."  Jason Medina, The Manhattanville Incident: An Undead Novel

OOC: What are your rules for point blank shooting range? I suspect that will be coming up shortly.

  Lucky will wait until Luis de Mendoza gets into point blank range then shoot once more.

Richard keeps his aim true as he pulls the trigger again and again.


Captain Richard Lines rolled 8 using 1d8.  Damage #2.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 5 using 1d8.  Damage #1.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 40 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 35 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 6 using 1d10.  Penalty Die #2.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 9 using 1d10.  Penalty Die #1.


-
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Wed 15 July 2020.

Point Blank and Multiple Shots in the Same Round

If the target is at point-blank range — within a fifth of the shooter’s DEX in feet — the attacker gains a bonus die. This may counter the penalty die for shooting more than once in a round.

This for Lucky, if his target is 14 feet away or less, it is considered Point Blank. Our squares are 6 feet on a side: within three squares up or sideways, or two squares on the diagonal

NOTE: Captain Lines fired twice in one round. He may either decide to fir one once and keep his first roll (a hit) or he must roll for both shots using a penalty die. The penalty die is an extra 10 sided die rolled at the same time as the two 10 sided die used to roll 1d100. If it is a penalty the player must accept the worst of the two outcome. If it is a bonus, the player get s the best of the two possible outcomes.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Drew had never before shot like he did that day, nor has he since. It was something to see. The contest had just begun when he walked up, aimed, and felled a cluster from the very top of the boughs." Deeanne Gist, A Bride Most Begrudging

  Lucky will wait until Luis de Mendoza gets into point blank range then shoot once more.
OOC:14:51, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 12 using 3d10, unique dice with rolls of 4,5,3.  Attempt to shoot Mendoza with Handgun (20%): 20/10/4.1 -- BTO. MISS

OOC: Updated my post with extra dies."


-

Mendoza is staggered again as Captain Lines' pistol spits out two more rounds. Yet he continues to advance. His eye falls on something on a bench at his side and he reaches down to pick it up, then drops it again with an inarticulate cry of pain. Now his attention turns to the investigators and he rushes forward with his sword at the ready.

OOC: The second shot hit him for 8 HP. You have one more round before he is close enough to strike at you with his sword. He will be in Point Blank Range during this next round.

Character                            Weapon         Damage   Range     Rounds    Attack      HP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Richard Lines                Mauser C96     1d8      15 yards  10 7      70%         10
Jesus Ortega                         Colt 45 ACP    1d10+2   15 yards   7 6      20%         11
Dr. Montgomery Ashton-Psmith         Colt 45 Rev    1d10+2   15 yards   6        20%         12
Charles St. John Meecham             Derringer .25  1d6       3 yards   1        20%         10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis de Mendoza                      Sword          1d8+1d6   1 yard    -        50%         15
                                                                                              3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A monster he is and as such can take the punishment Richard thought. He fired again at the figure.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 30 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 2 using 1d8.  Damage.


-

The Mauser shot hits Mendoza again, but still the man, if he is a man, staggers forward, raising the sword to strike at Captain Lines.

Fortunately the swing goes over the Captain's head.

13:33, Today: haruspex rolled 66 using 1d100.  Mendosa sword attack against Capt. Lines.

Character                            Weapon         Damage   Range     Rounds    Attack      HP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Richard Lines                Mauser C96     1d8      15 yards  10 6      70%         10
Jesus Ortega                         Colt 45 ACP    1d10+2   15 yards   7 6      20%         11
Dr. Montgomery Ashton-Psmith         Colt 45 Rev    1d10+2   15 yards   6        20%         12
Charles St. John Meecham             Derringer .25  1d6       3 yards   1        20%         10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis de Mendoza                      Sword          1d8+1d6   1 yard    -        50%         15
                                                                                              3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richard saw the sword coming and was able to partly move out of the way as he again fired his weapon.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage 2.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 44 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 1 using 1d8.  Damage.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 66 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 1 using 1d10.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 3 using 1d10.

Mendoza falls to the ground as Captain Lines shoots him two more times.

OOC: Within Point Blank Range you get a bonus dice that offsets the penalty dice for the two shots in one round. Both shots hit for damage.

"What a piece of work... Is the girl alive ?" Richard moved the sword out of the monsters reach with his foot while he breathed his last under the sights of his mauser.


-

Charles, seeing de Mendoza finally fall, manages to regain a little colour into cheeks that had gone chalk white. Giving the fallen man, or thing, a wide berth Charles moves deeper into the room to see if he can do anything for the girl. First aid may not be his strong suit but he figures he may at least be able to see if she's still alive.

OOC: Rolled 44 against a skill of 30 so hopefully she isn't too badly injured as Charles won't be doing anything for her!

The young woman is in a bad way, she has a gaping wound in her chest and she seems sunken and gray in skin tone. She is breathing but many fluids are leaking from her wound.

Mendoza lies lifeless on the floor under the aim of Captain Lines.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"He wasn't made of flesh and bone, or starlight.
He was made of darkness." Victoria Schwab, This Savage Song

  Lucky crosses himself and yells, "¡Madre de Dios, protégenos de este demonio!"  He pulls out his large knife and cuts the head off of Luis de Mendoza.

 "Only way to make sure they no come back!"

OOC: Mother of God protect us from this demon!

As Lucky puts away his gun, takes out a knife and stoops to cut the head off of the body, Mendoza opens his eyes and grapples with him.
OOC: Lucky has one chance to strike with the knife before he is embroiled in a wrestling match. NOTE: Mendoza recuperates 2 HP each round.

Character                            Weapon         Damage   Range     Rounds    Attack      HP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain Richard Lines                Mauser C96     1d8      15 yards  10 6      70%         10
Jesus Ortega                         Large knife    1d8       1 yards            51%         11
Dr. Montgomery Ashton-Psmith         Colt 45 Rev    1d10+2   15 yards   6        20%         12
Charles St. John Meecham             Derringer .25  1d6       3 yards   1        20%         10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis de Mendoza                      Grapple        1d6       1 yard    -        50%         15
                                                                                              2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"He lives down in a ribcage in the dry leaves of a heart." Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs

  Lucky attempts to kill Mendoza with a large knife.
OOC:10:03, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 69 using 1d100.  Kill Mendoza AGAIN! Knife,large    51/25/10 1d8. FAIL

Richard cannot believe what he is seeing as the monster again rises and attack a member of their party. He tries to get a clear line of sight on the beast before again firing on him.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 48 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 3 using 1d8.  Damage.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 5 using 1d10.


-
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Tue 21 July 2020.

OOC: Shooting into melee here. Please roll a penalty dice to avoid hitting Lucky

Finally, Dr Ashton-Psmith managed to load the bullets into his handgun, unfamiliar as he was with the weapon. He raised the pistol and took aim, at the once-fallen Mendoza, trying to get a clean shot. He held off for now, as Mr Ortega was too close and he didn’t trust his aim. “Get out of the way!” he shouted, somewhat unhelpfully as Lucky was hardly in his current predicament through choice!
This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Tue 21 July 2020.

Captain Lines again proves a crack shot with his Mauser and Mendoza slumps away from Lucky . . . only to roll sideways under a table and start to scrabble away into the crowded storage room.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"“Broken people don't hide from their monsters. Broken people let themselves be eaten." Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters

  Lucky once more attempts to kill Mendoza with a large knife.
OOC:08:15, Today: Jesus Ortega rolled 63 using 1d100.  Kill Mendoza AGAIN! Knife,large    51/25/10 1d8. FAILS YET AGAIN!!!!

Lifting his pistol slightly again Richard places the front sight squarely in the middle of Mendoza's back, just under his neck.

Captain Richard Lines rolled 60 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 2 using 1d8.  Damage.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 52 using 1d100.  Handgun = 70%.
Captain Richard Lines rolled 7 using 1d8.  Damage.


-

The captain's pistol speaks again and Mendoza's body jerks with each impact and then lies perfectly still.

"Hands up!" a deep voice calls from the bottom of the stairs. A large man in a guard's uniform holding a huge revolver advances on the group, glancing at the body of Mendoza and then blanching white as he sees the young woman moaning and so badly mutilated on the floor.

"What have you done?" he bellows.

Behind him other guards are swarming down the stairs summoned by the rapid onslaught of gunfire so recently unleashed in the storeroom.

Richard  raises his hands and steps in front of the guard so that the man with the knife can do his thing. He seemed to have the word on this beast so Richard gave him a chance to do it. "The man I just shot attacked the Professors assistant we just arrived in time. If you fetch the professor he will confirm this, she does need medical attention though..... if you will let me ?"


-

At the shout from the guard, Monty turned and raised his hands, dropping his revolver on the ground where it clattered against the hard stone floor. His nerves were shot, and he tried to compose himself.

“It’s true!” he shouted back up the stairs in his best Spanish. “That fellow attacked the poor girl and then attacked us, we were just defending ourselves. See, he has a sword, over there!” He gestured towards where the blade lay still.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Sat 25 July 2020.

In reply to Dr Montgomery Ashton-Psmith (msg # 61):

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Men who fear demons see demons everywhere." Brom, The Child Thief

  Lucky lifts Mendoza's head up by his hair, shows it to the captain and uses his knife to cut Mendoza's head from his body.  Lucky gets up slowly, drops his knife to the ground and with Mendoza's head in his hand yells, "Este fue el demonio que mató al asistente de los profesores. ¡Mira el alma del diablo!"

OOC:This was the demon that killed the the Professors assistant. See the devil's own soul in it!

Charles stands up from his amateurish attempts to help the girl, nodding his assent to his colleagues protestations of innocence, "It's right officers, that...thing attacked this poor woman. She needs medical attention and swiftly!

With that he looks around for something to wipe his hands on.

The open mouth with the horrible fangs has collapsed by now. Mendoza's mouth looks funny, but not horrific, and he certainly looks dead with several bullet wounds in him. As Lucky starts to slice with his knife, the Captain cries out in rage for him to stop and raises his big pistol, pointing at Lucky at point blank range.

"Senor!" he cries. "Drop your weapon and leave that body alone. All of you Gringos, stand in the corner over there."

He motions for some of his men to look at the girl and at Mendoza. They retrieve the sword and will also collect all the weapons in the open.

Jesse Hughes and the professor are standing behind the guards, looking on in horror at the scene. The guard who checks on the woman shakes his head and closes her eyes. The horrible wound in her chest is mesmerizing, but many of the newly arrived museum guards look quite ill.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"Thoughts are the gun, words are the bullets, deeds are the target, the bulls-eye is heaven." Douglas Horton

  Lucky stops very suddenly when he looks straight up the barrel of the gun.  There is no chance of cutting Mendoza's head off before Lucky is killed.  Lucky drops the knife, stands up and goes to the corner specified.  To the Captain he pleads, "¡Capitán, por favor!  Este es un demonio, volverá pronto a la vida. ¡Debes dejarme cortarle la cabeza o todos moriremos!"

OOC:Captain, please!  This is a demon, it will come back to life soon. You must let me cut off it's head or we all may die!

The captain shakes his head and makes the sign of madness to the other guards, whirling his finger around by his temple.

"Senor, the man is dead. If he did kill this woman, then you have done the world a favor. But we must investigate the crime."

Professor Sanchez speaks up.

"These men are guests of mine. They came down here to see why Miss Rizo was delayed. I think we can see why." He shudders as he glances at the young woman's mutilated body.

"Let us go upstairs to my office, Captain, and you can interrogate these men while the medical staff see to the poor woman's body. I am also interested in hearing what they saw."

As he looks the scene over he reaches forward and picks up a long object - the same object Mendoza tried to grab and dropped as though it was scalding hot. Indeed you can see that fragments of burned flesh adhere to it where he touched it, but the professor shows no harm from it.

He holds it up and you can see the light glinting on it. Gold.

"This is the very artifact Miss Rizo was looking for," he says. "I will take it with us."

The guards push everyone to go back upstairs.

Charles heads upstairs without further complaint, his hands clearly where they can be seen at all times. He doesn't fancy taking his chances with any trigger happy guards.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
"one plus one is two; so the cord of two is better than one." Lailah Gifty Akita

  To the Captain,a Lucky yells, "Capitán, por favor, ¡al menos ate a este monstruo con riopes!"  Lucky reluctantly walks up the stairs.

OOC:Captain please, at least tie this monster up with riopes!

Monty was still reeling from the shock of the strange encounter. He complied with the police officers and headed up the stairs with the others.

Richard did what he was told and followed the others up stairs.


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The museum guards escort everyone back upstairs to the professor's office while ambulance personnel take the bodies away.

It takes a while, but Sanchez eventually convinces the guards that the visitors are unlikely to have killed the girl and that if they did kill de Mendoza it was an act to help the girl. The captain of the guard is eventually persuaded and agrees that they may leave, after giving him details about who they are and where they are staying in Lima.

While this is going on, one of the guards brings a sheet of paper that was found under the young woman's body. The captain shows it to Sanchez who shows it to the others.

"This is what my assistant had been working on," he says. "A translation of an old document from the time of the Conquistadores The Final Confessions of Gaspar Figueroa. We believe that it mentions the pyramid in the mountains."

http://rolld20.com/pix/Rizo_Synopsis.gif

Spanish, written by Gaspar Figueroa, 1543, on vellum.
Figueroa - Spaniard who had traveled to Peru with Fran cis co Pizarro.

According to the text, Figueroa set out to seek his own fortune following
Pizarro’s assassination in 1541. He was accompanied by Hernando Ruiz, Diego
Garrido, Luis de Mendoza, and Pedro de Velas co—fellow conquistadors who
had served with Pizarro. They traveled into the southern highlands of the
Andes, looking for treasure, hoping to make their fortunes before heading back
to Spain and retiring in luxury.

Hearing rumors of an ancient temple filled with gold, the men set off into
the mountains southwest of Lake Titicaca . There they found a pyramid
surrounded by a maze-like structure of underground tunnels. The walls of
the tunnels were inlaid with intricate gold carvings. The men pried out a
large section of the gold, exhausting themselves in the attempt. That night,
as they rested, an evil sickness befell Figueroa’s companions; in the morning
light they looked gaunt and deathlike. Complaining of agonizing hunger, they
pursued Figueroa; de Mendoza caught up with him and started to devour him
like a human leech. Figueroa shot his friend in the head and fled, pausing
only to snatch up as much of the gold as he could carry.

Figuero a eventually arrived back in Lima, hoping to get passage home, but
he was too weakened by his ordeal. Figueroa describes himself as wasted,
little more than a walking corpse.

I read Final Confessions as Figueroa’s attempt to lift the guilt that his avarice
had placed upon him. He believed that his fate and that of his companions
was brought about by their desecration of a holy place, and his most fervent
wish was that he could undo the damage he had inflicted. He describes how
he can still hear his friends’ voices, crying out with inhuman hunger, and how
in the dark of the night he can hear another voice, ancient and seductive,
promising him eternal life if he returns to the temple. The voice told Figueroa
how to contact it, but it seems Figueroa was too afraid to ever attempt this.

A postscript written by the priest - who per formed the last rites - states that
Figueroa died a day after completing his Final Confessions. His last words were
an entreaty to whatever gods were listening to forgive him his blasphemies.

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Professor's Office
"We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will." Chuck Palahniuk

  Lucky slowly reads through the document.  He is silent for a while, then comments, "Luis de Mendoza? Luis de Mendoza! Can it be the same man as we just killed?  How could that be possible?  An ancestor maybe or just the same name? "

Charles nods along to Lucky's comments, "Surely it can't be the same man - not nearly four hundred years later! Maybe he's borrowing the name for some purpose? Though it has to be said our Mr Mendoza seemed remarkably reluctant to die..."

One of the uniformed museum guards comes into the room and whispers to Professor Sanchez who nods and looks worried.

"The guard tells me that the man you killed has disappeared. Someone must have stolen the body from the back of the ambulance. They are searching for it right now.

"You believe this man, Mendoza, to be a descendant of the Conquistador mentioned in the manuscript? And he has been working with Senor Larkin? Perhaps the Professor will know more. What hotel is he staying at?"

At hearing Mendoza's 'body' has disappeared Charles visibly shudders and looks over both shoulders as if expecting him to pop out of the corners of the room, "Larkin is at the Hotel Maury - well, that was where he's putting us up at least. We're due to meet him on Monday morning so if you have any questions for our patron then you could meet him there. Doesn't look like he's shared the whole story with us at least."

March 19, 1921, 2pm, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Professor's Office
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick, I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon

  Lucky hears that the "body" has disappeared.  He shakes his head slowly and tries to contain his disgust. "Bueno, has permitido que un monstruo asesino escape para matar de nuevo. ¡Espero que estés bien satisfiado!"

OOC:Well you have allowed a killing monster to escape to kill again. I hope you are well satisfied!

Richard listened to the exchange and then the additional information. He shook his head at that. "We must be on our guard as this monstrosity may just want to wipe out any additional witnesses. I am currently staying at the club should others deem it wise to stay somewhere else I am sure arrangements can be made ?"


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