The invitation:


Lima within Peru:


Lima city map:


The dinner scene (Jesse Hughes; Larkin; Mendoza):

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:47, Fri 29 July 2022.

March 18, 1921. 7pm.
Bar Cordano, Lima, Peru.

The three men sat in an awkward silence. The shadows were thick in the warm bar, seeming to pool at the base of each man's chair due to the overhead lighting. Jesse Hughes sat with his hat pulled down over his forehead, frowning at his menu. His eyes darted at his companions looking for signs of life; finding none. Augustus Larkin coughed into a napkin, a sound close to wheezing, shaking his head slowly at what he found in the napkin after. Luis de Mendoza, straight-backed as a soldier, scanned the room with a slow but careful eye, taking in the serving staff and guests with mild disgust.

None of them spoke. At one point, Jesse ventured, "so Augustus, it really is amazing what we will be setting out to do. All my life I've hungered for an opportunity like -- " But he was cut off as Luis growled sullenly, "We will wait for the others to arrive. The Master does not like to repeat himself." Jesse's eyes met Luis's for a second, and quickly flicked away. Without pouting, Jesse made his disappointment clear. "As you like it..."

Augustus coughed again. "Oh, dear." Was all he said.

Music played in the background: a charango player, almost distractingly good. Outside, a tram car buzzed along, wheels squeaking, machinery clacking. Krr-thunk-krr-thunk-krr-thunk-krr-thunk...

In reply to The Keeper of Arcane Lore (msg # 2):

Johan Braun was lost in thought and was startled by the sound of the streetcar passing by. He ducked behind a nearby postbox. He much preferred walking or other more civilized ways of travel, such as New York's Subway he encountered during his time in the United States. He was not familiar with this part of Lima, but this was where a man called Augustus Larkin had proposed to meet to discuss a mysterious expedition. He was eager to learn more about the city and be finally part of something grander than academia. Johan picked up his weathered suitcase, lying on its side and dusted it off. It had seen many eventful trips since he first bought it as a young man in Germany.

The heavy, humid air study to his skin as he looked for the bar Larkin had indicated. At last he found it. He pushed through a throng of passerby, hearing sentences in many languages he taught, and some entirely unfamiliar to him.

As he made his way into the bar he heard a talented by a charango player near the back wall. In between songs he gave him a few centavos and congratulated the man with his passable level of Spanish: "Muchas gracias. Me gustó mucho". He had enjoyed it very much. Although as the next song started he started feeling slightly uneasy and noticed three men at a table that were discussing and glancing at him furtively.

One of them seemed familiar. Cautiously, he approached them and recognised the description of Larkin, the man who had written to him. Johan felt a sense of relief and extended his hand to greet the three men in turn.

The musician hardly acknowledged Johan, other than the smallest nod of his head, but it was clearly warm with gratitude - in the man's own way.

Larkin might have been Johan's "familiar" contact, but he hardly moved as the German advanced to the table, instead just looking the man up and down from his seat. Instead, it was Jesse who stood, smiling broadly, and accepting Johan's hand in greeting. "Why, you must be Johan Braun! Er...Professor Braun, that is. Well! Whichever way you prefer." He chuckled at his own messy wording, and shook his head. "Sorry, Dr. Braun, it's just a pleasure to meet you."

Jesse had slightly rough hands, calloused and well-baked from days in the sun. But he revealed himself to be a scholar moments later - clearly one accustomed to explorations in hot and arid places. He rattled off a few of Dr. Braun's more recent publications, adding, "you see, I have a healthy enthusiasm for languages. I dabble in Spanish, Portuguese, Hindustani, a few others... oh, but I've always thought it would be a pleasure to learn German. I assume that is your mother tongue?" He rattled on like this, burying Johan in questions, and at the same time flagging down a waiter so Johan could order a refreshment.

Larkin steepled his fingers, smiling thinly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Johan. I will hold off on formal explanations until our other companions arrive. But it is good to have you here a little early. This is Mr. Luis de Mendoza, my personal aide. And of course, the irrepressible Mr. Hughes you have now met. He is an explorer, and is familiar a little with this region --"

"-- Yes, yes, Lake Titicaca, and other wonders..." Jesse broke into an enthusiastic overview of the whole region, sparing no details about the local cuisine that he had "broken into with a real pleasure, a real pleasure!"

Across the street from the Bar Cordano, stood Perry Astor, as he waited for the streetcar to pass by. He crossed the road with a pep in his step as he was eager to meet Augustus Larkin and his fellow associates. Two weeks earlier he had been working on an expedition in Western Bolivia when he received a telegram from Augustus Larkin. He knew this would be a great opportunity that he couldn't pass up, so he packed his bags and headed to Lima.

As he entered the bar, he caught the bartender's attention and ordered a drink. As he listened to the musician, he scanned the room looking for the men he was meeting. He saw a table with three gentlemen, one of which matched the description of Augustus Larkin. As he began to approach, another gentleman approached the table extending his hand to them. He waited for the other to finish their conversation, taking a sip of his drink, and walked over to the table.

Perry looked at the gathered men and said, "Good evening, Gentlemen! Hope I'm at the right place. Would any of you happen to be Augustus Larkin?"

Luis wrinkled his nose at Perry's question, but held his tongue, though his face tightened slightly. He remained quite silent as each new expedition member arrived, eyes narrowing at the space at the center of the table.

Augustus, however, smiled at the newcomer, though his lips were dry and moved only slightly as he spoke. "Ah, you're all flooding in at once. That's good. You must be - judging by appearances - Mr. Astor, I presume? The Canuck?" The smile thinned a little. Under the harsh overhead light, Perry would see how white and clammy Augustus' skin was. "And how was the journey from Bolivia, my friend?" The final word was slightly flimsy. It was not that Augustus was unfriendly. Perhaps the opposite: he gave the impression of trying to play nice. But there was something strained about his manners.

Jesse, still standing, turned away from Johan. A broad smile on his face, he seemed to be taking the explorer in. "Why - Bolivia, eh? Fantastic country. What were you doing out there, if you don't mind me asking?" His eyes seemed to drink Perry in, seeing him as a font of possible knowledge.

Just then, the waiter arrived, a thin man with a finely-waxed moustache, and a slightly wincing expression on his face. He politely bowed, and asked if anyone wanted to order a drink. "Or a top-up to the gentleman if he would like," he offered, indicating Perry's glass.

Jesse chuckled. "If you haven't tried one, gentlemen, the Pisco Sours are something else. The Hotel Maury has them too, but the bartender here has a real flourish."

Luis looked like he might finally break his self-imposed vow of silence to say something here, but continued to hold his tongue. His wild hair hung slightly over one eye. He made a small sound, "hmph." Jesse seemed to notice but didn't engage.


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Thu 28 July 2022.

Arthur had decided that he had seen enough of Lima to understand what he was up against. Perhaps it was time to head in the direction of that bar; he was rusty, but his passing knowledge of Spanish came in handy as he mostly avoided conversation. He perused the storefronts, presuming that he would soon enter a district where one might find a Bar Cordano. There wasn't much hurry, was there? They couldn't very well leave without a doctor.

After more time than perhaps his own ego would allow him to admit, Arthur approached Bar Cordano. He did not know much about the region or what may look sophisticated, but a quick glance of the tables of the men around him indicated that whatever they were having could not be so bad. Perhaps just "Cerveza" would suffice. With his drink in hand, Arthur made his way over to a table of men who could not possibly have been locals...surely they were the party he was looking for.

With a nod of the head that may have been uncertainty, but which he had hoped came across as some combination of machismo and stoicism, Arthur sat down in silence.

As Arthur silently approached the table, it was easy to mark out the English-speaking folks in the room filled with Spanish voices. De Mendoza seemed to react at this man sitting down without introducing himself, standing up slightly abruptly, his chair scraping back, though not overtly hostile. Larkin raised a few fingers, moving them subtly, and Luis slowly sat again. Larkin's voice was slightly raspy. "Ahhhh-ah. Arthur. Doctor Arthur Dibden, I presume." He looked at the other newcomers. "Only expecting one other man, you see. I'm sure the ladies will be along presently. Arthur is the medical, ah, professional. Hopefully unnecessary, I hope you don't mind me saying, Doctor? But the highlands can be difficult on the constitution. So I thought it would be wise to have a reliable medical man."

Luis smirked slightly at the mention of the highlands being tough, looking at the various party members as though expecting them to keel over at the first snap of wind.

Jesse, seeing Arthur sit, sat down as well, pulling his seat in towards the table. "This is quite the group you are getting together, Augustus. I'm excited to hear about your plans. But I understand you don't want to repeat yourself - " (A narrow glance here at Luis.) " - so perhaps we can get to know each other a little better while we wait."

Jesse pushed his hat back a little on his head, grinning widely. "I'm Jesse Hughes. I'm an explorer, I think you could say. I've been in Peru for a few months, digging into a few matters. I'm a folklorist, so my greatest interest is in the stories that we can learn from the local communities. Indeed, there's a woman...out at Puno, which I understand we'll be passing by. And I'm sure she'll be pleased to meet you all. Nayra."

Augustus looked mildly uncomfortable. He was a pale, thin white man with greasy blonde hair and pale blue eyes, under which it could be seen that bags had emerged. His suit looked baggy, too, white linen. A reek of cologne wafted from his side of the table. He waited until Jesse was finished, his responses slow, sluggish even. "I am British, myself.  A long-time traveler. Traveled... oh, all across the world by now. I think I have that in common with a few of you." He trailed off, looking even more uncomfortable. "Would somebody else..."


This message was last edited by the GM at 14:07, Fri 29 July 2022.

In reply to The Keeper of Arcane Lore (msg # 8):

Only too happy to have ignored Jesse's babbling long enough for him to lose interest and pester Perry, Johan sipped on his Pisco Sour, watching the awkward scene, where all the men fumbled for conversation. There was the overexcited, presumptuous know-it-all, a sickly old man, who had enough influence to summon here, and his snappy watchdog.

Johan decided to approach Luis. The most guarded of all three, perhaps, Johan could lighten the mood for everyone or befriend this intimidating man. He addressed him in English both to display his mastery of the language, but also as a language the other expedition members could understand. If he made a fool of himself, so be it!

"My dear Luis forgive me, as I am unfamiliar with the name of this part of town. What is the name of this bar with such exquisite drinks" he said, as he lifted his drink. He looked around and saw his comrades were all still drinking, while De Mendoza, had already quickly drained his. I see you're out. May I offer you another?

While Johan sad town on the sticky chair opposite De Mendoza he involuntarily repressed a shiver. He eyed the waiter's mustache, ready to call on him as soon as he got Mendoza's answer. Johan could not read Mendoza's intentions in his body language. That made him either a very dangerous man or a very valuable ally. Johan waited anxiously, resting the butt of his glass on the wooden table was covered wet spots like beads of sweat.

Luis regarded Johan warily for a few moments, and something passed between the two men's eyes. Johan began to realize something about his new companion... but whether Luis knew what Johan was seeing or not, he gave little indication. "Bar Cordano...the locals like. Find it refreshing. Ahh. I long. Long to... long to begin our travel. Leave it behind. Too many people." His face snarled into disgust.

It was barely discernible, Luis mumbling the words out as though he resented having to speak. Something was strange about his Spanish. His accent was odd. Luis's face had pronounced cheekbones, and he was otherwise gaunt. His eyes were cooler, bluer than was immediately obvious. They pierced into one. He had a wolflike look to him, and his brown hair was shaggy, untrimmed. He wore light cotton clothes, all a rusty tan, and a battered black hat was perched on the back of his chair.

"Another drink? No. Enough for now." Seeming to dislike Johan's eyes on him, though by no means timid, Luis barked gutturally, "Master? The ... perhaps time. The things."

Augustus stepped in as though having been waiting for an opportunity. "Well, I would like to hear a bit more from the rest of you. But perhaps while we wait, Luis has a good point. A few things to show you. To... uh, whet your appetite I suppose." He reached into a pouch, producing a few jumbled items, placing them in the center of the table, almost carelessly.

"An alpaca farmer," he explained, "in the region around Puno, gave these to me, for a few sol." One was a pendant showing a man holding what looked like staves. The other was a golden cup with odd patterns decorating it. "I think he perhaps knew little about what they might signify. He told me... about other tunnels. Tunnels nearby. These things his grandfather found. But he said there were many more, if I was serious about collecting them."


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:29, Sun 31 July 2022.