Elliot's field Journal (information we've gathered)

whit10 wrote:All of the PCs, regardless of their backgrounds, receive the following letter at their place of residence or last known address.


"Dear (insert name),

I am having a very important dinner in two weeks time at my home in Cairo.  I have enclosed travel arrangements for you and hope that you will be able to arrive in Alexandria by the 8th of April.  From there, a car will bring you to my home for dinner.  

I must stress the importance of the secrecy of this letter's contents and your arrival in Cairo by the aforementioned date.  Certain special arrangements have been made to ensure that you will be safely deposited at Alexandria.  

I look forward to meeting you."

Signed:  Sir Stephen Norris

whit10 wrote:Norris is known as the unofficial "Prince of Alexandria"... he is regarded as something of a playboy and charismatic businessman.  He's originally from England but made a fortune during the war (his 'nobility' is only minor but is considerably enhanced by his wealth)

whit10 wrote:The day before anyone arrives, there is a large explosion at the Customs Office in Alexandria.  Egyptian police, eventually, determine that it was an extremist that had killed himself with TNT strapped to his body.  His motive is believed to be anti-British.  The newspapers say little else.

whit10 wrote:Norris looks at all of you, "I would imagine that all of you heard about the explosion that occurred at the Customs office the other day?  The story that is being told was created by the OMP" he says with a sad look.  "One of the OMP's officials was there questioning a new arrival to the city... a man suspected of belonging to the Circle of Apophis"

"I don't think that I need to tell you that anything involving those murderous psychopaths is taken quite seriously by the OMP and his majesty's government.  As you might have guessed, I am skilled in the arcane arts.  I work with the OMP on many occasions but in a unofficial capacity.  My war contacts with the Khedive of Egypt proved useful in establishing a base of operations in Alexandria."  He pauses, stands up for a moment and goes to get a small box out of a nearby cabinet.

"I contacted you several days ago because, from the limited information available, there is something brewing in the deserts of Egypt and it involves the Circle of Apophis... (with a brief, worried look) and possibly others. Each of you has abilities and powers that have attracted the attention of the OMP for various reasons.  They left it to me to ask you for your assistance, trust and discretion in this delicate matter.  After all, the Khedive, though a well meaning, pleasant enough fellow, is also rabidly superstitious about magic.  He can be fooled and distracted but there is only so much that the OMP can do while not risking his wrath.  The OMP has asked me to fund and direct a mission to find the origins and meaning of this item."

He opens the box and it has, what appears to be, a small fragment of a very old looking map.  It appears to only show a settlement of some sort, there is no writing that has survived.

"This is all that is left from the explosion in the Customs office.  We are unable to figure out what the original map would have looked like, or even how old it is."

whit10 wrote:The Circle of Apophis

Of this group there is only speculation and rumor.  They are believed to be committed to the destruction of the ‘new world’ and have it replaced with one of servitude to their dark magic.  They are associated with Apophis (Apep); ancient Egyptian god of destruction, chaos and, in mythology, the enemy of the Pharaoh.  Why this is so is not known though they have been identified by the OMP as being involved in several instances of assassination and civil war.

whit10 wrote:

There were no survivors from the explosion.

"This was found amongst the debris.  There were two operatives of the OMP there to question this man... I can only surmise that he used arcane powers to immolate himself to try and avoid detection of the Circle's activities."

"I believe this might have been a map to some archeological treasure in the deserts outside of Cairo but that is only a guess.  There is one in Cairo that I know would be able to provide more information.  Unfortunately, he is difficult to for me or any other member of the OMP to speak to right now due to a rather unfortunate misunderstanding some months ago..."  He trails off, obviously rather embarrassed.  

"This is where all of you come in.  The Office of Magical Phenomena has authorized me to put this mission in your capable hands.  I would like you to contact Abu-Saed Fadlala at his nightclub, the Blue Parrot.  It's a rather seedy establishment but it's popular with ex-patriots and other foreigners in Egypt.  Fadlala is a shrewd, and some say corrupt, business man and he has no love for Britain or the OMP... but he does like money and doing 'favors' for people.. strings attached of course."

"I can give you 2000 pounds with which to negotiate with Fadlala to find someone that can translate or identify what this fragment means.  He knows everyone in Cairo so it should be an easy task... assuming that Fadlala "plays ball" as the Americans would say."

whit10 wrote:"I know that it is difficult for you to take my word for anything and, for now, the most I can offer is my home and hospitality, my resources and certainly the gratitude of the OMP.  I must ask you to trust me. "  He hesitates somewhat...

"The circle is up to something in Egypt.  There have been far too many recent excavations that have yielded magical artifacts.  Howard Carter had three people die during the excavation of Tut's tomb when they handled an ivory figurine that was found there...the papers, of course, did not mention this.  It could be something more mundane, like a map to a cache of money or guns... but I doubt that one of their members would blow himself up to protect something like that."  He hesitates and look somewhat unnerved...  there has been rumors in this country for years. Recently, we have heard that the Circle is looking for a lost tomb or city.. something that has great power or artifacts but has been, well... lost.  (half-smile)  The OMP is no longer capable of dealing with all of the occurrences and possible threats within the Empire and it's Commonwealth.  They lost two people the other day, the rest are in the south right now or can't be spared.  

I have also, if needed, been authorized to pay you a contract fee of 20 pounds per day for your own trouble."  

If you decide to go, and I will allow you to discuss it in private, I will put a car and driver at your disposal... or just the car if you prefer.  Please, have another drink if you wish and discuss it amongst yourselves."  He rises up and goes to the door, but then turns suddenly.. "If you agree to do this you will earn my personal gratitude.  One of the men killed the other day was a good man and a true friend.  I would like to know what he died for."  He says grimly.

whit10 wrote:"You should arrive there in the evening, tomorrow night.  I have set aside a car for you.  Just tell them at the door that you are there to see Mr. Fadlala and were sent by Mr. Norris.  That should get you in the door and he will speak to you after that.  I doubt that I need to say this but, remember to be discreet.  Fadlala has been known to play both sides in any situation.  I will have the 2000 pounds at your disposal as well.

whit10 wrote:"It is unlikely that this map is known to anyone but the Circle and those present here.  I was the one who actually found that fragment, there is only one other OMP member in Alexandria right now... and he's a bit too high profile to involve himself in this directly.  I find it HIGHLY unlikely that Fadlala would be involved with them.  He's far too greedy and not known to work with terrorists or other assassin types."

whit10 wrote:The Englishman (Norris) told you that he would be in contact with you in a few days.

There is a room at the Ramses Hotel for your use (under Colonel Corbett's name)

whit10 wrote:You know that it's a popular spot with westerners and that Fadlala is notorious for being very greedy.  They have a gambling area, a hookah bar, a drinks bar and several rooms for VIPs upstairs.  The guards are rumored to be all large Turks who serve Fadlala devotedly (why they do is not so certain)

whit10 wrote:Fadlala looks at the map, then looks at the envelope (without taking the money out).... "hmm, my friend Mr. Norris is being cheap again I see.  My good people, I DO know a man that could help you but, and I hope you understand, we live in dangerous times and... were I to share this information, I would need more, ah, inducement.  I could not let this information go for less than 5000 pounds.  It isn't personal, I regard Mr. Norris very highly, but I know of his connections with the OMP and they are not my favorite people in the world.  The price of doing business is often high, sad to say."  He speaks all of this with a rather wily grin on his face.

He pauses, "unless.... unless you would be willing to help me with a small problem of my own?"

whit10 wrote:Fadlala strolls in and you can immediately tell that he is pleased...

"Ah, my friends, you have secured all of my merchandise!  Allah be praised.  You see Berkei (to one of his bodyguards) this is how you deal with the damned 40 thieves!"

I believe that our deal was for this piece of information (he hands you a slip of paper with an address on it, written in English).  The man you want to see is Rashid Ibn Abbas.  He is very old but a brilliant poet and keeper of rare items.  He will help you, just mention that I sent you.  One thing though... avoid loud noises or activities that might scare him as he is rather feeble and is easy to disturb."

He lives in the old quarter of the city.  This address will get you there.  You may tell Mr. Norris, when you see him, that I will forgive our recent disagreement and that he no longer needs to fear coming to Cairo (he says this rather smugly).  I thank you once again for securing these carpets!"

whit10 wrote:The prisoner is very frightened of all of you.. especially once JT translates the orders.  He does as he is told and digs but then falls to his knees asking for mercy. (in Arabic)  "please, I and my brethren were hired to steal the rugs... I will do no more harm.  Please be merciful!"

whit10 wrote:"we were stealing from that pig Fadlala.. he's a collaborator with the English.  I didn't meet the man that hired us.  Our leader, Khalid... the one that that witch threw off the building was the one that gave us the mission.  Please sir, spare my life"

whit10 wrote:The thief looks rather scared to tell you the info... "we are very strong in Cairo and Alexandria... our leader is.."

whit10 wrote:"Thank you...  my name is Sergeant Tambu, 4th Sudanese Rifle battalion. I've been the unwilling slave and prisoner to that man for months."  He takes off the strange necklace that now looks like it's rapidly rusting away and starting to crumble.  "he controlled me with this, I think he put it on me when I was asleep.  I didn't hurt anyone did I?"

whit10 wrote:Sgt. Tambu doesn't put up a struggle as you disarm him.

"I think his name was... Frost? I don't remember a first name, I am sorry.  I have been with him for a few weeks and we have been spending most of our time in Cairo, looking through old maps and ancient texts.  He wanted all of you dead, this I know.  Did you harm him in some way?"  He looks like a man that is definitely out of sorts at the moment.

whit10 wrote: Rashid's 'house' looks like a shack that the poorest beggar would turn his nose up at.  It is very dilapidated and is seemingly tucked in between several other dwellings that look somewhat respectable.

whit10 wrote:"ah, Fadlala sent you." His demeanor changes a bit... "It must be very important to bother an old man at night.  Very well... (back into the house) Abdullah, food and coffee, imshay!"

He leads you into the house... it is far more splendorous on the inside and is full of dusty books, old scrolls and parchments, small ancient artifacts and other objects of antiquity.  

There are several pillows and ottomans that you may sit on.  Rashid sits and waits patiently for you to sit and for Abdullah (a boy of about 10) to fetch food and coffee.

"So, if you are English (as he's fumbling for something near his favorite ottoman) that means you probably work for the OMP, Hmm?"

whit10 wrote:

The old man examines the paper after he finds a very strange pair of glasses (that appear to have crystals where lenses should be, his grandson has brought in tea, coffee and what look like biscuits for you to enjoy)… he quickly looks at it and mutters “what is this?  It could not be…”    He gets up and stumbles around the room you’re in, seemingly looking for something..  “Ah, there you are”, he sits back down with a leather bound scroll case and removes an extremely old map as well as a vial of greenish liquid.  He treats the paper fragment with the liquid and compares it to the map (which also has several hieroglyphs on it).

He looks it over and looks at you with a mixed expression of fear and wonder.  He also shows you the paper that you brought to him that has a symbol on it and a small portion of a map.  The portion that you brought him still has the area of his map that is missing.  It’s not a perfect fit, but it's close.

“Do you know what this is?  This is a sign that finally describes the resting place of Thutmoses III.  His tomb was ransacked and, known to few, it was a false tomb by design.  There is an account, recorded here, that Thutmoses, great Pharaoh that he was, was also cursed with a terrible power.  It does not describe what it was, but it was associated with Apophis, god death and chaos.”

whit10 wrote:Rashid looks at you after the questions and thinking for a few minutes...

"Thutmosis was a warrior Pharaoh.  He conquered much of what is now Palestine and Syria.  It might explain his great success as a general if he had some kind of dark power.  

I am too old to be digging in tombs and wandering the desert for artifacts.  I do not know what to tell you about the tomb itself.  It is very likely trapped, given the secrecy involved in hiding it's whereabouts.  As for Isis, the cult was destroyed long ago by the early Christians but I have heard rumors that they are still in existence, somewhere in Alexandria... but this is a rumor."

"As for it's location, here (he points to a marker on the map, shaped like a crocodile) this marking denotes that there is a slight bend in the Nile here, near Karnak.  Then, you go (he does some calculations in his head)... 18 miles, roughly, into the desert and there will be a series of hills and gulleys and that is the route to the tomb.. at least that is what it says here.  I would bet that the entrance, if you can find it, is marked by this same cartouche."

"I am not surprised that the OMP and the Circle of Apophis are interested in this."