Chapter 1 - A Den of Thieves

whit10 wrote:lol.. duh, yeah it's actually $200.  Sorry man (stupid math).    

No problem!

Olivia stashes the cash winnings in her bra. "Thanks for the money, folks. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check out what all the hub-bub is about." She heads over to the craps table and observes the American on his winning streak.

whit10 wrote:JT:  he just sort of growls at at you. "You!  No!"

JT drops the drunken tourist act and looks the big Turk squarely in the eyes. JT speaks fluently in Turkish, "Özür dilerim! Amaç Ben burada iş."

(Sorry for the mistake! But I am here on business)

JT offers his hand with $20 tucked between his fingers, "Ben çıplak dansçılar para mal söylendi."

(I was told naked dancers cost money)

The Turk smiles at you... "tomorrow night". He declines the money.

whit10 wrote:The Turk smiles at you... "tomorrow night".  He declines the money.

JT shrugs and smiles at the Turk, "On the morrow then." and heads back into the gaming room to look for his friends and report his findings in full detail.

Elliot: there is music playing in the ballroom. A handful of people are dancing.

Hmm... give me a perception check please

Elliot perception check: 1d20 = 16

it's difficult to hear much over the music, gambling and general conversations. You do not, however, see anyone that looks like they're 'in charge' so to speak, if that helps.

to sort of 'cut to the chase' here... you determine in a few more minutes that Fadlala isn't here right now but he will be returning from business shortly.

whit10 wrote:to sort of 'cut to the chase' here... you determine in a few more minutes that Fadlala isn't here right now but he will be returning from business shortly.

Elliot will make the rounds to the others, and make sure they all hear this information.

Then he will approach the bartender, to whom he says-

"Excuse me, sir.. When Mr. Fadlala returns, please tell him that I have some business I wish to discuss with him. I'll be waiting over there."

He motions to his table.

He hopes the others will join him so he doesn't have to face Fadlala all alone.

Anything interesting or out-of-the-ordinary going on at the craps table?

Olivia: the American I alluded to earlier is doing very well at the craps table... you see a pile of chips in front of him.  The first thing that would come to mind in describing him is... uncouth?  He has a few days growth of stubble, somewhat shabby clothing, long hair, and is smoking a cigar rather incessantly.  He pauses, takes a drink of something dark (out of a shot glass) and shoots the dice again.  He smiles as he wins once again and announces "drinks on me, yee hah" (this meets the general approval of the table amongst the tipsier members)  

sorry, couldn't find a picture that worked for this one...


Elliot:  the bartender nods in agreement to you.  "I will tell him sir.. and your name is?"

"Just where DID Rothchild get off to with that bloody drink?!?!"

MAS wrote:"Just where DID Rothchild get off to with that bloody drink?!?!"

JT finishes off his first pint and offers to get Corbett a round, "Oy, you just can't git good 'elp these days...."

whit10 wrote: Olivia:  the American I alluded to earlier is doing very well at the craps table... you see a pile of chips in front of him.  The first thing that would come to mind in describing him is... uncouth?  He has a few days growth of stubble, somewhat shabby clothing, long hair, and is smoking a cigar rather incessantly.  He pauses, takes a drink of something dark (out of a shot glass) and shoots the dice again.  He smiles as he wins once again and announces "drinks on me, yee hah" (this meets the general approval of the table amongst the tipsier members)  

sorry, couldn't find a picture that worked for this one...


Elliot:  the bartender nods in agreement to you.  "I will tell him sir.. and your name is?"

Elliot tips his hat politely and tells the bartender-

"I am Elliot J Martin,  in the company of Col. Jim Corbett and friends. A certain Mr. Norris suggested that Mr. Fadlala might be able to help us."

CR III must've found the secret stash of hashish?

Unless there is something else relevant that you want to do... moving on.

An hour ticks by and then a man comes walking in to the bar and starts speaking to the bartender and another man from the gambling hall.



after a few moments... the bartender points to your general direction. This man looks over, somewhat quickly and then resumes talking to the bartender and the pit boss. After what seems an interminable amount of time, he walks over to your table. He has two rather large men that stay a few feet behind him.

"I am Abu-Saed Fadlala, Faid told me that you wished to discuss some business?"

whit10 wrote:Unless there is something else relevant that you want to do... moving on.

An hour ticks by and then a man comes walking in to the bar and starts speaking to the bartender and another man from the gambling hall.



after a few moments... the bartender points to your general direction.  This man looks over, somewhat quickly and then resumes talking to the bartender and the pit boss.  After what seems an interminable amount of time, he walks over to your table.  He has two rather large men that stay a few feet behind him.

"I am Abu-Saed Fadlala, Faid told me that you wished to discuss some business?"

Elliot sees Fadlala enter and the exchange between him and the bartender.

He finishes the last sip of his drink as Fadlala approaches and sets his empty glass down upon the table.

When Fadlala speaks to him, Elliot stands somewhat nervously.

He begins to offer a handshake, but unsure of himself, he retracts it and instead offers a short bow.

"Mr. Fadlala, My name is Elliot Martin. Thank you for meeting with me. I- well, that is to say, my friends and I, we came to see you on the request of Mr. Norris."

He looks around quickly, hoping to spot his companions in the crowd.

He continues..

"I'm sure they're around here somewhere.."

He looks around once again.

"Anyway sir, Mr. Norris entrusted to us s a piece of antiquity, and said you were just the knowledgeable man who may be able to identify it for us.. for an appropriate fee, of course."

He smiles and attempts to be cordial.

(Diplomacy check: 1d20 = 19, just in case that helps the situation)

"Is there perhaps somewhere private we might go to discuss the matter?"

CRIII has not been very far from the group this whole time. He keeps a casual appearance in spite of his vigilance, serving drinks to the colonel's comrades and observing the casino staff.  A man who keeps such large guards is either gay, compensating for something, or has smaller security staff under cover. (any knowledges that might yield an answer to that Josh?)

Arcturus2 wrote:
"Is there perhaps somewhere private we might go to discuss the matter?"

I think we are all in the vicinity. JT nods in agreement, "Might we find a tad more private venue, govn'r?"

will update soon... very busy this morning.

"Of course, follow me please"

He leads you to a more private office, it's large, with several chairs (though two of you will have to stand). Fadlala sits at his desk, one of his guards stays outside the door and one of them takes a seat near his desk.

"Mr. Norris... another British playboy, though smarter than the rest of them. I assume this has something to do with that messy business in Alexandria the other day?" (he's asking this rather pointedly while looking all of you over)

CRIII - Streetwise?

(or he could be in to showing off, just to say it)

Elliot will remain standing so as to allow Olivia and the person of higher station, Corbett, the opportunity to sit.

He allows himself to look visibly impressed when Fadlala asks about the bombing in Alexandria.

"An interesting connection to make, Mr. Fadlala.."

He smiles and nods to the Egyptian.

"You are indeed correct- two men were being detained and questioned in the customs office when the bomber struck.
Both men, along with the individuals questioning them were killed. We can't say that those incidents are connected, but it is of course possible."

Elliot pauses, and carefully reaches (slowly) into his jacket pocket to remove the envelope of money and the folded map fragment. He holds these in his lap for the moment.

"Mr.Norris speculates that they may have been connected to a group called the 'Circle of Apophis'."

He unfolds the map fragment, takes one more quick look, and places it on Fadlala's desk.

"This map fragment was recovered along with their bodies, and was likely the object which caused them to be detained in the first place. It came into Mr. Norris' posession, and he is quite curious about it. Anything you can tell us about it would be greatly appreciated."

Elliot pauses again, and places the envelope of money on the desk alongside the map.

"Mr. Norris sent this for you as well, along with his regards. He regrets that he could not come see you personally about this matter."

Knowledge local? Sense motive? I didnt see streetwise on your list.

Arcturus2 wrote:Elliot will remain standing so as to allow Olivia and the person of higher station, Corbett,  the opportunity to sit.

Olivia curtsies and takes the open seat, thankful. She quietly observes the exchange, except for the smacking of chewing gum.

Dammit. Sorry Alan, I meant Knowledge: Local, my bad

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

JT, who remained standing, grunts, "Oy, I dig your ditch, you dig mine. I could be square with this kind of deal.... but first, I do need to know what you got on your mind?"

"Hrumph."

6+6=12 on local.

15+11=26 sense motive if that applies during the current conversation.

Sorry I'm less attentive this week. Gave up the data plan until Gretch gets a job. I can only post with wifi. Gota pay for Spectrum!

navyik wrote: Gota pay for Spectrum!

A worthwhile cause

You know it. Alannah has Jacque this year! We will have 2 there next year.

navyik wrote:You know it.  Alannah has Jacque this year!  We will have 2 there next year.

Jacque Lind?? she was teaching at Spectrum when I started Kindergarten in '79. Her kids Tommy and Annie were in between Jon and I. Annie ended up adopting one of our puppies, Princess Lilly about 5 years ago. I drove the mutt halfway back through Nebraska and met my folks who took her to Rockford.

.... damn, feeling REALLY old now

"I have been having trouble with deliveries lately.  My security here is first rate... but they don't do so well against the various thieves in this city.  I have a very important shipment... ah, Persian Rugs coming in this evening at the river docks.  (he looks at his watch)  In about 40 minutes, the boat will be arriving with my merchandise.  I still have yet to find adequate protection for these fine articles."

CR III, nothing on the knowledge local, Sense Motive... he seems genuine enough

Olivia's interest is piqued at Fadlala's mention of the Persion rugs and securing a deal. While still slouching in her chair, she snags the map out of his hands with a tentacle of hair.

"If I may be so bold as to speak for my companions, 'protection' is our specialty," she says. Holding the map before her eyes with her hair, scanning it's contents, she adds, "Which way is it to the docks?"

"The docks are to the west, a few blocks away on the river. If you can do this... and I caution you to watch for thieves... I will be happy to overlook the extra 3000 pounds and will give the name of a man that can help you."

Elliot would prefer not to get involved in a gun battle through the streets of Cairo, but...

He sighs.

"It appears we have little choice. I trust that, should any uhh... difficulties arise, you have a plan in place to deal with the local authorities? "

"I? No, I would prefer that the local authorities stay ignorant of this... but they normally have their hands full at night anyway."

JT pipes up, "So just to be clear 'ere.... we are to escort your people, who will carry the rugs? Where and how far is the shipment going? By what means - truck, wagon?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't clear... I need YOU to bring the carpets back here. They are actually quite light. It's more important that I have people of action and intelligence to do this. If you can get all of them back here, I will make allowances in case you are not able to bring them ALL back, I will waive the fee entirely."

ok GM, just spell it out, if you please....

how many carpets.... are we supposed to carry these things or can we just tie them to the roof of the car..... or they are already loaded on a trailer......

what exactly are you envisioning here?

Sorry, feeling like crap today and I wasn't clear, my bad.


there is a horse drawn cart that they will be loaded in. You can use the cart or carry two of them per person, your choice. A car would be more likely to get stuck or hampered in the narrow streets.

is that more clear?

It seems like the car got through Cairo fine to get to the Blue Parrot, which (pictured) had a parking lot full of cars too.

If we are expecting a bunch of thieves to ambush us, the last place we want to be is going down narrow roads or back alleys. Let's just take the car, load the rugs and get onto main, well light, well traveled roads as quickly as possible. The car would also be a lot faster to escape said bandits, especially if they expect us to go by horse drawn cart in the first place.

There are no 'main roads' from the docks to the Blue Parrot. Streets yes, but narrow ones

By all means though, do what you feel you must do if you're going to accept this 'request'

whit10 wrote:There are no 'main roads' from the docks to the Blue Parrot. Streets yes, but narrow ones

By all means though, do what you feel you must do if you're going to accept this 'request'

I don't mean to meta-complain, since the GM obviously has an encounter planned here.... but it seems highly illogical that there would only be narrow streets, that you say a car will have trouble with, from the docks area of a major city like Cairo.   Cairo is built around trade moving in and out from the Nile river, this ain't the Kishwaukee here.  







now, I understand that the streets inside the city are more crowded, like this but less modern



but I guess I don't understand why a single car is more difficult than a horse and cart.  maybe you can explain better what we are seeing or why it matters?

other PC thoughts?

Chris, this is nearly 100 years ago. Don't be overly nit-picky

I said use the cars if you wish

whit10 wrote:Chris, this is nearly 100 years ago.  Don't be overly nit-picky

I said use the cars if you wish

Yeah, just be happy we don't have to go on camel-back!


*Josh, I emailed you about a potential new player. I know we've begun, but it hasn't gotten too far yet...

JT, being the modern man that he is, votes for the car. But he doesn't care much either way, just thinking tactically

Elliot speaks up again..

"It's only a few blocks.. I say load 'em in the car, Olivia drives, CRIII & Corbett ride 'shotgun'... I walk 'point' on foot, JT brings up the rear on foot.

A few blocks is mere minutes even at a walking pace, if we get ambushed, Olivia & the cargo can make a getaway while JT and myself hold em off."

Elliot will lay out this potential plan for consideration.

Speaking out of game- if the GM has an encounter set up, we're gonna hafta face it anyway, and plus it'll be fun!

Cairo, man!

Colonel Jim Corbett has been listening to this nonsense with an increased sense of frustration and general affrontery. he has had enough.

"Bollocks, Mr Fadula. We are NOT here to run your errands and transport illegal goods. I couldn't give less of a BLOODY FUCK about your carpets, or your bushiness concerns. There is evil afoot in Alexandria, and I am here to KILL IT, and anyone standing in the way of my hunt. This is your choice. YOU WILL come with us outside, and immediately identify the item in question, or, COLONEL JIM CORBETT will hunt you like a beast in the streets of the city, rooting you out of your lair, and SKINNING YOU ALIVE to take your hide as a trophy, as I did to those Thugee bastards in India. What is your choice?"

Intimidate -

You can use Intimidate to force an opponent to act friendly toward you for 1d6 × 10 minutes with a successful check. The DC of this check is equal to 10 + the target's Hit Dice + the target's Wisdom modifier. If successful, the target gives you the information you desire, takes actions that do not endanger it, or otherwise offers limited assistance.

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +12" :

12 + 12 = 24

Are we playing with Hero Points? If we are I will use one to buff this +4 after the roll

He's got to be minimum 10 HD creature with minimum 18 wisdom to resist the un-buffed roll.

Thank you. That's kinda the point but I'm letting you guys set the tone... so to speak. I gave wide latitude here for a reason.

And, I misspoke... it's about a half mile from the docks to the Blue Parrot, these aren't 'normal' city blocks.

Figure two full minutes of travel by car from point A to point B under 'normal' conditions.

Something to keep in mind, most of the world right now doesn't have well run cities as far as motorized transport is concerned. Yes, you can drive through the cities. But most of the streets are or were made with horses, carts, and just people in mind. Not vehicles. This, historically speaking anyway, is about 10 - 20 years before most of the motorways that we are familiar with were even built. The Eisenhower highway system, for example, is a product of the 50s. The Autobahn was made in the late 30s (and, incidentally, made it easy for western Allied forces to invade Germany once the Rhine had been crossed in strength)

the point is, this isn't going to be a pleasant Sunday drive.... I assume you've all seen Raiders multiple times. Remember the city street scenes? Granted this is at night