Chapter 2: A Dark Secret

[andyw666]

"Mesdames et Messieurs, I believe there is a grave danger that we have all just received a dying man's last request. Whether we believe what the Professor said is another matter. We are bound to at least make enquiries. It is a dette d'honneur"

Balzac pulls out a distinctive blue packet of Gauloises and offers them around before lighting up himself and disappearing into an aromatic cloud of Gallic tobacco smoke.

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

Henry accepts a cigarette with a nod of thanks and reaches for the leather bound journal. "Say, what's this, some sort of diary?"

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"This is Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, perhaps," Isadora relays the information about the small golden box.

How many hieroglyphs are on it? Is it possible for Isadora to copy them to her notebook while the others are studying the journal?

[HoneyDog]

OOC,If you keep the sarcophagus you don't need to copy it. If none of you can read it, you'll have to translate it, if you think it's worthwhile. Lots of ifs.

[evil_scientist]

OOC:   Isadora wants to copy it to be able to give the hieroglyphs to an outside translator, without handing over the valuable mini-sarcophagus itself.

[Wolf]

"I'll take one, Mr Balzac", says Arthur, rising from his bench. "I wonder what the purpose of this Egyptian item is. We should probably search whatever the professor knew about it in the journal, before opening or manipulating it. Mr Glynn, could you read it?"

[innsmouth]

OOC:   Henry will flick through the journal and assuming it's in English he'll read out what initially seem to him the most interesting bits, especially anything about spells or the Egyptian item.

[HoneyDog]

Before the heroes can take any further action, the door to Putnam's room opens, and Agnes and Bernard exit. Agnes is weeping with her face buried in her hands. Bernard is attempting to comfort her, although half-heartedly.

"Dennis is dead!" she wails.

[Wolf]

Arthur approaches the now-widowed Mrs Putnam, with a sad look on his face
"We're all very sorry for your loss. He was a very dear friend of us. If there's anything we could do for you, you can ask."

OOC:   Arthur will try to position himself in front of Agnes and Bernard, blocking the line of sight between them and Isadora.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm so sorry," says Alice, sobbing. She would have hugged Agnes, but right now she's covered with the professor's blood and doesn't want to get it on her.

OOC,History roll (30% skill) about the box: [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Bernard pumps himself up self-righteously. "What were you all talking about in there?" He glares around at the investigators. "I demand that you tell me!"

OOC:   Arthur - roll for Luck

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora slips the small sarcophagus into her handbag...

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

Henry slips the journal into the pocket of his overcoat and attempts to usher Bernard away from the group. "There, there Bernard. You've had a terrible shock. He was a great man. Perhaps you need a seat? There's a bench over there by the window..."

[Wolf]

ooc,Arthur Rolls Luck(60%): [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Although Henry is able to secrete the journal, Bernard's beady eye spys Isadora hiding the sarcophagus. Also, Alice still has the box and the property deed.

"What are those?" he screeches. "That's my father's property! Show it to me!"

[Wolf]

"Calm down, Mr. These items were entrusted to us by your father for academical purposes. They belong to Miskatonic Ubiversity and shall be returned after they've been thoroughly studied. You should worry for your mother's state; after this tremendous loss she needs her sons comfort and support."

[innsmouth]

OOC:   If Bernard even pauses for thought Henry ushers everyone through the nearest exit ...

[HoneyDog]

Bernard ignores Arthur and walks over to Alice. Before she can react he grabs the deed from her hand. His eyes light up as he begins to read.

"A house!" he cries triumphantly. "By rights this belongs to me! I mean my mother! I'll be taking this. Keep your university junk."

He glares at Alice.

[andyw666]

Balzac approaches Agnes Putnam, bowler in hand. "Madam, we all mourn for your loss. And your son may be right that this property belongs to you. However, your late husband, with his last breath, charged me and my colleagues with making certain enquiries regarding this property, to ensure that it is safe. This is now a debt of honour that we owe to his memory. We need the deed for now. Once we have determined the property to be safe, we will return the deed to you of course."

OOC,Could [b]Balzac[/b] try a [i]Persuade[/i] roll?

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, the house is not in a very good state, Mrs. Putnam," says Alice, carefully ignoring Bernard. "It was your husband's dying request that we make it so, and he didn't want you or Bernard to have to concern yourselves."

OOC,[b]Alice[/b] could try too.