Play@YSDC

It is a short walk to The Strand and the location of the Somerset Hotel. It is a well-regarded establishment – comfortable but not ostentatiously so.

The reception is fairly quiet as Preston and James enter. There are one or two guests around, and two uniformed staff behind the counter.

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston approaches the counter. "Good evening. Would you kindly tell me the room number of Mr. Faez and whether he is currently in residence?"

The clerk checks the keys behind him. “Mr. Faez is in room 32, but it appears he is out at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?”

Dr. Francis Preston

"No thank you, we must speak with him in person on a matter of some urgency. Did he happen to indicate his intended destination or if he would be returning soon?"

The clerk shakes his head. “I’m afraid not sir. You’re welcome to wait for him in our lobby, or perhaps the hotel bar.”

"I'll be right back, doc," James says, and heads to the bar. He'll give the bar a quick scan looking for someone of middle eastern descent.

There doesn’t seem to be anyone matching such a description in the bar.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Tell me, does Mr. Faez receive many visitors?" Preston asks the clerk.

OOC:   good call

James comes back from the bar and shakes his head briefly to the doctor. Approaching the front desk, he gestures for the other clerk to come to the far end of the counter, and leans in. Before he speaks, he looks back as if to make sure none of the other guests can hear them.

"Sir, we're here on a criminal matter," he says in a hushed tone. "There have been a few suspicious deaths in town lately of prominent Army men. During our investigation, we have discovered there are several...." he pauses as a guest walks by. "Several documents of interest that may be related to these deaths. We are also aware that Mr Faez may be able to give insight regarding these documents. We don't believe he's a suspect, mind you, not at this point, but we really must speak to him about the documents in order to prevent any further catastrophe. May we wait upstairs for him?" James looks the clerk in the eyes the whole time he says this, except any time he says "documents", when he quite deliberately glances up toward the ceiling. He also nods occasionally, hopefully getting the clerk to get in the habit of nodding in agreement.

persuade = 80%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   does the doctor mind being called any of the following: Francis, Frank, Doc?

OOC,Sorry guys, but there's no way a respectable hotel will let non-guests into a paying guest's room like that. Hotels are regular targets for thieves and con artists. Sorry I should have got to this post earlier, 'cause you're going to land yourselves in a spot of bother now.

The clerk nods his head in the direction behind Preston and James. "I see sir" he says loudly. "Are you with the police?"

A middle-aged but formidable looking man in an old but very neat suit appears next to our heroes.

Dr. Francis Preston
"No, we are interested in antiquities. We wish to speak with him in his professional capacity as an Egyptian scholar." Preston turns at the man's approach. "May we help you?"

“So, you’re antiquities experts investigating murders?” says the clerk in confusion.

“I work for the hotel” says the other man. “Do you gentlemen have calling cards?” He holds out his hand in expectation.

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston shows his card. "He is assisting me," he says of James, anticipating that the soldier wouldn't have a professional card. "I think it best if we wait in the bar until Mr. Faez arrives so we can clear up this misunderstanding."

“This says you’re a doctor.” The man hands the card back to Preston. “It would be best if you left immediately.” He tenses, and the clerk takes an involuntary step back from the counter.

Just then, a man enters the lobby and walks to the desk.

“My key, please” he calls.

“Mr. Faez!” gasps the clerk.

“Yes” says Faez slowly, for it is he. His eyes look around and he tries to appraise the situation.

“These men are asking about you, Mr. Faez” says the other man. “They were about to leave. Do you know them?”

Faez looks at our heroes and shakes his head. “No, I can’t say that I do. What is it you gentlemen desire from me?”

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston glances across at the clerk's curious reaction.
"Ah, Mr. Faez. I am Dr. Preston and this is my associate Mr. Winter. We wished to seek your expertise with regards to a matter of Egyptian antiquity."

“They wanted me to let them into your room, Mr. Faez” says the clerk. “They said that you have documents relating to a murder.”

Faez’ eyes open wide in astonishment. “Murder? Good heavens!” he exclaims.

He regards Preston and James sternly. “Gentlemen, you had better explain yourselves. I am in possession of no documents. What on earth has any of this have to do with antiquities?”

Dr. Francis Preston

"It is the fact, sir, that certain scrolls originating from Abadan are apparently so valuable that criminals are prepared to murder for them. I myself was very nearly a victim. We have come to see if your expert knowledge can shed light on the contents of these scrolls and their references to such arcane figures as Sekh-T'aut and Nyarlathotep, whatever they may be."

Faez takes a step back in shock.

“Abadan? This is the second conversation I have had today about that cursed place. It is no coincidence, I wager”. He looks at Preston closely. “We had better discuss this in private.”

He turns to the hotel staff.

“Gentlemen, do not fear. These men are right to request an audience with me. They will accompany me to my room. Come, gentlemen.”

He indicates for Preston and James to follow him upstairs.

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston follows. "Those others were friends of ours. We have since learned some disturbing things, things which defy rational explanation. You are a scholar from Cairo, I believe?"

“I don’t doubt it. Yes, I work for the Cairo museum. I had heard rumours of the raid made by Colonel Hollingsworth during my research in Northern Sudan. To my horror, after making some enquiries here, I found them to be true.”

Faez stops a passing hotel staff member and requests some tea be brought to his room.

The room itself is a modest suite. There is a small foyer with a desk and chair, with a divan for relaxing. Faez indicates for our heroes to take a seat and takes the chair for himself. Some books and writing instruments lay on the desk. Another door leads off to what must be the bedroom. There doesn’t seem to be anything out if the ordinary.

“I take it that your friends informed you about their meeting with me?” Faez asks. “It was with great horror and sadness that I learned about the deaths of those soldiers. It would appear that the evil prophecy is coming to fruition. Colonel Hollingsworth has a lot to answer for.” He shakes his head grimly.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Indeed. My friends are attempting to speak with him at this very moment. Tell me, Mr. Faez, and you realize that as a medical proffesional I do not ask this lightly, but do you believe it is possible for the dead to be reanimated?" Preston describes the events at Dr. Jordan's apartment. "These apparently deceased men wore masks of canines or jackals. Is this not the symbol of Anubis or somesuch Egyptian deity?"

Faez listens aghast to this tale. “I have heard tell that there exists magic do raise the dead and have them do your bidding” he finally says. “Of course, to rational minds it sounds fantastic, but there is truth to it. And you have witnessed it, sir.”

He dabs his nose with a handkerchief. Just then, there is a knock at the door – the tea has arrived. Faez thanks the porter and pours tea for everyone. After taking a sip, he continues.

“Colonel Hollingsworth must be persuaded to part with this mummy. I fear that its dark power may have corrupted him. Gentlemen, do you think that this can be done?”

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston accepts the tea. "Of course I hope so but if we cannot persuade him then perhaps only the police can intervene. But what is this dark power you speak of? Does it have something to do with the prophecy written in the scrolls and this Nyarlathotep?"

“I know not of this… Nyarlathotep, you said? I have no idea as to the content of the scrolls. I am hearing this for the first time, after all. As I told your friends, the cult is shrouded in mystery, not much is known about them. The jackal is their symbol, and it does represent Anubis, so perhaps they worship him in some capacity.”

Faez puts down his teacup.

“Colonel Hollingsworth committed a grave act – murder and theft. He stole from the cult, and has prospered through his theft. So I am thinking that such a man can be easily corrupted, and the dark powers of the cult might win him to their cause, whatever it may be.”

He picks up his tea again, then puts it down.

“If we can persuade him to part with the mummy, then we will now that he is not corrupted. My colleagues and I at the Cairo Museum could take care of it. It may not pose a danger in its native land. Let me consult with them. I can then plan a course of action.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. But do you not fear reprisals from the cult if you become involved?"

Preston studies the man closely, attempting to determine if he is being entirely forthcoming.

“Of course, there is always a risk” replies Faez. “But this cannot be allowed to continue. Perhaps, tomorrow, I could join you at Hollingworth’s mansion after consulting my colleagues?”

Dr. Francis Preston

"Very well. I shall make arrangements with my companions to meet there at a convenient time. Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Faez." Preston drains his tea and gets up to leave, intending to head back to the Army and Navy Club for the night.

“Excellent!” say Faez, standing. “Please send a message here to the hotel when you are ready. Together we will beat this curse”.

OOC,Perhaps we’ve lost Ebinthetropics. I’ll mail and see if he wants to join you.

James returns to his flat while Preston checks in at the Army & Navy Club. As he is approaching near the back entrance, he hears a strange noise from where the rubbish bins are stored. It sounded like a gasp?

Dr. Francis Preston

"Hello there?" Preston cautiously approaches the bins.

Walking cautiously around the bins, Preston is greeted by a horrific view. Laying with his face frozen in absolute terror, eyes staring, mouth agape, is Toby Norton. Rubbish is strewn around him; he was obviously taking out the bins when he was attacked. He lays at an unnatural angle - his back seems to have been broken. The little man is a hideous, but pitiful sight.

OOC,Roll SAN for this tragic scene - if you fail roll 1d3 for loss. Also, roll Spot Hidden.

Dr. Francis Preston
Though shocked and appalled, Preston's training quickly takes over. "Help!" he cries, raising the alarm. Then he kneels beside Norton, feeling for a pulse.

Norton is obviously dead. Preston can see a man, fleeing into the foggy night.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Stop!" Preston runs after the fleeing man, drawing the revolver from his pocket.

Preston pursues the figure, but the gloomy night is getting foggier by the minute. It is hard to make him out in the murk.

OOC:   Roll Luck. If you succeed, you keep on his trail and get closer as he is slower than you. You can attempt a shot, but as you are both moving and due to the fog you have a -15% penalty, and you always run the risk of hitting a bystander.

Dr. Francis Preston
Despite the gloom Preston manages to close the gap on his quarry but doesn't dare attempt to fire. If he can just get close enough to grab the man or at least identify him...

As Preston nears the shambling figure he notices its head – the long ears, the snout-like face – a jackal!

OOC:   Roll Luck once more. Success will put Preston in range of grappling the figure, if he wants, or a shot at 20%.

Dr. Francis Preston
Gaining on the culprit, Preston tries to grapple him but is unable to take a firm hold.

The jackal-masked figure turns and swings its fist.

Fist/Punch,Fist 65: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/607315]Fist[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]5[/b] Damage 1d3+1d4: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/607317]Fist damage[/url]: [u]1d3+1d4[/u] [b]5[/b]

The blow connects to Preston's chest, breaking a rib and knocking him breathless to the ground, where he lays in agony. The figure flees into the fog.

OOC:   Sorry Wruter, critical success: he got Preston good.

Dr. Francis Preston
Groaning, Preston picks himself up and makes his way back to the club, where he nurses his injury and alerts the staff to the body of Norton. He also inquires as to the safety of Paice.

Norton’s body is discovered and the club is in uproar. Alan Paice had been asleep when the tragic event occurred, but he vouches for Preston to allay fears of his involvement and sees that he is properly cared for. The police are of course informed, and once Paice describes recent events, word is sent to Inspector Craddock – there has been yet another murder connected to his case.

OOC:   Good comeback on the First Aid roll! The others will be informed and everyone should reunite at the club - I'll begin a new thread.