Supercape Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 GM Satturday 29th January Trust Al-Hakim The hazy message spread in front of Saeid Ashoubi's eyes. He wasn't quite sure if it was something he could see, or hear, or if it had somehow just infused into his mind. Possibly, it was all three. Or perhaps it was none of them. What Saeid did know, with an unnatural certainty, was that it was a message from Adrian Elditch. No sooner had the message 'arrived' that he heard the knock knock of his front door. And when he went down to answer it, he was less than surprised when the man introduced himself. "Hello, Mr. Ashoubi? I am Professor Al-Hakim, Freedom City, lecturer in Egyptology. I am sorry to bother you, but a mutual friend of ours, Eldritch, sent me...do you mind if I come in?" Professor Al-Hakim was a short man, of average build, well dressed in a plain grey suit and tie. He wore silver rimmed round glasses, and a fedora. His hair was white, as was his thick but well trimmed moustache. Lines wore his face, but he had that shine of intelligence in his dark brown eyes. He stooped slightly, but it seemed to be more out of polite deference than any physical infirmity. The only sign of any such debilitation was a slightly ragged scar running over his neck, now faded with decades of aging. Link to comment
Airon Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 "Welcome, welcome..." Saeid paused for a second before realizing he was standing in the doorway "P-please, come in." Still a bit bedazzled by the arcane message quickly followed by the unusual guest, Saeid made way for the professor to the living room, and showed him to a comfortable armchair. "Would you like some mint tea? The kettle is already on." asked then Saeid in a whisper "I'm sorry to talk so quietly, but my wife is resting." he pointed at the closed door of the main bedroom. After all the formalities were over, he sat down on the couch with his teacup "So, professor... to what do I owe this visit?" Link to comment
Supercape Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 GM The professor sat himself down quietly. He was demure, polite and softly spoken, accepting every courtesy graciously. "it is must peculiar I confess" he started. "you should understand that my field of study, Egyptology, occasionally throws up...matters that are of interest to the mystics of the world. Whilst I would humbly say that I am of some international renown in my field, I am not a mystic myself. Elder itch handles that department. So, from time to time he asks for my advice, and from time to time I point out something of interest to him..." "there is no particularly easy way to say this. But I have recently unearthed some parchment. A prophecy, most probably. It originated in Egypt, but is incomplete. It references a child, one who was woven in with the very cosmos. One who could save the world or plunge it into never ending darkness and disaster. " "The meaning is unclear. It is written most cryptically. I doubt it's true meaning could be deciphered, even if one had the complete manuscripts. which we don't. But the references do indicate one thing..." He put his mint tea down as gently as possible. "your wife is with child, is she not? No, I have not spied on you or asked around. I knew, because the scrolls indicate that the child in question is yours!" Link to comment
Airon Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 At least ten full seconds passed before Saeid was able to talk. In the last days most of his attention had been concentrated on his future child and hearing such a shocking revelation left him stunned. He put the teacup on the table with a slightly trembling hand, then looked back at the professor. “My child. A prophecy. The destiny-the destiny of the world.†He picked up again the teacup, his hand slipped, he dropped most of the tea on the table, and brought to his lips the almost empty cup trying to drink what wasn’t there. “I’m sorry, this must be a misunderstanding of some sort." said then after somehow regaining control "You say Dr. Eldritch is your mystical consultant – what does he have to say about that?†he slapped in the back corner of his mind the mystical message he received from his teacher, hoping the professor hade made a mistake. Link to comment
Supercape Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 GM “My child. A prophecy. The destiny-the destiny of the world.†“I’m sorry, this must be a misunderstanding of some sort. You say Dr. Eldritch is your mystical consultant – what does he have to say about that?†The professor put down his own tea and waited calmly. "Please, forgive the melodrama" he replied as gently as he could "You must understand, these documents, are, well, cryptic to say the least. And incomplete. Eldritch is probably as bemused as I am. Their meaning is unclear. I can determine some important themes from the fragments I have. The strands of fate are continually references. Forgive my poetic description, but there is something about destiny being woven into the fabric of the universe by forces well beyond me comprehension. Whatever the case, they also refer to the child of the weaver. Cross referencing various astrological signs and clues, it all points to you. Or rather, your child". His eyes momentarily glanced upstairs, to the pregnant wife. "Or the child to be, to put it more accurately. Something about this child being entangled in the threads of destiny. For good, or ill, I am not clear. Maybe both, maybe neither. I get the impression the forces referred to are beyond such concepts as Good and Evil". "What I would suggest, however, is that we try and track down the remaining fragments of these scrolls. I know your wife may need you at this juncture, but...your child may need you too...to make sense of this..." Link to comment
Airon Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 “The notion of Dr. Eldritch being perplexed is almost as troubling as you recognizing my unborn child in those ancient scrolls, professor.†Weaver put up an uncertain smile, trying to hide his preoccupation. “I’ll be glad to help you. I’ll do whatever I can so that you can make sense of this prophecy issue.†He caressed his beard, as he always did when he was thinking “I certainly am motivated, after what you told me, though I don’t think I am the most qualified person to do it – Dr. Eldritch would be more suited, but I’m fairly sure that him being distracted by this matter would lead to Ancient Horrors taking over the planet.†Another worry-covering joke. He hoped his grin wouldn’t get too hysterical and fake. “So, I’ll need to know a little bit more, at least to understand if telling my wife about it – which I plan to do – will put her in real danger.†He glanced at the closed door behind which slept Jamila. “So, what can I do to help?†Link to comment
Supercape Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 GM "a trip to Egypt" replied the professor. "now, I totally realise that it is something of an inconvenience, especially at this time. Eldritch was generous enough to provide some help in that matter..." Out of his pocket he pulled out a small object. It was a little bigger than a palm, and seemed to be made of silver. It looked to all intents ad purposes like a small urn, albeit masterfully wrought and engraved. "Essence of Egypt" replied the professor to Weavers unasked question. "some fume, or gas, or quite possibly something that is not even material. If I open this, we arrive in Egypt. The power of dreams and memories, Eldritch said. " "In any case, I propose we travel there, and try and find the remaining Scrolls. Eldritch managed to divine a few leads on that matter..." Link to comment
Airon Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 “I am afraid I’m going to have to ask you to wait for a few moments, professor.†He stood up from the couch “I’ll go tell Jamila about this predicament, and it might take a while. Please†he pointed to the tray on the table “feel free to serve yourself. There are some delicious spiced pastries in the round tin box.†He left the living room, entered the bedroom and closed the door behind himself. “Hey, honey?†he whispered while caressing her wife shoulder. “Mmmyeah, ‘m awake.†replied her. She lifted herself on an elbow and took a sip from the orange juice on the nightstand “the baby’s been kicking like crazy.†Saeid smiled at her, his heart full with pain and worry. “Listen honey, something came up. Something of the “Eldritch think it’s important and we’re personally involved†variety.†“That is never good, right? Why is it always evil undead sorcerers, and never the king of leprechauns who wants to give us a pot of gold?†“It’s a bit more complicated than that…†*** About twenty minutes later Saeid came back to the living room, accompanied by his wife “Professor Al-Hakim?†asked her “my name is Jamila Ashoubi. Nice to meet you.†she shook his hand “My husband explained the situation to me. Please find out what this is, I don’t want my child to be born during another Terminus Invasion or similar Apocalypse.†She kissed Saeid goodbye, then went back to the bedroom. Saeid adjusted his shirt, a bit stretched over the costume it was covering. Arug, laid down, raised a corner and inched close to his master “Well then, professor. I think I’m ready. I hope we have an urn full of hot dog ashes, essence of capitalism and dirt from the Grand Canyon for the trip back…†Link to comment
Supercape Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 GM "Delightful wife you have there, Mr. Ashoubi. You are a lucky man!" “Well then, professor. I think I’m ready. I hope we have an urn full of hot dog ashes, essence of capitalism and dirt from the Grand Canyon for the trip back…†"I think it is not so much the essence in the pot, but the essence of our dreams" said the professor "Eldritch gave quite detailed instructions. If you just sit back, relax, and close your eyes..." The professor followed his own advice, sitting very still. "And, then, one thinks, or maybe dreams, of the place in your heart. For me, the smells, the sounds...of..." He opened the urn, and out came a fragrant smell, of soporific quality, eyelids became heavy, and the head span in a pleasant manner, lifting the two men out of themselves. "...Cairo!" finished the professor as he awoke and opened his eyes. The two men were in a rather elegant apartment, full of Egyptian artifacts, books, and a pleasant musty smell. The windows were wide open, letting in the vibrant sounds, sights, and smells of busy central Cairo. "My old home!" explained the professor. Link to comment
Airon Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 When Saeid opened his eyes, he turned around his head and squeezed his eyes “Well… I’ve been teleported a few times now, but you never get used to it, do you, professor?†He looked down the street, looking for cars and analyzing the clothing “Your old house… you don’t mean we went back to one or two dozens years ago, do you, right?†he grinned: it was joke, but you could never know with powerful spells – time travel was something to leave for a more experienced hero. “It should be around what, 6 PM?" he asked then looking for a clock "I have to say, this is a lovely place, professor†rather rudely, Saeid started perusing around immersing himself in the old-fashioned surroundings, looking closely to the artifacts on display, though he didn’t dare touch anything. Then his gaze fell upon a drawing of a child on an old manuscript, and it brought back the weight of the situation, cancelling the hype of the magical travel. He rubbed his temples. “So, our mission. What clues did you and Dr. Eldritch have put together to guide our investigation?†Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 GM “So, our mission. What clues did you and Dr. Eldritch have put together to guide our investigation?†Link to comment
Airon Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 “Just one moment, if you please, professor†Saeid put his hand on the professor’s forearm to block him. “I’d rather check on something. One of these mendicants seems very curious about us, and as we are no stranger sight, nor display significantly more wealth than the average tourists, I would very much like to know the reason of this interest.†he pointed, as discretely as possible, to the beggar in question. “Don’t worry, it’s probably nothing, just wander around here for a few seconds; I just don't want to take an unnecessary chance.†After explaining so, he got closer to a large group of people following an English-speaking tour guide “Hey! Is that Daniel Daedalus flying near the nose?†he exclaimed. Several dozens of tourists turned started moving and yelling while trying to get a better view. Saeid used the confusion to get lost in the crowd, without losing sight of the beggar and the professor. Now he stood casually in a large group of tourists listening to an Egyptian guide, staying semi-hidden behind a large fat man, keeping an eye on the professor and one on the beggar, ready to observe what the latter would do. Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 GM The beggar looked at the non-existence Daedalus before turning back and cursing under his breath. He had lost Weaver. He looked around frantically and started to elbow his way through the crowds, intent on finding Weaver. His interest in the Professor seemed quite secondary. He was eventually stopped by two tourist police, one of whom gave him a rather heavy handed tap to his chest with his baton. "" the police officer said, quietly but with determination as the beggar bent over slightly from the blow "" said the other, as they both grabbed him by the elbows and frog marched him out to the streets of Ciaro, despite his complaints... Link to comment
Airon Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 As he saw the beggar being escorted outside, Saeid closed his eyes for a second, reaching out mentally to the semblance of mind he had awakened into Arug. Follow him. See where he goes. Don’t let anybody see you. He received a mental confirmation from the carpet, and got back to the professor. Arug flew off, staying close to the rooftops to avoid being seen, keeping his senses focused on the beggar. “Here I am again, professor.†he put a hand on his forearm to get his attention as he re-approached him in the middle of the tourist crowd “We shall proceed undisturbed now, I hope. What exactly are we looking for, by the way? I am somewhat skilled in working a crowd to get information, but what should I put my attention towards?†Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 GM "I doubt this band of tourists will be of much help" replied the Professor, a faint hint of arrogance in his voice. It was hard not to see his point, given the general level of ignorance amongst the crowds. "No, what we need is inside..." Later, Inside... A solitary guard was with them, with a large electric lamp. Both the professor and Saeid had been offered one too, and the professor gladly took one. Here they were, right inside the heart of the Sphinx itself! "They built this to last, eh?" smiled the professor aiming a wink at Saeid. "Now, you see this? Antechambers, passageways. All excavated of course...but the scrolls indicated something was missing...something that somehow must be shielded from prying eyes. I doubt the ancient Egyptians had access to technology that could counter our own instruments. So, I confess it must be something arcane..." He shrugged "Do you understand the world of magic?" he asked Saeid politely. Link to comment
Airon Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 “As a matter of fact, I do. A little.†He didn’t want to sound useless – but at the same time, he couldn’t exaggerate his abilities. “I have been taking extensive lessons from Dr. Elditch – I have a decent understanding of the basic principles of arcane practice, however my studies lack the depth of the knowledge of a true wizard. And as a practitioner, I am limited to a very, very specific window – which I am afraid it is not what we’ll need. I lack the skill to perform a proper ritual meant to unveil something screened by ancient magic.†He was regretting now more than ever not to have studied harder. “At most, I can examine a location to try and understand if said ritual is in fact needed. Did the doctor provide you with some other "bottled charm" for such an occasion?†Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 GM "It seems we are on our own there, my friend" he said, tapping his jacket pocket where the silver vial lay "the fumes are the stuff of dreams, and through the dreams we can fly.." he said, in a poetic rhythm. He tapped the solid stone beside him. "But not through rock, it seems..." Instead he put his lamp down by the floor and took out his laptop. He still had the original scrolls, but for careful examination - and indeed safety from degregation, the electronic format was better. "Look here..." he said pointing out various scrawls on the fragments that Saeid could barely understand. "The insinuation is that the extra chambers are not entirely here. Or rather, they are here, but not entirely real. Perhaps they do exist here, but are not actual rooms, but are in a dimension other than the material one we reside in. Like dreams, eh?" He chuckled slightly, in a pleasant manner. He was enjoying himself. "We just need to get there. Perhaps this is something you can understand?" he said, hopefully, showing Saeid the laptop. Link to comment
Airon Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 “Like dreams, you say. Hmmm…†Saeid squinted as he tried to make out some more glyphs from the incomplete incantation “It most assuredly talks about the devanic realms. Things can be bizarre, there. Quite new territory for me – but I’m am positive we have to pass through them to get to these hidden chambers.†He grabbed a piece of chalk from under his robe, and scribbled very faintly on the floor “I hope we don’t get caught… I’m pretty sure I can go to jail for doing this inside the Sphinx.†While reciting by heart a few formulas, trying not to get the intonation wrong, he drew a circle several feet of diameter, stepped inside and invited the professor to do the same. “I find myself short on advanced magical supplies – and I doubt you have a Silver Candle of Oragoh, so we are going to have to enter the devanic realms the old fashioned way. It’s very simple… though I'm afraid not easy at all.†The dramatic pause was unintentional, but well-placed anyway “we need to dream and, therefore, to fall asleep. Thankfully, the good Doctor taught me an Olmec lullaby that should help…†he lied down inside the circle, closed his eyes, cleared his throat and started chanting sotto voce. Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 GM It was hard to say exactly when or even if the guard, the professor, and Saeid fell asleep. But somehow thing just appeared that bit different, like time was running through a thick fog. Many thing appeared less real, and many things appeared the reverse. Dust fell from the tunnel in slow motion. And, inexplicably, a new door had appeared, carved of granite and engraved with heiroglyphics. The professor leaned towards the door, stroking it with his hands. "Between life, and the little death, only the dreamer will enter..." he read, his hand following the writing. With the most gentle of pushes, the door swung open soundlessly, revealing a small dim room, notable only for a raised pedestal on top of which was a bone scroll case. "Well done, Sir!" he said to Saeid, before reaching out to the case with eager hands... Link to comment
Airon Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Saeid put a hand on the professor forearm with the firm intention of stopping him. “But professor! I would have thought that you, of all people, were as big a fan as possible of the Indiana Jones series.†said smiling “I don’t know how time works in this “extra roomsâ€â€¦ but I believe that a spending a bit of it looking for protective spells on the goal of our search it is not a waste. Call me paranoid, but a case made out of bone brings out my most cautious side.†Paying attention to his footing and to eventual visible cracks in the walls or floor, Saeid begun exploring the small room and the pedestal for traps. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the Weaver costume underneath it. Scarves flew off like tentacles and he proceeded to touch and press the floor between them and the case, then on to the pedestal’s steps. “I don’t want to deprive you of the emotion of completing your scrolls, professor, but even if there are no traps, I think it’s safer if I pick up the scroll case remotely.†pointed out while moving a scarf forward to envelop the case. Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 GM The professor pushed his spectacles back onto his head from the position of "sliding down the nose in excitement". "Yes, yes, probably very wise, very wise" he replied, letting Saeid do the work whilst he circled the scroll case, his mind entranced by his prize. "Not like there is any rush...I suppose..." he added, knowing the this was indeed correct, but unable to completely disguise his vexation at not being able to pounce on the scrolls and digest them right then and there. "This will truly be an incredible find! the mysteries we can on fold once we have it! astonishing! I cannot contain myself!" The little professor, so polite and demure normally, actually started hopping from one foot to the other in excitement, and rubbed his hands together with anticipation. Link to comment
Airon Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Saeid saw the excitement barely contained by the professor. “It seems as if I was over-cautious†explained “there is no trace of traps around the scroll – of course, it could be possible that something mystical escaped my inquiry. In that regard, it is the “open case, ask questions later†approach for us, I think.†A long blue scarf flew off his costume, gently wrapping itself around the scroll case and lifting it from its pedestal. Weaver grabbed the case from his costume and presented it to the professor, whose eyes seemed ready to pop out of his orbits judging by how he was staring at the goal of his search. “Since I had you waiting unnecessarily, I think the honor of opening it should be yours.†Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 (GM) "Thank you, I would be delighted..." said the Professor, politely but with glee. Slowly he reached out and took the bone case in his hand. With a deep sigh and glinting eyes, he gently took off the top of the case. A small puff of dust came out, followed by dry parchment, full of strange heiroglyphics... "It's incredible!" said the Professor as a strange zephyr wafted through the room. "Incredible! it speaks of entities beyond time and space...as the universe and heavens and hells wheel around, dancing with each other, as wings of butterflies cause earthquakes, its beyond chaos...beyond order..." His eyes took on a glazed hypnotic glow, and the whole room seemed distant somehow. Chaotic chimes could be half-heard, and stars and suns wheeled around in Saeid's mind's eye. He had a horrible and terrible sensation of the infinte, of his smallness, and how fates and fortunes were woven in the fabric of the universe. It was beyond his understanding but in the face of such cold vastness of everything a feeling of nothing permeated him...it was insanity and the human mind could not help but shrivel at the sensations..." "Muaahahhaa!" laughed the Professor, dropping the scrolls with lifeless hands, falling onto his rear and sitting, almost gibbering, with the experience. Link to comment
Airon Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 The shocking sensation of insignificance, of being just the smallest thread enveloped with infinite others in a massive, cosmic yarn. Saeid curled up in a corner of the small room, his scarves wrapped around him like a cocoon. He put forward one of his fabric appendages, trying to touch the opposite wall, but it was so distant! So far away, so unreachable! The shock provoked by the scroll lasted for several minutes, though for Saeid it feeled closer to a month. When he finally tried to reassess the situation, he found out that most of his lucidity was gone and he had a hard time concentrating even for the smallest amount of time. His eyes closed, he crawled on his knees and hands towards the professor. He tasted the ground around him, delicately, trying to recover the scroll: once his hand landed on the piece of parchment, he put it back on the case without looking at it. Only when he heard the thud! Of the case closing he dared take a look around. Putting the scroll case away in one of the many folds of his costume, he grabbed Al-Hakim’s hand “we… we have to get help.†he pushed open the door from where they came in – hoping to reappear in a world without hidden chambers. Link to comment
Supercape Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 GM The room swam from view, as the guard, professor, and superhero struggled back to their senses. The poor guard was in shock, unable to speak, move or react. He had a glazed expression to his eyes, and was gibbering rubbish phrases over and over again... "strand of fate. strand of fate. strand of fate. strand of fate..." "Did you feel it, did you see it?" said the professor clutching weaver with equally ravaged eyes "something in the case, something...horrible, but magnificent too..." He held up the bone case with the scroll in. "Now, we have it! quickly, let us begone from here, so I can look at these properly..." He gazed around the small stone corridor. "This way...I...er...think..." Link to comment
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