Arthur sighs, "I knew we should have double backed and attacked these two on the surface. It's not something we English generally do but I ah, did tell you so".
Arthur Action:
Arthur will light up two more torches!
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"Agreed Barney, the real treasure here is in preserving our lives whilst we bring these creatures to their end. Which way next..."
Arthur muffles a curse as he turns his ankle on the way down.
Arthur grimaces at the decision not to take the fight to de Mendoza now but they are a group and will need to live and die as a group. Hopefully live. He Climbs down as well as best he can... but his best won't do...
"We must be cautious to ensure that we too do not fill that pit..."
"So you postulate that if we enter this place and 'defeat' whatever evil is within we will free de Mendoza and Larkin of this curse? I am not sure that I wish to leave them at our backs undealt with if they are truly servants of whatever this 'evil' may be. As far as climbing down a shaft, have we the proper gear for that? If not we would be better served finding another way down below that is less dangerous". Arthur lights the first of his torches at this point.
Once the group is within the main gate and well out of earshot Arthur speaks, "I believe that de Mendoza has begun the process of turning Larkin into a kharisiri. At first I believed it to be heroin withdrawal but his eyes looked oddly dark to me as I watched him. If we delay, it will be too late to save Larkin. Perhaps now is the time to strike at them? I certainly saw kharisiri atop this pyramid or my eyes deceived me. Your thoughts my friends as to how to proceed?"
Arthur sighs and turns to his fellow Investigators keeping his torch in one hand and lighter in another, "Shall we enter or shall we camp out here and explore the perimeter first? I think that we may need to make sure there are no natives to chase down first. What say we split up and do just that? de Mendoza, keep an eye on Larkin while the rest of us do just that? This way when we return, we will have a base of operations to rest in when night falls. I don't think staying within the Ruins is prudent if there are wild animals lurking within or graverobbers with ill intentions!"
"Prudent Mr. Chandler. Dark in there as well I would wager". He removes a torch from his backpack and proceeds to remove the zippo lighter as well. "Anyone else need one or will you be brandishing a weapon instead?"
Arthur tries to evaluate Larkin's health.
"Mr. Larkin, are you well? Perhaps we should stop for some water and a rest before we attempt to explore further?"
Arthur shifts away from De Mendoza and Larkin and whispers to his companions, "Quite sure I just saw more of our friends atop the Pyramid..." He then nods and speaks aloud, "I think you are right Henry, these structures do resemble those of the Tiwanku site on the south side of Lake Titicaca, over the border with Bolivia. I postulate that the 60 mile distance from Tiwanku suggests the site was meant to be remote from their main cities. I suppose we will never know why until we enter and explore ourselves".
Arthur strokes his chin thoughtfully at the strange terrain and man made buildings that have been erected. The strange distended mouth is particularly interesting.
Based upon their effectiveness, Arthur seeks to stock up on torches and at least two more zippo lighters if he can find them. Thereafter he casually watches de Mendoza's movements whether by day or by night (if he can). He asks at least one more member of the team to accompany him.
Arthur nods in agreement with Henry's logic. "Those creatures, were fearsome. Tis a good thing that we were warned of their susceptibility to fire. However, I've used three torches and now have only seven left! If de Mendoza makes the connection between our trip here and the loss of his minions we may still have a problem with him. We must make sure we are not separated from each other in his presence".
"Agreed. If we do that we may alert our, associates, foes, I am not sure what to call them of our intentions. We should stay near them but be wary". Arthur likewise pants as he too hustles away at the sounds of the sirens.
Arthur relinquishes the torch to Henry and indeed reaches back to light another. I hope this works else we are in trouble...
Arthur steps forward and brandishes the torch at the old woman trying to grab Henry's arm.
Arthur grabs another torch from his pack and tries to light it, this time instead of throwing it, he holds it and waves it in the creatures direction.
Arthur lights one of the torches and hurls it at the smaller "creature" that appears to be a child. It misses, not by much, but it misses.
Arthur catches up and draws his lighter from his pocket and lights it, he reaches into his backpack to grab at a torch. His lungs wheeze at the strain of catching up after falling behind and then falling on his behind!
Arthur has grit, the same grit that allowed him to survive the trenches of the Great War, he gets up and continues.
But his lungs stil have yet to recover and running was not something that was ever his forte'.
Arthur will keep following, placing a hand in his pocket to grab his lighter.
Despite his robust Constitution, the altitude takes a toll on Arthur and he lags behind, he slows his pace to a jog to at least stay within range in case his fellow investigators manage to catch one of these, spies?
Understood, interested to see them in action!
Damn, this talk of magic had me distracted, I should have mentioned those two earlier. Arthur begins to give chase!
"Repaired... with Magic? Now we are to believe there is magic that can effect a God from another world? I love myths and legends but this is all becoming rather fantastical is it not?"
Post tea Arthur feels much better, whether that is because of the tea or because tea to the English is like Sampson's hair was to him will have to remain a mystery.
Arthur listens to the tale, "Assuming for a moment there is truth in this myth, what was so special about these stones that a sky God would be humbled by them? Or is it something in the nature of the property of gold?"
Arthur nods at Jackson's suggestion on the tea and seeks it out as soon as he can. "Indeed, it would be wise to consult a local, perhaps we can show her our find..."
Arthur smiles though he is rubbing his temples, "It's ah... it's nice. But ahh..." WHEEZE. [b]"It's a bit different than England, Egypt of Arkham. These hills are dizzyingly high..."{/b] He continues to rub his temples and close his eyes.
--- Constitution check 75% - --- The Archaeology Professor chooses to ride with Jackson. Despite a normally robust Constitution, Arthur is having a hard time breathing the farther the group travels into the Mountains.
Arthur is incredulous at the statement, "Natural causes? That's absurd". He sighs, "Still, Chandler is right, who would believe this story. I agree, let's move and keep what we have seen and what we have found to ourselves. We should never be alone with Larkin or de Mendoza lest we suffer the same fate as that poor girl. Mad as it may seem, we should stop off and get supplies that allow us to create fires. Fireworks, torches, lighters, etc. etc." Arthur heads towards the door as he is speaking certainly ready to leave.
Arthur raises his eyebrows, "My word, de Mendoza! He put a parasite in the Professor. This is unconscionable. I am not sure that we should go on a dig at all my friends. We should take the Professor to a hospital, take the worm so that it's origin can be identified and have the local authorities take this de Mendoza into custody for murder and attempted murder."
"Hmm, let me see if there is anything I can do..."
Arthur steps back in, "I see no one out there. Can we do anything for him, perhaps take him to the hospital, immediately!?"
"Madness!" Arthur grabs anything that could be used as a weapon and steps back into the hallway. Spot Hidden 70% -
"What the devil? How odd this entire scene is. Poor soul. I would deduce this is Professor Sanchez's student Trinidad Rizo but if she was a young girl how could this have happened to her? Her appearance is... dreadful". Arthur reaches into the pocket to lift the notebook and points to the open crate, "What do you make of the contents Mr. Lipscomb?" Arthur reads the notebook aloud, "The translation the Professor discussed is as follows..." Once he is done reading, "Now, we've got to get the Professor and the authorities here right away". Gaunt and deathlike, just like this young girl... and that gold in the crate. I wonder.
All of this talk of cultists and dangers did not scare Arthur off but he did regret not bringing a gun along with him on the trip, Curse me for a fool assuming that this was all legitimate. The offer may have been too good to be true. Still, this Jackson could be wrong, I suppose time will tell... --- After a night's rest, Arthur dresses in an outfit identical to the first and meets at the local watering hole to accompany Jackson and Chandler to the Museo de Arqueologia y Antropologia. Arthur remains quiet and heads off with Chandler, after all, Archaeology is his specialty. Arthur steps back at the sight... Sanity 70% but composes himself stoically. At Lipscomb's statement, Arthur looks around warily. Spot Hidden 70% He then steps forward to assist Dr. Sanders in looking at the body. "I have seen mummies before in Egypt..." Medicine 40%
Arthur awaits the responses to the questions posed by his new companions, an astute group so far. Always good to know that one is surrounded by competent colleagues!
--- "This is not a business where you can trust anyone. However, if what he says is true, the opportunity is too good to pass up. If you do not trust him, why are you here?"
"Agreed Barney, this may well be one of the most memorable days in the field of Archaeology. What is a momentous occasion without some strong drink?"
"Agreed".
"And yet they were found in the same location? Fascinating, I am already interested to see more".
Arthur is about to speak when Barney asks most of the questions that come to his mind, "Do you have any idea what time period these pieces may be from Mr. Larkin? They are not from the same period, or at least they do not appear to be".
"Pyramid eh? Not a Ziggurat? Interesting. I will have to compare any carvings on this site to those I saw in Egypt". He takes the items for inspection as well though appraisal itself was never his strong suit...
"Mister Larkin, Mr. HUghes, Mr. Mendoza. Arthur Carter, thank you for your invitation. I too am interested to understand where we will dig and the legend behind what it is we are looking for", he gives a stiff formal bow before taking a seat.
"Archaeology ah.. Barney. Though most recently I have taken sabbatical from Miskatonic University to be here. My travels across the Atlantic took place a few years ago. The offer of such a position was too tempting to resist in juxtaposition with sifting through Egyptian sands and finding little. Then, after I leave, my Uncle discovers the tomb. Suffice to say I was apoplectic at my decision to abandon the dig. Thus, this was an offer I could not resist". He picks up his glass and raises it in a host to his newest companions, "To success in this endeavor".
Arthur listens to the small talk for a few moments until he hears the name Larkin, it is perfectly clear that these men are here for the same reason that he is. He stands, flattens out his suit a bit to ensure presentability and approaches the group, "Arthur Carter. How do you do Gentlemen". His accent is unmistakably British.
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