Guthrie Wilson's page

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 8 + More Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 4 =12
WIld Notice: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"I"ll get right to the point, sir. We are independent investigators on the trail of a group of brutal murderers. We came to Lesser-Edale because the news coverage of the attacks here suggested they may be related to our own investigations. Your vicar assured us they could not be related, but we did hear quite a howling noise at this end of the vale. We accompanied your town constable as he set out to look into the matter, but he didn't seem to keen on getting up this way. So, we took it upon ourselves to see how things are up here."

Wilson thanks Sumners as he gets down from the truck and approaches the well-dressed man. He decides to take it fairly easy on the greeting and not press too hard at this point.

"Good day, sir. My name is Guthrie Wilson, and these are my associates, Forest Roosevelt, Chang Cain, Kwan Ho, Father Murphy, and Jake Westfield. We rang ahead from the town this morning and hope our visit won't intrude too much on castle hospitality. May we come in?"

I hope I haven't missed anyone on the introductions.

"Wolves, eh? Have they a history of being particularly aggressive in these parts? I wouldn't have expected wolves to be a problem in Britain."

That there dice roller is very quirky for me today.

Notice Sumners: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Wild Sumners: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Notice Crates: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Wild Crates: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Really, dice roller? Really?!?

Wilson pitches in to help with the crates, though the fatigue from the night before is telling and keeping him off his game.

"A tour? That's a capital idea, Chang. I expect a fellow like you, Mr. Sumners, knows a great deal about the local history as well. The Constable seemed quite proud of the castle's role in history last night. I was hoping, perhaps, you could tell us a bit about it. Right now, I feel woefully ignorant about the castle and lord and I'd like to avoid embarrassing ourselves with that ignorance."

Persuasion: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Wild explosion: 1d6 ⇒ 6
More Wild explosion: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Still more: 1d6 ⇒ 6
An embarrassment of riches: 1d6 ⇒ 4
For, uh, a 28 on my persuasion check

"We had best get cleaned up as well. It has been a long night and we want to make a decent impression." Wilson says before looking to secure a place to stay, and therefore tidy up, with he publican.

I had to resist saying "Castles don't have phones, @$$#0£€" a la The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

"I suggest we give them a call at a more decent time rather than come calling at all hours. If that howling was coming from up the vale in the castle vicinity, they may have some more information or some evidence of what it was, particularly if it bothers any of their animals."
"I didn't hear any barking, though. I thought owning hunting dogs of some sort was a common practice among aristocrats," Wilson muses further.

Wilson raises an eyebrow at the mention, "Castle? I understand many old castles and manors are falling out of use, these days. Is the castle still inhabited? Maybe they heard or saw something."

"Hmm... he seems to be trying to get rid of us. What are they hiding in this community?" Wilson reflects. "I had better look sharp."

Focusing on people's behavior, particularly that of the constable.
Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Wilson, eager to get to the bottom of this mystery, follows suit with Jake, securing his pistol and then following after the Constable.

Survival: 1d4 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Wilson closes in on Jake and speaks lowly into his ear so none of the pub patrons will hear. "The Reverend thinks the town's problem isn't related to ours, but whatever it was the constable shot, he either didn't kill it or there is more than one. Something's howling up the vale."

Know (Psych): 1d4 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
Wild: 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Wilson, finding the Reverend a little frustrating, says, "Well, you heard that howl as surely as we did. Are you coming to find the constable with us, or not? I'm sure your word would go a long way to convince the constable of the situation if he is not inclined to believe a group of strangers."

Wilson gets up, ready to head our from the church, and says, "I think we may have just found some doubt that the animal slunk off to die, Reverend. Or maybe there is more than one. Either way, I think it would behoove us to cooperate. I think we had better fetch your constable."

Wilson at first look at Caine, not sure where he is going with the translation reference, but as the conversation settles in, he speaks up, "We have come all this way, Reverend, and even if you are correct and your situation is not related to ours, we may yet offer a bit of our help in solving it."

Welcome strangers, I'm the Right Reverend Jeremy Stratton, the Vicar of Lesser-Edale. What brings you gentlemen to the Lord's house?

Wilson steps forward and extends a hand in greeting. "Reverend, my associates and I are interested in learning a bit about your town and certain...recent... events.

Persuasion: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"The pub's a great idea, guys. Good luck hunting rumors there. I'll go with Chang to the church. There may be interesting information in the cemetery, but the local clergy will probably know even more in a small town like this."

"Oh, dear. Both events - the trucks from the Blue Pyramid and this killer in Derwent - coincided with phases of the moon that are traditionally portentous - new and full," he considers options for a moment.
"In light of killing the driver, we may want to lay low on that particular avenue of investigation and hope things calm down. Perhaps we can check out Misr House, or whatever it is, closer to the new moon and go check out the Derwent killer now."

"Before we rush off to another town, we might want to consider the date. That dancer at the club, Yalesha, said that Tewfik al-Sayed takes groups of men in a truck every couple of weeks and the last time was maybe 11 or 12 days ago. Roosevelt found a map at Sayed's that led to a place called Misr, near some marshland. When Jake and I looked through Mahoney's old newspapers, we found a reference to Ed Gavigan taking control of a place called Misr House. That may be a real connection between the Egyptian murders and the Penhew Foundation because I can't really see two places in England having that name by coincidence. We might want to check that place out too - and probably by hiring a car rather than relying on the train."

Inspired by the idea of things going on there every 2 weeks, Wilson starts looking about for a newspaper that lists the phases of the moon. With full moons following new moons after about 2 weeks, and vice versa, the 2 week timeframe starts to look significant.

Wilson broods in thought over his drink for a while. "It's good to be in a country that isn't mired in Prohibition, especially at times such as this." He looks about the group, regarding his fellow investigators.
"Let's get the discussion going here - pool our leads - and see which of them we should look into next. What did we get from Sayed's place? A key to a safety deposit box, a map to a place called Misr, and some other oddments? Am I missing anything?"

"If we want to take a look inside the Penhew Foundation, we're running short of time. We either have to hustle now or wait another night. Frankly, I think we may have had more than enough excitement for one night."

"I agree with Jake. We need to clean up and fast. Wipe down everything you think one of us touched. Clean up footprints. And no fighting among ourselves! This situation is bad enough without us making it worse with a brawl." Wilson says as he tries to clean Sayed's blood off himself.

He sighs. "There's one person who knows we know anything at all about Tewfek al-Sayed. Yalesha, the girl at the Blue Pyramid. She doesn't seem the type to talk about it, though, does she?"

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Wild Notice: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Wilson searches for more clues about the main living area of the apartment. Sayid's body in the bedroom just makes the situation too real.

Mythos: 1d4 ⇒ 4 + Mythos Ace: 1d4 ⇒ 2 = 6
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I actually understand that, Father. I'm not sure how much of it I understand, but I'm starting to get a feeling for just how disturbing this all is. This is power - real power. Jackson was onto a hell of a lot more than just Thugees this time."

Wilson keeps his gun at the ready to deal with Sayid should he need to do so.
"We've been hearing a lot lately about Bloody Tongues and Black Pharaohs and, frankly, we find it all a bit confusing. Rumor has it that you can explain some of it to us and how it relates to the murders of some people we know."

Persuasion: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Not sure persuasion will be of too much help, but I'm not particularly good at intimidation, so I'm using the approaches I know best.

Wilson reaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out his pistol, stepping into the room and trying to find a way to level the gun at Sayid without risking Kwan Ho.

"Lookout! He's reaching for something!" Wilson calls out.

Since I'm not the one who surprised Sayid, I'm trying to make sure what I'm doing isn't directly affecting either Kwan Ho or Sayid - at least not until Kwan Ho has had his chance to take his surprise action...

"I wouldn't worry too much about our lights being seen from the street. It's late and foggy. As long as don't don't waste too much time, we are unlikely to be caught by passers-by," Wilson suggests. "I am more concerned about the light upstairs and who may be up there."

Looking at the situation in the back, is the window on the knob side of the door close enough to the door so that, I dunno, someone could break the window and reach through to unlock the door?

Wilson looks over the situation and sighs. "At least the fog and late hours should keep whatever we do from most prying eyes."

And assuming we've had time to swing by the hotel, Wilson now has his pistol (Colt 1911) on him.

Every two weeks? When was the last time they met here, Yalesha? Wilson interjects in an effort to steer the conversation onto the immediate topic.

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Wild Notice: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Streetwise: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Wild Streetwise: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Wilson points out one of the dancers...Jake, I think you've got a fan. She seems to want to talk you. Must be a benefit of being a movie star."

A lorry pulls away from an alley at the side of the Penhew and makes a left turn onto the road.

His curiosity piqued, 5pm striking him as being a bit late for deliveries, Wilson peers after the truck.

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"It might just be a vault for particularly valuable artifacts, but I wouldn't think something like that would be hidden - just well protected with a reinforced door."

"I hope you don't mind me speaking up, Kwan, but Kwan also confided in me that he overheard some voices when the receptionist spoke with Gavigan. He thought they sounded Middle Eastern and that someone said the name "Jackson Elias"." I purposefully avoided directly mentioning him but I can't imagine that Gavigan failed to connect us with him."

Wilson purses his lips considering a course of action. "Jackson wanted to know more about the Carlyle Expedition's work in Egypt. He wanted to look over their itinerary. The Foundation should retain records of that and their contacts. I found Gavigan's claims about not knowing any of the expedition's Egypt contacts not credible and I think we've worn our welcome here in an official capacity. So I think a little night visit may be our best chance of getting both as well as getting a peek in the basement."

"Well, £3500... Carlyle's reaction to his lover running off... Either would be motive to pursue her. And £3500 is more than enough to encourage any locals friendly to her to get their hands dirty wiping our her pursuers. The romantic notions in the papers that Carlyle and company were on the hunt for some fabled Biblical treasure strain credibility. And the heatstroke story? Plausible, but Carlyle strikes me as the type whose recovery would be better served sipping champagne at some Mediterranean resort than hiking about the Rift Valley. No, I suspect Carlyle's lover figures into things somehow."

Holy cow, Jake! That was one magical d4!

Mythos: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Wild Mythos: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Wild Notice: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"It's clear to see that the Foundation is well poised to continue to support archaeological efforts in Egypt, Mr. Gavigan. I hope you don't mind another question or two. Did you or the Foundation receive any word from Sir Aubrey after the crisis of the African lover and the missing funds that might indicate suspicious behavior among other members of the expedition? Someone colluding with the African woman, perhaps? I have to say, Mr. Gavigan, that the issue of the missing funds suggests a number of possibilities about the reasons for the safari trip and its destruction."

Poor Sir Aubrey, he was not only my employer but also my mentor and my friend. Mr. Carlyle contacted the Foundation about sponsoring a new dig in Egypt. Given the mission of the Society of course Sir Aubrey was interested in a collaboration.

"Was there anything of particular interest with the site Carlyle chose or the some specific goal for the expedition? Our research doesn't reveal any particular expertise on Carlyle's part, in fact, it suggests he was more of a dilettante than knowledgeable. So what was it about him and his plan that caught the Foundation's eye amid, what I expect, may be numerous other proposals?"

Secrets upon secrets. London may end up being pretty dangerous after all.

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"Thank you for taking time out of your day, Mr. Gavigan. My name is Guthrie Wilson and I'm a free-lance journalist. My fellows and I are doing some research for a book being written about the ill-fated Carlyle Expedition a few years ago. We were hoping to learn a bit of the background behind the Penhew Foundation's involvement with an otherwise American archaeological expedition. How did Sir Aubrey get involved with Roger Carlyle? Is there any official Foundation record that might explain why he would participate in their project?"

Trying to start things off in a very innocuous sort of way.
Persuasion: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"We would like to discus the late Sir Aubrey and his relationship with Roger Carlyle."

Wilson steps up to the desk to greet the receptionist. "I think that would be nice, yes. But we would also like to meet with the director, Mr. Gavigan. We are doing some research on a topic related to the Penhew Foundation and a friend of ours referred us to Mr. Gavigan."

Interview with Jackson Elias, December 1 of the year of our lord 1924. 2:00 PM, Inspector B's office. Subject reported that murder spree in London was work of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh, an Egyptian death cult. Subject stated that murders were ritual killings.Subject stated that cult was related to death cult in Kenya. Subject stated that Kenyan death cult was responsible for destruction of Carlyle Expedition. Subject stated that he planned on interviewing Edward Gavigan at Penhew Foundation about cult. Subject stated he would be publishing a book regarding cult. Subject had no additional information regarding murders.

Barrington pauses and takes another puff before continuing. Follow-up, Inpsector B interviewed Edward Gavigan of the Penhew Foundation about this; Gavigan denied that the cult has any modern-day equivalent or that the method of murder imitated those of the ancient cult. Gavigan implied that Elias was a sensation-seeking profiteer. No further follow-up planned.

Wilson sighs. "I suppose we now have confirmation Jackson actually met with Gavigan. Inspector, Jackson's tale may have seemed something out of fiction, but how did the man strike you? If you followed up, you must have thought he had some degree of sincerity."

"And we can assure you that the Kenyan branch of this death cult has some active members, whatever the status of the Egyptian wing and its "Black Pharaoh". They're the ones that killed Jackson. If they were able to operate as far away as New York city, then I don't think it so unlikely a splinter group might operate here in London."

"This may be a simple coincidence, but have you heard of a place called Misr House? I know enough Arabic to recognize Misr as another term for Egypt. Is that a place here in London?"

None of you are policemen. Why do you think you are qualified to investigate this matter? According to you, it was his investigation that led to the murder of Mr. Elias. Why are you putting yourselves in jeopardy? Why not let the police do their job. The New York police department should be able to handle something this easy unless they're too busy trying to stop the alcohol trade.

"You're right, Inspector," Wilson concedes. "But when Jackson Elias was murdered, he didn't just leave behind a corpse - a victim of a crime - he left a job unfinished. A mystery unsolved."

"We are Jackson's friends. We trusted and believed in Jackson's mission. We would like to see his investigation through to honor his memory. We have been hoping that you would be able to help us in that matter, at least as far as your contact with him goes."

Persuasion: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Ace
Ace: 1d6 ⇒ 2
WIld: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Final persuasion check = 8

Wilson follows Jake's lead.
"That's right, Inspector. We are trying to retrace some of Jackson's steps to find out how he ended up with people trying to kill him. Mahoney told us that when he visited London recently, he spoke with you."

Persuasion (to help Jake who is already doing well): 1d6 ⇒ 1
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Bump. As a player in this campaign, i have a vested interest in making sure this pops up to the top again.

No deaths so far!
Only a little insanity!

Cool. I kind of assumed that the initial clippings were probably already a product of our research.

Wilson puts his skills with newspaper morgues to work...

Investigate: 1d10 ⇒ 10 Ace!
Ace: 1d10 ⇒ 9 Total of 19
Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"Jake, I think our next step tomorrow is to call on two people - Ed Gavigan and Inspector Barrington. Maybe in the afternoon once we've slept this off." Wilson shares as he drinks some more whiskey and joins Mahoney in his song.

Wilson eyes the press clippings with a slightly hazy eye considering the whiskey put away over the course of the conversation.

"Say, Mahoney, what do you know about the Penhew Foundation? Jackson probably stopped in there - at least we have a business card of his - but he didn't leave any notes about what he may have learned there. Are they reputable? Or just glorified grave-robbers?"

And, for another line of questions, the clippings:
"The newsboy was hawking the paper by calling these foreigner murders "Egyptian Murders". What did he mean by that? Is someone targeting Egyptians?"

Before he makes it out the door, Wilson catches Father Murphy. "Father, if your errands aren't going to take too long, drop by the The Scoop when you're done. Mahoney wants to meet now to give Jackson a proper wake. And with the things we've seen, I think a night of memories and whiskey might be just the remedy we need."

Wilson rounds up the rest of his investigative companions and heads out with all who want to join him. Since this is London (and he's not that paranoid yet), he elects to leave his pistol behind in the hotel room, safely stowed in his traveling trunk.

Wilson heads for a hotel phone in order to place a call to The Scoop and Mickey Mahoney. I'll start calling around, get a read on Jackson's visit to London," he tells the others.

Once on the phone, he will take a light touch with Mahoney, who may not have heard about Jackson's murder. A face-to-face visit would be preferable - tonight if possible or tomorrow.

After a semi-comfortable trip in accommodations Wilson is used to (third), he is quite happy to be on land and into the bustle of London again.

"We don't know too much about what Jackson may have done here in London so we should start with trying to pin that down. Mahoney over at The Scoop may know something about his stay. I can't imagine Jackson would have stopped in London without at least visiting him," Wilson advises.

Reading over the tabloid, Wilson muses, Could the Carlyle Expedition have stirred up trouble in Egypt that has spread to London? Three years doesn't seem quite right, but it's close... too close?

I had started Africa's Dark Sects, but I can switch to Selections De Livre D'Ivon since I know French.

Are there benefits to reading more than one of these? Such as raising a mythos skill to d6?

I speak several languages - took the "linguist" edge. French, Farsi, Arabic, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Latin, Greek. I stocked up on stuff useful to a journalist covering WWI and its aftermath throughout Europe and into the former Ottoman Empire. Plus a couple of classics to reflect the education.

We're at a decision point and decisions can be hard. Nobody wants to make the wrong one.

Where should we go?

We've got a very weak lead about Jack Brady in Hong Kong. That's probably not enough of a tease to follow yet. Not without more specific info.

We've got multiple leads to Kenya and at least 3 or so people we could talk to.

The Carlyle expedition did some digging in Egypt but we have few details on that.

We have a business card for Ed Gavigan of the Penhew Foundation. That may give us more info to use in Egypt like an itinerary, site location, contacts to speak with. Plus it may help us figure out why Aubrey Penhew took up with a rich boy dilettante like Roger Carlyle.

I'd say either Britain or Kenya. And of the two, Britain would seem a "safer" option (like maybe Harlem was safer?) for the time being.