The Wind is From the East: GM- Thomas

Settings and Time Period: London, October 14, 1863.

Letter of Introduction: Cigar smoke wafts throughout the Rose House lounge as they pass around Cornelius Ethbridge’s letter. Tobias muses over the letter, “I’ve actually met the Medical Examiner before on a prior London visit. For him to be baffled by the described unusual deaths IS noteworthy. He says the victims (Sir Francis Stolt, Maj. Albert Maton, and a young man in his 20s) were discovered after a home invasion in what appears to be the early stages of mummification. Perfect health other than their bodies just stopped functioning. He suggests we meet him at his office in Whitehall. And be discreet about it.” 

	Father Percy (Bill) 43yo White-collar Catholic Priest who has resigned himself to seek out vaesen and expel them to protect others… and to cleanse his tarnished soul.
	Alexander Sharpe (Perceptive) Private Detective; like Sherlock…tall, wiry. Obsessed with vaesen. Man of action.
	Pip (Doug) 17yo VAGABOND. Disheveled, a bit smelly, but has a winning smile. His dog, Jormungandr, is much the same. Stowed away on ship with Dr Tobias.
	Dr Tobias Engelin (Michalis) Physician visiting from Sweden. Worked at an orphanage. A tall and gaunt man in his mid-forties, always dressed in a two-piece suit and a white shirt, complemented by a blood red bow tie and top hat. [Guided by his mentor, he secretly dabbled in unsanctioned, or unnatural as some might say, medical practices.]
	Ash Porter (Nell) 19yo Bare-Knuckle Boxer, born and raised in Whitechapel. At 5’3” with shaved head (gets in the way when boxing) while wearing baggy clothing, she looks like an androgynous man. She will box for money, for fun, and for her life. Free spirit.

Ash (4d Manipulation=1): Ash uses her street smarts to ask around what folks might have heard or seen. It turns out that a friend of a friend knows John McNabb, the grounds keeper for Sir Francis' London home where John was having a late night "rendezvous" with someone. “We were having drinks. John let it slip that his ‘rendezvous’ could land him in jail. More drinks loosened his tongue as he described seeing a person and a quick flash of flame outside a kitchen window at around 1:30am on October 12th. He assumed it was one of the kitchen staff having a late-night cigarette on the opposite side of the house from the murders. Didn’t feel it necessary to inform the police when questioned and get himself in trouble; so, he just told them he was in bed from 9pm until 6am the next morning in his cottage room near the back of the garden.”

Percy (6d Learn=1): Percy rides to the London Library to look for old newspaper articles about Sir Stolt’s recent exploits. Did he participate in any expeditions or recently donate anything to the London Museum? Nothing about any recent donations or expeditions, but two recent articles mention his name and status as a member of the Board of Governors of the Bank of Egypt: 

·         London Standard (October 11, 1863)- morning edition: Sir Francis brags about another of his well-known "Oriental Parties," with palm trees imported from Arabia, servers from Nubia dressed in native costumes, dishes prepared according to the Indian-style, Ghawazi dancers as entertainment, and various other oriental embellishments. The guests included numerous dignitaries, headlined by Prince Alfred (2nd in line to the British throne) and Duke Thomas Lagrange (Duke of Mantagu) with various other aristocrats, industrialists, and cultural leaders. 

·         London Standard (October 12, 1863)- evening edition: Report detailing the break-in at Sir Francis' home as provided by the police. Both Sir Francis and Major Maton were discovered murdered the next morning by Miss Lois Chambers, a chamber maid in the household. Major Maton was a guest at Sir Francis' home. No mention is made of the 3rd man. It concludes with a statement from a dispatch from the Metropolitan Police, “We have several leads, and are confident the murderer will soon be brought to justice. There is no reason for people to worry.” 

Pip (6d Manipulation=0): Pip hits the streets asking around about the connection between Sir Francis and Major Maton, assuming them business partners or world travelers maybe to Egypt. Unfortunately, the foreign 17yo lacks social contacts who mingle with aristocrats.

Dr Engelin (9d Learn=0): Tobias scours the castle library for any records that referenced sudden mummifications and/or desiccations. While some books mention Egyptian mummifications, there are no records of the process within recent history. Especially anything with sudden onset. 

Rose House: Before departing, they visit the castle stores to retrieve hurricane lanterns. Ash also picks up a knife which prompts Pip to ask, “I thought you are a bare-knuckles fighter?!” Ash shrugs her shoulders, “I was thinking carving up some meat pies for snacks.” Which earns Pip’s suggestion, “Pastries. We gotta have pastries!” But Tobias keeps them focused, “Facts, not food.” 30 minutes later, they pile into the carriage to ride to Whitehall. Along the way, Ash unwraps a meat pie to the chagrin of Tobias. “What? You said facts. And the fact is, I work best on a full stomach.”

Whitehall

Dr. Cornelius examining body

Whitehall: Cornelius looks up from his desk when the group is led into his office, “Tobias! So good to see you again. What brings you across the pond?” Pleasantries out of the way, they get down to business as Cornelius explains, “Strangest case. All internal organs removed and discarded into the unlit fireplace yet there were no incisions. I thought with your team’s special abilities… I’ll get my assistant to prepare the bodies for your inspection. In the meantime, care for tea?” Pip and Ash pipe up, “Yes, please. And pastries if you have them.” Tobias shakes his head as Cornelius questions their fortitude of eating before seeing a body. “Uuuuh, we’ll see what we have available. As for the bodies, the maid came into the study and found them 3 mornings ago. Constable Haverton of the London Metropolitan Division is handling the case.”

The assistant leads them into another room where each body lay naked upon a cold metal slab. The team looks at the bodies, then each other, then Dr. Ethbridge, “I thought you said they were in perfect health with no wounds or incisions? When did these chew marks appear?” Cornelius is dumbfounded, “Chew marks?” Percy understands, “You mean you don’t see these holes in their chests nor the marks on their foreheads?” To his comrades, “It’s one thing for ‘the sightless’ to not see vaesen, but have you ever heard of them unable to see the results of vaesen attacks?”

Alex leans in closer to the body of Major Maton, “This mark on his forehead looks like a tattoo. Almost Egyptian in its form. I’ve heard scholars call the writing hieroglyphics. But look. Not carved into their skin, nor tattooed with ink-needles. As if painted yet only skin texture. As if it just appeared.” Tobias stands over Sir Francis’ body, “On closer inspection, these are not tear wounds like an animal shredding. More like snake fangs puncturing then chewing. See these 2 holes 2.5 meters apart? That is a sizable snake!” Ash looks into the bowl that contains the removed organs of all 3 men, “I see what you mean doctor. There are twin puncture wounds in one heart, one kidney, and one lung.” Cornelius adds, “All organs are there. As for those 3 items you point at, each comes from a different man.” Pip ponders, “If you say snake, is there any skin discoloration to suggest poisoning? I used to own a pet snake. Fascinating creature. Bites its victim to deliver its venom that paralyzes the heart. It then begins to slowly chew its helpless victim.” Only the team sees such discoloration.

Father Percy begins drawing the tattoo for future reference. Tobias interrupts him, “Why make a copy when you can have the original. Just cut off the epidural layer of skin with the tattoo.” Cornelius shudders, “Are you mad?! I will not let you butcher these well-respected men!” [Fast-Talk/Manipulation needing 2 successes: gets 4] Tobias moves to the younger man, “His tattoo will suffice for our needs.” Ash sips her tea as she watches the doctor remove the patch of skin, “You know, I think I’ve seen this man before. Spectator, ringside at one of my fights. I seem to recall he sat nearest the ring, which means he has money.” Alex corrects, “Or he at least knew someone with money. But I’m beginning to think the tattoo may be a symbol of a secret cult.” Once again Cornelius comes to the defense of the speechless, “Do not tarnish their names. Sir Francis is a well-respected banker. And Major Maton has a glorious military record.”   

At least they were able to convince Dr. Ethbridge to grant them access to the murder site. They pile back into the carriage for the ride to the outskirts of London and Sir Francis’ estate. Along the way, Tobias suggests, “Pip, maybe you and your dog ‘Jurgi’ can search the grounds. If Cornelius couldn’t see the wounds, maybe the police couldn’t see tracks.”

Sir Francis Estate: They show their ‘letter-of-assignment’ to the constable guard. The butler Jeeves answers the door. Pip slips past, “Official business. I’ll need your cooks to prepare food and drinks during our investigation. Preferably pastries and meat pies.” Alexander is more proper, “We’ve come on request of Constable Haverton who’s running the investigation. These are my assistants, experts in their fields.”

Pip already munching on an apple plucked from a bowl, “Yes, yes. We’ll need the guest list of Sir Francis’ latest party.” Ash adds, “And I’d like to speak to your groundskeeper John McNabb.” Jeeves protests the unannounced intrusion which prompts Tobias in his Swedish accent, “You know, where I come from, it’s almost always the butler. Where were YOU around 1am the next morning?!” Jeeves now stammering at the accusations, “Food… I’ll get Martha to prepare something. Guest list. Anyone in particular? The 3^rd body? That was Miles Harrison not on the list. If you must know, and PLEASE be discrete about it, he was actually Major Maton’s bastard son.” Now it is Tobias looking guilty about his removed tattoo patch of skin, “Remember, what happens in London, stays in London!”

Ash is directed outside to a separate small cottage for Mr. McNabb. Pip also exits to lead his dog in a search of the grounds. Percy seeks the chambermaid who discovered the bodies “in case she needs comforting and absolution.” The others enter the study where the bodies were found.

Per Ash’s recounting of McNabb’s story, outside of the kitchen opposite side of the house than the study, Pip finds a small pile of sand along with a small piece of burnt-edge coarse paper remains with drawing of feet. Ash’s investigation takes a little longer as she has to convince McNabb to confess… “Who told you?! Guess I need better friends who can keep their mouths shut! Didn’t get much of a look. Small woman burning something. Smoking? Unimportant. Not worth telling the police who might question who I was with. What part of ‘a rendezvous that might land me in jail’ don’t you understand?! Now begone.”

Meanwhile, Percy tries to console Ms Lois Chambers who declines his prayers as she Anglican. “Servant quarters are on the top floor; so, no I didn’t hear anything that night. Servants were released after the last guest left around 1am. I woke to perform my normal morning chores. Found them in the study. Sir Francis was at his desk while the other two were side-by-side on the couch. All just sitting up… propped up. Windows and doors shut and locked.  No blood although I did find their entrails in the fireplace.” And that’s when Lois collapsed in tears.

In the study: Tobias shows them black snake scales, “Found these on the carpet along with slither residue.” Pip reports, “Paper remains that include a drawing that looks like the feet of the tattoo marking. Could it have been some ritual component?” All agree there has been a long history of England and other nations pillaging artifacts out of Egypt. “Maybe they stole a cursed item. Or robbed someone now seeking revenge. Or offended a guest. Maybe the bastard son Miles’ mother sought revenge for being raped.” They ask Jeeves, “Were any of the women guests of the party small? Petite?” But Jeeves describes the London wives in attendance as of sturdy stock. “There were over 50 guests. The only petite women were the belly-dancers which Sir Francis has hired numerous times. Same Ghawazi dancers and same Nubian servers. Prince Alfred and Duke Lagrange were frequent guests along with some of the others. Here is the guest list you asked for. See for yourselves.”

It was obvious from the list and the displays within the study that Sir Francis and his guests had much in common regarding Egypt and other regions (Africa, New Zealand, etc.) being plundered. On the study desk where Sir Francis was found, they find the address for the belly-dance agency. They also find his notes detailing Major Maton’s purpose in Egypt. “He returned from one trip months ago and was scheduled to sail again October 12th. The day his body was found. Anyway, in Egypt, he acts as security for British visitors and for the Kadeiv (title of the ruler of Egypt under the Ottomans) Ismail Pasha. Sir Francis was directing Maton to get Egyptian banking concessions favorable to him.”

And that is when Jeeves delivers a note from the outside guard. “It’s from Cornelius. There has been another murder. Same mummification. A Mrs. Adelaid Hilstone.” Jeeves acts shocked, “She and her husband, Major General Hilstone were in attendance. He trains the Egyptian military. He sailed to Cairo last May and just boarded a ship on the 12th. The same ship Major Maton was supposed to be on. Adelaid dabbles in romance novels set in Egypt. Her latest book titled ‘The Curse of Cleopatra.’ Not that I”VE read them.”

They pile into the carriage to ride to the Hilstone estate. But first drop Ash and Pip off at the British Museum to consult with Professor Lilliam Montgomery of the Egyptian Department. As they exit the carriage, Tobias hands Pip the patch of skin, “Show her this tattoo and see if she recognizes the symbols.”

British Museum: Who needs the skin when Lillian has the same ‘invisible’ tattoo on HER forehead?! Introductions where she admits being at the party to give a presentation. She handles the skin Pip offers, “Where did you get this? What’s on it?” [Remember, only visible to ‘the sighted’] Pip draws the symbol. She gasps in recognition, “Not that I can read such markings. But I’ve seen it in a book. I catalog artifacts brought in.” She retrieves the book (The Handbook of Ritual Power) and flips pages, “Here it is. Deals with death and destruction. Ancient Egypt law decreed cutting off the hands of thieves. I suspect this is part of some ritual of summoning. Here is the translation:

From the ages before until now you have protected your blessed-land, O Ancient Wadjet. But now, in this our time, a beetle from across the lifeless desert has sought to laid waste to all you have made fertile. I beseech, no I demand, that you pull forth from the Nile, j’rt, your servitor of balance. Strike the enemy of your people and lay them waste with its fangs dripping with the venom of your righteousness.

Lillian expounds on the topic, “The pharaoh’s headdress included intertwining serpent and vulture. Wadjet was the symbol of the cobra, a poisonous big black snake.” Pip makes a fake laugh as he tries to imply such things “preposterous. Has this book been on display? Could anyone have read it to attempt such summoning? No? Great, keep it locked up.”

Ash comments, “Excuse me, Lillian. You have something on your forehead.” Lillian reaches up to brush it away.” Ash apologizes. Later in whispers to Pip she explains, “I was thinking maybe touching it would activate the spell.” Now Pip concerned, “You were willing to test out the theory with us there? To also be attacked by the summoned cobra?! Cool idea.”

Hilstone residence: Cornelius introduces the team to Constable Haverton before leading them into the 2^nd floor crime scene. “Her husband left for Cairo on the 12^th. She doesn’t do breakfast; so, she wasn’t found by the staff till almost noon.” Adelaid Hilstone still on her bed in nightgown. Same tattoo and tossed organs in the fireplace. More serpent scales. More sand and ashes outside. Alexander [vigilance] searches for tracks and finds small barefoot prints that lead to and from the property fence but disappear along the paved road. Asking around… “I noticed a barefoot woman I thought out for a stroll. Young, dark complexion. Scandalous bare midriff.”

By now Tobias concludes, “Whoever is doing this is going after those who are stealing from their country.” Alex counters, “Not stealing doctor. These people are doing a service by collecting and displaying for the whole world to appreciate the glory and wisdom of the ancient Egyptians.” Descending the stairs still in argument, they find Percy closing a book. “Her romance novel. I thought maybe she’d describe something recently taken out of Egypt. But it’s just a sexually charged travesty of prose that perpetuates the exoticism of the East. She’s just glamorizing the popularity of the interventionist policies of the British Empire around the world.”

Ghawazi dancers: They briefly rejoin at the Rose House before riding to the receipt address Sir Francis wrote regarding the dancers. Pip tries to tease Tobias, “Is that a mark on your forehead?” Tobias frowns but warns, “Don’t let them dance for us. That might be part of the ritual.” Turns out to be a little more upscale that the brothel district. Alex takes the lead upon introduction to Madame Vishet, “We are interested in Arabian dancers like those hired by Sir Francis. In fact, we’d like those dancers to be exact. We’d like to… chat… with those divine creatures.” Vishet asks, “Regular price or would you like more?”

An assistant leads them to a larger room filled with sedans and hookah pipes. Four petite women of Egyptian descent enter and begin to mingle before they line up to dance, barefoot and bared midriff. Tobias interrupts them, “No, no dancing. Please, we just want to talk.” Pip takes notice of one older woman with a jeweled armband coiled around her forearm that looks like a red cobra. Percy gets to the point, “Sir Francis’ party… what did they do to offend you?” But their leader Camela is perplexed, “Offend? They did nothing but watch and applaud.”

Pip chats with the armband woman, “We are not here to exploit you. You are all beautiful and skilled. How long have you been in our country? Only 2 weeks?” Nadia explains herself from lower Egypt. Alex asks her about her bracelet, “Is that the goddess Nadjet?” Nadia perks up, “You know of her?!” Tobias shows her the patch of skin, “Is this your handiwork?” To which Nadia denies, “No one has spoken ancient Egyptian in centuries.” But Alex reads her body-language to know she lies. He sends the other girls away.

Pip tries to take Nadia’s side to get her to open up. Yet when she begins speaking in a language none has heard before, Pip puts his hand over her mouth to silence her. Nadia in turn, slips his fingers into her mouth. Pip becomes very squeamish and embarrassed as Nadia pulls him closer in a seductive way. Alex pulls his gun. She stops, “You did not like my dance?” Alex confesses, “It would have ended badly… for all of us.” Nadia pulls back and spits, “They are enemies of Egypt. Hilstone, Francis, all rape my country. Egyptian law is to cut off the hands of the thief. So, I cut out more than hands. My avatar upholds the honor of our land.” Alex presses, “Whatever slight you imagine is not worth murder.”

She counters, “It is not murder to avenge. I am a priestess of Wadjet and have marked the offenders with the sign. I call forth the great protector… J’rt… who seeks the marked and carries out the decree.” It is now Percy asking, “What can be done to remove the mark? What can we do to appease your dishonor?” Nadia demands, “Stop all those who rape and pillage my lands. The French, the Germans, you Brits. Leave Egypt and never return.” Tobias scoffs, “Well, that’s not happening. We’ve not the power or voice for such grand desires. Guess that means we must silence you.” Nadia laughs, “If not me, someone else will take my place. Another priestess of Wadjet will…”

She is silenced when Ash steps forth and punches her in the face. Hard! Nadia collapses unconscious with a broken nose. “I suggest you remove her bracelet and tie her up while she’s out.” Percy offers his vestment ropes.

CONCLUSION

Long debate whether to kill her, cut out her tongue, or sequester her at Rose House. Now Ash embarrassed, “I don’t want to make her a prisoner. Can’t we try to change her mind. Reason with her?” Percy warns, “Cutting her tongue out will not stop her from mumbling the words. We do not know how spells work. This will take more time and research. But I agree, murdering her is not the answer.” Pip ponders, “How do we stop others of her belief? She did mention other priestesses.” Tobias concerned, “So we declare the case solved. What if another murder happens months from now?! Yes, I’ll sedate her so we can take her to Rose House for further research. Perhaps we should revisit Professor Lillian and borrow her book.”

EPILOGUE

Ash makes it a point to be the first person Nadia sees after waking up from that knockout punch. And will visit her every day with food. Also, she will write back to Pip and Dr. Engelin if there are any updates.

Over the next weeks, as they visit other guests on Sir Francis’ list, they confirm each and every one has the mark on their forehead.

Consulting the book (The Handbook of Ritual Power), they learn a feather from a vulture is a ward of protection. They offer one to each guest with a mark with emphasized suggestion to wear at all times.

Turns out Nadia is the last of her kind. While there are other ‘Children of Nek-Ten-abo’ (the last ruler of Egypt), she is the last line of priestesses of Wadjet. Unless she is allowed to bear children. Make a note: no conjugal visits!

BTW if you go down to the basement, you might find a Priestess of Wadjet chained up down there. Might be best to at least check with either (Pip, Dr. Engelin, Fr. Percy, Ashley, or Mr. Sharpe) before removing the gag from her mouth. I mean they were the ones who imprisoned her there. Nadia and her armband have become another ‘asset’ in the Rose House collection.

And Pip… returned to the dance house to finish the last hour they had paid for. He came to England a boy but left a man.

Tobias carries the patch of skin back to Sweden as a tool to test for ‘Sightedness’.