The Pharaoh's Tomb (IC/See sign-ups)

[Lancearc]

September 15th, 1997
The Valley of Kings, Egypt
West Valley

In the heat of the Egyptian noon sun, hung high in the air like the brightest candle, a simple native laborer worked in the Valley of Kings, part of the work force led by a Sir Connor Berry, a British archaeologist working in Egypt. Supposedly, the last of the great Egyptian archaeological finds had already been dug up and study, so why did they keep digging, slaving away in the desert heat? The man did not know, but he was paid to do it. As he thought, his tool suddenly struck something solid in the ground. He stopped swinging the tool, kneeling down and brushing away some sand and rock that obscured the object that he'd struck. It was obviously built into the ground, near the bottom of the cliff face that towered above him.

Two hours later

A few hours later, and the area was bustling with activity. The higher-ups of the project even came out to the dig sight to lay eyes one the treasure trove of history that had been unearthed. It was the tomb of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Muntaha, according to local historians one of the very first Egyptian Pharaohs. Little but a few scraps of writing mentioning him remained, but they knew he'd existed. Now that they'd located his tomb, they would have one of the few glimpses into very early Ancient Egyptian history.

---

Sir Connor Berry, one of England's--and perhaps the world's--most renowned studiers of Egyptology was on his way to the Valley of Kings, being driven in a Jeep across the desert sands that led to the Eastern Valley itself. The heat was intense as always, and the faint trace of a sunburn could be seen on the somewhat plump man's face, even though he wore a broad hat to keep the sun away from his eyes. It had been two hours since he'd received the news that they'd actually uncovered the tom of Muntaha, and since this could be the biggest find in Egypt since Tutankhamen, he had to see the entrance to the tomb with his own eyes. He arrived shortly after, stepping out of the vehicle and approaching one of his trusted advisers on the project.

"A fine day, my friend. I imagine you've had translators deciphering the heiroglyphics?" Berry asked, getting down to business. The adviser nodded. "Yes, I've had your people working on it, and they confirm that it is the correct pharaoh we're looking at here."

"Fantastic news! Have you assembled the team?"

"Yes, we've got your men on standby to head in. The door showed signs of being unsealed when it was originally sealed shut, so it could be that grave robbers snuck in last night to get what they could. We've some guards if that is the case."

"Blast it all, we'll have to work quickly." Berry said as he approached the tomb. His team was in sight, waiting in front of the entrance, good men and women, hopefully. He greeted them in his typically cheery manner.

"Hey there, chaps!" he shouted still from afar, raising his arm as they reached the group. "Glad to see we're punctual, it makes the job much easier. Quite the exciting find we have here, one of the earliest Egyptian pharaohs, could be a real good score in here, good for your pay checks and my career, not to mention a few museums." Berry said.

[Cylarn]

Halloran stood in front of the door, holding his FN FAL 50.61 Battle Rifle as he watched his employers approach. The former Army Ranger wore a pair of black combat boots, tan BDU pants, a tan rigger belt, a tan thigh holster with an M1911A1, a tan Tactical Load-Bearing Vest (TLBV), on OD Green T-Shirt, a black wristwatch, a pair of black aviators, his old Army dogtags, a red and green shemagh, and an OD Green baseball cap. As his employers approached, he listened to the older gentleman speak.

[Galdius]

Victor drove his boss berry across the hot desert landscape that led to the Eastern Valley; this wasn’t quite the paid holiday he was promised by his old NYPD partner, now he was escorting some smart rich brit to some tomb that he was never really interested in the first place, at least there wasn’t going to be as much danger apart from heat stroke, a really bad sunburn or a bandit scumbag. After he arrived at the tomb he climbed out of the cool jeep, keeping a hold of his M9 Beretta inox inside of his holster over his tropical shirt, he took a look at the dig crew through his black tinted aviator glasses and decided to tune into his boss's motivational speech, he smiled as the brit mentioned the word paycheck, the one thing he looked forward to completing this job was the fat paycheck.

[Nytavuthar]

John jogged over to the tomb entrance once Mr. Berry started making his little introduction to the group. John took one look at the entrance and he was astonished by the look of the tomb. John then pulled out his camera phone that was in his pocket to take a picture.He took the picture and sent it to his girlfriend back in the States. John then took a few steps back to patrol the perimeter. After seeing no immediate threats, John then decided to join the rest of the group. He walked over to Halloran and asked"How much do you think we're going to get paid for doing this job?" John then wiped the sweat off his brow. All John ever wanted to do was to have a nice family, and be successful in his life.

[St Lucoa]

Jeffery Hillington

Eventually they had arrived at the place of interest, the jeep journey was gruelling and to be frank Jeffery felt quite sick. He seen the rest of the crew talking with his cousin, he must act and look healthy, first impressions were everything. Dressed in what looked like a British Explorers outfit from the 1900's, with khaki shorts, shirt and hat to match.

He walked over while taking a slurp from his water canteen, "How do you do folks, glad you are all here. I'm Jeffery Hillington. Conor's cousin. Very nice to meet you all."

Jeffery took out a handkerchief and started to pat himself on the face with it to get rid of the sweat. Even out here he tried to remain as British as possible, it was so impractical that it was almost funny.

He looked over at Halloran "Hello there old chap, an FN FAL I see, we'll in my day it was Lee-Enfields. National service 1952 - 1954, Mau Mau Uprising, those buggers clipped me in the leg."

Jeffery hoped he could communicate and involve the secruity man, as his job was often lonely and secluded.

[Lancearc]

Connor glanced about the congregation of his men slowly. It seemed as though mist of the men were present, but there were a few who would hold up the group a few minutes. Berry sighed. An inevitability, he supposed, but he was so eager to head into the ancient structure that he felt very impatient. "Well, since we'll be waiting for a few minutes, allow me to bore you with s little history lesson." Connor said with a chuckle, stroking his moustache thoughtfully. "Yes, this is one of the very oldest tombs in Ancient Egypt, if it is indeed Muntaha's. According to local historians he was one of the pioneering leaders of Ancient Egypt, so this would be one of the earliest instances of the ancient peoples practicing mummification on their leaders." Berry said, pausing for a second. "I hope you lot aren't a bit superstitious though. Supposedly he was cursed by the priesthood upon death. He had quite a devoted cult to himself in life, fancying himself a god above Amen-Ra himself." the British man finished.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

John saw as Sir Connor Berry talked to the group. He had brought a medical bag, a Mondragon rifle, and a Colt Single Action Army. He also brought a supplies enough for 3 days in his medical bag.

He walked to Sir Connor Berry, and approached him, before introduced himself:

"Sir, John Mcconell, Combat Medic ready to help, sir."

[Lancearc]

John saw as Sir Connor Berry talked to the group. He had brought a medical bag, a Mondragon rifle, and a Colt Single Action Army. He also brought a supplies enough for 3 days in his medical bag.

He walked to Sir Connor Berry, and approached him, before introduced himself:

"Sir, John Mcconell, Combat Medic ready to help, sir."

"Fantastic! Men in my field are lucky to have you, especially around Egypt. The Egyptians built rather sturdy structures, but they are still bound to collapse, especially when old as this one. Not to mention the snakes, but I don't suppose any of you sporting fellows are afraid of them, correct?" Connor mused, placing a hand on John's shoulder as he spoke.

[Galdius]

John saw as Sir Connor Berry talked to the group. He had brought a medical bag, a Mondragon rifle, and a Colt Single Action Army. He also brought a supplies enough for 3 days in his medical bag.

He walked to Sir Connor Berry, and approached him, before introduced himself:

"Sir, John Mcconell, Combat Medic ready to help, sir."

Victor watched as the medic approached his boss, he kept his right hand on his holster gun under his left shoulder out of instinct, he quickly scanned the man, taking a look at his loadout. "A Single Action Army?! Who is this guy? John Wayne?" victor thought to himself, remembering that he had a Spas 12 in the boot of the jeep. "Nice piece, John Wayne." victor muttered to John.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

John saw as Sir Connor Berry talked to the group. He had brought a medical bag, a Mondragon rifle, and a Colt Single Action Army. He also brought a supplies enough for 3 days in his medical bag.

He walked to Sir Connor Berry, and approached him, before introduced himself:

"Sir, John Mcconell, Combat Medic ready to help, sir."

Victor watched as the medic approached his boss, he kept his right hand on his holster gun under his left shoulder out of instinct, he quickly scanned the man, taking a look at his loadout. "A Single Action Army?! Who is this guy? John Wayne?" victor thought to himself, remembering that he had a Spas 12 in the boot of the jeep. "Nice piece, John Wayne." victor muttered to John.

"Thank You, Sir Connor Berry. It's been my pleasure to be as one of your members." said John. He saw another man watched him. He approached him as soon as the conversation with Sir Connor Berry over. He kept his rifle on his back, while he kept his Single Action Army, still holstered, under his right shoulder, with his right hand on it.

"Sir, you've got problem with me?"

[Galdius]

Victor watched as the medic approached his boss, he kept his right hand on his holster gun under his left shoulder out of instinct, he quickly scanned the man, taking a look at his loadout. "A Single Action Army?! Who is this guy? John Wayne?" victor thought to himself, remembering that he had a Spas 12 in the boot of the jeep. "Nice piece, John Wayne." victor muttered to John.

"Thank You, Sir Connor Berry. It's been my pleasure to be as one of your members." said John. He saw another man watched him.

"Sir, you've got problem with me?"

"Not with you sir, but with that piece." he said grinning "But who am I to talk about problems when I am wearing this god damn shirt" he said in a jokey tone pointing with his free hand to his hideous tropical shirt. "I've not got a problem with you as long as you have not got a problem with my boss here." he said in a more surious tone, still keeping hold of his pistol.

[Congo-Cabinda]

Graham Fletcher stood awkwardly at the side of the group, he was uncomfortable at the sight of so many rifles and guns, he had never fired a weapon before and he didn't like the sense of foreboding he got when he looked at them. He sat down on a nearby rock and pulled his wide brimmed hat close to shield his eyes from the Egyptian sun. He was a pale boy and his skin was not made for hot conditions like this. He scanned the crowd in front of him, a rag-tag group of hardy looking and weathered men, he didn't exactly fit in.

He opened his tattered suitcase and rooted through the few contents for his diary and a copy of Connor Berry's 'Mysteries of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs'. The book was like his bible, Berry was Fletcher's hero and he was an avid student of the esteemed scholar. He opened his leather-bound diary and turned to a blank page and began to scrawl in his God awful handwriting. He remembered his old hag of an English teacher at school who had described his handwriting as 'Egyptian hieroglyphs' - needless to say that didn't motivate Graham to improve it.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

"Thank You, Sir Connor Berry. It's been my pleasure to be as one of your members." said John. He saw another man watched him.

"Sir, you've got problem with me?"

"Not with you sir, but with that piece." he said grinning "But who am I to talk about problems when I am wearing this god damn shirt" he said in a jokey tone pointing with his free hand to his hideous tropical shirt. "I've not got a problem with you as long as you have not got a problem with my boss here." he said in a more surious tone, still keeping hold of his pistol.

"Ah, this?" said John to his Single Action Army.
"Once, I went to USA to looked for some jobs, and I got a job as security guard. One day, a robbery attempt happened at the place I guarded, which was a museum. I, disregard my own safety, hit one of the robbers with my flashlight, picked up his pistol, and shot the other robbers, and of course, I missed and he shot me on my leg.

My boss gave me this, he said it's his pistol, one of a kind. So until now, I still use this."

[Lancearc]

Graham Fletcher stood awkwardly at the side of the group, he was uncomfortable at the sight of so many rifles and guns, he had never fired a weapon before and he didn't like the sense of foreboding he got when he looked at them. He sat down on a nearby rock and pulled his wide brimmed hat close to shield his eyes from the Egyptian sun. He was a pale boy and his skin was not made for hot conditions like this. He scanned the crowd in front of him, a rag-tag group of hardy looking and weathered men, he didn't exactly fit in.

He opened his tattered suitcase and rooted through the few contents for his diary and a copy of Connor Berry's 'Mysteries of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs'. The book was like his bible, Berry was Fletcher's hero and he was an avid student of the esteemed scholar. He opened his leather-bound diary and turned to a blank page and began to scrawl in his God awful handwriting. He remembered his old hag of an English teacher at school who had described his handwriting as 'Egyptian hieroglyphs' - needless to say that didn't motivate Graham to improve it.

"And what of you, young man?" the aging Egyptologist inquired, walking towards the man sitting on the rock, scribbling in his notebook. "I was told that a student would be joining me, are you he?" Connor asked.

[Congo-Cabinda]

At the sound of Berry's voice Graham jumped to his feet sending his notebook and his brown suitcase tumbling to the ground. The contents of his suitcase spilled over the sand and numerous academic papers went flying in the desert breeze. Graham quickly collected his stuff and while he was scrambling around he was talking 'Mr Berry Sir, real pleasure.. - big fan, erm, oh christ... good first impression eh,'

Mr Berry stood watching as the young man collected himself. As Graham locked his suitcase shut with its previous contents shoved in he rushed to Berry and grabbed his hand and shuck it furiously, his face gleaming with excitment.

'Mr Berry Sir, I'm Graham Feltcher, a big big fan, your biggest in fact! It's a real honour to meet you sir, I love 'Mysteries of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs' I've read it a million times, your essay on the Irrigation systems of the Middle Kingdom was just sensational, so refreshing, I did my first thesis paper on it actually, really you bring the topic to life... and your theory on the Opek Festival was suburb, revolutionary infact! I studied under Professor Ingleton at Oxford, I think he knows you, he kept telling me to send you his congratulations. Thank you so much for allowing me to come along, it's my dream to be here, Just wow Sir, really I'm, your a real inspiration to me, it's ama-...' Graham was cut off by Berry's reply.

[Lancearc]

Conno chuckled as the student erupted into a near nervous breakdown. He grabbed the boy 'shoulder, stopping him. "It's always good to meet a fan, but you must calm yourself, young man. Tell me, Graham, what do you know about Muntaha's himself?" Berry asked the student, curious as to his knowledge on the pharaoh.

[Videssos]

Mikael watched the surrounding individuals engage in various antics, dark eyes resting a moment on the professor when he spoke. Despite the heat, he was relatively unaffected, his skin tanning well despite his origins in a rather cold home-country. Among his possessions, Mikael had a number of items of occult significance, and had decided against making his having them obvious to the others, since he didn't doubt that most of them would find such things a little odd, one of those things being a Book of Shadows. Since there wasn't much use or need for much more than a t-shirt and trousers, as well as a bag containing most of the things he'd brought with him. Around his neck hung a pentagram, and on his hands, a ring bearing an enneagram, and several rings with other arcane symbols. Though he knew that there were guards assigned to protect the team, he had a Glock 22 in his possession, anyway, courtesy of one of his friends in the Swedish army.

Also among his belongings was an ornate athame, a product of some of his pagan leanings, and several items related with some of the organisations he was part of, as well as a few artefacts from old pantheons, including that of Asatru, as well as Babylonian, Sumerian, and Egyptian pantheons. Part of Mikael's knowledge in these things was the fact that he was a member of the Temple of Set, and there were a considerable number of other individuals in that organisation that shared his interests. The rather unorthodox young archaeologist glanced around once more, thinking that it shouldn't be much longer till this tomb's secrets- mundane and otherwise, would be discovered.

[Congo-Cabinda]

Graham, stuttered and stalled to start his sentence as his hero talked to him as an equal.. 'Erm well Sir,' before he continued Graham opened his notebook and flicked through a few pages 'I know Muntaha was one of the first Pharaohs of the Egyptians and strangely he was buried without the usual pomp and ceremony,' he flicked a few more pages 'Erm.. it was said that he was cursed to wander this earth for ever, never receiving peace and never passing to the afterlife because he had affronted the Gods, he committed hubris. His cult too was insanely loyal and from what I've picked up it seems that they wished to be entombed with their god-king to serve him eternally but the high priests refused but there were apparent tales of cult members attempting to break into the tomb... and also that after his burial all records of him were burnt in order to rid his 'plague' from history which makes this discovery of yours even more astounding!' Graham slammed the book shut with a bang. 'He is an enigma sir!'

[Lancearc]

"An enigma indeed." Berry said, turning back to the assembled team. "Which is exactly why we're heading into this dusty old tomb and unlocking our friend Muntaha's ancient secrets." Connor finished, taking his personal first steps towards the tomb. Being in his line of work, it was quite obvious to the outside observer that he appreciated all of the work and history in every stone laid. He ran his hand over the inscription on ghe side of the entrance before he finally stepped into the expansive tomb itself, the stale ancient air reaching him for the first time as he descended the first flight of stairs at the entrance of the tomb.

[Liriena]

After so many hours of travel by plane and car, Ludoviko felt exhausted beyond belief. Which made it all the more frustrating that Berry had decided to start the expedition into the tomb before he even arrived. Ludoviko had barely stopped himself from screaming at his cell phone when Berry had told him. Instead, he had taken out his anger on the man driving the car that was taking him to the Valley of the Kings, screaming at the poor fellow to speed up.

When he finally arrived, expensive clothes disheveled and breath coming out in gasps, Ludoviko was met with the sight of the team, far larger than he had expected, already on the verge of entering the tomb.

"Berry! You bloody rascal! Wait for me!" He shouted at the older man, running towards him with his handbag swinging back and forth as it hanged from his shoulder. The Sun felt excruciating on his pale skin, reminding him that he had forgotten to make several preparations before coming here. Damn Berry and this expedition!

The excavation site was a sight to behold, but the furious Frenchman of Polish blood paid no attention to it, eyes focused on the group.

When he finally reached them, he was almost completely out of air, and the dust in the air had soiled his garments. Between desperate gulps for air, he attempted to introduce himself.

"Hey...I'm...I'm..." Damn it, he could not get past the first few words.

[Lancearc]

"About bloody time you showed up, we were just about to get started without you." Connor said, the old Egyptologist's voice echoing off of the inner walls of the ancient tomb. "This is Ludoviko Zamenhof, as I'm sure he'd tell you if he could breathe at the moment." Berry introduced the newcomer, who was still gasping for air. "I'm confused as to why he tolerates me if I seem to be such a pain in his neck, but it's good to have him along, anyway." Berry chuckled as he wiped some sweat from his brow onto his forearm.

[Videssos]

Even as Berry began to take the first steps, and began descending into the ancient tomb, Mikael darted after him, ignoring some of the dust that passed his way as he darted behind Berry, with a bag containing all manner of items, both archaeological and of course, occult in nature. Mikael found that he was clutching another necklace of his, in his pocket. This one was an Ankh, and thus more appropriate than a pentagram. He had a strange feeling that something rather auspicious was to take place, so he murmured a number of prayers to different gods, including a slightly more audible one.
"Lady of the Burning Sands,
Sekhmet, Mistress of Terror!
May no enemy find me,
May no harm approach me,
Your sacred fire surrounds me,
No evil can withstand Your Eye."
Once done, he continued moving forward, alongside Berry. Mikael was relatively confident that with some of these incantations of his, his safety would be somewhat increased. After all, he was one of those individuals who, as a practitioner of the left-hand path of western esotericism, knew first hand about some of the darker magicks at play in the world, and he knew the truth in many things so casually disregarded by the masses.

[Lancearc]

After the late entrance of what appeared to be one of the final members of their little expedition into the tomb itself, Connor looked back towards the rest of the group. By now they had descended far enough so that sunlight ceased to reach them, and he had lit a flashlight to lead the way.

"Alright, friends. We are about to enter into a room in which no one has trod in over two-thousand years." Berry said, putting emphasis on the last three words, letting that sink in. "Not only are we here on an expedition to learn all that we can about the pharaoh Munthaa, but we are the first human beings to set foot here in such a vast span of time. We're making history here, gents. I urge you, please do not touch anything, even the lowliest chair in the corner of the room has thousands of years of history attached to it." Connor warned, stressing this point carefully before he turned to lead the team into the final descent.

As they reached the end of the first staircase, the air had grown thick, having been trapped in the room for so long. Before them, another doorway with a stone slab that was placed from the other side denying them entrance. Rows of heiroglyphics were arranged on the stone, and Connor did his best to interpret their meaning aloud as he scanned his light over the Ancient Egyptian symbols.

"Past this rock, in this forbidden place, the body of the traitor king--woe to all who worship his name and woe to his trip to the afterlife. Let him wander for eternity." Berry said slowly. "Seems they took his cult a bit personally." Berry chuckled, leaning against the rock.

"Blast it, it won't budge. Somebody be a good sport and give an old man a hand." Berry grunted, pushing the stone that barred their passage.

[Cylarn]

After the late entrance of what appeared to be one of the final members of their little expedition into the tomb itself, Connor looked back towards the rest of the group. By now they had descended far enough so that sunlight ceased to reach them, and he had lit a flashlight to lead the way.

"Alright, friends. We are about to enter into a room in which no one has trod in over two-thousand years." Berry said, putting emphasis on the last three words, letting that sink in. "Not only are we here on an expedition to learn all that we can about the pharaoh Munthaa, but we are the first human beings to set foot here in such a vast span of time. We're making history here, gents. I urge you, please do not touch anything, even the lowliest chair in the corner of the room has thousands of years of history attached to it." Connor warned, stressing this point carefully before he turned to lead the team into the final descent.

As they reached the end of the first staircase, the air had grown thick, having been trapped in the room for so long. Before them, another doorway with a stone slab that was placed from the other side denying them entrance. Rows of heiroglyphics were arranged on the stone, and Connor did his best to interpret their meaning aloud as he scanned his light over the Ancient Egyptian symbols.

"Past this rock, in this forbidden place, the body of the traitor king--woe to all who worship his name and woe to his trip to the afterlife. Let him wander for eternity." Berry said slowly. "Seems they took his cult a bit personally." Berry chuckled, leaning against the rock.

"Blast it, it won't budge. Somebody give an old man a hand." Berry grunted, pushing the stone that barred their passage.

Halloran followed the group down through the tomb, looking at all of the old, classy shit in the ancient catacombs. Soon, they came across a rock, and the old man attempted to move it. He was soon joined by Halloran, who slammed his weight into the side of the rock, helping out the archaeologist.

[Lancearc]

The egyptologist was slightly surprised when the stone gave way beneath the force of the two men pushing it over, but the rock did eventually fall under their combined weight. Connor just barely saved himself from falling with the large slab of stone, shining his flashlight about the room. When his beam swept across the ancient floors of the tomb, two dried up, skin and bones, yet still somehow not rotting corpses greeted them. They looked as though they were once dressed in flowing white robes, though those were now tattered much to the same extent as their bodies. Berry stepped forward, kneeling to examine the bodies. No stench rose from the corpses.

"Simply remarkable how the stale air and desert heat of Egypt can preserve men like this, don't you agree? These poor buggers must be at least over a thousand years old!" Connor exclaimed, the empty eye sockets staring upwards towards the ceiling. "Probably a pair of grave robbers the got locked in when the builders put up the finishing touches--the stone back there. Unlucky, to be sure." Berry remarked, shaking his head.