Dark_RP

Cast:
Catherine Khut-na - Sakhmu Spirit Scepters
Max Isu - Mesektet Night Suns
Neoptolomus Penthu - Kher-minu Tomb Watchers
Nazariah Heruhotep - Sefeki Unbandiged Ones
Alex Khayan-madu - Kher-minu Tomb Watchers


One by one, death came to them all.
Its route to each was different, the sudden crash of a car, the shock of a tazer, the criminal's gun, a dirty needle, or a fall from a great hight. In the end it didn't matter, for separated by thousands of miles as they were the deaths had only one thing in common - through their own actions the deceased had all ultimately killed themselves.
As for the people in question, none of them had wanted to die but they too had only one thing in common - they were offered a second chance.

In the murky darkness of the underworld an ancient spirit came to each, and offered them a choice.
They had been chosen, because of their weaknesses but also because for their potential.
They were told the modern world was falling to corruption and the servants of darkness. As such Osiris, Lord of Life and god of the dead, had sent back virtuous ancient souls to the world of the living infused with his power to balance the scales.
The spirit before them was one such soul. Their choice was to return to life as an immortal as one with the ancient spirit, their flaws, pain, and folly, all washed away, but in return they would be bound up in the spirit's struggle for balance in service to ancient Gods.
Alternatively, the soul explained, they could be left to find their way in the darkness of Duat to discover what else fate has in store for them. Some had no doubt in their minds, some were afraid, and some were angry, but all, ultimately, accepted.

As one force the two souls returned to their dead and battered bodies rising again with an unnatural strength, and possessed of only one purpose - to head to the land of Egypt and the place of their resurrection.
And so from near and far, zombie-like, they set off, each making their way to the city of Luxor, ancient Thebes.

One by one they all arrived at the appointed valley on the west bank of the Nile, and awaiting them in robes of white were members of the Cult of Isis, expectant and ready to perform the Spell of Life upon them.
Deep in the darkness of an ancient still-hidden tomb the full rituals of mummification were performed upon each. Their corpses stripped and washed as the incense was lit and the prayers began. Their major organs removed and placed in in canopic jars, before they were wrapped in prayer-inscribed strips of linen, and thus the ritual continued even as their souls were taken by Anubis into the very chamber of Osiris where their new hearts were weighed on the great scales against the feather of Maat.
As their hearts balanced the scales and the Spell of Life neared completion they felt a great rushing as they returned, whole and healed to their still wrapped bodies.They were Alive, more so than they had ever felt in either life, and yet having experienced death felt a closeness to it still, as if they had one foot in each world.

They awoke alone, unwrapped themselves and walked out from their small lamp-lit stone chambers to find a painted corridor, and each other.
They met for the first time yet felt a strange familiarity with each other. As they began to talk a voice called to them from a larger chamber at the far end of the corridor. A man called out in the ancient tongue of Egypt, and they all understood.
The larger chamber was painted with blocks of ancient hieroglyphics and an image of the boat of Ra making its metaphorical nightly passage through the underworld. On the step of a raised area at one end sat an older Egyptian man with a neat mustache, in a pale cotton suit and a panama hat. He stood and introduced himself as Professor Ashraf Gamil of the Cult of Isis and welcomed them back to the world.
He went on to take their names and explain the most basic facts of their new existence to them before giving out fresh clothes to wear. Then as the group of newly risen Undying began to acclimatise a striking perigrin falcon flew in down the passage and landed before them, shifting into the hooded form of a man.
The man was short and his almost all concealing hooded cloak was midnight blue and trimmed in a faded gold thread, his face swarthy of complexion. Professor Gamil introduced the man as Seshet-Kheru of the Imkhu, the elders of their kind, and giving the group his card left the scene with a deep bow.
Seshet-Kheru regarded them gravely for a moment, before welcoming them to the ranks of the Undying. After more of their questions were answered the Imkhu asked each of their past lives, listening to what they said before stating that Horus, son of Osiris, had a task for them.
To watch over the city of Luxor, known to them of old as Thebes, uphold Maat and cast down its enemies wherever they may show themselves, and not to forget Duat, for the lands of the dead that are always closer than one might think.
Before he too departed he added that Professor Gamal had arranged for an Undying by the name of Amenia to contact them soon on behalf of the Ashuki Corporation to arrange things such as identities, employment, and housing for them.
The ancient then stated that he would return, in time, but that for now he had personal business in the Kingdom of Jordan, and with that bade them farewell, transforming into a falcon oncemore and taking to the air.

The group then took the lamps and left the underground tomb, making their way through the starlit desert valley toward the lights of the city and the Winter Palace hotel as Prof Gamil had instructed them.
Despite their familiarity the group knew nothing of each other and so took the opportunity to talk as they walked, eventually coming to the opulent colonial era Winter Palace hotel.
They checked into the hotel with ease as Prof Gamil had indeed booked five rooms for them, and that night they slept the sleep of the just. In the morning Catherine Khut-na received a call from reception stating that a Salma Hajar awaited her and her group in the Palmetto restaurant downstairs. Catherine dutifully gathered the others and they made their way downstairs and were in turn directed to a woman sat alone at a sunlit table. She was dressed an a dark skirted business suit with a red headscarf. She stood as they approached, boldly extending her hand to them, introducing herself and adding that they could call her Amenia, of the Sakhmu.
After smalltalk she explained that one of the functions of the Ashuki Corporation was to assist the undying when newly resurrected, with things such as the transfer of funds, an income, and accommodation. As such she passed out the portfolios of five properties for them to chose from and discussed cover jobs for them. She also gave each a plain white card with an email address on, contacts for mentors of their respective Dynasties for as yet they knew little of their new abilities. In terms of texts on their sacred Hekau Amenia also recommended that they visit Professor Gamil and the local Cult of Isis as they would surely grant them access to their considerable occult library.
After they had talked and finished the tea and coffee she had ordered them she gave them her own contact number, saying that though she had a house in Luxor she was frequently away on business, however should they need to they will always be able to contact her.

After she left they each chose from the properties and made their way to their new homes, agreeing to meet later that evening at the urban penthouse chosen by Max Isu. Before then knew it close to a month had passed and each began to know their true self, their purpose, and their abilities. Each also started their cover jobs, necessary as a legitimate source on income. Heruhotep as night security for the Antiquities Inspectorate among the tombs of the west bank, Isu as a private consultant on security systems, Penthu as a vendor of crafts among the ruined temples, Khut-na in object conservation at Luxor Museum , and Khayan at a shelter charity taking in the vulnerable. During this time Alex Khayan also made sure that funds were anonymously sent to his wife and child from his second life.

Their leisure after rebirth came to an end one evening at the penthouse, when a member of the mortal Cult of Isis came to their door.
The man was distraught and, vaguely recognizing him, they quickly let him in. His name was Shenouda, a Copt that worked as a local tourguide, and he quickly explained that his daughter was missing and that he had no where else to turn. The police had brushed him off and he stated that he had served Maat for many years and never asked anything of the reborn, but now he had no choice. Once they sat him down and Catherine had made him a cup of tea he explained that Shafia had grown distant in recent weeks and was going off with people he didn't know or approve of, and he had heard she had been hanging around the southern docks, a notorious area for vice. Shenouda was sure his daughter was no prostitute, though she may have fallen in with the wrong crowd.
After talking with him for a time the group took the picture of his daughter and his details and agreed to help. Catherine embraced the man and sent him on his way.

Penthu decided to go online in research both Shafia's case and the area that father mentioned. In doing so he learned that there was an Islamic values community group campaigning for the Police to look into the vice trade in Luxor, stating that there are many disappearances that go unrecorded, often accompanied by drug abuse. The docks prostitutes were also rumored to operate a discount for married men.

Khayan drove down to the police station where Shenouda reported his daughter missing, and spoke to the black uniformed desk sgt on duty there. The man listened and then dismissed the inquiry, stating that the Christian girl was a known prostitute. His men would keep an eye out for her he said, but no body was going to go out looking, they just didn't have the time, apparently.

Isu went down to the southern docks that night and took a walk along the waterfront. He saw perhaps four or five girls plying their trade for the occasional slow moving car. Heavy set men seemed to lurk in the shadows nearby, and when he showed one of the girls Shafia's photo after refusing her services a heavy came over to him and took the photo off him, pushing him away.

Heruhhotep initially stayed with Penthu in Isu's penthouse, but found that she could not tolerate inaction, and so left and made for the southern docks. She prowled among the boats and saw what Isu had seen there, but kept low profile and went unnoticed. Though when she reached the end of the docks and chanced upon Isu she had to be talked out of returning to confront the heavy that had pushed him. The two of them made plans to return there again the next night.

Khut-na also stayed behind as Penthu trawled the web, intending to go out the next day to get more information from Shenouda, and possibly consult Professor Gamal on the issue.




And all the while, memories from the lives of the ancient spirits within them trickled to the fore...
1839 BCE

Heruhotep, Priest of Anubis walked through the hot summer streets of Thebes when he was summoned back the temple, Chief priest Teos had grim news. The Pharaoh had died. Senusret III, Lord of the Two Lands, Son of the Sun, Divine Ruler of Thebes, Peace of Amon, had passed over in his sleep the night before. As such their temple must now make ready to aid the Pharaoh in his journey to Osiris. Teos was dispatched to the Palace where a servant of the Vizier passed over a papyrus scroll detailing the the Royal funery and embalming rites to be performed. Some of the last instructions of the Pharaoh were were contained therein the the scribe explained.

Khayan-madu, Nomarch of Gebtu already knew of the death of beloved Pharaoh, but still had business to conduct. He sat in discussion with his adopted son and council members on the need for more funds for patrols to prevent banditry on their trade road. That night as the Nomarch drifted off to sleep an odd cold draft woke him slightly, and across his bedchamber he noticed what seemed to be the spirit of Pharaoh Senusret, mummiform and in his burial regalia, he whispered urgently to Khayan “something is wrong, all is not proceeding as it should..." and the shade was gone...

Magistrate Isu Had been hearing cases and disputes all day in his small courthouse, when a Medjay officer brought out his last case, a teenage boy accused of stealing from the great temple of Karnak. A permanent mutilation would normally be the punishment but th boy apparently had something he wished to say to his judge in private. Curious, Isu agreed, and in his chambers the boy, Pepi, stated that he had been hired by a rich mans men to steal a scroll from the temple. He was offered more gold than he could refuse and told exactly where to find it, and then where to leave it - which he did before the local Medjay caught up with him.
Motivated by a sense of justice in seeing the true criminals brought to light Isu ordered the boy to be merely held in custody, while his story was investigated. Intending to question th boy more the next day Isu sent a Medjay officer to Karnak to find out which scrolls were taken, for the illiterate Pepi did not even know what he had stolen.

Khut-na, royal Artisan craftsman and jeweler was beginning the days works with his two apprentices in his new workshop when a man in the garb of a royal messenger stopped his small chariot outside and came in. He looked around and asked for Khut-na the artisan. When he stepped forward the messenger introduced himself as Perneb from the Vizier's office and said his message must be delivered in private. Khut-na asked his apprentices to leave and the Vizier's man informed him in hushed tones that the Pharaoh had passed away in his sleep. Though the official announcement had not yet been made, preparations for the burial rites must begin. Perneb offered a contract to make many of the funery amulets and shabti figures for the royal burial, a great honour and one that the artisan was glad to accept. Khut-na was handed a papyrus scroll containing a list of the items required, and told to contact the Vizier's office with any questions that may arise.

Penthu, honoured slave to Chief of The Physicians was staying in Thebes with his Mistress, Merit-Ptah. He slept on the floor of her sisters house when a loud knocking came from the door. A household servant answered the door and a Palace Guardsman stated that he must see Merit-Ptah immediately. Penthu's Mistress came down and soon enough they walked the dark streets of Thebes to the Palace. The guard explained the Pharaoh's death and stated they they were needed to check his body for any signs of foul play. Once they had set up in the now empty private wing of the great royal palace they were left along with the old Pharaoh's body and began to examine it. Soon enough their lamp oil burned low and Penthu was sent into the next wing to find more. On his was through the dark gilded corridors he heard hushed voices. This wing was supposed to be empty. His curiosity was peaked. He heard a steady male voice say “...it doesn’t matter, so long as we have the hem-ka-shabti things can proceed just as we wish”, some thing inaudible was said in reply by an even lower male voice and then he heard footsteps coming his way. Penthu hid behind a statue in a recess and caught a glimpse of a man swathed in desert robes stride by, accompanied by an overpoweringly strong smell of frankinsence.