Aug 6, 2026 1:27 am
Mynt, the elderly Burmese barman at the Tiger’s Den, claims he can make any cocktail in the world. He has a decent array of drinks, pleasingly illuminated behind his long bar. But many of the bottles are empty, or almost so. The war has taken its toll on his stocks. Sharp-eyed visitors notice that a couple of bottles of sake share space with the gin and whisky. Reminders that the bar was very recently patronised by officers of the Imperial Japanese Army.
The clientele now is very different. Rowdy stokers from a tramp steamer, suited Indian clerks and sweaty engineers from the city’s railway. As well as the usual resident drunks, street walkers and opium-pedlars. It is hot, despite the fans turning in the bar’s ceiling, and cigar smoke hangs in the humid air.
Five clients sit at a corner table. An unlikely bunch of misfits, even by this bar’s standards. Harry Taylor, a mission controller for US special ops during the war, leads their discussion. He has chosen the bar and the table carefully. He is confident that any conversation there cannot be be easily overheard. Harry has assembled the crew, sending out feelers using what remains of his old network. He eyes the four with interest. A motley bunch, to be sure. But he has brought together many unlikely teams in his time.
Taylor is a tall, thin American, shabbily, but cleanly dressed in a white suit with a panama hat. He smokes nervously as he points out positions on his wrinkled map. He nurses a cocktail mixed with Bombay gin —a hangover from his years of cooperation with the Brits.
"Thanks for coming this evening. You’ve all had a decent look at the map and I can see you are interested. I was a coordinator for special ops during the last show. When we closed down the Kandi offices earlier this year, I held on to this file. It was supposed to have been destroyed. As you now know, it indicates the location of a ruined temple , far up in the foothills near Sagan. Loaded with treasure, according to these scribbles. It had not been considered a high priority mission during the war. It seemed a shame to destroy the information. I thought the file should be kept by someone who was able to do something with the intel."
Taylor explains that he wants to retire with a decent amount of money. He’s also curious about the temple and the nature of the treasure there. He’s not a criminal, he claims. He just thinks that , in life, one has to seize an opportunity when it arises. If there is treasure in the ruin, he argues, nobody is benefitting from it at present. And finders keepers, after all.
"Not all of you know each other. I wonder if you’d mind introducing yourself and explaining what it is you will contribute to our expedition…"
Note that I’ve made Taylor an American to fit with back-stories more easily. I imagine he’s like Lee Marvin in one of his more suave roles.
Please briefly introduce yourself in character, responding to Taylor’s question. If you wish, please also explain what your character is wearing, drinking, smoking etc to build up a bit of atmosphere.
The clientele now is very different. Rowdy stokers from a tramp steamer, suited Indian clerks and sweaty engineers from the city’s railway. As well as the usual resident drunks, street walkers and opium-pedlars. It is hot, despite the fans turning in the bar’s ceiling, and cigar smoke hangs in the humid air.
Five clients sit at a corner table. An unlikely bunch of misfits, even by this bar’s standards. Harry Taylor, a mission controller for US special ops during the war, leads their discussion. He has chosen the bar and the table carefully. He is confident that any conversation there cannot be be easily overheard. Harry has assembled the crew, sending out feelers using what remains of his old network. He eyes the four with interest. A motley bunch, to be sure. But he has brought together many unlikely teams in his time.
Taylor is a tall, thin American, shabbily, but cleanly dressed in a white suit with a panama hat. He smokes nervously as he points out positions on his wrinkled map. He nurses a cocktail mixed with Bombay gin —a hangover from his years of cooperation with the Brits.
"Thanks for coming this evening. You’ve all had a decent look at the map and I can see you are interested. I was a coordinator for special ops during the last show. When we closed down the Kandi offices earlier this year, I held on to this file. It was supposed to have been destroyed. As you now know, it indicates the location of a ruined temple , far up in the foothills near Sagan. Loaded with treasure, according to these scribbles. It had not been considered a high priority mission during the war. It seemed a shame to destroy the information. I thought the file should be kept by someone who was able to do something with the intel."
Taylor explains that he wants to retire with a decent amount of money. He’s also curious about the temple and the nature of the treasure there. He’s not a criminal, he claims. He just thinks that , in life, one has to seize an opportunity when it arises. If there is treasure in the ruin, he argues, nobody is benefitting from it at present. And finders keepers, after all.
"Not all of you know each other. I wonder if you’d mind introducing yourself and explaining what it is you will contribute to our expedition…"
OOC:
Note that I’ve made Taylor an American to fit with back-stories more easily. I imagine he’s like Lee Marvin in one of his more suave roles.
Please briefly introduce yourself in character, responding to Taylor’s question. If you wish, please also explain what your character is wearing, drinking, smoking etc to build up a bit of atmosphere.
