Frequently Asked Questions
I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Peter Neville’s former team? In terms of what sort of members there were, etc.
Absolutely! Alrighty, so here are the names:
Edgar Carter (chief egyptologist)
Annalise Parrish Carter (chief archeologist)
Peter Neville (egyptologist)
Eugene Miller (egyptologist)
So the team, including Peter, that went out into the desert on that fateful trip were led by a husband-wife team, Edgar Carter and Annalise Carter (née Parrish).
Edgar was an esteemed Egyptologist who had some controversial ideas about the emerging Amarna period (which, tragically for him, turned out to be true). These controversial ideas saw him ousted from some of the more “respectable” circles in the field and certainly earned him many snide comments. Despite these deterants, Edgar remained stubbornly convinced and pursued funding to march into the desert and prove the existence of the legendary cursed Queen Tarset, her lover the priest Ahmose, and the others. Find them he did, but to the cost of everyone involved.
Edgar’s plucky and equally determined wife, Annalise, was the other arm of the operation. It was she who was friends with Eustace Basset and convinced him to fund her husband’s project. Annalise had met her husband through her brother, Cecil, who was also an Egyptologist. Though not an Egyptologist herself, Annalise was an ardent archeologist, herself specializing in Ancient Greece. Though she didn’t know much about Egypt, she knew her husband and believed in him from day one and supported him through the trials and tribulations he faced with dogged fierceness.
Eustace Basset was not an archeologist or egyptologist. He had, however, dabbled in digs before. His interest lay with Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, periods from which he had an extensive and impressive collection. His mother was an American heiress whose fortune had saved his father’s earldom from ruin, and when he wasn’t fixing up his estate, Eustace was eagerly devoting his time to artifacts. Having gone to university with Annalise, he was friends with her for years (often having lively debates with her about the relationship between Greece and Rome) and it was she who convinced him to help fund her husband’s fateful discoveries. Inspired by her, Eustace was quite enthusiastic about the enterprise and chose to go along with them into the desert, thus sealing his horrific fate.
Besides Peter Neville (about whom I won’t go into here ;D), the final egyptologist involved in the venture was Eugene Miller. Though often a bit cranky and sarcastic, Eugene was possessed of a brilliant mind and - though politely termed ‘eccentric,’ - his studies were always met with respect. He was no-nonsense and direct in his approach to most matters, but when it came to Ancient Egypt, his eyes would light up inspired by the sweeping majesty and magic of days gone by. He specialized in the Amarna period and was known to become quite excitable and even tear up when new discoveries were made.
Oscar Brown was the crew chief. A warm man with a resounding belly laugh, he was always to be counted upon for jokes and fun. Though they would often bicker and spar verbally, he also shared a close friendship with the cantankerous Eugene, the two men balancing one another perfectly. Oscar saw it as his duty to watch out for the rest of the crew and, indeed, that was how he lived out his final hours.
Eustace Basset is survived by a sister, Lydia Basset, and Annalise Carter by a brother, Cecil Parrish (both of whom are future playable characters ;D) and Cecil was, notably, a dear friend of Peter’s prior to this horrifying incident.
Could you share any further details on Annalise, herself?
Of course! Annalise was young, blond, striking (though not traditionally pretty). She was known for her spunk and wit, as well as her tireless goodwill. The sort of person whose spry intelligence could illuminate with a cutting (thought always half-affectionate) line or two. She was an optimist and had a love for nature, even indulging in art (she loved to paint the skies over her country home in England, in particular), though she herself announced that she was a rubbish painter. Forthright and warm, Annalise was unsuppressable and always did what she thought was right, come hell or high water. She always very much enjoyed doing what she liked - and damn the torpedos! - and getting her way. She was, in fact, quite stubborn and quite outspoken, but she had a gift for inspiring others.
Annalise had multiple degrees, marking her a prestigious historian specialized in Ancient Greece. She did a great deal of research - both paper and fieldwork - into her field and made many exciting discoveries. She was not alone in this practice, having an egyptologist for a brother and, in fact, marrying one of her brother’s egyptologist friends. The three of them all encouraged and helped one another greatly until the end.
What happened to the team, exactly?
Tarset, actually! She drained the life from them in bringing herself back into wholeness. Edgar, who read the inscription which awoke Tarset, died first followed by Eustace and finally Annalise as detailed (here).
If only 2-3 living souls are needed to resurrect a mummy, why did they all die?
A mixture of things. Exposure did most of the diggers in (Tarset destroyed many of the vehicles to get them out of the desert, plus others scattered trying to literally run away...), Tarset did for many of the others. Not wanting to attract attention, and determined to find the Book of the Dead, she quite literally tore through the dig members. Additionally, there were those she attacked for vital organs, eyes, etc. before draining anyone (specifically Oscar and Eugene). The sole survivor was, as a result, Peter Neville, who survived since Tarset decided to make use of him...
As always, let me know if you have any other questions! I love answering them! <3
