First, let us remark that this has been a singular and important event in the history of exploration, and, as such, we can only wish that we had more information available. We have attempted to piece together the happenings of the first attempt to locate and explore Opra, but have been hampered by incomplete and contradictory stories and journals from the various survivors. The below narrative is therefore likely to be inaccurate in various details, but it is the best that we can do with the information currently available.
After many arduous weeks traveling through some of the most treacherous and inclement lands on earth, the expedition, under the capable leadership of Professor Smythe-Piddling, did indeed come upon what appeared to be a large and occupied city unlike anything before seen south of the First Cataract.
The force that survived the first leg of the trip consisted of six groups, each of only about ten men. Many others had set out from Zanzibar, but most of them had either deserted or perished along the way.
The expedition encountered a small force of Mahdists in the hills just south of the city and shook out into skirmish order to drive them away. After clearing away the Mahdists, they came upon the city itself, its ramparts lined with native warriors. These appeared to be lighter-skinned than the local natives, for the most part, and were decked out in regalia similar to paintings of ancient Egyptians of the past.
Nota bene: No one can say for certain why the denizens of Opra are drawn to costuming themselves in such outlandish manner. Some of them also seem to have dressed as living mummies and as jackal-headed warriors. Perhaps it is a defensive attempt to frighten the locals?
Professor Smythe-Piddling approached the city gate and attempted to converse with the Oprans. They seemed ignorant of Swahili and all other local dialects. During this futile exchange, someone began firing at the city. Some say it was the French contingent, while the French claim that it was the ruga-ruga. Regardless of the perpetrators, it occasioned a response from the Oprans, who began flinging spears at the expedition forces within range.
Fire was returned and all semblance of order was lost. The ruga-ruga, at the far south of the expedition line, climbed over an unguarded section of wall and were the first to enter the city. Some of their party entered a nearby temple devoted to Anubis and were dealt casualties when they encountered large, fierce warrior wearing jackal-head masks. The close fighting within the small room gave their muskets no advantage and soon they were driven out in disarray. Meanwhile, the Opran defenders had been chased away from the walls and other expedition parties entered the city.
Professor Smythe-Piddling and the Egyptian passed through the gates and up a large ramp where they discovered a chamber with a secret passage that led to more rooms below the main building. Egyptian soldiers were sent into some of these rooms. They encountered Oprans dressed as mummies and a species of large, ferocious spider. After several troops were killed or wounded, the rest retired.
Lt. Kevin’s regulars had followed the Egyptians and guarded the chamber and ramp while the Egyptians explored.
The two Indian platoons and the French explored some nearby mastabas (tombs) in which they found more mummy-men and large spiders. Meanwhile, a group of mummy-men warriors and a group of jackal-masked warriors were attempting to cut the expedition off from the city gate. The expedition members closest to the gate began to retire, leaving their comrades to fend for themselves. The Egyptians and British regulars, having penetrated the city the fartherest, were the last to make their way to the gate, incurring a large number of casualties in the process.
Once outside the gate, the French contingent began firing on the surviving ruga-ruga for reasons as yet undetermined. Mahdist snipers in the hills also opened up again and there was a confused firefight throughout the area. Indian 2nd Platoon arrested the ruga-ruga chieftain Umbolo (the only survivor of that group) as they withdrew.
What was left of the expedition immediately set out for the coast, there being little point in remaining near the city after incurring so many dead and wounded. Several valuable artifacts seem to have been gathered by various people, but there is no reliable inventory of what those were. Some parties claim that they recovered nothing of value while others accuse them of hoarding great treasures. Unfortunately, we simply do not know and probably never will.
And what of future expeditions? The RGS have been amazed at the public response to press reports of the First Expedition. Hundreds have written to us offering their services for the next attempt, not only professional adventurers, but also missionaries, scientists, and even women! We are flabbergasted.
The only certainty is that there will be another expedition and soon. Professor Smythe-Piddling has offered his services again, and we have accepted. Other parties are still in negotiation.
Some have queried as to why we simply do not send a full battalion of British regulars, with supporting artillery and cavalry, rather than another small expedition. There are two good reasons. First, the dread tsetse fly infests the path to the city, killing with sleeping sickness all horses, mules, donkey, oxen, etcetera, that attempt to pass. A fully equipped battalion is simply out of the question. Second, the path is seriously deficient in water. No more than a handful of people can sustain themselves on the few muddy puddles that may or may not be available during the long trip. A larger force can neither carry enough water nor find enough water to endure.
Therefore, the second attempt at exploration of Opra, and all attempts in the foreseeable future, will of necessity consist of relatively small numbers. We only hope that British pluck and determination will overcome the many obstacles to success.