DT's Old School Campaign- (Chapter 4: The Guild and The Girl)

[Queenie]

"You know, for someone needing our help to escape, you're not being very nice. No one is here to rob you of your innocence," Lola said, trying not to roll her eyes. "But we do have to play our parts so we're not found out. We're here to save another girl and if you don't make things difficult for us we'll take you with us too.

Now, we're looking for a girl named Vera. Like you she hasn't been here that long. Do you think you know of her?

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The girl stared at Lola for a moment before saying, "So Lord Mukang's guest speaks to others outside her guards after all. All right, I'll behave if you promise the same. I don't know about this girl named Vera. They treat us as dogs when brought here as slaves and you are given a slave name. For instance, I was named Amber because of my hair. Amber!" She shook and turned red in anger. "I can try to talk to some of the newer girls, but they might not act well to the questions. Some of these girls have gotten used to their lot and turn snitch in order to earn reprieve. We are typically given a male to watch over our movements and keep us in quarters, so if I do find her you might have to contend with whoever her guardian is. Usually he is a gladiator or bouncer. I imagine you have a plan to get her out of here. If you were to promise to get me out of here, too, I'll do what I can to help."

 

[Fenris]

Rovan puts his hand on Ed's shoulder. "Yes, if you help us, we will get you out of here. Now since your name is not Amber, what may we call you in private at least. We may still need to call you Amber out there."

 

[GlassEye]

Edvan startles when Rovan puts his hand on his shoulder then smiles sheepishly though that fades quickly. Rovan can feel the tension coiling through the warrior...

Edvan doesn't know what to say to the girl. Her accusation still rankles and he is feeling, more and more as time goes by, the need to strike out at an enemy. Except he seems to be surrounded by enemies and striking at the wrong one would be deadly. He shifts uncomfortably then goes to his trunk and retrieves his axe. He tucks it into his belt and as an after thought grabs his bag of coins. He pushes it into Rovan's hands and starts to speak. He seems at a loss of words and abruptly turns and leaves the room.

Stopping in the hall outside the room he takes a deep breath to compose himself. He exhales all the pent up emotion and replaces it with an icy cold facade. Suitably 'attired' he stalks towards Liar Mukang's audience hall.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Rose is my name," the lady responded. "Now, my idea is to walk around to the newer girls and ask for this Vera girl of yours. I'll try to say that you knew her before and wanted to use this opportunity. That should hopefully give a good of an excuse to be poking around with such questions. The slaves are wound up tight, because there is talk that one of the girls killed her guardian a few weeks back and ever since then there have been rumors of other incidents. I think that it wouldn't take much for this place to break out into larger violence. If you don't mind, we can leave the chain here since you'll be watching me closely. So who among you am I asking about this Vera for?"

Edvan became frustrated with the scene and with the place and gathered his weapon and a few things. He left in a flurry while Rose talked.

Edvan
[sblock]
Edvan walked up the steps and turn to Liar Mukang's audience hall. There are several servers running to and from a number of now drunk or misty-eyed customers. Liar Mukang was arguing with Rexor again; Liar looking bored as he swirled wine in his glass while the warrior boasted of his recent performance in the pit. "Rexor, I'm sorry but my mind must be elsewhere. There are rumors of unrest in this little keep of mine. Perhaps if you fought a real challenge the excitement and talk it would generate would stifle some of the growing discontentment."
[/sblock]

 

[Scott DeWar]

"Well Moppi, er, Rose, ahem. Since on the facade of it ye were purchased for me own use, and I repeat, as a facade, Then How about this gentleman," He points to Hilmden, since edvin has left for some seeming needed fresh air, "It be for his pleasures that we be searching for pleasures for."

Quinn then shrugs, "Me eyes caught the sight of ye and I knew ye to be friends of Edvin and that be the reseanin fer me 'renting ye pleasures'. Other Wise I was intendin to free ye as well as vera."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Well, the newest 'free' girl besides me is the one that is currently in confinement and has stirred up some recent trouble. She strangled to death her last guardian after he had fallen asleep too close. I think I know who her fellow roommates are, and I might be able to make small talk and find out where she is being kept."

 

[Queenie]

Lola nodded. "That sounds good Rose, yes, say it's for Hill here as Rovan is my slave of sorts," she teased, "In character, of course. Now, while I don't advocate the use of the collar, is it wise to leave it behind? Won't that bring attention to you being off it? And what is this unrest you speak of? If a mutiny is near, we may be able to use it to our advantage. Do you know anything else, or anything of this Liar, that may be useful to us? I believe when we make our final move I will be able to distract Lord Mukang using my wiles."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Rose answered, "I don't like the damned thing at all, but I suppose I'll have to trust you and wear it if I want to get out of here. Liar Mukang is a lover of the arts and senses, but at heart he is cruel and rules a teetering kingdom. The kobolds that run his arena do so to avoid being thrown into the pits themselves. Most of his female slaves hate their lot, while so do many of the men. The only ones that he can trust are the mercenaries that frequent this establishment and his more successful gladiators who profit from the decadence the most. Even those, though, I believe would rather take his place. I think he has a secret fear of the situation getting away from him and I also believe he is a wanted man in his own country. He himself is almost a prisoner of the situation he created, for I believe most here would prefer him dead and this place torn down. Liar is dangerous, though, as are the mercenaries and gladiators. Each are familiar with death and battle."

 

[Queenie]

"Do you have any idea how many mercenaries and gladiators there are? I would hate for innocents to be involved in a possible battle but I think there are many more of us then there are of them. This could be the end of the Pleasure Dome as it is known... if we help play the cards right."

 

[GlassEye]

[sblock]
Edvan walked up the steps and turn to Liar Mukang's audience hall. There are several servers running to and from a number of now drunk or misty-eyed customers. Liar Mukang was arguing with Rexor again; Liar looking bored as he swirled wine in his glass while the warrior boasted of his recent performance in the pit. "Rexor, I'm sorry but my mind must be elsewhere. There are rumors of unrest in this little keep of mine. Perhaps if you fought a real challenge the excitement and talk it would generate would stifle some of the growing discontentment."
[/sblock]

[sblock=DT]"I'll take that challenge," says Edvan as he strides towards Liar Mukang. "Unless Rexor prefers scripted fights without any hint of danger?" He gives the other warrior a cold smile.[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Rose smiled. "The end of the Pleasure Dome? My, my you think big, but it is a thought. I would say that there are more than two dozen mercenaries at any given time, though Rexor's company is currently visiting and makes up most of those. Most are human... about a third are orcish or goblinoid. Liar Mukang must have special connections with the government as he is one of the few City-State men allowed to deal with those kind. There are about three dozen gladiators and about the same amount of slaves made guards. They would likely follow Liar, though only because they would fear one another as well as the mercenaries. They might change their minds if they thought they thought they could be free. The rest of the men are workers, most of which are slaves, and I doubt they would pose a threat. So, are you ready?"

Rose picked up the collar and held it out to Lola with disgust.

Edvan
[sblock]
Liar sighed while a look of happiness spread across his face. "Ah, finally! A real challenge! Rexor, this is your chance to face a professional officer! Captain Edward von Agnok, isn't it? So do you wish to name the challenge while Rexor chooses the weapons and time or vice versa? First blood or to surrender? You wouldn't choose to the death, would you?" Liar asked, encouragingly. It was obvious his curiosity was peaked, though Rexor stood silent and scowled.
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

[sblock]Edvan bows to Mukang. "At your service, sir." He straightens and, still watching Rexor, laughs and shrugs. "Death? If you are willing to lose an employee then those terms suffice for me." Edvan crosses his arms and raises one brow in question. "Do you accept the challenge? Or shall you continue with your little... productions?"[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Edvan
[sblock]
Rexor looked at Edvan's weapons and considered his options before replying, "Well, I normally favor a sword, but I imagine you may be good with either that or the axe you bring. Let's mix it up a bit, shall we? I'm also handy with a quarterstaff. No armor, bare chested, quarterstaff fight to the death in one hour."

The man stared at Edvan, trying to measure him up.

Liar asked, "Is there to be a prize besides glory?"
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

[sblock]Edvan nods acquiescence to Rexor's conditions. "I look forward to it." With a turn of his attention back to Mukang Edvan laughs coldly. "Oh, yes, I expect to be rewarded for providing what will be a spectacular entertainment and opportunity for the increase of your wealth, sir. This isn't just for my own pleasure." He thinks for a moment. "Let the victor make his request after the battle..." He shrugs. "If there is nothing else, there are preparations that need to be made."[/sblock]

 

[Queenie]

"I'm sorry," she apologized, putting the collar back on but loosely, "Places like this make me sick. It's one thing to decide to have this life, quite another to have it chosen for you. We'll get you out Rose and we're counting on you to help us find Vera." She patted the girl on the arm. "The faster we find her the faster we're out of here."

After all is settled, they head back out to the main area where Liar is keeping court to see what is up.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Rose sighed and nodded and Lola locked the collar shut once more. The group walked back up the stairs and into the main hall where they nearly bumped into a rigid-faced Edvan. Before he could speak a barker yelled, "All ears! In one hour our infamous brigand, Rexor, will cross quarterstaves with an equally armed and bare-chested Captain Edward von Agnok! The battle will be to the death! The prize will be a gift from Lord Mukang of the victor's reasonable choosing."

The announcement caused a stir as merchants and mercenaries stared Edvan up and down, yelled at one another, and started the betting. Rose stared in amazement at Edvan and asked, "Are you daft? Rexor is as mean as a viper and equally quick. What would make you do such a thing?"

 

[GlassEye]

Edvan steps away from the main body of spectators so that no one can overhear. "I made a promise and this was the only way I could see towards fulfilling it. We have an hour; I suggest we make good use of it." He turns to the old salt. "Quinnsy, when the time comes I expect you to get her and Vera out of here."

 

[Fenris]

"I guess that leaves me and Lola to get your hide out of here huh? What were you thinking man? If need be I can toss a spell down there. Or heck, I'll head down with you if you like. I can take a couple lumps pretty well." says Rovan

 

[Scott DeWar]

"Aye Capt'n Edvin. and mind ye i wish to have 50 gold for ye to win" he says this in a low voice and then in a louder voice he says to hilmden, " I shll see if i can find you some entertainment tonight as well."