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

[Deuce Traveler]

The Wilders went through their list of contacts with one another, trying to determine who would be best to ask a favor from. After some debate the five settled on Richelle d'Artua, a former courtesan who had been quite famous in her youth but presently brooded in her short tower in the Nobles' Quarter. Lola had known her briefly; as the young rogue was being admitted into the Naughty Nannies, Ms d'Artua was retiring from her position as the head madam. The old woman would make frequent visits to her former establishment, and she seemed to take a particular interest in Lola, sometimes encouraging her and others scolding her depending on how well Lola's education was progressing. It was said that her support was crucial to Liar Mukang when he first established the Pleasure Dome fifteen years ago, and that she provided some of the first performers to entertain there.

She lived at the intersection of Regal Street and Silver Street, and was not too difficult for Lola to find. What was more difficult was trying to explain to the guards that watched the Noble Quarter that the five belonged there despite their not-so-noble dress and appearance. Finally, the city guard escorted to Ms d'Artua's tower whence the servants straightened the problem out. Lola and her friends were escorted up several flights of stone steps until they reached the top floor. Here, a very old-looking d'Artua lay on a divan overlooking her balcony and into the city. She was all white hair and wrinkles, and wearing an old, faded dress that was meant for a woman whose various parts were firmer and better defied gravity.

She clucked while getting up, "Lola, Lola... I can't believe you ran off from the profession. Look at you now. Beautiful, but it's obvious no one has done your hair in quite sometime and you lack the make-up to put some color in those cheeks. Once I heard your story, I had hoped you had some secret plot lined up. But instead I see from the dress and stance of your companions that you brought your man down with you. Ah, I fear time has not treated either of us well."

 

[Queenie]

"It's so wonderful to see you too Richelle," Lola grinned, not letting the woman's barbs get her down. "You seem to have done well for yourself here," she said as she looked around. "I'm jealous," she lied.

After making some small talk Lola started. "I know you know I didn't come here just to chat. I need some information and some help. I am looking for someone who is missing. And I'm pretty sure Liar's got her."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Ha! You don't just go walking in to Liar's den and sweep this girl away. What will you offer Liar's for her? And why is this girl so important anyway? Is she a princess or daughter of some earl? And who are your friends, and why would Liar's allow them to attend his revelries."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The woman noted the silence of the Wilders' and continued. "What, don't know her name? My dears, women are lucky to reach my age in a world such as this. So some serf girl was abducted. At least she can say that she had been entertainment at the Pleasure Dome. Ah, what I wouldn't give to attend something like that again. But now I'm a broken down old woman with faded memories of youth and what it was like to be desired." The callousness of her attitude struck the Wilders. It was obvious that the woman had never been the entertainment, but usually the entertained. It was also obvious she had at least known the owner and establishment well enough.

 

[Scott DeWar]

*Ahem* Quinn steps 1 pace forward after waiting far another to speak, but seeing none other then lola speaking he says a word or two,
"Good day to ye Moppi, er...Mi lady," he starts with a bit of stuttering, while fidgiting with his clothing," What Miss Lola has diplomaticly left out, was that the girl we be searchin for is the daughter of a distraut father, after she was stolan from her home. She was put in this *ahem* employ of the pleasure dome as a forced slave, rather then the rumored custom of being an invited guest."

Havbing said this much to one of much greater station he he then steps back to where he was and returns to silence with a difinate blush to his ears and cheeks.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Hmph. So now I suppose I know why you came to me. We both want into the Pleasure Dome; you so you can rescue this girl while I myself attempt one more time to bask in adoration. Well, I can't just bring in five waifs off the street and try to pass them off as worthies. We'll need to send an invitation which will by us time to make you more presentable. You with the peg leg, how do you feel about wearing an eye patch? It would make you more dashing. And you, priest! How do you feel about acting out the role of a decadent you may normally despise? Rovan, you are going to need to wear a mask or some other disguise perhaps, since some may recognize you there. Lola, you are going to be a redhead and we might have to cut that hair shorter or at least give it a unique look fitting a dancer from far off lands. You, quiet one in the back! You look strong. How about being a body guard?" The woman started having a lot of new ideas on how the group would look and what roles the five would play. The discussion dealt about all five Wilders pretending to be foreign to the city, and all posing as the rich, exotic, and successful.

 

[Scott DeWar]

"Aye, Apatch it is then. as long as ye not be needin me hand to grow a hook, eh?" he wiggles his ten fingers with a smile.

He then stares off into space trying to remember some port from a far off place with an easy accent to copy.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

It wasn't an easy week getting prepared for Richelle d'Artua's return to the Pleasure Dome. The Wilders were treated like servants at night, and trained by Richelle and some of her old codger friends during the day. But they held their tongues and took the opportunity to learn.

Lola became the Madam Lanolan of the Five Emerald Veils, and had her hair dyed red as a means of disguise. Her outfit consisted of a green veil over her face, a green tunic that showed her mid-drift, a short green skirt, and two green streams of cloth that she danced with by flinging them around her body. Each of these streams were about five feet long, while she also carried two steel fans by her hips that she had sharpened, "just in case". Lola picked up several new dances with these items and was told by Richelle to stay veiled and silent to complete her disguise. No reason to alert any old acquaintances. She was said to be from a mythical land called Aerland. Otherwise she remained unarmored for this disguise.

Rovan became Master Roan, also from Aerland. He was to act as Madam Lanolan's silent and black-masked servant. His face disguise matched hers in order to keep him from being detected by any nobles that might recognize him at the bar. Otherwise he had to pick up an act in order to be part of Lola's act and he learned how to juggle and throw a half-dozen lead balls (1d3 damage each, range 20 feet).

Quinn became Quincy Destadt, a roguish merchant with a dashing eyepatch and fine scarlet clothes. His story was that he was a merchant and trader travelling the world when he was asked to become the naval escort to Madam Lanolan. He would tell folks that he had arrived from the Botany Bay earlier than its last visit and that he had been staying with Master Roan and the madam at Richelle's house for many months. An old trader of spice called Killian taught him about the nearby ports and their preferred imports and exports to help round off the disguise, along with teaching him about fine ales and wines. Quinn was to wear his armor and rapier, newly polished and shone.

Hilmdyn was to be Earl Dan Hillby, the Copper Lordling. He was to say he had recently come to wealth by finding a new copper mine northwest of the city. Supposedly he had a clan of gnomes mining the new find for him and was in the city to enjoy himself. Since he had some free time and wealth he had agreed to be the madam's armed escort to the Pleasure Dome. While there he learned how to smelt, mold, and work copper metal and some fundamentals in developing bronze by a retired, crusty smith called Larn. Hilmdyn had his own armor and weapon polished.

Edvan was to be Captain Edward von Agnok, Cavalry Officer of the Black Blade Mercenaries, a newfound group to the east. He was currently on leave and had visited Richelle to seek wisdom from her when she asked him the favor to escort the madam as an armed escort. Edvan wore his armor, newly polished, but was given a polished cavalry sabre to accompany his hand-axe. The sabre was meant more for decoration, but was necessary to complete the disguise. While there he learned from a portly, white-haired gentleman named von Hoost the way of cavalry tactics on the battlefield and horseback riding.

The Wilders were nearly ready to leave, but Richelle encouraged them to leave any gear that would impede their disguises behind.

 

[Queenie]

Lola stared at herself in the mirror, the red hair was off putting. It was certainly exotic but she preferred her black shiny hair, it suited her. At least we didn't have to cut it, she mused.

"I don't know where I am going to hide anything in this outfit. I'm wondering Richelle, how do you think we will be able to retrieve this girl from the Pleasure Dome? I mean, just walking out with her probably won't work."

 

[garyh]

"I feel a fool, playing a bloody earl," Hilmdyn said. "But at least I have the knowledge of Mhal's dominions to guide me in my disguise."

"Earl... bah! King, one day, maybe... why not?"