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

[Deuce Traveler]

There was a stairwell north of the pit and near several gambling tables. A few of the men caught the eyes of several half-clad and attractive serving women and pondered what the stay at the Pleasure Dome must be like. The group was led back down to the ground floor, passed a kitchen and down another set of stairs. Almost the entire lower level consisted of living quarters, and the group was given keys to a sizeable room.

The large room was split into several sections with paper-thin standing dividers. Each of the men had a cot and box locker inside one of the divided sections, while Lola had a slightly larger section and bed. Richelle's section took up a third of the large room, with a king-sized canopy bed. A table was nearby with a bowl of fruit, a pitcher of water, a bottle of wine, and several cups.

Dullon promised to return in an hour while Richelle sighed and laid on the canopy bed. "Oh I'm so excited about this trip. Perhaps you should show Liar the Swan dance I taught you when we meet him in half an hour. Feel free to pull your coin out from the chest and put them in your lockers. I left some small pouches that can be tied to your belts or skirt and should hold 50 coins each in case you folks want to enjoy yourselves."

Richelle's two servants looked confused as they wondered where they were to sleep. Richelle answered their inquiries with a smirk.

 

[Queenie]

"Richelle, you don't think that me dancing for Liar will attract his attentions? I thought you wanted me to not stand out."

 

[Scott DeWar]

Quinn pulls out his copper, silver and 45 gold coins from the chest and places it in the supplied pouch.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"I don't want anyone noticing Lola and Rovan. You two aren't popular among your old circles, and many of your old acquaintances frequent here. As for Madam Lanolan of the Five Emerald Veils, well... it is her great performances that I promised Liar as the reason I was able to secure us an invitation for the next few days. And Madam Lanolan has a reputation of being untouchable and unseeable under her veils until she is able to secure a husband proper a woman of her station. I made up a fictitious land that you are from to add to the sense of mystery. It's all about the show, my dear. Liar sees himself as a patron of arts and culture, and such a little fib should keep his and anyone elses hands off of you for as long as they do not bore of your presence."

 

[Queenie]

"Excellent Rochelle, I can handle that. The rest of you find the girl quickly while I entertain Liar. Unless of course you actually do want to have fun here, though I shudder to think of how they treat the poor girls."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The Wilders continued to debate about their next step, but none were willing to leave Lola. Eventually Dullon came down and knocked on the door to escort the group to meet with Liar Mukang. Liar's hall was a strange mixture of noble court and decadent parlor, with granite pillars lining either side. There were no signs of sturdy furniture, just divans and pillows on which rested all sorts of spoilt and effeminate nobility, perfumed merchants in elegant clothing, and drunk or dazed ladies with elegant dresses, empty laughter, and air for brains. Liar was himself not what the Wilders expected, a sharply-dressed and painted dandy from the desert lands, seated in an oak and velvet chair and being fanned by scantily clad women and men. A pipe connected to some cloud-filled glass via a tube lay next to his chair, and he blew forth purple smoke and sighed. Dullon loudly announced each of the guests, ommitting Richelle's servants. The Lady Richelle d'Artua, Madam Lanolan of the Five Emerald Veils, her servant Master Roan of Aerland, Pilot Quincy Destadt, the Earl and Copper Lord, Dan Hillby, and Captain Edward von Agnok, Cavalry Officer of the Black Blade Mercenaries."

Once the announcements were complete, Liar stood up from his chair and went to meet her, taking both of her hands into his own small versions. "Ah, my dearest Richelle. It seems like ages, and I wouldn't have thought you would come back here after the last fiasco. But here you are, and I see you brought that exotic lady you were telling me all about. My dear, I would be honored if you would grace us with a performance." He bowed and the group noted that the dusky man had a strange, unidentifiable accent. "As for the rest of you, after the dance you will have free reign to enjoy the hospitality here. Enjoy gambling, the pit fights, and many more forbidden pleasures... while spending decent coin of course. Dullon will see to any special need that you might have."

"My lord, you swore you were to observe our performance first," a loud voice boomed. It belonged to a burly, brown-haired man coming from the main fest hall and wearing worn scale mail.

Liar sighed and said, "My dear Rexor, I have seen your company trounce goblins in the pit once too many times. Now I want to see something different. Please my dear Madam. Enchant us with a dance."

 

[Queenie]

Lola was quite confident in her talents and ability to enchant. With the new dance Richelle had taught her she knew she would properly hold the attention of Liar. She nodded at the request of the man before her.

She stood, slowly and seductively, her scarves slithering across her body as she did. She took her place directly in front of Liar, making eye contact through the sheer scarf covering her face. She pulled the two steel fans off the curve of her hips and flicked them open, the jarring start to her sexy dance. She slowly whirled and twirled and twisted her lithe body to keep the room's attention.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

When the dance was over, Liar clapped in delight followed by the rest of his courtiers. "That was delightful. Please feel free to enjoy the Pleasure Dome tonight. You and your companions are most welcome, and maybe tomorrow you can dance again."

 

[Fenris]

Rovan smiled behind his black mask. He had been a little nervous. He knew Lola could dance well, but this was a huge gamble here. They must be sure to not let their real identities be known or afterwards would be difficult. Still there was a job to do. And as Lola danced he watched not her but the crowd. The sooner they found this girl the better.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The Wilders realized that not only did they not know the face of Vera, the girl who went missing, nor if she may still be alive. They were probably going to have to ask for her by name and hope to do so in a way not to draw attention to themselves.