Dust Hat

Summary

The dust hat is a novelty disguise item purchased by the party in Session 8 of the campaign. Described as a rolled-up piece of fabric worn as a headband around the head, the dust hat creates the illusion that its wearer has turned to dust and vanished when a string is pulled. The Dust Hat Merchant demonstrates the effect by appearing to disintegrate into dust and fly away before reappearing when the dust clears. The party acquires four dust hats for what should have been 15 coins total, though Safia accidentally pays 30 coins. The purchase becomes a defining moment for the group when Sucks Benedict proposes forming "Sex Benedict in the dust hat crew," turning the items into a symbol of group identity.

Properties

The dust hat consists of a rolled-up piece of fabric that functions as a headband worn around the wearer's head. When activated by pulling a string, the device releases a cloud of dust in front of the wearer, creating a visual effect that makes them appear to turn to dust and fly away. Once the dust clears, the wearer is revealed to still be standing in place—the entire effect is an illusion rather than actual transformation or teleportation.

The Dust Hat Merchant offers the item for 10 coins each with the condition that buyers tell people the merchant made it, effectively turning purchasers into walking advertisements. The merchant describes the dust hat as "pretty cool," an assessment the party agrees with after witnessing the demonstration.

The hats can be worn as normal headgear and activated when needed, allowing the wearer to generate cover or obscure vision on demand. Safia refers to them as "dusters."

History

Session 8

The party encounters the dust hat through negotiations with the Dust Hat Merchant in Session 8. After watching the merchant demonstrate the effect—turning to dust, flying away, and reappearing—the group becomes interested in acquiring multiple units. The merchant initially offers them at 10 coins each under the condition that the party promote the merchant as the creator.

The party agrees to purchase four dust hats. While the intended total should be 15 coins (suggesting some negotiation or bulk discount), Safia accidentally pays 30 coins for the transaction. Despite the pricing confusion, all four party members—Sucks Benedict, Cat, Vasso, and Safia—obtain dust hats.

Following the acquisition, Sucks Benedict suggests that the group rebrand themselves as "Sex Benedict in the dust hat crew," proposing the items as a unifying element of the party's identity beyond just being a practical disguise tool.

Cat put on the dust hats during an interaction with a teenage salvager woman, wearing what was called "negotiating dust hats" for the encounter.

Safia later proposed using the dust hats as a tactical diversion when the party anticipated a confrontation with the New Smoke Guards. The plan was to "set off our dust hats" and "cause a dust hat tumult," creating chaos during which the party could attack their opponents' vulnerable points. Safia specifically suggested: "And then in the fray, we could, like, stab at their calves or something." However, the party ultimately did not need to execute this plan.

At the session's conclusion, the dust hats were counted among the memorable treasures the party had looted, earning them experience points under the Dungeon World Experience System.

Session 9

The dust hats played a significant role in the party's planning during Session 9. When discussing how to deal with the guards controlling New Smoke, Sucks voiced support for deploying the hats tactically, stating "that's why we bought them" and "Yeah, we should definitely use those."

Safia identified the dust hats as suitable for reconnaissance work, suggesting "We could probably do some reconnaissance with our dust hats" when the party planned their infiltration of the Foundry, where they believed the mayor was being held prisoner.

During an attempt to infiltrate the area, Sucks wore a dust hat as part of a disguise. Cat described the scene: "And I put on the dust hat and he like shambles out onto the road and pretends to be an old man." Safia reinforced the tactical use of the hat during this mission, advising Sucks: "Just wear a D hat and if thing goes wrong, activate it." This exchange demonstrated the party's understanding of the dust hat's dual purpose—concealment through normal wear and emergency obscurement through activation.