The Ganoltir Project Forum

They do not fit Fulke's description, but you notice they're wearing the same attire as the man by the bathroom. Additionally, you notice they have thick, foreign accents when they speak. However, they say nothing of note, simply talking of Ciraco's win and whether or not one of them should try the roulette.

Give the guy 10 gold coins

Narciso gives a polite smile, raising his glass politely before taking the free seat. "Most of the other tables are just too loud for me today. I just want to sit quietly and hear some stories- and I imagine two lovely ladies like yourselves have many stories to tell." He takes another sip of his drink before relaxing. He uses his seat at the table mostly as an excuse to look non-suspicous as he tries to look for their target, periodically glancing around the room as he listens to them talk. "And besides, really, I'm the one in the presence of royalty. You two ladies look absolutely beautiful today." He says, playing it up a tiny bit but giving as genuine of a compliment as he can.

Looking around the casino floor, you're able to spot Nyx in an empty lounge, hugging an employee, a young man. Based on the supplies around, it seems like he was in the midst of cleaning when she approached him. She seems to share a few words with him, and you notice him appearing to whisper something to her. After he steps back, he returns to his task.

The man's eyes seem to sparkle for a moment as you hug him. He squeezes gently, apparently having needed the hug. "T-thank you," he says, managing a slight smile, placing the coins in his pocket. He looks at you for a moment as you ask of Bretz.

"Oh, hm," the young waiter says, a vexed look spreading across his face. "We're not meant to talk of other guests, but..." He steps in closer towards you, lowering his voice. "I saw him some hours ago, and his lackeys all in these hideous black outfits. They looked like they'd just come from the restaurant, grease and grizzle all in their beards still. I hope that helps." He steps back and gives another smile, gesturing back to his cleaning supplies. "I guess I should get back to it though."

From the main casino floor, you can see Idrig and Ciraco coming your way.

"Oh stop! You'll make a woman blush," the one says, feigning youthful meekness. She takes a short sip from her drink, making curious eye contact with you.

"Maybe in our youth, but thank you, dear," the other says with a chuckle and a warm smile. "If it's stories you're after, you'll have to catch up before our first bottle." She taps the glass wine bottle resting in the middle of the table, the sound of the cling quickly telling you it's hollow.

"Aye, we've mostly just been watching the crowds so be, seein' what interesting folks are about. Speaking of, you see where that hulking brute went, Dina?"

Dina shakes her head. "I haven't seen him for some time. Not since seeing him eat all that food earlier. He'll get sicker than a dog, even at that size." She looks at you for a moment, the look of a concerned mother in her eyes. "You'd be wise to not overeat yourself, or you'll sooner be laid up in your room all night, ordering tonics to your bedside."

As you continue to wander, you come across Luca again, still gingerly sipping on a new cocktail. "You all find anything? The bartender was of no help," he says with a frown, taking another swig of the drink. "I saw Narciso some time ago, talking to a couple of older women. Those types watch everything and everyone in a place like this."

After surveying the room a bit, you find a sign labeled Royale Treasury above an archway into the central castle. You step down a short staircase and find yourself in a circular room, desks and attendants waiting on the outside. Above the desks, gilded metal bars separate the attendants from the common rabble. Directly behind the attendant across from you, you spot a golden vault door pulled open, piles of coin lying inside.

This attendant, a short woman wearing an elegant purple gown, bows to you. "Good day to you, sir. Are you buying or redeeming?"

Narciso smiles at the two women. "I enjoy people watching as well. That's actually part of why I came here tonight." He gives another more obvious but casual glance around the room. "People do such interesting and intriguing things." He says with a bit of a quiet laugh.

"Aye, this way," Luca says, gesturing in a direction with his head. Not a moment later, Ciraco returns to your side. Following Luca's lead, you find yourself near a small lounge built into a nook in the hall's side. You find Narciso sitting at a table with two older woman, his gaze on your group as you approach.

"Ah yes," the woman says with a plain smile, taking the silver medallion between her thumb and index finger. She examines it closely for a few moments before turning back at you and nodding. "Just a moment, please." She scurries into the rear vault, vanishing from sight for about a minute, before returning with a small black pouch, emblazoned with a golden crown on the front. "There you are, sir. Your winnings entitled you to the second prize of five-hundred gold pieces. Do enjoy, and have a royal day!" She slides the pouch across, bowing to you.

Stepping out of the vault, you easily spot your companions and regroup with them. Following Luca's lead, you find yourself near a small lounge built into a nook in the hall's side. You find Narciso sitting at a table with two older woman, his gaze on your group as you approach.

"That they do, dear," Dina says with a chuckle. As she does, you notice two men in black leather pants and black shirts passing by, looks of concern on their face. You overhear one mention something about sending a tonic to the room, though details are difficult to make out given the thick Tulrissian accent you hear.

"Strange to see one so young share a hobby with us. Say, there's a dwarf. You don't see those every day!" the woman interjects excitingly. Looking in the direction she's facing, you see Idrig approaching, with the rest of your group in tow.

Perception to try and spot the two men: [1d20+7]=17+7=24

From the lounge, you're able to spot the same two men from earlier, making their way back towards the entrance hall. As you recall, there was a passage towards the hotel in that same room. From what you can tell, their steps are fairly quick and they're moving with a sense of urgency.

Bluff: [1d20+9]=10+9=19

Despite their quickened pace, you easily catch up to the pair of Tulrissians before they vanish out of sight. One seems to turn around, hearing you stumble and lurch behind him, but rolls his eyes and pays little mind to you. "I feel compelled to count how many drunkards we see before we return home," you overhear him saying to his companion. After some time, you find yourself in the opulent main lobby of the Palazzo Lumino, bearing the same aesthetics as the casino proper. Here, you spot that it's bustling with foreigners. In particular, you spot half a dozen more lackeys loitering on the lobby couches.

Your quarry makes for the grand staircase, meanwhile, an intricate marbled stair leading to the upper echelons of the hotel. Your expert stumbling and faux-drunkenness remains even more convincing on the stairwell, though, and you're soon at the penthouse level. They begin walking down a long corridor before the first turns towards you again. Concern shows through his thick accent. "Do you need help, friend? Come, let me help you to your room."

As Ciraco departs, Luca looks towards the rest of you and crosses his arms. "So we've found our main target, but how do we want to handle his lackeys?" the man asks the rest of you. "Seems like he took quite the retinue with him. Doubt they'll make this easy."

The man eyes you with concern for a brief moment, looking at his silent companion before turning back to you. "Alright, but if you need anything, we're just down the hall." He points down the hall, where a set of gaudy double doors sit. They bear a crown painted upon them. "The Royale Suite. Just try to keep it down, yes?" He nods to you and then to his friend and they continue down towards the hall. Eventually, they stop at the pair of double doors and vanish within.

Due to Alchemist theme + Master Mixer feat, I have this prepared for free: