The Ganoltir Project Forum

"It can't really do anything... physical," the woman responds, trying to think of the best way to describe her shadowy conjuration. "It's more just a projection of my mind, so I can see and hear from where it is, but I cannot open doors or make it interact with other objects." She pauses for a moment, thinking of ideas, when one hits her. 

"I can cast spells from it too, I guess, so long as I can actually focus on my target. I could, uh, toss him out the window I guess," she continues, offering a shrug. I am not sure if we want his death to be so public, but I suppose I can leave that up to them.

Ciraco stifles a laugh, the suggestion catching him off guard. "That actually could work. It'd look like a suicide too so no chance of anyone figuring out it was us," he says, realising the plan's potential. "Assuming its high enough to kill him anyway," he adds.

"Toss him out the window?" Idrig repeats, tapping a nail against his chin rapidly as he considers that. A wide smile grows on his face. "A brilliant suggestion. Assuming he has the wherewithal to open it, no? I'd wager it worth a try. Even if the fall doesn't kill him, he'd be sent back to his lord a broken man, defeated by his quarry. Quite the message to send."

"The windows were closed," Nyx responds, realizing the glaringly flaw in the idea now that Idrig has pointed that out. "And he seemed completely out, so not sure he'd be doing any opening on his own. Maybe if we made the room abnormally warm?" she comments, trying to think of ways to make the idea work.

"What about a fire? Could that work?" He asked, leaning in a bit so he could drop his voice further. "I don't have anything on hand that could, but I imagine there's something in there that can be burned."

Idrig shakes his head. "You're apt to bring the whole casino down that way. No, perhaps you can scale to his window, and open it from the outside?"

"Burning down the Crown Royale, would not be a good idea. The Barones would not be happy at all. It would be a very sudden end to our enterprise I'm sure," Ciraco says, his mind wandering back to the violence of the Agrypno's revenge in Talguta.

"Climbing up shouldn't be too hard for you anyway," he adds, clapping Narciso on the back.

"Climbing I can do, no problem." He said, listening to their counterpoints. "I'd just need to either find a balcony near their's, or be able to point it out from the outside."

"I can point it to you," Nyx responds, finding the comment by the man odd. "I did just look through their balcony from below, so I have a pretty good handle on where it is. It's pretty high, though," she continues, unsure of the safety of the plan. "You think you can climb all the way from the ground to the penthouse level? Surely you'd be noticed."

"We could cause a distraction on the street," Ciraco suggests as Nyx brings up her concern of Narciso being spotted during the climb.

"If not we could request a room on that side of the building. The money we'll earn should more than cover the expense," he adds, providing another option, although not keen to part with more gold than necessary.

"There's no need to climb from ground floor. As long as we find an accessible window near, or even upon the roof, then it should be achievable." He nods at Ciraco's suggestion. "We should scout our surroundings first, only requesting a room should all else fail. And we'll need to work fast, too, as the effects of my toxin will only last for about an hour."

"Let us move quickly then, and find a place to get myself out onto the wall," Narciso says, seemingly over-enthusiastic to once again prove his skill and worth. "To a roof access point, perhaps?" He asks, taking a look around. 

Mechanics

Perception, looking for either roof access (if it's marked) or employee door: [1d20+7]=12+7=19

"Probably better that way," Luca says, nodding to Idrig's suggestion. "Judging by Nyx's cloak, it's still raining. Scaling from the ground in this weather is a great way to join the bricks in the piazza," he adds, fairly matter-of-factly.

Narciso

You're unable to find any obvious rooftop access points in this room itself, as the ceiling extends all the way to the room in this massive hall. However, you spot some catwalks towards the ceiling and along the walls, leading you to believe there may be an access point in the maintenance and storage halls you'd entered for your escapade with the waiter.

 

"I have an idea," He says, nodding towards the hallway he had hidden in earlier. "I think I might be able to get up to those catwalks from there, and I think I might be able to use those to get out onto the roof, maybe." He says, that last part not sounding entirely sure. "I think it'll work. Then all I'll need is someone to point out which balcony it is." He finishes, trying to build the plan in his mind.

"Clever," Idrig admits, turning to Nyx. "Would you accompany him? Should he manage to open the window, you may have an immediate opportunity for your shadow to defenestrate our esteemed brute." 

Ciraco nods along with the conversation as the plan begins to solidify into something more achievable. "The rest of us should wait outside," the mercenary says.

"On the off chance he survives the fall we'll need to be there to finish the job," he explains. "We can even make it look like we're trying to help him before we then slip into the crowd."

Narciso waved for Nyx to follow him, "Alright, come on, this will be quick." He says, attempting to sneak off through the crowd towards the maintenance door.

Mechanics

Stealth: [1d20+9]=1+9=10 y i k e s.

"This is agreeable," Idrig says. "We shall meet you below. Good luck."

"Yeah, sure," Nyx says with a shrug, finding the rapid back-and-forth of her companions a bit hard to follow. "Just lead the way, and let me know when it is good to throw him. I will have my shadow follow you as you go, so I can do it immediately should be woken by the window." I guess we are really doing this. Though after that pizza, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Narciso & Nyx

Despite Narciso's rather conspicuous guiding through the crowd, the pair of you is able to make it into the maintenance halls without incident. A couple workers, dressed in clothing befitting a laborer, stride past you but seemingly pay no mind to you.

Using the main hall's catwalks as you're guide, you traverse down the corridor with hasty, uninhibited steps. Towards its end, you find a flight of iron stairs, zigzagging against the wall and disappearing beyond the ceiling. A small sign reading "Catwalk & Roof Access" in plain text confirms your suspicions. To your fortunes, the frequent uphill walk towards the villa has prepared you, and you ascend the stairs with ease.

Once you reach the top, you find yourself in a small room containing a door, a ladder, and various crates containing spare lighting fixtures or other ceiling decorations.

Narciso

Given its position, you assume the door to be that which you saw earlier, which leads to the catwalks. This leads you to believe the ladder provides access to the roof.

OOC PS since you're probably surprised: Opposing perception was an 8...

Ciraco & Idrig

"Let's get to it, then. Hopefully the rain's let up a bit," Luca says plainly as you make your way back outside. As you step through the foyer, the same greeter from earlier is about to speak up, before noticing it's you three and frowning slightly.

Leaving the casino, you step back into the plaza. By now, the sky is a murky shade of yellow and orange, the storm clouds readily muting the sunset's brilliance. It's a light drizzle, and a slight chilly breeze cuts across the square. Luca points up towards a set of windows and a balcony on the top floor of the casino's hotel. "That would be our suite. Let's hope no one else sees Narciso once he's in position..." He pauses for a moment and shrugs. "Not that it'd matter. The guards don't have time to investigate every foreigner who falls from his balcony."

 

Stepping out of the casino and back into the plaza, Ciraco pulls his cloak up around his neck, hoping to block some of the cold breeze. He follows Luca's finger looking up to the windows of the hotel. "If he is going to fall he better do it after opening the window," Ciraco replies as he survey's the outside of the building, only partly joking.

Narciso leads the way for him and Nyx through the crowds and feels his confidence spike a little as he makes it through the crowd. Things really are just going my way... He thinks to himself as he continues the trek. After they make it to the clearly marked door, he nods excitedly and takes a deep breath. "Alright... Here we go." He says under his breath before opening the door and stepping inside.
Once he arrives at the top of the stairs he takes a quick look around, noting the ladder but walking towards the other door instead.

ooc

Another door to the catwalks?

"Good eye," Idrig says to Luca. He peers up and down the street, getting a feel for who might bear witness. "Ciraco, should he survive the fall, perhaps you can deliver him one final justice?"

Mechanics

Who on dis stret?

Narciso gulped at the height and then closed the door. "Alright, no one is up here." He said, and then went to the ladder and began to ascend.

Nyx follows behind Narciso, finding his skills at fading from view lacking, but impressed they are able to make it to the roof unseen nonetheless. She waits for him to open the door before following him onto the roof when the coast is clear, using this moment to once more provide life to her shadow. Through it, she follows after her companion as he descends the ladder, keeping it as small and insignificant to the eye as she can.

Mechanics

use Shaped Consciousness again, have it follow Narciso and maintain sight on the target once he is visible

Narciso & Nyx

Ascending the ladder, you soon find yourself on the casino's rooftop, a light drizzle and strong gust quickly bringing a chill to the bone. You emerge near the edge of the roof, spotting the famed Crown Royale sign you had seen from the ground before. Standing near the edge of the roof, there is little beyond a stone railing between you and a catastrophic fall. Peering over, you spot your target balcony in the adjacent structure, only a short climb down, yet one with slick brick and mortar to contend with.

Narciso OOC

Roll Athletics & Optional Stealth

Idrig & Ciraco

Looking around you on the street, you find it to be much more desolate from earlier, with most retreating indoors to be free from the store. The various peddlers and performers from earlier have all vacated their spots, and only a handful of denizens dart through the plaza, hoods drawn up to protect from the rain. Most walk with purpose, paying little mind to much else besides their steadily dampening clothing.

Looking up towards the building, you catch sight of Narciso emerging towards the edge of the rooftop, near the striking Crown Royale sign you had spotted on your way in. It's but a short climb towards the target balcony, and you watch with bated breath.

 

Idrig leans against a brick wall of a nearby building, finding cover from the rain. Glancing upwards occasionally to watch their ally's progress, he draws a pipe from a small pack at his waist, lighting it with a snap of his fingers.

The dwarf takes a long pull before passing it to Ciraco. "It's a long way to fall. Let's hope the right man does." He exhales the smoke in the shape of a winding snake.

"It may be a bit obvious if we have to, but that's the job," Ciraco replies to Idrig's question, as he glances around, glad the crowd in the plaza has thinned out some since earlier.

Ciraco eyes Idrig's pipe suspiciously for a moment, before shrugging and taking it from the dwarf. Who knows what kind of tobacco he smokes, he thinks as he takes a drag of his own. He casually breathes out the smoke, not attempting to compete with Idrig's snake, before passing the pipe back to its owner.

"He looks like he'll be fine," the mercenary replies as he spots Narciso u on the side of the building beginning his climb.

"Aye, that's the job," Idrig repeats, passing the pipe off to Luca with a nod of respect. "Suppose I could have done more to aid him, but alchemy can only go so far." He peeks down at a vial at his waist, where a wisp of black smoke swirls inside. Instead, he pulls a flask from his pocket, labeled Heartjolt's Hair of the Dog. "Narciso will be in proficient hands should his footholds fail him."

OOC

Damn I shoulda used Shadowy Figurine to help Narciso's stealth rolls T_T

Narciso & Nyx

With surprising deftness, you're able to successfully climb across the brick wall and land upon the balcony, shadowy simulacrum in tow. Peering inside, you realize this balcony attaches right to the bedroom, with your quarry lying nearly motionless on the bed. However, the steady rise and fall of his gargantuan form belies any appearance of death. It's clear he still lives, albeit locked in slumber.

He's alone in the room, though you hear the muffled sounds of voices coming from the adjacent one. Peering a stray glance into the next room's window, you can see a pair of lackeys engaged in some kind of conversation. The door to the bedroom is closed, however, affording you some measure of privacy from the guards. Though the bedroom is quite large, its bed is but a few steps from the balcony, and from the streets below.

Idrig & Ciraco

From the ground, you're able to watch as Narciso deftly climbs across the building's brick façade, landing on the balcony with ease. You spot the shadowy form of Nyx trailing behind him, the ghastly manifestation you've seen many times before.

"Looks like he's got it covered," Luca says, taking a turn at Idrig's pipe before passing it back to the dwarf. "And no shouting means he may still be undetected."

 

Now, just open the window, boy. Nyx's phantom shall do the rest.

Idrig tries to avert his eyes so as to not draw attention up to building, but he can't help but watch. "Here's hoping it isn't locked. I can't imagine this casino would be expecting somebody to break in that high up."

Ciraco laughs at Idrig's comment. "How didn't we think of that? Hopefully you're right," he says shaking his head slightly at their collective oversight. He continues watching, willing Narciso to complete his task.

"You can plan for hours, days, years, even — and yet there will always be one thing you've missed. The flaw of mortals," Idrig says with a shrug. "Besides, if a simple lock can defeat our plan then perhaps it never was a sound one to begin with."

Nyx watches as her companion slowly descends, and takes a moment to peer through the windows as he does. I wonder what the bodyguards of an assassin talk about, she thinks, as they spot the men conversing in the adjacent room. "Oh wow, that man was sure fun to kill. I hope the next one is even more fun," or something? Or maybe they have hobbies outside of killing people. Perhaps knitting.

 

Narciso smirks gently as he peers into the room, then slowly attempts to open the window, trying not to make any unnecessary noise as he does. 

Narciso & Nyx

Luckily, you discover the window is unlocked and slowly inch it open. Though the words are still muffled, you can overhear one of the guards in the room saying, "Just let him sleep it off. Gives me time to finish my crocheting anyways." Peering into the adjacent window, you see one sitting down on a sofa, beginning to work on yarnwork.

Straight ahead, you see your quarry, lying still and vulnerable. Thunderous snoring emits from his body every few moments, a sure sign he's in a deep slumber. With nothing else standing in your way, you realize it's time to take action.

Idrig & Ciraco

"Looks like there's no need to worry," Luca says, gesturing upwards with his head. Looking up, you can see that Narciso has managed to open the window, gaining the pair entry to your target. "May want to stay clear of the impact zone though..."

 

Idrig grins, peering up for a moment at his companions. He taps his foot impatiently, waiting for the sight of their quarry to come crashing down. "The bigger they are, and all."

Narciso&Nyx

Narciso opened the window and gave a quiet little fistpump for just a moment before realizing where he still stood. He attempts to climb back up the wall now to the roof.

Mechanics

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

Watching Narciso open the window, Ciraco heeds Luca's words and takes a step back. "Here we go," he says aloud in anticipation.

With deft agility, Narciso is able to climb back up onto the rooftop, unseen and undetected by both the room's inhabitants and any stray passersby on the street below. Moments later, a subtle, yet audible fwish emerges from the room, almost like a harsh breeze snapping through the delicate rainfall.

With nary a witness, Fulke Horsfall's unconscious body is thrown from his plush bed and tonic-sweetened dreams, launched through the waiting balcony doors. The Tulrissian brute, limp and locked within deep slumber, plummets from the multistory building, his immense weight steadily accelerating to the cobblestones below. In the room above, Nyx's shadow dissipates just in time to see the doors swing open.

The sound is difficult for you to describe, though it echoes around the enclosed piazza, indistinguishable in the rain's drowning silence. A thud, a crunch, a crack, perhaps even a last pained groan as the breath left Fulke's body. He lies motionless on the cobblestone, the cracks and crevices slowly filled with a diluted red as the evening showers work to erase any evidence that this was a living, bleeding man.

From above, you see a pair of Tulrissian lackeys leaning over the balcony, switching through the rain as they watch the horror of such an accident. They disappear from view for a moment before rushing from the main entrance not a minute later. They rush up to the mangled man, his limbs contorted and shattered and his skull cracked down the middle. One of them looks to Idrig and Ciraco frantically, struggling with his words. 

"D-did you see what happened?" he says, clearly deeply panicked with how wavering his voice is. "I... I knew I should've locked the balcony... But he, he was out cold, I swear..." He buries his face into his hands, the rain trickling down his skin and betraying his emotions.

Nyx and Narciso exit a few moments later, and more city dwellers emerge to look onto the scene of the accident, a city guard amongst the crowd. He steps towards the scene, gesturing the denizens to back away. "Please, go on with your business. It seems there's been a terrible accident. Nothing to gawk over." He continues to shoo before passing a glance at Fulke again. He lets out a deep sigh, muttering under his breath, "Maledetti ubriaconi..."

Brennisian Translation

"Damned drunkards..."

Ciraco offers up a shrug to Fulke's henchmen before turing back to his companions. "Well that worked rather well," he says quietly to Luca and Idrig, glancing at the mangled corpse of Fulke. "At least with your tonic he wouldn't have felt a thing."

"Right?" he asks, out of curiosity rather than concern.

Idrig shrugs incredulously at the panicked man, before gesturing at the dead man before them as if the truth is self-explanatory. Taking the guard's advice, he backs up several paces. "I mixed it with enough sedative to stop an ox," the alchemist explains quietly to Ciraco and Luca. "I would be highly doubtful he felt anything, although it is a hair too late to ask him now."

Seeing Nyx and Narciso, he heads their way. As different as we are, you cannot deny the result of our efforts — task after task. As for this prince? Here is hoping our streak of luck may continue.

Narciso watched calmly from above, wincing at the sound of the man hitting the ground. 'Glad that's not me.' He thinks to himself before retreating with Nyx. Shortly after Narciso stepped outside taking a look around and only offering a glance toward the body of Fulke, but trying not to stare.

The full gravity of the situation does not fully hit Nyx until she exits the casino and sees the fruits of her labors lying, bloody, in the street before her. She lets out an involuntary gasp when she sees the corpse that, only moments earlier, had been the sleeping body of their foe. Her normal sullen appearance only grows more sullen, as the reality sinks in that she just murdered a man in cold blood, a man she didn't even know. I hope he deserved this, she thinks, as she walks towards the approaching Idrig, Ciraco, and Luca.

"A grisly sight," Idrig says in a strained tone as the others gather round. "Perhaps we should leave and let the Legion do their work. Poor soul."

"Let's," Ciraco agrees, beginning to move away from the mangled corpse. "We should return to Bretz," he adds, keen to claim their payment now the deed is done.

Nyx nods to the others, eager to follow them to the man that she's never met, and to hopefully put her mind off the gruesome sight of their crime. I can only imagine he had even worse in store for his target, not to mention his previous victims. He certainly deserve this, she reassures herself, though her own claims are unconvincing.