”I can probably manage checking out the exterior without being noticed, but I’m not quite as good at directly misleading people in a more social setting.” Ono says, volunteering to tactically assess the building’s exterior.
Miss Canella rushes off back to the Precinct to change.
Approaching from the direction of the Precinct, but, not quite looking like herself; Miss Canella waves at the boys as she walks by going into the Dreaming Palace to scout about.
She winks.
Father Emmett walks around the building, looking for anything unusual. Knowing that trying to hide is futile, he will just play it cool in the crowd. Father Emmett will also talk with people outside of the building to see if they've seen anything unusual. Police business, you understand.
Watanabe waits to see if his partners turn up anything before questioning the concierge.
Lobby
Large arched windows illuminate the elegantly polished floor and warm wooden furniture of the hotel’s reception area. Directly across from the stout main doors, double doors of bronze lattice are carved to resemble interwoven vines and offer tantalizing glimpses of a large chamber beyond. A few comfortable chairs surround a fireplace to the west, while to the east a long, tall counter encircles a small wooden door.
Miss Canella sees a female 1/2 Orc at the receptionist's desk.
Welcome to the Dreaming Palace! It's nice to see a good couple from out of town visiting us, during the Radiant Festival!
The 1/2 Orc makes a grand gesture.
How may we help you?
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Ono puts on his scouting hat. It's a red beret that he thought looked cool on the mannequin. The stylish elf takes steps to avoid the drier leaves, the snap rocks, and the strings of bells; making his way around the Hotel. Scanning the sides and the rear (hey! Get your minds out of the gutter!) of a passerby taking a lonely stroll, the embarrassed Elf smiles, waves, coughs, and sprints away!
Rounding the corner of the building, Ono realizes that his going out on his own seems to be the perfect choice; as he barely even almost had to arrest himself.
Father Emmett begins wondering about the immediate neighborhood. The Agent flashes a smiles and a badge at those walking by him. Mothers nervously grab their children, squirrels chitter running away and seen grabbing their nuts, robins chirp angrily at the robe-wearing weirdo, flying away; but offering Father Emmett a falling piece of their mind!
Father Emmett, looking about and seeing the rejection from the public and nature itself, slumps onto a bench to wait for his "inside" colleagues.
A bird sh*ts on his shoulder.
Am I...a monster?
An attractive horse trots by, catching Father Emmett's eye, and our good Father starts to feel a little better.
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Ono perceptively senses that Father Emmett isn’t feeling quite like himself, so he sits down beside the good Father and attempts to cheer him up.
”There, there, Father Emmett, you don’t need to feel bad. It’s not like you’re some kind of monster. I mean, a monster would be far more intimidating… no one is going to be scared of you. Sure, maybe they’d point and laugh, or perhaps even throw things, but they’re certainly not going to be afraid of you.” Ono says as he smiles. He pats Father Emmett on the shoulder and gives him the ‘thumbs up’.
Miss Canella smiles and bats her long eyelashes at the desk clerk.
Why, we just got in town. My feet hurt, walking all day. We would like a room please.
Ono smiles, as he watches The Mule lurking in some bushes across the street. The Mule seems to be shaking his head negatively at him.
Ono's clumsy words and the distant disapproving stare of The Mule drive Father Emmett back into his funk and he sags on the bench.
Maybe I'd feel better if I had a chance to inflict Justice on someone. I hope Miss Canella finds out something soon and we can...ahem...clear up the situation
Having sent her husband back outside to get the suitcases (s!#* ton of shoes for 1 catfolk!), Miss Canella smiles at the desk clerk.
Her honeyed words drip deliciously upon the lips of the female 1/2 orc. She smiles back with a bit of lingering in her eyes.
Most certainly! How many occupants? How long would you like to stay? Do you need help with your luggage?
The clerk then begins making the preparations for renting our Miss Canella a room.
Miss Canella smiles shyly at the desk clerk.
Just me nd my husband. We think a week, but we may just love it and stay longer. My husband can bring in the luggage.
Miss Canella signs the proper paperwork. She then takes the key from the winking female 1/2 orc.
I will just go get my husband. He may need directions to the room.
Watanabe paces back and forth outside, he's clearly nervous. Canella had been inside for a while, maybe they got to her. Her disguise was impeccable but the perpetrators could have used magic to read or enhance their senses to supernatural levels. He said to Ono and Emmett, "I'm going to check on her."
Right when he goes to open the door Watanabe breathes a sigh of relief as Canella exits. "What's the plan?" he asks.
Our Agents huddle up to form a plan to confront, investigate, or otherwise bother these most likely purely innocent proprietors during this grand festival time....
The Mule just shakes its head; chewing some bubblegum, blowing bubbles that eerily form images of frowning faces.
Watanabe casts daze on the nearby mule.
Friends, sitting out here is bringing Father Emmett down. Should we just storm the place, badges flying, and find who we're looking for?
Watanabe raises an eyebrow as Father Emmett begins to talk in the third person. ”Yes we were quite successful with our sting operation the night before, but I think a more direct approach is warranted here. We begin the process of interviewing each staff member and investigate the rooms that the disappearances happened in. If we find any leads we shall follow them from there. Canella If you still wish to go undercover please choose one of us to accompany you while the others work on the direct approach.”
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Father Emmett mutters in a low voice there will be justice
Yes Watanabe, I agree with that approach. Ono? Miss? Pen?
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”Did I hear ‘kick in the front door’?!? I already like this plan!” Ono exclaims as he slowly nods his head in anticipation of the Great Justice that will soon be dispensed.
Watanabe should go in with me undercover since the 1/2 orc already saw him with me. We need a couple of luggage's to take in with us also.
The rest of us should go in asking questions and see what you can find out. You may not want to go in too hostile because you may not find out what you want. Maybe order a drink and try to get to know some of the patrons. If you are friendly, you may get the information we need.
If you don't get the info we need. We will need to have someone on the inside to do some surveillance and see what we can find out.
Watanabe blow air out his nose before saying, "I... er.. um..." He looks to father Emmett and Ono for help and then says, "Pretending to be your husband... alright." Watanabe stands up straight and brushes his hair back with his fingers. He nearly forgets to remove his badge as he walks in with Canella.
Watanabe and Miss Canella walk back inside; pretending to be a visiting married couple without any suitcase.
Raslo looks back up from her desk, as the couple reenters the Inn.
Welcome back to The Dreaming Palace; where all your dreams can come true!
She smiles.
Looking behind the couple with a bit of curiosity on her face; the 1/2 orc shrugs.
I got your room almost ready. Please help yourselves to some coffee, tea, and cookies.
Father Emmett walks into the lobby and looks for anyone interesting to talk to about the missing folks.
Ono follows along, waiting for the action to start.
Lobby
Large arched windows illuminate the elegantly polished floor and warm wooden furniture of the hotel’s reception area. Directly across from the stout main doors, double doors of bronze lattice are carved to resemble interwoven vines and offer tantalizing glimpses of a large chamber beyond. A few comfortable chairs surround a fireplace to the west, while to the east a long, tall counter encircles a small wooden door.
The half-orc thief Ralso occupies the lobby during the day as the hotel’s receptionist and concierge.
Agents of Edgewatch? I regret to inform you, that we just booked our last room.
The 1/2 orc smiles; her eyes looking at the door.
”Well, that shouldn’t be a problem, we don’t need a room, just full access to the building and grounds. Also, why you lookin’ at the door, Smiley? We’re over here.” Ono says as he gives the room a quick inspection, listening carefully with his elf ears for anything that seems out of place.
Something seems off about her response…
If the Edgewatch agents insist on looking around the hotel, Ralso agrees to give them a tour. In this case, she takes them to some of the hotel’s areas—the Primarch Suite (E4), which they’re currently keeping empty as a showpiece to prospective guests; the lounge (E10); the dining room (E15); and the bunkroom (E13). Along the way, they likely encounter Mrs. Honeywall around area E5. Beyond these areas, however, Ralso insists that she can’t show the agents any more of the hotel without violating guests’ privacy.
E4. Primarch Suite
This spacious room has its own bathroom and large, curtained windows overlooking both a small decorative garden to the west and the quiet street to the south. A huge feather bed, a couch, a coffee table, and several chairs furnish the room, and large paintings of city landmarks such as the Starstone Cathedral and Azlanti Keep hang on the walls.
E10. Lounge
A large stone fireplace takes up the northeastern corner of this comfortable reading room. Bookshelves line the walls, and overstuffed armchairs dot the floor in small knots to facilitate conversation. In the southwestern corner is a small bar with racks of glassware.
E15. Dining Room
This magnificent dining hall boasts huge glass windows along its curved wall that looks out at the cobblestone street, as well as a wagon-wheel chandelier attached to the ceiling. Two long wooden tables with benches fill the western space, while a large round table surrounded by chairs occupies the circular part of the room.
E13. Bunkroom
Several bunk beds have been set up around the perimeter of this windowless stone room. At the foot of each bed are two lockable wooden cabinets.
E5. Low Room
The ceiling in this well-appointed bedroom is only five feet high and covered in elaborate wooden molding carved to resemble leaves and branches. All of the furniture is half the usual size for humans, and low windows with pink curtains look out onto a small garden bed. Paintings of fruit bowls and assorted domestic scenes hang on the walls.
This room is designed to appeal specifically to halflings, gnomes, and other shorter guests. The current resident is Mrs. Honeywall ( female halfling seamstress), a kind-hearted widow from rural Taldor who wanted to see the wonders of Absalom and the Radiant Festival before she’s too old to travel. She’s been staying at the hotel happily for weeks now.
The 1/2 Orc provides all the information above. Speaking with Ms. Honeywell is quite the conversation for our Father Emmett; who has hidden is excitement by carrying a book found lying on a side table....
Raslo ends the tour back at the Main Lobby.
Well, I do hope that you mention our little Hotel in the Festival brochure. Have a nice day, Agents.
She then returns her attention to her actual guests.
Mister and Mrs. Canella? Would you care for anything else prior to being shown to your room?
Mrs. Honeywell, it is such a pleasure to meet you. We were wondering if you could help us. We are trying to find some Minkai laborers that are staying here. Have you seen them? We hate to bother Mr. Pratchett with this.
Yes, Miss Canella and Watanabe was with you for the tour.
I think we shall have something to eat and drink before we take a rest.
Watanabe dutifully follows behind with his waifu and when the subject of the Minkai laborers comes up he asks, ”All the way from Minkai. That’s quite the journey they made. If possible I would like to take tea with them and see if they have any news from my home continent. Could that be arranged?”
Ono considers forcefully pressing the subject of the Minkai laborers, but decides to see how Watanabe’s clever approach works out.
After the tour, Father Emmett and Ono paused to discuss the better merits of Mr. Pratchett with our clearly smitten gnome.
Minkai laborers? Not as I have really noticed. I tend to go out early morning, as I am now, to visit the sights. You boys behave.
With a cheery wave, Mrs. Honeywell departs out through the Main Lobby and out the front doors.
Raslo smiles at Miss Canella (an eye looking strangely at the husband).
Right away, Miss Canella. I shall return with our chef's special of the day!
With that, the 1/2 orc departs.
Having struck out with Mrs. Honeywell, Father Emmett looks over at the interaction between Raslo and Miss Canella
Father Emmett slumps into a chair, confused and anxious to extract justice.
Father Emmett and Watanabe seem to be both looking at a painting in the hallway of a Mule staring off into the distance, as if in deep contemplation.
Our Agents are feeling a bit left out in the cold...the seconds turn into minutes, as no one seems to be coming....
Miss Canella sits down and starts staring at the ceiling.
Watanabe thinks about projecting a dot of red light on the ceiling but thinks better of it.
So, as our Agents wile away their time in the Hall; nothing seems to be happening. Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking, ticking.....
Miss Canella, did Raslo ever return with your chef's special?
No. She never came back. I think it's time to investigate this den of sin!
Watanabe dutifully follows miss Canella.
What direction did Raslo go in?
Miss Canella wanders over to the main lobby door and tries to open it.
Raslo, are you in here?
Miss Canella approaches the Inner doors to the Main Lobby. She tries to open it, but it seems to be locked.....