So it seems we have a bit of a murder mystery to solve. After you accept the quest and follow through the steps, you are sent throughout the Gold Saucer to look for clues. There are 10 clues to be found (posting them in spoiler tag)
Step 1: Find the evidence
The plate Z'napha served Goncquard. The pungent odor of bitter spirits is almost overpowering.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Northern Storm: Goncquard loved his drink, 'specially when his wife weren't with him. Had a bit o' trouble keepin' his hands off the servers while in his cups, though, an' havin' Z'napha around just made it worse. Girl didn't seem to mind, though I suppose the extra coin he paid didn't hurt. I imagine his wife would've given him an earful if she ever found out.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Kokomui: I saw Goncquard around the Cactpot Board often enough to call him a comrade-in-arms against chance. Luck seemed to always favor him, though, filling his coinpurse while leaving mine lighter by the day. Well, I suppose everyone's fortune reverses in time, eh?
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Veleda: If you ask me, Lyell's the last person I'd suspect of murder. Someone so serious wouldn't be so rash. Can't say the same for Z'napha, though. Not that I think she has it in her to kill someone, of course; she just hasn't been at the Saucer long enough for me to get to know her.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Hitchcock: Aye, I saw the whole sorry affair from a nearby table. Nearly choked on my own food at the sight, I did. But I acted quickly─ I knew at once that foul play was afoot, so I stole away with the glass from which Goncquard took his last fateful sip...
Hitchcock: Now, now, I was only acting in your best interests. What if this was lost, or worse? I'm familiar enough with mysteries to know an inspector must always think one step ahead of her quarry. Here, take the glass─ I have an inkling you might need it.
The glass is empty, but a faint, sweet odor still remains.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
Thankfully, the crumpled figure before you is not another victim, but merely a discarded Senor Sabotender costume. A sickly-sweet fragrance hangs in the air, and the scene makes you uneasy, as if you have caught a glimpse of something no one was meant to see.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
Tucked away next to the pillar is a small phial, drained of its contents. However, a sweet scent still lingers within.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Abbelina: Master Goncquard came here most days. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Mistress Flaurie... <sigh> They seemed like such a happy pair. 'Tis heartbreaking that we'll not see them walking cheerfully through the Saucer any longer.
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
A piece of crumpled parchment lies conspicuously on the floor. Upon closer inspection, you see a message written in a precise hand.
“To the King,
You know what must needs be done. Succeed, and you shall be rewarded handsomely.
From,
The Rook”
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
You inquire about the late Goncquard and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Jourcel: He was poisoned!? By the gods, Goncquard and his wife were in such high spirits when I passed by the Manderville Lounge earlier. To see them laughing cheerily at the antics of that Senor Sabotender, I would have never imagined such a tragic turn of events...
Remember this information well, for it may prove crucial to your inquiry.
Your search has yielded all the pieces of the puzzle. It is now up to you to put them together.
You can go back to the NPC and discuss the 10 pieces of evidence;
The Scrap of Parchment
Ollier: A prudent choice. Considering the magnitude of the crime, we must pore over every piece of evidence before making accusations. So, what shall we discuss?
Ollier: A crumpled scrap of parchment, upon which the following words were writ.
“To the King,
You know what must needs be done. Succeed, and you shall be rewarded handsomely.
From,
The Rook”
Hmmm... Ominous titles, for an ominous letter. Who could these two characters be?
The Empty Phial
Ollier: Ah yes, an empty phial found discarded on the staircase. You say you could detect a sweet aroma from within it, yes? Hmmm... What could it have possibly contained?
The plate Z'napha served Goncqard
Ollier: The plate Z'napha served the couple was rank with the bitter smell of strong spirits. Perhaps Goncquard was particular to such libations? Still, even our strongest drink would not cause so sudden a death as his.
Nothern Storm's statement
Ollier: It would seem our victim had a habit of imbibing─particularly when his wife was absent─which led to wandering hands and a loose tongue, especially when Z'napha was around. I cannot help but wonder what Mistress Flaurie thought of all this, or if she even knew...
Kokomui's Statement
Ollier: That Lalafell seems to have taken a keen interest in how this affair will play out. Nonetheless, he provided us with valuable insight into our victim's favored pastime.
Ollier: Kokomui and Goncquard shared the love of the Cactpot Board, though fortune often favored the latter, leaving him with an excess of MGP. In a place like the Gold Saucer, it is plain how such luck could incite envy, or worse...
Jourcel's Statement
Ollier: Jourcel happened to pass by the Manderville Lounge just before Goncquard was killed. He was among the last few to see our victim alive and well.
Ollier: He spied one of our very own Senor Sabotenders entertaining the couple with its whimsical poses. Not an unusual sight in the Gold Saucer, to be sure, but I'm certain not many expect it to be followed by tragedy.
Abbelina's Statement
Ollier: Abbelina has long been greeting the Saucer's patrons, and as such is privy to their comings and goings. Goncquard was no exception.
Ollier: He would often be accompanied by Flaurie, as one would expect. But more surprising, however, is the revelation that he would sometimes come on his own. One cannot help but wonder what activities our poor Goncquard indulged in when his wife was not present.
Hitchcock's statement & Gonqard's glass
Ollier: Hitchcock's story itself did not give us much of value, but speaking to him proved worthwhile nonetheless.
Ollier: He was dining next to the ill-fated couple when tragedy struck, and whether it be by foresight─as he claims─or some morbid impulse, he snatched up the glass from which Goncquard took his last sip.
Ollier: Of course, it would have been preferable to find the evidence undisturbed, but I suppose we should be grateful to come into possession of it at all.
Ollier: <sniff> ...Hmmm, I detect a sweet aroma. It seems so familiar, but for the life of me I cannot recall why.
Veleda's statement
Ollier: Veleda spends her days behind the Cactpot Board counter, and is well acquainted with most of the Gold Saucer's staff.
Ollier: She seemed certain of Lyell's innocence, but admitted to knowing too little about Z'napha to speak on her character. Hmmm... I appreciate her honesty. It would be a shame if an uninformed judgment led us to accusing the wrong person.
The discarded Senor Sabotender costume
Ollier: Ah, the secret of the Saucer's sabotenders comes out at last. Who could be so careless as to leave the costume out in the open? Nonetheless, it may prove to be a vital piece of this puzzle. The sweet odor you say hung in the air is most unusual. If we could but ascertain its origin...
After going back and talking to the NPC you can make choices in branching steps to choose what it was. The correct steps are below;
How was the victim poisioned?
- The poision was mixed in with his drink
- The poison was added to his food
What Compelled the Criminal to poison Goncqaard's drink?
- Because that's how I'd poison someone!
- Everyone know poison dissolves more readily in liquid
- You only need smell his glass. The sickly-sweet scent is unmistakeable: it's poison
When was the poison adminsistered?
- While his food and drink were being prepared
- While his food and drink were being served
- While the food and drink were already on the table
How was the pision hiddem?
- On second thought, perhaps the poisioning occured during preparation.
- Perhaps I was wrong. The poisoning likely occurred while his meal was being served
- The poison was contained in a small, sealed phial!
Who poisioned Goncquard?
- It was Senor Sabtotender!
- It was Z'napha!
- It was Lyell!
- It was Mistress Flaurie!
Who would Senor Sabotender commit murder?
- Trust me, an adventurer knows these things
- Ah, but if I were to tell you know, it would ruin the suspense
- Because inside the sabotender was the true killer: Kokomui!
Why would Kokomui commit murde?
- Your gambling habit got the best of you and you ran out of coin to support it
- You were envious of Concquard's luck, and couldn't stand to see him win even once more!
- You were enamored with Mistress Flaurie, and Goncquard stood in the way of your hear's desire!
Is there more to your accusation?
- Kokomui was after Conquard's Cactpot winnings!
- Kokomui was promised a reward. From Roland!
And then you get the grand finale! - Dialogue below
???: As expected, the truth is laid bare by Mistress Muse's keen intellect! Excellent work, my friend, excellent work!
Roland: Your deductions were impeccable! Indeed it was a Senor Sabotender who stealthily slipped an alchemical concoction into Goncquard's drink, and indeed it was Kokomui inside the costume. All for a reward from yours truly!
Roland: I suppose you found the parchment then? From the Rook to the King─or in other words, from R to K! Most clever, was it not? You have answered all the questions most skillfully. All, except, for a very simple one: why?
Roland: Mayhap you recall Ollier's offer to preview our forthcoming attractions? ...Yes, now you understand! I hope you enjoyed unraveling this mystery as much as we enjoyed weaving it. And look there─it appears our friend Goncquard has risen from the dead.
Goncquard: <yawn> ...By the gods, I've not had such a peaceful slumber in ages! Roland, you simply must teach me the recipe for that potion!
Roland: Now, now, my dear Goncquard, this solution is much too strong for that. The phial contained only enough to ensure you would not awaken earlier than intended. And then, perhaps, a bit more. Forgive me, but it would have been an embarrassment had your eyes opened during the dramatic climax!
Roland: A climax carried by Kokomui's masterful performance! Such passion! As promised, you can expect a generous recompense for your artful rendition.
Roland: And so, Mistress Muse, I do hope you were entertained by the Gold Saucer's new attraction: “Murder at the Manderville Lounge.” I admit there are some performances that could stand to be more believable, but I know with time we shall improve.
Roland: As a whole, however, I believe accolades are in order! A round of applause to all involved, and to Mistress Muse's ingenuity!
Ollier: At last, our work is done. Quite expertly, I might add. However, there is one last matter Master Roland wishes to discuss with you. Pray meet us in front of El Coloso as soon as circumstances allow.
Ollier: I sincerely hope you did not take our deception personally, Mistress Muse.
Roland: Ah, it was all in good fun! I only hope the puzzle proved challenging enough to keep you entertained throughout.
???: Ho ho ho! I fear we may have to concoct even more devious riddles!
Godbert: Tell it true, lass. Were you confounded by the mystery's subtlety and nuance? Or was solving it merely child's play to you?
Godbert: Very good, very good! Once inspiration struck, we labored day and night to create a web of deception and intrigue so thick not even my dear son would be able to untangle it. It would seem, however, that there is more work to be done─more flaws to be hammered out.
Roland: Of course, Lord Manderville! Mistress Muse, we are at your disposal should you wish for us to reprise our roles. Who knows, you may even see a performance you missed this time around.
Roland: Ollier, I trust you will accommodate Mistress Muse's requests. We must hone our craft until it becomes second nature.
Roland: In the meantime, my attendants shall prepare a reward for your aid today. And with that, I shall take my leave. Farewell!
Godbert: I shall take my leave as well. Pray enjoy the delights of the Gold Saucer to your heart's content!
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If you want to post your choices and outcomes, please post in spoiler tags
Originally Posted by Frizze
And the fact that you're locked into picking one of the innocent people, even though you know they didn't do it is aggravating as hell. They should have at least given you the option to back out if you didn't have enough evidence.(1)
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