Castillo's Villa
Baron Castillo's Villa
Though a furtive infiltration of the villa is a viable option (and certain parties will be more suited for this kind of stealthy operation than others), a more entertaining tactic involves donning the fine dress of dandies and ladies and attending the party as guests. This permits the PCs to strike at the baron from the inside, though it might limit their selection of equipment to those items that the house guards allow visitors to carry. Although large weapons such as bastard swords and battle-axes must be checked at the door, sabers, rapiers, and broadswords are considered an accepted part of a gentleman's ensemble. The baron's elegant gathering should provide a welcome contrast to the dirty confines of the prison. PCs are encouraged to treat themselves to an evening of flamenco dancing and luxurious entertainment, insinuate themselves in the intrigue of the Guadalantean royalty, and simultaneously close in on the fourth and final piece of Salamanca's map.
Much of the baron's villa has been left undescribed. Though the full extent of dining rooms, bedrooms, pantries, and studies can be colorfully detailed by the DM, only those chambers directly necessary to the recovery of the map fragment have been included here should he or she hope to embroil the PCs in future political or romantic alliances in Guadalante, the DM can provide appropriate descriptions for the remainder of the villa. Perhaps one of the PCs is dragged into the game room by a lady aristocrat who hopes to enlist aid in a plan of revenge against her adulterous husband. Or maybe a wealthy musician is mounting an expedition to recover the lost notebooks of a long-dead composer. Whatever angle the DM wishes to pursue, the baron's ball should provide several opportunities for secret liaisons and future adventure.
Keep in mind that any of the Federales the PCs fail to subdue in the desert could show up here during the ball to cause varying degrees of trouble. Depending on earlier events, the don might be aware of the PCs' presence - perhaps he even knows their names and faces! Fearing such discovery, clever PCs might want to attend the party incognito.
The villa is protected by the elite house guards, positioned as depicted on the map.