Who killed those people in the palace?

Question

I’ve just finished The Grand Palace as Emily without killing anybody (as confirmed by the kill count at the end of the mission). Despite this, I encountered several dead people in the Palace itself; there may have been more but I distinctly remember three:

A dead lady in the maze-like shrubbery between the Palace and the sea shore, near to a man and a woman playing a game involving hitting a bucket with balls (but hidden from their view).
A dead man lying in his own (?) blood on the floor at the steps in the throne room.
A dead woman in a somewhat secluded room lying on a round divan in the company of two other women. Just next to her there’s a bone charm.

This isn’t counting the two dead criminals who have been used for target practice by some of the Nobles.

I understand that I am arriving just after a rather lavish party and there are many drunk and sleepy revellers about. But why are some dead? Who/what killed them? As far as I can tell they were dead when I arrived — I didn’t trigger their deaths in any way. And — except for the third one — I cannot find any mention of the dead people online, in walkthroughs etc., and they seemed very out of place in an otherwise excellently designed level.

John · Answer

If the reticle does indeed indicate the the body is dead, as said in the comments, it is possible the person was killed by a enemy. These minor events between NPCs are put into the game by the designers to make it more realistic, so it is possible the by clearing the level faster, the civilians will not be killed, as they are on a time/location trigger.

Answered by John on June 3, 2021

Omegacron · Answer

The context of the level implies that the Duke - a highly sadistic man - invited equally sadistic nobles to his party. The dead bodies you can find throughout the level are, in fact, poor people from the Dust District that he and others have killed for fun. This is borne out by some of the conversations you can overhear, although I'd have to go back and play again to get the exact dialogue.

Also, IIRC, there are several civilians and guards lying around - apparently drunk or tired after the wild party. Note that these are unconcious, though, not dead.

Harstargri · Answer

Those people are dead when you arrive. So we will never know. But location and surroundings of the bodies gives some clues.
My guesses are:

Woman on the bed overdose on some chemical, as this room is full of bottles and even sleep darts. Room has "drug den" vibe to it too.
Man in the throne room was probably killed by the power drunk Duke in some fit of rage. There are some coins laying near this hand, maybe he was asking for money? Or complaining about conditions in the mines?
Maid in the little garden is well hidden. Seems like she was probably raped and killed by one of the guests or guards, and her body hidden to "not spoil the party".

I was tempted many times to kill everyone in the palace :P

Who killed those people in the palace?

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