The next few days are a whirlwind of work as fires are quenched, debris removed and bodies buried.
You are all hailed as Heros of Sandpoint, and your tale told all about town in a nonstop frenzy of free food and strong drink. Ameiko emerged without a scratch, while accounting for a dozen or two all by herself. The sheriff was critically injured, but his last stand with his squad became legendary.
The commotion was just starting to die down when you are all requested to meet with the Sheriff at his office.
A deputy ushered you all in and sat you down, while Sheriff Hemlock turned around stiffly in his chair, still wearing a cast about his chest and left arm.
”I just wanted to talk to you about a few things.
“First of all, I want to thank you personally. Your attack saved my life; all our lives here in this office. And I for one will always be grateful for that.
“Next I want to tell you what we’ve learned from the prisoners. Like we thought, the pirates are mostly scum from Riddleport with some Kalsgaard thugs to stiffen them up. They also had some kind of high end mercenary support; they’re the ones who took the guards at the chokepoint into the harbor and held off anyone who came to help until you guys retook the docks. They all say they were recruited by Avery Slyeg’s crew, one of the Crimelords of Riddleport, to take over Sandpoint.
“Needless to say, this is a violation of a whole lot of treaties, gentlemen’s agreements, and backdoor deals. We have spy reports that Overlord Cromarky is seriously embarrassed and is taking it out on Slyegs operations. Slyeg himself has put it out that A. He didn’t do it. B. Overlord Cromarky ordered it. And C. He was controlled by some Witch. Depends on who you ask.
“Magnimar is indignant and insisting Riddleport pay reparations for the more than 70 casualties we suffered in the attack. They are said to be gathering reinforcements to be stationed here.
“Now, that in itself is nice of them; but now people are thinking it’s a massive secret conspiracy for Magnimar to reduce Sandpoint’s independence by occupying us with troops. Those people want us to send them off and declare full independence.”
Sheriff hemlock sighed and rubbed his forehead.
”Yeah, so that’s a real political pain in the ass there. No telling how all THAT crap will shake out.
“The only good thing is that the harbor defense is being upgraded. The cliffs on either side are being tunneled into for more secure guard points, and the anchorchains of the ships that snuck the pirates in are being reworked to make a barrier chain to block the harbor in case of attack.”
He looked at you more directly.
”But that’s not the real reason I called you in.”
“First, let me thank you again for all you’ve done for Sandpoint. It’s fortunate you’ve proven yourselves so capable, because we’ve a
problem I think you can help us with—a problem I wish I didn’t have
to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before
the situation grows worse.
“Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst— one who, I fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper’s slayings went on unanswered. I’m afraid we might have something similar brewing now."
“Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill.
"There are two victims, and they’re… they’re in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene,
a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up.
"I’ve got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn’t the fact that we have two dead bodies inside. It’s the fact that this is actually the second set of
murders we’ve had in the last few days.
“I come to you for help in this matter—my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and the pirate attack really punished them. What we’re facing now is an evil far worse than goblins or pirates. I need the help. But I’m afraid you’ll need the help too. You see, I’m afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you as well.”
He hesitated for a moment, then pulled open one of his drawers and pulled out a note. He set it on the desk in front of him as if it had grown fangs.
”Go ahead and open it.” He said to Midori. ”It’s addressed to you.”
It is a bloodstained scrap of parchment, with "Midori Misaki" written in blood on the outside.
NOTE ADRESSED TO MIDORI
Brin let's out in an exasperated voice: "Ryu!!!!"
Korbin nods through it all. He seems content to be claimed a hero. When the note is given to Midori, Korbin gets on his toes, attempting to sneak in a peek. "Oh ho! Well, heroes ain't got much ta fear. 'Spose we'll have a lookie on the mill, we will."
He turns to the sheriff. "Given the happenings here, ya poor men must have quite the morale troublins. Workin' 'longside us heroes may give 'em the hope to get 'em back in shape. Fer the sake o' the town, I'd be willin' ta join up, take up as officer or what have ya." Korbin's eyes gleam, he smiles wide. "Temp'rarely, of course. Give a thought to it, Hem."
Rafael shakes his head silently. This town has nothing but troubles it seems. It's a good thing there is a stout group of skilled adventurers ready and willing to take up arms in defense of the place.
"I, too, am honored to help the town with this trouble, as with the last... Let's take a look at this mill, friends, shall we?"
Midori looks at the note and blinks in confusion..."What? Who...?"
As Brin cries out Ryu's name, she looks up, startled..."Ryu? No...that makes no sense. He's not into females...he told me in secret when our fathers were trying to set up an arranged marriage..."
"This note is also, not in Ryu's style of writing."
"Well, hopefully I will run into my nemesis some other time then. Someone thinks they are clever, wants some attention. Let's give it to them."
"Besides, Ryu knows how to spell my name! Whoever wrote this didn't. It's Masaki, not Misaki."
"So it sounds like someone who barely knows you is enamored of you, miss Masaki... you have a stalker! We shall have to be wary on your behalf from now on, but the letter sounds like it gives little to go on, so maybe we should pursue this murderer in the mill for now and just be cautious of unwanted attention towards you."
Sheriff Hemlock frowned thoughtfully.
”Do you really think Ryu would have anything to do with something like…” He gestured at the note. ”This? He always seemed so polished…”
He shook his head at the thought.
”Anyway, before you take off, let me tell you what we got so far.
”While you’re working to figure out what’s going on, I suspects I’ll have my hands full keeping the peace in town. By deputizing you, me and the rest of the guards can keep Sandpoint from erupting in a panic. I’ll get you all the support you need, but for crying out loud keep it quiet. For the town’s sake.”
He stood up with a grimace.
”Now; you all stand and raise your right hands.” He announced aloud.
He waits until you do so.
”Now, I forget the words, but you better say ‘I Do.’” He said, waiting until you do so.
”Now you’re Deputies. Here are your badges.” He passed out the hand sized pewter star insignia representing the authority granted to you.
Rafael considers all the sheriff has said as each point was made, taking some notes mentally... he somewhat reluctantly raises his right hand, not out of any reticence about helping the town, but at saying 'I do' to something so non-specific as "I forget the words." Still, he does so, and takes the badge...
"Let's check out this crime scene, talk to the suspect, and the man who found the bodies, not necessarily in that order... then we can see the scholar and check out the sanatorium if we are still at a loss after that.... Unless anyone else has another idea."
Midori drops the letter back on the sheriff's desk, raises her hand and says "I do."
Korbin mind recites his new title. "Deputy Korbin," oh how me mother've been proud. He almost forgets to say the words, but he recites them. "I do. Fer the good've Sandpoint." He takes the pewter star, pinning it to his chest, moving the beard to the side to show it off. "Aye, let's have a look at the poor bastards."
Brin nodded "I'm in!!"
"Keeping the good in the area will benefit the many here."
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Sheriff Hemlock explained to Midori that the note was found pinned to the sleeve of the latest victim by a splinter of wood.
He’s quick to reassure her with his belief that this note was left at the murder scene to throw suspicion onto them, and that while he certainly doesn’t believe the she had anything to do with the murders, if word of this note gets out, he’s afraid the town’s reaction might not be as understanding.
The Sandpoint Lumber Mill stands on the shore of the Turandarok River. A sizeable crowd has gathered outside by the time the PCs arrive, and groups of nervous-looking town guards stand at the mill’s entrances. Rope has been strung up on stakes surrounding the mill.
You know that the mill was working last night—Harker and Thorn, the two millers, often worked late into the night, which had become a bone of contention around town as the noisy mill and its infernally creaky log splitter kept neighbors awake.
The guards nod silently and step aside (a couple even salute!) lifting the rope to allow you entry.
Entering the dimly lit interior of the mill, you note a few things.
The mill is a well-built wooden structure with very thick walls.
The roof is of wooden shingles, and doors are simple timber and unlocked.
The wheel mechanism has been disengaged and still.
Timber is delivered to the mill via a small pier that extends out into the Turandarok River.
The mill interior is coated with sawdust strewn with footprints and splashes of blood.
The lingering scent of decay in the air is curious—it smells almost as if an animal had died somewhere in the room and its remains were allowed to ripen.
A sheeted form lies on the floor towards the middle of the mill. A pale-faced, obviously upset guard stands at attention nearby.
Korbin salutes back. He uses his own hand, keeping the beard as tame as he can for the moment. "So this the mill them all keep whinin' on. Guess mums'll be happy that their babes will get some sleep with this down fer a bit." Korbin adjusts his pin once more, donning it on the center of his robe, covering it with beard. Dun' need to be a braggart, folks already recognize us. Korbin speaks in murmurs to himself, moving his arms and hands. Afterwards he keeps his concentration, looking around the mill. He does it again, different words this time. While he casts his spells he is largely silent.
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"Looks like someone had a party here."
Brin moves around, he seems quiet as he follows the others.
"Anyone see anything?" Brin asks the guard.
"Disturbing. Probably want this kept quiet."
Midori walks over to the sheeted form, staring down at it. {b]"We were told there were two victims...Alkaid, do you want to examine them? I don't have the proper training."[/b]
As you begin to approach the sheeted body, you see more sawdust strewn with footprints and splashes of blood scattered around the area.
You deduce that a desperate struggle took place here several hours ago between two, maybe three people.
You can tell that one set of prints in particular is not only barefoot, but reeks of rotten meat.
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A pale-faced, obviously upset guard stands at attention nearby.
”The victim, Katrine Vinder sirs. Daughter of a local shopkeeper.” He said, saluting before drawing back the sheet.
Her mangled, ruined remains lie amid heaps of bloodstained firewood. It looks obvious to you that she fell (or was pushed) through the log splitter.
The log splitter itself is powered by a waterwheel and consists of a chute in the floor with rotating saw blades that cut logs as they are fed in. You shudder at the picture that formed of what happened.
Almost as an afterthought, you spot a handaxe stuck in the floor a few feet from the body.
"We were told there were two victims..."
"Yes sir. Ma'am. That is the second victim. Banny Harker."
His eyes tracked left, over to a wall, then up. Then he turned away and shut his eyes.Then you see it.
Harker’s body has been horribly desecrated. The poor man has been affixed to the wall by several hooks normally used to hang machinery.
The body is mutilated, the face carved away and lower jaw missing entirely.
His bare chest is defaced as well, bearing a strange rune in the shape of a seven-pointed star.
You identify the marking as the Sihedron Rune,
an antiquated glyph that symbolizes arcane magic once
practiced in ancient Thassilon.
"The hells - Think ya right Al, someone had a wee bit too much fun here...." He tries to gather himself, not wanting to show any hint of unease or weakness. "I, uhm, there're no signs of magic or poison nearby. But that there sign on his forehead... looks to me like a Thassilonian symbol." Korbin's beard scratches at his chin, forming a moebius strip of hair. He recalls his earlier studies into magic with King Krab, he recalls symbols and meanings long since forgot to him.
"Hmmm... A Sihedron Rune me thinks. Meant somethin' about the arcane back in its day. "
Korbin lets a single drip of blood with a sharp fingernail. It forms on his finger, bubbling into a glistening crimson droplet that falls to the floor. He casts a spell.
"Thought maybe the sheriff was exaggeratin'. Why couldn't it justa been more pirates?"
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Rafael shrugs and takes the advice of others more knowledgable than himself...
He studies the rune on the man's bare chest curiously, memorizing its form in case he should encounter it again. It must mean SOMEthing. He looks to see if a similar rune is anywhere on the mangled body of the girl. "I wonder why that rune should appear here... doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? .. An ancient magical rune showing up on the body of a recent murder victim?"
Midori looks up from Katrine's body to see the other victim's mutilations. She pales and starts backing away muttering "No...no, no, nonononono..."
She turns and almost runs to the door before regaining some control.
Shaking, she turns to whomever is currently in charge here, and, her voice shaking and oddly pitched, says "You might want to have Sheriff Hemlock contact Magnimar's watch. There's been a series of murders much like that, with the bodies marked with that same symbol...my father...was one of them..."
She steps outside, heading behind the sawmill, once more attempting to control herself.
Failing, she collapses in a heap sobbing uncontrollably.
The handaxe is embedded in the floor near the log splitter, as if it had been dropped there.
The handle is covered with bloody finger-marks.
First, smears of what look like rotten flesh and fragments of bone are caked on its blade, and second, the rotten meat stink is strong on it.
You can identify the lingering stink of corruption as beyond that which a dead body can normally produce—the axe was likely used within the last 24 hours against some form of corporeal undead.
The scent can be identified as having come from a ghast’s flesh.
Idril cautiously entered the sawmill, her scarves gripped tightly in her hands. The whole scene made her very unhappy. All the blood and gore was... too much. Too real. It had always been just a story before.
Comeing close to the bodies, she quickly looked away and concentrated on the handaxe.
Her gorge rising, she put her hands over her mouth and staggered out to the docks before ralphing over the dockside.
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Rafael makes note of the bloody handaxe and the odd stench and the bits of bone and flesh on it... He doesn't quite know what to make of it, but at least the sight and smell of it don't overcome him.
Magmimar? So these things happen elsewhere too, huh. Korbin follows Midori outside. The bodies aren't going anywhere. He squats, his beard rising to stay off the ground.
"Oi, know it ain't easy, but we need to keep on this fer Sandpoint. We'll find the bastard behind this, we'll make 'em pay we will." Korbin isn't quite sure what to say, calming words aren't exactly in his nature.
"Got spells fer ya nerves if ya need them."
"Thank you...I'll be alright. It was just the shock of seeing that symbol. I need to pull myself together. If this IS related to what happened to my father, then I need to help solve it."
Her voice is firmer as she stands up, wiping her face. "Let's see what we can find out here, then."
Her homunculus familiar is fluttering around her peeping anxiously, and calms as she stands up.
Brin looks at the axe and notes:
"The axe was used to hit a spectre or wraith or some ghostlike evil. We are looking for undead abominations or someone that makes them."
Korbin walks back into the sawmill, hoping Midori follows. He goes to the objects and sees what everyone is looking at.
Korbin draws close to the putrid hand axe, he covers his nose with a bearded mask. "Bah. Me had dwarven friends who smelled worse."
"Me was gonna say it smelled of death, and it seems I wasn't wrong. Dun think a phantom could smell this bad, Brin. Even looks like guts and bone around it. Me and King Krab's coin is on somethin' with a bit more rotton meat."
Recovering somewhat, Idril called out.
"Hey! There are footprints out here! Really smelly ones..."
"Let's follow the footprints!! It may show us something."
Out through the river side door, you can see how timber is delivered to the mill via a small pier that extends out into the Turandarok River.
Idril pointed out where a set of muddy footprints that leads from one end of the pier up to the mill itself.
You spot traces that reveal that a barefoot human man clambered up from the mud under the pier, crossed over to the mill, and then scaled the wall to an upper-floor window.
A closer look reveals the presence of several additional wounds.
Unlike the deeper slashes on the body, these smaller gashes almost seem to have been made by a claws—claws on a five-fingered, human-sized hand.
The rotten scent seems stronger near these wounds.
The body is only recognizable as Harker’s by a faded tattoo of a raven across his lower abdomen.
With his missing face and jaw, his body is obviously in no shape to function for a speak with dead spell.
"A barefoot man climbed in!! How strange."
Brin straightens up after looking around.
"Where next?"
,
,
Korbin eyes the hanging body after examining the ax. "Poor son'uva... Ain't seen claw marks like this in me travels. And I've been the unwelcomed guest in many a cave. Man sized claws, too small fer a bear, too big fer a rodent... Five fingers too..." He inspects the tattoo on the hanging body. Poor taste in ink if ya ask me.
He goes outside and follows the tracks, eyeing the path that he believes to belong to the assailant. He approaches a footprint, removing a notched iron bar and rope from his bag.
Korbin twists the bar, snapping off pieces of it and reattaching to create a shear-like device. He places the rope next to the footprint, and cuts a little larger than the foot. He takes apart his tool, returning it once more to a straight, notched bar. From his bag he removes a torch now, lighting it. He lets it burn for a little while before quelling it out on the ground.
With the burnt-out torch, Korbin sears both ends of the rope, ensuring it will not untangle and stay fixed to its current length. "Less we got a shifter, this may prove useful."
Eventually, you are satisfied you have gleaned what clues you could out of the scene of horrific murder. The other guards eventually herd you out, eager to remove the bodies and sterilize the scene, removing all trace of the horror so the mill can get back to work.
There remain several loose threads.
First, the man who found the bodies. Ibor Thorn; Victim Bany Harker's partner in the mill operation. The Sheriff locked him in the jail out of sight as a precaution, waiting for your questioning.
Second, the Victim Katrine Vinder's father. Ven Vinder.
Ven was the first person Sheriff Hemlock visited after learning of the murders, but after he informed Ven of his daughter’s death at the mill, the man flew into a rage. Sheriff Hemlock took him into custody and let him cool off in a cell, but even though Ven fought like a devil, Hemlock’s sure that his rage is born from the death of his beloved daughter and not from guilt at being caught.
He’s prepared to release Ven, but he's delaying the release just in case you guys wish to speak to him first.
Third The First Murders.
Sheriff Hemlock explains that 2 days ago, a patrol of guards along the Lost Coast Road were assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn south of town along the banks of Cougar Creek.
The man was obviously sick and insane, his flesh fevered, eyes wild, mouth frothing, and clothes caked with blood. The guards subdued him, but when they checked inside the barn they discovered the mutilated bodies of three men.
Although all three bodies were far too disfigured to identify, one of them carried a piece of parchment that Hemlock gives to the PCs to read REPRODUCED HERE. The note identifies the bodies as Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe, three notorious con men and swindlers known well to Sheriff Hemlock as local troublemakers.
He personally forbade the three men from operating their con games and barely legal operations in Sandpoint, and wasn’t particularly surprised at the time to find them murdered—it was only a matter of time before they tried to swindle someone worse than them, after all.
But... in light of the mill murders and the fact that Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe all bore the same seven-pointed marking on their chests that Harker did, Hemlock is convinced there is something worse than revenge afoot.
The bodies of all three men lie in state in a cool basement room below the Sandpoint Garrison, not far from the holding cells containing Ibor and Ven—the Deputies are welcome to examine them if they wish.
The insane man has been identified as one Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian thug. He’s been given over to the care of Erin Habe, caretaker of an independent sanatorium south of town.
Lastly, that strange sigil inscribed into the victim Bany Harker, as well as the three crooks murdered earlier.
You remember that an expert on the ancient ruins that dot Varisia’s landscape dwells here in Sandpoint, living in the shadow of the Old Light, the town’s own Thassilonian ruin. Perhaps he could shed some light on the ancient Thassilonian sigil?
What was his name again? Right! This person is BRODERT QUINK, an authority on Varisian history who moved to Sandpoint to study the Old Light.
"I wanna see this deranged man. We need to go to Erin Habe."
"Sounds like we'll need to talk with; Ibor Thorn, Ven Vinder, Erin Habe, and Grayst Sevilla to get a better picture."
Already gots meself 'nough trouble rememberin' names... "Funny how we do more talkin' as deputies. 'Spose it'll all lead to a hell'uva fight though." Korbin walks the streets of Sandpoint with his fellow heroes. "Any'll give us a lead I reckon. The three rottin' bodies and the two in jail ain't goin' nowheres. I agree with the big one, Erin an' Grayst first, crooks an' corpses later."