First Wyam examined the murder scene to try and get a feel for how everything happened.
After, he tried to distinguish whether or not the rune carved into Harker's body had any religious significance.
Lastly, he helped examine the murder weapon itself. Perhaps the smell could be related to something he'd recognize.
Spectrum stood near but out of the way as Wyam looked things over. He took a long look at the rune.
He scanned the area with arcane sight, looking for auras.
Isme examines the scene, each body and the murder weapon in turn.
At Katrine's body, she starts inspecting the workings of the mill, viewing the chute of saw blades with close scrutiny.
At Harker's body, she comments to Wyam, "Perhaps your knowledge of healing may tell us more about these wounds."
Isme then attempts to decipher the rune, but not before saying to Spectrum, "Do you happen to have that spell that allows communication with the recently deceased? It may be useful here."
The handaxe, she appraises. Perhaps there's something special about it?
Afterwards, Isme mentions another avenue of investigation. "The animals here, and in the river, may provide some information. I can try talking to them."
"I do not." Spectrum said. "If you wish I could go back to town and see if a scroll of that spell is available at an arcane curator's stall. It would take me some time to learn it, but I believe I could manage to cast it before the end of the day."
"I could send the dragons back in my stead."
Wyam discovers what is obvious but still worth confirming; a desparate struggle took place here several hours ago. His keen tracking skills also allow him to realize that one set of footprints are not only barefoot, but reek of rotten meat.
Wyam fails to determine if there is any religious significance to the symbol. Examining Harker's body closer, he notes the presence of several additional, smaller wounds; they seem t have almost been made by a claw- a five-fingered, human-hand-sized claw. The scent of rotten meat seems stronger near these wounds.
The murder weapon smalls rancid, such that prolonged inspection leads to being sickened and forced to withdraw. The exact smell Wyam fails to recognize; but he has a feeling that it may be related to an undead creature.
Spectrum, examining the rune, identifies it as the Sihedron, an ancient symbol of the lost Thassilonian empire. He fails to detect any odd auras.
Harker's face has been near sheared in two; he is in no state for animation to be given to him that he might answer a few final questions.
The handaxe seems to have no significance in and of itself.
Isme recognizes Banny Harker, one of the operators at the mill, long suspected by the town of having an affair with Katrine Vinder. Ibor Thorn is his partner, a young and handsome man, if a bit narrow-faced. He waits in a holding cell at the Sandpoint Garrison; he discovered the bodies. Katrine is daughter to the shopkeeper Ven Vinder, and sister to the Vinder who briefly attempted to lure Wyam in for a tryst. Her father is a strict man, but generally respected by the townsfolk.
Wyam's face cringed in disgust. "Rotten meat. I don't know what did this, but everything smells rancid. I believe it was some kind of undead creature..." he looked around at the scene again.
"I'm not sure if there's anything more we can find here. The creature could have a lair anywhere. We should check on Ibor Thorn, he may be able to tell us something."
On Harker's face, Isme says, "Isn't there also a spell for restoring corpses? That might work if it doesn't interfere with the magic needed for speaking with the dead."
She shares the information she knows of the involved people before nodding to Wyam. "Yes, the signs seem to point at something undead. Hmm."
"In any case, what we can say with some confidence is that the killer came from the river, climbed the window to enter the lumber mill and assaulted Harker. The killer then left the mill by taking a leap and diving into the river.
"This doesn't answer how Katrine was involved, nor why these two were attacked in the first place. The fact that they've taken Harker's entire lower jaw may not be a coincidence if it was to prevent him from speaking, but why not Katrine's as well? It seems that Harker was the real target and she was simply nearby, but we shouldn't assume that to be so without more solid evidence. There's also the mysterious note to consider and the symbol. We also don't know if it was the killer who used the axe, nor how exactly it is important. Perhaps it was one just lying around in the lumber mill?"
Isme shakes her head and stops voicing her thoughts aloud. "In any case, yes, a talk with Ibor Thorn would be good. If you can get a scroll of that spell, it would be very helpful. We can also try to speak with the previous victims—we need information about that as well. We could also still pursue an attempt to speak with Katrine's corpse—she may have seen something before she died. I would prefer to see if there's any animals around that may have seen anything, especially in the river, first."
"Yes, there is a spell for that. Again, not one I currently know. It appears I require a bit more focus toward necromancy. I am not adverse, but I admit that it is not my favorite among the arcane array."
"I suppose you wouldn't find much use for it until you need to investigate the dead."
"Well if you really think that any animals who came anywhere near the thing didn't immediately run off, I'll try to help you find them. Just point me in the right area and tell me what we're supposed to be looking for."
"Hmm... Something near the river would be best. Anything underwater may have went down the current already."
Isme recalls that dormice tend to make their homes in large wooden structures and stay forever; a quick search of the small holes in the mill reveal however that most of the mice are gone; a single one remains, a terrible bit having ripped most of it in half.
"How odd... something to look into later, perhaps. To Ibor Thorn? I suppose we should tell the guard to keep the corpses and not bury them just yet."
Wyam frowned at Isme's conclusion. "I don't like it, but if you think it will be more beneficial in the long term then I'll leave that decision with you. Let's go see Thorn."
"Very well." Spectrum said, trusting Isme's instincts. He was feeling out of his element. He excelled at solving problems when he understood the variables. Mysteries where so many things were unknown he found frustrating.
The party head out, back to the Sheriff's lockup; but first, the guardsman outside the door makes a plea. "Sirs... Sheriff's ordered me to stand here all day, keep the crowds up; but they'll be curious, and they're my friends, I can't just say 'nothing to see here' or 'Sheriff says this area is off-limits' all day. Can... can you help? Give me something I can say?"
Wyam looked contemplative for a moment.
"There is no reason to keep these people in the dark about what is going on. It is sure to cause a stir, but I would rather have the townsfolk aware and on guard so that we don't have continued incidents like this one.
Tell those who are curious that beyond here is not for the faint of heart. We have discerned that there is a killer on the loose and it uses the river to move about unnoticed, fortunately only one from the looks of it. Inform them that they had best keep clear of the river and its immediate surroundings at or near nightfall. The killer is a predator, so it will come at targets alone and in pairs, I'd recommend groups of three or more if they have to go anywhere past sunset. Also, tell them that we'll need their cooperation to find the creature faster."
Isme shrugs, not really caring and leaving Wyam to it.
The guard nods and salutes, swallowing nervously. "Yessir." He takes up his post in front of the mill door, stance ready for long hours of standing still.
As the group of Sandpoint's move through the chilled town back to Hemlock's lockup, the town seems quiet but tense, poised for actions it cannot yet know of but is readying itself for anyway.
Wyam walked with Fearghus as the group crossed back through town. "I hope that Thorn can tell us more than we've discovered. The fact that whomever is behind this is utilizing undead and directly implicating me... well it's more troubling than I'd like to admit."
The group arrives at Hemlock's. He opens the door and gestures you in. "What have you learnt? Who do you wish to speak to here; I have Ibor Thorn and Ven Vinder in custody."
Wyam walked inside, but did not take a seat. "So far it looks as though the attacks were carried out by some sort of humanoid Undead creature. It's using the river to move about and strike at its victims before slipping away. So it has at least some level of intelligence and strikes as a predator does. It also uses weapons, so it's adaptable. From the tracks we could find it appears to be alone. But what worries me most is that parchment you found, I don't think it's working alone."
He glanced at Spectrum and Isme. "We'd like to talk to Thorn. Although, why is Ven Vinder in custody?"
Isme nods at Wyam, not really minding in which order they talk to the people involved.
When they returned to Sandpoint proper Glimmer was was flying overhead, slighted against the sky. Spectrum looked up for a moment and the little dragon banked back toward the museum.
By the time they reached the Sheriff's lockup Glimmer was there waiting for them, clutching a sizable tome.
This thing's heavy. the little dragon complained. What is it?
"A book on Thassilonian symbology. I am fairly sure I recognized that rune, but I wanted to be sure."
Spectrum began flipping through the pages as he walked.
Glimmer landed on the elf's shoulder and stretched her neck down toward the book, sneezing from the dust the pages released.
What rune?
"This one." Spectrum said, stopping his page turning and putting a finger below a symbol.
He put the book on the table in hemlock's office so the others could see it. "Sihedron."
"When Mr. Vinder was told of his daughter's death, he flew into a rage, and attacked me. I left him in a cell to cool off; I don't believe there was anything more to the attack than fatherly rage."
Hemlock nods, and passes Wyam a key. "To Igor's cell. He's still in shock from finding the bodies; I talked with him a little, and don't think he's guilty of either of the murders, but you may be able to get something out of him I wasn't. Be gentle; he's been through a lot, and could snap enough to be useless to you."
Spectrum pulled the sihedron medallion out of his shirt, over his head and put it on the table next to the book.
"We discovered this in the caverns beneath the goblin fortress. I had thought it merely a minor bauble, but the symbology is clearly linked to this situation."
Wyam took the key and nodded at the warning he'd been given about dealing with Thorn. "We'll tey to speak to him carefully about the incident."
At Spectrums prompting, he glanced curiously at what the Wizard had uncovered."I had forgotten about that."
Hemlock blinks, glances over the symbol before looking back at Spectrum. "I... know nothing of this. I know someone who might, however; a historian moved to town recently. His name is Brogburt... Bradbart..., Brodert, that was it, Brodert Quink. He'll be staying at one of the inns."
"We will speak with him." Spectrum nodded.
"Yes, we'll eventually speak with this Brodert, his insights may lead us to the whatever is behind this string incidents. But first, we need to deal with our more immediate concern of this murderer, we'll speak with Thorn."
"Of course." Hemlock directs you to the proper cell. Inside sits a young man, handsome if a bit narrow-faced. He looks a little distracted, staring at the wall opposite despite the noise of your approach; the occasional twitch and knuckles gripping the seat white display his inner tension.
Isme inspects Thorn, attempting to discern how he's feeling.
"Thorn?" she says, calling his attention.
Wyam allowed Isme to start things off Thorn and merely observed the man to see his reaction.
Wait, perhaps a talking Raven isn't the best way to start things off in a delicate situation such as this.
"Igor Thorn. Hello there, my name is Wyam Marshal. How are you feeling?" he asked, stepping closer to the cell. He made sure to display his holy symbol of Iomedae. Wyam was aware that many felt more reassured by the presence of a paladin close by.
Hopefully Thorn will hold together better with the grace of Iomedae at hand.
"Been better." He doesn't look away from the wall. "What do you want?" His hands relax a little, though one finger has begun up a constant, unceasing tapping against the bench. "Talk about them, I guess. Them... he was raised up, did you see? Raised up against the wall like meat. Raised up."
"We did see." Spectrum said. "We would like to know what you saw."
"N-nothing. I came to work, got my overalls on, wnet into the room and... and there it was." His hand spasms a little before he returns it to gripping his bench. "There she was. There he was. Raised, raised up against the wall. Who... what would do that. Raised."
"Nothing human. An undead monstrosity, I'm sure of it, we're on its trail. We just need a little more information to go off of, something for us narrow our search and help us better deal with it so nothing like this happens again. We need your help Igor. You've been through a lot already, more than most people in their entire lives. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but do you think you can do this for us? Remember... for them."
Igor shudders for a moment, then finally turns his gaze to meet Wyam's. He sighs heavily. "I... I didn't see anything else this morning. But I-I-I might know more. Harker met with Katrine often, secretly. Though I don't think Ibor could have done that to him..." His gaze shifts, and he almost involuntarily scratches his forehead uneasily.
Isme stays out of the way, allowing for Wyam to talk with Igor. Her eyes flick to the man's forehead when he reaches his hand towards it but she does nothing for now.
"Anything you can think of might be helpful." Wyam said reassuringly.
"Who is Ibor?"