Sherriff Belor Hemlock's page

When Shalelu finishes, Hemlock puffs out loudly on this pipe, a smoke-ring rising in the still office.

"Too much for us to deal with alone. I am leaving today for Magnimar to go ask for more soldiers to protect the town and the hinterlands. Not sure if they will spare any to station here, but we need to make the effort, at least until the extent of the threat can be determined. I won't have a repeat of the Swallowtail Festival on my watch."

He asks Shalelu to patrol the area, sniffing around Skank's Wood, Brinestump Swamp, Mosswood, Devil's Platter, and other known goblin haunts to see if she can discover any more about what's going on and who is organizing the goblins.

He then turns to you, "While I am gone, stay in Sandpoint, and stay visible. The locals seem to have taken a liking to you. Being seen around town will do a lot to quell fears and keep worries down over the next few days."

Grigori is no expert at footprints or tracking, and while its apparent there was foot traffic here, it just appears as a confused muddle to him.

Shrugging the group checks back in with Hemlock. "Couldn't find anything eh?" he says with a disappointed look. "Well, my working assumption is that someone carried off the old father's bones, and call my crazy, but no good can come from that. Seems like the excitement here is over for now though. Check in with me tomorrow if wish, my ranger friend should be here to brief me on the going's on in the Hinterlands, and maybe where all these goblins came from in the first place."

Tal nods to the Sheriff, "That attack seemed very... coordinated. Is that common activity for a Goblin raid? Perhaps it is and I am just not knowledgeable of such matters".

"Can't say if it was coordinated or just mass chaos. Either way, it unusual to have the goblins attack a settlement this large. Already sent word out to my scouts in the field to see if they've seen or heard anything relating to the build up. Had goblins from at least 3 different tribes attack us, and that IS unusual. Typically, they don't work in a coordinated way on anything."

You walk up the hill towards the Cathedral which reflects the early morning sunlight through its spectacular stained glass windows, creating a lovely scene.

The Father heard from the boneyard sextant, a man named Naffer Vosk, that the door to old Father Toybn's tomb was ajar. The sextant swears it's been sealed for years, since right after the fire leastways. But today it was open. They assume a wayward goblin might be in there or worse. Nothing would surprise me at this point.."

Sheriff Belor Hemlock listens to Grigori's frantic explanation without a change in his weathered expression. He merely shrugs, the movement lifting the heavy leather of his spaulders. "Come if you wish, stay if you want," Hemlock rumbles, his voice dry. "Don't be a hero then. Sandpoint needs scholars as much as it needs guards." He takes another slow puff of his pipe, letting the aromatic smoke drift toward the rafters before downing the last of his bitter black coffee in one heavy swallow. He sets the clay mug down with a dull thud and casts a sidelong glance at Syeira, knowing her status among Ameiko's staff.

With that, the Sheriff pushes himself up from the table. He adjusts his sword belt and starts off toward the common room doors, heading out into the early Fall morning air toward the Cathedral. He walks with distinct purpose, his heavy boots scuffing the packed dirt of the street, though he doesn't hurry. As the group falls into step beside him, Hemlock turns his head slightly, his dark eyes settling on the Desnan cleric. "What did you want to ask me?" he says plainly to Talene.

Feel free to come along if you want Grigori, or not. Talene, you can ask him what you want during the walk.

Morning, 2 Rova, Sandpoint, The Lost Coast of Varisia.

For those who need it, free accommodations are available at the Rusty Dragon. For those of you who chose to stay elsewhere, your morning begins a little earlier than you would like. A local deputy knocks firmly on your door, politely but persistently asking you to meet the Sheriff at the common room of the Dragon at the 10th hour. Meanwhile, those who spent the night at the inn wake to find handwritten notes slipped quietly under their doors, bearing the same request.

Downstairs at the appointed time, the rich, savory smell of frying bacon fills the air, doing its best to compete with the heavy, aromatic smoke of Sheriff Belor Hemlock’s pipe. The common room is relatively quiet this early, save for the soft scuff of boots and the low murmur of the morning crowd. Belor looks tired, the lines on his face deeply etched from yesterday's chaos, but he offers a firm, appreciative nod as you all gather around his table. He sets his pipe down in an iron tray.
"Could not have done it without you lot yesterday,"he says, his voice a gravelly rumble. "Saved a lot of lives and property. I owe you, the whole town does."

He leans forward, resting his heavy forearms on the wooden table, his expression turning serious. "Might need your help again, though. Father Zantus from the cathedral woke me early this morning. Says there's a disturbance out in the church boneyard. Given what we dealt with yesterday, I'm not taking any chances. Want to come check it out with me?"

Don't forget to reset spells etc with nights rest. If you changed any of your spell selections, let me know. We can handwave any healing so start the day at full HP as well.

Next, the sheriff Belor Hemlock takes the stage. He is beefy dark skinned Shoanti man ho is clearly not used to speaking publicly. He sort of hems and haws is way through a welcome then says, "Remember, be safe around the bonfire, keep an eye on your valuables. Let's have a moment of silence to honor those who were claimed in the fire that destroyed the town's original church, and all those victims of the Late Unpleasantness." Caps are removed, the buzz of the crowd falls to a silent whisper. "Thank you1" he says giving way.

The sheriff sighs at Garen's words. "You seem capable on your own. Weapons are going to be in short supply if the goblins attack the village while we are both away. And even if I had any to spare, they would be the mundane version, the garrison does not have fine weapons, just courage and pride."

"Despite my wish to assist in your exploration, I don't have what you require."

Ari has some knowledge of the Nettlewood which lies along the Lost Coast Road to the east of Sandpoint. It is named for prickly stinging bushes that populate the thick undergrowth of the forest. In addition to goblins, the Nettlewood is said to be populated by fire-pelt cougars, large unruly boars, and some rumor the Sandpoint Devil roams the undergrowth in search of prey as well.

At the Sandpoint Garrison, the sheriff seems to be packing a bag. "After what you found below, and Shalelu's warnings about the goblin's organizing in the hinterlands, I am off to Magnimar to plead for some more troops. I think things are going to get bad here, and we need a stronger force to hold the town, if the goblins, and whatever's leading them, show up again."

He listens as you discuss your plans to go into the hinterlands, and look for Thistletop, one of the goblin bases, and the place detailed in Tsuto's journal.

"Aye, seems like a good idea to take the fight to them. Go ahead then. Thistletop is about 6 miles from here east along the Lost Coast Road. But be careful, the Nettlewood is difficult to navigate - its tangled and full of thorns, and a good place to lay an ambush. Let me know if there's anything you need -- except men that is -- those will be needed here if any attack comes."

"Aye, consider it done." the sheriff says with a grave nod. "My men will keep strangers out and try to prevent anything from coming in while you recuperate. Father Zantus may be willing to aid you when he hears you are serving the town." He scribbles a quick note outlining your efforts on Sandpoint's behalf.

"Shalelu will have more intel on what is afoot with goblin tribes in the hinterlands. I defer to her knowledge, but my experience aligns with yours. Someone, maybe whoever is pretending to be Nualia, would have to be marshaling them to bring an invasion sized force together, but...look where we are now. It's possible."

You go to the Cathedral or elsewhere?

Sheriff Belor Hemlock is at work at the Sandpoint Garrison, moving paperwork from one pile to another while scrawling illegibly on the forms as he does so. He seems relieved to get some distraction from the papers, and listens intently.

"You have this journal? Can I see it?" he finally says, and then spends a few moments perusing the pages before sliding it back across the table. He is clearly a man of few words, but his reaction takes the cake. "Seems like trouble..."

He does go on to explain that the area around Sandpoint, is technically his responsibility, but he doesn't have enough guardsmen to patrol the village let alone the whole region. "I rely on an elven ranger, Shalelu, to keep the peace in the hinterlands, and to let us know what is going on there. I will send word for her to return ASAP, and we can get the latest intel from her."

Meantime, he encourages you to explore the smugglers tunnel which apparently is a means for goblins to enter the town undetected and to see what can be found about this quasit or whatever it is that is apparently down there. "We will start to prepare for the bigger assault, but if 300 goblins attack us here, we can't stop them. Not without more soldiers. I may have to go to Magnimar and convince them to send aid..."

The sheriff impatient waits for Izzy to tell the enhanced version of events, but when its done he sighs sadly. "Didn't expect stowaway's this long after the attack. Nothing to be done for it now at least. Will tell the guard to redouble patrols and look in hidey holes ofr anymore blasted gobbos." He looks back the now-widowed Amalie. "Guess I'll have to tell her the hard truth. One of the downsides of this job...Tell your team to clear out of there before we arrive unless they want to witness the scene." He hefts back up the 4 year old, and moves the bereft Amalie forward once again, moving quite slowly.

The sheriff shrugs at Ari as if to say, That's what I said," and just motions are Garen or another to fill Tot in on their findings yesterday. Meanwhile he stuffs his face with bacon and flapjacks with a little maple syrup poured on top.

Feel free to hand wave the catch up if you wish, or one of the others can describe it as you see fit.

The sheriff nods at Ari's statements. "There are facts and then suppositions. Fact: there are footprints leading into and away from the boneyard of a non-goblin. Fact: members of several usually disparate goblin tribes participated in the raid. What fact incriminates a townsperson? Not impossible, but unlikely. That's why I sent Shalelu into the wild, instead of snooping round here."

The sheriff pulls up a chair to your table and sits down heavily in it, a long sigh escaping as he does. "Morning," he grunts, without much enthusiasm. The sheriff is large Shoanti man with braids in his long hair. He is not as large as Grod, but his musculature is readily apparent despite his uniform. What skin is exposed seems to be covered in dark-inked tattoos.

I think of the Sheriff as played by Michael B Jordan, maybe a bit older, looking somewhat like he did in Black Panther. Oh, and btw, I think of Ameiko as played by Olivia Munn. You can tell me your thoughts on cast members if you wish.

"Somethings I think you should know," he continues. The Sherriff is a man of few words, so getting things out of him can be a bit of challenge. "Had a few words with Naffer Vosk. He told me a pertinent fact that I waned to share. Seems that after the fire at the old church, Nualia, the daughter of Father Tobyn, well, her body was never found. Everyone assumed she burnt up. There was a lot going on at the time, as you can imagine. The coffin they buried her in was empty, according to the sextant. First I'd heard, wanted to tell you."

As you start to replay, he holds up one rather large hand to stop you. "Not done. Also spoke with Shalelu. I convinced her to go look into the goblin tribes, the ones that participated in the raid. Find out who is leading them. See what they plan next. Figured that made more sense for a ranger than investigating in my town. Now that means you lot need to help me figure out who the inside man is...if there is one." He sips a coffee from a large mug and motions for you to reply

"Misgivings?" asks Hemlock. "That's the old manor house off the Lost Coast road out on the point, isn't it? That place has been abandoned for years. You think your ghoul-killer is there now?"

He listens to Cadas speak about the prisoners and the patietns still at the Sanitorium. "Yes, well, you did right bringing them in. They will get their just desserts here. I will contact Father Zantus and have him send some acolytes out to the asylum and see to the prisoners. They will be treated as well as possible, and better than they have, it seems."

As Robin starts to explain about the ghouls running amok in the countryside, the door to the sheriff's office slams open...

After feeding and watering the prisoners sufficiently for real help to arrive, the heroes pile their captives -- the two doctors and the two orderlies -- together and set out back for Sandpoint, driving the prisoners before them.

The trip back is without incident, Dr Habe sniveling most of the way, and the elderly necromancer complaining about his sore knees and feet. Finally, you are within sight of the village again, the broken old lighthouse rising above the town like a church-steeple.

It's not long before you are in the Watch Office, sitting with Sheriff Hemlock once again. "So they were torturing prisoners," he says skeptically. "Is that what you are saying? And then re-animating the corpses? Odd and certainly worthy of more investigation, but what does all that have to do with the murders in the lumber mill? Did you find anything out from Sevilla before he died?"

Darnak and Ahdak

The sheriff gives the dwarf a once over. "Could recommend the White Deer, but i reckon they are full up. Rusty Dragon might suit you. Not the nicest place, but warm, comfortable and the food is good. Looks like this all come to nothing, so go on your way, but be warned, no more brawling in town. Got it." He gives you the proper directins to the Rusty Dragon.

He then turns to Ahdak, speaking rather forcefully through gritted teeth. "Let's get it straight. I am NOT your cousin. I understand your speech, but I do not speak it anymore. I am home, and this..." he points at the gold star on his tunic. ...is all the clan-marks I need. You heard my directions to the dwarf. Follow him, if you like. Don't make trouble again, or I will have you in irons faster than the wind on the Plateau. Understand?"

He pivots away quickly and stomps off toward the center of town, leaving the curious half-orc behind.

"This letter will introduce you as representatives of myh office, giving you all the rights and powers to question suspects or search places. Use it wisely." says Hemlock, handing you a sealed parchment.

"The sanitarium is in a secluded dale, about 4 hours ride south of Sandpoint along Cougar Creek near the Ashen Rise. When you get done with your investigation, come report what you have found."

"Them bodies had the note I already gave you found on them. Seems someone led them to their slaughter."

After you examine the bodies, Hemlock tells what he knows about the survivor of that first attack. "The man who survived, a Varisian named Grayst Sevilla, is at Habe Sanitorium. Turns out whatever happened to him left him a bit...off his rocker. I doubt talking with him will be of much help, but you are welcome to try. I can write you a letter of introduction for Dr Habe if you want."

Hemlock looks disturbed at Robin's suggestion that the dead bodies might rise up again. "We have left them locked in the cellar, but no one has guarded them. I will make arrangement for Father Zantus to bless them, if there is an undead taint, he should be able to remove it."

Hemlock agrees. "I will be releasing Thorn later today, unless you have objections. I will also be releasing Vinder after this interview. He got so enraged when I told him about Katrine's death, that I took him into custody for his protection, more than because I thought he was guilty. His wife can corroborate his alibi -- he was home all night last night, but he is still quite angry, so be prepared..."

He nods to the jailors and they bring Vinder from his cell.

"I will keep things quiet, while you recover and finish at Thistletop," says Hemlock. "But don't tarry to long, it sounds like some sort of conspiracy is afoot and we need to root it out before it explodes into more ritual killings."

I assume you'll spend the rest of this day recovering from wounds, including healing some ability damage. There isn't a lot of loot, but we can sort that out also. If there are any specific activities, purchases, visits, etc you want to make, let's discuss those now. Will you be ready for Thistletop the next morning? Remember you can likely buy Restoration spells at the Cathedral as well...

"So what is your next step?" queries Hemlock. "What was on this letter you found again?"

Heading away from the gruesome crime scene, the investigators return to the City Watch office and descend into the cool basement, where two of the cells are occupied. The sheriff shows you to a interrogation room and then says, "I'll show Thorn in first. He is the other mill worker, partner of the deceased Banny Harker. He was the one to find the bodies. I already questioned him, and there's little I could get useful from him. You are welcome to try again. He is a bit shaken by the whole thing."

"In case you are wondering, I have interrogated Ibor Thorn, the other millworker, who found the bodies like this when he came on this morning. I am holding him in the cells of the town guard, but I don't suspect he had much, if any, to do with what happened here."

"I am also holding Vin Vinder, father of the deceased girl Katrine. He is my only suspect, perhaps enraged at his daughter's affair with the mill-man Harker. He is known to have a great temper, but again, I believe the murders were committed by someone else. Someone much worse than an angry father."

"You may feel free to question either of these two suspects once you finish here."

In response, to Marcellano's question.

"The star had seven points, I believe just like the one on poor Harker there. The bodies from the first murders are in the ice house at the jail, you can see them for yourselves if you wish."

Hemlock readily agrees to have a adjutant sell off your items and return to the office wiht the coin while he leads you down by the Turandurok River, where the Sandpoint Lumber Mill is strangely silent.

The mill is well-built wooden structure with very thick walls. The roof is of woodens shingles and doors are simple timber and unlocked. The mill machinery has been disengaged. A sizable crowd has gathered in front of the mill, and several nervous looking guards stand sentry at the doors.

Hemlock says, "The mill was working last night, Banny Harker and Ibor Thorn, the two millers, often worked late into the night. It had become a bone of contention around town as the noisy mill and the infernally creaky log splitter kept neighbors awake. But I don't think a noise complaint is at the root of this trouble."

Hemlock skids back his chair and folds his arms as he speaks. "It started the day you left again for Thistletop. A patrol of guards along the Lost Coast Road were assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn at 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. All were far to disfigured to recognize, but one of them carried this."

He reaches for another scrap of parchment, and hands it to Robin.

"Mssrs. Mortwell, Hask and Tabe -- A deal has gone about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss our future -- Your Lordship."

"From the note, we assume the bodies are those of Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe -- three notorious con men and swindlers, known well to us as troublemakers.I forbade the man from operating in town some time back. I ain't surprised to find them dead, but the star carved in their chest, and the gruesome manner by which they died...well you'll see the similarities for yourself. The three men's bodies lie in the morgue in the basement here. You can look at them if you like, but you'll want to see the mill first, I expect."

"By the way," Hemlock adds as an aside, "The crazy man who attacked the soldiers has been identified as one Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian muscle thug. He's been given over to Dr Habe at the sanatorium south of town for safe-keeping. You can talk to him if you like, but I wouldn't expect too much."

At the City Watch office, Sheriff Hemlock is happy to see you returned from the latest adventure. He listens a bit to your story about the treasure room at Thistletop and the shadows and tentamort, but you can see his mind is elsewhere.

When you pause he says, "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 new 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 the 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 past 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 what we're facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I am afraid you'll need the help too. You see, I'm afraid this particular murderer knows you as well"

With that he hands over a blood-stained scrap of paper. The name 'Cadas' is clearly written on the exterior in a spidery tilted hand. The inside of the parchment is also spattered with blood, and there the spidery hand continues "We have spoken of this before, my master. Now it begins, join The Pack and it will end. -- Your Lordship"

"The scrap was left at the crime scene, presumably to implicate you in the murder, but I know better. You were dozens of miles away fighting who knows what, not here slaying townspeople, but you must be cautious. If word of the killings, or your involvement, however peripheral, spread, things could get ugly quickly."

He urges you to investigate the crime scene at the lumber mill, which is just inside the town along the Turandurok River.

Hemlock scratches his head. "I am a simple sheriff of a backwater town. I have little experience with monster hunting. Is this creature magical or arcane? Then I would think the Headmaster might be the one to ask -- Ilsoari Gandethus, he runs the local Academy. I hope your poking around in those ruins doesn't awaken this cat thing...That's all we need is a monster attack."

The sherrif looks to Kizzy surprised. "I didn't recognize you in that get up, thought you were one of Lady Ameiko's foreign friends come to call." says Hemlock to the Varisian bodyguard.

"I have holes in my duty roster if you want to come serve the town but..." he looks sternly at the girl. "I know that's not really your style, following orders and the like. You might fall in with this lot," he motions to Cadas, Rogar and the rest. "They have done this town a world of good, and act as irregulars, keeping what they earn from their adventures. They can use a strong sword arm, or a good bow-shot as the case may be."

Turning to the rest of the group, he says, "I recommend Qetsiyah whole-heartedly. I am sure if she were here, Lady Ameiko would also. She would be a good addition to your group, should you still be in the business of adventuring."

The sheriff nods in astonishment at the stir of your deeds. "So the stories of Nualis living all this time and plotting revenge against our town were true. And the attacking on the festival was her idea. Amazing. Glad you lot were able to put a stop to her and her plans. Also glad none of you were lost in the effort, even if some are sorely hurt or worn."

He shifts in his chair. "We owe you a debt of gratitude but I doubr our town leaders will actually pony up for a reward. Would you mind coming to a formal debriefing with the mayor tomorrow morning? I'm sure she'll be quite interested in your tales. For now, I will leave you to your rest. "

"Well it appears you survived your mission to Thistletop after all." exclaims the Sheriff, with what passes for a smile on his normally humorless faces. "It's been days, we assumed your heroics were short-lived, but I am glad to see the rumors of your deaths are greatly exaggerated...Where are the others, the dwarf, and the elfin wizard?"

"I think a climbing kit and rope can be arranged, I am sure Savah will part with them willingly enough. And of course the horse and wagon are yours for as long as you need them. They are borrowed from you friend Davy Hosk at any rate.

"I will send a man to guard the rooms at the Dragon until you return. We'll have no more thievery nonsense on my watch."

The wagon, with feed and rested horse, and a climber's kit stowed in the back, along with two reels of 50' of sturdy hemp rope are stowed in the buckboard when you return from preparing your gear in the Dragon.

Barek and anyone going to visit Sheriff Hemlock

Hemlock listens impassively as you describe the findings and actions at Hambley Farm. When your briefing is over, he nods curtly. "You have done well for Sandpoint once again, ending the threat of the ghouls in the hinterland. It sounds as if your friend Foxglove is at the center of the recent troubles, so I did some checking on him.

Sounds like another road trip in your future, eh? What can I provide to help you along your way?"

It being late afternoon now, are you going to go after the ghouls at Hambley's Farm now? If so, it will likely be dark before you arrive (mu-hah-hah-hah). You can choose to wait until morning to go.

The sheriff says he will speak with Father Zantus about a donation of holy water to the cause, and after several minutes time, he returns with 4 vials of teh stuff.

"That skinflint Zantus would only part with this much of the stuff. He said he would have to consecrate more, but it may be a few days before it was properly blessed. Take it or leave it," says the sheriff dolefully.

He looks grim and shrugs.

"I'll leave it to your judgement, but if there's a small army of ghouls running out in the southern fields, lots more are going to die and die ugly. After you end the "scarecrows" go after the den by all means, but we need to stop the killing first."

The sheriff shows the man out, in care of one of the guardsmen. "The man is clearly drunk as a skunk, but something but the moonshine may be the only thing keeping him going right now. Something terrible is happening in the southern farmlands. Sounds like you think your noble friend Foxglove is behind all of it. And I see why you'd want to head off to the manor house, Misgivings, they call it, and check things out. But I need you to go to the farmlands first and see to this menace. If you're right, then maybe it's ghouls or the like as you suspect, but it sure is something and people are in danger."

He pushes his chair back and sighs. "Like to send the town guard with you, but don't think I can spare the whole troop after last week's attack. Who knows if this is still part of some horrible plan...I can send a squad of 3-4 men if you want or need them. Even that leaves us more exposed than I'd like."

Looking at your grimly, he asks, "What say you? Up for another service to our fair town? We could sure use it."

Arriving back in the town late in the afternoon, the heroes muster at the City Watch office, ready to describe all they have learned to the Sherrif.

As they enter his office, they find Hemlock's attention already taken with a mess of a man who is clearly quite upset and likely in shock.

"It were them walkin' scarecrows, I tell ya!" the man shouts. Hemlock does his best to calm the man, who is covered in mud and sweat, wearing a canvas farmer's hat and simple peasant attire.

"I am glad you have arrived when you did. The Watch found his man wandering the streets raving about walking scarecrows. Help me calm him and see if there is anything more to the story."

Hemlock hrumphs loudly. "Don't have no horses or wagons to spare, but I reckon you could sweet talk old Daviren Hosk out of a few mares, especialy if you tell him it's for goblin-killing. Hell, he might offer to join you."

"I also have nothing tying Titus Scarnetti to this, or any other, crime. He may be a slumlord, a cheat, and a scoundrel, but so far he ain't a crook. Follow it up if you think that's a lead, but as of now, I can't bring him in."

Hemlock looks at the group sternly. "You want to hear about the first murders? I will tell you what I know."

He goes on to relate a horrific tale that makes the scene at the sawmill pale by comparison. Two days ago a patrol of guards along the Lost Coast road was assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn south of town along Cougar Creek. The man was obviously sick and insane, his flesh fevered, his eyes wild, mouth frothing and clothing caked with blood. The guards subdued him, and when they checked inside the barn they discovered the mutilated bodies of three more men. All of the bodies were too disfigured to identify but one of them carried a piece of parchment.

Hemlock gives the party the parchment now which is quite bloodstained, but reads: "Messrs Mertwell, Hask and Tabe - A deal has come about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss or future -- Your Lordship"

Hemlock believes the note identifies the corpses as Tareh Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Godwin Tabe, three notorious con men and swindlers known well to the Sheriff as local troublemakers. He personally kicked these men, and their shady con games and barely legal operations, out of Sandpoint, and isn't particularly surprised to see them murdered, it was only a matter of time before the swindled the wrong folks after all.

"But after the Sawmill murders, I began to see there was more to this than simple revenge. You see, all three men has the same strange marking carved into their chest as poor Banny Harker, that strange star symbol."

"You can go see the bodies for yourselves, they still lie in the basement of the Garrison, below the jail, keeping cool until the investigation is done. The insane man was identified as Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian thug. He was sent out to Habe's Sanitorium sout of town. He's a bit off his rocker, and couldn't answer any of my questions. If you want to try, I'll send a letter of introduction for Dr Habe."

As Thorn exits with his tail between his legs, Barek shoulders into the cell block and lets loose an imposing tirade of language that sets Vinder in his place. The man's angry visage starts to break, and then tears begin running down his cheeks.

"They killed my baby!" he cries mournfully, all his anger replaced with sorrow. "They killed her, and I couldn't stop them. Stop them before they hurt someone else, damn you! Stop them!"

The rest is lost in uncontrollable sobbing from the big blustering man. Hemlock guides you out of the hall and back outside, where Thorn awaits.

"He is an angry man, no question, but I don't thnk he had any part in this murder, nor knows anything about it. Let him have face his grief in private."

The artful interrogation of Ibor Horn earns the PC's 100 xp per player. This brings your cumulative total to 7972 or about 49% of the way to Level 5. Thorn at 5413 now, means 78% to level 4.

"Are you ready for me to release Horn? He doesn't seem to have been a part of this other than in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do you want to speak about the first murders now, or question Vin Vinder, who is also in custody down here? I am about to release him as well based on your theory of an undead. You can always find Vinder at his store if you need him later."

"If you want to discuss the first murders, let's go back upstairs to my office."

Hemlock listens to Selena's question. "Expert on undead? Reckon the only one here would be Father Zantus, maybe. We don't have much cause to tangle with undead here; or didn't before at least."

He strokes his chin thinking. "You could also ask the sage or Headmaster Gandethus? They're the smartest felllows in town. They may know something, but be warned, they have some crazy ideas of their own."

There are no magical auras in the area. The players earn 100 xp each for recognizing the Sihedron Rune carved on Harker's Chest. They receive another 150xp for discovering that the murderer may have been an undead creature. Total of 250xp moves your cumulative amount to 7872/10000 or about 46% to level 5. Thorn is at 5313 or 75% to level 4.

Following Thorn's advice, the heroes go to brief the Sheriff on their findings. The Shoanti man listens and nods as you corroborate some of the things he noticed himself, and listens with more interest about the footprints.

"It seems I was right to bring you into the matter," he says grimly. "You have already uncovered clues I did not see. Well done. If you want to talk to Horn, he is in a holding cell below. But be gentle with the poor man, he's been through a lot in the last few hours, and I don't believe he's guilty of anything."

Hemlock steps in at this point. "With those ill tidings in mind, I am headed out this morning for Magnimar. Hopefully the city will release a few soldiers to help protect us until we can identify and end this threat. While I'm away, I've asked Shalelu to sniff around Shank's Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, Devil's Platter, and other known goblin dens to see if she can discover anything about what's going on."

He turns his eyes away from the map, and to your group. "As for you, I'd like you to maintain a public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days. The locals seem to have taken to you, calling you Heroes of Sandpoint even. Having you around town will keep worries down until I arrive back with the soldiers."

"I am leaving as soon as possible, and hope to be back in the next 4 days or so, with a force of men-at-arms. Good luck and keep the Mayor here involved in anything newsworthy that occurs."

With that the Sheriff hastens out of the briefing room and makes ready to depart. Shalelu asks if she can join you for the noon meal in a few hours. She wants to catch a little shut-eye first, as she's been riding all night, but would like to catch up at the Rusty Dragon if possible.

With some fine breakfast in your bellies you set off for the City Watch office. There you find Sheriff Hemlock, and an intense auburn haired woman who is introduced to you as Mayor Kendra Deverin. The mayor thanks you warmly for your part in stopping the goblin raid.

Also in the room is Shalelu Andosana, the ranger for this part of Varisia. She smirks when Hemlock introduces her as an "unofficial member of the Town Guard." He calls your group "Sandpoint's newest crop of goblinslayers."

Hemlock explains "Shalelu has been a thorn in the side of local goblins for many years. Few in the region know as much about them as she does."

He goes on to recap her report about increased goblin raids along the Lost Coast Road, particularly in the dale between the Mosswood and the Nettlewood. Only yesterday, a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by a group of goblins. Shalelu was nearby, and saved the family driving off the goblins for now.

At this point, Hemlock cedes the floor to Shalelu who unrolls a Map of Sandpoint Hinterlands.

Aldern Foxglove asked you to meet around mid-morning at Tanner's Bridge, which is not far from where you are now. It is about the right time to depart, if you intend to go on the hunt. The bridge is just down the cliff from the graveyard, and the road there heads east to the Tickwood, where he intends to hunt.

"That's all ancient history now." says the Sheriff. "Jervis Stoot, the Chopper, ain't mixed up in this business no how. I finished and burned that demon-lover myself. Ain't enough of him left to fill up a salt shaker I'll warrant. What I can't fathom is why a group of goblins would want old Father Tobyn's body. I'll cogitate on that while you fellows go on your hunt. Maybe when you get back, we can question the prisoners we have, and then tomorrow when Shalelu arrives, she can fill in the gaps for us. Thanks for your help here with the skeleton, and I hope it's not a cult of necromancers or something we're dealing with here."

The Sheriff stomps off towards the Watch office, leaving you to go on your hunt if you choose.

"Not just anyone. It was goblins!" says Hemlock, reminding you of the footprints that went over the wall toward Northgate. "Makes me wonder if the whole attack weren't a distraction from this body-stealing?"

He tells Beromar that Nualia, the adopted daughter of Father Tobyn would've been in her late teen years, maybe twenty, when she died in the fire. "She was a right beauty too, she was. Some say she had blood of angels in here, and that her touch could heal warts and her voice could dispel evil spirits. I don't go in for that nonsense, but yes, I investigated the fire. It wasn't long after I became Sheriff, after the Chopper..."

He goes onto relate, and Viroleth can back up, the story of the Chopper. When Jervis Stoot made clear his intentions to build a home on the island just north of the Old Light, locals paid him no mind. Jervis had already garnered something of a reputation for eccentricity when he began his one-man crusade to carve depictions of birds on every building in town. Stoot never made a carving without securing permission, but his incredible skill at woodcarving made it a given that, if Stoot picked your building as the site of his latest project, you seized the opportunity. "Sporting a Stoot" soon grew to be something of a bragging point, and Jervis eventually extended his gift to include ship figureheads and carriages. Those who asked or tried to pay him for his skill were rebuffed — Stoot told them, "There ain’t no birds in that wood for me t’set free," and went on his way, often wandering the streets for days before noticing a hidden bird in a fencepost, lintel, steeple, or doorframe, which he’d then secure permission to "release" with his trusty hatchets and carving knives.

Stoot’s excuse for wanting to move onto the isle seemed innocent enough — the place was a haven for local birdlife, and his claim of "Wantin’ ta be with th’ birds" seemed to make sense. So much so, in fact, that the guild of carpenters (with whom Stoot had maintained a friendly competition for several years) volunteered to build a staircase, free of charge, along the southern cliff face so that Stoot could come and go from his new home with ease. For 15 years, Stoot lived on the island. His trips into town grew less and less frequent, making it something of an event when he chose a building to host a new Stoot.

Sandpoint was no stranger to crime, or even to murder. Once or twice a year, passions flared, robberies went bad, jealousy grew too much to bear, or one too many drinks were drunk, and someone would end up dead. But when the bodies began to mount five years ago, the town initially had no idea how to react. Sandpoint’s sheriff at the time was a no-nonsense man named Casp Avertin, a retired city watch officer from Magnimar. Yet even he was ill-prepared for the murderer who came to be known as Chopper. Over the course of one long winter month, it seemed that every day brought a new victim to light. Each was found in the same terrible state: bodies bearing deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and feet severed and stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongue plucked crudely from the head and missing entirely.

Over the course of that terrible month, Chopper claimed 25 victims. His uncanny knack at eluding traps and pursuit quickly wore on the town guard, taking particular toll on Sherrif Avertin, who increasingly took to drinking. In any event, Sherrif Avertin himself became Chopper’s last victim, slain upon catching the murderer in a narrow lane — still known now as Chopper’s Alley — as he was mutilating his latest victim. Yet in the battle that followed, Avertin managed a telling blow against the killer. When the town guard found both bodies several minutes later, they were able to follow the killer’s bloody trail.

A trail that led straight to the stairs of Stoot’s Rock.

At first, the town guard refused to believe the implications, and feared that Chopper had come to claim poor Jervis Stoot as his 26th victim. Yet what the guards found in the modest home atop the isle, and in the larger complex of rooms that had been carved into the bedrock below, left no room for doubt. Jervis Stoot and Chopper were the same, and the eyes and tongues of all 25 victims were found upon a horrific altar to a birdlike demon whose name none dared speak aloud. Stoot himself was found dead at the base of the altar, having plucked his own eyes and tongue loose in a final offering. The guards collapsed the entrance to the chambers, burned Stoot’s house, tore down the stairs, and did their best to forget. Stoot himself was burned on the beach in a pyre, his ashes blessed and then scattered in an attempt to stave off an unholy
return of his evil spirit.

But as fate would have it, the people of Sandpoint would soon have a new tragedy to bear, one that almost eclipsed Chopper’s rampage. A month after the murderer was slain, a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. The fire started in the Sandpoint Chapel and spread quickly. As the town rallied to save the church, the fire spread, consuming the North Coast Stables, the White Deer Inn, and three homes. In the end, the church burnt to the ground, leaving the town’s beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn,and his beautiful daughter, dead.

All that remains today of the once-loved Stoot carvings are ragged scars on buildings and figureheads where owners used hatchets to remove what had become a haunting reminder of a wolf in their fold. The homes and businesses ravaged by the fire have been reconstructed, and the Sandpoint Chapel has finally been rebuilt as well. With the consecration of this new cathedral, Sandpoint can finally put the dark times of the Late Unpleasantness in the past.

Sorry for the big background post, but it's important information (some of it) and the Sheriff just pours it all out at once.

"That was five years ago, about the time of the Chopper murders, you ken? The fire burnt down the old church, and we just now got the new Cathedral open and Tobyn's corpse disappears...No one knows how the fire started, an unattended candle maybe, there'd have been plenty in that old church. But Tobyn died, and his adopted daughter perished also. We found his remains in what was left of his bedroom, but her's...we never found, burnt up in the fire's my guess." the Sheriff says these things with an air of reminiscence and his eyes get a far-away look as he recalls the unpleasant past.

When Bruin asks about valuables buried with the old father, Hemlock shakes his head. "No his will was very clear about that. Since his only living relative also died in the blaze, the church was to sell off all his valuables and donate the proceeds to the church here. It was how the Cathedral fund got started..."

"I watched his scorched bones go into the box myself, I can tell you there was nothing valuable put in there at that time. Nothing in poor Nualia's crypt either." he says indicating the other, undisturbed crypt. "The girl's coffin is completely empty, as her remains were never found after the fire."