Two months have passed since the great goblin invasion was thwarted by the heroes of Sandpoint. With the death of Nualia the fallen aasimar, the goblin tribes lost focus and went back to fighting one other. Safe for now, the citizens of Sandpoint work to rebuild their town and heal their wounds.
One night Sheriff Hemlock gathers everyone to his house for a private after-dinner drink. After a round of toasts the conversation soon turns serious.
“First, let me thank you again for all you’ve done for Sandpoint." says the sheriff " It’s fortunate that we have heroes such as you here, because we’ve got a new problem, one that needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse.
“Put simply, we have a another murderer in town. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, which nearly tore the community apart 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 their remains are in pretty bad 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.
"You may be wondering if I'm jumping to conclusions. After all, things like these happen in larger towns like Sandpoint. What you don't know is that this is actually the second set of murders we’ve had in the last few days. Three con men from the town of Galduria were found dead in an abandoned barn south of town a few days ago. They had a bodyguard who survived the assault. But he went insane and is being kept at the sanitorium.
“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. 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.”
Hemlock passes a bloodstained scrap of parchment to Valandil. It is folded, and on the outside it is written with Valandil's first name. Inside is a short message: “I do as you command, master!”
It had been several days since Xian had returned from his last unfruitful outing. His bounty had already been taken. Xian had begun to believe returning to Tein would be impossible at this rate. Hoping that this gathering would take his mind off his worries he frowned at the news. It sounded like another non-paying job he would have to do to keep in good graces with the sheriff.
With a sigh he asks, "What do you know about Ibor Thorn? and is there any connection to these con men... other than they being dead?"
Val is truly surprised by this turn of events and reacts angrily, "I had nothing to do with this. Someone is trying to frame me." He stops and takes several deep breaths, "Sorry, I'm...I swear sheriff, I had nothing to do with this. But you probably already believe that or you would have brought guards and not drinks.
Since I am implicated, I suggest someone else take the lead on this. I want to prove my innocence and will help, but someone else needs to lead. Is there anything else you an tell us sheriff? Who was murdered at the mill?"
With a sigh he asks, "What do you know about Ibor Thorn? and is there any connection to these con men... other than they being dead?"
"I've thoroughly interrogated Ibor and I don't think the man knows anything. He has been incredibly frightened, poor man. And if there's a connection between the victims, I have yet to find out."
The sheriff gives the wild elf a hearty clap on the shoulder.
"That's right, Val. Not for an instant did I believe you were involved. Now, I'd like you to take a look at the lumber mill. The victims are Banny Harker and Katrine Vinder. Banny was the owner of the mill. Katrine was the daughter of Ven Vinder the merchant. Their bodies are still there until tomorrow morning, when the undertakers will have to take them away. You also might want to talk to the survivor from the first set of murders."
"You mean there is a survior? We certainly must talk that person, who is it?" Also who did these con men talk to while they were here?" asks Xian.
Val looks relieved, "Thank you sheriff."
Someone (social skills) needs to interview Ibor.
Where is the sanatorium?
Someone (good investigative skills) needs to look at the crime scene.
Are there any local rumours about Banny Harker and Katrine Vinder.
Val will go look at the crime scene, who is going with him?
Lin Tai cocked his eyebrow. Murder, eh?
Hmm...better keep the revolver close at hand.
"Now what, Mr. Ancalime?"
OOC:
I'll follow Val, unless there is something I could do better.
I do not know how I will be useful stat-wise, any suggestions?
"You mean there is a survior? We certainly must talk that person, who is it?" Also who did these con men talk to while they were here?" asks Xian.
"You want to know about the first victims? Let me tell you about what happened.
"Two 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 guards subdued him, and when they checked inside the barn they discovered three mutilated corpses. Although all three bodies were far too disfigured to identify, one of them had this on their person.
Hemlock presents another piece of parchment. It reads:
Messrs. Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe—
A deal has come about that I need
capital in. 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 futures.
Your Lordship
"This identified the victims as Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe, three rascals which I knew all too well. I told them that I'd run them out of town if they didn't behave. I wasn’t particularly surprised to find them murdered—it was only a matter of time before they tried to swindle the wrong man.
"The insane one we know as Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian thug. He’s been given over to the care of Erin Habe, caretaker of the Saintly Haven of Respite. You can talk to him if you want, but he's altogether off his rocker. You won't get much out of him.
Are there any local rumours about Banny Harker and Katrine Vinder.
"Hmmm..." Xian mutters to himself as he thinks. Rubbing his chin he rocks back and forth then says, "The thug can wait, I want to check the mill and the bodies first, then maybe the barn. Do you still have to bodies of the con men? Is there anything that links these murders?
know:local
"Well, come on then. We are going to start with the mill."
Xian shrugs, "I guess we're going to the mill. Can you get Ibor?" asks Xian of the Sheriff. "I might have questions for him once I see what we have."
"Hmmm..." Xian mutters to himself as he thinks. Rubbing his chin he rocks back and forth then says, "The thug can wait, I want to check the mill and the bodies first, then maybe the barn. Do you still have to bodies of the con men? Is there anything that links these murders?
"Their bodies are being stored at Sandpoint Garrison. This is what links Banny Harker's murder to the con men"
Hemlock takes a wax tablet from a shelf. On it is sketched a star with seven points.
"This symbol was carved on the chests of all four men."
This rune is recognized immediately by everyone in the party. It is the same unique symbol on medallion found on Nualia the aasimar. The medallion is currently being lent to Madame Mvashti for study.
1d20 + 7 know:local
Valandil remembers the rumor that Banny had been having an affair with Katrine. Katrine was the daughter of Ven Vinder, owner of Sandpoint's largest general store.
Xian shrugs, "I guess we're going to the mill. Can you get Ibor?" asks Xian of the Sheriff. "I might have questions for him once I see what we have."
"You can find Ibor at the garrison. You can probably get something out of him that I could not, but be gentle on him. He's been through a great deal in the last few hours."
The Star"This symbol was carved on the chests of all four men."
This rune is recognized immediately by everyone in the party. It is the same unique symbol on medallion found on Nualia the aasimar. The medallion is currently being lent to Madame Mvashti for study.
Again rubbing his chin Xian mutter to himself, "On all the men but not but not the woman."
"Thank you Sheriff. I'll be at the garrison after I have a look at the mill."
"Does anyone know what the symbol means?"
"No, but I think someone should visit Madame Mvashti and the other scholarly types to find out what it means. Tari, you've been studying magic, would you do that please? Drula, do you know healing? Perhaps you can look at the bodies at the Mill first, then go with Xian. Perhaps Ibor might open up to a woman instead of the Sheriff. Frankly Sheriff, you are just a little intimidating.
The barn sounds like it is a mile or so south of town and it is getting late (), perhaps we should look at that in the morning. Where is the insane bodyguard being kept?"
"He's being held at the sanatorium, which is nearby the garrison."
"Let's get to the mill and see what is there before deciding on what to do after that." Xian says impatiently.
"Yes, I know healing. Both natural medicine and magical healing thanks to the great spire. You want me to speak to both men, Ibor and this other man, the bodyguard Grayst? Who was Messrs? On the note, four names were mentioned and you only named three that were dead."
"I think Messrs refers to Messengers," says Xian and then looks to the Sheriff for confirmation.
"You can count me in as well. I know you had nothing to do with this atrocity, Val, and I want to help find those responsible and bring them to justice," Tari replies. "I'd be happy to discuss it with Madam Mvashti...if anyone in town would know about that symbol, it would be her. I'll ask her first thing in the morning. Is there anything else I can do to help?" she asks the group, including the Sheriff. The thought that someone would falsely accuse an innocent person, let alone one of her friends, disgusted the young sorceress. Something had to be done, and soon.
"I think Messrs refers to Messengers,"
"Why would someone spell Messengers Messrs? Is it code for something?" Drula asked, looking a bit confused by the thought.
"I think 'messrs' means 'misters', but I'm no language expert. Yes, talk to whomever you want. I am deputizing you all to solve these murders and will give you all the support you need. But please, try to keep the investigation quiet, for the town's sake. They've been through so much already."
Hemlock turns to Xian.
"You can visit the mill tonight, or tomorrow morning if you prefer. I have several good men guarding the place right now."
Hemlock leads the heroes of Sandpoint across town to the lumber mill. Built along the Turnadarok River, the mill is a sturdy structure of thick wooden walls, wooden shingles and simple timber doors. On recent nights the mill has been operating late, and the noises of the mill's creaky log splitter has been disturbing the sleep of everyone in town. Tonight, though, it is silent.
Small groups of frightened-looking town guards stand at the entrances. They make way for their sheriff and the party. Inside, the floor is coated with sawdust strewn with footprints and splashes of blood. There is a smell of rotten meat in the air. There are two horrifically mangled bodies here.
"That was Banny Harker," says Hemlock without a hint of emotion. He points to a corpse affixed to the wall by several hooks. The face has been skinned and the lower jaw is missing entirely. The body's bare chest has been cut in the pattern of a seven-pointed star.
Hemlock points further away, to the log splitter on the mill's lower floor. Amid heaps of blood-drenched firewood is a corpse that had been mangled by the splitter's sawblades. "And that was Katrine Vinder."
A handaxe is embedded in the floor near the log splitter, as if it had been dropped there.
K views the scene with an elven detachment, "I'm checking for tracks and such." As he goes about this business he wishes Camryn was here, he was really good at this sort of thing.
Xian arrives and scans the room then heads for the bodies and begins to inspect them He takes his time first examining the wounds, checking how they were killed, estimating what type of weapon if possible, then he goes through their pockets and clothes.
On closer inspection, Xian notices several gashes on different parts of Harker's body. These almost seem to have been made by a claw —a five-fingered, human-hand-sized claw. The rotten scent that fouls the air is stronger near these wounds.
There is not enough left of Katrine's body for a thorough examination. The water-driven log splitter is a mercilessly efficient machine.
Having been silent for the most part of their trip. Varus speaks, noting the clawmarks.
"Could this be more work of those sinspawns from catacombs ? Perhaps one of them got out before we cleared them ?"
Drula followed along quietly after Xian as he examined the bodies and did likewise herself to see if there was anything particularly odd or noteworthy about the bodies, aside from the particularly gruesome way they were killed, or perhaps even including that if she knew of any religious practices that demanded such deeds.
Upon looking over each, Drula touched her hand to each bodies remains trying to contact any remnant of the person's spirit to learn anything she could that way.
Xian frowns and takes a step back. Looking from body to body he walks to the ax and knees to inspect that. At first he doesn't touch it only looking at it only after he is satisfied that he has gotten what he can from looking does he pick it up.
Drula places her hand on the remains. She learns nothing, for the spirits of the victims have long fled this sorrowful scene.
Noting the bloody finger-marks on the ax handle, Xian plucks the ax out of the floorboard. The ax head is caked with bits of rotten gore and fragments of bone. The rotten scent is extremely strong on the ax, which makes Xian retch.
Valandil discovers tracks that reveal a barefoot human had clambered up from the mud under the pier then entered the mill. Another set of tracks by the same individual suggests that he left the mill and jumped into the river.
Xian staggers back as he lets the ax go. Taking a minute to compose himself he thinks at what he has seen.
Yes.
Everyone in the party knows the smell of death and decay by now. This smell is even worse.
Xian experiences have been hunting humanoids, monster hunting was not something he was an expert in. "Does anyone know of a creature that can turn flesh foul like this? It is unnatural, perhaps magic?"
Val will report what he found, "Tracks, a barefoot human clambered up from the mud under the pier then entered the mill. Another set of tracks by the same individual leaving the mill and jumping into the river. I'm going to look around outside, a person couldn't stay in this cold water too long without magic, so I am going to be looking for an exit track." Then he pauses, "but why these 2. I barely knew them. Rumor has it that they were having an affair." Val will search up and down the river for tracks, starting with the town side. If he doesn't find any he will check the far side as well.
Despite the gloom of late evening, Val manages to discover the where the creature climbed out of the river. Directly opposite across the river is grassy marshland.
Tari grimaces as she enters and reviews the scene. She had seen a number of gruesome sights since she had become an adventurer, but none of them had compared to this. This was unthinkable; no one deserved to die like these poor people. The sorceress can't help but stare at the remains, speechless.
Perception check:
Survival check (untrained):
Xian waits for the spell casters to respond to his question.