Goblin Hunt

Any lingering doubts they had about the raven’s intentions were quickly dispelled. The bird, with its glossy black feathers, hopped forward, cawed loudly, and then paused, as if waiting for you to follow. It glanced back over its shoulder, its beady eyes locking with yours, and then fluttered its wings again, calling out in a series of sharp, urgent cries. It led you off the main road, its calls growing more insistent with every step you take.

The journey doesn't last long, barely a few minutes of walking, before you find yourselves standing at the edge of a thick cluster of bushes. The raven, unbothered by the undergrowth, perched nearby and emitted another loud, commanding call, its sharp tone cutting through the stillness of the surrounding forest.

You push through the dense branches, and once you clear the last of the foliage, you're met with a gruesome sight.

The body of a young woman lay in the underbrush, her delicate features pale and lifeless. She was dressed in a bright yellow gown, its vivid color almost too vibrant against the pallor of her skin, and her dark hair, now disheveled, was spread out around her like a dark halo. Her face is ashen, her eyes closed in eternal slumber.

The raven, as if urging you to take closer note, flew closer, its wings stirring the air as it circled above the woman’s head before landing on the ground next to her.

Anton felt his stomach turn at the site, he suppressed the urge to vomit. "By the gods...did Goblins do this?" he hated to admit it, but it almost looked too 'put together' for a Goblin attack. In fact it was hard to tell what had killed her at all, were it not for her breathless form one could think she was just sleeping.

"I agree. This whole thing feels staged," Nightshade says, his tone low but firm. He pauses, meeting the Messenger’s gaze, and offers a respectful nod. "It’s unsettling, to say the least, that a known trickster and harbinger of death has led us to this site."
He falls silent for a moment, bowing his head in a quiet prayer to the forest, asking for guidance and protection.
Raising his head, he casts a wary glance at the Sheriff and the mob, their agitation palpable. "All right," he says, his voice steady. "Let’s take a look at the scene before the Sheriff and his mob trample over any clues that might be left."
With that, Nightshade kneels near the body, his movements deliberate and precise. His sharp eyes scan the area as he begins a slow, methodical search of the corpse and the surrounding woodlands, alert for anything out of place, disturbed earth, broken branches, or signs of a struggle. Every detail matters, and he knows the forest holds answers if only he can read its signs.

Will gazes emerald eyes over the scene, and strides carefully along the area. Joining in the investigation.

"Seems quite un-goblin-like to strangle a young woman. They cant' even reach her throat without having to knock her down first. We've learned first hand they'd rather stick you with a long spear and run away.

More likely, someone less gobliny did this, perhaps hoping to use the goblin raids as cover for their foul deed. We should bring this to the attention of the sheriff quietly. He seems reasonable, and would probably recognize that blaming goblins could mean a murderer is still loose in his town."

Edit to add a skill check. Not sure if INT (11) or WIS (14) applies.

Will gazes upon divergent tracks with wary emerald eyes. Gauntleted hand rubs fair-skinned chin a moment, then our fightery fellow proposes, I feel like the human is the quarry we’re after, my friends.

Shall we continue after the human tracks, and see where they lead?

"Agreed, but do the Goblin tracks indicate it stumbled upon her? Or was the goblin working with the human?"

Speaking quietly to his companions, Nightshade says. "Now we have proof this deviltry runs deeper than just goblins."
He waits patiently as his companions complete their inspection of the scene, his eyes scanning the forest’s edge for any sign of movement. Once satisfied that every detail has been examined, Nightshade straightens and signals to the Sheriff.
"Sheriff," he begins, gesturing toward the body and the two distinct sets of tracks leading back to the main road. His tone is calm but firm. "We’ve found something worth your attention. Two sets of tracks here. They might lead us to whoever’s responsible."
He pauses, his gaze shifting to the body, his expression softening slightly. "I suggest we return the body to the family. They deserve the chance to mourn and prepare for the burial ceremony. Whatever’s behind this, we’ll need to approach it with care and a clear head."

Will rises from forested ground, and kindly sides up to Nightshade. Confident in his friend’s diplomatic dispositions. Our fightery fellow stands stoic, ready to help.