Chapter 2: The Skinsaw Murders

Gongar can remember the story of Chopper, having heard of it once, quite some years ago here in Sandpoint. The details are fuzzy, but the general story is well-known, though rarely discussed.

Years ago, a series of grisly murders began in Sandpoint, which went on for near to a month. 25 bodies were found, eyeballs and tongues removed, hands and feet stacked neatly near the mutilated torso. The sheriff at the time was unable to do anything about the killings until he found 'Chopper' in an alley, working on his 24th victim. The sheriff confronted him, but was killed before he could take the man down.

Fortunately, the battle with the sheriff had wounded Chopper and a group of guards, led by Hemlock himself, had tracked the man to a nearby island and found the tongues stacked on a sacrificial altar. They ended up killing Chopper, but the town hasn't forgotten the terror that they lived in at that time.

Hemlock nods grimly, "Indeed," he says, shaking his head sadly, "The first one was a trio of con-men from Galduria. They were murdered in a barn just outside of town. Their bodyguard survived the attack, but the ordeal drove him quite mad. He's been moved to Habe's Sanatorium, a place for the mentally damaged to have a respite from reality."

"We don't really have a huge amount to go on with these most recent murders, but I can tell you all that I know..."

He goes on to give you the following information:
1. The victims are Banny Harker, a local mill operator, and Katrine Vinder, daughter of a successful merchant named Ven Vinder here in town. it seems that the two had been meeting there late at night for some 'extracurricular activities' for some time
2. Ibor Thorn, the mill worker who found the bodies, has already been interrogated and Hemlock suspects that he doesn't know anything about it.
3. Ven Vinder is the only suspect at this point, though Hemlock is certain he's innocent. The only motive he may have is anger at his daughter's 'virtue' being stolen by Harker.
4. There is a strange rune carved into the body of Harker that you'll recognize as the same one that was in Nualia's notes

Hemlock leans back in his chair after he finishes relaying this information, giving you all a chance to take it in.

Hemlock nods, "You can speak to her. Good timing, too, since the Magnimar guard is coming to get her for trial in just a couple of days."

Hemlock closes his eyes and leans back for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Well, I knew she wouldn't stay gone for long, though I was hoping that she wouldn't come back in this way..."

As Urthask glares at Ryco, the bard slams his drink down and staggers to his feet, "I've heard enough," he slurs as he tries to focus on Urthask, "I'm going out."

With that, he stumbles away from the table and out the door.

Hemlock takes one more drink of his whiskey before setting it down, "Would you like to see the crime scene before you talk to Lyrie?"

Hemlock rises from his seat and bids you to follow him. He leads you to the mill, located on the shore of the Turandarok River. The mill is a well-built wooden structure with thick walls, a wooden-shingled roof, and simple timber doors. A crowd is gathered outside, being held off by several of the town guard.

As you approach the crowd, the guards create a path for yourselves and the Sheriff to enter, and then go back to holding the crowd away from the scene of the crime. The Sheriff stops before opening the door and turns back to face you, "Brace yourselves... it isn't pretty."