While Jokad moves over towards the bloodied axe, Kael and Danth go about examining the body. It is in a horrific state. The poor man has been affixed to the wall by several hooks normally used to hang machinery. His body is mutilated, the face carved away and the lower jaw missing entirely. His bare chest is defaced as well, bearing the silhedron rune.
Closer examination of the body reveals the presence of several additional wounds. Unlike the deeper slashes on the body, these smaller gashes almost seem to have been made by a claw - a five-fingered human-hand-sized claw. The rotten scent seems stronger near these wounds.
A faded tattoo of a raven is visible across the man's lower abdomen. This, it appears, is about the only remaining identifying mark on the body.
---
Jokad spends some time down close to the hand axe. It is embedded in the floor, as if it had been dropped there. The handle is covered with blood-finger-marks (normal human looking ones, possibly the woman's) and a close examination of the head reveals two things. First, smears of what look like rotten flesh and fragments of bone are caked on the blade, and second, the rotten meat stench is strong on it.
Jokad recoils backwards. The smell hit him like a punch in the gut. He doubles over, hacking a little, before he can regain his breath. Suddenly the stench of this place seems cloying.
---
As the four adventurers share their findings, outside in the fresh air. Jokad looks like thunder, and barks at one of the guards to get rid of the gawping crowd. The guard seems unsure of how to manage the task, but runs off with arms waving, trying to shoo people away as one might try to scare off a particularly angry sheep.
After a few minutes, Hemlock comes walking along the road, four guards beside him. He orders them to assist in clearing the scene, and then joins the Wolves of Sandpoint.
"
Well, did you uncover anything? I still have Ibor Thorn, Harker's business partner, in a cell. He found the bodies. A bit shaken, and not too helpful, if truth be told. There is also Ven Vinder. I took him in when he flew into a rage. It was his daughter that was in there. His daughter that got shredded. He did not take the news kindly. Struck a guard! I took him in to cool down. You can speak with him too, if you wish. Lastly, there is the rune. I thought of Brodert Quink, but he has gone and disappeared south to Magnimar. Kael knows him, and it was a long-shot anyway. I just thought he may have come upon it before."
OOC: Let me know of your next actions. Given my likely sporadic posting, please use initiative, make rolls, and even partly role-play interactions if you wish. I will be sure to correct you if you mess up