Halkhad runs a hand through his hair and looks thoughtful as he starts to guide you down one path that seems to lead closer into town. "The fae has mostly been playing harmless tricks on my Brothers and Sisters. Those who have encountered it seem to think its more interested in pleasure -- eating, drinking, reveling, than anything actually harmful. The Archdruid's instructions have mostly been to play along, as fae are notorious ill-tempered when their fun is spoiled. It could have perhaps had something to do with the murder of the unfortunate dwarf if that were an isolated incident, and the dwarf refused to play along but, the attack on the Wardens was identical, and it seems unlikely that the creature was involved with that. Sister Wynrora has had...an encounter, with the creature and does not think that bodily harm is in its baliwick." Something about those words have a harder edge. 

"And as for the shifter chief, I learned long ago that all creatures of this realm have their own tricks -- Beard's seems to be his jovial nature. But one does not get to be a chief of anything by simply being jovial. Trust me, there's more to him that that." His eyes flicker.  "We actually hoped the shifters were not involved. They were an important part of the core group that protected the Reaches during the War and, the Archdruid and other senior Wardens were concerned about the reaction of the shifters." Halkhad pauses for a moment then adds "I myself was more worried about the town. I live among the farmers of Havenglen and there is a lot of resentment there. Towards us, towards Greenheart, and towards anyone who seeks to guide them."

That's all he says, and after about ten minutes, you reach a clearing -- there is a small ridge above a stream that twists and turns towards the town. Even without looking too closely, you can see the dark, rust-colored stains on the grass on the ridge. 

"Here it is. When Sister Wynrora and I heard from some of the animals that there was a disturbance here we came as fast as we could. We found the shifter on the ridge standing over the dwarf's body. I immediately reached out with my mind and touched the nearest creatures. The big shifter was the only harmful creature within a mile I could sense. 

"Within a mile?" Korvash repeats. "That clears many things up. Either it is Beard, like you say it is, or the creature that attacked the poor dwarf must be extremely fast, or have the ability to planeshift." Korvash suddenly realizes how stupid he is in trying to defend Beard, and simply asks: "Do you know of any such creatures, Brother Halkhad?"

OOC: I won't go into detail since we've already passed it, but as the group leaves, Zeenon is hesitant and seemingly confused (clearly did not understand that Rowan was staying). It repeats Whiskers's mandate to "Keep these four alive." There's some reassurances by Rowan and the others, and the warforged finally relents, clearly not OK with the situation, but obeying all of their commands to go with the group and leave Rowan behind.

(Sorry for the irregular posting -- my oldest got a very severe case of poison ivy we've been treating in addition to all the other responsibilities of life -- things should return to normal by Friday)

Halkhad gazes off in the distance, a far-away look in his eyes that those of you who know dreamborn are familiar with.

"There are such creatures that exist on Khorvaire, but they are not...natural in any way. If the Wardens would could upon such an abomination, we would be duty bound to destroy it and any that consorted with such a thing."

(Oh gosh, I hope he's okay! No worries.)

"I know this is probably a foolish question... but what kind of creatures are capable of escaping your senses?"

(THe little guy is fine -- he's only 6, so he didn't quite understand why he needed to get so much lotion on his skin, so that was quite a treat, but he's doing better now.)

Brother Halkhad considers your question thoughtfully, sitting down on a fallen tree in the clearing. "You know, I really haven't thought too much about it. My own abilities are not as strong as the Archdruid's or Sister Wynrora, but I think in general, Wardens lack the ability to connect with things without souls -- whether they be demons or some sort of unholy soul-less construct."  He looks at Zeenon, playing with the camera, and grimaces. "My apologies. I meant no offense to your companion. It is...an interesting thing. I have heard stories of warforged becoming more...eccentric since the end of the Last War. Earlier, at the jail, I could have sworn that you hurt its feelings." He says to Korvash.

He stands and comes a little closer to Zeenon. "Fascinating. What do you do, Zeenon?"

"Oh, he -- er, it -- has a soul alright. Besides, I would never suspect Zee of committing that sort of atrocity anyways."

There's another flash from the camera. "Zeenon press the button," the warforged responds in what might be a morose tone of voice.

"I think Zeenon has a soul.  It must."  Peace examines the robot, then looks back at the Warden.  "I understand why you would want to get rid of anything you can't track then.  That makes sense.  I don't know though.  Seems to me that Beard doesn't have motive or means to have committed the murder.  He wouldn't be covering for someone else though, because if that were the case, he would probably not be professing his innocence so much."

Halkhad seemingly can't take his eyes off Zeenon, even after the flash explodes in his eyes. "Remarkable." He whispers in awe.

Snapping back to attention and the task of the moment, he smiles at Peace's inference regarding Beard. "This world is full of people and things that surprise me constantly. Even here, in the Reaches, people have their secrets. Archdruid Oalian will decide the truth, as he does with most things that happen here. I am confident to leave it in his capable, err...branches. He's been on Khorvaire long enough to have seen and experienced everything."

He gestures around him. "See for yourself, if you like. Sister Wynrora has examined the crime scene thoroughly, but it is possible she may have missed something. I am going to go back to the grove, as Teollin does not like us to be separated from one another once darkness falls. I leave you in Brother Berdor's capable hands; if the things I've heard about you are true, my good dwarf, you should have no trouble returning our friends to town after your investigation is complete.

He bows, and unless any of you have any questions, wild shapes into a hare and bounds back toward the druid grove.

Breyten nods to Brother Halkhad with a smile to show his appreciation. He marvels as the Druid takes on the form of a hare to travel back through the forest. Might have been better off in a less prey like shape, but no matter. He then sets about the scene looking for any clues, footprints, disturbed foliage, blood trails, etc.

Investigation: 19

Breyten, examining the scene, you are able to discern the path that the unfortunate Dain took as well as as some heavier tracks that are quite clearly those of Beard.  You see a few stray drops of sprayed blood that indicate where Dain was when the first, fatal attack occurred, and the darker, rust-colored stain where the dwarf came to lie and the big shifter kneeled next to him.

On the other side of the bluff, across the stream right where the woods begin to thicken once more, you do find something very curious -- a six-fingered glove, black in color, made of very soft material and VERY elegant looking, as though it belonged to a woman or a very fashionable man.

That's all you're able to see from the crime scene. Unfortunately, between the Havenglen villagers and the Wardens who have been through here, if there was any other evidence here, its been long since obliterated.

(Does Korvash see the six-fingered glove?)

Korvash, remembering that they were still trying to chase Bilick up to the Wolf's Paw, reminds the party about it, but decides to wait it out until everyone else is ready.

Breyten relayed his findings to the rest of the group as he took notes of what he found, he also showed them the six fingers glove.

"At the very least this proves there could have been a witness, at best this glove belongs to the killer and we now have a distinguishing feature!"

Berdor would look at the glove, then take a look around him to see if he can find a small critter. He would like to communicate and ask if the critter (he would ask a few if the previous one didn't know) if they knew who this glove belonged to and where they went. 

Berdor Nature: 14

(Wow -- right out of the gate, and very on-brand)

Berdor, the first creature you find, a fox, who is in the midst of chewing lazily on a frog it had plucked from the stream looks at you thoughtfully between bites.

From the barks, squeals and gekkering from the fox, you gather that the glove belongs to a biped humanoid male that is taller than yourself, and he was traveling with some sort of biped lizard towards the Wolf's Paw ridge that raises above the forest proper. The fox didn't see the attack, but noticed the man was hanging about in the aftermath.

You would know the Wolf's Paw is about a two hour hike from your current location. Its getting to be mid-afternoon, probably around 2 or 3 pm at this point.

"So shall we head up to the Paw to investigate?" Korvash asks, more out of concern for Bilick than out of a sense of hurry.

"I would also like to check on him.  The last thing this place needs is more dead dwarves."

 Berdor thanks the fox and relays the information to the party. 

"It sounds like we should head to Wolf's Paw. Your friend, Bilick is it? They are also heading to the Paw? We should be able to catch up as it is a short jump and a skip away!"

Breyten writes a bit in his notebook as Berdor relates the information. "I am most interested in this lizard, that could certainly have claws like the ones we saw on Dain's body."