Session 11: Investigations in Blood Ax

Session #11: Investigations in Blood Ax

On the morning of 23 Aers 530, the town of Blood Ax was once again on edge over the pending trial of Nolan Hardin for the murder of Marvin Gilliam. Rumors spread through the streets about possible violence from the Cowboy Gang or the Justice Board Vigilantes. The Deputies decided to conduct their own investigation into Marvin Gilliam’s death.

The basic facts were undisputed. Early in the morning of 8 Aers 530, Marvin was found dead in a pool of his own blood in an alley between a bakery and a sailmaker’s shop. A large elk-antler-handled knife was embedded in his neck—a knife known to belong to Nolan Hardin. The motive seemed straightforward: both men were pursuing Evelyn Rivera.

Nolan, however, had an alibi. Jude Austin, Billy Spenser, and Oakley Tate testified that Nolan had been at Kline Ranch, more than twenty miles from Blood Ax, with his horse lame and stabled the entire day and night. That account was challenged by Ethan Davidson, who swore he saw Nolan and Marvin arguing outside the Rusty Boot on the evening of the 8th. The politics of these men colored their words. Jude, Billy, and Oakley were known Cowboys, and Nolan was cousin to John Wesley Hardin—the feared leader of the Hanged Men, a brutal inner circle of enforcers within the gang. Ethan Davidson, by contrast, was rumored to sympathize with or even belong to the Blood Ax Justice Board, the vigilantes opposed to both the Cowboys and the Stockman Association.

The Deputies began their inquiry at the alley where Marvin’s body had been found. On the roof of the sailmaker’s shop they discovered scuffed slate tiles and a broken rain gutter—signs that someone might have fallen or been pushed from above. Wedged behind a chimney was a broken pet cage, with a tuft of pale gray hair caught in its mesh.

Their next stop was The Rusty Boot Tavern. Arriving early, the Deputies questioned patrons about sightings of Marvin or Nolan on the night of the killing. Though they picked up only rumors—along with a few colorful tales of upriver settlements—they prevented a minor scuffle over a card game from turning into a brawl.

Afterward, the Deputies made for Markek’s Livery Stable to speak with Evelyn Rivera. As they approached, Evelyn bolted, fleeing through a narrow alley toward the docks. They gave chase, losing her in front of the Danforth Warehouse. Finding its doors unlocked, the Deputies entered and discovered a strange man standing over an unconscious Kaelric Drenn.

“Hello, friend,” the man said calmly in an oddly accented voice. “Please leave. You should go away.”

The Deputies refused, moving to encircle him. When Simon Parcells knelt to check on Kaelric, the stranger transformed into a large, toad-like humanoid and struck at Simon with a gnarled staff. The blow glanced harmlessly off Simon’s armor, and the fight began in earnest.

Twig inspired the others and unleashed spells to vex and wound the creature.
Fourth-Knife shifted into a wolf, biting and snarling.
Imaranger slashed with scimitar and shortsword.
Suffering Succotash hurled scorching rays and crackling witch bolts.
Simon Parcells responded with guiding bolts and healing prayers.
Cordoch Blovindale, wishing he was wearing his armor, drew his knife and joined the fray.
Alaric struck with chaotic energy and firebolts.
Meanwhile, Kruk searched adjacent rooms for any sign of Evelyn.

The creature fought back fiercely, lashing out with its staff to strike and hurl flashes of energy that stunned several Deputies. But the tide turned against it. Surrounded and battered, the creature shimmered into invisibility and escaped.

As the tension faded, Kaelric regained consciousness—confused but defiant. Backed into a corner by the wary Deputies, he refused to answer their questions. Catching a dangerous glimmer in his eyes, the group chose to let him go.

Moments later, Evelyn Rivera emerged from hiding. She confessed she had been fleeing bounty hunters sent by her family and betrothed to force her into a marriage she despised. On the night of Marvin’s death, she said, Marvin confronted her, hoping to claim the bounty. Their struggle atop the sailmaker’s roof ended when Marvin lost his footing and fell, impaling himself on Nolan’s knife below. She begged the Deputies not to take her to the Sheriff, saying it would only deliver her into her pursuers’ hands—a fate she called worse than death.

Moved by her plea, the Deputies had her write a statement describing the accident and agreed to give her several days’ head start before reporting her account. They then turned their attention toward Nolan Hardin’s fate, knowing that without intervention, the vigilantes might silence his alibi witnesses and see him wrongfully convicted of murder.

Thus ended Session #11.