Editing Module One (section)

====1) Tensions in the Town Square (Non-combat encounter)====

As the PCs enter Barrenford, they find the town square in turmoil. A crowd of angry townsfolk surrounds <u>[[Mayor Roderick Varn]]</u> (NG, Human Male), demanding action on recent disappearances and strange occurrences. The air is thick with tension, and it is clear that Varn is struggling to maintain control.

The PCs have a chance to overhear the townsfolk's complaints:
* Several families claim their dead relatives graves have been dug up and <u>[[Father Galdrin]]</u> has been unable to prevent it.
* One person shouts that <u>[[Lady Elenora Lorathas]]</u> should pay for a bigger militia to guard the graveyard.
* One person claims to have seen his aunt Mildred again, even though she died two weeks ago of gout.  
* A group of lumberjacks (led by Hendrik Vaast) claim the woods have become dangerous saying they had to run away from a zombie that morning.
* A trader angrily insists he has been robbed - and it happened whilst his caravan was parked in town.
* A farmer (Alwin Leech) claims his sick wife has gone missing.
* One local old guy loudly blames the sudden influx of strangers in town.  (Cue everyone turning to stare at the PCs) 

This scene serves as a way to introduce the players to the rising threat without directly involving them just yet. It foreshadows the supernatural elements in play.

<b>Roleplaying Hook</b>
The PCs could either ask questions and learn about the town's troubles or simply watch as Varn ineffectually tries to calm the crowd. As they observe, they hear scattered comments about "the rising crime in town" and "undead in the forest."

<b> Key Clues </b>
* <b>The Mayor's Struggles:</b> If the PCs speak to the Mayor, he hints at his concern over growing crime and undead sightings. He’s dismissive of any rumours about a larger conspiracy and is not interested in the party getting involved.   If pestered he will tell them that his men are “handling it” but not elaborate further.  Once the people have dispersed, he heads to a small building just off the village square (which has the Pacadonian flag hanging on the front of it).
* <b>Rumours of the Forest:</b> The crowd speaks of several other missing persons and the appearance of undead in the nearby forest.  There are also counter voices that rubbish the disappearances, saying that they always come back a few days later!