The Black Shield

An iron shield, blackened by the fire that raged through the inn, is affixed to the crumbling chimney, one of the few remaining parts of the structure that once made up the Shady Rest Inn. The shield can be removed from the brick of the chimney.

Hm, I'm no expert with the construction of arms and armor. Their use, yes, but not their making. This shield seems as ordinary as any, excepting the damage from the fire that engulfed the inn.

I'm sorry I can't be of much help, <name>, but I can refer you to someone who would be. Caz Twosprocket, one of our best blacksmiths, works the forge at the smithy. Take the shield to him, and see what he can tell you.

Hm... interesting piece of iron you have here. Definitely not made by any of the blacksmiths I know over on this side of the sea, and it's certainly not my work.

Ah, I almost missed this... The leather strap on the back must have burned off, but it seems like it was made to fit a large person. I'd guess a tauren, actually. That's about all I can tell you. Tell Captain Vimes I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.

That's not much information to work on, but we'll have to keep it in mind. Hopefully some of the other pieces of this mystery will fall into place, and paint a more helpful picture of what happened.