Solo Tales of Argosa 02: The Execution Site

Previously, in Solo Tales of Argosa ...

Hook #2: On the spot (upon the party's arrival, generated by the "City, Town, Village" random encounter table in ToA, p. 141)

[48] Execution A magistrate (= the overseer "Greedy Grindle" in our case) is presiding over an execution in the square. Three middle aged criminals are to be hanged. A small crowd has gathered. 3d6 guards are in attendance, along with the burly, hooded executioner.  Consult the Bones to determine if there is a rescue attempt by related ne’er do wells.

Questions: Who are these criminals? What have they done? Are they trying to break free, or are there accomplices somewhere in the shadow? How about that hooded executioner? If the criminals manage to escape, shall we ask the overseer to commission us to pursue the runaways?   

The execution scene feels a bit surreal, the atmosphere is confusing (using the Deck of Signs) and our party feels compelled to witness how things develop. 

Number of guards = 12

Well... one fifth of the guards are here. Doesn't look like a commonplace thievery or tussle. 

Is the crime serious? 
["likely", 1 Fate die locked to YES]: +NO +YES = YES (Fortune die = nothing) These criminals are somewhat dangerous.

Sulani asks one of the locals why so many guards are here. 
[Deck of Signs: "Ambush"]: The night before a few prison guards went missing. 

Is there any rescue attempt?
["not sure", roll normally]: YES + YES + YES + Sun = Extremely positive, and with direct assistace! 
Cut notices something off when setting his eyes upon the hooded executioner. But what is that exactly? He just can't tell ...  

Is the executioner a normal human? 
["not sure", roll normally]: NO + NO + NO + Skull = Extremely negative, and actually it turns out to be a monster...

Skimming the bestiary section, I gather this creature can be either a doppelganger or a lycanthrope. (Who cares about balanced encounters? 😎 )
Let the Bones decides again...
Doppelganger: YES, YES, Nil    vs.    Lycanthrope: YES, NO, Nil
Doppelganger it is!

To everyone's surprise, the executioner breaks the shackles on the three criminals barehanded. 
In addition, the doppelganger stuns the guards and the overseer by revealing its abhorrent appearance. Amidst the shock, it swiftly tosses some weapons (from those prison guards "lost" last night) to the trio...
"Guards!!" In a cold sweat Greedy Grindle waves his left arm and the guards are ready to battle at once. 
The crowd [6d6 = 20 people] begin to rush away from the gibbet frantically, many screaming and cursing in shock, fear, and disbelief.

Our party is but newcomers, so they'd better stay put for now to see how things settle. Who knows who will attack us if we draw arms at this very moment?

TO BE CONTINUED ...