The Arsenic question and Murder

[Lavose]

Many people are amiss as to why the store and the mine shack have bottles of arsenic in them.
In the 1800 and 1900's, arsenic wasn't thought to be the most powerful poison to humans but rather as a bronzing agent for metals, a pesticide for plants and even as a medicine in small doses. Since there doesn't seem to be a doctor present within the town and they were isolated from the outside world, it's safe to assume that superstition and homeophathic remedies were the cultural norm.

This can explain the deaths of the animals. if arsenic was used in too great of quantities as a pesticide, it could kill the local fauna and leech itself into the water supply (as seen by the wells.)

Since Draugen doesn't answer the question of whether the events which took place were accidental or malicious, it can be speculated that arsenic was used to poison the townsfolk since it's stated that they broke off into two factions.
The Hanged man for example, had the sign "God forgive me" around his neck, which means he died with guilt. While we don't know the specifics of what they townsfolk's actions were, we can deduce that as least one person felt guilty enough for their actions to end their life.
This doesn't mean that the arsenic was used maliciously but it can't be ruled out either.

We do know that the town is capable of murder as is stated in the "Memento Mori" within the church; Simon was murdered. When superstition is involved and people take different sides to a political situation, it's not unusual that either side feels like violence is an acceptable recourse to "combat the evil" on the opposing tribe.
People will often justify their violence when they feel they are on the "correct side."

In essence, the town rend itself asunder through their anguish, resentment and piety in a very Romeo & Juliet fashion.
"God is not here"

[Cpt Beefheart]

That is an interesting theory. But i have a problem understanding why there is only two bodies (that i found) in the game? Shouldn't there be dead people in the houses?

[Lavose]

Originally posted by Cpt Beefheart:

That is an interesting theory. But i have a problem understanding why there is only two bodies (that i found) in the game? Shouldn't there be dead people in the houses?

The only thing I can surmise is that the man whom hanged himself, buried everyone and then ended his own life since he was the last person left alive in town.

[Elia Scattolon]

Interesting, thank you!