OK, I’ll flip it over gingerly, or pull it out, or whatever I have to do to find where the writing is but try to minimize the amount of time I spend actually holding it. I’ll try to do it very deliberately ad gingerly so that if I do anything sudden or unexpected it will be obvious that it’s the knife.
It’s easy enough to flip over without excessive handling.
It says, in the Lakise script and Harnic tongue (both native to this area) “Death to All.”
Is that a phrase familiar to any of us? Does it shed any light on the origin of the blade?
No to both questions.
“Well, that was obviously not written by a happy person.”
To Tarwal: “Is that all the writing it has? Nothing on the blade?”
That’s all the writing.
I should point out that it’s not handwritten on the scabbbard. It’s silver inlay.
Maybe we should consult whomever of the locals is best-versed in, uh, whatever we think might be going on with the blade. Death cults, or something? If Cella doesn’t know anything about it, is there any kind of religious authority here in town who might?
Cella is the biggest religious authority in village. The spiritual needs of the village are met by a priestess in the next village.
“Well, I hear acid eats metal, if there’s any of that about we might try that.”
“Priestess, if that handle’s human bone, are we duty bound to bury it or something?”
Do I know any lore concerning weapons that might be applicable to this one? Do I know any rituals or blessings that might be useful for detecting/cleansing evil?
You certainly don’t know any. I 'm not even sure this sytem has anything like that.
But you’re definitely feeling something just looking at it. You’re having vile, murderous thoughts. And Tarwal has a look of sheer dread on his face.
Murder cults? You’ve heard of several things like that.
Three religions come to mind:
Agrik, god of fire and torture
Morgath, god of chaos and undead
Naveh, god of thieves and assassins
As well there are some known terrorist/revolutionary cells.
I should mention that all three of those religions are illegal in these parts, and worship of them is punishable by death under both church and secular law.
“I believe this item is from a forbidden cult. Put it back in the box, so that we no longer have to look at it.”
I start loudly praying a blessing (something bright and cheerful if possible) with the goal to distract others from any evil thoughts they may be having.
What is my duty with respect to things from the forbidden religions?
Also, do I know if this village has blacksmith?
Destroy them or turn them over to Mother Superior (or a reputable monastery).
At the moment, yes. 
Oh, that’s right.
Once it’s back in the chest. “Symon, you can work metal, right? Can you melt that thing down?”
“Ummm . . . I’m not sure. I’ve never worked with any evil knifes before. But I don’t have a forge either so we would have to come up with a way to get the fire hot enough and a safe place to do it. We might be better off sealing the chest and taking it to another town with better equipment.”
Correct, you’d need to generate a tremendous amount of heat. Not just for the steel but for the bone as well.
“I suggest we leave the key here with Sir Mayald for safe keeping, while we take the locked chest to the nearest forge to destroy. We should leave at once.”
I’m on board with that plan. I think we’ve found out all we can about this thing, and all signs point to get rid of.
The closest forge that you are positive exists is way back in Tonot. If you leave now you can make it there by lunch time. (Maybe a little later. It’s raining and muddy roads will slow you.)