Blood River Massacre Feedback

Although I've been playing the game for ages, I decided to have a crack at the Quest of Truth. So I went to Blood River for the first time in ages. Wow, it's empty! Seemingly the only inhabitants are the magistrate and his two guards and a pack of very weak wolves.

Both guards have the same name, which seems a bit poor. The magistrate asks me to investigate the dagger. And that it. There is, seemingly, no mention of Blood River Outskirts and how to get there and no opportunity to hone your skills, etc.

I accept that most of the character development stuff happens in the Outskirts area these days, but I'd expect something (or someone) to point the way there.

Or have I missed something?