As my character, Tena the Small, was entering Anvil from the dockside, having just collected the reward for the Unfortunate Shopkeeper quest, she discovered that the town guard (outside the gate) was dead. There were no signs of combat--no other bodies, the guard's sword was sheathed, his remains had not been looted. He was just lying there dead. Now I know that NPCs can die and be found later--I've found some remains on roads--but next to a city with no hostiles around? Does anyone know what may have happened? (I presume he did not die of a heart attack.)

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(I'm new to the game and I wondered if this was part of some quest. Tena entered the town in sneak mode. The streets were deserted. She became more suspicious. Had Daedra attacked the place? But finally a town guard carrying a torch ambled by and speaking to him went as usual. In fact he asked "Do you have something to report?" I wished that the possible responses included "I sure do: one of your buddies is lying dead outside the gate." But no such choice was given. )

Outside the ate NPCs can be attacked by all sorta of critters if you happen to pass through the cell. It seems unusual that his sword was sheathed. Usually it won't after a battle, unless you put it into your inventory and then back I to the guards inventory. This is not per if any quest I know of.

I know that you play on PC and use mods, Inafog. So I think this is most likely a mod-related death.