[Headline] Spate of Mystery Murders Terrorizes City-States!

[Brynhilde]

Authorities Admit : Exact Number of Dead and Motives for Murder Unknown

Roromai Didimai, reporting for the Tonberry’s Lantern

 

• A new fear stalks the streets of the three city-states after ‘dozens’ of killings occur within the space of a sennight.
  
• Authorities deny any link between the murders.

 

“I was headin’ home after a night at the Wench. I saw a load of people all crowded around something, so I went to go see. When I shoved my way in, that’s when I saw him.” Grymgybal Thosintoumsyn, self-described ‘professional ladies man’ and resident of the Thalassocracy, tells me as he nurses a great stein of ale. “I got a good gander before the Yellowjackets sent us all away, but I almost wish I ‘adn’t. He was just a lad, looked like. He was layin’ down in a pool of his own blood. It was ‘orrible. Just ‘orrible.”

 

Although he was unaware at the time, Grymgybal had that night laid eyes upon the body of just one individual among many to have fallen prey to a new and gruesome campaign of murders rampaging through the city-states. Although the killings have taken place in Gridania, Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa, authorities are thus far tight-lipped over any connection between them. As news of the murders spreads rapidly within the populace, however, law enforcement are keen to discourage panic.

 

I met up with Yellowjacket Captain Silver Brook to put to her the questions people are asking.

 

“We can confirm that there have been deaths within the city in recent suns. We wish to reassure the people of Limsa Lominsa that we are pursuing these cases with absolute determination, and that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

 

I asked her whether there was a possible connection between the murders. “There is nothing to suggest at this point that these killings are linked in any way.”

 

What about the rumours circulating that the victims have each been mutilated? “I cannot comment on the specifics of these cases.” Answers the Captain. “However, I would like to urge any and all individuals with information regarding these killings to come forward and assist us in preventing further deaths.”

 

Seeing that I was unlikely to get anymore out of the Captain, I bid her farewell and made my way to meet T’zharhi Rhena, a noted Scholar who specializes in violent crime. Did she have a take on these mysterious killings?

 

“Ah, well, the sudden rise of murders in so short a span of time rules out simple crimes of passion, if you will, and gang-related violence.” The diminutive Seeker says, pushing her pince-nez to the bridge of her nose. “Um, the fact that the deaths are happening across the city-states suggests that they could be the work of some kind of cartel. Or, uh, they would if there was some uniformity to the killings, or some kind of calling card, if you will. But there isn’t.”

 

So, I ask, what is Rhena’s personal theory, if she has one?

 

“Um, the sheer number of the killings as well as the rumour of, ah… Butchery, if you will, suggests to me that these murders are the work of a cult either established or up-and-coming. The Lambs of Dalamud, for example, are known to have killed both lay folk and adventurers in a bloody manner, as sacrifices to their God. But at this point in time, uh… Well, there really is no way of knowing for sure.”

 

Fear and confusion thus abounds, but one thing seems certain: these deaths are a nightmare far from over.

[Dogberry]

Dogberry folded the paper, done with the article. The Drowning Wench was quiet at the moment. And once he had been told to keep his nose out of it, he'd be sure to defy his orders and investigate anyway. He placed a stack of gil on the table and rolled the paper up tight. Maybe he'd get lucky and get to thwap a violent drunk with it. He put on his hat and made a note to inquire about the murders at Maelstrom Headquarters. And once he had been told to keep his nose out of it, he'd be sure to defy his orders and investigate anyway.