220 / 04 / 22 - Ritualistic Murders Still Unsolved

Yesterday the council debated the fate of a group of halflings and gnomes that had been linked to a recent string of ritualistic murders. The murders, carried out over the course of 6 days, had targeted 4 people from different parts of Chirin. The victims were Lyta Weaver (31), Davin Cooper (25), Remus Carter (54), and Telox Albedo (38). Initially the only thing linking these murders was how the victims were mutilated, with eyes gouged out and their legs hacked off, but we can now reveal that they had another link that was not originally reported. A note was left with each victim saying that their crimes would not be overlooked. With the Inner Guard doing nothing to prevent these crimes, several members of the council (Terence Carter and Ivy Spinner,councillors for the West and North Gate districts respectively) took it upon themselves to investigate what crimes the victims were supposed to have committed.   The councillors investigations revealed that there was a common theme between most of the victims. Most, at one time or another, had some trouble with the shorter folk. Only one could have been said to hae committed a crime, Davin Cooper. According to stories from family and his former apprentice Davin had been responsible for the death of gnome Jupy Buliop Goldsmith. It appears that, in yet another shocking display of incompentence or corruption, the Inner Guard had failed to even bring Davin to trial. The other victims did not have anything as clearly criminal in their backgrounds, but Lyta Weaver had been known for paying her shorter workers a token wage and Remus Carter had been successful in proving his ownership of an invention against the challenge of a gnome.   While these investigations were proceeding the Council ordered Commander Stonewall to increase patrols in town to prevent any more deaths and to to locate the killers. As the Inner Guard has squandered its resources on the Eyes, Commander Stonewall was obliged to call units of the Outer Guard into town to patrol the streets. Though this weakened our defences against bandits and Thri-keen, it proved fortuitous as a squad of our brave Outer Guard discovered and dealt with a nest a of undead horrors within the town walls. Reports suggest that several people of a size akin to halflings or gnomes were keeping these creatures for use in some nefarious plan. Evidence discovered nearby suggests that these people may have had a hand in the murders. A sizeable quantity of stolen art and jewellery was also recovered. Though this was turned over to the Inner Guard the stolen items have yet to be returned to it's owners.   Councillors Terence and Ivy presented the results of their investigation to the Council and it was not long before the council came to the conclusion that the murderes were likely to have been committed by a group that put the needs of shorter folk ahead of obeying the law. It is well known that the Library of Gnomish and Halfling literature is used as a meeting place for the shorter folk and is also patronised by Councillors Lankidoodle Macphearson and Bramble Merryweather. When questioned these two councillors allowed that some of those who had felt agrieved by the actions of the victims had approached some of the scholars at the library to learn if there was anything that could be done. However, Councillor Bramble declared that no one at the Library had any knowledge of the murders.   Given the variety of evidence presented Councillor Nikolai Hunter of East Gate called for a vote on whether to shut down the Library and ban any organisations that sought to put the needs of any species above the interests of the town. Before a vote could be carried out, Commander Stonewall asked leave to speak. The commander presented some additional information including the report on the undead creatures and the short folk who had been keeping the creatures. This included a confirmation from priest from the Mallory Centre for Healing that confirmed the implements found near the undead creatures were used to remove the eyes of the victims. Further evidence in the form of a letter written in a strange language suggeted that someone was trying to pin the balme elsewhere so the Commander requested that no action be taken until more evidence was found.   The council agreed to vote on the motion raised by Councillor Nikolai. The results was a tie, with Councillors Lankidoodle Macphearson, Bramble Merryweather, Ivy Spinner, and Rosemary Factor voting against the motion and Councillors Evadne Bearer, Howard Cooper, Terence Carter, and Nikolai Hunter voting in favour. While Head Councillor Rosemary Factor has a deciding vote in situations like this she decided to accept Commander Stonewall's request and make no decision until further evidence emerges, though she did set the Commander a deadline of the end of the month. It remains to be seen if the understaffed and poorly led Inner Guard can produce any new evidence before the deadline.