GAHANIS: After the most recent bandit attack, the single surviving member of a raided caravan positively identified two of the bandits as Gahanis residents.
Hilmer Dalathon, a professional guard, had been employed to protect a Jaren caravan bound to Gahanis bearing numerous valuable trade goods, including several antique items. The caravan never reached Gahanis, being attacked by bandits approximately ten miles from the city limits. They slaughtered all the merchants and guards, and Dalathon was grievously injured and left for dead.
In a statement made from his bed this morning, he identified the two bandits who injured him as Merril Yanis and Den Rudiger, two unemployed mercenaries who have been living in the city for the past year. Their contacts and personal associations are unknown at this time, though Guard Captain Mynorath the Peacekeeper has stated that an investigation is underway. Dalathon is in stable condition, but for security purposes, his location is not being disclosed.
In a conference this afternoon, a spokesperson for the Gahanis Jaren Guild said, "These bandit raids must be stopped immediately. The Jaren are pleased that two of the criminals responsible for our recent trade disruptions and financial losses have been identified, and they have contacted the city council to arrange a bounty on the two bandits. In order to promote free trade in this city, we must eliminate the criminals who have plagued us, and the Jaren will take every step within their power to ensure that this happens."
The city council has confirmed the existence of a bounty, but they are also pursuing other solutions to the problem. Mynorath, when asked about the bounty, dismissed it as "a dangerous decision that will put many would-be bounty hunters at risk. Please let the professionals handle this. I am confident that my guard force will capture Yanis and Rudiger—we're already pursuing several promising leads."
Little is known about Yanis and Rudiger at this time. The Gazette will post more details as they become available.
