Gillstan Massacre
The Gillstan Massacre occurred on the island of Foriedy during the Festival of St. Gillstan, the 29th of Chillgrasp, 1009 LD. The event left 67 dead, 433 injured, and 6 blocks destroyed by fires that raged across the Islands's North Docks district and left many without homes.
According to official reports filed by Great House Xemnon, the Massacre was the culmination of multiple events. A delivery of weapons and uniforms meant for the security forces of the local Houses was stolen off of the trading vessel Palomino. Also included in the stolen goods was a large machine referred to as a Wonderworks Gnimish Grapplemaster, a large riot suppression machine developed by the gnomes of Retroth. The theft that occurred was attributed to House Aldemon's inability to to properly fund the Port Authority's task forces and was not the first time that issues had occurred due to inattentiveness or corruption. House Aldemon was suspended from providing Guard for the lower districts and House Xemnon was ordered to resume control (reminiscent of the riots that took place over the Red Ransom).
House Xemnon attempted to re-deploy Aldemon guards to assist their own formations but encountered strong resistance. Many of the Aldemon Guard already in the Docks districts continued their own duties simply to spite Xemnon orders. Others felt that they would be able to locate the stolen goods before House Xemnon, and therefore restore faith in House Aldemon's ability to maintain control. This deviancy caused disorder and a conflict of interests that allowed the local gangs to organize the Massacre right underneath the noses of those sworn to protect.
At mid-day during the Festival of St. Gillstan at South Hill Square, gang combatants pulled weapons that were later determined to be magical in nature. They began attacking civilians without warning, and quickly unleashed the Grapplemaster to cause further harm. Xemnon and Corvosa guards were able to converge upon the fighting and help re-establish control in the district, but not before several combatants escaped along with the Grapplemaster. It is believed that they descended into the sewers which have were deemed unsafe for pursuit.
House Corvosa guards were able to interrogate both civilians and several of the ruffians. They learned very little in regard to who had arranged for everything. The local ruffians came from poor backgrounds and were promised money for their families in exchange for their lives. These individuals have since been processed and pressed into service in the Corvosa construction yards. Civilians reported a small group of warriors who helped to distract the combatants, reducing the number of lives lost at the square. These individuals have been identified and commended. Their names are included at the end of the report.
The Northern Docks saw the most damage. A group of combatants lead by a man identified as Jasken Sool attacked a local Aldemon Guard Outpost. They threw incendiary flares into the structure, causing it to explode and set fire to surrounding structures. Those within the outpost were killed outright. 42 bodies were recovered from the wreckage. Xemnon guards reported immediately and ordered bucket brigades to begin putting out fires. Witnesses reported that several of the men who were with Sool managed to escape, though Sool's body was later pulled from the wreckage. Sunguard Edifice Justices were called to magically assist in apprehending these individuals.
Death Toll: 109
Injured: 433
Estimated Damages: 572,000 gp
Commendations for heroic action in the combat within the South Hills Square go to:
Without their efforts and heroism, more lives would have been lost.