A shocking and grisly murder has brought terror to the Crab Caves in Ryoko Owari. The seedy dockside neighborhood is already no stranger to the occasional body showing up on the streets or floating in the bay, especially in the wake of the recent fighting between the Fire Eaters and Moment's Edge Firemen, but the brutal and public nature of this has managed to stand out against even such a background.
It was discovered in the early morning hours as one of the local fisherman came to the Fisherman's Dock to get an early start. A man's body had been placed on display at the end of the dock, hung from a gaff by the jaw, split down the middle and gutted, with his genitals removed and stuffed into his mouth. The body was later identified as that of Takaharu, a local man known for arranging the companionship of young women of delicate years. Both the Fire
Eaters and Moment's Edge Firemen have strongly denied any association
with the man. No family or friends have come forward to claim his remains.
When asked for comment, Akodo Ume pledged to see the matter is thoroughly investigated, though declining to expound further. Ikoma Yoriko clarified, "Ume-sama is committed to seeing that the residents of Ryoko Owari are provided with the safety and security that befits this jewel of the Empire. The rule of law is absolute and anyone who stands in its way will be held accountable."