Britannia, Trammel, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) – February 1, 2012 – by Ashlynn – Riots have broken out in every major city across the realm as commoners took to the streets with pitchforks, scythes and torches to make their list of grievances heard.
While some have opted for more peaceful protest, simply shouting their demands to onlookers, others took a more violent approach by setting fires in the middle of the street and calling for the death of the royal guard and its noble overseers.
The mobs cited a number of reasons for the uprising including the high price of food, mistreatment by the nobility, and a lack of help from the authorities. No doubt the current power vacuum and the political turmoil that has ensued has also made them more willing to express their displeasure with the status quo.
One rioter I spoke to, a smith from Trinsic by the name of Alister told me “It be dem trade guilds an’ all! The thievin’ bastards demand yer join ’em an’ pay dues or they be forcin’ yer outta town. An’ we all know they be in noble pockets!”
An old begger I spoke to on the streets of Skara Brae also said to me “Bin’a long time comin’ fer sure. I sin the coin they want fer bread creepin’ up an’ up. Folk’s unwillin’ to give me even a few crumbs these days.” No doubt the man was something of a soothsayer before he fell upon hard times.
Those affected directly by the riots had other things to say however, with one alchemy shop owner telling me “These curs see naught but a chance to loot, why I had to hire sellswords to fight back a mob o’ the poltroons but last night! I reckon they just be wanting the good stuff I keep in the back. If they’ve real grievences, they should be aired before the council in the proper manner.”
A guardsman officer I asked for comment saw things in a much simpler manner, only stating “Just cut out their tongues, that’ll silence ’em.”
Facing increased difficulties controlling the riotous mobs, each city has organized a temporary command post from where they have been recruiting volunteers and mercenaries to aid in suppressing the unrest. Ropes and shackles have been given out and recruits have been advised only to arrest rioters and clean up their mess, while offering non-violent protesters food and coin to return home.
However there are rumours that some of the more rebellious citizens have been organizing themselves into gangs of raiders, striking residences, shops and other properties. Though I have not seen such first hand, such a turn of events would not surprise me and in light of this, I wonder how long the Guard’s soft-handed approach can last and whether this may grow into something much more terrible. Civil war perhaps?