Civil Protests

RED UNDERGROUND PRESS
Bringing you the truth of the Divine Imperial Federation

Article by S.K.
RED THRONE

According to the Divine Church of the Crimson Hand, it should be a time of excitement and jubilation in anticipation of the supposed descent of the Red Messiah.

"It seems to me that the Church's method of celebration is to work its citizens until absolute exhaustion," said one citizen working on the decoration of the city, who wished to remain anonymous. "That's why we have decided to take action."

Action, indeed. But this is no insurrection.

A 'strike' is an worker-organised action in which a large group of workers, usually working in the same economic sector, stop work in protest against their conditions.

In a shocking display of disregard for the will of the Church, several thousand workers involved in the decoration of Red Throne gathered in front of the Grand Cathedral of the Saviour of Humanity to protest against the conditions of the workers. Such an action has never been performed before in Sirdovia. It seemed like the rumoured techniques used by the workers in the People's Republic of Asagon.

"It will force the Church and the Supreme Council to take notice," one striker claimed. "We will continue this strike until we receive better working hours. The Church must recognise that we are not workhorses, we are people. If they do not improve our conditions, the decoration will not get done."

The Church has its own response, given in a decree posted all over the city; "If the day's work is completed, the workers shall be paid. Those who continue to refuse to work shall not be paid. Show our Messiah your devotion and impress Him with the splendour of His Holiest City. Further action against His Will shall result in arrest and detainment."

The usual appeal to the Red Messiah continues to strike a chord with many citizen of the city, but this time, it seems not to be enough.
"I have been loyal servant of the Red Messiah and His Church for most of my life," says one man, "but I have a weak heart, and if I am overworked like this, well, I'll not live to see His Descent!"

Among the crowd of strikers that gathered were many others who wanted to take even more drastic action.
"This is about more than just the decoration of Red Throne," shouted one agitator. "These conditions are the norm all over the country, all the time. Action must be taken. Change must occur. If the Supreme Council will not enact the change willingly, we will take matters into our own hands."
The speaker was subsequently arrested by the Inquisitorial Guard religious police.

After several hours, the Inquisitorial Guard broke up the demonstration with shots fired into the air, and a travel ban was imposed on the Cathedral District for the rest of the day. The striking workers went home empty-handed for the second day in a row.

While this novel new technique did not fulfill its aim, it certainly got the Church's attention. And from the looks of the response, it's got them worried. Perhaps they are concerned about possible Asagonese agents "polluting the people" with thoughts of insurrection. Indeed, there was much anger among the crowd. This reporter wonders whether this is the last we'll see of such activity, or only the beginning.

S.K., The Red Underground Press

Sirdovia! If you do not end the suffering of your citizens, I will encourage a revolt.
--Queen Demi IV--

Just make sure that this fad doesnt reach our mines in the Ash Wasteland.

Hmmm, this wasn't our work. We would've done it a little bit more... subtlely to be honest. And Dinosaurs don't really blend in well in the 100% human crowds of Sirdovia. But it appears our actions against our fugitive King have influenced your workers in some way.

Souran wrote:Just make sure that this fad doesnt reach our mines in the Ash Wasteland.

OOC: LOL! You are always saying "just make sure this doesn't" LOL!

Parker I wrote:

Souran wrote:Just make sure that this fad doesnt reach our mines in the Ash Wasteland.

OOC: LOL! You are always saying "just make sure this doesn't" LOL!

OOC: Just make sure that this observation doesnt leave this post. :p

RED UNDERGROUND PRESS
Bringing you the truth of the Divine Imperial Federation

MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS - CHURCH LOSING IRON GRIP?

Article by S.K.
RED THRONE

What started just over two weeks ago as a protest for fewer working hours for city decorators has quickly evolved into a large-scale, state-wide movement, with roughly 40% of the Scondovian population taking part.
In cities across Scondovia, from Stormguard to Saint's Reach, protesters have marched through the streets, with workers demanding everything from improved pay to a democratic federal parliament. Radical sentiment has sharply risen, with new evidence coming to light that much of the protests are being organised by known political subversives. This reporter's sources indicate that many of these leaders are sympathisers of the People's Republic of Asagon, and may even be communists themselves!

Perhaps even more dramatically, in some cities soldiers from local barracks have been joining protestors, demanding better pay and increased civil liberties.

The soldiers joining the cause of the protestors is a sign of the Church losing control, and it is a sign that they should be very concerned about. These large, though fairly benign protests could soon transform into a real threat to civil security.

The number of Inquisitorial Guards being deployed at these protests has increased dramatically, especially in Red Throne. There has been much more resistance to the orders of the Inquisitorial Guards, and crowds have shown increased defiance of any official authority. The Guards have been equipped with the new military-grade breach-loading rifles, and there are rumours of cannons being moved into strategic positions within Red Throne.

As we saw with yesterday's demonstrations in Saint's Reach resulting in the deaths of three people (don't believe the Church papers!), the Inquisitorial Guard is getting more desperate in its methods of controlling the crowds.

Yet, with all this danger, the Church still seems reluctant to make the necessary changes. It appears that the Supreme Council still does not consider the demonstrations to be a problem. Perhaps more likely, the Church bureaucracy is once again getting in the way of handling a delicate situation.

Perhaps they are encouraged by the determined efforts of the other 60% of the citizens of Scondovia, who are discouraging the strikes. These citizens argue that the coming of the Red Messiah is of paramount importance, and now is not the time to selfishly complain, but to rejoice at His coming. They hold their faith, and insist that when He arrives, all these problems will be solved by His infinite wisdom and evelasting love.

One thing is clear: these protests are a big problem for the Church, and they won't go away by themselves. If the Church does not take action, the public will take matters into their own hands.

Northern border garrisons have been recieving reinforcements to stop the spread of this vile ideology of workers rights. The anti-sirdovian prisoners have been put to death by order of Warlord Krag-Zot himself.

Souran wrote:Northern border garrisons have been recieving reinforcements to stop the spread of this vile ideology of workers rights. The anti-sirdovian prisoners have been put to death by order of Warlord Krag-Zot himself.

Chiid, these people are speaking out against theocracy, for a real form of government. We ask that you do not support the Church in this area. Church and state must remain separate.
--Queen Demi I--

OOC: Does this have something to do with the Red Messiah? Please PM me what you're planning, it sounds pretty sexy.

UAK wrote:OOC: Does this have something to do with the Red Messiah? Please PM me what you're planning, it sounds pretty sexy.

lolwut?

No, it has nothing to do with that, it has to do with the fate of Alledon itself.

As a populist politician and a civil and political rights activist, I am disgusted by the actions taken by the governments of Sirdovia and Chiid, and I urge them to stop conducting themselves in such a pathetic, lowly manner. We are in a new era people! Racism, fascism, barbarism, slavery, and discrimination are all things of the past. I suggest that the other nations of this realm of ours get with the times (if they haven't already) before they crumble to dust whilst intelligent, respectable nations like Agrando continue to grow and prosper.


Thank-you and good-day,

Sir Rian Ilgabar,
Lord of Londermere and Lockscore,
High Lord of Agrando

Braddia is sending 10.000 soldiers to help with the peace keeping and keeping the sovereign church in power.

Braddia puts the soldiers under full control of the Sirdovia and they will fire ad everyone and anyone who is an enemy of the Sirdovian state.

King David.

RED UNDERGROUND PRESS
Bringing you the truth of the Divine Imperial Federation

RADICAL WORKERS' COUNCILS ESTABLISHED; CHURCH POWER UNDERMINED

Article by S.K.
RED THRONE

The authority of the Divine Church of Crimson Hand as the sovereign government of Sirdovia has been formally challenged by the strike movement.

In Red Throne and most other cities, workers' councils called 'soviets' have been established by the strikers. These soviets are intended to act as public organisations autonomous of Church control. They are, in effect, an alternative government.
The current leaders are mainly high-ranking military officers that have sided with their men, and many of the organisers of the original protests.

Support has been won with massive daily demonstrations and agitation, largely questioning the existence of the Red Messiah, the legitimacy of the Church and its methods. Food and clothing distribution to poor areas of the cities have also gained the protestors huge public support. In the west, 60-70% of the population support or sympathise with the protestors.

While many soldiers have joined the protestors (estimates put the figure at roughly 10,000), the official position of the armed forces is one of loyalty to the Church. However, there are reports that lower-ranking soldiers are sympathetic to the cause of the protestors, but aware of their duty to follow their superiors.

This strength despite massive public outcry has been bolstered by the arrival of 10,000 Braddian troops called in from Sirdovia's oldest ally. The Braddian crown has expressed support for the Church in this crisis. The troops are put under the command of the Inquisitorial Guard, due to the fact that the primary purpose of these troops is peacekeeping, not territorial warfare.

6000 of these troops have been stationed in Red Throne, showing the extent of the Church's concern. It has previously been confirmed that cannons have been strategically placed throughout the city, making it seem as if the Church is prepared for armed confrontation, though it is likely to be simply a deterrent. The Church has cause for concern however, as rumours abound that weapons distributed during the preparations for a People's Crusade against Alledon are now being secretly distributed by the soviets to their supporters.

In Sancutary and Sirvania, protestors have had less success. Few have turned out to rallies in the rural areas, as politics are seen to be the concern of the distant west, instead of the isolated east. However, a long-standing grievance for the rural poor (who make up the majority of the population in those states) has been food requisitioning. The Church has shipped much of the food from the agricultural heartland of Sirdovia to the west since Sanctuary was established. Peasants have consistently complained about unfair prices on their food, which has often left the producers wanting. In recent weeks, there has been growing criticism of the handling of the agriculture, and this may be the issue that radicalises the peasants. Of course, with little activism in the east, it seems unlikely that this will be an area of great concern during this crisis.

A dichotomy has now been declared by the creation of these soviets. That dichotomy is between the majority of the population and the Church. The actions of both sides - as well as foreign powers - over the coming days are likely to be decisive in the future of Sirdovia.

Parker I wrote:

Souran wrote:Northern border garrisons have been recieving reinforcements to stop the spread of this vile ideology of workers rights. The anti-sirdovian prisoners have been put to death by order of Warlord Krag-Zot himself.

Chiid, these people are speaking out against theocracy, for a real form of government. We ask that you do not support the Church in this area. Church and state must remain separate.
--Queen Demi I--

Chiid has not supported the theocratic way of governance since the rise of the Krag Clan. We are only reinforcing garrisons to make sure the civil unrest doesnt spread into Chiid. Orcs get affected by peer pressure a lot and we do not wish for them to protest just for the sake of image.

RED UNDERGROUND PRESS
Bringing you the truth of the Divine Imperial Federation

SOVIETS ORDERED TO DISBAND; GOLDEN ARMY DEFECTS TO SOVIETS

Article by S.K.
RED THRONE

In a shocking turn of events, the Golden Army of the Red Messiah has declared its

alliegance to the soviet movement.
Yesterday an official decree was sent out by the crumbling Church ordering the

soviets in all cities to disband immediately. The soviets refused, and a standoff

ensued. The soviet forces stayed within their strongholds, mostly within the poorer

suburbs of the cities. The army established perimeters around the strongholds.

Early this morning, the order was given to the army to assault the stronghold of the

Red Throne soviet, and shoot all supporters of the organisation. The Red Throne

garrison refused, and defected to the soviet, renouncing their alliegance to the

Church. When news of the action by the Red Throne garrison reached the other

cities of the west, those garrisons followed suit. The Golden Army of the Red

Messiah severed its ties to the government of Sirdovia.

The military high command was faced with two options: stay generals of an army

that no longer existed and be executed for a colossal failure in leadership, or join

the soviets themselves. High command chose the latter. Most of the generals

managed to sneak into the soviet territories under disguise, however General Jenivir

and Colonel Gershin were captured by the Inquisitorial Guard.

10,000 Braddian forces remain in Red Throne, and remain loyal to the Church.

There has not yet been any word from the navy on its alliegance, but it seems likely

that most sailors will stay loyal to the Church.

The Church responded with outrage against the "treachery and heresy against His

Word", claiming that "action against the Church is blasphemy against Our Lord...

how shall He judge us after his Imminent Descent?". Its cries sounded far less

authoritative without the army behind them.

Literally overnight, the soviet movement has gone from a mass civilian protest to a

serious destabilising force, which just may be able to finally overthrow the corrupt,

oppressive government of our nation. The power to change the nation now rests with

the soviets. The soviets are expected to declare government within the coming

days; a direct challenge against the Church.

Countrymen, rise up! Our compatriots are with us! The soldiers are with us! Let us

end the slavery and domination of the Blood Church! Join your soviet, and transform

the nation!

The Peoples Republic of Asagon will support our Communist brothers against the Theocratic threat. El Vivat al Revoloticos!

UAK wrote:The Peoples Republic of Asagon will support our Communist brothers against the Theocratic threat. El Vivat al Revoloticos!

Realy?

well the Braddian crown will not let its allie be ruled by peasants! the Braddians send another 5.000 and sends ints navy incase the Sirdovian navy deffects. The Braddian King asks full permission to do what is needed. a propasal has been drafted to burn every heredict town in their herredict townhall and full Inquisition.

The Asagonese trade circles have begun shipping weaponry to the Soviets. Including tamed Dragons and Tyrannosaurs. Velaci Oboros herself is travelling to the seat of the rebellion to secure an alliance with the ringleader.

UAK wrote:The Asagonese trade circles have begun shipping weaponry to the Soviets. Including tamed Dragons and Tyrannosaurs. Velaci Oboros herself is travelling to the seat of the rebellion to secure an alliance with the ringleader.

Officially, you have now broken the treaty. You are attacking and moving military in the nation which has also signed the Treaty of Amon.

We are not attacking them at all, we are negotiating and trading. We'd LOVE to attack but of course your treaty forbids such a thing.

UAK wrote:We are not attacking them at all, we are negotiating and trading. We'd LOVE to attack but of course your treaty forbids such a thing.

Ah yes, I see, a loophole.

At this time, our government would like to remain neutral towards this issue, though as a primarily socialist nation which is against oppression, racism, discrimination, slavery, barbarism, those sort of things, it's fairly obvious that nearly every Agrandan wholeheartedly supports the Sirdovian rebels and their (and our) friends the PRA.

(It's also been rumoured that private corporations here have been supplying the rebels, though we, the government, do not have any evidence of it, none at all...)

RED UNDERGROUND PRESS
Bringing you the truth of the Divine Imperial Federation

NAVY, PALADIN ORDERS SUPPORT CHURCH

Article by S.K.
RED THRONE

Though these are dark days for the Divine Church of the Crimson Hand, this morning it was announced that the Imperial Navy has affirmed its alliegance to the government.

Supreme Admiral Comler issued a release declaring that the Imperial Navy "remains loyal to the Church that has turned a nation oppressed by a military junta into a free, prosperous and powerful nation."

As expected, the various paladin orders, including the infamous Order of the Saviour, have declared their undying support for the Church. While only 5,000 in number, the paladin orders consist of the very finest of the armed forces. On behalf of all the orders, the Order of the Saviour released the following statement:
"The Orders have not forgotten their faith. All Sirdovians must remember what we stand for... Hold your faith in Our Lord, and He shall come. The wicked terrorists shall be judged and destroyed. Our alliegance always has been and always shall be to the Saviour of Humany, Our Lord, the Red Messiah. By His Glorious Name, let His enemies burn for their crimes."

In related news, the Prophet Adineas has begun the journey back to the mainland from the Amon peace talks, leaving Ambassador Harwell to handle additional negotiations. It is unknown how he intends to reconcile the crisis.