Topic: The Marketplace Riot

Last Knight

Date: 2007-12-12 21:48 EST
He didn't know who started it, nor did he particularly care. All he knew was that he had been minding his own business, shopping and browsing around the marketplace, exploring this city he hadn't seen in so many years, and one of the political rallies that had been so common of late suddenly exploded into violence.

The first sign was a brick hurled through the plate glass window of the arcane shop. The looters were close behind, grabbing whatever was closest to the broken window, but the Old Man who ran the shop was quick to throw up his wards and expel all interlopers - which unfortunately included the customer who had been browsing the back shelves. A crash of glass, and the next thing Paladin knew, he was hurled into a kicking, stomping, screaming mob - a living, violent sea of people whose apparent sole aim was the destruction of the city, and the murder of any passersby they came across.

It wasn't his first battle, nor even his hundred and first - and for all that there were no battle lines drawn, nor even clear sides, he wasted no time in defending himself. A pyrokinetic Burster, his command over the living flame cleared him a path through the crowd, one hastened along with the flat of his sword. He was pretty sure he hadn't killed anyone making his escape, but he couldn't really bring himself to think too hard on it, or care overly much - everyone he'd struck at had been, in turn, striking at him. The end of the block was a hastily placed Guard barrier, and the men behind it opened fire as soon as they saw him turn the corner and come running towards them as though all the hounds of Hell were on his heels. Most of the shots missed; his coat served to deflect the others, spitting sparks as the bullets whined against the protection of the enchanted black leather. He leaped the barrier with a spinning kick that dropped three Guards, flipping his .45 into his hand and drawing down on the man with lieutenant's bars.

"I'm not part of this," he spat. "I'm just trying to get away from-"

With a roar, the Mob surged around the corner, moving for all the world like a single, semi sentient blob. Paladin pointed his sword in their direction. "THEM!"

"You any good with that thing?" The lieutenant asked calmly, ignoring the pistol pointed at his head. Whether he meant the gun or the sword was moot; Paladin was an expert with both.

"Yeah, I can hold my own," He said modestly enough, if somewhat warily. He lowered the pistol as the three men he'd knocked to the ground found their feet and re-manned the barricade.

"Good. You're deputized, welcome to the Guard. Now get your arse on the barricade!"

"What' I-" he started to protest, and then could only blink at the barrel of a gun aimed, in turn, between his own eyes. "Right then." The lieutenant put up the pistol and pinned a silver badge to Paladin's lapel, turning to regard the rioters with a stern expression.

"Our Sovereign Lord the Governor chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations-" he declaimed loudly, his voice somehow - no doubt magically - carrying over the crowd. Paladin considered making a run for it while his attention was otherwise occupied, then looked down at the badge on his lapel and sighed. Serve and protect....yeah, that was him to a 'T'.

A thrown cobble whisked by the lieutenant's head, close enough to nick his ear and make it bleed. He ducked down low and drew his pistol again. "Right, we'll consider that'un a fait accompli. Let 'em have it, boys!"

How do I get into these things" Pal wondered as the first screaming body hit the wall, and everything degenerated, once again, into blood and violence.

((For story purposes, the riot should be considered as having occurred yesterday, 12/11, somewhere in the region of 1600.))

TheOrcNationofRhydin

Date: 2007-12-13 05:35 EST
In a Press Conferance statement that was rushed to all news medias, via the Rhydin Net and News stations this statement was read by Khaine Levaque, who is running for Governor and is also one of the Founders of the Metahuman Nation of Rhydin, to the gathered reporters, some 50 in all

"I would like to state for the record, that no leading member or those who are a just ordinary people that have joined the M.N.R. have not acted or will not act in such a barbaric nature as those who rioted in the Marketplace. We have not yet had a political rallies, but when we do so, they will be of a peaceful manner and no one will incite violence. We of the M.N.R. seek only to be a part of Society, not to destory it.

Also in light of the masacre at Talon Rock, we support Madame Icer Shimmerscale's actions. We of the M.N.R. have sought to maintain good and open relations to the prominent Shimmerscale clan and condemn the actions of these rogue Orcs. This tribe of Orcs was not under direction of High Chief Koruush DragonClaw, who is First Founder of the M.N.R. He denounces the attacks of these rogue orcs, and wishes to send his deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Icer, and he prays for her to have a speedy recovery. Thankyou and have a nice day."

With that Khaine, leaves and returns to his campaign office

LordTravanix

Date: 2007-12-13 09:02 EST
Riots were...frankly...a riot.

The pure chaos that comes from a riot were without a doubt the best opportunity for someone that looks for opportunity to take them. And while he wasn't direclty involved with the cause of the riot, Travanix was an opportunist. He had been shopping in the market that time, looking for supplies to refill the Inn with, when a plesant little blond treat and her friends had passed him by.

As with any stalker, he took advantage of the insane crowd and the girl was now missing.

While he wasn't a man to involve himself in politics, he may have to just this once. Afterall, anyone who could cause a riot by throwing around his ideas was alright in his book.

Its a shame it would be hours later before the girl would be discovered missing by friends and family.

Vikram Ambani

Date: 2007-12-13 17:16 EST
Vikram drafts an SUPR communique on his own and releases it to general circulation.

The SUPR does not condone acts of violence for any purpose other than self-defense against an immediate danger to life and limb, and thus condemns the rioters as well as those who may have organized it. Our hearts go out to those who were harmed by the event, and we hope that its organizers will be brought speedily and safely to justice.

The SUPR also wishes to condemn the commanders of the Watch for their authorization of lethal force against the rioters. The SUPR is committed upon election to providing the Watch with nonlethal methods of dispersing riots, such as tear gas.

The SUPR also wishes to officially remind the public that the authorization docket for our use of Memorial Plaza was dated Monday, December 10th, and concluded a full 1,300 minutes before the riot tok place.

Anastas reads it after it is finished and signs it.