The Aeraguard Pale Riots

Disaster / Destruction

"A mixture of bad events led to worse ones." - Governor Volta's Report to the Impero Senatus on the Pale Riots

Following an influx of displaced refugees from destroyed Idiomaris and Embrel, and the revelation of how influential the Cults of Ris had been in Jayllin's plans; suspicion and open hatred for Changelings reached an all time high in Forelenium.   Things reached a head when it was discovered that a known corrupt Auxilia officer was, in fact, a changeling. They were also a former follower of Ortus AND a former Cult member to boot.   The Foreleni government was swift in arresting the Auxilia officer and made pains to make clear they were a single actor. But enraged people began to grow angrier and angrier, blaming the officer and all changelings for the ills of the new refugees, the known corruption of the province, and more.   This culminated when the officer was being walked to trial from jail and a small horde of angry locals descended upon the prison wagon, dragging the changeling from the wagon and publicly beating them to death while chanting "Pale Skin! Pale Skin! Lets see that Pale Skin!", a reference to the fact that Changelings go back to their "original" form after death, which the changeling did.   The Auxilia tried to break up the locals, but the crowd began to gather size and speed; and began to wander from the wagon and enter random houses and businesses, accusing various people of being changelings and cultists. The situation spun out of control and into two days of rioting that saw large scale murders and property damage.   After the Auxilia were unable to contain the situation and the riots began to spread towards Hightown, Governor Volta ordered the nearby 10th Legion, which was returning from a relief effort in Idiomaris, into the city to quell the riots. The Legion Legate was not gentle, and authorized his Centurions to use lethal force to quell the riots, which they did, often using volley-fire to push back rioters.   By the time the riots were officially declared quelled on the third day, 120 people were dead, and over 5,000 were injured. Governor Volta was required to file a report and testimony to the Senatus, but the Senatus found her not at fault for the Riots. Locals have been less forgiving, though seem split between those who think her using the legion to put down racial violence was justified, and those who thought she was becoming her father.