The Forgotten Continent is Cursed

Geological / environmental event

The The Forgotten Continent is cursed, the curse gradually overtaking the whole continent.  Residents flee, Humans and Aasimars fleeing to wherever they could, some going North, creating the Winter Tribes, while other non-Humans try to flee to whichever country has the highest concentration of their race.  Businesses flee to other countries, who have better non-Human protection laws, which raises prices, but also boosts the country's economy, providing more employment.  Trade becomes impossible in any way except for through Plurum, and Metropolis, already powerful due to their trading power, rushes to consolidate power, financially ruining other trade towns, decimating roads to them and modernizing their roads.