Zeloria
14-09-2005, 21:20
Birth of a nation : a social revolution
The streets VeiserHoff, the capital of Zeloria, were calm and empty. Except the few policemen that were patrolling to keep the local bands of socialists and anarchists from causing trouble, the city could seem deserted. However, all was not so quiet in the many workhouses and pubs. Thousands of workers and citizens were attending gatherings organized by the newly formed coalition of numerous socialist groups. This coalition was dubbed Communists by the authorities since their meetings were always attended by the common people. This night was different though, the public speakers were preaching the end of the decaying monarchy that was corrupting all levels of life in Zeloria. This night, blood was called, the blood of the royal family and it’s supporter. This night, a civil war would erupt… a revolution!
-- Outside an army barrack, midnight –
Hans and Rudolph were two new recruits in the Kaiser’s army. They were brothers and had enrolled to sustain their family, who was barely surviving on the wages the father and the little kids won by working in shops. Tonight, they had been picked for sentry duty outside their barrack in the west end of the capital.
For some time now, rumours were spreading that a conflict was inevitable between the Kaiser and the people. There had been numerous revolts and uprisings in the past but it had always been against the government that was surrounding the Kaiser, not actually himself. For the near 500 years that the country had been united by the first Kaiser, Julius Von Hereski, the people had adored the long line of rulers. But nowadays, the past seemed long gone. The new era of mechanization had left a huge gap between moral decadence and profit. Youths young as 6 were being employed at ridicule wages so that patrons could sell huge stocks to foreign countries. The worst was that the current Kaiser, Joseph Von Ludwig X, was encouraging the businessmen and sent his personal guard to crush strikes.
The Zelorians were now feeling abandoned, stabbed in the back by what they taught was a man who cared for him. Rag-tag socialists groups began assembling and formed the Communist coalition and began recruiting, training and arming huge numbers of citizens, especially in the cities. The villages and small towns, less affected by the modernization, were still loyal enough to remain idle if trouble appeared...
Hans: Brother, do you think there’s going to be a revolution?
Rudolph: I’m not sure, some of the guys were talking about the increased number of strikes going on.
Hans: I was approached last night by a communist, he gave me this leaflet.
Rudolph: You shouldn’t be keeping this! If the sergeant finds out, he’ll hang you! How do I hate the man, the opportunity I get, I’ll shoot him! Hey, what’s going on out there?...
Coming their way as a huge red flag carrying-mob packed with workers armed with rifles, swords and clubs. They quickly surrounded the barracks and stormed it, getting no resistance as the soldiers themselves joined the revolutionaries, killing their superiors. Elsewhere was the same. By dawn, the city was in the hands of the revolution. A couple of hundreds of people had been killed in fights that had broken in and around government buildings, which all fell to the revolutionaries. As usual, the Kaiser was staying in a big palace miles away from the capital and received news of the situation. He immediately ordered up his staff and armies. A revolution was just beginning and the worst was to come…
The streets VeiserHoff, the capital of Zeloria, were calm and empty. Except the few policemen that were patrolling to keep the local bands of socialists and anarchists from causing trouble, the city could seem deserted. However, all was not so quiet in the many workhouses and pubs. Thousands of workers and citizens were attending gatherings organized by the newly formed coalition of numerous socialist groups. This coalition was dubbed Communists by the authorities since their meetings were always attended by the common people. This night was different though, the public speakers were preaching the end of the decaying monarchy that was corrupting all levels of life in Zeloria. This night, blood was called, the blood of the royal family and it’s supporter. This night, a civil war would erupt… a revolution!
-- Outside an army barrack, midnight –
Hans and Rudolph were two new recruits in the Kaiser’s army. They were brothers and had enrolled to sustain their family, who was barely surviving on the wages the father and the little kids won by working in shops. Tonight, they had been picked for sentry duty outside their barrack in the west end of the capital.
For some time now, rumours were spreading that a conflict was inevitable between the Kaiser and the people. There had been numerous revolts and uprisings in the past but it had always been against the government that was surrounding the Kaiser, not actually himself. For the near 500 years that the country had been united by the first Kaiser, Julius Von Hereski, the people had adored the long line of rulers. But nowadays, the past seemed long gone. The new era of mechanization had left a huge gap between moral decadence and profit. Youths young as 6 were being employed at ridicule wages so that patrons could sell huge stocks to foreign countries. The worst was that the current Kaiser, Joseph Von Ludwig X, was encouraging the businessmen and sent his personal guard to crush strikes.
The Zelorians were now feeling abandoned, stabbed in the back by what they taught was a man who cared for him. Rag-tag socialists groups began assembling and formed the Communist coalition and began recruiting, training and arming huge numbers of citizens, especially in the cities. The villages and small towns, less affected by the modernization, were still loyal enough to remain idle if trouble appeared...
Hans: Brother, do you think there’s going to be a revolution?
Rudolph: I’m not sure, some of the guys were talking about the increased number of strikes going on.
Hans: I was approached last night by a communist, he gave me this leaflet.
Rudolph: You shouldn’t be keeping this! If the sergeant finds out, he’ll hang you! How do I hate the man, the opportunity I get, I’ll shoot him! Hey, what’s going on out there?...
Coming their way as a huge red flag carrying-mob packed with workers armed with rifles, swords and clubs. They quickly surrounded the barracks and stormed it, getting no resistance as the soldiers themselves joined the revolutionaries, killing their superiors. Elsewhere was the same. By dawn, the city was in the hands of the revolution. A couple of hundreds of people had been killed in fights that had broken in and around government buildings, which all fell to the revolutionaries. As usual, the Kaiser was staying in a big palace miles away from the capital and received news of the situation. He immediately ordered up his staff and armies. A revolution was just beginning and the worst was to come…