Michael Morris
First Post
"The peasants are revolting - that much is known at all times. Pray then that rank alone is their offense, as opposed to arms."
-- Quip from the play A Noble Supper.
Between the harsh conditions imposed by nature and the harsh conditions imposed by those in power, it should not be surprising that several times in Telzoa's history that armed revolt by the peasantry has occurred. Typically these rebellions are put down in brutal and sometimes gruesome fashion. That only one rebellion - The Merchant's Rebellion in Dabrinia (1343) - has been successful and hundreds have not hasn't daunted those who would move against the powers that be. Most of these uprisings have been pell-mell attacks that collapse on themselves. Most of the participants are slain, the leaders hunted down and publicly executed, and then the nobles usually rectify the problem that caused the uprising in the first place - provided that is convenient.
The afore mentioned Merchant's Rebellion can be measured successful since it ended King Maidoc of Milicsundria's control of Dabrinia and established the island nation's independence. Fought between 1343 and 1345 SR, it took advantage of the fact that Maidoc had already weakened his resources in a vain attempt to pursue territorial rights in Telmandy. In its wake Dabrinia has become on the surface the most forward thinking territory of Telzoa, although it is rife with political maneuverings between its powerful merchant families.
Other rebellions have met more ignominious ends. The so-called Barley Rebellion of 1306 in Dalsundria is a typical case. Provoked by several bad harvests, a rumor somehow got started that then Duke Charles Orlanis was stockpiling huge amounts of barley and grain for export to Hone Rae despite the fact his people were starving. The two weeks of fighting and insanity ended with the perpetrators being burned at the stake in the marketplace at Ultan.
Many of the riots that have occurred in Telzoa have shared several causes. Most of the time a shortage of some type, usually food, compels the rebellion. At other times festivity simply gets out of hand and turns ugly. Classic times for this to occur include the Rizaldi Tunis (Rose festival), the Hula Tunis (Harvest-tide festival) and the new year's celebrations. These outbreaks are to be expected and sometimes even go somewhat unpunished - depending on how much blood is spilled during the confusion.
More insidious, at least from the noble point of view, are planned rebellions. Paranoia comes cheap on an island of near constant civil war, and chief amongst the targets of the fear are adventuring companies. These well armed groups often gain some amount of fame from their exploits, and as their popularity grows so too grows the suspicions of the nobility. Wise kings know to keep very close tabs on the allegiances of these well armed, well trained, and often magically adept groups so they do not become a threat - or can be removed at the first sign of being a threat. Wizards and sorcerers in particular are kept closely watched - for they had a key role to play in the Merchant's Rebellion, which was successful - a fact not lost on anyone holding power in Telzoa. Adventurers are advised to tread lightly and move often.
-- Quip from the play A Noble Supper.
Between the harsh conditions imposed by nature and the harsh conditions imposed by those in power, it should not be surprising that several times in Telzoa's history that armed revolt by the peasantry has occurred. Typically these rebellions are put down in brutal and sometimes gruesome fashion. That only one rebellion - The Merchant's Rebellion in Dabrinia (1343) - has been successful and hundreds have not hasn't daunted those who would move against the powers that be. Most of these uprisings have been pell-mell attacks that collapse on themselves. Most of the participants are slain, the leaders hunted down and publicly executed, and then the nobles usually rectify the problem that caused the uprising in the first place - provided that is convenient.
The afore mentioned Merchant's Rebellion can be measured successful since it ended King Maidoc of Milicsundria's control of Dabrinia and established the island nation's independence. Fought between 1343 and 1345 SR, it took advantage of the fact that Maidoc had already weakened his resources in a vain attempt to pursue territorial rights in Telmandy. In its wake Dabrinia has become on the surface the most forward thinking territory of Telzoa, although it is rife with political maneuverings between its powerful merchant families.
Other rebellions have met more ignominious ends. The so-called Barley Rebellion of 1306 in Dalsundria is a typical case. Provoked by several bad harvests, a rumor somehow got started that then Duke Charles Orlanis was stockpiling huge amounts of barley and grain for export to Hone Rae despite the fact his people were starving. The two weeks of fighting and insanity ended with the perpetrators being burned at the stake in the marketplace at Ultan.
Many of the riots that have occurred in Telzoa have shared several causes. Most of the time a shortage of some type, usually food, compels the rebellion. At other times festivity simply gets out of hand and turns ugly. Classic times for this to occur include the Rizaldi Tunis (Rose festival), the Hula Tunis (Harvest-tide festival) and the new year's celebrations. These outbreaks are to be expected and sometimes even go somewhat unpunished - depending on how much blood is spilled during the confusion.
More insidious, at least from the noble point of view, are planned rebellions. Paranoia comes cheap on an island of near constant civil war, and chief amongst the targets of the fear are adventuring companies. These well armed groups often gain some amount of fame from their exploits, and as their popularity grows so too grows the suspicions of the nobility. Wise kings know to keep very close tabs on the allegiances of these well armed, well trained, and often magically adept groups so they do not become a threat - or can be removed at the first sign of being a threat. Wizards and sorcerers in particular are kept closely watched - for they had a key role to play in the Merchant's Rebellion, which was successful - a fact not lost on anyone holding power in Telzoa. Adventurers are advised to tread lightly and move often.
