The Anti-Magic Riot of 721

"I knew they'd send you." Lord Ortan leaned back in his chair. "I assume all of my guards are dead."
"Indeed." The figure in front of him was masked and hooded, with only narrowed grey eyes to give any indication of humanity. "Except one. The boy at the foot of the stair. He saw me coming, realized what I was, and surrendered. He'll live to see the morning." Their voice was modified, likely with magical means, and was indeterminate in gender.
"I do thank you for that, though he likely will not." The leader of the insurrectionists leaned forward over his desk. "Is there a reason you're speaking to me, instead of finishing your own job?"
"Yes." The figure took a seat. "The Princeps has made an offer for you to submit and return alive. After doing so, recant your prior statements about magic and disperse your mob. You will be allowed to keep a portion of your material wealth and no further harm will come to you or those that follow. The Princeps has no wish to make a martyr."
Ortan shook his head. "You realize this is beyond me, right? This is a movement. They do not follow me because I have some lordly status or anything like that. They follow because they share my conviction. Even if I were predisposed to about-face and discard all that I've stood for these last few years, I doubt my followers would be convinced, nor do I have the power to compel them to return home."
The man stood. "It's also a bitter pill to come from those such as you. I did not believe in the rumor of the mage-assassin, but I did believe that it could potentially exist. And now you stand before me, and I am vindicated for the last portion of my life."
"I can not help what I am." The figure stood again, the firelight dancing over their cloak. "But you can at least try. Save your own life and that of those who could listen to you. Enough blood has been shed. The Princeps would prefer that this be over with."
Lord Ortan looked at his hands. "...Alright. I only ask that my guards receive honorable burials. They were only doing their duty."

The Conflict

Prelude

The discovery of magic sent waves through Etoilean society, and there were many who were ill at ease with the presence of magic in modern life. This group encompassed a large segment of people, from laborers worried that magic would eliminate their jobs, to wealthy noblemen convinced that the magically talented would replace them, to major political figures who feared magical destabilization.
The announcement that the Principality of Etoile would embrace magic, and that magic would become a heavily invested field of study at The Academy of Etoile, hardened opinions upon the matter. Pamphlets began to circulate, and incidents of minor unrest spread across Saibh - vandalism, attacks upon wizards and suspected wizards, and the general spread of unease.
The City of Gyre was where this movement reached a culmination, however. The post of District Commander of Gyre had been vacant for nearly a year due to political infighting at the Etoile Capital City, and without political leadership, Gyre became a hotbed of anti-magic sentiment. This erupted in 721, when Lord Irico Ortan gave a speech in the city center and prompted city-wide rioting against both the wizards in the city and the Principality guards vainly attempting to maintain order.

Deployment

Roughly twenty thousand insurrectionists in Gyre took hold of the industrial district of the city, throwing up barricades and halting all production. The city armory was also located in this district, depriving the local Principality of its weapons. The guards in the city that survived the initial riot regrouped near the Headquarters building, but had no real way to enforce order or fight back against the rioters.
A large Principality heavy cavalry contingent arrived outside the city after two weeks, but were held back from entering the city for fear of mass civilian casualties. Negotiators were instead sent in to try to evacuate civilians while infantry attempted to reinforce the local guard.

Battlefield

Gyre is a relatively large city, and its streets became the site of pitched battles between irregular forces. Insurrectionists burned buildings and ambushed local constables and mercenaries while looters and rioters stole what they can. The battle lines were fluid, as the fighting was done block by block.

The Engagement

No singular major engagement took place, as the Principality military battle line was under orders to limit casualties and damage. The fighting was mostly between skirmishers and guards over a large section of the city over four weeks, as insurrectionists attempted to raid for food and weapons.

Outcome

Lord Ortan surrendered after four weeks of fighting and beseeched his followers to lay down arms. Many did not heed his order, however, and a week after his surrender, the Principality cavalry moved into the city and began a pacification campaign. The last contingent of active fighters were buried alive in their city block, destroyed by Siege-Wagon.

Aftermath

The riots shocked Etoile, as many who believed in the Path of Progress heavily discounted the pushback against magic. The rioters did accomplish one aim, as the use of magic, formerly a laissez-faire exercise, became heavily regulated by the Principality. Although The Academy of Etoile had been a favored place to learn magical skill, it became law that all wizards must attend the Academy, and all use of magic outside the Principality's organization was outlawed.

Historical Significance

Legacy

Although the riot was suppressed, anti-wizard sentiment and fear remains extant within society, though not to violent extremes. The Wizard's Association of Etoile has embarked on a campaign to introduce magic to the masses in a light way, to educate the common layperson that magic is simply another skill and not inherently dangerous in of itself. This campaign has had somewhat mixed results.
In addition, the urban legend that the Principality of Etoile has magical assassins in its employ spread like fire, and persists despite repeated denials from Principality officials.

Conflict Type

Skirmish

Battlefield Type

Urban

Start Date

721, First Season

Ending Date

721, Second Season

Conflict Result

Pacification of Rioters