BM - Kleptocracy

[KuKulzA]

Kleptocracy
by Donus Observius
Chairman of the Argonian Welfare Society

What is Black Marsh?
It is not the stagnant and quiet land of deadly marshes and mysterious lizard-men. It is a land of war, disease, and power-struggle. However, it may not seem so, but in truth, the land full of violence and small-scale conflict. The poor flocking to Imperial Chapels for donations, laborers dying in the fields from fatigue, and People of the Root being hunted as animals by 'civilized' Argonians, Dunmer, and Imperials can lead to only one thing... Black Marsh is under a kleptocracy.

After the Second Era Black Marsh was in turmoil. Imperial governors had become tyrants and the Legion was a terror rather than a protector. An ambitious Argonian clan rallied most of the outlying tribes into a grand revolution, killing most of the Imperial tyrants. However, this grand army was made up off thousands of displaced Argonian clans, and soon they began to war amongst themselves. As their ancestor-Hist were destroyed, their villages burned, and their people desperate, the old Archeins of the Imperials who helped to marshal the rebels were allowed into what became the Royal Court. They ruled Black Marsh, but were monitored and controlled by the Royal Clan resulting in a balance of power. However with Cyrodiil stable once more, the Royal Court had no choice but to accept Imperial authority, and allow the Legion, as well as Imperial governors and advisors into Black Marsh. However, the Imperials were little different from the Archeins in their motives, hoping to get what profits they could from exploitation.
The Legion, Archeins, and the Royal government began a policy of conquest that resulted in the control of most of the borders. However, peace did not last long...

As Argonians in the 'civilized' areas became no more than peons, unless they were soldiers or Archeins, discontent and famine rose. Groups like the Knahaten Liberation, the Hist Guard Army, the Tribal Parchlands Resistance, and the Tenmar Renegades all rose up, and using terrorism and guerilla tactics they survived as paramilitary factions. The situation wasn't helped by the fact that foreign groups like the Blackwood Co., the Gideon Crusade, and the Dunmer warbands were also roaming the borders. Tribal warriors were mustering and an all out war was on the horizon, but suddenly it all quieted down.

Apparently the Royal Court was more powerful than ever imagined. Rebellious leaders were hunted down by assassins and agents from both the Argonian Dark Brotherhood and the Royal Agency. Archeins were silenced or blackmailed, and Imperial governors and Legion Generals closely watched. Thus an uneasy peace continued, but the Legion and the Imperial leaders grew apprehensive of the Archeins and the Royal Court. The Archeins and the Royalty distrusted the Legion, but also did not trust one another. Exploitation of the land continued and the welfare of the Argonians was compromised for quick profits. To support itself, the governing body continuously took from the people.

Now tension rises once more. Suppression is not enough. Skirmishes are taking place in the jungles of Arnesia and on the coasts. Rebel factions are quietly readying their guerillas, and the poor Argonian laborers line the streets of Gideon as extravagantly dressed Imperials and Archeins are carried upon litters and protected by fierce guards. That being said, the tribal Argonians are beginning to return to their old ways, leaving villas and simply disappearing into the marshes and jungles. Archeins are beginning to feel the pressures of having gone over the carrying capacity of the land, and Imperials that they must use peaceful methods to better rule the Argonians. And the Royal Court has an enormous problem on its hands as peace was only recently established, and the influx of Dunmer, the restlessness of the legions and the desperation of the Archeins may force Black Marsh into another war. Soon, the land will be in a vicious war that had been waiting to happen since the first foreigner set foot in Black Marsh.



I do not know if I too will be silenced, or if this analysis will stay within quiet Imperial circles and missionary groups, but I have no doubts that I am being watched, and may end up like so many 'upstarts' in Black Marsh.

[Ebonyknight]

Very well put.

[TheImperialDragon]

There are a number of rumours about Black Marsh in Oblivion's timeline, Tribes returning to Black Marsh and never being seen again, that sort of thing... Lots of mysteries. When was this book written? Perhaps it could make mention of some of these occurances?

[KuKulzA]

perhaps I'll do some editing

thanks, I knew I missed out on stuff