For months the citizens of Aleris have been besieged on multiple fronts, their city over run and their King deposed in the face of brutal ambition. As if there were not enough an ancient curse that all thought they were free of returned when a soul was stolen from Elysia’s temple. The once mindless people of Aleris were thrust back into that state, becoming little more than emotionless zombies, incapable of fighting back when it came time to defend their city or their King.

Things are looking up for the people of Aleris, however. King Alerion has been restored to his throne and the curse once again lifted. As a result the emotionless citizens are reawakening, again, to a life filled with emotion and free thinking. This in and of itself is a good thing but with their restored awareness and emotions a certain resentment seems to be brewing among the people. Resentment towards who you might ask? The source of the initial attack on King Alerion; The Outer Gates. Specifically the Gates guarding the Outlands.

If not for the existence of these Gates it is argued that the attack on King Alerion would never have occurred and the curse never restored. Is this accurate? Given the nature of the Ravenholm leader it has been argued that their need for destruction and domination would have led them to Aleris’ shores in time regardless of the Gate, but others are not so sure. As a result dissenting opinions about the Outer Gates and those citizens who have immigrated to Aleris’ shores through the Gates have been voiced among the people.

Tensions between the native Alerians and Outer Gate Immigrants has always been something of an issue but recent events have gone a long way towards ratcheting up the tension. Though scattered there have been reports of violent encounters between outer gate immigrants and native Alerians though so far there have been no reports of any serious injuries. For how long though?

If tension continues to rise between immigrants and citizens it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or even killed. How to ease said tensions and promote acceptance between the two communities is the ongoing question and thus far no one seems to have a working solution.

Hopefully some measure of acceptance will be reached before civil war breaks out in Aleris. In the meantime…

I’ll be watching.