[center][h1]About 3 weeks[/h1][/center]
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[b]TWO DAYS LATER[/b]
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A city-wide emergency broadcast informed everyone that a massive earthquake would be happening earlier in the morning. This earthquake was so powerful that it took down two older and lesser buildings in Khia causing 3 individuals to be missing, 47 individuals to be injured, and 11 fatalities. During this time, one of the mines to gather resources like coal collapsed, luckily no one was working at the time, and x-ray technology was used to make sure there was no one in the mining tunnels. 

The city-district of Slia was affected by these earthquakes too. Gigantic boulders from the roof of the cavern that the city sits in fell into the water supply and destroyed a treatment plant building and destroyed a home with a family inside. This incident caused an emergency meeting with the safety officers and scientists of Dominion. 
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[b]ONE DAY AFTER THE MAJOR EARTHQUAKE[/b] 

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Individuals from Khia and less wealthy parts of Qona and Esille were being negatively affected by the water supply. A stomach bug started to be going around very rampant and a drinking water alert broadcasted throughout the city. Liora Vex. She announced that the water supply was tainted by boulders falling into it during the major earthquake not even a day ago. She informed the citizens of Dominion that they would be receiving a packet of 8 oz tablets that were dry, turquoise in color, and to put one tablet per 5-7 gallons of water to make sure the water is purified and safe to drink. 
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[b]FOUR DAYS LATER[/b] 

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Alerts and warnings were still very rampant about the water supply, being careful about tunnels and mines in Khia, and that there is wildlife activity closer to the Dominion walls than usual. People may be seeing creatures that they have never seen in person before or possibly at all. 

Midday was a shocking event for everyone when a familia trio of [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8d/17/1f/8d171fe700c2931191bb1619d2e32001.jpg]Duskhound[/url] entered the city and was causing a mass panic throughout the city districts of Dominion. A lockdown warning happened which meant no one was allowed out on the streets unless they were safety officers or other ranked individuals. This lockdown lasted for roughly four hours before the Duskhound [[i]Canis vraculosus[/i]] were driven out of the city and the lockdown was lifted. 
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[b]COUNCIL MEETING[/b] 

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None of the members of the council were happy to meet by emergency and force, however, with all of the issues that were arising there were certain topics that needed to be brought up. One of the many topics were losing access to two smaller caverns that allowed Dominion to harvest [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/38/27/86/38278687999cec8caa7639711c121c01.jpg]Burrowbulb[/url] [[i]Scalursus rotundus[/i]] which literally means scale-bear that is round or rolls up. This creature can get up to 500 pounds and is a great farming animal because they can have up to 12 pups a litter. Without access to one of the main meat supplies, council members along with regular individuals were worried, so here they sat with grim looks before anyone could start the conversation. 

Finally, someone broke the silence, and Thorne’s gruff voice rang out as he played with his beard that was speckled grey, his voice sounded like stone scraping against stone though he wasn’t known to smoke at all. “[color=white]Twelve months of breeding lost…[/color]” he began while looking around the table. “[color=white]That’s [i]hundreds[/i] of Burrowbulbs we’ll never see. Two tunnels gone mean two nurseries buried, and with them, our next three harvests,[/color]” he leaned in towards the table and let his elbows rest on the hard surface. His face stern and strict, peering at his peers like they should be even more worried than what he was letting on. “[color=white]Slia does not have direct access to harvesting, my city's storage is limited, and we import from Khia and Esille to keep the upper class fed. What do you think happens when there’s no meat on the tables by a fortnight? They’ll riot in silk![/color]” he gestured out as if this should be the most concerning thing. 

“[color=white]My people are the ones who raise them, Thorne,[/color]” Council Member Aureline of Khia sounded somewhat disgusted as her cool and sharp gaze focused on the man. [color=white]Who digs those tunnels?[/color]” she asked the question but gave no time for anyone to respond to her. “[color=white]We lost more than creatures — we lost workers and citizens of Dominion. People of families. You’re worried about extravagant feasts?[/color]” Again, she gave no time for anyone to answer and when Thorne was trying to, she spoke over him, “[color=white]Khia’s children are already chewing on leftover bones and sipping bone broth, we cannot afford to rebuild the pens this quarter, and what happens if another earthquake kicks in?[/color]” This time, she didn’t say anything before looking at all the other members of the council. 

Vei began with a shaky but strong voice, she was a redhead with a pixie cut and big green eyes, “[color=white]Both of you need to listen to me, this is not just about workers and wealth — this is about survival. Survival of our people. Our citizens. The Burrowbulbs are the main protein source of Dominion and with that source being dwindled because two of five tunnels collapsed, we need to start thinking about rations, combining all food sources together, and trying to extend the food as long as we can which will give us more time to think up of solutions,[/color]” she looked at all the other members. Thorne seemed unimpressed by her little speech while Tarin gave her a reassuring smile. 

Train Geode raised his hand as if to ask for permission to speak, “[color=white]Like Vei is saying, we do need to prioritize, and I believe we need to try our best to restore one of the tunnels as well. Maybe the tunnel was the only thing that collapsed and the caverns where the Burrowbulbs are didn’t. And they are a main source of protein for everyone that goes to the university in Qona, students rely on Burrowbulb soup, and other dishes that use the meat and bones. We might see individuals dropping out or decreasing their focus on academics with such a shortage in food which could lead to long term disasters. I agree with Vei, we need a joint initiative — each district will combine our food storage and give out measured and precise amounts to the people of Dominion,[/color]” his tone was calm and deliberate in his response, he was hoping the more hot headed individuals would understand that the people of Dominion — all of the people — are going to face hardship. 
The council member from Esille, Elira perked up and waved her hand as if to disregard the others, “[color=white]If we’re discussing numbers, let’s be honest, Esille regulates distribution, and we have records that show nearly forty-percent of Burrowbulb to informal black — market trade — mostly from Khia and Qona. We will need more than aid and cooperation, Tarin, we will need oversight.[/color]” she glanced over at Tarin before looking at the others. A quick pause to let herself think, “[color=white]I’ll support a relief fund — but only if that includes tracking, quotas, and fair-market rationing protocols. If this is being done. I want it done right,[/color]” she extended her hand and tapped the top of the table with a single finger to emphasize her seriousness. 

Thorne could not help himself and he snorted with a laugh that showed he didn’t actually find it funny but ridiculous, “[color=white]You want to count ribs while people starve? There won’t be a market left to regulate if the tunnels stay buried. Those tunnels need to be x-rayed and restored.[/color]” 

Aureline leaned forward, facing Thorne, and her gaze was challenging, “[color=white]Don’t you [i]dare[/i] judge us for doing what we must to survive. You sit in your glass pools and judge those who dig in the dark to support your lifestyle,[/color]” she was absolutely disgusted by him. 

The man’s dark eyes narrowed, jaw clenching beneath the silver in his beard, he began with a slow and measured tone, “[color=white]Oh, spare me the tunnel tears, Aureline. You talk like Khia’s the only district that’s ever bled for Dominion. We all pull weight. But you — you hoard sympathy like it’s currency and spend it cheap. Don’t forget; it was Slia’s engineers who built the irrigation shafts that keep your upper mines from flooding almost a year ago. It was our silver deposit access that allowed more Burrowbulb tunnels to be built and the burrow disease to not spread to all of the herds.[/color]” 

Standing up and leaning more forward, his voice was laced with venom while he was fully focused on Aureline, “[color=white]You want to talk about survival? Then admit it — Khia’s not above cutting corners and skimming meat off the top before it hits quotas. You’ve bled, huh — but you’ve bled others too. Let’s not pretend your hands are clean just because they are calloused.[/color]” 

Both Vei and Elira looked shocked by Thorne’s words, however, Elira gasped with one hand rising to cover her mouth, with eyes wide in genuine shock. She glanced between Thorne and Aureline, momentarily speechless — a rare occurrence because she usually could talk for hours and hours without taking a breath. Anyone could feel how the energy shifted in the council chamber and how the air was thick with tension, “[color=white][i]By the veil…[/i][/color]” she murmured under her breath. 

This tension between the two council members caused Geode to stand up from his chair, unfolding like an old mountain given motion, and his voice carried without anger, but an unshakeable command forged from decades of leadership, “[color=white]Enough. Both of you.[/color]” It was similar to a disappointed father while siblings fought over toys or two cups of juice that were the same.

“[color=white]I have watched generations fall and rise in this chamber, I have buried friends that have sat where you sit now, and if they could hear you bickering — this finger-pointing over death and scarcity — they’d weep for what we’ve become.[/color]” His voice did not raise with emotion, yet it silenced the chamber like a hammer to a bell. Everyone was focused on him. 

He turned his gaze to Thorne first, without accusation, “[color=white]Thorne, your anger is earned. But [i]do not[/i] spit silver in a miner’s face and call it generosity.[/color]” 

 Then to Aureline, he was equally firm, “[color=white]And Aureline, pride is no shield when your people go hungry. You [i]need[/i] help. We all need help. So take it with grace.[/color]” 

“[color=white]Now both of you sit down before you go on and tear down the little bit of unity that we have left. The people of Dominion will face hardship because of this and we are the only ones with enough breath in our lungs to do something about it so we [i]need[/i] to work together and do something about it. Not sit here and argue.[/color]” 

Tarin Geode sighed, “[color=white]Let’s talk about a few other things before we go to think and we will meet at a later day,[/color]” the conversations continued as they spoke mildly to each other and the tension slowly faded into the background, for now. 
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[hr]
[b]A WEEK LATER[/b]

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[indent]
Two more major incidents had happened after the first major incident that was reported about burrowers and dwellers being violent. Something needed to be changed. It was almost a bitter day when the council gathered for another serious meeting in the late morning. Back at the round table. Councilor Aureline gestured her hand to start off the meeting, speaking in a somewhat stretched tone, “[color=white]That has been three major incidents reported within a month. With these earthquakes, we lost access to the farming tunnels, wild beasts seem to be moving around and in the city more than every, and now [i]those[/i] humanoids are causing issues in Dominion,[/color]” the annoyance was apparent and heavy in her voice.  

There had barely been attacks from wildlife, burrowers, or dwellers inside of the walls of Dominion and in recent times that has doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled compared to the historical occurrences of violence. “[color=white]The people cannot bear the burden of dwellers with all of the things that are happening to Dominion, they cannot keep coming to ration queues,[/color]” she huffed out in emphasis before leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. 

Thorne roughly began, “[color=white]Burrowers are barely a problem when they are outlawed. We can put a kill on sight initiative if everyone is so worried about them. It’s like killing rats,[/color]” he was casual with his words as if it was barely a thought about should or not but when. Gesturing to the table, “[color=white]Dwellers and scavengers are a major issue within the walls of Dominion, putting their grubby hands in the waterways instead of using a faucet, they are uncivilized,[/color]” he explained a point of how these individuals were filthy in his eyes and others — problems themselves. 

“[color=white]They all look like [i]Burrowers[/i] more and more every season. And some are against the city! Slia officials have arrested twenty-five individuals that snuck in through the cracks of the city walls to taint our water supply and our humanity.[/color]” 

Elira watched her peers silently while they came forward with their problems and she was having problems of her own when it came to the business district, “[color=white]The law is clear: Burrowers are criminalized by birthright, branded and marked — [b]but[/b] — [i]Dwellers[/i]... exist in a gap. Mixed bloodline, no oath, no anchor — They are in an area of grey legal presence. PErhaps it’s time to clarify and update the laws,[/color]” she suggested, which received approving looks from Aureline and Thorne almost too quickly. 

This caused Council Member Geode to shake his head in disagreement, disappointment, and his voice deeply and slowly began, “[color=white]In Qona, we archive what others forget. Dominion was not always so rigid, the first stones were laid by many hands — some not even from our line — if we name dwellers criminals like we have burrowers, we do so not out of justice… We do it out of fear. And fear never helps anything,[/color]” he looked to the others to find the majority had disapproving looks and possibly a mixture of disgust. Thorne had the biggest look of disgust on his face as if Geode was suggesting that they commit immoral acts. 

Vei looked around with defiant eyes and sharply interjected, “[color=white]When survival becomes questionable, people become fearful, but we need to focus on how we can stop the fear and panic of our people. Most children of Dominion eat Tokut milk and root scraps. Dwellers are a big part of our society — intermarried, born here, and raised in all areas of Dominion — and most of you are referring to them like they are dogs and could simply adjust to living outside of the walls if they were criminalized. They have never lived anywhere else. Dominion has privilege when it comes to life outside compared to people living outside of the walls. We share walls, we share beds, homes, and even blood with our brothers and sisters,[/color]” Vei was young and her emotions were not as controlled as the older counterparts of the council. She had tears welling in her angry eyes and emotion cracking her words. 

This caused a huff out dismissiveness to come from Aureline and she flatly responded as if she was speaking to a young child that didn’t know any better, “[color=white]They live within the walls and barley contribute, they are not registered citizens, and they are not bound by the regulations like our own citizens. They do not answer when called to labor like our citizens are,[/color]” she explained while glaring at Vei. A good argument from the woman that oversees the working district — dwellers were not fully registered citizens but they were allowed to work and be in society with no question, at least in the lower rankings of society — and the Khia district always has had more dwellers be trouble markers than the regular citizen. 

Thorne grumbled, “[color=white]Then this should be easy for all of us, let’s restrict them, make boundaries, and take away access to rations. If they do not want to register as citizens and be productive citizens of society, they can find a home or fate out beyond the walls, and if they have a record of criminality – even if it’s lesser issues — we should continue by kicking them out of the city,[/color]” Thorne spoke of this so casually that one might think he was talking about rats instead of humans. 

Elira nodded, fully agreeing with a pleased smile, “[color=white]If we define them, we control them, and if they resist the regulations, then we have cause to do what is needed. Law must act before people react. Dwellers have been undocumented long enough. They need to start contributing to society and that might come with the hard decision of them leaving it for the better good.[/color]” 

Rubbing his brow, Geode seemed to not believe what he was hearing from his peers, and how quickly this meeting was going against burrowers, dwellers, and scavengers, it was hard to digest, “[color=white]And when Dominion stood in its founding? Weren’t the first families not called [i]Dwellers[/i] too? Before they earned names and foundations in a blossoming society. Who gets to decide when someone stops belonging?[/color]” he gestured for some hope as if this would give the others a different perspective. “[color=white]All of us worked to build Dominion and continue to improve it and keep it moving forward. We should have never exiled burrowers. Let’s not make a second grave mistake by outlawing dwellers.[/color]” 

The young red headed woman stood up, her voice rising slightly with pained emotions, “[color=white]So we cage them? Strip them of their rights? And what happens when that cage breaks? I will not be the voice that pretends to represent the people while watching another [i]Reaping[/i] unfold. I wasn’t born when Burrowers were exiled from Dominion though I am in a position now where I will not stand here and agree to exile Dwellers,[/color]” her cheeks were becoming flushed and her face felt hot with anger. 

A scoff came out of Thorne, “[color=white]What a childish and dreamful stance, [i]Vei[/i], be ready to pick a side when the time comes,[/color]” his voice was as cold as ice and threatening without a veil. Vei was about to respond though she was luckily cut off by Aureline speaking up — Vei would have said something she might regret out of emotions. 

“[color=white]We need a motion. We cannot have people and society in limbo any longer. Dominion is crumbling at this rate with the food shortage and the threats of wildlife and earthquakes, so we [i]need[/i] to do something,[/color]” he voice sounded so logical that most people, if not thinking deeply of her words would have agreed, and people that would think — they might possibly agree out of fear of society failing and collapsing. 

Elira looked around, landing her eyes on Vei until the younger woman sat back down, and Geode seemed to whisper something to the youngest member of the council — possibly trying to settle her down and make her feel better. “[color=white]Then let it be brought forward. We vote on the next convergence. Let it be known: the [i]Dwellers[/i] will be named,[/color]” she looked around the room again before smiling a little. “[color=white]And possibly scavengers because of all the crimes they commit daily,[/color]” she added. 

The room was silent for what felt like a painful eternity before Geode broke the silence, “[color=white]Stone remembers. So will the people,[/color]” his tone sounded defeated and he somewhat was. This caused Vei to get up and leave the room and all the other council members watched her go. “[color=white]We already have punishments and laws that encourage people to be productive citizens. Not everyone has the capacity or ability to because of financial means or mental health problems. We need to be careful about what we do,[/color]” he explained while looking at the disapproving looks of his peers. 

“[color=white]And we allow too much slack which is why our society is failing, we are being careful, [i]councilor Geode[/i], and I believe this is the right thing to do for the people that deserve to be in the walls of Dominion,[/color]” Thorne did not miss a beat when challenging Geode’s views or dismissing them. This caused Geode to stand, dip his head out of respect, and leave the room without another word. The rest of the council members stayed and spoke about what this new law should entail. 
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[b]THREE DAYS AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING
DOMINION PUBLIC FEED — 5 PM — NIGHT TIME NEWS[/b]
 
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The Dominion City Sigil flickered on the T.V. with a countdown of 10 seconds to notify when the broadcasting was going to start, all T.V. 's that were on would see Liora Vex behind a podium without the usual bright and energetic smile and look in her eyes. She seemed to have a seriousness to her face with a sharp silver collar shirt and her hands resting on each side of the podium with the camera adjusted on her. “[color=white]Good evening, Citizens of Dominion,[/color]” she spoke with a soft and measured tone. This was a contrast from her usual happy, energetic, almost light hearted self. 

“[color=white]People of Dominion, you might have heard whispers and rumors about the last council meeting and I come before you to clarify what I can,[/color]” she sighed heavily with closed eyes before opening her eyes to look directly at the camera. Her fingers fidgeted with the podium. 

“[color=white]There [i]are[/i]... discussions underway in the Council — deliberations regarding the safety and sustainability of our great civilization. This topic is a very difficult topic to speak about and it might cause a lot of emotions in all of you and know that you are not alone in these emotions,[/color]” Liora seemed honestly upset as she thought about how she was supposed to go about this. She had papers in front of her to help guide her conversations and what topics not to bring up. 

“[color=white]Dominion has weathered through hardships before and have faced darkness that include cave-ins, famine cycles, coldflow blight, and plenty of more things throughout the decades. We have endured by standing together, soul to soul. 

But now… now there is a discussion happening that cuts the people of Dominion deeper and comparable to one instance in our history. A conversation about identity, about who is counted, who is considered one of us, and who is a part of society.

There are people who are in our walls — plenty born here, married, and decades of invested emotions — and the government is discussing what should be done with these groups of people. The groups in consideration are dwellers, scavengers, and other people that do not appear to me the - quote on quote - requirements that certain people in power demand of the citizens in Dominion. Many of you might know people in these categories and we urge you to spend as much time with them as possible. 

Certain council members are encouraging another Reaping of these groups of people like leaders did decades ago to Burrowers. At the moment, the discussions are happening but nothing is set in stone, and Councilor Geode and Councilor Vei are doing everything in their power to ensure compassion is not lost for policy. They have stood firm in their opinions and stand with these groups. They have spoken from mercy, for history, and for unity of Dominion. Their voices remain and allow your voices to be heard. 

We are asking for your compassion, your patience, and above all — your humanity — and I will try my best to keep you, the people of Dominion, updated about the conversations that go around this, and I hope you continue to cherish your loved ones with each update. I hope you have a pleasant night and we will see what follows,[/color]” The screen fades to the sigil of Dominion, pulsing slowly and dimly, and the return of regular shows continues. The air, for many, felt thicker and heavier before the news came on. 
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After the sigil of Dominion, if one was on the proper network for the broadcasting, a message appears on the screen: 
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Water consumption alert — From the previous earthquakes that caused rocks to fall from the ceiling, there were unknown bacteria, and unknown materials in those boulders. The water is [b][color=red]UNSAFE[/color][/b] to consume. Please do not get tap water in your eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. If you run out of tablets and need water, please go to one of the poverty banks, and if you do not have access to a poverty bank. Please boil the water that will be consumed for half an hour before straining it through a mesh, cloth, or filter of some kind. 

Citizens will continue receiving tablets that will purify 5 - 7 gallons of water. Please use these tablets to the best of your ability. Putting a tablet into 3 gallons of water or less can cause diarrhea, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other unfavorable symptoms. If this occurs, please go to the local medical facilities. 

Thank you for your patience. The Public Affairs Office, Safety Commissioner, grad-students from GoD, and Slia’s water purification scientists are working on figuring out a solution.
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[hr] 
[b]THE NEXT DAY AND ONE MORE EARTHQUAKE[/b] 

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Earthquakes were seeming to be more active than they used to be. Some people began to speak about “tunnelers” and other creatures or reasons for the earthquakes than them being a natural phenomenon. Plenty of people were beginning to ask questions or press for answers from the government as well. Everything seemed to have a well throughout answer that truly meant nothing at the end of the day. 

With another earthquake, this one was small, and everyone was thankful for that. The last earthquake was massive and it killed plenty of people along with destroying infrastructure. Around noon, people were beginning to stampede out of Khia with screams of terror — Duskhounds were back — and chaos broke out. It was pure panic and fear for one's life — the type of panic that caused your blood to run cold because you know how severe the danger was by the guttural sounds in people’s voices. 

The earthquakes were definitely causing wildlife to move including Burrowers and Dwellers that lived outside of the wall. However, the true problems were when beasts were being driven into the city's walls and peace officers and other authorities could spend hours upon hours trying to get one back out of the city. 

Usually they were known to travel in small packs and were semi-territorial creatures, several different groups or alone Duskhounds were bolting through the city district of Khia and Slia. Some of them were heading deeper towards Esille and Qona. 

Duskhounds were not creatures to try and find by oneself or at all — they were large, standing about 4.5’ at the shoulder and weighing up to 180 pounds. These are not known for their sight though they have fantastic evolutionary traits that help them detect prey. They have whiskers on their face that help them feel the electromagnetic pulses which is why they can partially see in infrared, they have an amazing sense of smell, and it is believed that with how their ears are structured that they can determine where the smallest of sounds are coming from. These creatures are known to be very dangerous with a terrifying [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQaSRKP8Dho]laugh[/url] and the laugh works as a system to get creatures or people to move so they can detect them. 

Two of these creatures were able to find their way into Esille surprisingly fast and this caused an uproar of panic and stress to break through the shopping and business district. People were running in all directions, screaming, and shutting themselves into buildings in hope to avoid the beasts. 
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[b]GM POST[/b]