(E.I. Game) EVENT: Assassination attempt on Alexander II

[DGNT]

A radical group known as the 'Peoples Will' detonated a bomb in the dining room of the Winter Palace, killing and wounding a number of people and destroying several priceless works of art, as well as blowing a rather large hole in the wall of the building.
Fourtunatly the Tsar was late for dinner that day.

However, the question remains as to the reaction of the Tsar.

(I'll leave it open to the player to decide, since some people complained about having limite options in cases like this)

[Ash]

in light of recent 'events' an Imperial Edict has been published:

From His Imperial Majesty Alexandr II:

His Imperial Majesty wishes to extend the olive branch to his would-be murderers. He understands that they have certain grievances, which he is particularly interested to hear and wishes to make an attempt to resolve such issues. His Imperial Majesty wishes to meet with members of the group known as 'The People's Will' to discover if this group truely do stand for the people, if any representative wishes to meet his Imperial Majesty then he or she should make contact with the Royal House immediately.

Signed...

His Imperial Majesty Tsar Alexandr II of All the Russias

[DGNT]

The Peoples Will will make no such meeting with the treacherous and despicable Tsar! We are well aware of the fate of many other nationalist groups in the so-called 'Empire of All Russias', whose members even now swing from the gallows around Russia.
We will not send a member of our organization to be tourtered and executed by the agents of repression.
There is nothing to discuss in any case. The Tsar must abolish his office and transfer all power to an assembly of the people, who will rule Russia in a just and fair manner. Unless these terms are met, the assassinations will not stop until the Tsar and every government official who refuses us is dead.

The Peoples Will

[Ash]

His Imperial Majesty will not be cowed by impertinent rogues who make unreasonable and ungodly demands. It is by the will of God that His Imperial Majesty rules, and His Imperial Majesty will not go against the will of the Lord God. However, His Imperial Majesty will make concessions and is willing to discuss a partial transfer of power from His Imperial Majesty to locally elected representatives. Will these villianous rogues agree to these concessions?

[Risban]

London, England

"An insult to the honor of royal power everywhere, that's what this is," scoffed a British arisotcrat, sitting beside a fireplace and reading a paper with a picture of the Tsar on it and information on the story. "Honestly, what a disgrace."

"Nay, it is a tribute for the freedoms of individuals," smirked a younger aristocrat, leaning casually against the fireplace. "A shot against autocracy. The Tsar had this coming."

"You and your bloody democratic ideals," grumbled the older lord. "Oh, it doesn't matter. The Tsar doesn't deserve to keep his crown anyways after this. Caving to rebels when he should be destroying them..."

"Well, at least we both agree that he shouldn't have a crown," smirked the younger man.

The older just grumbled again and went back to the front page of the paper to read up on Queen Victoria's upcoming tour of the New World.

[DGNT]

The Russian nobility is in an uproar over the Tsars declaration, nearly 3/4 of the noble families have threatened 'serious action' if the Tsar gives into the groups demands, and the rest have all begun to grumble extensivly, remembering the days of Nicholas who simply crushed any dissent, making him very popular with the nobility.
Several days after the Tsar's declaration, a group calling itself the 'Imperskaya Storona' or the 'Imperial Party' detonated an explosive device on a route the Tsar's carriage was set to take through St. Petersburg, however the device apparently detonated prematurly, killing six people.
The Imperial Party has issued demands similar to that of the "Peoples Will", with the exception that he abdicate in favor of Grand Duke Nicholas, his son.

The Peoples Will have, again, rejected the Tsars offer, stating that only a full abdication will be acceptable.

The two groups are, in some cities, engaged in open fighting. The 'Bloody Monday' riots in Moscow killed nearly a hundred people, although only perhaps a dozen members of both groups were involved.

[Ash]

"Your Imperial Majesty, this recent violence is extremely concerning. You must act, Your Majesty." Came the stark words of His Majesty's Chief Social Advisor.

"You tried to appease the People's Will and the nobility are up in arms, if you try to appease the nobility then People's Will are going to become increasingly radical. Appeasement is not the way forward, Your Majesty, you must take affirmative action, and soon." Retorted the Tsar's Political Advisor.

"But how can I take action that everyone will agree with?" Asked the Tsar desperately.

"I think you'll find that is the point Your Majesty, you cannot do such a thing. The nobility are essential to your rule, the People's Will are expendable. Act decisively, meet violence with violence. Send out the Cossacks, call up extra troops, do whatever you need to Your Majesty, but for the sake of your dynasty, DO SOMETHING!"

"Ok ok Yevgeny, impliment your suggestions, destroy this People's Will." The Tsar snapped.

Within days a state of National Emergency was declared, Martial Law was enforced and a curfew imposed. Other restrictions were imposed, such as no-one was allowed to congregate in groups of four or more, what little freedom of press was viciously surpressed.
There was wide-spread condemnation against this iron-rule but it was hoped that an increase in Okhrana forces on the street, along with mass deployments of loyalist troops on the streets would quell the resistance and restore order to the major cities.

[DGNT]

Tsarist troops, colliding with a number of other 'secret' organizations in addition to the two already opposing him, have both been recieved and dealt significant casualties. Initial increases in violence, however, sharply declined after a clash between protestors and Tsarist troops in Novgorod ended with nearly five hundred dead civilians. Total casualties from the 'New Terror' (as some quarters are calling it) are not known and most likely never will be, but some estimate as many as a half million on both sides. More realistic estimates range from 5,000-10,000.
The average Russian is generaly apathetic towards the events going on around them, generaly only giving voice to their feelings when events directly affect them, and then those complaints are usually directed towards the corrupt local govonors, rather than at the Tsar.

The nobility have generally quieted down. Only a small minority still vocally oppose the Tsar, and those are mostly the ones who (either metaphorically or in reality) owe him some money.
A few nobles are cautiously admitting that this Alexander might not be so bad.