Koro Genocide

The Koro Genocide was the mass destruction of the Koro people and culture within the Confederation of Garxijos state of Korosechev. Conducted mostly by the CoG Military, it was mainly carried out through a large razing of the capital of Korosechev; Orbiztan, where 99.5% of the Koro population was massacred in a final measure taken to destroy the Koro.
Prior to the main outbreak of the genocide, many Koro felt much more connected to their state and land instead of the Confederation as a whole; and thus, did not feel obligated to remain in the Confederation. Many CoG citizens viewed Korosechev as government land, and when Korosechev attempted to declare its independence a lot of CoG nationals rallied behind the military to suppress and contain the uprising.
The genocide was formally ended on November 3rd, when military forces stormed Orbiztan and slaughter every citizen within the city before burning it down. In this fight, 199 out of 200 Koro were killed with the only survivor being the son of the Korosto; Kroosechev Verokov.
Large portions of the CoG population give the argument that the events held within Orbiztan were not considered genocide, but instead it was merely quelling of the unruly populous living within Korosechev that had to be done in order to preserve the confederation.
== Background ==
=== Contact with the Koro ===
Following the Confederation of Garxijos purchasing loud out to the west of their borders from Drak Yamar including Korosechev Island, a few settlers began moving out to live in these new lands. These early pioneers were the first outsiders to ever make contact with the native Koro living on the island for the past ~3,000 years. Initial contact was largely peaceful, and eventually translators arrived to communicate.
=== Korosechev Statehood ===
For further reading, see History of Korosechev in the Confederation of GarxijosUpon establishing formal contact with the Koro the son of the ruling Korosto, that being Kroosechev Verokov, decided to take up learning traveler's tongue and try get to know the CoG better. Kroosechev toured the Confederation to understand their culture, and studied political philosophy in order to more easily convey how his people had been living for the past few thousand years in the form of a political ideology. Eventually the CoG government arranged to meet with Kroosechev to discuss Korosechev becoming a state, and on September 6th Korosechev formally joined the Confederation of Garxijos as a state.
== Leadup to Genocide ==
=== Confusion over terminology ===
Following Korosechev becoming a state of the Confederation, many settlers moved out to the west and a few decided to set up in Korosechev. A majority of Koro were uneducated and lacked the knowledge of how a government worked, and thus many were confused at these new settlers. Several Koro attempted to make the settlers leave, while others welcomed the new faces expecting them to integrate into Koro society. The immigrants coming into Korosechev were under the impression that most of the land on the island was virgin, and thus many began to start farms. These farms, however, were mainly designed to send produce back to more developed area and not for domestic consumption, which conflicted with a lot of Koro culture.
It should be noted that the Koro had not fully understood the agreement of joining the CoG as a state, and many had no concept of what it meant to be a state. Through Koro eyes it was viewed more of an alliance, which created tension when settlers began to enter Koro land and break Koro rules. Law enforcement would only be able to hold someone accountable for their actions under Confederate law, and thus to the dismay of the Koro a majority of the settlers were not punished for actions they considered to be damning. This can be seen as the starting point for a growing Anti-CoG sentiment within the Koro, which would begin to grow into calls for Korosechev independence.
Kroosechev Verokov got to work attempting to get Korosechev out of the Confederation, and began by formally approaching the Government. The argument was given that the document dictating Korosechev's statehood was not fully understood, and that they should get a new one. The government had more pressing issues to deal with at the time, and decided to simply reject the proposal citing the fact that they had been given ample time to read and understand the agreement before accepting it. This was viewed as a hurtful, albeit fair statement; but it still did not quench the general Koro masses desires. Additionally, this particular case was made public and the response from Confederate citizens was widely negative. Most people viewed Korosechev requesting independence as an insult to the Confederation, and some even called for Korosechev to be punished.
Hearing the news of the case, many Koro became frustrated at the situation, feeling like they had been trapped in something they couldn't escape from by a tyrant using clever tricks to contain them. Unrest began to grow, and as a result small scale violence began to break out in Korosechev against settlers. These settlers being harassed by the Koro turned to the government for help, to which the government responded by providing a relief fund to assist anyone being affected in moving out of Korosechev into nearby lands. The idea was that by giving the Koro some concession and not resorting to violence, a peaceful negotiation could be met which could turn Korosechev back into a cooperative state.
=== Politicization ===
The government's actions did not sit well with those living in the nation's capital of Garxeto. Several anti-Koro factions began to spring up demanding that police be sent in to prevent any further harm, and that something had to be done with the state before it got out of hand. Prominent aristocrats and government members were a part of these factions, and some began to propose suggestions in congress about these issues. Calls for Korosechev to be fully integrated into the CoG were thrown about, as many believed that it was an 'all or nothing' scenario, where it had to be either independence or integration. The main reasons for not giving Korosechev independence were;
# Korosechev would not survive without the help of the CoG
# Korosechev had yet to prove themselves self-sustaining
# Korosechev was rightfully bought, and had no obligation to give up the land
# Korosechev had not provided anything to the CoG beyond its settlers shipping grain back to Garxeto
# There was no guarantee that Korosechev would be a constructive partner
# There was no entitlement to independence
# Koro had been committing violence against Confederate citizens and required punishment
# The Confederation had nothing to gain by granting independence
Still however, some pro-Koro factions did also spring up advocating for Korosechev's independence, although these factions were a lot smaller. The main reason for granting Korosechev's independence was that it would be difficult to hold onto if it remained in the Confederation. The Governments response to these two sides was largely neutral, and it remained steadfast in its policy of concession. This lack of action made some spiteful, and thus small bands began making propaganda to help grow the anti-Koro mindset. Upon hearing wind of this, several Koro began to get restless and began to call for independence, using petitions and small scale protests. These actions finally caused the government to take action, beginning to get angered at the Koro's lack of cooperation. Police were finally called into Korosechev to stop crime committed against settlers, which was viewed as the final straw for many Koro.
Kroosechev, annoyed at the government's apparent lack of care for his people, began to rally support for an independent Korosechev both within and outside of the Island. Some Koro began attempting to force the police out of the island, declaring that no foreign entity would have the right to police their land. These actions sparked a protest in the streets of Garxeto calling for the government to take heavier actions against Korosechev, and president Buoyo himself began to get an anti-Koro mindset. And thus, on September 30th anti-Koro policies were finally passed, marking the beginning of the Koro genocide.
== Onset of Genocide ==
=== Pre-November 3rd ===
==== Initial Measures ====
The first thing done by the CoG government was to make propaganda depicting the Koro as unnecessarily violent and uncooperative. This was plastered throughout all major cities, and this please many anti-Koro factions who supported the government's actions. Upon hearing of this, almost the entire population of Korosechev became furious and began protesting, with some marching into neighboring cities to tear down anti-Koro propaganda. President Buoyo sent in small police forces into cities within the states of Stultum and Helming to discourage Koro from committing violence. The government's handling of the situation quickly garnered support from all across the Confederation, as people cheered and chanted for Korosechev to be dissolved. By the end of the first day, many Koro started rioting and throwing rocks, wood and bread at any non-Koro within Korosechev, with this general unrest continued for the whole of October. On October 31st, president Buoyo believed that Korosechev was mostly under control and that other duties were more important, so he decided to cede control of the situation to chancellor (and commander of the entire CoG military) Robras, whom after obtaining control had a more direct approach to dealing with the problem.
==== Use of Military force ====
On November 1st, chancellor Robras called on the Confederation Military to help take care of the issues at hand. At the time, the active troop count totaled ~200, with 10 cavalry and 20 ranged crossbow men. The first order of action was to blockade all bridges to and from Korosechev to ensure no CoG citizens could get onto the island and so that no Koro could leave the island. Robras declared the area a no-go-zone and began to refurbish the military in case of a Koro attack. Koro awoke to see this blockage and began harassing those stationed to blockade the island. A fight almost broke out on 4 separate occasions, mainly due to a language barrier, but these were stopped by Kroosechev who convinced the Koro not to attack. Robras set up camp in the city of Markarth near the Korosechev border in order to monitor the island more closely and to give orders to the military faster. Robras specifically gave orders to kill any Koro who attempted to attack any CoG soldier.
On November 2nd, Okenstev Verokov called a meeting inside the center of the Korosechev capital of Orbiztan to plan for a peaceful declaration of independence, with his son Kroosechev largely organizing it. After 3 hours of discussing a plan was formed that went as such; first, a large display of baked goods from bread, to traditional Koro food, to beer would be put out the front of Orbiztan. Second, Kroosechev would run out and get the attention of the army before bringing them back into the city. Third, the city would meet out front to peacefully offer the soldiers all of the goods. Fourth, they would peacefully but firmly declare their independence. Meanwhile in Markarth, Robras declared martial law and a curfew of Orbiztan, additionally sending soldiers to patrol the immediate vicinity of the surrounding states and giving orders to either force any Koro found outside the island back onto the island, or to simply execute them.
=== November 3rd ===
==== March into Orbiztan ====
On November 3rd, the entire Koro population arose at 5-6 AM in order to begin baking for the display with 20 tables to be filled. At around 11:34 AM the project was finished with 107 loaves of bread, 83 traditional Koro cinnamon rolls and 5 barrels of beer being presented out the front of Orbiztan ready for the arrival of the Army. As soon as this was finished, Kroosechev Verokov snuck off of the island to avoid the blockade and found the camp at Markarth where Robras was currently at. Kroosechev managed to get the attention of Robras himself, whom recognized Kroosechev as the son of the Korosto. Suspecting a trap, the entire army was called to help escort Robras atop horse back as they followed Kroosechev back to Orbiztan. When the army finally arrived around mid-day, they marched onto Korosechev Island and met with the baked display out the front of Orbiztan. A majority of all Koro were standing out front, with more watching from buildings in Orbiztan all ready for the arrival with open arms. Kroosechev is reported to have turned and looked Robras dead in the eyes, smiling at him, and Robras looked back squinting his eyes. The area went silent for about half a minute untill Kroosechev finally realized what was about to happen, quickly turning and running into Orbiztan while shouting for everyone to run.
==== Razing of Orbiztan ====
Immediately upon Kroosechev turning to run, Robras gave the signal for his men to charge into the city and attack all Koro. Many standing in the front row were instantly mowed down by a mix of cavalry and gunfire as people scrambled to get into Orbiztan for shelter. The army flooded the streets and began to indiscreetly slaughter any Koro, be it man, woman, or child. Many attempted to hide within their houses, but CoG infantry used bricks or the back end of crossbows to smash down windows and climb inside in order to kill any inhabitants. A few Koro attempted to resist, banding together as a small militia using scythes and sickles as weapons and ganging up on any CoG soldiers they found, as well as pushing over cavalry to disorientate the riders and immobalize them. This was extremely ineffective, however, and no CoG troops were killed by this.
About 30 minutes into the battle, Robras himself stood watching the actions of his men when suddenly he was alerted by the sound of a crying baby coming from inside the wheat fields. Allegedly Robras had not accounted for anyone hiding within the farms, and in quick thinking decided to make an improvised Molotov Cocktail before throwing it into the field. The resulting explosion burst the entire farm into flames, with high winds quickly spreading the fire, burning alive anyone inside. This forced anyone out of the wheat fields and into easily attackable positions where they were promptly killed. This fire got out of hand quickly and began spreading to the buildings of Orbiztan which were largely made of wood, resulting in the city beginning to burn down. A group of soldiers banded together and decided to stuff explosives inside the main grain warehouse before blowing it up, which caused an explosion that destroyed around 4 houses and sprayed burning wheat all over the city.
Several crossbow men began using fireworks instead of arrows in order to cause more damage and force more Koro out of hiding. It is around this point that it is believed the Korosto was killed. According to Kroosechev, he watched as his father jumped off a building to escape a fire, breaking his leg in the process, and then being spotted by an unknown Confederate soldier. It is unknown if the man knew that he was looking at the Korosto, but either way the soldier loaded 3 fireworks into his crossbow before firing them at Okenstev; instantly blowing him up in front of his sons face who was standing only a few meters away. The massacre continued for another hour until the city was declared sterile. Kroosechev had hid himself under a collapsed building, thus when a cavalry men did one final check of the city for survivors he managed to survive; being the only one to manage such. The city was later extinguished by rainfall, and the Army marched back to Garxeto to tend to the soldiers that had been wounded in the engagement.
==Aftermath==
===Immediate Response===
Upon arriving in Garxeto, many were shocked and stunned by what the Military had done. Robras intentionally downplayed the situation, alleging that the Koro had been the aggressors, and that there was no fire. Many had desired for Korosechev to simply be dismantled and integrated into the CoG, and few had expected such extreme actions. Upon hearing the news, President Buoyo immediately attempted to cover up the genocide, quickly shutting down any sympathetic news outlets and arresting any that attempted to speak out about it. Many CoG nationals were mute about the situation, however, believing the actions were morally wrong but still necessary to stop the situation. With no real opposition, the whole thing was largely swept under the rug as the whole nation quietly denied the whole thing.
===The New Korosto===
Being the only surviving Koro, Kroosechev instantly became the new Korosto. He was supposedly unready, and was experiencing extreme amounts of trauma from both having his entire people exterminated, but also from having to watch his father be blown up right in front of him. It took an extremely long time before he could even talk to anyone, and he spent about a month in shock quietly burying the dead. The city was never cleaned up as the CoG government never found the time before the Confederation collapsed, and Kroosechev never cleaned the city in fear that it would get noticed and he would be killed. The time spent in silence was used to collectivize all Koro history, culture, knowledge, and religion into a book; which was then stolen by an unknown thief.
=== Permanent Scars===
Following the collapse of the Confederation of Garxijos, Korosechev reemerged as a sovereign state and found itself with a platform to stand on. Ever since independence, Korosechev has attempted to get the CoG's successor states to recognize the genocide with little to no success. The whole situation has made relations between the two frosty as best, and absolutely deplorable at worst. Currently, there is only a small handful of people living within the CoG region the cognize the genocide, but none have condemned the CoG.
==Legacy==
The Koro genocide is quite possibly not only one of the worst atrocities committed by Confederation of Garxijos, but one of the worst atrocities committed in the entire North East. The event is largely unknown of outside of the CoG Region thanks to the cover up done by the CoG government and the nations compliancy in the genocide. Korosechev still to this day attempts to convince others to recognize the genocide, but currently no nations recognize the genocide, and only one nation denies the Genocide; that being Aspélla.
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