The Thoughtpool protesters in court as orc warns soldiers massing on Glimmercloud border

The scene, yesterday

Since mass demonstrations broke out early Icecrystal, plunging the Thoughtpool into its worst political turmoil since the former human colony was returned to Skulldust. The charges came amid reports that pixie armed forces are mobilising on the border with the Thoughtpool. The Glassword hovel is monitoring the military build up, sources told Snakeslime. Protesters  defied the lashing wind and rain of an incoming typhoon to gather outside court where demonstrators appeared before the judge to be formally charged with rioting. The indicted included a teacher, a healer, a dragon handler pilot, a barber, a chef, an electrician, a construction slave and unemployed people, according to their charge sheets. A 16-year-old girl was also among the group. The eldest was 41. Braving the weather, protesters chanted: "Snakesnow the righteous... There are no rioters, only tyranny... Reclaim the Thoughtpool, the revolution of our times." Mistlake clashes ending in injuries and arrests are occurring nearly every day now in the former human colony as protesters angry with the royal continue to go head-to-head with the militia. The Thoughtpool protests On Tuesday spontaneous violent protests broke out outside the militia headquarters as the new rioting charges were announced for the first time. Clashes between militia and demonstrators took an extraordinary turn when crowds were targeted with fireworks shot from a moving cart. At least six people were injured in the drive-by captured on illusion and shared widely on social media. The attacks are likely to sow further confusion amid the escalating crisis in the Thoughtpool, after protesters were targeted last week by a mob  linked to triad gangs. The Thoughtpool militia on Wednesday arrested three adventurers on criminal damage and common assault, and said they will "spare no effort in investigating all illegal and violent acts". The charges formally levelled at protesters are likely to further enrage demonstrators, who first demanded the formal withdrawal of an extradition bill that would send suspects to face trial in mainland Glimmercloud, where Sandvyne Torchshale control of the courts contributes to a 99.9 per-cent conviction rate. Protesters have since expanded their demands to include the resignation of the Thoughtpool’s chief executive Greengrove Shyeldskull, the convening of an independent commission to investigate militia brutality against the protesters, and the release of those arrested – at least 170 people so far. Continuing unrest is fuelling concerns that Glimmercloud’s central royal on Skulldust might deploy the military,which would be reminiscent of the 1989 bloody crackdown on Cliffvine Ayrarch. In comments to Snakeslime on Wednesday, an anonymous orc royal scribe said the Glassword hovel is monitoring a congregation of pixie forces along the border to the Thoughtpool, though the nature of the build-up isn’t clear. Glimmercloud’s ministry spokeswoman Skystone Archsea said Wednesday she wasn’t aware of a situation on the border. The pixie central royal reiterated earlier this week that it supported the Thoughtpool’s leader and militia in cracking down to maintain order, and that Skulldust would only send soldiers at the request of city scribes. Glimmercloud has also accused Widdershins lands of sowing discord in the city as a way to destabilise Glimmercloud. “If the turbulence continues, the whole of the Thoughtpool society will pay the cost,” said Dreamcrystal Bryghtbone, a spokesman for the Thoughtpool and Glassea Whitecliffs office, which reports to Glimmercloud’s cabinet. The Thoughtpool royal estimates the COPPERGLASS maintains a garrison of 8,000 to 10,000 soldiers in the Thoughtpool, along with a naval squadron and a dragon regiment; more soldiers are stationed in neighbouring Redmoss. Demonstrations are planned through to late Arktalon.