It doesn't even take a few hours between the finding of the first field symbol for news of it to spread throughout the city, and before long, it's the only topic of note on every doorstep and public space in the city. Tempers are short, and with the announcement of there being some sort of new shapeshifting ability going around, the kedan are afraid of having their only defense taken away.
Suddenly everyone is suspect. Those who've developed any new habits, those who've recently moved, or changed a job, or even started styling their facial features differently. Neighbours who have lived near each other for years are suddenly mistrustful, and accusations start to fly, no matter how baseless. Most of these are quickly tempered, whether by the stern presence of the Snakes or by the perpetrators themselves realizing that this isn't a time to be divided, because that is what the Chihuelans would want.
But not every clash is ruled by a level head, and there are a few street brawls over the next couple of days, where what starts as fisticuffs between a few hotheads dominoes into dozens, all certain that they're in the clear, and everyone else is a potential threat. Thankfully, none of these clashes result in fatalities, although clinics all over the city -- both the legal, like the Hospital and Healer's Guild, and illegal, like the black market doctors -- will see a sharp uptick in broken bones, non-life threatening wounds, and general concussions all around.
Foreigners are not exempt from these suspicions, especially the new arrivals, although producing a soul gem seems to (for the most part) placate them. Foreigners who are familiar around the city can also vouch for the new arrivals, giving them added protection.
City Tensions
Suddenly everyone is suspect. Those who've developed any new habits, those who've recently moved, or changed a job, or even started styling their facial features differently. Neighbours who have lived near each other for years are suddenly mistrustful, and accusations start to fly, no matter how baseless. Most of these are quickly tempered, whether by the stern presence of the Snakes or by the perpetrators themselves realizing that this isn't a time to be divided, because that is what the Chihuelans would want.
But not every clash is ruled by a level head, and there are a few street brawls over the next couple of days, where what starts as fisticuffs between a few hotheads dominoes into dozens, all certain that they're in the clear, and everyone else is a potential threat. Thankfully, none of these clashes result in fatalities, although clinics all over the city -- both the legal, like the Hospital and Healer's Guild, and illegal, like the black market doctors -- will see a sharp uptick in broken bones, non-life threatening wounds, and general concussions all around.
Foreigners are not exempt from these suspicions, especially the new arrivals, although producing a soul gem seems to (for the most part) placate them. Foreigners who are familiar around the city can also vouch for the new arrivals, giving them added protection.