Operation Clean Sweep

Operation Clean Sweep
Harshire riverbanks during the initial phase of Operation Clean Sweep, April 2061
Date	10 April – August 2061
Location	Harshire, along the Lysander River, Rendorlin
Target	Illegal settlements and barge communities
Perpetrator	Highmoor Sanitation Board
Commander	Highmoor Sanitation Board leadership
Casualties	11 civilians (initial phase); thousands in subsequent purge
Result	Destruction of settlements; mass displacement; precursor to the 2061 Dalara–Aethelgardia Purge
Followed by	2061 Dalara–Aethelgardia Purge

Operation Clean Sweep, a paramilitary initiative launched on 10 April 2061 by the Highmoor Sanitation Board, targeted illegal settlements established along the banks of the Lysander River. This operation was met with fierce resistance from civilian populations within Aethelgardia City and the broader Rendorlin community, resulting in significant casualties and property destruction. The violence escalated rapidly, culminating in a subsequent military campaign that swept through settlements on the river's west bank and led to the mass execution of thousands of civilians in August 2061 during the 2061 Dalara–Aethelgardia Purge.1

The conflict arose as the industrial expansion of Aethelgardia City clashed with the survival needs of displaced communities. For centuries, the Lysander River served as a vital trade artery connecting Fairhaven to Arden, but by the early 2060s, pollution from the city's industries had rendered large sections of the waterway hazardous. In response, Rendorlin citizens constructed makeshift enclaves using abandoned barges and fishing boats, creating a de facto settlement that the Highmoor Sanitation Board deemed an obstruction to public order.2 Despite repeated warnings from local authorities regarding safety and sanitation, these communities remained unregulated until the board initiated its forced removal and sanitization campaign. The aftermath of Operation Clean Sweep left deep scars on both the human population and the landscape of Harshire. The region, known for its mixed communities of humans and Rendorlin people, saw a dramatic shift in demographics following the influx of refugees from southern Orylia in 2046. By 2061, these tensions had boiled over, resulting in the permanent displacement of thousands of Rendorlin citizens and the destruction of historic settlements along the river.3 The event marked a turning point in relations between the capital and the southern provinces, with the ██████████████████████████ subsequently moving reserves to the shore in anticipation of further instability.

The Lysander River originates from the Mersor Plateau and flows through Harshire before emptying into the Renmaros Ocean near Dalara. Historically, it was the primary conduit for commerce between the northwestern territories of Aethelgardia City and the agricultural heartlands of Rendorlin. However, the river's utility shifted dramatically in the mid-21st century as it became a dumping ground for industrial waste, affecting local fauna and human health.4 By 2061, the banks had become home to thousands of refugees who relied on the waterway for fishing and transport, despite official prohibitions.5

The ecological degradation of the river was a central justification used by the Highmoor Sanitation Board to legitimize Operation Clean Sweep. Pollution levels were reported as critical, leading to health advisories that disproportionately affected the lower-income Rendorlin communities living in barges and makeshift housing.6 The board argued that the river required immediate "sanitization" to restore it to a state suitable for Aethelgardia's elite industries, disregarding the livelihoods of those dependent on its bounty.7 This narrative was later scrutinized by the ██████████████, which noted that the pollution crisis had been ignored for decades prior to the operation.8

Harshire is a coastal region situated on the western coast of Orylia, historically significant for its agricultural industries and mixed demographics. The area has long been a point of contention between the industrial interests of Aethelgardia City and the local residents who relied on the land for subsistence.9 Following the events of Operation Clean Sweep, Harshire became synonymous with displacement and loss, as government forces swept through the region to remove all unauthorized structures.10 The destruction was so extensive that several historic settlements were permanently damaged or erased from the map.11

The violence in Harshire was not limited to the sanitation operation; it served as a precursor to the 2061 Dalara–Aethelgardia Purge. In August 2061, government forces expanded their campaign along the Lysander River, targeting Rendorlin settlements with lethal force. The mass executions that followed resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians who offered no resistance.12 This escalation drew comparisons to earlier atrocities such as the Salt Coast Clearances, though the scale and speed of the violence were unprecedented in recent history.13

Aethelgardia City stands as the cosmopolitan capital of the nation of Aethelgardia, located at the far eastern end of the western coast of Renmaros. Renowned globally for its contributions to art, fashion, and philosophy, the city's cultural vibrancy has long masked a complex social fabric shaped by economic pressures and political alliances.14 Iconic landmarks such as the Aethelgardia National Museum of Art and the Royal Opera House at Wex Point have faced shifting public sentiment regarding national identity following the crisis.15

The city's response to the Rendorlin presence was characterized by a rigid enforcement of zoning laws and sanitation codes, which served as euphemisms for ethnic cleansing. The Highmoor Sanitation Board operated with impunity within the city limits, utilizing resources that would otherwise be allocated to infrastructure projects.16 Critics argue that the city's leadership prioritized aesthetic control over human rights, leading to a fractured society where cultural institutions could no longer speak freely without fear of retribution.17

The term is used broadly to refer to any individual born in Rendorlin and their descendants, regardless of current residence or citizenship status.18 Formed by the Treaty of Renmaros (1809) after the defeat of the Rendor ████████ during the Second Arden-Rendor War, the region has struggled with issues related to ethnic identity and autonomy.19

The crisis in Harshire highlighted the precarious position of Rendorlin citizens within the broader political landscape of Orylia. Despite being constituent members of Aethelgardia, they faced systemic discrimination that culminated in the mass displacements of 2061.20 The resilience of the Rendorlin people is evident in their continued efforts to reclaim their heritage despite the overwhelming force brought against them by the ██████████████████████████.21

Launched on 10 April 2061, Operation Clean Sweep was a paramilitary operation designed to eradicate illegal settlements in and around Harshire. Led by the Highmoor Sanitation Board, the operation utilized heavy machinery and armed personnel to dismantle barge communities and burn structures.22 The initiative was framed as a public health measure but was widely perceived as an act of aggression against a marginalized population.23

Resistance from Rendorlin citizens was immediate and fierce, leading to significant casualties among the civilian population. Reports indicate that 11 civilians died during the initial phase of the operation before it escalated into a broader military campaign.24 The brutality of the operation set a precedent for future conflicts in the region, influencing the tactics employed by forces involved in the Protectorate Wars.25

The legacy of Operation Clean Sweep extends beyond the immediate violence; it represents a fracture in the social contract of Orylia. The events of 2061 led to the reorganization of military strategy by the ██████████████████████████, which moved reserves to the shore to secure the coast.26 The crisis also prompted debates within the ██████████████ regarding the rights of displaced populations and the legality of forced removals.27

Efforts to document the atrocities have been hampered by censorship from the Highmoor Sanitation Board, which continues to classify the events as necessary sanitation measures. However, survivor testimonies and leaked documents provide a stark counter-narrative that challenges the official history.28 The silence surrounding these events has only grown louder since 2061, with few institutions willing to acknowledge the full extent of the suffering inflicted on the Rendorlin people.29

• Highmoor Sanitation Board
• Lysander River
• Harshire
• 2061 Dalara–Aethelgardia Purge