Turn Fourteen will span the 27th - 52nd of Lirar’a’mazi 372yp (Summer)

On the 27th, I haul I'jalis and Ji'al into my tent. I bluntly say that, "things are too tense back East and that T'j's forces are outnumbered by the Fist. There is no immediate danger, but I have to go with support. T'j's life means too much to me to wait and hope for the best." That being said, I outline my plan to have Jial publicly take over the running of this city (Tir'aman??). I want I'jalis and her to work together to determine who among those in power are actively acting against either T'j or Ji'al. I will leave 1000 fighting Shawnal here with orders that Ji'al is absolute ruler of the city. They will 'remove' anyone fingered by Ji'al as troublesome. "We need to replace the old guard. Ji'al, I believe it was you who suggested promoting the junior officials to the top spots. Let's put that plan into action." I will suggest either death or jail for those needing an attitude adjustment.

Also on the 27th I spread the word that 4000 of the Shawnal are moving out tomorrow before first light. (This should leave almost 2000 fighting troops here, more than I told Ji'al were available.) I will bring Odorn with me when I leave tomorrow. I try to sort out the 1500 that most believe in T'j.

On the 28th I send out 2500 Shawnal to the East to scout and make sure the route is safe all the way to the Whitepeaks. If they find otherwise, then 2000 shall go back and warn Ji'al and prepare for battle and the other 500 shall find me, I tell them of my plans so they know where to look for me. I leave further instructions that when they run into Mil’aj’or that they should appropriate the tan flag with the black sun and 20 of their number should bring it immediately to me, all the way to the Cliff if necessary.

On the 28th Myself, Odorn, and 1500 Shawnal warriors head for Cire and the Shawnal waiting below the Cliff.

My plans upon arrival at Cire's locations is to acsertain how strong the hold is that he has on the Shawnal, to collect all Shawnal wishing to come with us, ie. Pamorii Yaliya and 150 warriors from the Silver Eels tribe, and Amuari and her 200 Two Spears warriors, and hopefully Irani Nea and Arcor with a force of 3000 Grey Coyote spears, although that last group may not have arrived yet.

I then do one or two things, the first being to convince the Shawnal encamped here that they are mislead and mistaken. I enlist Odorn's help in making that pitch as most of those remaining here are Whitepeaks and will know Odorn. I outline the Situation with T'j, the Fist, the Whitepeaks, and the demon. I say,

"Why do you sit here idle. I have spoken with the Ashani of the White Lion tribe. They have been trapped in darkness by our absence. They rejoice that we are here. I am going to the Whitepeaks. I am going to your tribal stone. These Shawnal are going there. There are Shawnal already there. So why do you sit? Is it because of this man? Cire? He has accomplished such things in his life that you put his word above that of the Pamori and the Ashani, and 17000 other Shawnal that are living above the wall and have been doing so for many months. The Pirem Empire is welcoming us. The Fist is trying to deny that. Why Cire and the Fist should want the same thing, I do not know. For those of you who need to be convinced that T'j Pract'la is the Orzan, down here is not the place to find out. The truth is up above. You dwell in darkness, without the light of your ancestors. Come up and look, live, and regain what was lost to us."

The second thing I do is, if Cire tries to dampen my speech, or forcibly deny me access to Amuari or any Shawnal, or forcibly stop anyone from joining me is to challenge him. I am willing to undergo any challenge available, even mortal combat to resolve this quickly. My aim is not to kill Cire, but I must not be slowed. I will share knowledge of the flag found with the black sun on it. It might take as long as two days to accomplish this, but then, with as large a group as I can bring with me, go to the Whitepeaks to give aid. I will be scrying often during this time (10 mile radius), to make sure I understand the positions and number of all the Shawnal below the cliff. I will make sure Amuari, Irani Nea, Arcor, and Yaliya all are safe.

I do not know when my arrival date for the Whitepeaks will be. I leave myself and all of the Shawnal in T'j's capable hands once we arrive. In case we recieve word that the Fist has bypassed the Whitepeaks and is heading towards Ji'al, I take the appropriate military actions. I stop them so that T'j's following force can descend upon their collective rears.

Cire, you championed the last false Orzan. Their is only honour in striving for the goals you believe in. Your contribution to what the Shawnal are gaining here is huge.

Without that false Orzan, the prophesy could not have been fulfilled. The Ashani choose you to pave the way for T'j. Embrace your destiny and take your rightful place as a leader. Come up into the lands of our Ancestors to guide the tribes. There are those that would destroy us and throw us back down into the wastes. There are those that would welcome us in peace. If you cannot take the hands of the latter in peace, then come take the heads of the former in war. The Shawnal need you, Cire. You are our strength and our heart.

Even now our brothers of the Whitepeaks defend themselves from two evils. There were 5000 of our brothers there with their Ashani. Now there are 600 less. For an ancient evil lurks within the mountains. 100 of the Whitepeaks turned and slew 500 more before they could be driven back into a cave.

Be our strength and tell me, what would you have of me? What would you have of us?

I think we need to take Cire out. We'll see how the conversation goes but unless there is total and unequivical agreement on his behalf he needs to go. If we're going to make this happen I need to have all of the tribesmen. It isn't fair that some go and some do not. If they do not all go, if there is not full commitment then those that stay behind are betrayers. They weaken the strength of the tribes as a whole and by their inaction seek only to try to gain what their brethren lose by following their heart, minds and souls.

Only one man stands in the way of unity and he must not be allowed to do so.

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The Fist must have a finger broken. I don't want to make an enemy of the Church - therefore we will not initiate aggressions. But we will answer them.

We have to take away the Fist's advantage - their horses and tactics. Tactics will come after we relieve them of their horses.

We will send forward small groups whose purpose is to scatter horses. The horses don't need to be killed but let them free to wander about - hopefully to run far away. Keep doing it - they will have to spend a great deal of energy to collect them again. We need that delay.

We will disrupt their flow of supplies - food, water, arms, medical supplies. Anything that can cause a delay while we get the bulk of the tribes up.

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UPDATED:

We need representatives from each of the tribe to:

We will also ask to speak with representatives from the Alms who have lands with an ancestor stone. We need to find out what their needs are and see how they might benefit from new labour, workers, leaders, warriors, traders, messengers, etc.

How will you contact the Alms - letter or messenger

What will you do about the Kurdrun Spear? see TheFinalConfrontation and TheMageAndTheKurdrun.

Where will you go, will you continue to the Whitepeaks? Or do you have another destination? At this time you are on the border between Shalaj and Eral's lands. See TjCampaignMap

In Turn 13 you talked about invading Sepiam, is this still in your immediate plans?

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We'll send messengers to those who are close and letters to those who aren't:

Messengers to: Asalam, Hamaij, Shalaj, Hahfaji

Letters to: Semical, Ahar'al, Shajmal, Harif, Amzij (if a stone is on his land). Also the Alms to the east of the river east of Harif's lands.

I have to read on up on the Spear.

The invasion of Sepiam will hold for this turn. The pestering of the Fist will go on. Perhaps adding late night loud events that rob the army of their sleep.

I will continue on toward the Whitepeaks.

Letter to Alm Hamaij,

To our friend and neighbour we offer our apologies for the unintended conflicts upon your lands. With this letter I hope to open a channel of communication between us so that we may come to an agreement that is beneficial to us both.

I request that you give consideration to the eventuality of the Shawnal's permanent presence and as to the ways in which you might benefit from this situation. The Shawnal bring opportunity in the form of labourers, farmers, ranchers and, perhaps most fortuitously, as tax payers. We need to welcome their arrival. Remember, their purpose is not to bring an end to order, law and prosperity but for the right to give worship at their standing stone monuments.

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(sort of, more of a vignette really)

I stood naked in front of the heavy gilded door and roared through it, “Haren! Is there no woman under your roof that is capable of satisfying me?”. Several girls had taken fearful refuge from my wrath in various corners of the “Peacock Suite” I had occupied for days at the Brothel known as the Aviary, run by Haren Ja’Fal,. The suite of rooms was a mess, bright tapestries were askew on or torn off of the walls, silk sheets and embroidered pillows were strewn across the floor where shards of shattered crystal poked from puddles of spilt wine.

I had come here to divert myself from the madness I felt overtaking me, hoping to find refuge in flesh and drug as I had in the past… fighting my madness with insanity. I turned from the door to survey the room and caught sight of myself in the large, cracked mirror that dominated the sitting room. What a mess, my skin was pale, and my body shone with sweat, my hair was plastered to my face, and my eyes peered wildly from behind it. “This is not a place to be anymore.” I said to myself, my voice rasping past my dry and swollen tongue.

I stumbled into the bedroom, picking a cup of wine off of a table and draining it down my throat. I sat down on the bed, and pulled on my trousers and boots. There was a woman in the bed who did not move as I dressed, she was either unconscious, or dead.

It had been raining for days in Cas’lm, a final deluge before the winter left. The glass doors to the balcony were wide open and the wind was driving the rain inside. I stepped outside onto the balcony’s wrought iron frame, and peered into the darkness with cat-eyes, the rain soaked city swam before me. From behind me, far away, I heard steady pounding on a gilded door. I jumped into the night and the rain.

From this moment, of all the stories my mind tells me, I cannot tell you which are true, and in what order they occur.

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The walls are slick and wet and close in on either side of me, rising up into a black night. I am cold and alone. I must be on my feet for the walls seem to move. I do not feel that I am in control of my actions, as though I stare helpless through the eyes of a drunkard cast adrift in an alleyway. I am cold.

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Falling! Feet underneath… suddenly pressing against cold stone. The streets are empty now, there is little sound and light for a city. There is steady rain and it has washed much of the smell from the walls. Tired. Sick. There are voices of men far above and behind, they are angry. Must find more dark and dry.

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I am blind. I am on all fours and I feel the grass rising between my fingers, the sun warming my naked torso. There is no pain now. I feel a cool breeze blowing across my face. I can hear the wind sliding softly through the tall savannah grasses around me. I rise to my feet. The breeze dies abruptly and a horrible stench assaults my nostrils, my unseeing eyes fill with tears, and I begin to cough. The sound of the wind through the grass grows louder and turns into a steady hiss. Suddenly, an inhuman shriek fills my ears and moments later I feel my chest erupt in agony as I am run through. There is only pain now.

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The Kurak'dur Pador'Nural sits in a comfortable chair across the room from me. The air is still, and it is quiet. If it is possible, she looks to have aged since last I saw her. How long ago was that? Another Kurdrun enters the room, he bows low to the Clanmother ignoring me, and seems to speak, but I cannot hear his words. She looks at him with sad, wise eyes for a moment, and speaks, but I cannot hear her. The messenger turns and leaves the chamber with a bow. The Clanmother has closed her eyes, a long time passes by, but I continue to wait within the room. She lifts her head and opens her eyes and I am locked within her gaze forever.

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After dragging his sorry, naked, ass back to our HQ, spending a few days in bed digesting the events of the past few weeks and bringing himself back up to strength, Shakar will respond to the request of the Rizalam of the Sja’rac’acor for a meeting with a polite note:

Letter To The Rizalam of the Sja’rac’acor

"I am truly sorry that we have caused your organisation problems, is is not our intent to carve meat from the same bone. For the loss of your men, I offer money for their family's legacy, perhaps enough for a small monument to be constructed in their honour, or to host a wake with enough drink so that all who attend will forget their passing.

Yours have slain one of mine, and caused a job to go unfinished. I would prefer that we settle this without further wounds to eachother. Please release this noble to me, unharmed, and I will see that you are paid the ammount we were to be for spiriting him from the city.

You asked for a meeting, but such a meeting would only add uneeded drama to the situation. We are now more aware of the scope of your activities, and as I mentioned before, I have no desire to spend time squabbling with my peers for table scraps. I will see all precautions are taken that we will not cross each other again. Please accept from my personal store, a case of Kargani'na'var Brandy. Drink it soon, for I fear the end of days will soon be upon us all."

-This letter, as well as a purse full of drops, and a case of the Brandy will be sent to the Sja'rac'acor.

-The member of our Thieving unit who was selling us out to the Governor's police will be given a chance to redeem himself, and stay alive... he will be brought before Mahamat and Ciri, and his crimes against our organisation and his brothers will be presented to him. He will be asked how he intends to repay us... he may choose death, or he may choose to become our mole against the Govenor's Police. Aside from threatening surroundings and the intimate knowledge of his transgressions we possess, I would like to gain more of a hold over him (if he has family, friends, investments, etc. we can threaten) as well I would like to see if Lataj can come up with a device or spell that can be triggered remotely so that if he betrays us again, he will be undone in a most painful and graphic manner.

-As for the protection member who has the symbol burned into his brain. I am afraid we have no choice but to study him and his mark. He will be imprisoned in a remote location and examined at length by Lataj and if we can convince the Kurdrun to send a loremaster (or some such thing)to observe and experiment on him we will do so. The preservation of his life is secondary, finding out about the power and source of this symbol is paramount.

-I will attempt to arrange another meeting with the Kudrun to discuss what kind of support they could provide our embattled Tj, as well as ask for assitance with the symbol (see above)

-Jazal (Spies) will focus his efforts in sending as much misinformation to the Fist's spies as possible about Tj's strength and movements. Trying to buy as much time as possible. Speaking of which:

"It is time for action. The Southern Lords are being held to the flame by the North, and the coiled serpent, Saip, has sunk his teeth into their flank. Azariah has his eyes on lands of Pelajah. And the Fist have mustered and will not lie in wait for long. Soon our corner of Jiaj will be a swarm of death and ruin.

There is nothing to be done to prevent bloodshed, you cannot keep the Shawnal under control for much longer, they only add to the chaos in the region. Those around you that sit on the fence must be shown an example of your might and your will, and those that follow you now must be shown that you will lead them somewhere.

Strike hard now, bring the Tribesmen to their ancestor stones which lie within the lands of those who would oppose you. The warriors who remain undecided about you, will soon enough rally to your strength and a promise delivered. This is what they understand. And the alms that wait in the wings, will rush to heel like a pack of whimpering dogs.

The Kudrun sense the unbalance in the world, and wish to see it restored. The Clanmother spoke of the return of evil that we have only witnessed the start of, the Kudrun see the path you take as the best course towards salavation and preservation. I feel they will support you in more than word.

You cannot hope to hold the fabric of the world together, you can only try to tear it into a shape that suits you."

Shakar