67th - Scouts claim that the Southern Forces of the Second Fist of Chal have left their winter lair on the lands of Alm Elejazar and seem to be heading southward. It is believed that this force has broken down into smaller units and many could not be traced. This force is believed to number 7000 fighting men.

69th - News that the Heretic is gravely ill has reached the all of you. It is believed that the Heretic has been poisoned. The assassin(s) has not be caught.

70th - Cire goes back to the lands of the Shawnal and camps below the lands T’j controls.

74th - Scouting force of Shawnal chased and caught three scouts of the 2nd Fist. Two died and one is seriously injured. These three men accounted for 7 Shawnal warriors.

76th - 2000 Shawnal warriors leave T’j lands and go the Whitepeaks Ancestor Stones. They plan to move via Asalam lands. There are a number of Shawnal warriors gathering below the barrier cliffs. However the number of Shawnal coming up has slowed to a trickle.

78th - In the middle of the night the Orzan’s honor guard caught and killed an assassin inside the tent of the Orzan. The assassin died in the struggle. He has tatoo of the Assassins guild).

81st - Cire returns to inform Saer that the Shawnal below will await to assess the Orzan actions and abilities. No more Shawnal join the forces already gathered in the name of the Orzan. The total number of Shawnal number just under 17000. This includes some children and women. The total fighting force equals about 13000.

85th - Saer sends and additional 5000 Shawnal to the Whitepeaks tribe. There are no obstacles to this move. However, Sepiam forces have reinforced the two fortresses he controls in that area. There have been a few clashes, with limited causalities. The Pamorii Rozaro accompanies the Shawnal to the Ashani

88th - Scouts report that the forces of the 2nd Fist are converging on the northeast corner of Sepiam’s lands.

88th - The envoy of Asalam arrives

90th - A delegation from Alm Shal’aj arrives

91st - Ordon arrives with several letters for Saer

Your days are split between Ji’al, your new lands, being the Orzan, and settling many minor disputes. You desperately search for competent assistants who won't come to you with every minor detail.

Many of Eral's old staff are hesitant to help you as readily as they worked for Eral. On the other hand there are those who seem to be over eager to please you. As strange as it seems during that last 30 days you have gained two personal servants, and older Shawnal woman (Zani) and a young Pir'em man (Ari'al). Initially, you were not able to communicate with Zani, but she has learned a some of the Pir'em language. She ensures that you have enough to eat, that you sleep at least 6 hours a night and takes care of your personal needs. Ari'al surprised you by being able to speak the Shawnal language, and has acted as your translator and man servant. He is quietly efficient and is able to run interference when people bring you the pettiest issues.

The Shawnal who are assigned as your body guards, do their job well. They sense when to be intimidating and when not to be intrusive. They also have a knack for knowing when you need to be left alone and will ensure that you will be left alone.

Eral participates in a ceremony in which swears fealty to you as do a number of his men. However, many of Eral's war leader's and advisor's are stand offish and officially retire. Despite this they seem to maintain enough influence to make life difficult for you. One of the Junior military leaders, Mil'aj'or, has stepped up to help you when assessing the military strength of the these lands and that of the neighboring Alms. He seems eager to lead and to assume a command. I'jalis believes that Mil'aj'or sees opportunity working for you, but cautions you to slowly increase his responsibilities. Both you and I'jalis believe that his military assessments are accurate, prudent and dynamic. He seems to have good military sense, even for someone so young. You believe that he is in his early 20s.

I'jalis believes Ma'lor Jozaris is a competent military man. However, you both believe that his primary loyalty is to Old Alm Eral. He seems to serve you because he has been ordered to. He preforms all of your orders and requests to the letter, but does not venture any of his own opinions.

I'jalis is able to give you good information on the people who served Alm Eral. Although he rarely has something positive to say about the old guard. He is able to identify 20 people scattered throughout the southern Empire that he believes will be helpful. (I will identify them later).

I'jalis suggests that you begin your household be replacing the old guard with their understudies, who are looking for opportunities to advance and develop their careers and thus may have more loyalty to you than to the old Alms.

The half of Er'jal (sergeants) swear loyalty to you, the others either turn over their swords or feel into the wilderness. Approximately 1/3 of the troops desert you and follow the wayward Er'jals. Those that stay have strong ideals about defending their lands and family. In told you then are in command of 200 calvary and 400 infantry.

I'jalis begins building a spy network. He will first focus on recruiting internal security and reestablishing contact with his friends and associates in the neighboring lands. He needs to know what kind of budget that he is working with.

He and his father are two very different men. His father was willing to see beyond his own interests for the greater good of all the Southern Alms. He understood that they had to remain united to stand up to the North and the Church. Furthermore he was a methodical and loyal man.

The current Alm was not the first born and was not expected to rule and so was often left without responsibility or means. As such he has become an opportunist who looks out or his own interests. He is tireless and demanding. He has managed to restore much of the infrastructure that was destroyed by the Blue Demon. He has built up a sizeable force which he was supposed to have sent northwards to support the other Alms, but never did. One of my associates believes that Alm Sepiam has been in negotiation with the church. He also believes that a representative of the local Fist has also met with him.

This man is firm believer n the traditional or conservative Church. He also has strong instincts and clings to his beliefs and convictions. Despite this he is innovative, he has signed a proclamation with slaves who volunteer in the army that after five years of service he will set them free.

Regarding the Alm Asalam

A shipment of birds went to Asalam and on the 88th an envoy arrived from Asalam along with a number of birds. The envoy voiced a number of concerns:

1. The sheer number of Shawnal are an destabilizing force, especially since they do not seem to have any focus or direction. What are your concrete plans for them the number of Shawnal that are in his territory is disturbing and begin could be seen as a threatening posture. (Shawnal at the Whitepeaks stones)

2. The war in the North is not going well, more Alms are sending troops against the South. Your strength is needed and The Eral forces up north are without leadership and direction. The Tribesmen could help turn the tide of the battle.

3. When it comes to declare who you will support, who will you support.

4. Can trade lines be reestablished. The roads also require rebuilding to facilitate trade. Can this be done soon?

Letter from the Fist to T'j

I, Ta'zul Or'malis greet you in the name of Chal, the creator and arbiter of all that is just and holy. It has come to the attention of this servant of Chal that you have been proclaimed Orzan by the Southern Tribes. They have followed you to the lands of the Pir'em Empire. I would like to believe that you have brought them as here to be adherents to the word of Chal and as loyal citizens of the Pir'em Empire. Anyone who accepts the yoke of Chal is welcome in this Holy Land.

Those who do not, are considered to be a taint on the upon this land. Chal has given us this land and demands that it be kept pure and free of the influence of the Praj. Our task is to ensure that the world is cleansed. One must chose which side of the river one stands on.

I have studied these Shawnal and they will not accept Chal. You are welcome to prove otherwise. Please note those who lead the heretics will be judged harshly and will be sent to the Dark Praj that they serve.

Either accept Chal or return the Shawnal to their homelands.

yours, Ta'zul Or'malis

Delegation from Shal'aj

The Alm Shal'aj is concerned with the numbers of Shawnal that are moving into his borders. There have been some skirmishes as the Shawnal raid the limited food supplies. If this continues he will have to keep his forces at home rather than reinforce his troops to the north. This has to stop or the Alm will be forced to withdraw his nominal support. The course of action that would be most beneficial would be to send a strong force of Shawnal to the border to fight on behalf of the Heretic.

Note from Shakar

Information for Shakar

The city of Cas’lm is in a strange situation. It feels like Casablanca during World War 2. The city itself is not involved in the conflict and attempts to remain neutral. The lands around the city are filled with turmoil and unrest, or at the very least tension and uncertainty. However, the city is conducting business a usual. Now business includes spies, secret plans and deadly intrigue. The number of bodies discovered in the streets as increased. Thieves and bandits have become bolder and the authority has become harsher.

You and Mahamat believe that it will be the perfect place to start your operations. Here you can gather intelligence, stage your activities and hide. Mahamat has gathered a group of 17 individuals who are looking for opportunities to get make money and stick it to the authorities. However, you believe that this group, are the type of people who need a leader and a purpose. Mahamat also knows that none of them are part of the thieves guild of Cas’lm, nor do they have any other loyalties. Mahamat has also made contacts with various people in the city, i.e.: innkeepers, dock workers, a guard or two, a bureaucrat and others. You and Mahamat have also been busy gaining contact up and down the J’ralja’vami, up to the city of Acal’lm.

The Tiger Mafia has begun to take shape. The Tiger Mafia has been involved in several operations.

1 You have managed to steal a shipment of 30 horses which were destined for Alm Pela’jah and promptly sold them to Alm Asalam.

2 Stole a shipment of iron ore destined for Alm Ra’fimem and sold it to Alm Azariah.

3 Found a messenger/courier that regularity meet with Saip’s representative in the city. This man always met with Saip’s envoy in the cover of darkness. Your men followed him and waylaid him. The man was killed in the struggle. The messages he was carrying were written in a language that no one had seen before. You are still deciphering the messages. The man also had a tattoo on him. You have seen this tattoo before (I will email this to you)

4 Kidnapped and ransomed a cousin of Alm Pela’jah for a considerable sum of money.

5 You have been hired to relay messages by the representatives of Azariah.

You have made the following guesses regarding Azariah’s intentions. You believe that he is waiting for an opening to gain more power in this region. The fact that he has not committed himself to the defense of the Southern Alms is due to Saip’s inactivity. As soon as Saip reveilles his hand Azariah will strike southward into the territories of Pela’jah, Ra’fimem Ijriri and then E’halef. Azariah believes that Alm Ma’caha is no threat and in fact will welcome the liberation of the area from Saip’s control. You suspect that Ma’caha may also be a secret ally of Azariah. Azariah has begun the classic move of misdirection. He has sent letters to his closest supporters, which have been Aintercepted@ by his enemies indicating his intention of militarily supporting the Southern Alms struggle against the church. He has also begun moving troops to the edges of his and his allies lands nearest the fight in the South. You are also aware that Azariah has more agents in the field and you have worked with several during this turn.

Conversation with Lataj

You have had several conversations with Lataj concerning Saip and the Empire of the Tiger.

Alm Saip has been in power for 92 years. He appears to be in his mid 40s. He is not married and does not have an heir. When he took control over his lands, they were considered to be weak and a non-factor. Over the course of the years he has cultivated his power and cemented his place in the Empire. His age makes him an interest to the Sja’ji’am. There is very little known about him. There is no known magical reading of the man. Some have tried, they were either unsuccessful or they are not willing to disclose what they have found. Lataj believes it is the latter. There is some speculation that his mother had the blood of the legendary Ilf’ara. Of this race very little is known, except that they are long lived. Lataj believes that this may be a rumor started by a Shadow mage to deflect attention away from Saip. Lataj has some suspicions that the Sja’ji’am living around Saip’s lands are more loyal to him than the assembly. Not that this can be proven of course.

As for Saip’s plans they are often hard to fathom. Because he has lived such a long time many of his plans are designed to come to fruition many years in the future. Many times strange moves have paid off decades later. If he is planning something it is usually less than obvious and planned with patience. Although what he sees as a careful plan is not what others see.

The Empire of the Tiger lasted approximately -156yp to 154yp. It started out as a small city-state controlled by the cult of the Tiger. Through conquest, negotiation, and treachery as the city-state grew in [power and territory. The fanatical followers of the tiger controlled the population. They had an extensive secret police. The priests and fanatics also fought in battle. There are rumors that they were able to change shape into the grassland tigers. They invoked much terror in their enemies. As a small city-state it is surprising that they were able to build such an empire. They often faced forces much larger that them selves. Their standard tactic was to divide and conquer. In fact the Shawnal once held the territory of the Southern Alms, but were driven off by the Empire of the Tiger. The Shawnal were once a confederacy of 18 tribes that ranged from the Casm’ajm to the Vimiravami. The Tigers were able to divide the confederacy and used half of the Shawnal to drive the other half below the barrier cliff.

The Empire of the Tiger was characterized by intrigue, infighting and harsh politics. The cult of the Tiger emphasized individuality and power. So leaders were frequently toppled and minor rebellions were frequent. The Empire of the Tier was defeated by the forces of Chal when it was facing serious internal strive and couldn’t marshal its power to deal with the invasion.

The Empire of the Tiger was responsible for much of the growth of the towns and cities in southern half of the Pir’em Empire. Despite the internal struggle, the people of this empire were dynamic and vibrant putting as much energy into building they did on war.

You know that the Fist of Chal has been in negotiation with Alms Sepiam and E’pval. The Fist will be moving its forces to deal with Shawnal and Southern Alms. They plan to end the Heretics war by attacking the rear of the side of the southern Alms. You believe that in exchange the two Alms will be spared the purification to come.

The Alms Ahi’am, Jeruhi’el, Shalar and Shimeja and Arhafaj commit troops to help the Southern Lords.

il Jarazine Saer

My heart is full of joy to know that you have found your path and tale. I have always considered you to have a healthy mix of logic and enthusiasm. I know that you believe the time is right for the Shawnal to reclaim their homelands and Ashani. I feel that I have been caught by the power of your message. The time is right. The followers of Chal are in turmoil and beset with conflict. Their defenses are down and we have a foothold in their lands. We are no longer repelled by that great wall. Thus I too, believe that this man T’j is the key. All that is needed is to convince the Shawnal to step beyond the womb of the Broken Lands and be born into a new existence above the Wall.

However, far to many of our people mistrust each other. Despite our best efforts, too much blood has been spilt over water rights and honor slights. This division is our greatest military weakness. Our greatest motivational weakness is fear. As a people we have meet defeat so often in our quest to retake the lands above that we expect each attempt to end in failure.

The last attempt that was championed by Jarazine Cire was particularity painful. Through skillful manipulation Cire had created the mirage that the Orzan had come. The counsel of Borathr was eager to accept these claims and for the first time in 10 generations had endorsed the Orzan. This was met by bitter failure. Not only was this a personal shame for Cire, but this chapter in our history weakened the influence of the Jarazine with the tribes. The Jarazine are still paying for this mistake and the Shawnal suffer as a result. There has been an increase in number feuds and the laws of our people constantly questioned. As a result, Cire was given the responsibility to ensure that there is no false Orzan again in his lifetime, or face banishment from the Ashani.

Regrettably, past events have influenced the counsel and thus is reluctant to endorse this Orzan. However, I have been able to persuade them not to condemn this Orzan. The counsel has agreed to give him the summer to provide tangible results. This will also give him time to fulfill the entirety of the prophecy.

Although the White Lion tribe has embraced T’j as Orzan, the other tribes are far more reluctant. The White Lion tribe has always been known to seize opportunities and are the best informed about the affairs of the Pir’em Empire.

I have sent a young runner to carry messages between us. If I can provide you with information or counsel in any way send word. I am willing to stake my place with the Jarazine and advocate for you and the man you call Orzan.

ti, Jolarmar Nilvaid

il Saer, the keeper of hope

As always a message from you brings back the fondest memories. Whenever I was without hope you were there to inspire me. I fear that I do not have your power to inspire. The hearts of Eels has long since turned to rock. Their fear clings to them like the dust of a drought. The elders will not move, they await for a greater sign. What that may be not even the Ashani know.

However, several hundred of the newly blooded have seen this as an opportunity to assert their manhood and will march to the their ancestor stones. A young Pamorii, Yaliya accompanies them. I believe that you stir her as much as the prospect of meeting the Orzan.

Inspire them and use them to revive the stone hearts of the old.

ti, Kodalr

il Saer, brother in voice and soul

The two spears tribe is not committing themselves to your cause. But they haven’t rejected that T’j might be the Orzan. They have agreed to send a small force of 200 and myself to act as eyes and ears for the tribe. This tribe wants to return to the land above as they hold harshest territory in this wasteland. They aren’t prepared to move the tribe and risk restarting the blood feud with the Thunder tribe. The Thunder tribe completely rejects that T’j Pract’la is the Orzan. If the Two Spears were to move they must move through the Thunder’s territory. So the force that I am traveling with must go the long way to reach you. It will take at least one moon cycle from the time you receive this message until I reach you. Until then stay alive

ti, Amuari Naer

il Saer, keeper of my inspiration

Saer, I write in haste. I am coming to you with a force of 3000 spears. This is a splinter group, which was convinced by your assessment of the Orzan. We are moving before the majority of the tribe has time to stop us. The groups leader is Irani Nea, a respected elder of the Grey Coyotes. He has a dedicated following who trust his instincts, even if they are often unorthodox. His followers are loyal and will find a way to help the Orzan. I do not know when we will arrive, as we have to avoid the rest of the tribe who does not want to repeat the mistakes they made serving the interests of Jarazine Cire. We will be there when you need us the most.

ti, Arcor

The last 26 days you have spent much of your time directing the affairs of the Shawnal. They are beginning to learn which of the Pir’emise are to be left alone and which they can hunt. Finding food and grazing land is still difficult although the summer months will help alleviate this somewhat.

The Shawnal scouts have explored the land and are in the process of learning the terrain. This of course includes discovering the good ambush sites. They have also scouted the local Ashani stone sites. The lands which have been most hostile to the Shawnal are Sepiam, E’pval and Semiral. On Hamaij’s lands the Shawnal were shadowed and watched and not interfered with as long as they did not take anything or interacted negatively with the Pir’emise living there. Alm Asalam was accepting of the Shawnal, but the openness has decreased as the number of Shawnal moving through these lands increases. The Alms Shal’aj, Hah’faij and Eja allow the Shawnal free movement on their lands.

You have found her to have a keen mind. She also has a strong grasp of the politics of the region and the Empire as a whole. She also seems to understand the importance of the tribes to T’j’s goals. She also seems to understand that the tribes are also a danger to T’j and could be a force that breaks him. She will not force him to use the tribes, but she knows that he either has to make use of them or send them home, before they become uncontrollable.

Ji’al believes that Azariah is sincere in his desire to work with T’j. Partly because T’j reminds him of himself, and partly because Azariah can use T’j should he become an Alm. Ji’al believes that Azariah wants to be part of the Ji’alms of the Pajmal council, because he wants to change some of the inheritance laws and so secure the future of his line. He also wants to reduce Saip’s influence on his side of the mountains. If he can do with and settle some of scores along the way he will be very happy. The Alms who are on his black list include Shalar, Ra’fimem and Pela’jah. Ji’al cautions that Azariah is a patient man who has contingencies within contingencies.

Has managed to halt the flow of Shawnal to T’j. In conversation with him and other Shawnal you learn the following about Cire. He has persuaded the Shawnal below that so far T’j has done nothing. Furthermore T’j does not fulfill all the signs of the Orzan. Until T’j he does he is suspect. Cire also asks "how can T’j be the Orzan when he has fought against the Shawnal before?" In fact he was on of the military leaders who defeated the last false Orzan. Cire has told them that he knows how easy it is to be blinded to the shortcomings of the person one believes to be the Orzan, because he has been there himself. He sees the same blind ambition is Saer that he once had in himself.

The numbers of the tribes below the wall.

This tribe was one of the tribes of the betrayers. During the betrayal they had a change of heart and came to the rescue of the betrayed tribes. To make amends for their betrayal they were the rear guard tribe and covered the retreat of the other eight tribes. As a result they were wiped out as a tribe. Some of the survivors were adopted into the other tribes. There is a belief among the Jarazine that a handful of the Painted Face tribe Pamori and elders became the beginnings of the Jarazine.

The site in the mountains is not threatened by any of the Alms. In fact there is enough area to hold up to 8000 Shawnal in the mountain valleys. However, there is not enough land to produce enough food for the winter for that many people. The land to the north is denied to them by, the forces of, Sepiam. There are forts in all the routes leading to the foothills and the plains below. To the south the Shawnal are noticing that there is increasing hostility towards them as range further for food supplies. As a result they have curtailed their foraging, but they will need to make arrangements for food soon. The Pir’em people do not seem to want to negotiate with them so they want some help in this regard.