>Arsheg - firstborn

I shall commence with the next post once a couple of votes come in, or after around 10-15 minutes, whichever happens earlier

You are the first-born son of your father, you also have a younger sister. She is staying with Chakur’s family for the time being. Balwaan is one of three step-brothers from your father’s second wife. You have never had friction with your step-family, but the death of your father and the humiliation of your mother’s abduction may give them the wrong ideas about your legitimacy as chieftain.

You have just reached adulthood, and are quite quite young for a tribal chieftain.

It is on Chakur’s advice that you left your sister back home as a gesture of trust, and brought along Balwaan. You have reached the settlement and pitched tents. It is time to decide your next move.

The People of the Mountain are divided into four Lineages. These Lineages are further divided into a total of 40 Clans which diverge into Sub-Clans, or Packs, and finally into Tribes, which are basically extended family units.

You and your uncle come from the same Lineage; you also share different Clans. A council of the Clan level will sit to decide on this matter, among other things.

Which Lineage are you from?

(1/2) Options to follow

>>817082
The four Lineages are:

>Horse and Swords, of the South – In no race of man is the instinct to wage war and display valor as prevalent as among the Horse. To be surrounded by conflict is the normal course of life for him and the way he prefers things. The Southern man never takes nay for an answer, and never lets a boast go unchallenged.

>Star-tree and Moon, of the Valleys - The Valley-Man is carefree and slow to anger, but when in a rage it takes God to rein him. Insolent by nature, even the most wretched Valley-Man will meet a king on equal terms, and show the same deference that he would to a particularly interesting turnip in his field.

>(Snow) Leopard and Lightning, of the Hills – The Hill-Tribes will accept the tumult of war and bloodshed of battle, but they will never accept the yoke of a master. Fiercely proud of his lineage and noble in bearing, the Leopard does all tasks in life, from herding cattle to fighting a duel, with a quiet and unassuming dignity.

>Hawk and Sun, of the North – The Hawk is characterized by a hasty disposition and an unfeeling temper; they are famous for their tremendous vigor and the love of an eventful life. A Northern man can wage a war, till his fields, capture a fort, fall in love, and philosophize all in the course of a day.
(2/2)

>>817092
>Hawk and Sun, of the North – The Hawk is characterized by a hasty disposition and an unfeeling temper; they are famous for their tremendous vigor and the love of an eventful life. A Northern man can wage a war, till his fields, capture a fort, fall in love, and philosophize all in the course of a day.

>>817092
>Hawk and Sun, of the North – The Hawk is characterized by a hasty disposition and an unfeeling temper; they are famous for their tremendous vigor and the love of an eventful life. A Northern man can wage a war, till his fields, capture a fort, fall in love, and philosophize all in the course of a day.

>>817092
>>Star-tree and Moon, of the Valleys - The Valley-Man is carefree and slow to anger, but when in a rage it takes God to rein him. Insolent by nature, even the most wretched Valley-Man will meet a king on equal terms, and show the same deference that he would to a particularly interesting turnip in his field.

>>817092
>>Star-tree and Moon, of the Valleys - The Valley-Man is carefree and slow to anger, but when in a rage it takes God to rein him. Insolent by nature, even the most wretched Valley-Man will meet a king on equal terms, and show the same deference that he would to a particularly interesting turnip in his field.

>>817168
Okay then. Switching to
>Star-tree and Moon, of the Valleys - The Valley-Man is carefree and slow to anger, but when in a rage it takes God to rein him. Insolent by nature, even the most wretched Valley-Man will meet a king on equal terms, and show the same deference that he would to a particularly interesting turnip in his field.

>>817092
>Your Lineage is Shergol. The Men of the Hawk and Sun
Of the four sons of Baagh, it was Shergol who was the exceptional yeoman, and the strongest in body.
>Your Clan is Gulsher
>Your Sub-Clan/Pack is Zudarr
Your tribe is one of the twenty odd constituents of the Zudarr Pack.

The council will involve a gathering of men belonging to your clan. Anyone can join in and make his voice heard. The elders of the clan, acknowledged by both parties will give an award based on the crowd’s sentiment. Any instance of intra-clan conflict is deleterious to the overall unity of the clan and can spread like wildfire with other tribes joining in. Thus, it is in the best interests of the council to give a verdict that is fair and just.

But the process itself is not simple. It involves a high degree of oratory and erudition. The one speaking on your behalf needs to be someone who is known and respected; he should have knowledge of the ways and customs of the Lineage, and have a command over folk sayings and idioms.

Your father’s friend, Ola, would be a good choice. Ola is known to be an accomplished falconer as well as a warrior who has travelled a great expanse as a raider in the North. People will listen to him. While your father used to always speak himself at Khards, Ola too has successfully orated twice in addition to attending numerous councils.

The other option would be to do the speaking yourself. You might not be known to anyone, but you will have the crowd’s sympathy. Your youth could excuse ignorance of the intricacies of customs and precedents, but you could have Ola prepare you. The elders might not like to be harangued by a new chieftain, but you could stir up strong emotions in the younger one.

Who should give the oration?
>Ola is better equipped to move the council in our favour
>The council will appreciate listening directly from the aggrieved

>>817468
>Ola is better equipped to move the council in our favour

>>817468
>Ola is better equipped to move the council in our favor

>>817492
This

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>>817468
You let Ola know that he would be the one arguing the case on your behalf. He nods at you gruffly and heads to the tents in order to prepare.

The council involves an open gathering in the shape of a circle. Most sit down on the floor after laying down a cloth, others squat. Cushions are used by the elders.

It is still morning and you have an appointment with the chief of your sub-clan, Huzh’Dih. This settlement, where the council will assemble, is under his guardian ship. From your late father and Chakur, you know that Huzh’Dih can be relied upon. While, like all chieftains, Huzh’Dih’s priority remains to consolidate his own power, he is said to be an honest man of simple means.

Just like your father you think.

You go to his tent with Chakur. True enough, Huzh’Dih's tent is sparse. There are no attendants in the tent save for the Pack Chief’s young son. With a gesture, Huzh’Dih gestures you to be seated with him on the carpeted floor. “What has happened is sad, shameful and unjust.” He takes a pause here, and with a wave of his hand asks his son to present you with eatables and water. “How do you hope to bring justice?”

Chakur begins, “Our hope is in-“, Huzh’Dih cuts him off with a raised palm, a gesture to show he is more interested in your response. How do your respond?

>Let us see how the Clan Council/Khard goes
>Blood shall be washed with blood, that is our way
>Getting my mother back is of the utmost priority
>I need your help to bring justice to my uncle and his tribe

>>817574
>>Getting my mother back is of the utmost priority

>>817574
>Blood shall be washed with blood, that is our way

>>817574
>Getting my mother back is of the utmost priority

>>817574
>Getting my mother back is of the utmost priority

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>>817574
"Aye, Arsheg. The whole Pack has respect for her, it was Panhiri who brought peace to these lands after decades of bloodshed. Yet, now is not the time to mount a rescue. She is among her old tribe and family, we can wait, and we can plan.

“I knew your father well. He was righteous. He was pious. He was honest. But, above all, he was patient. That is the quality I want to see in you. You have been chieftain but for a month, such unfortunate events may occur in the future as well for that is the fate of our harsh lives. Steel yourself.” Huzh’Dih says all of this without emotion, as if he is done this several times before.

“If it is war you wish, then the men of Zudarr Pack stand beside you. It is for you to decide how many lives your vengeance is worth. Whatever be the Council’s verdict, I shall talk to your uncle’s Pack Chief. Perhaps two men can achieve what several can not. Meet me after the council is done.” With a nod he dismisses both of you. As you and Chakur stand up to leave, Huzh'Dih addresses your advisor, "If you don't want people to think of your Chief as a whelp, stop answering in his stead.

“That was awfully curt, even for Huzh. I guess he is annoyed at losing a trusted lieutenant getting replaced with a cub”, Chakur says with a snort. It is true, you father had always provided men when required, the benefits of a tribe where even the women work the fields and orchards.

As you head back to your tents is there anything you wish to know from Chakur?

>Ask nothing, you need to maintain focus for the Khard
>Ask of your Uncle's tribe and Pack
>Ask of your mother and her past
>Ask of the future with your step-family
>Ask of the logistics of waging war

>>817725
>Ask of the future with your step-family

>>817725
>Ask of the logistics of waging war
>Ask of your Uncle's tribe and Pack
Not that we necessarily intend to wage war, but just as an academic curiosity.

>>817725
>Ask of the future with your step-family

>>817725
>>Ask of the future with your step-family
>>Ask of the logistics of waging war

>>817725
“Hmm…” Chakur wiggles his body at that question in a way that only old men can. “You know that Panhiri was your father’s first wife, and that you are his firstborn, right? That makes you the legitimate Chieftain of the tribe. Always remember that”

“The history is somewhat complicated. Your father married Panhiri out of duty, as men in line to be Chieftains and Pack Chiefs usually have to. But he also then married the woman he loved, which was Neeva, your step-mother. That witch can use that as an excuse and rile your step-brothers against you. Especially since if you die that means...”

“Änother problem is that you have three step-brothers, and you yourself are a brother and a sister. When it comes to inheriting your father’s lands, orchards and wealth, it shall be divided into half between you and the three of your step-brothers. So, their share is to be a sixth each. They are likely to object to that too.”
“Ït is best if resolve their place in the tribe as soon as we return to our lands.”
(1/2)

>>817907
Talk about familiar enemies.

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>>817907
>*you

You return to your tents after the rather short meet, and help the others unload the goods off the mules and set up a fireplace. The Akk, your uncle’s Pack is yet to arrive. Good. Though settlements like this one are neutral territory, and he wouldn’t risk attacking you surrounded by men of your clan, you can’t say the same about yourself.

Usually inter-clan councils are ordinary affairs carried out without the involvement of sub-clan heads, but an incident involving the killing of a tribal chieftain is a serious affair, and the period of one month is much shorter than the average it takes to assemble one.

You need to take a bath and put on better clothes for the council, especially since their would be men from another Clan.

As you're heading in to change clothes, Balraam, your step-brother approaches you, "What are we to do if the Council's decision goes against us. Have you made your made yet?"

>We return and prepare for war
>We follow my uncle's party out of this settlement and lay an ambush
>We start hiring men
>We ask Huzh'Dih to fulfill his obligation as Pack Chief

>>817925
I am sorry I did not get that.

>>817968
>We follow my uncle's party out of this settlement and lay an ambush

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>>817985
"Hopefully the Council won't forbid any hostilities between the tribes."

At noon the council begins assembling, you see mostly older faces, most of who travelled for days to reach this settlement for the express purpose of giving a verdict. You leave behind your weapons in the tent, and have Zuhr keep watch over them. The elders or the whitebeards are brought cushions. These ten men have volunteered to give the verdict, some belong to your uncle’s Pack but you trust them to be just.

You see him now, your uncle, Kaeol. His gaze cool, he looks in your direction and your eyes meet momentarily, you see nothing, but a blank slate. “Don’t do anything rash, not only will that screw the verdict, but it will be a taint on the tribe for years.” your friend, Drenzo, mutters as Balwaan grunts in agreement.

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>>818090
The details of the incident, which occurred in your absence, are such: Your uncle and his party came to your lands while returning home from a town. Your father refused him shelter. Your father had cut off all connection with his in laws since the time when Kaeol tried to drag your mother out in the middle of her wedding with your father because he didn’t agree with the union. He was only placated after the bride price was increased, but not before he threatened to chop off her neck.

Being refused hospitality led to an argument and ultimately a scuffle where the men of your tribe manhandled and drove them out of the village. In the dead of the night they returned and slit your father’s throat, and carried away your mother. You and your sister had spent the night outdoors with the sheep. The abduction or violation of your sister would have meant immediate war.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The other party’s orator comes forth, you don’t know him. He begins thus, “A death is a tragedy. A real tragedy is the death of one’s relative. A real tragedy is the widowing of this man’s sister after the death. A real tragedy is the killer being the woman’s own brother. I curse this man, I curse this man’s progeny, and then I curse myself, because this man’s reasons were not wrong…” He continues like this and talks of the humiliation Kaeol suffered in his sister’s home, and who he had to take the step with a heavy heart to preserve his honour. Your mother apparently had to be rescued from an abusive husband, something that you know to be patently false.

>>818104
It is Ola's turn now.

It is Ola’s turn to speak now. “I have lived the life of a soldier; I have travelled the lands in the North. Nowhere have I seen the killing of an unarmed man, and the abduction of his wife called righteous. First came Baagh, from him came Shergol of the Hawk, and from him came all our Clans. We call ourselves of Shergol, he who chose not to strike against his weaker brothers, but chose the path of exile instead. What would become of him, and us, the Men of the Hawk and Sun, if he had chosen the path of sinning against his own? There sits Arsheg, born of a union meant to restore peace to these lands, to be a bridge joining not just two tribes, but two Packs. A vengeful spirit is all that resides in his bosom now. What does that mean for the future?...”

Ola creates a narrative of rightful vengeance against the transgression of breaking a peace that had stood for eighteen years, and for the orphaning of the new chieftain.

And this to and fro continues between the two men well into the evening as they bring up folk tales and customs, and talk of precedents.

>>818135
A man who looks positively ancient now stands in the middle of the ring of men to pronounce the verdict. “What I saw happen for 30 years of my life when these two tribes warred, I hope no one bears witness to again. I saw men turn into beasts sated only be blood. No boy was too young, no man too old to be slain for the blood debt.

The marriage between Panhiri and Ezaer was a union meant to cool three decades of open conflict between two tribes that had nearly pitted one clan against the other. 500 men and boys were killed, including my own three sons. Your uncle, Kaeol, had killed two of your father’s brothers. Your father in turn killed Kaeol’s father in front of him.

For thirty years, men avoided these lands we stand upon now. The marriage of Panhiri and Ezaer brought the peace we begged the skies for. Twenty years of peace have these lands known until it was broken a month back. I know what is to come to now. I fear it.” He turns to you now, “A son’s being will bay for vengeance. Any son’s would. Yet, we must refuse, if only to keep the peace”, turning to Kaeol says, “This man broke the peace that existed. Yet he is not wrong in doing so. None can say he was right to kill Ezaer, but he did so within the bounds of the customs which have governed our lives for generations. If he did it too preserve his honour, let me declare it to the council – he failed. Yet, he was not in the wrong.

>>818142
>"This is the Council’s verdict: Ezaer’s wife, and the new chieftain’s mother, Panhiri, shall be returned to her son with immediate effect. Both of you are put under Kaeol’s shade for… for life.
This is the will of Khard, and it shall be followed. ”

Immediate murmuring begins in the crowd on the implications of the verdict that has been pronounced. Being under someone’s shade means that his life is contingent on yours. If you were to die, even of sickness, he too shall be executed.

“Pretty darned shrewd of the council. To kill a man who can’t retaliate would not be looked upon well by anyone. I guess everyone wants to avoid a war at all costs. We can’t be careless though, he can still kill others in the tribe, and he can still take you captive.”

You see Huzh’ departing towards his tent with three of his tribesmen. He calls you over. “The verdict… was unexpected. It is irrelevant. I plan to declare a social boycott on the men of to the entire Pack. The men of know to answer a pinch with a blow, but all the other Pack chiefs are dead against open war. For now, you will have to wage fight on your own, but the Pack will be there to support with weapons, with coin and with supplies.

Another thing. It is best if you find yourself a wife soon. By custom, a tribe you are married into can war alongside you, and it is good also to have a successor. I shall have it known to other tribes that your marriage has my sanction and my sponsorship. And don’t skimp on the bride price, I’ll take care of it.” Huzh pats you lightly on the back and leaves with his men without waiting for as much as a salutation.

The event you traveled four days for, and prepared yourself a month for is now over. Is there anything else you wish to do while you are at this settlement?

>Attend Dogfights
>Visit Dancing Girls
>Watch an Execution
>Spy on your Uncle's men, the Akk men
>Visit and seek advice from a Seer
>Visit the Market
>Hire Men

You may ask for clarification on any that seems interesting to you

>>818162
>>Visit and seek advice from a Seer
>>Visit the Market

>>818162
>Visit and seek advice from a Seer
>Visit the Market

>>818167
>>818169
thirding

Goodnight, Chief.

Sorry for the late response. Spent the last several minutes trying to fix the internet. I'll get back to the Quest in a few hours.

>>818162
Can we seek help from outside mercenaries? Maybe get assistance from a united empire instead of some scattered tribes.

TL;DR sell out to the British first.

Kind of surprised nobody thought to ask about the welfare of our mother who was carried away by force, if her health and safety was in question and truly the concern of our uncle.

Haha shit I forgot they're Arabs, and Arabs are fucking filth.

>>818379
>18 hours later
DED

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You decide to seek the blessings of a seer. Known as Pir, the seers discard their tribal and clan affiliations when they find a mentor willing to impart knowledge. The Pirs have various schools and some philosophies wildly differ. There are those who train themselves for battle for an eventual mythical conflict, there are those who chop off their own limbs to reach a higher degree of realization or even neuter themselves to remove any bodily distractions. The Pirs are men respected by all, and all of them live their life as mendicants. Some are said to be able heal ailments and illnesses. It is considered a pious deed to host a Pir in your home and feed him.

Ola and Balwaan head over to the market to care of their own business. You, Chakur and your two friends decide to meet the Pir.

You equip yourself with the weapons you left in the tents before the Council. You and Ola carry a sword, the others have daggers. Spears are too unwieldy to carry among a populace so you leave them in your tents. The Pir lives on a barren ground just on the outskirts of the settlement. You see a man, completely naked and with matted locks, standing with his arms resting on two horizontal bars. Ghuri’Ba. The man who has not once sat down or lain on a bed for the past ten years. He sleeps in the same position, and eats, defecates and bathes in the same standing posture. His two disciples keep the ground clean.

He is alone now, with his eyes half open. You give your salutations to him, and introduce yourself.

What do you ask him?
>When would be a good time to retaliate?
>What should be my next course of action?
>What kind of wife should I seek?
>How do I bring peace to my father’s soul?
>Who are you, where do you come from?

>>821168
Nope

>>821193
Forgot the trip

>>818643
The setting is based in low fantasy. There are no equivalents of Arabs or the British, but there certainly are empires.

>>821193
>How do I bring peace to my father’s soul?
Good timing OP.

>>821193
Who you called father no longer exists. There is an emptiness in his place. His body is an vessel of rotting flesh. His soul. His soul, son, is beyond us humble folks' ken. It is something else entirely. Without wives, sons or brothers to worry, without anger, grief or joy, it is a force now like the wind and the streams.

There is nothing you can do for him now, he no longer cares for what people think of him or what you do. The only place your father lives is inside you. And he shall live on in you as long as you remember him.

This world has harsh, it is unforgiving. Do what you need to. Do not worry of those who have passed on to a different existence.

Do you
>head to the market?
>ask the Pir something else?

>>821484
>head to the market?
Might want to announce this in the /qtg/.

What's the best way to unify myself with my step brothers?

>>821484
>What kind of wife should I seek?
>What should be my next course of action?

I do believe these two matters are the most critical, sensitive, and very important matters.

Can we ask about what we should consider and remember when it comes to resolving our family matters like with our stepbrothers?

>>821484
You decide to ask him advise on dealing with family. The sage swivels on the horizontal bars, and you notice that his wiry body is composed almost entirely of muscle. He has deep calluses on his arms where he rests them on the horizontal bars for support for years.

Family and authority do not go well together. You will have to sacrifice one to gain the other. A step-brother sees you as an equal, because he respects his father and his seed, but he also thinks of you as unworthy. For a Chieftain it is better to keep a snake in his bosom than to trust his step-brothers, for they are the ones who profit most from your downfall. Yet, it is a display of trust that turns most men from foes to friends. Remember that.

On choosing a wife, the sage recites certain recommendations for a political marriage in verse, these are:
>Never marry a wife with a crooked back or deformed features, she will have faced taunts her entire life and will impart bitterness and pettiness into her children

>Never marry a wife who is too old, you never know when you might need to conceive again to continue your line

>Marry a wise but docile wife, who can advise your successors after your death, but only when her advice is sought

>A wife who is too beautiful causes strife. She incites envy in your men, resentment in your other wives, discord in your family, and has undue influence over you

>A wife should not be stutter when spoken to, the respect for a chieftain's wife adds into your own prestige

>A wife should not be the eldest in her family, she will resent your bride price if her younger sisters fetch more

>Never go alone to see a wife, there needs to be someone who lets you know when you're missing flaws because of beauty

He now leans back on the horizontal bars and faces the sky, letting his matted locks dangle.

A disciple wearing just a loin cloth and a shawl comes forward with a stone bowl for alms.

You
>give alms handsomely for the pertinent advice
>give a moderate amount for advice that was relevant in places
>give the average, for an interesting conversation
>give a token amount for having wasted your time here

>>822737
>give a moderate amount for advice that was relevant in places

>>822768
You give a decent amount of alms to the disciple who bows his head and receives them in his bowl.

You know decide to head to the market as the day turns to dusk. A cool wind blows now, and you notice the people start lighting lamps and herding in livestock. The people back home would be doing the same now, you wonder if how your sister is coping being by herself for the first time.

The dusk is the time when the market truly comes alive. As people return to their tents or inns after a day of hard negotiations and trade, they head to the markets before bringing the day to a close.

The markets while small in number, carry a number of different items. You see people selling trinkets, falcons and hawks, weapons, horses and mules, farm equipment, fertilizers, medicine, fighting dogs, scented wood, amulets, among other things.

The quality of goods here would not be exceptional, especially at a time before the harvest when people don't have too much to spend, but you should be able to find something decent if you look for it.

>>823034
Is there anything in particular that you are looking to buy?

>>823036
See what is being offered at a very good price might get lucky finding something on sale that we can profit from. Stuff that would be useful for bride price, good gifts for any potential brides if that is allowed or stuff for when we visit other groups, things that could help our lands/tribe, and help our mission.

Hopefully we can get lucky.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>823034
Buy all of the food and resell at a higher price.

>>823621
>>823709
The market is being held in Bannsunia, a small settlement far removed from any empire or city of note. The goods that reach here come after changing hands amongst traders, and finally brought to your lands by people willing to make the long trek to the Mountain's north.

You decide to buy things that would be useful when meeting families for discussing marriage. Gifts are usually shared between the two families when a betrothal is finalised. You are required to gift the family a number of shawls, for the parents, jewelry, sometimes even livestock to slaughter and feast upon. But given your circumstances it is unlikely that people will expect too much of you just for the betrothal.

Never the less, you wish to project an image of prestige and spend money on buying some silver jewelry inlaid with semi-precious stones crafted in the Valley, you also buy honey and dry fruits, some indigo cloth meant for turbans and cowls.

Bannsunia is a place for Councils and buying goods. But it is also a place for families to arrange marriages. In a land where where tribes are separated by miles of farmland, small settlements are places where families meet for discussing matrimony. This is usually done pre-Harvest so that the marriage itself can be conducted when the income from selling the harvest comes in.

>>825724
I think I'll end the thread here, and have it serve as a prelude.

The next thread will involve selecting potential brides and meeting their families.