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Post by Gamemaster on Mar 31, 2007 9:21:44 GMT -5
Both of the main factions quickly agreed that the most pressing issue of all was whether to allow Wanderjar to continue to attend the meeting.
Ondifar, Gelibar and Ossifar point out that they invited Wanderjar to attend the meeting and all three threaten to walk out of the meeting if Wanderjar is not to be allowed to attend. Several other Pandenet say they will walk out if Ondifar does. Gelibar points out that even Nalibar welcomed Wanderjar even though Nalibar was once arrested by Wanderjar's troops for smuggling and was later flogged for it. Ossifar points out that the reason for the meeting is the declaration of independence by Wanderjar and again urges that the idea of throwing him out of the meeting is ludicrous.
Darifar relents and agrees that Wanderjar may stay at the meeting, but urges that the Pandenet declare that the Aat Elden are free and shall have no Ulor.
Ondifar says it would be better to address the other issues first, starting with whether to attempt to hold the lowlands, because whether there is a need for an Ulor or some other central commander and an organized army made up of regular kantoro and taxes to support them, depends on whether there will be an attempt to hold the lowlands.
"We could simply abandon the lowlands," Ondifar says, "we could let our towns be burned and sacked. All because we hold a grudge against those who previously served the Empire. Or we can fight the way we need to fight to keep what is ours."
Almost every Panden has an opinion on this. Some say the lowlands cannot be held against a large army. Others point out that the enemy army that comes may not be all that large.
Darifar is quite persuasive when he argues, "It is all well and good to say we should not let our towns be sacked, but our strength is in the mountains. If we are lured out of our stronghold, even to defend our towns, then we may be trapped in the lowlands and defeated there. Then who would be left to defend the mountains? And without a defense in the mountains, we are undone."
Darifar's argument is supported by many and it seems that a consensus is building that the Aat warriors should not come down out of the mountains.
Then, a Panden who has not spoken yet stands up and says, "My name is Berinar, and my people live near Janingam, far in the eastern lowlands. I know that if war comes, we may have to abandon our homes and seek refuge with our relatives in the mountains. But should we abandon our homes without a fight? Should we give up all that we have built in nineteen generations? I say no. If our cousins in the mountains will not stand with us when we defend our homes, then we will defend our homes nonetheless. And if we are driven out, then we are driven out. At least we will have stood and fought for what is ours like men. Then we will go to the mountains and help our cousins there to defend their homes. Who will say we should not?"
After this speech, the talk turns from whether Aat warriors should come down from the mountains to what should be done by the Aat warriors who live in the lowlands.
After further lengthy discussion, it is decided that those who wish to defend the lowlands should do so and those who wish to remain in the mountains as a second line of defense should do so. Each Panden will decide for his own clan which role they will take. It is further agreed that if the lowlands are lost that the mountain people should provide assistance, food and shelter to refugees from the lowlands especially since the lowland warriors will have already fought to weaken the enemy before he even reaches the mountains. The mountain clans agree to this.
This resolves the issue of whether to defend the lowlands. There are now only these issues remaining:
(2) Whether the Aats need to copy Imperial tactics to hold the lowlands.
(3) Whether there needs to be an overall commander of all Aat warriors.
(4) Who the overall commander should be.
(5) Whether tax collectors and the Ulor's soldiers should be withdrawn from the mountains or whether the taxes are necessary to support the soldiers commanded by the Ulor.
(6) Whether there should be an Ulor of the Aats.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 0:35:52 GMT -5
After further discussion, there is no consensus on the issue of whether it is necessary to copy imperial tactics to hold the lowlands. The mountain Pandenet and some of the lowlander Pandenet think it is unnecessary, but many of the lowlander Pandenet think it may be necessary and they want the Imperial-trained soldiers led by Ardimuk and Wanderjar to help defend the lowlands.
Ondifar suggests that they move on to another issue since there is no agreement on this one.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 0:46:56 GMT -5
Berinar then suggests they discuss the issue of whether an overall commander is necessary. He says that it is necessary.
Darifar immediately objects, pointing out that, "In the two most serious wars the Aat Elden have fought, there was no overall commander. We won both times. If we didn't need one then, we don't need one now."
Berinar responds, "In those wars, the lowlands were lost to the enemy early in the war and the lowlanders were massacred both times. I and my people are determined not to let this happen and we want an organized defense using everything available, Imperial-style troops, traditional warriors, fortifications, and an overall commander to make sure that when one town or clan is attacked, that troops come to their assistance as fast as possible instead of waiting for the enemy to come to them."
Gelibar now speaks and says, "It is obvious that there are two main factions on these issues. There is a group of lowlanders who live far from the mountains and want a strong defense of the lowlands and a central commander. The other faction does not want anyone to tell them what to do and they do not want to come down from the mountains. Let us not argue. We are kinsmen. We are one tribe. We are brothers. Let us not argue. Let us simply have two armies. The first line of defense will be the Lowland Army. They will have an overall commander and they will attempt to defend the lowlands. If they succeed, then the war will have been won. If they fail, then the Lowland Army will retreat to the Aat Orifen where the Highland Army will be holding a second line of defense. The Lowland Army will have refuge and a chance to recover while the Highland Army fights the enemy. Then the Lowland Army will reinforce the mountain defenses."
There is much further discussion on this idea, but it quickly wins favor and approval of nearly all the Pandenet. The few who object soon give in.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 0:51:51 GMT -5
Ossifar says, "Then let us now decide who shall be the commander of the Lowland Army. I suggest it should be the man who invented the idea of the Lowland Army: Panden Gelibar."
There is much applause.
Ondifar stands up and signals for quiet. He smiles at his kinsmen Ossifar and Gelibar and says, "I have the greatest confidence in Panden Gelibar, but should we not consider endorsing the commander who already controls the main army of Aatan, Ulor Wanderjar?"
Gelibar says, "I would be happy to lead the warriors who are not already under the Ulor's control and let Ardimuk command the garrison troops. I will be willing to have Wanderjar as overall commander of the Lowland Army."
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 0:58:57 GMT -5
Berinar says, "But Gelibar, you're not from the lowlands."
Gelibar says, "I didn't say I was, but I have many close kinsmen there and I know a thing or two about fighting. If you don't want me as your leader in the war, say so, but whoever shall lead our warriors in battle must be a Panden and a traditional man who is well known to our people and whose bravery has already been tested. Do not make the mistake of asking our warriors, highland or lowland, to take orders from an Imperial officer with a name like Ardimuk, no matter who his mother might be. Let Ardimuk command the soldiers who are accustomed to his discipline, but give our warriors a man they will have confidence in be that me or someone else. I do not seek to be a hero or to have songs sung about me when the battles end. I seek only to ensure that in this war that is coming, that we do not lose."
The assembled Pandenet break out into applause at this. After this impromptu speech, there are more calls for Gelibar to lead the traditional part of the Lowland Army and there are no further objections from Berinar or anyone else.
Ondifar says, "It is decided then. Is there anything more we need to discuss or should we return to our families and clans and prepare for war?"
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 1:13:18 GMT -5
Darifar says, "Don't you dare call for an end to the Panden Friven until we have discussed the most important issue of all. I will not fight this war against the Empire and have Imperial taxes and Imperial soldiers in my mountains. I would fight against Wanderjar and his men before I will have an 'Ulor' as a master or pay tax to cross a mountain pass that my ancestors have used for generations."
Ondifar says, "What do you propose then? Wanderjar cannot run the government without taxes."
Darifar says, "Then to hell with Wanderjar and his government. We didn't have any 'government' before the Empire came and now, if our independence means anything at all, we must put an end to the ways and laws of the Empire."
Berinar says, "Panden Darifar, we in the lowlands are prepared to fight to the death against our common enemy while you remain safe in the mountains. The least you can do is pay the tax that supports the soldiers who will fight at our side."
Darifar says, "Not so. No mere declaration of independence changes the fact that those are the same soldiers, under the same leaders, enforcing the same laws, that we were opposed to during Imperial rule. If they remain and nothing changes but to call our oppressor 'Aatan' instead of 'Empire', then nothing has changed and I will fight against the enemy no matter what name he goes by."
Then, a very old Panden with a long beard stands up and everyone gets quiet as he prepares to speak. He speaks with difficulty and everyone strains to hear him. He says, "I am Garnifar."
A voice calls out, "What is your wisdom, Garnifar?"
Garnifar smiles briefly and says, "I don't know if it is wisdom I offer, but I say this: if the lowland pandet want taxes and phalanxes and an Ulor, let them have what they want. If the highland brothers want to have no taxes and no Ulor, let them have what they want. Let the taxes be paid in the lowlands and not in the highlands. Let the soldiers guard the lowlands where they are welcome and let them depart from the highlands where they are unwelcome. Let the Ulor lead the lowlanders who want a leader. Let those who do not want an Ulor follow their Panden instead."
There were cheers. Soon it was clear that Garnifar's ideas were not only popular, but were almost universally accepted. It was almost as if Garnifar's words became the decision of the Friven buh Pandenet as soon as he spoke them.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 3, 2007 1:24:18 GMT -5
Ondifar says, "I am yet again astonished at the wisdom of Garnifar. I think that resolved all the issues we had not yet decided. Is there anything more before we end the gathering?"
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Post by Wanderjar on Apr 11, 2007 11:05:31 GMT -5
OOC: I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, I've been terribly busy lately. Could you fill me in on whats going on?
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 11, 2007 13:45:55 GMT -5
(OOC: In the rest of the empire, things have moved slowly. Efforts by Field Marshall Krulmuk to reconcile with Rubanya and prevent civil war have failed. A battle has been fought at Angenmar Paven in the Verronese lands and the opposing armies are holding different parts of the same city and preparing to fight again. Reinforcements are on their way to Angenmar Paven.
But what I e-mailed you about was not that. You could ignore all that for now. You have also been attending the Friven buh Pandenet, the gathering of clan chiefs and their first order of business was whether to throw you out of the meeting and declare that Aats have no ulor. Since then, factions have emerged, it's been decided you should stay, they have taken it upon themselves to organize the Aat warriors into two armies with different command structures and deployments, they have made decisions about how government in Aatan will work, declared an end to all taxation of trade over the mountains (but not on trade in the lowlands or the main trade up and down the main rivers), ordered you to remove all troops from the mountains, etc. You really need to read the proceedings. In addition, Talajar has obtained a more detailed map of Aatan than you've ever seen before and used it to propose dividing up Aatan into provinces. And Ulor Esinie of Helmarie has sent you a letter proposing that Helmarie and Aatan jointly attack Imperial garrisons in neighboring provinces.
At this point, the Friven buh Pandenet (gathering of clan chiefs) is about to adjourn. This is your last chance to say anything at the meeting.
I suggest you go to page 4 of this thread and read everything since your last post, decide whether you want to say anything at the Friven buh Pandenet, respond to Talajar's proposal, respond to Esinie's war plan and say whether you are going to order Ardimuk and the tax collectors to withdraw from the mountains or not.)
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 24, 2007 2:44:56 GMT -5
No one steps up to speak. Some expected Ulor Wanderjar to speak, but he doesn't. As the meeting breaks up, Wanderjar confides to his advisors that he is feeling ill and would like to return to Renifar as soon as possible.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 24, 2007 3:39:59 GMT -5
On the trail between Kelingam and Renifar Aatan
Oron 3, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Vylor Cledman VI
On the third day on the trail, Wanderjar is so sick that he cannot ride a horse. Calls his advisors together and designates Jezefar to lead the government until Wanderjar recovers.
Jezefar immediately declares himself temporary Ulor, calls a meeting of the other advisors, who are all present already, and issues his first decrees.
Jezefar's first decree is to repeal all taxes in the mountains and withdraw the tax collectors in accordance with the decision of the Friven buh Pandenet.
Jezefar's second decree is to remove all garrison troops from the mountains in accordance with the decision of the Friven buh Pandenet. The troops are to be redeployed to Renifar as quickly as possible and orders are sent to Ekanor Falan Ardimuk to see to it that this is done.
Jezefar's third decree is to acknowledge and accept the other decisions of the Friven buh Pandenet including the endorsement of the Ulor's authority in the lowlands, the denial of the Ulor's authority in the highlands and the organization of the Aat military into the Lowland Army and the Highland Army.
Jezefar's fourth decree is to divide Aatan into five provinces in accordance with Talajar's proposal. The provinces will be named Andar, Renifar, Janingam, Ragenfriven and Gliragen. Each one is named after its capital town. Since there is no word for "province" in the language of the Aats, the word "Salan" from Zekresh will be used. However, in the Aat language, the adjective comes first, unlike in Zekresh, so it will be "Renifar Salan" whereas in Zekresh a province name is written the other way around as in "Salan Aatan".
Jezefar's fifth decree is to appoint five of Ulor Wanderjar's advisors to each hold the title of Ulor Ekanor and to have authority over one province each. Also, the Uloro Ekanor will be successors to the Ulor in order of seniority.
The decree contains this wording: Andifar is hereby appointed Ulor Ekanor of Andar Salan Moribar is hereby appointed Ulor Ekanor of Renifar Salan Nurinar is hereby appointed Ulor Ekanor of Janingam Salan Zundifar is hereby appointed Ulor Ekanor of Ragenfriven Salan Talajar is hereby appointed Ulor Ekanor of Gliragen Salan
These five decrees are written down and copies are sent ahead to Renifar with one of the guards who is dispatched as a courier. The courier who brought the message from Ulor Esinie has already departed several days earlier with a secret message from Wanderjar.
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Post by Gamemaster on Apr 25, 2007 13:08:52 GMT -5
On the trail between Kelingam and Renifar Aatan
Oron 5, Salgan 1, Adonsik 41 Vylor Cledman VI
Two more days have passed while the Ulor and his entourage are camped, waiting for him to recover enough to ride a horse.
Jezefar calls together everyone else in the group and says, "We cannot have almost the whole government of Aatan camped out here while war is brewing. I have no choice but to go to Renifar. Ekanor Korifar and Lorifar and fifteen soldiers will remain with Wanderjar. If he does not recover enough to ride in another day, borrow a wagon from local farmers and bring him to Renifar. If you can't find a wagon, carry him.
Ekanor Korifar, you will remain with Wanderjar and the guards. You will be in charge of the detachment and charged with the responsibility of ensuring Wanderjar's safe return to the capital.
Lorifar you may remain behind or come with me to Renifar. Four guards will come with me. Those of you who have been appointed Ulor Ekanor of the Salanet (Salan with an Aatan plural ending) should proceed immediately to the capitals of your Salanet.
Your authority should be to make sure that the laws of Aatan are carried out, that taxes are collected, that the people are loyal and that preparations for the war continue. Each of you should attempt to recruit volunteers from the Pand warriors for an attack on the Empire. Send them to Renifar as soon as possible. I expect volunteers only from the Lowland Army, but we will accept them from the Highland Army as well. Also, men who are not part of either army may volunteer.
That is all. Let us ride."
With little further discussion, the men who were to depart said farewell to Wanderjar and Korifar and got up on their horses and rode off to their various destinations. Lorifar went with Jezefar.
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