1432 was a year of considerable internal change for the Shanari Commonwealth. The political factions that emerged after the death of the Conveyor had begun to crystalise, as had their differing goals and programs. Trade had continued to develop and with it the long term prosperity of the Faithful Sons of Shanar. The integration of the Kelshir continues, in more ways than one, and will have a far reaching influence on the structure of Commonwealth politics and society. Balin san Balin, Introduction to ch. 2 "Eclipse of the Old Society", in, The Rise of the Shanari Commonwealth (Society of Scholastics, 1499). ------- Talal ab Aslan ay-Yarghut aj-Jabali was happy. For a son of a poor catyarsh-man from the most backward clan of the back-mountains of Jabali, Talal had come a long way he thought, as he surveyed the first of his caravan mounts make their way slowly into the capital. Much of it in a short time too. Silencing his secretary, who had been consistently reminding him of several important matters to deal with today, he stood and surveyed the caravan. After the Millat Shanari settled Akbari many years ago, they had quickly expanded their authority to all of the Central Mountains, and soon also to the Lesser Mountains. Though his clan, the Yarghut, had opposed the acceptance by the Jabali of Millat Shanari sovereignty and even more the Millat Shanari missionaries, Talal had taken the opportunity to escape the marginal and poverty-stricken existence that most of his clansmen eked out. Travelling first to Jabali town, he quickly worked his way on caravans to the new city of Akbari. There he acquired the capital necessary for trade by serving in the simple militia during the Akbari Wars, when several renegade tribes had threatened the very existence of the Millat Shanari. That had been his true big break, for as a militia member he received an allotment of prime farmland annexed from the renegades, allowing him at last to go into trade for himself. His father Aslan ab Mughri was shocked when he saw him a few years later. Long accepting of the fact that his youngest son had died an unknown, unmourned death, his heart almost stopped he saw Talal riding at the head of a caravan of fine steeds. Talal had returned to the Yarghut grazing lands to share his joy with his family, and acquire trusted employees by recruiting his Yarghuti clansmen. Since then, the prospects of the Yarghut have steadily risen with that of the Commonwealth, furthermore strengthened as the more capable client-clansmen of Talal's go into trade for themselves. The Yarghut now is one of the most influential clans in the Jabali assembly. This is what the son of a catyarsh-man has been able to accomplish. And now, thought Talal, the Northern Lands and the Southern Sea are beckoning me. The goods I am able to supply to each of the five markets - Akbari, Jabali, Kelshirserai, Bel'Adne and Jabau - are a wonder to see and a handsome profit. It is a incredible thing, to send caravans to Bel'Adne and Jabau and back again, purchasing goods here and selling them there. The Calarnari route far exceeds the trade of the Eastern route, and the cities are marvel to see, at least once anyway. After trading greetings with the clansmen who commanded the head steed of his caravan, his cousin's eldest son Talal recalled, he turned back to his secretary, motioning him to recommence his litany of appointments for the day. ======================================== The monsoon rains had not broken for weeks, Suroso recalled, and the valleys were awash with flood waters. Grey upon grey sky above, and brown upon green valley below. Below in the valley, a large group of Hua Hua youth were loading several catamarans, preparing to launch a monsoon raid. A traditional, almost annual, event for many of the riverine Hua Hua tribe, the youths would sail down the Kelshir til they reached the lands of the Lower Kelshir. There they would attempt to conquer a favourable swath of land, doing one of three things - establishing a new tribal colony and taking wives from amongst the subdued locals, force the subdued clans into a tributary client relationship, or return to the Hua Hua homeland with the spoils of wealth and slaves. Suroso himself had been on many such raids as a youth, and his distant great-uncle had led the raid which established the sister colony of the Hua Hua on the eastern edge of the Upper Kelshir. Now the eastern Hua Hua were the main staging point for Hua Hua raids into the Lower Kelshir. Eventually, the eastern Hua Hua would seperate from main body of the Hua Hua, just as they themselves had many generations ago from their ancestors in the Great Mountains to the north. Such was the cycle of life. At least until now though, he thought, turning back to the circle of elderly relatives sitting on his verandah. "Suroso son of Majah son of Ternati", one uncle solemnly stated, "you are the Sanouk of the Hua Hua, and under your leadership our family has increased its strength and influence, and our people have been the envy of the Kelshir. Our clients string the Kelshir, and our colonies populate the Lower Kelshir. None of the other tribes dare move against us. We do not need to even consider this stupid offer of the desert-nomads. Why should we give up our freedom for false titles, power and promises of wealth from fish and wood? Since when have we been servants or merchants!" At this a murmur of approval went up from amongst many of the men. "Uncle", retorted Suroso, "you forget that these so-called desert-nomads already control Kelshirserai and the southwest Upper Kelshir. Their armies are far more powerful than anything the Hua Hua could field for battle. The Shanari are not just a loose alliance of tribes like in previous generations, they are something else now. I think it is the doing of this new religion of theirs, which means that they will be around for a long time, and that we will have to deal with them somehow. They have already shown their strength in the Upper Kelshir, and proclaimed its inclusion in their Commonwealth. If we had shown our arms, even with all of our clients, colonials and allies, we would surely have been destroyed." With those words, the realisation struck Suroso, that for all his peoples glory and honour, the Hua Hua could not escape this new reality. They would have to give up their freedom, at least partially, if they were to survive the new order of things. This meant accepting for the time being the Commonwealth's offer of Paramount Sanoukship, of the landed estates in the western towns beyond the Kelshir, of seats in the Kelshirserai Assembly and the Commonwealth's Council, of trading monopolies and customs exemptions. In return, the Hua Hua would forgoe their freedom and swear fealty to the Commonwealth, become the Commonwealth's watchdog and help in the subjugation of the Kelshir, and have to build a capital for the tribe along the lines of Kelshirserai. Such great changes were in store for the Hua Hua. But they were necessary if they as a people were to weather the storm and emerge stronger, however that would be. Forgoing sovereignty would be difficult, but it would offer opportunities for expansion, particularly if the other principal tribes, such as the Gajah and the Tlani, did not follow suit. "This council is finished, kinsmen", Suroso thundered, thumping the floor-boards of the verandah to signal his decisiveness and to silence their talk, "I, Suroso son of Majah, of the Ternati clan, Sanouk of the Hua Hua, decide this. We will accept the Commonwealth. The Hua Hua shall submit to Commonwealth sovereignty, as galling as it is, and we Ternati shall hold one of the five Paramount Chieftainships. We shall protect ourselves, and strengthen ourselves. We shall still be Hua Hua, but we will be stronger. Hereafter, I shall be alb-sanouk Suroso, no longer sanouk Suroso. Our kinsmen shall take possession of these estates that we have been granted, and shall start trading in the western cities in these monopolies we have of slave, timber and fish, as galling as it is. Our agents shall encourage our enemies and foes to rebel against the Commonwealth, and as the loyal members of the Commonwealth that we are, we shall subdue them and annex their lands as we are allowed to do. And we shall build a permanent capital as they ask, and invite their teachers and missionaries, so that we may learn all we can about the Commonwealth. And we will wait and see." Turning to his kinsman Dwi Karta, Suroso said, "Cousin, take my reply to the Governor in Kelshirserai, that I accept." =========================================== To my respected brother, Jafaz Faymiyun al Shawari, I have carried out your instructions regarding the Kelshir sanouk as you requested. While two of the five principal tribes, the Gajah and the Tlani, are very hesitant in accepting the Talis's offer, the others have. The Hua Hua tribe, who reside along the central district of the Kelshir river, and who are led by the sanouk Suroso Majah at-Ternati, have accepted the most enthusiastically. This bodes well for the integration of the Upper Kelshir. The Hua Hua have accepted our offer of alliance already, and have already sent some of their clansmen to take possession of their new estates in the Central and Lesser Mountains. I suggest that the Royalist clans, and the Holy House in particular, extend their support and friendship to them when they arrive. This can only but strengthen the alliance. Suroso is also keen on receiving teachers to his new capital, and I also suggest we fill this void before the Council does. Suroso is an extremely able leader and politician, and managed correctly will strengthen us immeasurably. Managed poorly, and he could be very dangerous. This is also the case with our other two new allies. The principal benefit in the short term from the Hua Hua, and the other two tribes, the Lingga and the Wakt-Sejarah, is that we can be sure that the Kelshiri will trade largely with Royalist clans, thus strengthening our economic base. The principal long term benefit of course will be the dissemination of Faymiyuniyya propaganda at the expense of the Traditionalists and the Sojourners. Needless to say, this will increase the Royalist vote in the Council ultimately too. My bondsmen Matiq has the list of physical necessities to send to my estate in Kelshirserai. More urgently though, I need more capable agents out here. At least a dozen, preferably of merchant backgrounds so as to not attract the attention of the Governor's men (who are everywhere). Jabali men are the most inconspicuous for this region. A final warning - it seems the Gajah and the Tlani are girding for war and will reject the Talis's proposal. I leave how the significance of this in Akbari to you. In faith and loyalty, Da'i Halmar aj-Jabuasi c/o. Halmar Keep, Kelshirserai. ======================================================== To my brother and kinsmen, Gutiq Zanata aj-Jabuasi, Greetings and salutations. Please find the items you request in the custody of my freedman, Qalb. I thank you for your most informative and insightful letter. The Sojourner Elders have found your intelligence to be extremely useful. You are to continue in your normal duties. For the moment, and as chafing as it must be for one so near to the birthland, this means engaging in in the Southern Sea trade that reaches Jabau, and developing commercial contacts. It is good to see that you have acquired the appropriate properties for residence and commerce for your clan in the city. Your enclave shall be the first point of contact for any Sojourners that enters the trade later. Should they arrive in Jabau, guide them and help them become established. Otherwise, behave as a merchant would, I believe there is enough blood of caravans in you to handle that! On the cultivation of contacts, do so, but only ones yet that would be of apparent commercial benefit. You are a merchant after all. Focus particularly on those that would be of significance for later also, in the court, bureaucracy, and army. Finally, I remind you of the importance of secrecy. Burn this letter after receiving it, and send any correspondence in the trust of a worthy bondsman or kinsman. We have many opponents in this endeavour - the Jabau Governorate, Milakanur, the Royalists and the Talis - so subterfuge is essential for eventual success. For the liberation of the birthland, By the Salutations of the Guidance of He Who Is One. Ashraq Zanata aj-Juraij. >| Action 4 (Single): >| >| External/Strategic/Special - Sojourner clans establish trading enclaves in >| Port Jabau. >| >| 1st year of 2 year action. >| >| >| Angered at the apparent Commonwealth policy of peace with the southern >state >| of Milakanur, the Sojourner clans (the descendents of the followers who >fled >| Milakanur with the Conveyor) decide to privately pursue their own programs >| towards the southern states of Jabau and Milakanur. This initially means >| attempting to gain competitive dominance over the southern trade with >Jabau. > >+2-1+2-2+1+(0-1+0+1)= +2 net for year one. Grudging progress. > > > >Since most of these actions are internal politics, feel free to expand on >the societal effect and explain what happened in greater detail. > >---------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net. > ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
