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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Corey" data-source="post: 444387" data-attributes="member: 140">Hi all: This campaign’s setting is essentially Afghanistan after Alexander’s generals fought the Successor Wars.  All names have been changed (Bactria to Bastiyaan, Hindu Kush- Hindu Killers- to Sind Killers) to make me look smarter than I actually am.  The first post is the handout the player’s received just prior to our first game.  I will put up the first part of the session soon. Enjoy!Corey**********************************************Session 1: PreludeVendetta. The word, accompanied by fear or anticipation, can be heard in Jehna’s every corner.Last week Naram, the newly installed qadi of Heta, a town one day further east up the Darya River Valley, arrived raging at the fortified stone gateway that is Jehna’s main entrance. Diyala, qadi of Jehna, was visibly stunned when her offer of hospitality was ritually refused.  Naram was sending a clear signal- the tribal peace was about to be shattered.  Tired of unceasing revenge, the Durrani tribes of the Sind Killer Mountains long ago established the qadi system.  Qadi are Duraani who exist outside the tribal structure.  They are mediators and peacemakers, charged with judging crimes and ending vendettas.  When a crime involves members of different tribes, the qadi evaluates the offense and sets limitations on retaliation.  If a Nefrat loses and eye in a fight, so does the guilty Hazar.  If a Hazar is murdered, the guilty Afrid is slain in the same way.  In this manner, balance and peace are maintained. Diyala grew pale as Naram, spittle accompanying every word bursting from his mouth, outlined his accusations.  Three Tadu tribesmen of Heta lay slain in a high pass.  One of them, Lut Tadu-Heta, was the son of the head of Heta’s ruling council. According to two Tadu witnesses, reliable family men and seasoned warriors, the murderers are members of Jehna’s Hazar and Afrid clans.Slapping Diyala’s face, Naram gave his judgment: unlimited vendetta. “Due to the importance of the slain men,” he yelled, “the Tadu tribe is justified in killing every Afrid and Hazar they can find for an unfixed period of time.”All activity in Jehna ceased.  Her residents stood watching Naram’s departing back and the red welt rising on Diyala’s check. Such words had not been spoken in a least a generation.That night Jehna’s ruling council met in chaos.  First to speak was Zidane Nefrat-Jehna, leader of Jehna’s generally despised third Durrani tribe.  He immediately declared his follower’s neutrality in the issue.  Even though they were expected, his words drew curses from a few of the younger warriors present.  The Nefrati have much to gain from Hazar and Afrid suffering.  Thulyaar, head of Jehna’s paree (elven) residents also bowed out of the fight.  His words were saddening, but also expected.  Ixion, leader of those of Jehna’s residents who are descended from men born in far off Iona, declared his follower’s support for the Hazars and Afrids.“We are not of the tribes,” he said, “but when the army of Draco the Leopard of Iona emerged from the Empty Quarter needing solace, the benefactors of Jehna gave it. Our ancestors, the army’s sick and wounded were left behind and cared for by your ancestors.  Our debt is deep.  We will see it repaid, Avasara willing.”   His words were brave, his invocation of the present reality’s creator making them binding. But everyone knew the declaration was acquired at great personal expense.  Two Ionian notables, Epiphilates and Deinon, had bitterly contested the decision.Over the next few days, Diyala desperately sought the source of the killings.  She failed to turn up any useful information.Yesterday, some Afridi goatherds were attacked by Tadu warriors in the defiles south of Jehna. No one received lasting injuries, but the town’s temper is beginning to fray.Now at sunset, oddly enough of the night that will give birth to a new year, all of Jehna’s warriors are being called out.  Several large groups of Tadu spearmen are approaching the town.  Tonight, they will seek blood compensation.</blockquote>

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