The Ram, or the Return of Al'Akbar
A brief explanation on this post.
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I wrote this Friday and it seems that we may now be just past when the barrier around Greyspace was erected. (My research and off-line life is getting in the way of my roleplaying) If so, then this happened a few days prior to that momentous event. I should note that my research on the Baklunish lands show that humanoids – orcs, goblins, and the like, originally recruited to fight the Suel were incorporated into Baklunish society. Indeed, one ruler in the LGG is a half-ogre and Zeif has had several generals and great spies who were half-orcs. Somehow, I think Forrester would be pleased to learn this. However, he might be annoyed at the elven presence in this post – or any elven presence. Let me know your reactions to this post as well as the Prophecy of the Phoenix. Incidentally, I chose to call my faction the Baklunish Empire because people will likely call it that anyways and that the Paynims had a tale of how the Empire was almost restored after the Invoked Devastation -- if only a sultan had bothered to journey to meet a marid lord at Lake Udrukankar. This post clearly takes place before the barrier goes up around Greyspace -- perhaps no more than a week. Let Serpenteye place it when he will. Everyone start checking your e-mails as I will send some out right now. The rest will be sent out shortly.
However, I am unsure what type of faction the Forsaken One is playing -- is it the trollish druocracy or the Island Nation of Nippon ruled by humans? Also, where I do not have a PC for your faction, I presume that Al'Akbar sent it to the right person -- if he knows who is running your faction.[/sblock]
(A note on calendars: Serpenteye said this IR starts 20 years after the end of the Greyhawk wars. This would be in Common Year 604, 1248 Oeridian Record, 6119 Suloise Dating, 5066 Olven Calendar, 3263 Baklunish Hegira, and 2754 Flan Tracking. I presume we will begin in the first month of the new year. So, I suspect that the events must occur late during the month of Sunsebb in CY 603/BH 3262. I used the History of Oerth link to set a date for the Twin Cataclysms. Edena, maybe include the calendars in the first post.)
Early in the morning, in Kankar on the shores of Lake Udrukankar, the call to prayer is heard from the mosques, minarets, and temples. The Mahdi of the Steppes turns to address the crowds of the faithful and curious onlookers. He opens his mouth to speak but his words are interrupted by the sound of distant thunder from the timeless stones of Tovag Baragu.
In a flash of light, a man on a ki-rin appears followed by a throng of celestials and genies of various sorts. With startling swiftness, the horde rides to the maket square of Kankar. The rider and the ki-rin, its scales and hoves blazing with light, swoop low above the crowd as he blows a ram’s horn. The celestial horde picks up the tune on their horns, whose sounds echo in the streets and towers of kankar. The man on the celestial horse gazes kindly on the people below him. He is tall and thin. Piercing hazel eyes, rare among the Baklunish, gaze out from beneath a face with kindly features, framed by dusky brown hair and well trimmed beard. His robes and garments are the white of mountain snow, the blue of the summer skies, and the gold of the noonday sun. An eight-pointed star of platinum with a chain of gold and pearls hangs from his neck. In his right hand is a golden cup, set with sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds, shining brightly. A brighter light surrounds the man himself, extending like a halo past his steed. A shout begins in the crowd, small at first but is picked up by everyone – including the Mahdi and many of the curious onlookers.
“Al’Akbar!!! Al’Akbar!! Al’Akbar has returned!!” The crowd roars in deafening voices echoing amid the streets of Kankar. Many in the crowd begin to kneel in prayer, and quake. The rider and the ki-rin sweep low and hover next to an awestruck and trembling Mahdi of the Steppes.
“I am honored by the courtesy of thy greetings, my beloved people and travelers from distant lands. May the gods bless and sustain thee in the days to come!! We come before thee on the wings of a storm, only because we have ridden upon its wings. My son, Amal aban Jehef, thou hast done well by the people, whom I love. Yet I have need of haste. If thou wilt, ride with me. There is much to be done before the hammer falls. I shall send word to you from Ekbir, ” the man, nay demigod, says in a clear and deep voice. The words are in Ancient Baklunish, yet all in the crowd – including those from distant lands – hear them in their native tongues.
“Stand ready, be strong. Rely on one another and deal justly with your neighbor and the stranger. For a Time of Testing is upon us all. Prepare! Be strong and be blessed, my people. Remember the Prophecy of the Phoenix and proclaim my return! Come what may, I shall stand with thee, my people whom I love! May ye be blessed and protected in the tumults that lie before us all.” He reaches his hand out to the Mahdi, and gently lifts him on to a flying carpet that swoops down from the heavens.
It is only many miles later that the Mahdi speaks. “Al’Akbar, my lord and god, where do we go? Why have you returned, amid a glorious host? What are the meanings of these signs and portents?”
“We go to the the Yorodhi, to bring a blessed woman, a Slayer of the Dead, with us. Then to Ull, for the Orakhan Khazuron the Mighty, to Zeif for Sultan Murad among others, to Tusmit for Pasha Muammar Qharan and others, to Ket for Beygraf Nadaid and a multitude in Ket and the Barrier Peaks and lastly to Ekbir. Already they await us. All of us shall soon stand. In the war to come, “the demigod says calmly as the ground beneath him races past at a blinding speed.
“As for my return, the storm clouds gather and rumors abound of war and destruction. Change is coming, and with it good and evil. Soon, the hammer falls, but what form it will take I cannot see. Yet it may be that some old foes shall emerge amid new ones. We must ready the people for the storm – ere it breaks.”
“The half-ogre Orakhan Khazuron of Ull is a mighty warrior. I have only spoken to him a few times, yet there is something familiar about him that I have not been able to place. What is it, my lord and my god?”
“He is thy cousin 15 times removed, and a true son of Al’Akbar as well.” Al’Akbar says as a shocked look passes across the face of Mahdi Amal aban Jehef. “Do not be surprised! The descendants of my wives and myself number in the thousands!”
As the celestial horde appears, Al’Akbar speaks to the people gathered near him with words much like those spoken at Kankar. Shortly the horde appears in the City of Ekbir as the demigod’s name is chanted through the streets amid the sounds of blowing horns. The celestial horde hovers in the air, as Al’Akbar and those of many races – humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, halflings, kobolds, orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, half-ogres and more - descend onto a high rock set before the in the square between the Golden Temple of the Divine and the Mosque of Al’Akbar. The crowd roars with approval, the sounds of horns, harps, zithers, drums and other musical instruments are heard, only ceasing as Al’Akbar raises his right hand for them to stop.
“My beloved people, honored dignitaries of many lands, and welcome travellers, it is good again to be amongst thee amid the gathering storm clouds. May thou be blessed, and our noble guests and visitors as well. Ambassadors, forgive me for not inviting the noble and august rulers of thy lands here today but I have need of haste. I shall contact them shortly and pray that there shall be peace and friendship amongst us. My people and honored guests, thou hast heard of the the signs, the portents and the Prophecy of the Phoenix. The lives you have known shall change and all shall be tested. Even as I traveled with them, the leaders of the Baklunish and allied peoples in our lands – have heard what I know of the threats that lie before us. Soon the hammer shall fall. Soon we shall be tested to our very souls. Yet when we have stood together, we have proved stronger than separately.”
“Nearly eleven centuries ago, I sought to sustain our people in the wake of the Twin Cataclysms – the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire. Amid the horrors of that time, I brought order, justice, and peace, sheltered the homeless, feed the hungry, clothed the naked, cured the sick, and comforted the bereaved. I laid the first stones of the wall of this city, the city of Ekbir. I believe my duty in this time of change lies with thee, my people whom I love. So, I humbly ask you, my people, if you will accept my rule? May I lead and serve the many peoples of the Baklunish lands -- who are truly one people in spirit regardless of race or nation?”
The crowd screams yes, and cheer the name of Al’Akbar. The gathered Baklunish leaders join the cheers. Al’Akbar speaks and the crowd falls silent.
“Thereby by your consent and and that of the leaders of the Dry Steppes, Ull, the Yorodhi, The Paynims, Zeif, Ket, the Barrier Peaks, Tusmit, Ekbir, the Barrier Peaks, the Ullspure Mountains, and all our peoples proclaim: The day has come! The day has come that thou and the world have awaited for over a thousand years!”
A procession of nobles, dignitaries, celestials, and genies line up and stand at attention. A man in ancient armor, shining like the sun smiles proudly as he lifts a high crown shaped like a turban above Al’Akbar’s head. Its jewels shine brightly in the sun, and some in the crowd murmur in awe and stunned recognition as the crown is lowered on Al’Akbar’s head.
“Today, the Baklunish Empire is restored! In the name of our gods and thee, our peoples, I, Emperor Al’Akbar, proclaim it so. May the gods bless us and bless all peoples in this time of change! Let us stand together and prepare for the changes that are to come – as one mighty empire. The Tree of Life will be shaken, but the Baklunish Empire and all of us must ensure that it stands! Let us stand with our neighbors, with amity towards them but with the strength, cunning and courage to vanquish any foe. Remember thy duty to one another, and my teachings! Deal justly with thy neighbor and the stranger as well as each other. Hear my words and remember this day, O peoples of the Blakunish Empire! We are one and shall stand as one!! We are one!!”
The shout of “We are one!!” is carried by the crowds, and a voice cries out “Emperor Al’ Akbar and the Baklunish Empire!” in common, in Ancient Baklunish, Low Baklunish, and other tongues followed by cries of “Al’Akbar!! Al’Akbar!!” Even as the crowd chants, Al’Akbar blows a ram’s horn while pointing as two flags that unfurled. The first is the banner of the Baklunish Empire, not seen for the last 1,096 years, while the second is a new flag. On an orange background is the image of the Cup and Talisman of Al’Akbar with an olive branch beneath it to its right and a falchion on its left. Al’Akbar draws his falchion, shining like the noonday sun, and waves it as he gestures to some of his court. He sheathes the blade and speaks to the celestial horde.
“Make haste, and deliver my messages. For although this is a day of celebration, there is much work to be done. Soon the hammer will fall, but we shall be ready!!! Go, and may the gods speed your journey!!” Several of the celestials, genies, and other wondrous beings bearing heavy boxes and large crates vanish or fly away amid the continuing chants by the crowd.
Across the Flanaess, to the surprise of many, new flags are suddenly unfurled next to the flags of Ket, Zeif, Ull, Tusmit, Ekbir and throughout the Baklunish lands. In the cites of the west, the embassies and consulates of the Baklunish nations, as well as the trading houses of the Mouqollad Consortium, new flags are hurriedly added: the flag of the Baklunish Empire and the flag of Al’Akbar to crowds murmur and gasp in astonishment. Baklunish ambassadors from as far west as Sterich to Aerdi come bearing gifts, while large crates appear before the gates of some cities.
)![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
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