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By MC Gianni
© March 1997
Being a summary of the events which took place in SE Atrilia during the fourth week of the 2nd month of Shemu in the 1st year of Lalibêa's reign (2nd Shemu, 1 L).
As usual, let's have the good news first.
The internet site of the Atrilian campaign is becoming a first-class site, with all the back issues of the campaign, most player descriptions, and now a new treat:
A cgi-bin page enabling you to send mail messages to myself, the DM, and to any other player just by clicking on a few buttons, without the burden of having to remember those wicked e-mail addresses.
All you have to do is go to this new URL:
http://sunny.magsur.jussieu.fr/Archive/debut_est_atrilia.htm
and follow the instructions.
The rest of the gaming material is still at the good ol' URL
Unfortunately, there also are some bad news:
Yet more players have left the Atrilian campaign because of a lack of time. These are in addition to those players still officially 'playing' but who do not participate much.
Let's hope the new cgi-bin page will give everybody the opportunity to play more.
A COUP IN SHEDET!
Maummar of the Meshuesh, after having been unable to catch the leader of the rebel Xola clan responsible for the death of Djyi went back to the Gyptian harbour of Shedet.
There, he met his employer, the Gyptian governor of Shedet, Sebekemhat.
What really happened is unclear, so we have to rely on the testimony of some Dadjimalus and some Meshuesh traders who were in town at the time of the coup.
Our sources say an argument started over the way Maummar had buried Djyi's corpse. Maummar's men started fighting against Sebekemhat's guards and, in the ensuing melee, the Gyptian governor was fatally stricken.
Maummar then apparently proclaimed himself the new Governor, Maummar of the Meshuesh, Captain of Mercenaries, Governor of Shedet, Saviour of the Slaves.
Indeed, Maummar's first decision was to free all slaves.
The next move was to redistribute some wealth and to 'execute a little justice on the high and formerly mighty', as a Meshuesh mercenary said. Basically, this meant stealing all the merchants' money and executing anyone opposing Maummar.
The Kushite soldiers who had been in charge of the defence of Shedet promptly left town and fled to the fortified shipyard a few km east of Shedet.
NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN
Mertiberia, the new sheikh of the Awilis, starts an extensive campaign of bringing 'rebel' clans (ie those not recognising his leadership) under his rule.
Friendship is offered at first; he offers the clans protection and food.
If this offer is 'squandered' by the clan, Mertiberia then attempts to bring them under control through a show of force, appearing in front of their encampments with a large portion of his army.
And if this does not help, he takes action against the clan, riding into their camp, burning and pillaging.
This has already started giving some results, and now about 3/4 of all Awili clans recognise Mertiberia as the new sheikh.
Mertiberia also starts production on large movable "towns" (much like the Mongols' movable tents).
These tents can hold up to twenty men, 10 sleeping.
They are mounted on wheels and pulled by several zebras.
The Imperial tent, Mertiberia's own, is filled with a high throne-like chair, and several smaller chairs for visiting emissaries.
The Imperial tent is guarded inside and out by several elite Awilis.
HUGE FLEET LEFT THE DIOSCURIDE ISLANDS
The Meshuesh galleys from the Sultanates of Oea and Mers al-Kibar have made up a joint fleet with Khalil's own galleys.
These galleys have left the harbour of Búr Hammon and set sail to the south.
HUGE FLEET IN SOUTHERN PUNT!
Six Meshuesh galleys (two large and four small ones) have arrived in Dár al-Imám, Abú's harbour in Punt.
They were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd who had apparently already forgotten the 'stupid war' between the Confederacy and Abú. The Meshuesh vessels stayed a few days in Abú's harbour, packing up plenty of water and food. They left with a 7th vessel, a Coastal Xola ship modified for war, and full of fanatical religious volunteers from the pilgrims to Suheil's Shrine.
The fleet was heading south.
BUILDING OF QART QATON BEGUN
The building of Qart Qaton has begun.
With the oxen’s help, the Mbole border tribes provide wood for building to the Ómukama.
Shm'é, the Ntemi (king) of the Bambole, has declared that timbers should be given for the building of Qart Qaton.
And to enforce the natural friendship between Pheacians and Bambole, Shm’é has sent thirty workers and 5 oxen carrying a score of rare wood essence to Qart Qaton to help building the Governor's palace.
LALIBÊA'S ARMY BY THE SEA
The Ndogo army moved east toward the coast and has now set camp by the sea, not too far from Serendíb.
DRAGON-MEN ATTACKS RESUME
The Dragon-men, which had stopped attacking the Emirate of Ngonem, have resumed their raids. These are aimed at stealing food (especially fish) from the Kleshite villages near their land.
ZANDJ AND ÚMBOLE
Nhyé the diviner (see issue #8 of the e-zine) leaves Lalibêa’s court, where he resides, for the Dran’Ba, in the very heart of Úmbole. After the Ntemi return festival, he will head for Kawôr. He should arrive at the Mwami’s court during 4th Shemu 1L.
There have been several forays of Nomadic Xolas from the Plateau into Zandj and Úmbole. They came to steal food, probably driven by hunger. The Mwami has chased some of the Xola invaders, but they fled as soon as they saw the Ad'anti cavaliers.
THE COUNCIL OF SPIRITS (M'DANGA DO)
Excerpt from the speech of the M’Danga Do in the Dran’Ba:
"The great god Nyamie has always been known for his friendship with Mbalagu the great ox. So oxen, sons of Mbalagu the Great, are to be considered as sacred animals. Their spirits are bound to the Bambole, and in remembrance of our good friendship, we therefore forbid their killing, hunting, or bad treatments. Such acts in the Mbole land would be punished by death. Of course, sacred animals still have to work for the Bambole, as we all have to work for our Gods."
PHEACIAN BEACH HEAD DEVASTATED
The Pheacians had set up a small beach head on the land of the Dragon-Men. They exploited wood there and had built a small fort.
The Dragon-Men had been nowhere to be seen for several weeks, which had let the Pheacians become too confident.
Then, one night, the Dragon-Men suddenly attacked en masse, burning down a Pheacian galley and killing fifty soldiers. After the initial surprise, the Pheacians managed to drive away the attackers, who left twenty dead.
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