The Mighty Subudai!

[Viper3X 1056]

Mongol Kotan

Introduction

As the sun is setting and his fellow Kotansmani gather around the bonfire, Tavros Archigos sits cross-legged in his yurt with his eyes closed. He inhales deeply the intense aroma of incense dancing through the breeze. Tavros opens his eyes to the sound of his companions sharing stories around the campfire, and rises to his feet. He treads towards them and seats himself on a nearby log, cushioned by the leathers of several livestock. Tavros Archigos begins to converse about something that has been on his mind lately.

"Maw' braw'thurs', wee' hav' been graw'ing in' nawm'burs' stead'awlly in' tha' paw'st ree'cent sawn'lights. I baw'leev' it waw'ld bee' in awr' best inter'ust tew' intraw'duce a new Kotan thaw't will serve aws' awr' militaw'ry might. Awl'though tha' Nordic Kotan cawn' hold thar' own in cawm'bat, wee' need faw'st, light awr'mored awr'churs' awn'd infawn'try tew' hawn'dle spaw'cific cawm'bat scen'awrios. With thaw't said, I praw'sent tew' yoo', tha' Mawn'gul' Kotan! I waw'll lead awr' Kotansmani tew' victaw'ry! Nawn' will staw'nd aw'gainst aws'!"

Philosophy & Traditions

The Khan is the head if the Kotan as well as the military leader. He directs orders regarding military strategy and combat tactics, and even the chores of day to day life within his tribe. The Khan is the superior ruler of his Kotan and answers only to Sauros Alanbataar, the Khagan of the Subudai. If the Khan dies, a male may only take his place as ruler of the Mongols.

Mongol warriors are some of the most deadly fighters ever encountered on the battlefield. They show no mercy and kill with ruthlessness. No opposer is ever left standing on the front and they are expected to fight to the death, due to cowards being executed. They are considerably disciplined soldiers and brutal combatants. Though they may appear as barbarians, they follow orders to the word and never go beyond what is commanded of them. Each and every Kotansmani must be unconditionally loyal to one another and to their Khan. If a Mongol soldier were to run from danger in battle, he would be executed on site.

The Mongols are excellent travelers. They often journey much faster and more efficiently than their opponents. Mobility is one of the keys to their success and gives them a large advantage over their heavily-armored adversaries.

The Mongol Kotan allows for complete religious freedom, so long as the religion does not bring harm to the Kotan itself. If religion becomes popular within the Kotan, the Khan constructs a building for worship, prayer, and rituals.

The horse is a sacred animal to the Mongols. They believe that once you tame a horse, the owner and horse become one. Their horses are highly respected and treasured, and they are never butchered for food. When their owners pass away, their steeds are usually buried along with them.

Woman in the Mongol society are well-respected for their social influence and the advice that they give to the dominant men. Men are allowed to practice polygamy, and each wife has their own yurt.

Weapon Arsenal

The Mongol's primary weapons are the bow, scimitar, and war axe/tomahawk. The bow is often used for long-range purposes to scatter enemy land units. Mongol archers are exceptionally skilled and train daily. They practice by shooting fowl and leather-stitched targets. The scimitar is a slightly curved sword usually made of iron. It is commonly used for cutting down enemy numbers quickly and effectively. Slashing, cutting, and thrusting are popular techniques used for ravaging their adversaries. The war axe and tomahawk are generally used as a secondary choice if the user prefers to not use a scimitar. They are used much in the same way, but are more efficient at chopping, hacking, and cleaving. Depending on the warrior's preference, they may use either, or even both.

War Strategies

The Mongols train for every combat scenario and unexpected possibilities. The infantry do their best to protect the Khan, making sure he is safe from the enemy's line of fire. Although the Khan is watched over carefully, he still engages in combat. Individual Kotansmani are frequently sent on scouting missions to examine the terrain for appropriate combat tactics and weaknesses in enemy defences. They are also sent as spies before invading enemy territory. Kharash is a frequently used tactic when numerous surrendered civilians or soldiers are present. The Mongols gather together the faint-of-heart and use them as human meat shields; often being used to block enemy arrows during sieges.

[jacihead 4]

Kotan of the Antianeirai – “Those who fight like men"

From the deep pine forests, shadows slowly appear in the ending day. Moving between the trees fluidly, with grace, shadows move ever closer to the edge of the forest. Appearing to move in sync, the shadows emerge into the dying daylight in pairs. Tall women of mixed race appear wearing rustic animal furs. Their hair is tied in braids around their faces which are covered in blue paint, in various symbols and lines. Most striking is how the women are holding bows so comfortably as to be an extension of their arms, and beside their right arms is a visible scar showing where a breast has been removed. The women gather into one group, speaking softly to one another. A figure emerges, a dark haired women with ice blue eyes. She turns to the group and begins to speak.

“Sistra’s, I as Iereai of the Fyli have had a vision. The Great Mother came upon me in our Pnvema. She showed me a land filled with men, with Moro, who destroy everything in their path. They kill the trees we hold dear, cutting them screaming to their deaths. They slaughter the life-giving animals of this place in great numbers. They defile the Mother’s sacred face with obscene structure taken from the Earth."

She pauses looking at the faces of all the women she holds dear.

"It is time, it is time for the Antianeirai to join our sisters of the Subudai in our rightful cause. We have to leave our forests and take our duty as Protectors of our Mother into Asulon.”

The women of the group let out a loud shrieking war cry in unison and acknowledgement of her statement.Having come to agreement the Antianeirai move back into small groups and head out into the night to join up with the brothers and sisters of the Subudai, moving swiftly and silently.

Tribal Women of the northern forests, the Antianeirai are a group made of up solely of women who work together as one family. Known for their ferocious skills in battle the Antianeirai have extreme dislike for men and view them as the reason for the destruction of the Mother Earth, which they hold holy.

Structure, Ceremonies and Traits

The Antianeirai follow a Matriarchal Structure within their tribe. They are led by an Iereai, the Priestess Mother of the tribe who is chosen in a ritual known as a “Pnvema”, or the Walk of the Spirits. This is a regular ritual that the Antianeirai women perform, that involves a gathering of the tribe. The Mother creates a mixture of special herbs and grinds it into a paste that is then given to each women of the tribe. The women sit in a circle within a darkened tent with hot rocks in the middle. They interlink their arms and imbibe the paste, and pour water on the rocks. This causes the tent to fill with steam, and the Mother begins to chant with all the sisters joining in. This ceremony is believed to raise the spirit from the body in a spirit walk, which allows the sisters to bond, and seek guidance from their ancestors and also offer prayers for the tribe. This ceremony also is used when the time is needed for a new woman to take the position of Iereai of the tribe. This ceremony is a key element in creating an environment of family between all the “Sistra” or sisters of the tribe. The tribe views itself as a collective whole working hand in hand to keep each other alive and protected.

The Antianeirai wear clothes of fitted leather, and various animal furs that have traditionally kept them warm and protected them from the elements. Following the teachings of an Mother Earth Religion, they believe the earth is very sacred and they offer prayers to the creatures they kill for nourishment, and also the trees they harvest. Having a close connection to the land, they react very violently to those who destroy or harm the natural world. They view this threat as being very male in nature, as from what the Antianeirai have seen in the past is that often it is the men who lead these power hungry expeditions into the world, adding fuel to their distaste for men.

The Antianeirai have varied appearances based on the lineage they come from. Due to the fact that there are no men within the tribe, the Antianeirai either once a year meet with other tribes of the Subudai to mate, and then leave, or they raid settlements for male slaves. Male children are cast out of the tribe and returned to the parents, or are offered back to the Earth. All Antianeirai have their right breast removed in their formative years. This is a specific ceremony which the tribe believes leads to stronger strength in the right arm and shoulder allowing them a greater ability to use bow and axe in any conflicts. In wartime, the women paint their faces to a fearsome appearance to try and scare their enemies in conflict.

Every warrior in the tribe is raised with a bow in hand, leading them to be extremely accurate archers. They also train with axe to protect themselves and raid settlements for important resources. Besides having combat skills, they usually have skills in cooking, farming or woodcutting, having little to no knowledge on mining or blacksmithing. Due to this they often raid settlements for iron tools which are highly valued for their durability.

On Men

It was said that the first Antianeirai came from one of the first settlements in Asulon. The men of the village were vicious of the pillaging of the forests in their attempt at resource gathering. At the middle of a dark forest, there lay a massive tree. From this tree it is said that a vision came to the first Ieriaia of the Antianeirai, showing the way men treated the earth and also showing the women as being the Mother Earths chosen protectors. From this vision the first Antianeirai killed the men of the village and moved into the deep forests where they created the Antianeirai, who lived in harmony with nature and as a sisterhood, watching for the corruption of men who wanted to dominate the sacred world. From this past, the Antianeirai have a very sexist attitude towards men. They view men as being weaker and less intelligent then women, and believe that the Antianeirai women are stronger and superior. They give grudging respect to the other tribes of the Subudai, as these other tribes also revere the natural world and give equality between women and men. Due to the connection the Subudai have with nature, the Antianerai believe that they have conquered their desires to control their environment. The idea of having men as equals is a very hard concept for the Antianeirai to grasp. Most Antianeirai refer to men as “Moro”, this being what they call babies within their culture. This forever places men into an inferior light, and the Antianeirai view most male outsiders as acting as children and ignorant of the ways of the Earth.

Buildings

The Antianeirai live in wooden and wool huts that are easily set up and moved around. In particular they always have a large central hut where they are able to perform the Pnvema, as it is an essential ritual and bonding experience. The Antianerai build their huts in a circle facing into the hut of the Pvnema, symbolizing that they all are connected as one and as family. Due to the fact that they came from forests originally, when they set up more permanent dwellings they prefer to be in the safety of the trees.

[Samson Option 9652]

Sauros sits cross-legged across from Syrmatae Tavros; addressing what he would later reveal to all the Subudai, the urge to stifle the Volsung Viking's sphere of influence. He lights a sprig of incense, digging a small pocket into the soil and planting the sprig upright as he points with his pointer finger towards the Volsung Fort. Alluding to his wishes to deconstruct their fort and decimate their populace, he informs Tavros of how they disturbed the patterns of travel that the herds of cow and sheep as they decided to raise their wooden palisades; how the troubles of finding the herd grew after the coming of the Volsung. From the news of bandits having used the fort for shelter in it's supposed abandonment, the Subudai feeling repercussions by being accused of being said bandits; they must take action.

Sauros alludes to how the Subudai must respect both the dust of earth and flesh of man. However, one simply cannot protect itself from offenses from the other, that being the earth cannot protect itself as it is scarred by man. Sauros proclaims that man had a born duty to ensure he does not harm the land nor burden the earth with too many stresses, too large of settlements. When man denies to uphold such duty for him to commit to, then will he be liable to be returned to the earth, most typical by force.

[Samson Option 9652]

Sauros curses under his breathe as he encounters Brunhylde, knowing the facial features of the Viking even before hearing her voice; he then smiles thinly as he greets her. He walks closer and with his last step of his foot as he places his fist into palm and bows, he acquires the business she brings. Having talked to her before, about how the Volsung had landed at where their fort stands now and her father wanted to head outwards to sea once again; Sauros nods understandably. Sauros throws an almond into his mouth from a leather pouch slung across his waist and smiles with disfigured teeth as he hears her wishes to abandon Volsung Fort, but he returns a frown upon hearing that the father she sought out to meet Sauros was in fact dead. Giving his condolences, he leans forth expecting to hear news of her approval that the fort be dissembled, in which she does confirm. With a smiling slowly creeping upward from his cheek, the creasing of his cheeks and eyes is disrupted as she informs him of Dagmir, the newlywed man to Freja and how he will probably refuse to give up the Fort.

After their conversation and departure, Sauros goes to his yurt and slipping his fingers under the lids of chests, he eventually confiscates an iron-tipped tabar axe and slips his composite bow into his leather holster on his left hip. He scrambles forward and out of the camp, intention being to hunt the javelins around the edges of the desert and the raised dead. Upon passing the Volsung Fort, he notices Freja cowering through some thick grasses; eyeballing Sauros and slowly creeping backwards away from him. Greeting her, he is returned with an uneasy wording that leaves Sauros with a puzzled look on his face. His honest concern dissolves into an agitated feeling as he hears a coarse and slightly drunk Dagmir coming to Freja's side; she quickly withdrawing behind him. Realizing that he was being played to seem that he was mistreating and attempting to flirt with Freja, he looks at Dagmer plainly; no sign of his anger nor any aloof facial expressions showing guilt appearing.

Dagmir and Sauros trade barbs, as Dagmir attempts to show up Sauros as a womanizer, while Sauros explains that he has no need nor any need to cause trouble with the Volsung. The three clambor up towards the gatehouse of the Fort as a rain settles in; creating a dready mood about the three. Remembering that this was the man that Brunhylde informed him to not be to friendly with as he would not allow the Fort to be dissembled, he furrows his brows as Dagmir invites him into the mead hall. Rejecting the offer and rather deciding to sit under the gatehouse, they talk more aggressively. Hearing that supposedly, a Kotansmani had confronted Dagmir and attempted to kill him, Sauros listens in with concern as he tries to think who would do such a thing. Knowing that Delthor Ulfgar was really aggressive, he made a mental note to interrogate Delthor about this accusation, only to erase it as he hears Dagmir contradicts himself as he taunts and makes rude remarks; saying that he killed the man. Sauros acquires about where the body is, so that he may bury it, but is interrupted as Dagmir contradicts himself and says that the man had put a blade to his throat, but had ran off to camp to deal with another situation and was killed there.

Sauros rolls his eyes and informs him that he would return at dawn to continue the discussion, thinking how he would push his agenda and offer to Dagmir. Making their way to their separate homes, Sauros arrives to the camp; a plethora of different tints and shapes of tents and homes. He crosses between the different Kotan's tribal circles and finally arrives to greet Crow and Aldjiron as they awaken. He takes the two Kotansmani by the shoulder, his taller frame enabling him to wrap his arms around the back of their necks, he leads them into his yurt and begins to whisper. Telling them of the past day's event, he beckons them to gather their armor and weapons; that it was time to confront Dagmir aggressively. The simple fact that Dagmir lied about killing his men made his blood boil, each single Kotansmani of the Subudai was as precious as a hundred of a nation's soldiery. If it was a laughing matter to the drunken Viking, then it would become a laughing matter to see the entirety of the wooden palisade of Volsung Fort to burn brightly as a beacon upon a lighthouse across the desert sands. Upon their arrival back to this yurt, ready and excited, he leads them towards the Fort as the sun begins to creep atop the horizon with a glimmering scarlet welcome of dawn.

Aldjiron, Sauros, and Crow slowly creep across the lowered desert floor, keeping keen eye upon the rim of the wooden palisade, ensuring that none saw them as they walked bent-back towards the palisade. Upon pushing their backs against the palisade and sneakily moving towards the closed gate, Sauros whispers and commands the other two Kotansmani to press up against the wall on opposite sides of the gate as he calls out to Dagmir. Standing tall in front of the gate rutting, the expression on his face masking his smirking thoughts, he calls out for Dagmir. All three of the Vikings, Dagmir, Freja, and Brunhylde walk out of the mead hall and towards the gate, Brunhylde yanking the chains that were the pulley system for the gate. Dagmir smirks and claims that he was present as a pretty lass, leaving Sauros confusingly claiming that he was happy that he was thought of as pretty; leaving Dagmir sourly informing that the joke was ruined.

Sauros chuckles uneasily and acquires of the man who tried to attack Dagmir. Dagmir informs him that he was from the Subudai camp, leaving Sauros to acquire which Kotan he was from; informing Dagmir that each Kotan had a tribal circle and that if he could point it out. Stepping back to allow Dagmir room to leave from under the gatehouse and out into viewing the camp; Sauros jokes about how it was a poor maneuver to step out and cries out for the Kotansmani to attack Dagmir. Dagmir in a drunken stupor stumbles and attempts to jump backwards, eying the gate rutting above him and having successfully jumped behind the gate; Brunhylde gladly lets free the chain. Sauros and the other two Kotansmani hop backwards as the gate rutting falls with a thud atop the sands.

Dagmir laughs with a hacking cough as Brunhylde calls the Kotansmani bloodthirsty, as the Kotansmani swear out loud and tells them of how pathetic the fort was atop the desert and their complaints of how it disrupted the nature around it. Sauros lowers his two hands as they lie in the direction of his two Kotansmani, trying to silence their barking of insult to the Vikings; wishing not to degenerate to the ignorance of the Volsung. Sauros looks towards the three Vikings behind their gate with a snarling smirk as he tells them that he will bring fire and brimstone to burn the wooden palisade to ashes, the like that would darken the goldenrod sands of the Sunmoth Desert. With that, the Kotansmani cautiously walk backwards and eventually running towards the camp to gather such supplies. As they retract away from Volsung Fort, Dagmir lets out a yell informing them how the fort is indeed theirs and that he will not oppose them.

After entering the cavern under the Fort and attempting to seek out possible areas they could hide in, the Subudai come back above earth and into the Fort; celebrating the success of confiscation and set to work dissembling and looting the Fort.

[Samson Option 9652]

Sauros sighs heavily as he crests over the peak, having climbed the tall mountain that stands like jagged teeth on the borders of Renatus; he sits backwards upon his rear as sweat beads cool upon his tanned skin. Unaccustomed to climbing such heights, Sauros takes gasping breathes as he calms his nerves and quaking muscles, worn from the clamboring up of the mountain. Standing in front of him as if he has an opened clam with pearl fitted inside stands the capital, Arethor, replenished by an arching aqueduct; feeding water from mountains alike which Sauros stands on. With this in sight, he begins to make his way down the mountain.

Having made his way down the mountain and through the wrought iron gates, Sauros walks around the grounds of Arethor, inquisitively taking in sights of the stone masonry; whistling at some of the beauty of it. He nears a castle that is still having brick laid to it, scaffolding creating an intricate maze around some parts, when he spots a Dwarf. Calling out to the 'Dervas' as he always called them, he asks about the King and if he was a citizen of Renatus; hearing the Dwarf claim neither knowledge of the King's whereabouts nor confirming he was a citizen. They both greeted each other and exchanged names, Sauros introducing himself as Sauros of the Subudai and the dwarf being Morgrim of the Dwarven Kingdom. The two looked about as Sauros chuckled and exclaimed that for such a mighty nation, there seemed no citizenry to fill the ranks; until he was interrupted by one Ranger Green. The Ranger Green points out a man afar from the three, a man briskly jogging and jostling through the twon nearby; his attire consisting of fine silk with a gold crown atop his head.

Morgrim and Sauros begin to jog, Sauros taking to sprinting off of the road, running and matching the speed that King Godfrey take as Godfrey nears a stable and mounts a horse awkwardly. Seeing the King's horse trot along the path, quickening in pace and straitening it's gait, Sauros looks to Morgrim and they rush into the stable; finding another horse and mounting and riding off to follow Godfrey. Sauros decides to click his tongue and slow the pace of his horse, to give distance between King Godfrey and the two so as to not seem as if they are wishing to take ill action against the Renatian King.

Nearing the quaint town of Mireton, the King dismounts and ties his horse's reins to a post and continues off, seemingly oblivious to the two trailing far behind; Sauros and Morgrim eventually doing the same and quickening their step as they address the King with a shout. With King Godfrey's attention as he spins on his heel and faces the two, he exclaims whether they are seeking his audience, which the two confirm as they near. Introducing himself as Sauros Alanbataar and the dwarf as Morgrim of the Dwarven Kingdom, Godfrey beckons the two to follow him to their palace. Upon entering, Sauros is once more wide-eyed at the beautiful masonry and art that adorns the halls as they enter Godfrey's Throne Room.

Upon entrance, the King orders a servant to gather wine horns for his guests, Sauros swallowing at the thought of liquor; but knowing that industrious man takes offense to rejection of such liquors which he thinks are kind gifts. Sauros feels uneasy as he knows not of the nation's customs, but already at distaste with the pomp and routines that King Godfrey takes, even to the Dwarf's chagrin beside him. The servant rushes inside and hastily hands the wine horns to both Sauros and Morgrim; having served King Godfrey first and foremost. With a thin smile across his face, Sauros regretfully takes a sip of the wine and chuckles to allow his gag reflex to calm; attempting to seem thankful of the homely receiving that he and Morgrim have been granted. However, as Sauros attempts to make nice of the disgusting liquor, Morgrim spits out the wine and curses loudly. Sauros looks wide-eyed towards Morgrim, fearing the repercussions as King Godfrey calls back his servant, only to appear more flabbergasted as Godfrey backhands his servant and curses him and calls for him to bring ale.

After the scene of tomfoolery, Sauros steps forward to present his case at the beckoning of King Godfrey, giving an awkward bow before speaking. He informs King Godfrey of the man Thork Halblood, exiled from Seventis, having attempted to raise bandit parties made of Silverblades and Flay to attack the Subudai camp. Godfrey hears this and apologizes and gives condolences for any losses, informing Sauros that if Thork or any Silverblades participant were found, that they would be killed for their insolance, much to Sauros's approval; leaving Sauros with glad tidings. Sauros lastly says to Godfrey, if they are choosing to war with Renatus, that he will migrate and leave the land that his Subudai have settled upon to ensure that no collateral damage nor mulling strife be caused by the Subudai laying in between their pitched engagement areas. With that, Sauros promises a book for Godfrey as Godfrey acquires on Subudain culture and turns around and leaves...

Upon entering camp, he notices the Subudai eating and joking around around a large fire, fueled by the palisade spine that held the large timber logs up around the Volsung Fort. Joining in, he informs his Kotansmani of how they will migrate in a few elven days and the reasoning behind so, giving out a large trilling cry at the success of his warriors at Volsung Fort....

[Samson Option 9652]

Sauros sits across from Alahmra, Aetos, Syrmatae Tavros, and Crow; cross-legged and his musculature relaxed. Informing the Kotansmani present to remind every other Kotansmani about the intent to migrate North, he stands erect; his hands held atop his hips. He tells them about the plague that Seventis has developed, how he feels it may be from their cluttered nature as an industrious nation; how it has spread to Rienna and Tyr. He walks around the fire as the Kotansmani chuckle and feel excitement as he relays his intention that he wants to raze Rienna to the ground, the Spectre's camp to the ground, and raid Tyr on his way North. Stating that he has felt extreme anger at the thought of Thork being sheltered by Kyrie Tiberius of Rienna; touching the mostly healed scars on his side from the fight between the Subudai and Thork and his companion inside Rienna's plaza.

He clenches his fists and tells his Kotansmani that as they migrate, he wants no plague to provide filth in the air they breathe, thus he knows he must raze the Seventian cities in his path. With that, Syrmatae Tavros lets out a shrill shout as the Kotansmani burst with excitement. Informing them to keep in a shushed manner in which they immediately concur with, he informs them that their element of surprise is ripe.

[Viper3X 1056]

Tavros Archigos begins to gather together an abundance of ravaged tree branches that are scattered throughout the camp. Recalling numerous Kotansmani planting the saplings in the recent past, he speculates who would have been this neglectful. Tavros continues to collect the littered tree remains, Aetos assisting with the task. As they finish mustering the last tree limbs, they stash them away for future use; knowing that every resource is a valuable one. Before parting to their individual yurts for rest, they inspect the camp for any stray saplings, uprooting them to ensure this does not happen again. As Tavros slips under his hide blanket, he reminds himself to inform Khagan Sauros of recent happenings.

Later the next day, Tavros rises from his resting place and rubs the sleep from his weary eyes. He overhears shouts of pain from the north, hastily preparing his leather armor. Upon arrival at the Nordic yurts, he spots Galdor Amedaius en-caged with Rocco Balereo and Crow interrogating him. As Crow continues to torture Galdor, Tavros briskly intervenes. "Wah't awr' yoo' dew'ing tew' him!" he bursts out. One of the Kotansmani responds, "He knows of the Subudai plan! He was going to tell his superiors!" Galdor tries to convince the torturers that he had no intentions of warning the settlements, but Rocco and Crow insist he is lying. Tavros reminds them of the Khagan's wishes for them to be peaceful with outsiders during his absence, but the Kotansmani pay no attention to his asseveration. As Tavros continues to disagree with their unwarranted actions, knowing that they have prematurely made rash suppositions, Crow steps forward and slices the captive's throat with orders from Rocco. While the blood stains the lush grasses of the Subudai encampment, Tavros shakes his head in disapproval, returning to his yurt.

[EmeraldStag 165]

((this may be stupid to ask on here, especially if it has already been posted, but where is Subudai located? i want to join but i have no idea where it is, please some one pm or something and then i will delete this post.))

[Viper3X 1056]

((this may be stupid to ask on here, especially if it has already been posted, but where is Subudai located? i want to join but i have no idea where it is, please some one pm or something and then i will delete this post.))

[[Gaius posted the directions on the first page, I quoted it below.]]

Meanwhile, the children chant 'North of Salvus lies the camp, the fragrance of incense is the stamp, verily you will find the camp of three yurts, if you see the town of Rienna, surely this asserts you've went too far!'

[When I say 'the direction is North', I mean the direction you take to walk out the front gate.]

[[There is more than three tents now, so I assume it would be even easier to locate.]]

[EmeraldStag 165]

((thanks, found it without much trouble))

[Viper3X 1056]

Tavros, recently rising from his hide blankets, meets up with Kotansmani Aldjiro Selahiim. Syrmatae Tavros informs him of the news that Sauros advised him to share with the other tribesmen. After enlightening Aldjiro on the Subudai's war plans, he inquires about the Kotan which he belongs to. Aldjiro, explaining that he has yet to chose, seeks information from Tavros about the Mongol Kotan. Syrmatae Tavros, delighted to educate him in the Mongol's ways, briefs him on their position and pursuit for Kotansmani. Aldjiro expresses his interest in joining the ranks of the Mongol's growing military force. Tavros accepts him as a new Kotansmani and warrior of the Mongol Kotan, his grin revealing his deteriorated teeth.

A few days later, Syrmatae Tavros and Kotansmani Aetos spot a man by the name of Foros Southe. Foros informs them of his wishes to join the Subudai. Tavros, knowing that Khagan Sauros welcomes outsiders desiring to join the Subudai with open arms, accepts him into the Mongol Kotan. Before he can begin to teach him the culture and traditions of the Subudai, they are interrupted by Divinus Von Xiphias. Tavros cautiously greets the outsider, unsure of his intentions. The stranger explains that he is the leader of the Camel Bandits, which immediately strikes uneasiness into the three Kotansmani. Shortly after Divinus reveals who he is, he announces that he must he on his way, and the Mongols do not prevent the action.

As the bandit leaves, Tavros catches sight of another adventurer. Syrmatae Tavros welcomes the traveler and begins conversation between the four. He asks the outsider if she is in need of help, but is instead told that she was aspiring to join the Subudai. Tavros, again realizing that Sauros isn't around, decides to act in his place. Tavros informs Midori that if she wishes to join, she must follow the principles and traditions of the Subudai as respecters of the earth. He also mentions that if the Khagan decides against them joining, he must deny their acceptance. Both of the new Kotansmani agree that the conditions are fair, and that they wish to join the Mongol Kotan, as it appealed most to them. Tavros states that he will teach and instruct them in the ways of the Mongols as they familiarize themselves with the Subudai's culture.

Tavros, now realizing that his Kotan has greatly grown in numbers, begins to expand his yurts to accommodate for the new Kotansmani. He advises them to prepare themselves for the coming migration to the north, as well as to rest for the forthcoming battles. While Foros Southe is fast asleep, Midori Tengu withdraws her green stone. Tavros, recalling her examining it earlier as he was constructing the new yurts, inquires if it has any sentimental value to her. Midori, now aware of his interest, hastily hides it from sight. She replies, "Yes, it does. Very sentimental." Syrmatae Tavros nods, seating himself in a cross-legged position. He asks Midori where she originates from, and why she sought the Subudai. She informs Tavros that she lived in a village in far off lands, and that she came to Asulon for adventure. He asks if she has any family, which she replies with a despondent, "No-no, I don't. Not any I want to go back to." Upon hearing these heavyhearted words, Tavros comforts her, telling her that the Subudai are now her family; brothers and sisters. With the moonlit sky now shining bright, they both decide to get some rest for the long days ahead of them.

[[b1SH0 and EmeraldStag need to be added to permissions, if that's okay.]]

[EmeraldStag 165]

After getting off the boat, Midori Tengu, a human girl, the age of 22, with long flowing red hair and pink eyes, arrives in Asulon. While she is heading off towards the Sanctuary, a boy, no older then 16, with startlingly bright purple eyes, shoves all of his things into her hands. "Here, these should help you get by here in Asulon." He passes by her, and she turns towards him with a puzzled look on her face. She yells, "T-thank you, but before you leave to go on whatever journey you are going on, what is you name?" the kid stops and looks back to her and yells, "Leon, Leon Ashmouth. And I'm off to go to war with a slaver." He then turns and heads onto a ship going off towards a distant land. She is puzzled by the weird name and cause but only for a moment. She turns and heads towards the Sanctuary with thoughts of what she would do in Asulon. She makes her way to the front of the temple. A messenger walks up to her and starts talking to her about the Subudai. After a while, he says that they are looking for people to join. Midori thinks for a moment and then asks where she could find them. The messenger tells her that they are north of Salvus. Midori then sets off towards the human nations and uses the signs to find her way to Salvus. She then goes from there and travels north. As she heads north, Midori passes through a beach-like area and finds a small village of tents. As she approaches, she sees a group of people talking. Not wanting to inturrupt their conversation, she hangs back a ways from them. One of the men calls out to her with an accent. She also notices that most of the people there also talk with a bit of an accent and she decides not to say anything about it. He asks her if she is in need of help. She replies to him telling him that she wants to join the Subudai. She is told that in order to join, she must learn the customs and traditions of the Subudai. She tells him that she will learn them. He then tells her that he is not the one that can fully approve of an acceptance into the Subudai and that some one else who is in charge must make the final decision. Midori is fine with that.

She then is led into the village and is told to wait while the guy, Tavros as she had heard him called, makes her a tent. As she waits for the tent to be made she pulls out an emerald cut in the shape of s smooth oval stone. This stone was given to her by a boy back in her old home. She loved that man but she knew that no matter how hard she wished it, she knew she would never see him again. As memories of home come flooding into her mind, she is over come with a bit too much emotion. Anger. Confusion. Fear. Sadness. And then she shakes her head at the thoughts and tells herself they were behind her now, and never shall she tell others of her home. Midori notices that the tent has been made and so she puts the jewel back into her pocket. She goes inside of her tent, approving of the craftsmansship of it, and sits on her bed roll. Night had approached fast and she lays back on it. The comfort of the bed roll is soothing to her and she then pulls out the jewel. She holds it up to the torch light and looks deeply into it again. Without notices, Tavros is sitting outside of her tent, he asks if the stone has any sentimental value to her. She is torn away from her consentration on the jewel and puts it away fast. She replies with, "Yes it does, very sentimental." Tavros then starts asking about her home, which Midori replies with vague answers such as comeing from a faraway land and that she came to Asulon for adventure. He then asks her a question she would rather have not been asked. "Do you have any family back home?" She thinks for a second, unsure of what she should say. Before realizing it she replies with "N-no, I don't. Not any I want to go back to." She then drops her gaze from him and then lays back down. She hears him trying to comfort her with things such as that the Subudai is now her family and that bright days are comeing in the future. She smiles at that, it had comforted her. After a while she falls asleep. Her mind sinks into a blissful, deep sleep.

[Viper3X 1056]

[[i figured it would be appropriate and more convenient to post Tavros Archigos' backstory here. It may be beneficial to have other Kotansmani post their backstories as well for OOC purposes.]]

As the moon is rising and the calm sky is cloudless, stars glimmer and dance in the brilliant radiance of the moonlit cosmos. While Tavros Archigos is resting next to a nearby tree, he runs his weathered fingers through the soft earth. As his palm reaches the top of the deep, rich soil he grasps a handful and allows it to flow through the crevices. Tavros gazes towards the dusky heavens when an ablaze orb shoots through the atmosphere. He closes his eyes, contemplating the days ahead of his thriving Kotan.

As daylight approaches, Tavros awakes early as usual. He leaves his fragrance-filled tent, converging around the bonfire with his Kotansmani. They begin to prepare for their frequently efficacious hunts. On the hunting grounds of the grassy prairies, Tavros and his Kotansmani shroud themselves in the tall meadows. With a stone-tipped spear in one hand and his hunting axe in the other, he and the other huntsmen begin to advance toward the gathering of wild boars. Doing his best not to alert the prey, Tavros raises his right arm with spear in hand and forcefully hurls the weapon towards the kill. The javelin, piercing the razorback's skull, sends the group of hogs into disarray, but their speed alone is no match for the hunters. Their deadly accurate barrage of tomahawks strike each boar without exception. Tavros and his fellow Kotansmani gather the carcasses of their prey and return to their Kotan with an abundance of food.

Tavros Archigos is both a great warrior and huntsman, having learned much from his father and fellow Kotansmani. He is proficient with a tomahawk, javelin (RP'd using a bow), and a recurved composite bow. Although rarely seen using any other form of weapon, he will resort to using his scimitar should the need arise. He is brave and willing to put his life on the line for his Kotan without hesitation. Albeit he is strong and courageous, he is also stubborn (hence his name) and will often go to great extremes to avoid surrender. This, at times, can lead to difficult predicaments, but he has won many battles due to this heroic attitude. He has a strong accent and can also be heard using Mongolian words frequently.

As a boy, Tavros' tribe was very nomadic. They often traveled the deserts of Aegis, traversing from encampment to campsite. Originally, they did their best to avoid conflict with rival tribes, but war was unavoidable. During times of armed conflict, the Mongols were ruthless and unforgiving. Merciless killers, the Mongol tribe eventually turned to murderous ways, no longer steering clear of battle. They fought with strong discipline and organization, using flanking tactics to their advantage. Psychological warfare and deception was frequently used to spring fear into their adversaries. Many conflicts were won at the hand of Asili Archigos, Tavros' father. When they moved to Asulon, they saw it as a new beginning and turned away from their old ways. Though they continued their nomadic system of travel, they were peaceful with the few surviving tribes. When Asili Archigos passed away due to elderly age, the remaining tribesmen dispersed.

Tavros Archigos, now a young man, was able to continue life on his own. He lived off of the lands in the forests bordering the deserts, using carved weapons to hunt. He did not converse with strangers unless he believed they formerly belonged to his tribe. Although prior generations forgave their enemies, Tavros never forgot the agony they brought him. In the evening of one clear-sky day, he could be seen seated cross-legged watching his old rivals of the Aegis tribes. Promising to himself that he would one day exact revenge on them for the pain and hardship they caused his kin, he set off to find a new place to rest during nightfall. Years later during the early mid-years of his life, Tavros encountered a man by the name of Sauros Alanbataar. Sauros explained to him who the Subudai are, and their purpose. He offered him the position of Syrmatae of his own Kotan (tribe), and Tavros knew that this was his opportunity to restore the glory of his long-forgotten tribe. With the Mongol Kotan reestablished and Tavros Archigos at the head, he now achieved the role as Khan of all Mongols.

[EmeraldStag 165]

((EDIT))

((Like the idea of a backstory, I guess i can make one for mine as well, Also rewrote it, felt it was a bit much.))

Midori Tengu's Backstory

In a land farther away from Asulon as one can get, Midori Tengu called this land her home. In her early years, she lived in her father's home. She lived in a kingdom. Knights walking the streets keeping the peace, the poor in the slums, drinking cheap ale. Midori had few friends, seldom the one boy across the street. She would go out and play with him, playing in the streets and daring each-other who could go farther into the woods. for the first 12 years of her life, Midori was contempt with everything she had. A home, and a friend. Not to mention clean food and drinking water.

THen one day, when she was 12, her father came home, obviously drunk and wild eyed. He tells her that he thought he had a good chance at winning, that he was cheated out of his money. He told her that everything would be ok once the money started coming in.

The money never came in. Soon She and her father were out on the streets poor and hungry. The boy from across the street, Marik Igura, tried to keep Midori fed by bringing her scraps of food. She always was too proud to take any from him, and turned her nose up to it. When she did that, Marik would just place them in her lap and walk away, slightly hurt. Midori always scolded herself for denying him and knew it hurt him but she was too proud.

2 years later, now 14, they live in an alleyway. Marik still came by everyday to give Midori his scraps. her father, after coming back to their ally, says he has exciting news. The news is is that now Midori can go work in a plac with other young women, and earn enough money to live a normal life again.

Her father leads her to a strange man. He looks her over and names a price, Midori's Father accepts it. The strange man then grabs Midori and chains her up. Then the strange man leads her away from her father, all the while she looks back at him, but only sees him counting the money he just got. He had sold her into slavery.

For the next 8 years she is forced to work. Everyday at all hours. Now 22 years of age, she has gotten used to her new life. She is shipped from place to place, unsure of what the next place will have her do. She was sent to a large facility that has people work in a refinery. For months she works in it, getting ever more tired. One day she collapses from the work, and one of the knight guards comes and forces her to get up. When she collapses again, the guy raises a whip. As he raises it over his head, something from behind him hits him in the back of the head.

The knight crumples to the ground and out of the shadow a figure comes out. "You're Midori right?" She looks up at him with questioning eyes. "Y-yes I am, who are you?". The guy lifts her to her feet, but then picks her up in his arms, seeing as she is unable to get up. "Don't you recognize me?" He smiles a weird smile but still she doesn't recognize him though she knows she has seen that face somewhere. Before she has a chance to say anything, guards come over and find the other one knocked out. The mysterious man starts to run from them, going through many rows of people working at the iron refinery.

As he runs towards the main gate exiting the facility, there are more guards waiting for them there. He sets her, uses some form of bird call, and men that were hiding in the shadows come out and attack the guards. The mysterious man then sends one of them to take me out of the refinery. Midori finally figures out why she knows that face. "Marik? is that you?" the man smiles but doesn't say anything. He hands her three items, a boat ticket, a bag of gold, and a smooth cut emerald.

After that he only looks at her one last time and then goes off to fight the guards. The person he had sent to Midori takes her out of the facility. After getting a distance away,the whole facility explodes, shards of metal rain onto the ground in ther surrounding forest. A few days later, after Midori regains her strength. and is told by the guy that she has to get onto the boat. As Midori heads towards the boat, she looks at her boat ticket.

"Asulon huh? Must be very far away." After buying new attire, she heads towards the docks, promising herself that she will become stronger, and will never again let that happen to her. She gains an apprenticeship with a woman knight and learns the skills of swords. Through her experience, she has now become a shy person, but if you cross her she will cut your throat. She has nightmares all the time about what happened, but she won't let it become her. She is happy that Marik had found her, though the guy never said anything. She knew he was dead so she didn't try to find him. She heads off to the boat and awaits to see what the new land brings her.

]

[Samson Option 9652]

Sauros stands upon the plains, thinking to himself about what has happened as of late, the death of one Divinus VonXiphias taunting him while the meeting between him and the Renatian Noble Alexander praising him. On one side, he feels at fault for allowing a man to die in his presence, accustomed to being the Khagan, the guide who guides to the best decisions; obviously suicide not being what he advocated. On the other, whilst the Volsung Vikings have hide behind the grand cape of the Renatian King, Godfrey, he had welcomed with open arms and intellectual adages a Renatian man of high status and proved the Subudai to be all, but ignorant as the Volsung proclaim.

He remembers as he sits atop his bent legs, incense smoke drifting aloft as waves of grass bow and raise gracefully to the tune of the high winds; he remembers what has happened as of late. He meditates on his philosophy, how he sees his way, the way of the Subudai emerge from the water in solid form. How he advocated to the Renatian Noble that man is indeed flawed and how he observed how the King was flawed, yet possessed the control which makes man good in his deeds; every good act a form of control. How he chuckled as Alexander misunderstood his example of how Godfrey is controlled, which he brought up how the King loves his wife. Pointing out that a man of such power could make love with any woman within his realm, yet controls himself to express love to only his wife, only to have Alexander naively confused. How when the noble informed him of the clergy blessing Renatus, how he pointed out that if the Creator is All-Powerful...

...then he needs no tool in flawed man; how his power is immeasurable and the plague could be an example of such.

He remembers discussing the situation of the Volsung Vikings attempting to request the destruction of the Subudai and their nomadic ways from King Godfrey, only to have Sauros giving a rebuttal that he sees no reason for this and how the Volsung seem to have an ulterior motive having ran immediately to the King; a sign of folly. How he brought to attention how he sent himself to the Black Keep to observe the King's interest in the human cultures, how he obliged to reveal himself to the King and show respect. How the Subudai would gladly migrate to show respect for Renatus's wish to 'own' the land of Norjun, informing Alexander that the Subudai never consider any land to be owned by their own. Sauros remembers as he placed a finger into the foamy soil and told Alexander that not even the land they sit upon at the very moment was owned by the Subudai, explaining that because of this belief; they always welcomed travelers from far or near.

As Sauros smiles faintly, the wind slowing to a cool breeze, goosebumps raise like mountains upon the face of the earth as his demeanor changes. He swallows the cold air as a gloomy frown produces upon his face at the thought of the burning Manor in Rienna; the screams of Divinus replays in his mind. Why he had to kill himself was beyond questioning, but the fault that seems so engraved in Sauros's mind is one that he questions, like the baying of a cow upon being branded by white-hot iron. He remembers that day so well, how it began by kidnapping the Minister of Economy Harmeh of Rienna whilst Divinus alongside the Subudai had secretly ransacked Rienna whilst the plague lingered. How Sauros felt suspicious of Divinus and his seemingly innocuous behavior through the plague-filled air, all but confirmed when they held Harmeh hostage in a single room on the second floor of Rienna Manor. Sauros was discussing with his Kotansmani when Divinus abruptly ordered Delthor to stick an explosive onto Harmeh's back, Sauros remembers protesting and explaining how if his death was incurred by explosion; collateral damage would surely result by the manor's collapsing on the Kotansmani of the Subudai.

Divinus and Sauros trade barbs as Divinus attempts to order Rocco Balereo and Delthor to do different actions whilst Sauros beckons them to think rationally and to not follow Divinus's orders. They feud over how Divinus seems controlling, while Divinus gives a rebuttal slandering Sauros as a hypocrite. Sauros explains how as Khagan, he does not order, but simply guides rationally to the best decision. Sauros eschewed Divinus for being too controlling and that he was glad to oblige to help Divinus until he had proposed using explosives. Sauros rocks slowly as he remembers the events clearly, how it boiled down to Divinus and Sauros vying for Rocco to either fall towards Divinus's regime or to remain within the Subudai. Divinus advocating that since he bought armor and saved his life, that he is owed loyalty, while Sauros told Rocco that loyalty cannot be bought and that the freedom of the Subudai guarantees he does not have to make such wretched decisions that split friend into foe. Rocco hesitantly attempts to agree with both, to keep both in companionship, but Divinus rejects and tells Rocco to decide one or the other; with Sauros simply lowering his head and informing Rocco that he would not be angered if he choose Divinus. Much to the chagrin of Divinus and surprise of Sauros, Rocco proclaims his intention to stay with the Subudai; leaving Divinus with a broken will as he slumps back after the decision was made.

Sauros eyes water, the wrinkles of his eyes like aqueduct catching each tear and guiding it along his cheeks. Why Divinus did such a thing, to commit suicide in such a gruesome manner was heart-wrenching for Sauros; who has never witnessed a man die before his eyes. Now... the Subudai mourn, Syrmatae Varin burning the body upon a funeral pyre, Delthor cursing flagrantly, Syrmatae Vladivoj comforting Sauros each time they meet each other. Sauros looks to the North with an expressionless face, the migration is imminent and needed more than ever...