[Glorantha] FP2: A Yelmalio Timeline

II. Golden Years - the Birth of the Yelmalio Pantheon in the Far Place 1357-1617

1042 The Youf Empire (EWF) is sacked by dragonewts and humans. Escape of the half-beasts.

1100 Pelorian armies (the Invincible Golden Horde) attack dragonewt nest cities in Dragon Pass.

1330 First human re-occupation of Dragon Pass. Arim the Pauper courts the hero-priestess Sorana Tor, and founds the Tarsh tribe.

1357 Taros Ridgeleaper leads the Far Walkers across Dwarf Run, guided by a star javelin and a Righteous Wind. They battle the Half-Beasts for Alda Chur and discover the verdant cattle lands of Jaskor's Hold. Vantor reveals the new Power of Yelmaltar, the Enduring Light.

The original Far Walkers are typical pioneers - religious minorities, small family groups and bandit/adventuring gangs fleeing vengeance or tribal war, or seeking new lands and opportunity. Most are farmers and sheep herders.
(Cattle are more romantic, but sheep travel better). For the most part,
they are Alakoring Orlanthi from Saird, Aggar, Bilini and Holay, together with Lodrilites and worshippers of other solar tribal gods, some of whom bear titles that include 'yelmalos', the Brightness, Spear or Courage of Yelm.

The mysterious star javelin and Righteous Wind that guides the Far Walkers in their journey spawns a secretive though enduring cult.

Taros the Ridgeleaper, leader of the Far Walkers, is a devotee of Elmal. The discovery of the Godtime Elmali redoubt near Amadhall, a sacred and potent cult center, strengthens the power of this Orlanthi sun cult.

The Resettlement period is characterised by great religious diversity, and little if any religious rivalry. Families carry on their ancestral traditions in isolated steads, passing them on my word of mouth and ritual, and there are few priests or major shrines. With clans and tribes and further settlement, many smaller homeland and family traditions coalesce into discrete, uniquely Far Place cults that are part tradition, part syncreticism, and part reflection of the powers and realities of the new land. Chief among these are Yelmaltar and Ernalda/Sharla. When the clans meet, communal sacrifices are jointly offered to Orlanth, Yelmaltar, and Ernalda. Both major male deities are husband-protectors to Ernalda/Sharla, and Yelmaltar and Elmal are essentially considered brothers in arms.

The Youfish ruin of Alda Chur is recolonised during the first wave of settlement, amidst events that create a fundamental and enduring division between city and stead, lowland and upland, Sun and Storm. As recounted in Taroskarla, Vantar Sun Vision, a son of the Ridgeleaper, discovers an enormous golden-domed temple midst the ruins of the ancient city. This temple is dedicated to various long-sleeping Blue Flame powers, and it incorporates many elements that Vantar identifies with the barbarian fire gods of his people.

Vantar listens to the Powers of the temple, journeys to their places on the Other Side, is granted access to their gnosis, and over several decades, incorporates this knowledge into his own tribal traditions, He forges a distinctively Far Place cult of Yelmaltar, the Enduring Light.

The new cult incorporated elements from various barbarian traditions including Somel SunSpear, Yavor Lightning, Old Somak, and the volcanic blue flame, light-against-darkness and agricultural powers of the Alda Chur temple and its reawakened deity. Over the next several generations, the Light Enduring attracts many through its vitality and power, and through the growing riches of the new city it commands.

1395 Yarandros Horse Thief conquers dissenting Orlanthi, founds Kingdom of Tarsh.

1415 The Gift Bringing: the dividing of the Far Place tribes. Creation of Princeros, Vantaros, Kasdarni and Tovtaros tribes. First Lord of the Far Place, with nominal allegiance to king of Tarsh. First AldaThingi.

By 1415, a distinct Far Walker ethos and identity has emerged among the nascent clans.

The Orlanthi pantheon, adaptable to change and a wide variety in circumstance, remains the major pantheon of the uplands with little change in its ancestral ways. The Animal Twins cult (see Taroskarla) forges a heroic harmony and coexistence with the Powers of the upland wilderness. Though some consider it too extreme a surrender, it becomes part of Orlanthi communal worship, taking its place along new hero cults of the Ridgeleaper and other tribal founders. The Elmali cult grows in strength, consolidating around the ritual power of its secret Redoubt.

Yelmaltar at first unites divergent traditions and grows in strength, though two distinct forms are already emerging, one for the city and plains, and a second, hardier, less-sophisticated version for the upland steads.

In this period, we see the first concerns with ritual purity and apartness among the Yelmaltae, with geasa, dietary prohibitions, and in some cases separate stead buildings.

The founder cult of the Righteous Wind fades to relative obscurity. It will reemerge in a more violent time.

Far Walkers fight each other over clan and cattle, over king and over freedom, but not yet over their gods.

Alda Chur grows increasingly prosperous. The Aldachuri elite seeks greater involvement (and protection) from Tarsh, but most Far Walkers see little need for their Tarsh overlords, with whom they share only nominal links of history and identity. Trade brings increased knowledge of the Empire and Darra Happan Heartland, and the active adoption of northern religious elements within the Yelmaltar cult.

1448 Tarsh Civil War begins. Tarkalor of the Princeros, Prince of Alda Chur, unsuccessfully declares himself king of Tarsh.

As the settlement progresses, 'frontier' warrior, hunting and farming cults became more important in the uplands, while agricultural and mercantile needs predominate in the city and plains. Distinctly Far Place Yelmaltar hero cults arise to fill this need. Tensions between upland and plain grow in the Yelmaltar cult, leading to increased central authority and attempts at further standardisation, some by way of intimidation, clan feuds and at least one brief tribal war. Many upland Yelmaltae reject Alda Chur's authority, secure in the protection of their Orlanthi kin. Some seek freedom in the cult of Elmal.

The dynastic struggles within Tarsh serve as a focus for increasing religious tensions in the Far Place. After the defeat of Prince Tarkalor (a Princeros Duke of the Far Place who declared himself a candidate for the Tarshite crown), the tribes became increasingly disinterested in the Tarshite struggle. The Aldachuri make a brief pact with Illaro Blacktooth and together they plunder the Quivini, but the city learns quickly that profit might come in many forms during wartime, and that taking sides is ultimately an unprofitable action. As a merchant city, it afterwards remains studiously neutral. The upland Orlanthi could be relied on for fiery oaths and furtive cattle raids, but contribute little that is not to their immediate advantage.

The Golden Octad, the Alda Chur city council, is formed at this time, a balance of Vantaros, Princeros and mercantile interests. It is created as a mainly hereditary institution, with various families and clans appointing office holders in perpetuity. It this it is as much Alakoring and Tarshite as Solar.

The Tarsh Civil War brings steady waves of settlers and refugees. Many make their new home in Wintertop, but those seeking peace and a new life enter the Far Place, and are pushed beyond the Sharl to the rainy uplands and eternal gors of the east. These predominantly Orlanthi tribesfolk once again shift the balance of power. They have little time for Solar gods whose cultists seek the emulate the ways of the Empire.

As the Princedom discovers its unique identity, it also discovers its barbaric shame in the way it is regarded by inhabitants of the Darra Happan Heartland. And the Lunar Empire turns its eyes toward Alda Chur for the first time. The greatest power in the land, and the strongest possible ally against the Orlanthi tribes of the uplands, is the Yelmaltar cult. But first, it has to be prepared...

1449 First Chaos-Breaking. Major eruption of chaos out of Ginijji.

The invasion is broken by summoning the Righteous Wind, and on it rides Black Thunderbird, the Wrath of Orlanth.

An Odaylan hero named Rangar Wakes-In-Darkness guides Storm Voices to an ancient ruin. They speak to godlings there, and discovered how to summon and guide the dark wind of the north, known to them from tales of the founding.

1451 Tribal kinstrife as solar missionaries spread the tale of Elmal Orlanththrall. Mutilation of the Elmali sacred Sun Horse at Beardance Stead by Vantaros raiders.

Under Heartland, and other, less obvious influences, the Alda Churi adopt more and more Darra Happan elements into their cult, eager to cast off the label of barbarism. The rituals grow stronger. Increased trade brings more Darra Happans and Pelorians to Alda Chur. City Yelmaltae use their newfound riches to begin separating themselves from 'polluted' neighbours and from their womenfolk. Separate womens quarters begin to appear at Yelmaltae steads, mimicking the traditions of Darra Happa. For the first time, worshippers of 'lowly' birth are denied entry to the cult. Lodrilite block parties grow larger and rowdier.

Tales begin to circulate of Elmal Orlanththrall, the solar warrior who threw off his true heritage to become a slave to foreign gods. And a run-of-the-gors kinstrife feud takes on much wider significance when sacred Elmali horses are slaughtered in an act designed to provoke outrage. In retaliation, several Yelmaltae steads are burned, man, wife and child. Feuds break out across the north, a cycle of violence and counter violence that will endure for generations.

The clans grow increasingly nervous. Upland Yelmaltae begin withdraw from clan life into their own lodges and steads. Many withdraw from the moots, sending only their elders. Alakoring laws of the Vingkot tradition, long established on the Sharl, become more common in the uplands, a direct challenge to the law of Andrin. A version of Vingkot rises to new prominence in the cultic rites of the Yelmaltae, a barbarian king who knew the path to purity. The Vantaros fyrd and the Aldachuri Light Sons (the city guard) become in part professional, standing armies, supported by merchant gold.

1490 Hon Eel the Artess proclaims herself Regent of Tarsh. Widespread Revolt. Aldachuri crowds murder Lunar sympathisers and seize their property.

The Aldachuri unite in their opposition to the Lunar coup. Spontaneous rioting in the streets of Alda Chur compels the Golden Octad to act against the Regency.

1496 Consecration of Temple of Reaching Moon near Furthest.

1510+ Sartar's roads help Alda Chur become an important trading city.

The wealth of Alda Chur flows disproportionately to Lokarnos and Yelmaltae families of the Vantaros and Princeros tribes, who also increasingly dominate the Aldathingi and the election of the Prince. Smarting from the actions imposed on them by the citizenry and tribes during the open revolt against Tarsh, the Octad begins a concerted campaign to weaken Orlanthi power. Orlanthi families with power in the city, always a minority, are progressively purged. The Aldachuri make peace with king Phoronestes, and negotiate neutrality with the Exiles. Anti-Tarsh insurgents are made less welcome, and base themselves in Wintertop or the upland gors.

Heroes of the Yelmaltae cult introduce new rites and quests, further strengthening the cult. Imported antesmia statues and rituals demonstrate tremendous magical potency in creating sun spears and in ripening grain. A Lunar delegation helps to decipher and reactivate some of the secrets of the Alda Chur temple, and oracle priestesses of Eskala begin their sacred duties. Under the guidance of a Darra Happan Dayzatarii, the first priestly retirement towers rise high above the city walls. Purity, Continence and Celibacy are promoted as central virtues, and a new city code evicts much base activity to locales outside the city walls. Alda Chur Beyond-the-Gate rapidly becomes a flourishing red light district.

1557 Elmal/Yelmaltar kinstrife in Far Point erupts into tribal war. Massacre of Yelmaltar families at Fort Engoli. Extinction of the (Orlanthi) Priderni clan of the Tovtaros. Many Vantaros tribesfolk convert to Yelmaltar.

The agricultural/mercantile tribes of the Sharl Plains enjoy a continuing ascendancy. Aldachuri military intervention in upland clan feuds becomes increasingly common.

Sharla, the goddess of the plains, is formally identified with Ernalda for the first time. The Alda Chur harvest celebrations (which coincide with the annual cattle markets) become a week long festival in her honour. Sharla and Yelmaltar are married in a great civic ceremony.

There is, however, a growing unease from within the Yelmaltar cult of the direction it is taking. Cultic identity is increasingly intertwined with Tarshite politics. A minority of conservative sun worshippers wish to cast off the 'foreign' influences that are accreting and return to a native Far Place vitality and form for the worship of their god, together with a cessation of the feuding with Orlanthi and Elmali. This internal dissent is increasingly associated with the Princeros tribe, and especially with the chieftain Yelason Trembling Sky and his thanes of the TruePath clan, who form the core of Alda Chur's city guard and the Karelkan Uz killers. Yelason's rival and factional enemy is Hadros Goldtooth, tribal champion of the Vantaros. The two warrior priests often work together, but each sees a different future for their people, and each is ruthless in enacting his own vision.

1572 - King Tarkalor of Sartar supports Monrogh's godquest, and creates a Sartarite Sun County.

Among the Quivini, renegade Elmali employ what the Aldachuri recognise as an antesmia statue during a tribal rebellion. Prince Tarkalor of Sartar
('wily as Yinkin, as many faces as Heler') promises them their own lands in
return for support, and together they smash the Kitori. Their leader is Monrogh Lantern, and guided by a vision from his god, he founds a Sun Dome Temple on lands granted by the Prince. Monrogh?s new cult is powerful, and his god is Yelmalio.

When news of this event filters north to the Far Place, its effect is profound. Yelmalio and Yelmaltar - given the difference in language, surely this is the same god! And Monrogh's cult is free from Imperial interference!

The Yelmaltae proclaim that Elmali worshippers (by now well-entrenched rivals and enemies) should surrender to the greater truth of Yelmalio, as has happened in Sartar. The Far Place Orlanthi claim that Yelmalio is obviously subservient to Orlanth, and that the Yalmaltae must cease their fascination with the seductions of the Lunar Empire. The Elmali clans themselves, long on the defensive, are utterly crushed by this revelation from the south.

The Aldachuri, crippled by Tarshite taxes and facing mercantile disruption from constant dynastic warfare, begin to look southwards for support. Tarkalor has proven himself remarkably effective in countering Tarshite raids, and the new Kingdom of Sartar has much in common with the clans of the Far Place. Tarkalor is eager to cement the bonds of friendship. He reveals that one of the Visionaries that guided Monrogh's godfinding was Arinsor Clearmind, a dragonfriend hero whose minor cult is part of the Yelmaltae pantheon. The same god indeed!

Emissaries from Sun County in Sartar quickly make alliance with Yelason's conservative warrior faction. Yelmaltar begins to be also called Yelmalio. The alliance introduces new forms of worship and ritual, and a mythic power equal to the Heartland rites.

The entire decade is one of great political instability and change. Nothing can be taken for granted, everything is in flux. Old allegiances falter, and new allies are found in surprising quarters.

  1578 Birth of Harvar Hadrosson, later called Ironfist, to the Ambergrain clan of the Vantaros.

Harvar is the second son of Hadros Goldtooth, tribal champion of the Vantaros and a leader of the Heartland Yelmaltae faction. His mother is Kerlissa the Sable, a Tarshite noblewoman who claims kinship with the descendants of king Orios of Tarsh.

1582 Battle of Grizzly Peak. Death of Tarkalor. Collapse of the Exile Cause. A Lunar army besieges Alda Chur. Terasin of Sartar breaks siege.

The split between conservative and Heartland factions of the Yelmaltae effectively paralyses the Aldachuri in this crucial period. Kinstrife, the curse of the Far Walkers, threatens to break the federation. The Tovtaros king Tarful Darkshield is elected Prince of the Far Place. Tarkalor leads his allies against Tarsh, and Darkshield raises an army in support. Both are killed at Grizzly Peak. The triumphant Lunar army ravages Wintertop and lays siege to Alda Chur. Yelmaltae/Orlanthi kinstrife erupts within the walls, and many leading merchant families are murdered.

In late autumn, the new Sartarite king Terasin leads a Sartarite army to break the siege. He is proclaimed Warlord of the Aldachuri, and the new Prince of the Far Place, a Issaries hero-priest of the Tovtaros named Garstall Silverfoot, makes an oath of fealty to the Sartarite king. Terasin dissolves the Golden Octad, instituting an elected city ring and appointing a Mayor in the Sartarite fashion.

1583 Tribes of the Far Place join Kingdom of Sartar. Terasin proclaimed Warlord of the Aldachuri: designs new wall and towers for the city. Foundation of Alone.

The rivalry between the Yelmaltae families of the Princeros and Vantaros threatens to descend into open kinstrife. The horrific murders of the siege, together with the dissolution of the Octad, have marginalised many wealthy families and seriously weakened the two tribes' monopoly on power. In secret, they reach out to old allies. And begin to plan their revenge.

Alda Chur is purged of its more obvious Heartland supporters (though in truth few survived the slayings during the siege). The temple however, still looks to the civilisation in the north for support and inspiration.

In a partial solution, Yelason's Truepath clan sunders from the Princeros and from informal contact with outsiders. Some travel south to the Sartar Sun Dome. Others convert their villas into military barracks, forming an inner mercenary spear cult modelled on their southern mentors. These 'Yelmalians' as they style themselves, still retain control of the city guard and the Uz killer units.

 From this time forward, there are effectively two Enduring Light cults in the Far Place, with much in common but even more to divide them. In fact, three, for Yelason's nativist cult has a secretive, military inner membership, the Blue Gold Wall/Spears of the Sun.

As part of Sartar, the Orlanthi clans of the Far Place regain a measure of ascendancy.

Alone is built as a refuge for Grizzly Peak survivors unwilling or unable to live on Wintertop. The town has a Mayor in the Sartarite tradition, and is a meeting place for the Amad and Bachad tribes, and for the clans that will soon comprise the new tribe of the Tres. In pushing trails and roads into the previously isolate Hidden Valley and eastern gors, the foundation of the city unwittingly makes Amadhall more open to discovery and attack.

1595 Yelason Trembling-Sky conducts SunSpear Ritual at Engoli: brings 144 days of sunshine. Mass conversions to Yelmalio amongst Princeros, Vantaros, Tovtaros and Dinacoli.

Fort Engoli borders on the Rain Gors, the sodden area south of Skyfall watered by the Skyriver. Yelason's great Yelmalio ritual could not have seemed more miraculous. Many Elmali feel they can join the cult now it is free from perceived Lunar domination, and that it has the blessing of the Sartarite kings. A measure of peace returns to many previously feuding clans.

The remaining Elmali can find little support even from the Orlanthi tribal kings, and retreat to isolated steads in the gors, especially around Alone and Amadhall.

In Alda Chur, the old Yelmaltae families rebuild their power and influence, carefully biding their time. The former families of the Golden Octad retain much of their influence, though they take care to act in secret. The Empire views the merchants of the city on favourable terms, and many bonds of contract, sponsorship and discipleship are formed.

A third force begins to make its appearance in city life. Converts to the Lunar Way find neither Orlanth nor Yelmaltar to their liking. They can not act openly in the name of their Goddess, but a progressive faction united under the banner of the Grain Wagoners steadily gains influence in Alda Chur affairs.

Vantaros, Princeros and lowland Tovtaros war bands become increasingly active in feuds with upland steads.

1597 Initiation of Harvar Hadrosson

1600 Salinarg becomes King of Sartar. Household of Death bases itself in Alda Chur

By contrast with warming relations with the Empire, Alda Churi relations with Sartar deteriorate after the death of Terasin. Terasin was increasingly deserted by his allies during his reign, and his successor Salinarg's coronation is plagued by dire omen. The fact that the sun turns pale as the new king makes his vows is especially noted in the Far Place, and interpreted by some Orlanthi as foretelling the fall of Yelmalio, on whom the Kings of Sartar have unwisely bestowed favour.

Ill-born Salinarg has little time for the Far Place except in his hunger for gold and warriors. His demands are increasingly ignored. The placing of elements of the fanatical, humakti Household of Death in Alda Chur is seem as both a gross insult to the city, and an ill-conceived, diplomatically naive threat. In truth it is neither - the Household formed in 1600 around the king's children, who have dedicated themselves to Humakt and defence of the kingdom.

1602 Lunars invade Far Place and Sartar. Princeros, Vantaros and Tovtaros ascendancy near complete.

Sartar's final month's under Salinarg are those of a kingdom in disarray.

The invading Lunar Army, led by the Emperor Himself, is met at the hill known as Cursed by the City Guard and elements of the Vantaros and Princeros fyrds, who escort the Lunar commanders in honour guard to the city. The crowds of Alda Chur cheer the invading army, and the Lunars make sure they pay a fair price for their provisions. The re-empowered Golden Octad make sacrifice to Sedenya and her Immortal Son, Yelm's Emperor, and a Seven Mothers shrine is sanctified within the portico of the Great Temple.

A counter-attack into Tarsh is organised by the Household of Death, backed by Sartarite and Pavite hero bands, loyalist elements of the Light Sons, and elements of the Tovtaros, Amad and Bachad fyrds. They face Tusk Riders and Uz, and are seared body and soul at the Glowline in a magical attack that proves to be a portent of what is to come.

The Righteous Wind does not blow against the invader as it has in times past, for strange gold-armoured warriors ambush its priests on the God Plane as they call to their god.

After an initial purge of Sartarite sympathisers and the reinstallation of the Golden Octad, the Lunars make few changes to the administration of Alda Chur. The barbarian office of Mayor is replaced by a more traditional High Scaler of Weights and Measures, and the office is given to a Tarshite noble, Vandak Three Visions. A new and compliant Prince is elected, Phoronestes the Glib, who is also anointed as an Imperial Duke. Phoronestes barks to the command of Euglptus the Fat, and to the regional Army Commander Duke Nevestos the Hydra.

In the following years, Alda Chur blossoms. It quickly becomes the largest market city in the south, straddling the roads linking Prax and Sartar with the Empire. A major Lunar Army supply and stores depot, the Field of the Tents of Silver, is established outside the city, and it becomes a popular rest and recreation locale for Lunar troops. The garrisons established in Alda Chur and Fort Engoli face few disruptions; those in Alone and Ironspike are troubled only when they leave the town walls to venture into the gors. But there is little to interest the Empire in the wild uplands, and for the most part the clans are untroubled.

1606 Moon Storm unleashed upon the uplands. Elmali godar counter-challenge in the Battle of the Three Markets.

With the Empire comes an endless procession of Imperial religious dignitaries, Army priestesses, official missionaries, religious engineers, threestep hucksters, and a panoply of small cults that birth in the mongrel mixings of Empire and conquered. In Alda Chur, where every beggar is a philosopher and dogmatics or apologetics a topic at every drinking post, this influx is greeted with a cosmopolitan confidence, if not a typical Yalmaltae disdain. In the uplands, it is greeted with bronze and iron.

It is not known whether the Moon Storm is officially sanctioned by the Empire. These warrior missionaries claim to hail from Aggar, and they certainly have the implicit support and protection of the Army. They bring word of a Darra Happan thunder god, and they use trickery, force of arms and magical contests as their method of persuasion. Their magic is as strange as it is powerful, and it seems that some of them at least are Emptied. Travelling in irregular bands, these warrior-priests target clan godar, priests and kolatings. They issue public challenges at every market, and engage any Orlanthi holy person, willing or unwilling, in magical challenges and trials of strength that often result in death. The provocations of the Moon Storm predicably result in riot, raid and rising: these rebellions are matched with stead burnings and Army intervention. The hand of Orlanth is weakened.

In Earth Season 1606 three gors-taken Elmali sunstarers appear at the crowded cattle fairs in Alone, Ironspike and in the Outer Market at Alda Chur. The Elmali are by inclination a practical and dutiful people, and nurture few solitary holy ones such as these. They are men who have cultivated a terrible power, but no one knows their names or their clan. Their magic is terrible, and with spears and light and unfaltering courage they challenge, attack, and break the magics of their Moon Storm opponents.

Two prevail to victory in Alda Chur and Alone: at Ironspike, the third is tricked by a mirror demon and cut down by a dozen blades. In Alone this victory incites a riot of Orlanthi supporters, in Alda Chur the Elmali is lynched by an angry crowd. The news carries, the clans rise, but they have no leader and no coordinated purpose. Lunar vengeance is directed against the Elmali.

1606 - Orlanthi priests agitate for violent expulsion of Lunar missionaries.

1607 Lunar defeat at Ghost Gors.

A substantial force of some 3,000 Lunar regulars and mercenary bands, including elements of the Quarter Come Corps and the Jintori Heartlanders, assemble at Fort Engoli. Their mission is to destroy a highly mobile force of rebels who had been raiding from Herongreen to Glasswall, threatening the all-important road trade. Believing they can ambush the rebels at their winter camp, the Lunar columns set into the deep forest of the Ghost Gors during Dark Season. They are never seen again.

1608 Ghost Gors bodies discovered. Lunars place 'pacification' of FP into hands of Alda Chur Overtribe.

The first Lunar bodies are retrieved from the Ghost Gors. The all-important silver crescents and battle horns of the defeated regiments are never recovered.

The later savagery of Gamla's Leap and the Righteous Wind reprisals are in part repayment for the Ghost Gors. And the forest is haunted still by ghosts of the restless dead.

The Righteous Wind blows among the gors, and it makes many ghosts.

The Wind Lord Ingan Many-Storm defeats the magicians of the Moon Storm.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe, Lunars abandon their direct military intervention in the Far Place. Prince Phoronestes is replaced as Prince of the Far Place by a Vantaros warrior, Harnos Hadrosson, called the Pure. The Bachad and Amad challenge the election, and refuse to swear fealty. The Vantaros, Princeros and Golden Octad are combined into the Aldachuri Overtribe, under the direct authority of the Prince. Harnos appoints his younger brother Harvar Ironfist as Warlord of the Aldachuri. Several Princeros leaders are murdered in suspicious circumstances.

Harvar recruits a large number of war bands and mercenaries from within and without his land. They move increasingly openly against dissident clans. He does not employ the Yelason's Yelmalio Spears of the Sun, who are rivals and opponents, though they remain active as part of the Alda Chur Guard.

1610 Fall of Pavis. Many Aldachuri rebels return to their tribes.

1611 Elmali kinstrife is stirred up by Lunar agitators, leading to Righteous Wind Rebellion.

Alda Chur is torn apart by rioting. Harvar Ironfist destroys most of the Orlanthi rebel army in the first days of the uprising at Gamla?s Leap. Prince Harnos is killed in an ambush on the road to Alone. Harvar proclaims himself Lord of the Alda-Churi. Purge of Orlanthi tribes. Gates of Ironspike sealed. Burning of Alone ? 550 killed, halving the town?s population. Extensive destruction of walls and buildings.

A band of Amad vingans ? the Burning Wind Women - penetrate the Place of Bronze in Aldachur, and several of Ironfist's closest kin and advisors taste blades of vengeance.

First reports of Gagarthi fighting for Aldachur. Also reports of Lunar bands that fight with flaming balls of madness.

Many refugees swarm southwards into Torkani lands. Some Elmali unilaterally proclaim the Peace of the One Sun, refusing to fight further.

Peace of Alone. Bachad and Amad dealt with harshly, lose tribal rings. Town is heavily taxed. Many clans move north into the gors bordering Dagori Inkarth. A new tribe, the Tres, is formed by rebel clans. All three tribes of the Alone Undertribe are dealt with harshly, but increasingly move beyond the watch of Harvar?s mercenaries. An Orlanthi named Coming Storm is their apparent leader.

Harvar Ironfist elected Prince by the tribes.

1613 Starbrow?s Rebellion. Ironfist?s assistance is instrumental in Lunar victory. Far Point places itself nominally under Kingdom of Tarsh.

Harvar is made Duke of the Far Place by Tarsh. Diplomatic games begin as it becomes apparent that Harvar has cultivated many Imperial ties.

Dinacoli join Aldachur Confederation, to generally cool reception.

1614 First reports of a mysterious Bigger Wind cult fighting the Righteous Wind.

The Bigger Wind becomes a watchword for terror and sudden, bloody violence.

1621 Fall of Whitewall.

Cheers

John Received on Wed 12 Jul 2006 - 07:13:18 EEST