[indent][sub][right]1[/right][/sub][/indent] [hr][hr] [hider=Nedal's Conspiracy, Tun Daruyö, The Prince's Odyssey] [hr] [indent][center] [h3]Nedal's Conspiracy[/h3] Day ???, Week ???, Cycle ??? Winter, The Yaagkhege Steppe[/center] Months before the migration, [i]Nedal of Ikhalg[/i] stands in a rolling sea of snow-blanketed grass, his lower legs enveloped. A stern, chilling wind sweeps the desolate steppe from the north, and Nedal braces against it with his grass cloak. No other creature or landmark is visible, aside from six other takhal who are clustered several paces away. A male with a portly figure looks over his shoulder at Nedal, and curses "[i]Azh![/i] Damn this wind, Nedal. Can't we get this over with before we freeze to death?" A lankier male adds in a chastising tone "[i]Önta's[/i] right. We didn’t leave our wives to march three horizons into the snow and watch you daydream." The others in the group look at Nedal, who has his gaze fixed on the horizon. He responds only with silence, and the two who had spoken share a look of apprehension. After a long moment, the lanky male continues more deferentially "Well… Why are we here?" Nedal faces the group following another pause, turning his eyes to the speaker. "You’re no friend of [i]Areg[/i], [i]Rhaman[/i]...” Rhaman looks confused, responding "Of [i]Danaal[/i]– Why?” He glances at the others. Nedal leaves his question and moves to Önta, who stiffens. Nedal places a hand on his shoulder, and murmurs "And you, Önta. He killed your nephew last summer, did he not?” Önta fumes at the mention of his nephew. "Of only a dozen cycles… [i]Kafar[/i].” Nedal pats Önta. “It's the custom to spare a challenger so young— It was a grave injury to your clan to loose such a promising youth.” He looks to each of the other takhal gathered there “[i]Ibakhi… Kesh… Ozha… Rhul[/i]. What do we have in common?” There is a pause before Nedal answers with a bitter tongue “Areg’s disfavor. It’s still known, how Ikhalg was hamstrung by Danaal in our prime– even after three generations, we feel the burden of dishonor just like any of you.” There is a murmur of agreement in the group, and Nedal continues “What’s more, he has shown disdain for all that makes the Takhal unique... It's well known, his intention to lead us away from the homeland, into strange and hostile territories. His ambition dishonors the ancestors!” He approaches the segment of the group which had remained silent, and they lean back in surprise. "Will it be your daughters, your wives who are defiled by the [i]Öngukhal[/i] when he goes to the west? Will it be your sons who are crushed under the stones of the Daanigkhal, when he forces them there? I say no!" Nedal moves to the center of the group, and faces them. The impassioned outburst goes a ways in convincing the group, except for Ibakhi, the oldest of the company, who poses “And what? He has the support of [i]Altiil[/i] with Daarö... Not to mention [i]Törad[/i] or [i]Jömalg[/i]” There is a moment of silence before Nedal returns “And what? They are strong, but against the six gathered here...” He gives a moment to let their minds finish his words, and Rhaman joins back in with an apprehensive tone “What are you suggesting?” Immediately followed by Ibakhi "You haven’t spoken this way to the council, Nedal. Why haven't you presented your concerns before? [i]Maulung[/i] has expressed similar contentions..." Nedal looks to Ibakhi, and responds "And the old fool has done nothing to curtail Areg. He is his son's father, it's obvious what his loyalties are." Rhaman shifts nervously "So what?" Nedal looks at him, and returns "We act! We halt Danaal's cursed hegemony, teach it and its allies a lesson, and reunite the other clans under our righteous leadership." Ibakhi comes back "We act [i]how?[/i]" Nedal moves towards Ibakhi, and grips his shoulder "An alliance. You are wise, Ibakhi, to question me, but I know as well as you do that the council will not hear our concerns. Areg has brainwashed the other clans against them." The older takhal stares at Nedal for a while, before responding "So you're suggesting?" Nedal nods, and releases Ibakhi. "We move against Danaal. All of us." He looks over his shoulder at the others. "Ikhalg is the second most numerous clan." He looks to Önta. "Jukta has the largest herds. Nearly half of the tribe is in debt to you some way or another..." He backs away to address them all. Önta, Kesh, Rhul, and Ozha murmur to each other in agreement, while Rhaman and Ibakhi look skeptical, but interested. "There will be a new council. Ikhalg will lead, and you— Jukta, [i]Löjakh, Sadur, Temug,[/i] and [i]Taghar[/i] will become its foremost allies." Nedal steps away, and Rhaman leans forward. "And what's to stop any of us from taking this discussion to the council?" While the group was in discussion, they had failed to see an approaching figure, smaller than the others in the group, who was now within a few paces. A feminine voice responds to the question. "Why would Areg believe you, Rhaman? The alibi of Daarö's eldest against the tribe's largest clan of aad thieves won't be a contest..." The entire group perks up in surprise, and turn their heads to the figure. Rhaman growls, and then protests in a shocked tone "A female! Who is she?" He looks over to Nedal, and takes several steps forward. The figure passes by the others, and moves to Nedal's side, laying a hand on his upper arm. Her tail flicks deviously. Nedal places a hand on her shoulder, and moves her away gently, stepping forward to meet an outraged Rhaman. She positions herself to Nedal's side, responding "[i]Dzamuri of Altiil[/i]." Rhaman's gaze flicks to her, and Nedal continues "She's indispensable in my plan." He glances at her for a moment, then back to Rhaman. "And my defense, if you do decide to go against me..." Rhaman glances between the two of them with a baffled look shared by the others, and then stammers "T-this... You two..." Nedal interrupts "Have done nothing wrong, aside from safeguard the future of our people. You cannot deny what I have told you today." Rhaman takes a step back, and places a hand over one ear, gripping his short mane. "[i]Daan Beikhal...[/i] You're really serious..." Nedal nods, then looks to the rest of the group. They exchange looks among each other. "So, I assume I've convinced most of you..." The four who had been in agreement confirm his assumption, one after the other. He looks to the two skeptics. "Ibakhi? Rhaman? Your final answer." Ibakhi huffs wearily, and turns his head to the side. After a moment of deliberation, he responds "For now. We will see what plans you have made." Rhaman takes a long time before responding "Fine. You have Löjakh's backing, Nedal... As long as you actually have a plan." Dzamuri brushes against Nedal's side, and he nods, acknowledging her with a touch of their tails. "I do. It begins this spring..."[/indent] [hr] [indent][center][h3]The Prince's Odyssey[/h3] Day ???, Week ???, Cycle ??? Springtime, Far West of the Nëzhiba Forest [sub]WIP[/sub][/center] A small takhal floats down a large river, his body motionless and embedded with the long, feathered shaft of an arrow. The flesh of his neck and jaw along one side is ripped open in a bloody tear, likely by the same weapon. The light of dawn stretches over his waterlogged, barely living form, and the chirping of birds can be heard nearby. Eventually, his body drifts into a recently toppled log, where he becomes snagged on one of its outstretched branches. He draws in shallow, ragged breaths– this part of his journey was over. [/indent][hr] [indent][center]STAY TUNED, MORE COMING SOON![/center] [/indent][/hider] [hr][hr] [hider=Synopsis][hr][indent] In the winter before the most recent migration south, Nedal of Ikhalg conspires against the current chieftain, Areg of Danaal. With inside help from Dzamuri of Altiil, as well as a newly formed power block of Areg's enemies, he plans to depose Areg and the Danaal clan in the following migration.[/indent] [hr] [indent] The son of Areg makes a perilous journey west following his father’s deposition and killing, pursued by Ikhalg warriors. [/indent][hr][/hider] [hr][hr] [hider=Deep Lore! The Öngukhal! Clans!][hider=The Öngukhal][indent][center][b]The Öngukhal[/b][/center] The takhal name for the thugal. Roughly, it means "Mushroom Aliens." They were first reported some time ago in takhal expeditions to the west, and their sighting caused much xenophobia-motivated uproar back home. There has been no action, hostile or otherwise considered by the current leaders of the takhal, but an instinctual distrust remains. Not much about the thugal and their behavior or society is known by the takhal, thus Nedal's use of them to invoke fear.[/indent][/hider] [hider=Clan Information][indent][b]Ikhalg:[/b] The Ikhalg are the second most populous takhal clan, just behind Danaal. They were formerly respected, but following an unpopular Ikhalg chieftain defeated in a challenge from Danaal (Areg of Danaal's grandfather), they have existed in a reduced state following a larger-scale conflict between the two clans which the Ikhalg lost. Its current head is Nedal. [b]Danaal:[/b] The current leading clan of the takhal, as well as the largest, it is powerful and widely respected. Its current head is Areg. [b]Altiil:[/b] More of a religious rite than a clan, the Altiil are the religious authority of the takhal, and despite being the smallest clan by number hold a great deal of influence. Membership in this clan is determined by the passing of certain rites by young takhal looking to become shamans, which is often but not exclusively based on a family history of being shamans. Its current head is Daarö. [b]Löjakh:[/b] The Löjakh are a clan regarded with both weariness and respect. They are known as being a particularly rough lot, rowdy and prone to disputes with other clans over aad herds. They are also masters of the art of lözhan brewing, and of herbalistic (and limited agricultural) knowledge in general. There are also some rumors that they practice inbreeding, which they vehemently deny. They are also the fifth-largest clan of the takhal, and the current head is Rhaman. [b]Jukta:[/b] The Jukta are the fourth-largest clan of the takhal, and are known for their skill in the care for and herding of aad, as well as their shrewdness in business (to what extent that exists at this point). They are at odds with Danaal and its coalition following the killing of Kafar, a young male from one of its head families, after he challenged the rule of Areg. Areg claims the incident was accidental. Despite this, negotiations between the two clans have only managed to sour their relations more. The current head of Jukta is Önta. [b]Sadur:[/b] The Sadur, like the Temug, are a small and fairly new clan. They split away from the Temug in the conflict between Ikhalg and Danaal, taking a neutral position. As such tensions exist between the two clans, but recent negotiations and marriages have gone a ways in mending old wounds. There's even talk amongst the older members of the clan of the Sadur and Temug combining into one again, but the younger generation is largely apathetic to this proposition. Its current head is Ozha. [b]Temug:[/b] The Temug are a relatively small and new clan (splitting away from the Sadur), but have made a name for themselves as masters of tool-making and industry. Their quick rise was formerly encouraged by the Ikhalg when they were head of the tribe, and so they made themselves allies of Ikhalg in the civil war (putting it strongly) with Danaal. As a result, their advancement has been resisted by the leadership of the tribe for the last couple generations, and they are eager for a change of management. Their current head is Kesh. [b]Taghar:[/b] A small, ancient clan, the Taghar are highly respected if not very powerful, being known as upright, ardent followers of tradition. Their members increase in average age and decrease in number by the generation. There have been efforts to increase its birthrate, size, and power by Ibakhi and his father before him, which have met with limited success. Internally, there is much tension between more the more conservative-minded families and the more aspirational head.[/indent][/hider][/hider] [hr][hr]