Player Teaser 2

When Shaman Oyugun and his wards returned to the Camp of Camps, grand meeting place of the shamanic hillfolk and their friends from other lands, they found their fellow tribesmen in turmoil. As they inched their way to the center of the mass of shouting, pushing bodies, they began to pick out pieces of the heated conversation:

“The New Kingdom has taken the Inland Sea!”

“They will cut us off from the fisheries we will need to make it through the year.”

Then, nearer, a shouted “Temu!”, and a small boy darted between the legs of several men to clutch at the arm of the young warrior.

“Taban, take care,” he remonstrated. “The shaman is very frail and does not tolerate the antics of cubs.” He began to smile, but Taban’s expression was filled with fear and concern.

“Our parents! They were far north on the shore when New Kingdom troops attacked. But–” Temu’s face hardened fiercely in anger, then he lifted his brother and pressed him close to his chest so that Taban would not see his tears.

“MAKE WAY FOR THE CHIEF!” The chatter stopped at the sound of Shaman Oyugun’s magically amplified voice, and a path opened to where the elder Shamans stood. Oyugun led the way while Temu still carried his brother, and Koke and Ghal hurried closely behind as Honor Guard before their courage failed. In the silence, Temu could hear Taban whisper, “But they’re alive, Temu! We received a Message — the “True Faithers” must be pressing people into service so quickly that some are still ignorant of the ritual magic. Strangely, they are prisoners rather than killed outright,” and Temu’s eyes flashed with new life.

As they reached the center of the camp, eldest Shaman Qacha nodded at Temu. “Chief of Chiefs.”

“Acting Chief,” answered Temu firmly, “until Tegu is returned to us.”

The other Shamans nodded in assent, then returned to their debate, this time with all statements directed to Temu.

“We could head west. There is another Sea, that leads to the Great Ocean.”

“The New Kingdom already controls the waters there.”

“We could head south.”

“Into the desert?”

Temu suddenly raised his free hand. “Then we fight. For generations we have hidden, and watched, and waited, while the priests of the One True Faith that feared and hated us grew strong on the corpses of those who feared us but we could have helped. No more. We have friends. We will need more to storm the New Kingdom and reclaim our lands, and all our resolve to pull down the temples of the One True Faith, but we must fight! So say the Clans?”

As one, the Shamans declared, “Aye.” And the tribes erupted in war cries, and made ready for battle.