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Post by Tribe of Shahran on Apr 30, 2017 8:48:46 GMT -8
The Tribelands of the Shahranian people (http://thefantasysandbox.boards.net/thread/2515/tribe-shahran?page=1&scrollTo=63562) are a harsh environment, dotted with the ruins of ancient, pre-cataclysm civilizations and inhabited by the fearsome people of the tribe. It is hard to tell what the most dangerous thing about these lands is. A good argument can be made that it is the shifting sands and lack of water that make these lands dangerous. Unprepared travelers often die of thirst or heat stroke while traveling across them. Flora and fauna of this land are just as dangerous, monstrous insects preying on the unwary, small snakes striking at those who misstep and inflicting them with deadly toxins that will kill a man in a matter of days if they do not find the home of the Shahran Tribe, wherein the antidotes are located. Perhaps the ruins that dot the landscape are the more perilous, for ancient, undisturbed secrets are often protected by the foulest and most monstrous of things, warped and twisted by centuries of isolation. Rarely do treasure seekers return from such expeditions alive, and those that do are almost always apprehended by the Tribe, who guard such ruins with zeal. But, those who brave such perils can find themselves at the semi-permanent home of the Shahranian people, a modern village constructed atop the ruins of a long-dead city, the people here are wary of foreigners, fearing them to be Sakandi spies. Those that have earned the trust of the Shahranians find themselves to be loyal and useful allies, allowing such people to properly journey into the ruins with the aid of the Tribespeople. The ever-shifting nature of the desert, however, means that new ruins are always appearing and disappearing; even the natives have trouble keeping track of their locations.
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Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 32
Physical Description: Rashid is on the smaller side for most "heroic" warriors, coming in at a paltry 5'10". He is also rather lithe, the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes lending itself to a leaner, more cardiac fit build. He is considered dark-skinned, even amongst the people of his tribe, who themselves are on the darker end of the skin tone spectrum.
Clothes and Equipment: He wears the garb of his people, little in the way of the armor save for a pair of bracers and some leg guards. Most of his clothing is white, to better reflect the heat of his home, as well as lightweight, to prevent overheating on long journeys. He wields a scimitar and a shield, the latter rare amongst the peoples of the desert. He possesses no magical equipment of note, save for an enchanted necklace bearing the symbol of his tribe. The nature of the necklace is unknown.
Registered: Apr 17, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -8
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Post by Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran on Apr 30, 2017 8:50:45 GMT -8
The Sheikh of Shahran watched from the top of his tower as the Shamans performed the rituals that signified the end of the working day for the tribespeople, an event that coincided with the rising of the sun. The night was far cooler, and the only members of the tribe that regularly went out into the harsh sun were the hunters and the warriors, for some beasts were only found in the day, and the enemies of the Tribe did not restrict themselves to operating at certain times of the day.
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The Keata Tribe
Established
Roleplay posts: 49
Registered: Aug 21, 2016 22:40:45 GMT -8
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Post by The Keata Tribe on May 1, 2017 12:05:06 GMT -8
While the terrain was harsh, it was a similar union with the lands and nature that allowed the Keata, expert trackers, to get close enough to one of the villages of a different tribe that they had not encountered before. The promise of treasures from ruins and unwitting travelers weighed heavily enough against the few losses they took in their exploration of this new corner of their world. Getting hurt, killed, or lost was easier here than many other places they've been, but long after nightfall, a handful of the desert bushes far to the outskirts of the village would come alive, scouts hiding in the brush and attempting not to be seen. They'd study everything they could get away with, but had no idea who these people were yet...
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 2, 2017 4:18:19 GMT -8
The Desert Cats of Shahran were no slouches, and a pair of them had managed to track the small party from the Keata Tribe, though they were unaware of the Tribe's identity. One ran off halfway through the day to warn the Tribe, and by the time nightfall fell and the people began to move around more, a force of Jackals, the Tribe's cavalry was at hand, and they had arrived in the outpost village, waiting for the newcomers to make a move.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 18:30:16 GMT -8
The scouts would spot it far before it ever got close enough to effect anything; a lone horse, riderless, and running hell-for-leather through the desert. There were saddle bags upon its darkened hide to suggest that it might have once had a rider, but obviously no longer. In any case, it was heading right into the tribal land, the hot sand of the Sorala flying up around its hooves.
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 20, 2017 10:23:28 GMT -8
A horse was a valuable commodity in the desert, and the Jackals of Shahran were quick to capitalize on its appearance, the horse having been seen entering the tribelands by a Desert Cat on patrol earlier that day. The horse was sure to attract the attention of the predators that lurked in the sand dunes, and the Jackals were on an intercept course to catch it before it drew any more attention to itself. The expert Riders came at the horse from both sides, a small force in front to keep it from escaping, and another circling from behind.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 19:16:03 GMT -8
The horse continued to run as if it had been spooked, its legs pumping hard and fast to carry it over the desert floor. When it saw riders closing in, the horse panicked and began to run even faster. Still, the tribesmen were expert horse handlers, and even though this mare was nipping at the necks of the horses that came too close to it, ropes tossed around its neck would inevitably rein it in.
Still, the mare continued to fight and buck, the saddlebags on its back shifting uncomfortably around the horse's middle. A flash of gold shined from within the bags, and a golden goblet fell from one bag beneath the feet of the kicking and fighting horse.
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 24, 2017 16:25:54 GMT -8
The Jackals wasted no time trying to secure the horse properly, a pair of them dismounting to both avoid getting bit and try to dig out whatever was shiny inside the wild horse's saddlebags.
"What the hell was this horse doing out here with so much gold? No wonder there is no rider, they brought so much loot they forgot provisions."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 22:36:27 GMT -8
The horse continued to put up a fight. It reared up over and over, kicking up its legs, tossing its beautiful head as it let out angry cries, sand flying up around its hooves. The saddle bags draped over its back continued to chime, as pieces of gold fell out from them in its angry twisting and turning to get away from the riders that were caging it in.
It would be easy to see, however, that it was fear that made the horse act out so terribly, and no real malice. It was also foaming a bit at the mouth, as if it hadn't had water in very long and was truly dredging itself up into a panic.
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 28, 2017 12:53:48 GMT -8
Water was quickly brought out in an attempt to sate the horse, as the other horses surrounding it kept enough distance to ensure their rider's safety, even as they threw ropes and nets over the horse to get it to calm down. The Jackals were skilled horse handlers, and the condition of a dehydrated horse was one they were familiar with. A pair of riders began going in the direction the horse had come from, to see if there were any clues along the path to indicate what had happened.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 20:35:05 GMT -8
They would find no sign of rider as they went to investigate, at least not anywhere nearby. It seemed the horse had been traveling for a while, which made sense. Sand stuck to its sweat-dampened coat, and as it bucked and reared, it seemed to be spending the last of its frantic energy.
It's nostrils flared with the smell of water, however, its dark eyes going wide. The horse began to calm. It was skittish, very skittish, but with these able handlers, it calmed down enough to sidle near the water, dunk its head in and drink.
For now, it remained standing, the muscles beneath its hide shaking and trembling every so often as its tail switched to keep the flies away. If they wanted to look at what was inside the saddlebags, they could, although it might be wise to take the horse back to camp as quickly as possible...
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 29, 2017 9:18:50 GMT -8
The riders returned just as the other Jackals had gotten the horse calmed down and ready to head back.
"Let's bring it back, with such a massive amount of gold, this horse could have only come from one place, and the Sheikh will want to know of this."
The horse was led on the long journey back to the only permanent settlement of the Shahran Tribe, the trip taking far longer than was necessary as they stopped to ensure that the horse did not tire out or go lame. Riders were sent ahead to warn the Sheikh, and he would greet them just inside the gates to the settlement.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2017 13:46:05 GMT -8
The horse was exhausted but still standing by the time it was led to the encampment, its walk getting slower and slower beneath the weight of the saddlebags it carried. The water had helped to clench its thirst, but it also made the horse somewhat lethargic. It shied a little from any people that came near, but seemed tamed. Well-trained, even. And it was beautiful. Someone had paid a lot of money for such excellent horseflesh, and had then paid excellent money on top of that to get it so educated.
It's saddlebags still sat on its back, largely unexplored although they bulged with whatever it was carrying.
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Post by Tribe of Shahran on May 29, 2017 16:44:59 GMT -8
The tribe parted ways to allow the Sheikh forward as he and his guards rode to meet the recently arrived Jackals. While they approached, the senior Jackals began to go through the horse's saddlebags and see what was inside that had been worth enough to send such a magnificent horse specimen to the Tribelands.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 20:12:38 GMT -8
THe horse's hide shivered again, tail slapping away flies, swishing as it did so. The saddlebags were packed full of gold. Indeed, there weren't any rations. No water bag. Nothing. Only... only gold, and rich garments, and items of unique wealth and beauty.
But nothing to aide in survival. The horse's nostrils flared as the Sheikh came forward, and it lifted its head out of the water, stamping a couple of hooves as it sensed more horses coming closer. It whinnied once, twice, but otherwise stayed docile, this prized horseflesh.
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Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 32
Physical Description: Rashid is on the smaller side for most "heroic" warriors, coming in at a paltry 5'10". He is also rather lithe, the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes lending itself to a leaner, more cardiac fit build. He is considered dark-skinned, even amongst the people of his tribe, who themselves are on the darker end of the skin tone spectrum.
Clothes and Equipment: He wears the garb of his people, little in the way of the armor save for a pair of bracers and some leg guards. Most of his clothing is white, to better reflect the heat of his home, as well as lightweight, to prevent overheating on long journeys. He wields a scimitar and a shield, the latter rare amongst the peoples of the desert. He possesses no magical equipment of note, save for an enchanted necklace bearing the symbol of his tribe. The nature of the necklace is unknown.
Registered: Apr 17, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -8
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Post by Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran on Jun 1, 2017 17:01:22 GMT -8
The Sheikh stepped forward to greet the horse, his presence very calm and reassuring as he did so. His chief Shaman came behind him, murmuring the words that would magically calm the horse, and attribute that calming to the Sheikh, forming the beginnings of a bond between them.
"This is a truly magnificent horse, and it is loaded with gifts. No other reason for such a thing, these do not bear the age of the ruins, and one of the Sand Cats would have spotted any adventurers. No, this horse was meant to be found by us, what it holds is a clear tribute. A tribute to me even. Shaman, make sure it is not trapped."
The Shaman stepped forward, waving many sticks as he through various powders and words at the contents of the saddlebags.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2017 14:00:19 GMT -8
The horse went totally docile as the Sheikh came closer, its large brown eyes on the ruler. It breathed heavily once or twice, as if trying to catch the Sheikh's scent, but otherwise stood tame. Its hide shivered where it was touched by him, and the horse itself chomped at the bit that was still around its head -- made from as much wealth and attention to detail as its stately saddle, blankets, and saddlebags.
When the Shaman stepped forward with all of his sticks and powders, the horse began to get antsy again, shying away from the being and chomping its bit again. Soft whinnies and nickers came from the mare as it side-stepped from the magic man. There were no traps on the horse, nor anything else that seemed hostile, although there was a vaguely magic residue about it -- no doubt a hint that the horse had come all the way from Sakand, days and days from this hidden desert city.
The horse seemed a horse, no matter how well-built and well-trained it was. It was obviously exhausted as well, and overheated. Proper care of the horse would be to relieve it of the weight it carried, to feed and water it and bring it to a shaded place. Given its docile and peaceful nature around the Sheikh, it may be a duty that he himself would see to although he could easily give it off to a man or woman he trusted as well.
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Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 32
Physical Description: Rashid is on the smaller side for most "heroic" warriors, coming in at a paltry 5'10". He is also rather lithe, the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes lending itself to a leaner, more cardiac fit build. He is considered dark-skinned, even amongst the people of his tribe, who themselves are on the darker end of the skin tone spectrum.
Clothes and Equipment: He wears the garb of his people, little in the way of the armor save for a pair of bracers and some leg guards. Most of his clothing is white, to better reflect the heat of his home, as well as lightweight, to prevent overheating on long journeys. He wields a scimitar and a shield, the latter rare amongst the peoples of the desert. He possesses no magical equipment of note, save for an enchanted necklace bearing the symbol of his tribe. The nature of the necklace is unknown.
Registered: Apr 17, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -8
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Post by Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran on Jun 4, 2017 12:27:03 GMT -8
"Shaman, make sure it is not enchanted in anyway. I would not put it past the others to send a plagued horse, disguised as a well one, to bring our tribe down."
The Shaman stepped forward, stick waving as he chanted softly. The stick would glow if there were any sort of magic in or around the horse.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 19, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2017 13:26:20 GMT -8
Before their very eyes, the beautiful horse shrunk. The saddlebags fell off its body, gold pooling at feminine feet and calves -- nude. The woman was breathing a little hard as she stood in front of them as naked as the day she was born. She was not a young woman. There was experience in her face, mixed in with the determination of her dark brown eyes. She was very toned, all of her as lean and athletic as the horse she had once been. Her rich, dark hair was as mussed and tangled as the mane and tail of the horse had been, and it fell over her shoulders, hiding her breasts, and brushed at the small of her back. Her skin, golden-tan, was criss-crossed with frequent scars, and the only jewelry she wore was a band around one of her arms. She immediately took to a knee in front of the sheikh and held up her hands, palm-upward, gold scattered all around her.
"I bring a message to the Sheikh of the Tribelands from the Emira of Sakand," she said aloud, for all to hear.
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Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran
New
Roleplay posts: 9
Age: 32
Physical Description: Rashid is on the smaller side for most "heroic" warriors, coming in at a paltry 5'10". He is also rather lithe, the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes lending itself to a leaner, more cardiac fit build. He is considered dark-skinned, even amongst the people of his tribe, who themselves are on the darker end of the skin tone spectrum.
Clothes and Equipment: He wears the garb of his people, little in the way of the armor save for a pair of bracers and some leg guards. Most of his clothing is white, to better reflect the heat of his home, as well as lightweight, to prevent overheating on long journeys. He wields a scimitar and a shield, the latter rare amongst the peoples of the desert. He possesses no magical equipment of note, save for an enchanted necklace bearing the symbol of his tribe. The nature of the necklace is unknown.
Registered: Apr 17, 2017 14:05:00 GMT -8
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Post by Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran on Jun 5, 2017 17:33:05 GMT -8
The shaman leaped back, cursing, and only the timely intervention of the Sheikh's blade prevented one of the Jackals from skewering her with his spear. The Sheikh had suspected something was up with the horse, and having his suspicions confirmed before his very eyes was both satisfying and a relief, this had been the friendliest scenario he had come up with. He waved his hands at the assembled warriors, who lowered their weapons, and the Sheikh sheathed his blade.
"I am Sheikh Rashid Al-Shahran, leader of the Shahran Tribe. Say your message." Another gesture and some of the women nearby would bring out some clothes for the woman to wear. Not that they necessarily cared about modesty that much, but they were all fully covered to protect from the effects of the sun's harsh rays. It did not take long for one to get burnt badly out here.
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