The Saphtn OrderCopyright Eric Dubourg 2001

Edited by Joe Mandala for The Guild Companion

THE SAPHTN ORDER(TA 1490-1550)

During these years, Tulwang was protected against Thn an-Khrlkh assaults by astrong Bellakarni army, along with a large Sorijan fleet. All attempted attacks,however fierce, were doomed to failure this was the case in a 1478 campaign andanother in 1501. In 1507, Akhrahil sent five members of the Slayers (two BlackNmenreans coming from Dshera and three Haradrim from Srayn) to search forpotential allies and seek out weaknesses in the realm. Akhrahil chose Balakkhd, theformer Warlord of the Thn an-Khrlkh and the son of Dulgu (Caja the Snake) tocommand the Slayer mission.As the failed assaults demonstrated, war against Tulwang was useless, and could onlyweaken the Thn-an-Khrlkh. But Balakkhd knew his opponents well, and arrivedwith the other Slayers in rzyan on 24 Mizir 1512 (during the great merchantfestival), disguised as merchants of Khradn. There, they learned much more abouttheir opponents, visiting Bellakar often in the following years. They often returned toNy Chennaccatt to take counsel with their Lord, and to report the situation in Bellakar.

It took Balakkhd ten years to obtain the post of Advisor, assisting the asapthubth ofrzyan in his work (and ten additional years to gain the asapthubth's position). In thesame year, on Najam 1522, he founded a charity organization named the Sapthndedicated to all the poor of the realm, whether they were Bellakaze, Tedjin, Qarsag orSorijan. Officially they would help the poor (with some of the treasures of the minesnear Ny Chennacatt). Unofficially, placed at important positions in the cities, the fleet,or the royal court, they would seek information even seemingly innocent information,and gather new members to increase the power of the organization.

The true secrets of the Sapthn were not revealed to most members. Only those of trust(being well tested in the past) knew the organization's true nature. Progressively, duringthe peaceful reign of Belkhr, the organization increased in number, eventually evenincluding some important personalities of the realm (who were for the most partunaware of the truth). Reports were completed detailing all of the important personagesin the realm members of the merchant companies, those in the King's court, andimportant cities and villages were all scrutinized. Their goal: to find people who could

be corrupted in order to gain power and position through them, and to discover whomight be staunch supporters of the King and of the Tulwang protectorate.

The births of Imruzr in 1501 and rkhr in 1504 were the events that the Sapthn hadbeen waiting for. Spies in Nllond reported in 1540 of the developing relationshipbetween the two brothers. The first (Imruzr) was like his father - brave, skilled at arms,and fully prepared to assume the tasks of king, while rkhr was jealous of hisbrother, spending his time with women and his coterie of questionable 'friends.' He was,however, very generous in his manner, and donated much to the poor. One of hisfriends was a ranking member of the Sapthn. This friend knew much of the innerworkings of the Tumakveh clan, and most importantly that rkhr hated his brotherout of jealousy. His attitude, not suitable for a Tumakveh, was remarked upon by hisgrandfather, who chastised his grandson saying, "You must not continue your life asyou do! It is not appropriate for a Tumakveh. You should take your brother as anexample!"

The conflict between the two brothers was not outwardly apparent during Belkhr's life,and they agreed on occasion to work for the realm together as they both loved theirgrandfather very much. The old monarch, knowing the problem and with the counsel ofBalakkhd (the new asapthubth of rzyan), tried to reconcile the brothers by givingimportant responsibilities to rkhr in Mardruak, as a prince ruler. The aging monarchBelkhr Aruyati hoped that the two quarreling heirs would end their squabbling whenforced to take responsibility for governing the realm. He had outlived all of his childrenand all other family members who had held his trust, and he despaired of controllingrkhr and Imruzr, the adult sons of his daughter Inzilban.This was soon to prove a grave mistake, but the old King didn't live to see theconsequences of his acts. On 8 Darat 1550, with the King's death, his older grandsonImruzr was crowned the new King in Nllond, with rkhr remaining as ruler inMardruak, holding a strong friendship with many cities and the strong support of theMardruak population. During the preceding years, Sapthn numbers had swelled withthose who were distrustful of a Gondorian alliance (which had been supported by theold King). The organization became very influential in Mardruak and Felayja (except inBellazen), and from Nllond to Umbar. Many villages and some cities (such as Nark-zadan) were entirely in the hands of Sapthn members.

This was the beginning of the Civil War in Bellakar, as the Sapthn succeeded inpersuading rkhr that he was better suited than his brother to the throne of Bellakar.Three months after Belkhr's death, rkhr rebelled against his brother, declaringMardruak a separate realm. This precipitated the events of the Civil War, and was toshape the political landscape of the region for years to come.

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