The Two Decade Update

Two Decade Update

We’re moving into our second decade, folks! A lot has changed this decade in the local area: a new tribunal has arisen, the regio has been cleansed, and Jabril has emerged as an up-and-coming voice in the Tribunal. Let’s talk a little bit about what’s going on in mundane Egypt, because by the end of this next decade, the political landscape will have dramatically shifted here. 

Historically, this is the last year of the reign of al-Adil II, who only took power in 1238. His father, al-Kamil, called Meledin by the Crusaders, was the legendary Saladin’s nephew, and a fairly capable ruler in his own right, defeating the Fifth Crusade, reconquering Damietta, and heavily investing in the security and prosperity of the Ayyubid realm. Al-Adil, unfortunately, is not the measure of his father, and has been beset by rebellion and anarchy since he took the throne. Before the end of 1240, his brother as-Salih, who inherited the Ayyubid lands in the Jazirah, will take Egypt after al-Adil is overthrown by his own soldiers. Al-Adil will live out the rest of his life imprisoned.

It’s worth noting, though, that as-Salih, also called Ayyub, is in no real position of power himself. As 1240 begins, he is imprisoned in Kerak by al-Nasir Dawud, the Kurdish local emir and servant of the Damascene branch of the Ayyubids. By April, al-Nasir will release him and help him seize Egypt in exchange for promising him Damascus. Ayyub thus begins his reign with a military and government that is beholden to other men of stature, who allow him to sit on the throne. Within a year, this delicate situation will begin to devolve again into chaos: Ayyub’s uncle Ismail will seize control of Damascus and the Ashrafiyya, a powerful alliance of Egyptian emirs, will begin scheming to put him on the Egyptian throne. 

With few allies and practically under house arrest for his own safety in the Cairo citadel, Ayyub historically began buying huge quantities of Kipchak slaves, displaced by the Mongol invasions, and forming them into the Mamluk corps, the core of his army and a (theoretically) loyal center to build his reign around. These Mamluks would grow to be the most important, effective part of Ayyub’s regime, guaranteeing his rule until his sudden death in 1249 from an infected wound. 

His son Turanshah would rule for less than a year before being assassinated by the restive Mamluks, who would place his mother as Sultana temporarily before formally assuming power. The Ayyubids will never again rule Egypt, and the Mamluk state will last until the 1500s. The Mongols are also an important upcoming issue, but won’t be relevant to us until the late 1250s-1260s, when the Caliphate is overthrown by them and Baghdad sacked, leaving Mamluk Egypt as the (successful) frontline of Islam against the Mongols. 

Now, Jabril has never been interested in mundane politics and has no plans to interfere with them. But everything I've just discussed will affect the Order of Suleiman, in ways that will be revealed in years to come, and strongly affect the local Order of Hermes as well. Speaking of them, let’s talk about the Hermetic history of the 1230s as well briefly. 

As I hope we all know, the Nile formally took its place among the great tribunals of the Order back at the end of 1234, after a particularly eventful Levant Tribunal meeting. Since then, it has just been getting its feet under it and establishing basic precedents, as well as actively searching for new recruits from Europe and those disaffected with the Crusader politics in the Levant. The sharp-eyed may have noticed that at the first Tribunal meeting in spring 1235, it was decided that a delegation of magi selected by the Praeco would undertake negotiations with the Egyptian sahirs in 1236 in order to iron out a new treaty. They also may have noticed that I did not bring that up in 1236. 

 Jabril may have gotten much better at social matters, but he is still no diplomat, especially with his languages remaining some of his weaker abilities. As such, he was not part of the delegation that negotiated the Treaty of Alexandria in 1236 with the Order of Suleiman. The treaty, among other minor things, stipulates that Nilotic magi may not under any circumstances interfere with the politics of Egypt nor integrate themselves into the political structure beyond the formation of isolated covenants, the location and formation of which must be approved by representatives from both sides. In addition, no magus of the Nile Tribunal is to participate in Crusader actions against the Muslim states, nor are they to harbor magi who are known to have done so, with the exception of Xydas ex Bonisagus, who, choosing to remain in the Nile, has sworn an oath not to take up arms or support the Crusaders again. This treads an awkward line against the Code of Hermes, but Heliobus is hopeful that it will never come up. 

In exchange, the sahirs have agreed to recognize the covenants and the resources owned by them that already exist within the Nile as the sole property of the Hermetic order and the magi within them, and to leave them in peace as long as the Hermetics also abide by their side of the treaty. New magical resources discovered by the Hermetics are to remain their exclusive property, and vice versa. This treaty does not apply east of the Sinai, where the Levantine magi have already sporadically attacked known sahirs and their dwellings. It is important to note that this is a landmark, foundational treaty for the Nile, and will likely sculpt much of its politics to come. Nilotic magi are more restricted in their founding of covenants than most others as a result of it, and for the first time, there is also some limited language that allows for occasional sharing of knowledge between the two orders, as equals. This will likely come up disfavorably at the Grand Tribunal, but that is decades from now. 

In the Levant, there has been a great push towards an extreme, warlike posture towards the sahirs and Muslims in general. Many Muslim magi have been forced out of the tribunal, and some indeed have been killed in various Wizards' Wars. The Hermetic Embassy in Baghdad remains the sole oasis of pro-Muslim sentiment in the area, largely due to the political untouchability of Aurora Borealis, who is greatly respected by Crusaders and Muslims alike. Nevertheless, the Levant falls ever more into violence, especially as the Crusader states begin to crack under the strain of repeated Ayyubid invasions. 

What's past is prologue, and the future is uncertain, but hopeful, for now. Let's take a look at Jabril. 

Jabril ex Miscellanea at the beginning of 1240

Characteristics: Int +2, Per +0, Pre +0, Com +1, Str +0, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik +0

Size: 0

Age: 47

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 2 (15)

Confidence Score: 2 (48)

Virtues and Flaws: The Gift; Hermetic Magus; Summon Animals*, Inoffensive to Animals*, Affinity with Rego, Affinity with Animal, Personal Vis Source, Self-Confident, Animal Ken, Cautious Sorcerer, Free Study, Independent Study, Study Bonus, Minor Magical Focus (Asps), Mercurian Magic, Lesser Benediction, Performance Magic (Neo-Mercurian Magic), Hermetic Theurgy, Study Requirement*, Incompatible Arts (MuCo, PeAn), Feral Upbringing, Seeker, Warped Senses (sensitive taste), Baneful Circumstances (very cold), Cabal Legacy (Neo-Mercurians), Infernal Stigmatic, Wrathful, Ceremonial Spontaneous Magic, Weak Spontaneous Magic

*House Virtues and flaws

Personality Traits: Wrathful +6, Dangerously Curious +3, Reclusive +1

Reputations: Master Seeker +1 (Hermetic), Defender of the Nile +2 (Hermetic)

Combat:

Dodging: Init 0, Atk n/a, Dfn +3, Dam n/a

Soak: +5 (from enchanted robes)

Fatigue Penalties: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)

Abilities: Animal Handling 3 (snakes), Animal Ken 3 (asps), Arabic 3 (Egyptian dialect), (Egypt) Lore 2 (geography), Artes Liberales 2 (ritual magic), Athletics 3 (contortions), Awareness 3 (alertness), Brawl 2 (dodging), Demotic (academic usage) 1, Etiquette 2 (Egyptians), Finesse 4 (precision), Folk Ken 4 (nomads), Guile 3 (elaborate lies), Hunt 2 (tracking), Infernal Lore 2 (demons), Latin 4 (Hermetic usage), Neo-Mercurian Magic 3 (Personalities), Magic Theory 7 (inventing spells), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (History), Parma Magica 4 (Mentem), Penetration 1 (Creo), Stealth 3 (natural areas), Summon Animals 5 (asps), Survival 2 (desert), Tamazight 1 (Egyptian Berber)

Arts: Cr 7, In 5, Mu 6, Pe 7, Re 16, An 15, Aq 6, Au 4, Co 11, He 6, Ig 7, Im 5, Me 4, Te 5, Vi 12

Twilight scars: 

— His hand is black and scaly like a serpent’s skin, but cool and refreshing to the touch.

Equipment: Enchanted Neo-Mercurian Robes, Bracelet of Trust, hyena pelt, mummified asp that sheds and regenerates its skin yearly (personal vis source, 4 pawns Animal/year)

Encumbrance: 0 (0)

Spells known: Woolen Steed of Araby (ReAn 15) +33

Sense the Nature of Vis (InVi 5) +19

Boundless Wealth of the Oceans (CrAn 20) +24

Momentary Command of the Harnessed Beast (ReAn 25) +33

Aegis of the Hearth (ReVi 20) +30

Summoning the Creeping Death (CrAn 25) +31

Let the Sun Not Bother Me this Day (PeIg 10) +16

Starry Harness of Khonsu (ReAn 35) +33

Sumptuous Pearls of the Desert (CrAn 25) +24

Wizard’s Leap (ReCo(An) 15) +29

Chirurgeon’s Healing Touch (CrCo 20) +20

Wizard’s Communion (MuVi 25) +20

Invoke the Spirit Faham for a Day (ReAn 10) +33 

Demon's Eternal Oblivion (PeVi 10) +24 (Mastery 3)

Pilum of Fire (CrIg 20) +16

 

Comments: Jabril's abilities have not increased as greatly as they did at the end of last decade, but his Arts have greatly improved, gaining basic scores in every Art. Nearly enough to raise an apprentice, but still lacking somewhat in Auram and Mentem. I think his biggest mechanical gain of the decade was Hermetic Theurgy, which I've still barely used, but plan to use extensively as we continue onwards. He will very much become a master of spell-spirits as time goes on, which I'm very excited for. Something to note is that Jabril has barely touched his specialty this decade, and will need to rededicate himself to it somewhat next decade. Nevertheless, besides the apprentice, we've accomplished all of our main goals for this decade, and he should be able to bind a talisman within the next couple of years. The main goals for the upcoming decade is to continue making sure the Nile is safe and secure, investigating the temple-regio to learn more about the cult of Ammon and its secrets, and take an apprentice, while tertiary remains to attune a talisman, and bind a familiar. I do also plan to get his ReAn up to 20/20. 

Covenant of Siwa Oasis at the beginning of 1240

Season: Spring

Tribunal: Nile

Founded Year: 1219

Current Year: 1240

Aura Type: Magic

Aura Strength: Aghurmi, Abu Sharef, and Bilad al-Rum have strengths of 3, Alexander’s Camp, the Jabal al-Mawta, and the Spring of the Sun have strengths of 2.

Aegis Level: 20, Pen 13 

Governance: Militocracy

Living Conditions: 2 for magi, 0 for others

Loyalty: 0

Hooks: Road, Multiple Sites, Unsafe, Regional Produce, Hermetic Politics, Protector, Demonic Interest, Rival

Boons: Peasants, Militocracy, Important Building x3, Strong Community, Difficult Access, Edifices, Ungoverned, Exceptional Book, Mystical Portal, Felicitous Tribunal

Vis Sources: Herbam (Spring, 4 pawns), Ignem/Aquam (Winter, 6 pawns), Corpus (Summer, 5 pawns), Vim (Spring, 6 pawns)

Finances:

—Total Income in 1240: 140 Pounds

—Gross Expenses/Net Expenses: 111/102 Pounds

—Cost savings: 9 Pounds

—Available Funds: 1040 Pounds

—Income Sources: Wizardry (Varies between Greater and Typical, this year 100 pounds), Trade (Lesser, 40 pounds)

Laboratories: 3 in active repair and use (Aghurmi, Alexander’s Camp, Bilad al-Rum), 1 vacant (Jabal al-Mawta)

Library:

—Summae: Amplification of Power (Penetration, Q10/L4), The Complete Bonisagus (Magic Theory, Q15/L8), Apotropaic Studies (Vim, Q15/L12), Creation and its Consequences (Creo, Q12/L15), The Third Eye (Intellego, Q12/L12), On the Subtle Art of Rule (Rego, Q15/L20)

—Tractati: On the Fae of the Sand Sea (Faerie Lore Q15), On the Parma (Parma Magica Q10), The Cult of Guernicus (Terram Q15), Seeing (Intellego Q9)

—Lab Texts: 200 levels + Starry Harness of Khonsu, Invoke the Spirit Faham for a Day, and Sumptuous Pearls of the Desert (it feels unwieldy to type out the whole list but I can if people want to know)

Items: 

Robes of the Congregant (Lesser Device): Level 25, 5 vis invested, cloth material, large size (robes), created 1227 by Verecunda, 2 daily activations (constant), +3 to Protection

Bracelet of Trust (Lesser Device): Level 15, 3 vis invested, leather material, tiny size (bracelet), created 1221 by Heliobus ex Bonisagus, 1 daily activation, counteracts the Gift in one person for a diameter 

Inhabitants: 1 magus, 5 specialists, 30 turb, including captains, 18 miscellaneous for a total of 54 inhabitants (not counting Siwa village, which is more of an ally).

Comments: Siwa Oasis is well-populated as a covenant, although not by magi, of course, and has grown to be quite a healthy, stable covenant. Jabril's invocation of Faham has greatly increased security, as has the acquisition of camels and a stable for them. Unfortunately, we have now reached the point where to support many more inhabitants or expansion would require another source of income, as our expenses are rapidly approaching our income in off-years. This isn't such a bad thing, as I'm happy with the covenant where it is, mostly, but something to think about nevertheless. It is also worth noting that Abu Sharef is still uncontrolled and unclaimed by Jabril. This is partially for story reasons: I established early on that the bulk of the Zenata favored Abu Sharef and its environs as their campsite, and Jabril has not yet managed to either fully pacify them or destroy them. This will likely need to change in the future, as Abu Sharef holds one of the three temples of Ammon in the valley. 

Next time: 1240!