Al-Andalusia and the Iberian Tribunal

The Covenant of Summa Tutela

Summa Tutela stands tall atop a hill overlooking the Tagus River. The Tagus flows from east to west dissecting Iberia and forming the border between the Christian re-conquests and Islam. This border closely reflects the extent of authority of the Order of Hermes in Iberia. The Covenant is situated close to the Roman Road known as the Via De La Plata, passing from the far-north of Iberia, crossing a nearby stone bridge, before heading south into Muslim Andalusia

Designed and built by the Muslim Sorcerer Abdul-Aleem in the late 9^th Century – to take advantage of the trade passing down the Tagus and the Via De La Plata – Abdul-Aleem used large well cut stones and founded the buildings of the Covenant on the ruin of a Roman Temple to Mercury. The Covenant is imposing in its height and strength of simple but confident fortifications. Nonetheless it is a bright and cheery place, especially when silhouetted by the sunny blue sky.

It has been made home by the two magi who took it, and the guards and household staff they brought with them. As you look the Covenant is busy with activity, armed men quietly patrol atop the fortifications and maids, servants and other members of the household busy themselves finishing up tasks before the midday meal.

Several buildings make up the covenant which stretches along the ridge of a hill. First, at the ridge’s western edge stands the Keep – housing the rooms and laboratories of the Magi – then, as you move east, comes the library, then the kitchen, workshop, stable and finally quarters for the guard, household and guests.

Inside the buildings the rooms have unusually high ceilings that are both light and airy throughout summer – although the temperature can probably drop in winter. Beautiful wooden furniture and the occasional Persian rug fit out the mostly wooden floored complex – presumably left behind by the last occupants. Adding the final touch is an outdoor heated bath.

As well as the Via De La Plata the Covenant is close to the road from Toledo to Merida – where a Chapter of Knights has recently been founded. The Covenant has the task of standing on the frontier between the growing Iberian Tribunal and the Islamic Sorcerers who contest this, while also managing interaction with the mundane world which frequently passes along the nearby roads and river.

Founded atop the ruin of a Roman Temple to Mercury, the Covenant lies within a powerful Magical Aura that extends across the entire hilltop. Fortified and guarded the inhabitants have all that is necessary for their purpose – though few luxuries.

Run by Celeste Otrera ex Tytalus and Felix Achaemenus Scholae Bonisagus the Covenant is also home to other Magi such as you, fresh from their gauntlets and newly recruited to hold and expand the frontier.

Iberia or Al-Andalusia 1210; the mundane and arcane political backdrop

Iberia has been reclaimed in part by Christian forces from the north. But the forces of Islam continue a staunch resistance. The Muslims have reportedly fragmented into a number of smaller Kingdoms which, while still managing to do battle, appear to be gradually falling.

The Order of Hermes has been taking advantage of this, some suspect provoking the violence, in order to expand the borders of the Order forcefully.

• Magi of House Flambeau are in the vanguard of bringing new members into the Order, or destroying them.
• House Tytalus is also taking advantage of the conflict to recruit, and rebuild their damaged name.
• Members of House Bonisagus appear to be attempting to learn what they can from the Witches, Sorcerers and Cabalists that can be found in the Peninsula, using a variety of means.
• House Ex Miscellanea is growing fast with new members not fitting into Tytalus of Flambeau finding a home here.
• House Merinita has taken an unusual interest in the Peninsula, many are unsure why, most don’t care.
• Jerbiton continues to work with the noble mundane, some think too closely, to retake the Christian lands of the Iberian Peninsula.
• The Tremere – as soldiers – are closely involved in the conflict on the border, though they are not as in touch with the political activities as they would like; their Covenant in the Pyrenees now far from the expanded border.

Within Andalusia is a rich and diverse heritage of magic, including Islamic, Jewish, Christian and Pagan Traditions. All but the Pagan flourished under the generally benign auspices of the Muslim Caliphs. These other traditions are pursuing a variety of responses to the growing influence of the Order of Hermes and it’s incursion into Andalusia: some are joining, even converting to Christianity, others are hiding or fleeing into North Africa, while others, interests intertwined with the Islamic Kingdoms, mount a staunch and complex defense of the Islamic world. To the north refugees from the Albigensian Crusade are also starting to cross the Pyrenees, currently only in small numbers but should the conflict worsen more could be expected.

The Magi will find themselves in a newly founded Covenant that is set to lead the incorporation of the rest of Andalusia into the Iberian Tribunal. They will be under the direction, and protection, of elders within the Covenant though still having plenty of seasons to pursue their objectives within this growing Tribunal.

A letter to the Parens

Salve Gaius Marius Cicero,

I have potentially concerning news for you my Parens. My Covenant has recently come into possession of a Tractatus, titled ‘Improving Magical Defences’ authored by the Magus Silanus, who I do remember meeting early in my apprenticeship. Where did you last see Silanus and in what endeavor was he engaged? What was bringing him to this Tribunal? I am guessing you cannot answer but I will ask anyway.

But I get ahead of myself. According to several of the covenfolk and my sodales a Monk from a Monastery several days from here found a man, who I believe may have been Silanus, deceased near their Monastery. The man was dressed in robes of a make whose description I remember Silanus favouring and he was carrying a wand with markings of a skeletal hand, the Tractatus I have mentioned, wrapped in leather bindings that bore mark, again of a skeletal hand. Additionally he had a brand on his forearm such as this:

He also wore a necklace with several round stones attached; unfortunately he also appears to have had a ring stolen from his hand.

Can you confirm this was Silanus? It has been passed on to me that how this man died was not apparent but that he was of unusually old age. Though I do not remember Silanus as being old, so I therefore have some hope that this is not Silanus, can you confirm this? If it is he I think something untoward is at work. If it is not then I find it interesting that this individual was in possession of Silanus’ Tractatus. I plan on investigating shortly and will travel as soon as I am able to both the place of his death and the place of his burial.

Magus Tytus Hilarius is my Sodalis and the other Tytalus resident within Infractus Summus Redivivus. He is from the Normandy Tribunal where he lived in a Giant Skull. His Parens is one Servius Tytalus Carnifex – a very unfriendly name. Tytus seems a solid Tytalus, if somewhat overly concerned about just about everything while being contradictorily consistently jovial.

The Summa of which I offer a Commentary is the Power of Change; I do not remember this text during my apprenticeship though the advanced level of the text may have precluded my access.

I intend to visit soon my Parens; I have the small matter of presenting at the next Provencal Tribunal to ensure that my new Covenant is properly founded as well as dealing with the local Quaesitor who has been investigating the activities of me and one of my Sodales. I have been studying the proceedings of the Provencal Tribunal in preparation for this – it has been particularly interesting. If you or the Covenant of my apprenticeship are in possession of any Summa or Tractatus that focus on the Code of Hermes and Wizards’ Marches or Mundane Relations which you could loan me then I would be appreciative; it is an area of the Order of Hermes which I did not cover in any depth during my apprenticeship but which I am now finding exceedingly interesting.

Magus Quintus Sertorius Sulla

Ro-Malakai family history

Below is the final version of the Ro-Malakai family history for anyone interested in the role Ro-Koran's ancestors played in the liberation of the West from the Dramojh. Most of my gaming time has been taken up by putting together background for an Ars Magica game that we will be replacing the Arcana Evolved game with when it goes into temporary hiatus. Once a player background is written and sent to everyone I will post that here too.

Ro-Malakai family history

Arrival in the West

The Ro-Malakai landed at Khorl in 6439 (common year 1228) as part of the force of Giants and Sibeccai who had come West.

Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki, then head of the Ro-Malakai family, led the vanguard of Giants and Sibecai into Khorl. Facing stiff resistance from only a thin line of Khorl defenders the Giants and Sibeccai quickly broke through and entered the city. When the defenders realised that the host of Giants and Sibeccai that had cut through their line so quickly was only the initial probe they promptly surrendered to Ro-Aayaat. He accepted not wanting further bloodshed.

Accompanying Ro-Aayaat into Khorl was the third borne of Sibeccai Matriarch Domitilla – one Metellus. Metellus was an oddity amongst his family – some of whom would eventually become the Ro-Sibeccai – his family generally engaged in the Liberal or Magical Arts and considered him an outsider. Metellus took part in the initial assault on Khorl and would go on to fight at Ro-Aayaat’s side through much of the early Giant efforts to liberate the lands from the Dramojh. Leading a contingent of Giants and Sibeccai as Ro-Aayaat’s most trusted lieutenant and confident – the like of Metellus has not been seen amongst the Sibeccai since. In fact, Metellus – and the magical Great Sword he carried - figures prominently in the Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malakai and Ro- Shahaadah Malakai Books of Lives, though he has vanished from the history of his own family.

The Battle for Johar Valley

On the dawn of the 11^th day of Ko-Fenas, 6441, Metellus and Ro-Aayaat found themselves and their cohort deep within the Johar Valley following a massive river, now known as the Ghost Wash.

Ro-Aayaat and Metellus travelled into the Valley of Johar two days ahead of the main army of Giants, Sibeccai and their newly liberated allies. Scouts brought news to Metellus and Ro-Aayaat of a large contingent of Dramojh and their minions forming a battleline in a bottleneck of the valley. Ro-Aayat knew that if the enemy had the time to fortify they would be immovable without a great sacrifice of life. Ro-Aayat and Metellus met with their captains to discuss their choices. Both Ro-Aayat and Metellus knew that they would have to attack the massive Dramojh force if the army – two days march behind them - was to be able to pass through the mountains and continue the war. They put this to their soldiers: that they would need to sacrifice themselves to win the safe passage of the army that followed them.

At dawn on the 12^th day of Ko-Fenas, Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat, Metellus and their soldiers threw themselves into the first fight of the battle for Johar Valley. The plan, to disrupt the enemy lines long enough to prevent the preparation of fortifications.

Ro-Aayat and Metellus fought with their small contingent for two-days without rest. During this time the Chi-Julud irrevocably engulfed the Giants while, by the hour, Metellus and the Sibeccai devolved into their ancestral heritage.

The carnage wrought on the Dramojh army was immense the strikes of the Giants literally exploding their enemies, or opening the earth to engulf them, while the Sibeccai ferocity led them to tear their enemies limb from limb – all this washing the field of battle in blood, flesh and entrails.

But the small force was not an army and for every one of the Dramojh army brought down or torn asunder more stepped into the breach and step by step, they overwhelmed the Giants and Sibeccai. Weight of numbers gradually consumed the vanguard until midday on the second day when the badly wounded Ro-Aayat fell at the feet of Metellus, only Metellus still stood, continuing to lash at the swarms around them until both where engulfed under a rising tide of enemies.

But the Giants and Sibeccai had won the pass for the force behind them; the Dramojh had been unable to prepare for the army that attacked at dusk on the same day that Ro-Aayat and Metellus fell in the Johar Valley and the army of Giants continued into the central Plains.

The Plains

Having no heir the death of Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki meant his young brother, Ro‑Shahaadah, became head of the Ro-Malakai household and would step forward to fight to liberate the lands from the demon Dramojh.

Ro-Shahaadah rode fast to follow the Giant army through the Johar Valley but after leaving the valley he did not follow the main army towards the Rosewood Hills, instead he passed into the open plains then south towards the city of Ghanis. He was looking for tribes of Litorians.

Ro-Shahaadah knew that the Litorian tribes would understand the lands between the Bitter Peaks and the Elder Mountains better than any other race as it was here that they had fought a guerrilla war against the Dramojh for centuries. To him they represented an opportunity to gain allies for the ongoing war, if he could convince them that the Giants had not come to conquer as the Dramojh had.

It took some months but with diplomacy, he convinced the elders of two tribes – the Winter Eagles and the Plains Bears - to come together with him to discuss the ongoing war. He found amongst the Tribes an unexpected ally, a Tribe member named Rann. Rann, a Totem Warrior and Witch, was the daughter of a Plains Bear Totem Warrior and Winter Eagle Witch. She with Ro-Shahaadah convinced the two tribes to form a war band and head north to join with the Giant army.

As they travelled north more tribes were convinced to join by the combination of Ro‑Shahaadah and Rann. The Litorian War band arrived at the second battle of the Rosewood Hills in time to add their weight and turn it to the Giants favour much quicker than would otherwise have been the case.

After the second battle of the Rosewood Hills Ro-Shahaada returned southwards with the Litorians, along with a number of Clansmen and their Sibeccai allies, and fought to free the lands around Ghanis. The Ro-Malakai eventually received lands under the Steward at Ghanis and they turned their attention to developing and protecting these.

On the 1^st Day of Te-Karob (Gift in the Litorian) Ro-Shahaada died fighting near Ghanis leaving no Giant heir. The mantle of head of the Ro-Malakai household then passed to his sister Ro-Zaahir Malakai and subsequently her daughter Ro-Taqwaa Malakai. Both of whom concentrated on protecting and developing the lands of their stewardship.

It was rumoured that Ro-Shahaada left no Giant heir as he had partnered with the Totem Warrior Witch Rann the Winter Wolf. After his death, she returned to her tribe of the Plains Bears. To this day, her Tribe remains, amongst the nearby Litorian tribes, particularly close to the Ro-Malakai and members of her bloodline are particularly large and wise by Litorian standards, often rising to lead the Winter Wolves and Plains Bears some speculate that Rann bore a child to Ro-Shahaada and that this blood still mingles with Litorians of the Plains Bears and Winter Wolves.

The disappearance of Ro-Jaa’iz and the Dragon’s Bane

The majority of the Ro-Malakai turned their attention to the stewardship of the land as the war continued towards what appeared to be its inevitable conclusion. But Ro‑Jaa’iz, head of the Ro-Malakai family, along with several clansmen and Sibeccai left the Stewardship to take part. With him, Ro-Jaa’iz carried a Giant Greatsword created by a Ro-Sibeccai armourer of renowned. It was rumoured that this sword was anathema to Dragons and the creations of Dragons and he sort to test this in the Bitter Peaks.

Having headed into the mountains, the last the Malakai family heard of their clansmen was that he was exploring a Dramojh fortress and endeavouring to clear it of the remnants of their forces. Rumour reached the Ro-Malakai that Ro-Jaa’iz had tested the blade against a Dragon and that it had worked. But the parties that scoured the Bitter Peaks in the months after his disappearance found nothing. Further rumours came down from the mountains that a Dragon captured and used Ro-Jaa’iz in experiments, or that he accidentally opened a portal to another dimension and disappeared into it. Nothing more was heard from him and no trace was found; shortly afterwards the last Dramojh was exterminated. This left Ro-Ashurah to take up leadership of the family; he would eventually marry Aoe-Ansar who would give birth to Ro-Koran.

Ro-Koran Malakai

Ro-Koran is the son of Ro-Ashurah and the Grandson of Ro‑Jaa’iz Malaki, who was the son of Ro-Taqwaa and Grandson of Ro-Zaahir. Ro-Zaahir was the younger sister of both Ro‑Aayaat’Muhkamaat and Ro-Shahaadah.

			The Ro‑Malakai in the West
First Generation to the West	Ro-Aayaat	Ro-Shahaadah	Ro-Zaahir
First Generation of the West			Ro-Taqwaa
Second Generation of the West			Ro-Jaa’iz
Third Generation of the West			Ro-Ashurah
Fourth Generation of the West	Ro-Ayah	Ro-Koran	Ro-Yaqin	Ro-Bakhti	Ro-Akham	Ro-Salat

Ro-Koran considers himself of the West, there is no return to the lands of his ancestors, his life is steward and protector of the lands his forebears fought and died to liberate and he will stop at nothing to achieve this. Overlaying this role is his belief in his family and their role in bringing safety and order to the lands; he looks to the role his ancestors have fulfilled, those of Warrior, such as Ro-Aayaat, Diplomat such as Ro-Shahaadah and protector or explorer like Ro-Zaahir and Ro-Jaa’iz respectively.

Ro-Koran stands at seven feet tall, cleanly shaven and heavily armoured, wearing the insignia of his house on his right shoulder he is the stereotypical Giant. He takes his role as a steward of the land seriously and looks to his seniors for guidance while offering protection and guidance to the younger members of his family, clan and the other races of the Diamond Throne.

Ro-Koran is sincere and serious in his actions and holds his first reactions in check to be sure that anything he does is measured and appropriate – in respect to this he has found his recent experiences when in the Chi-Julud particularly disturbing.

He respects the elder members of his family, brother Ro-Yaqin and father Ro-Ashura as well as sister Ro-Bakhti and mother Ro-Ansar above all others. And while never acting without his own reasons, he will always take to heart the comments of his elders and seniors and moderate his decisions accordingly.

He respects the abilities of his friend Claudia Ro’Sibeccaai and values highly the gifts her family has provided to his through their history together. He respects the role she is to play in her family and knows that she will serve his and her family well and he is always willing to ask her advice and knows that she values his. Though he is continually baffled by the disdain many in her family show her, he would never acknowledge or comment on this in front of her; not wanting unnecessarily to hurt her.

Sasha’s advice he also finds valuable. The farsighted thoughtfulness of the Verrik is something that Ro-Koran finds interesting and useful, if sometimes too abstract for him to understand.

The Ro-Malakai family is well respected amongst other Giants for the role they played in liberating the Diamond Throne from the Dramojh, then securing, developing and protecting the lands around Ghanis. They have a solid and dependable reputation. Other races also tend to know something of the Ro-Malakai, particularly the Litorians of Tribes who had fought the Dramojh even before the arrival of the Giants. Ro-Koran always does his best to live up to and maintain this reputation.

On a personal level, Ro-Koran always looks forward to the annual Clan gatherings that his family travels to when their duties permit. Such gatherings are occasions for great festivities, as well as solemn rituals and ceremonies between the Giant families.

Intro

Iberia or Al-Andalusia 1210

Iberia has been reclaimed in part by Christian forces from the north. The forces of Islam continue a staunch resistance. The Muslims have reportedly fragmented into a number of smaller Kingdoms which, while still managing to do battle, appear to be gradually falling.

The Order of Hermes has been taking advantage of this, suspect provoking the violence.

•  Magi of House Flambeau are in the vanguard of bringing new members into the Order, or destroying them.

•  House Tytalus is also taking advantage of the conflict to recruit, and rebuild their damaged name.

•  Members of House Bonisagus appear to be attempting to learn what they can from the Witches, Sorcerers and Cabalists that can be found in the Peninsula using a variety of means.

•  House Ex Miscellenea is growing fast with new members not fitting into Tytalus of Flambeau finding a home here.

•  House Merinita has taken an unusual interest in the Peninsula, though many are unsure why?

•  Jerbiton continues to work with the noble mundane, some think to closely.

•  The other Houses are all of course maintaining an interest in events and ensuring that they have a role in developments there.

Amongst the locals is a rich and diverse heritage of magic, including members of Islamic, Jewish and Christian Traditions, which flourished under the generally benign auspices of the Muslim Caliphs. Not to mention the variety of powerful Islamic Sorcerers.

These other heritages are pursuing a variety of responses to the Orders incursions; from joining, to converting to Christianity, to some going into hiding or fleeing, while others, interests intertwined with the Islamic Kingdoms mount a staunch and complex defense of the Islamic world.

The Magi will find themselves in a newly founded Covenant under the protection of a powerful and older Covenant that has been leading the Orders entry into the Peninsula. They will be under the direction, and protection, of elders within the Covenant though still having plenty of seasons to pursue their objectives within this growing Tribunal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Muslim_occupation_of_the_Iberian_Peninsula

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispania

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispania_Lusitania

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Spain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconquista

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Islam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_age_of_Jewish_culture_in_Spain

The slightly revised Ro-Malakai family history

Slightly tweaked but still to do: Family tree, talk to Shy about altering the dates on her background by a few hundred years.

Ro-Malakai family history

Arrival in the West

The Ro-Malakai landed at Khorl in 6439 (common year 1228) as part of the force of Giants and Sibeccai who had come West.

Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki, then head of the Ro-Malakai family, led the vanguard of Giants and Sibecai into Khorl. Facing stiff resistance from only a thin line of Khorl defenders the Giants and Sibeccai quickly broke through and entered the city. When the defenders realised that the host of Giants and Sibeccai that had cut through their line so quickly was only the initial probe they promptly surrendered to Ro-Aayaat. He accepted not wanting further bloodshed.

Accompanying Ro-Aayaat into Khorl was the third borne of a Sibeccai Matriarch, Domitilla – one Metellus. Metellus was an oddity amongst his family - who generally engaged in the Liberal or Magical Arts – and considered an outsider. Metellus took part in the initial assault on Khorl and would go on to fight at Ro-Aayaat’s side through much of the Giant’s early efforts to liberate the lands from the Dramojh. Leading a contingent of Giants and Sibeccai as Ro-Aayaat’s most trusted lieutenant and confident – the like of Metellus has not been seen amongst the Sibeccai since. In fact, Metellus – and the magical Great Sword he carried - figures prominently in the Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malakai and Ro- Shahaadah Malakai Books of Lives, though he has vanished from the history of his own family.

The Battle for Johar Valley

On the dawn of the 11^th day of Ko-Fenas, 6441, Metellus and Ro-Aayaat found themselves and their cohort deep within the Johar Valley following a massive river, now known as the Ghost Wash.

Ro-Aayaat and Metellus travelled into the Valley of Johar two days ahead of the main army of Giants, Sibeccai and their newly liberated allies. Scouts brought news to Metellus and Ro-Aayaat of a large contingent of Dramojh and their minions forming a battleline in a bottleneck of the valley. Ro-Aayat knew that if the enemy had the time to fortify they would be immovable without a great sacrifice of life. Ro-Aayat and Metellus met with their captains to discuss their choices. Both Ro-Aayat and Metellus knew that they would have to attack the massive Dramojh force if the army – two days march behind them - was to be able to pass through the mountains and continue the war. They put it to their soldiers that they would need to sacrifice themselves to win the passage.

On the 12^th day of Ko-Fenas, Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat, Metellus and their soldiers threw themselves into the first fight of the battle for Johar Valley. The plan, to disrupt the enemy lines long enough to prevent the preparation of fortifications.

Ro-Aayat and Metellus fought with their small contingent for two-days without rest. During this time the Chi-Julud irrevocably engulfed the Giants while, by the hour, Metellus and the Sibeccai devolved into their ancestral heritage.

The carnage wrought on the Dramojh army was immense the strikes of the Giants literally exploding their enemies, or opening the earth to engulf them, while the Sibeccai’s ferocity led them to tear their enemies limb from limb washing the field of battle in blood, flesh and entrails.

But the small force was not an army and for every one of the Dramojh army brought down or torn asunder more stepped into the breach and step by step, they overwhelmed the Giants and Sibeccai. Weight of numbers gradually consumed the vanguard until midday on the second day when the badly wounded Ro-Aayat fell at the feet of Metellus, only Metellus still stood, continuing to lash at the swarms around them until both where engulfed under a rising tide of enemies.

But the Giants and Sibeccai had won the pass for the force behind them; the Dramojh had been unable to prepare for the army that attacked at dusk on the same day that Ro-Aayat and Metellus fell in the Johar Valley but the army continued into the central Plains.

The Plains

The death of Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki meant that his young brother, Ro‑Shahaadah, became head of the Ro-Malakai household and would step forward to fight to liberate the lands from the demon Dramojh.

Ro-Shahaadah rode fast to follow the Giant army through the Johar Valley but after leaving the valley he did not follow the main army towards the Rosewood Hills, instead he passed into the open plains then south towards the city of Ghanis. He was looking for tribes of Litorians.

Ro-Shahaadah knew that the Litorian tribes would understand the lands between the Bitter Peaks and the Elder Mountains better than any other race as it was here that they had fought a guerrilla war against the Dramojh for centuries. To him they represented an opportunity to gain allies for the ongoing war if he could convince them that the Giants had not come to conquer, as the Dramojh had.

It took some months but with diplomacy, he convinced the elders of two tribes – the Winter Eagles and the Plains Bears - to come together with him to discuss the ongoing war. He found amongst the Tribes an unexpected ally, a Tribe member named Rann. Rann, a Totem Warrior and Witch, was the daughter of a Plains Bear Totem Warrior and Winter Eagle Witch. She with Ro-Shahaadah convinced the two tribes to form a war band and head north to join with the Giant army.

As they travelled north more tribes were convinced to join by the combination of Ro‑Shahaadah and Rann. The Litorian War band arrived at the second battle of the Rosewood Hills in time to add their weight and turn it to the Giants favour much quicker than would otherwise have been the case.

After the second battle of the Rosewood Hills Ro-Shahaada returned southwards with the Litorians, a number of Clansmen and their Sibeccai allies and fought to clear the lands around Ghanis. His family was eventually awarded lands under the Steward at Ghanis and they turned their attention to developing and protecting these areas, even before the final Dramojh had been cleansed from the land.

On the 1^st Day of Te-Karob (Gift in the Litorian) Ro-Shahaada died fighting near Ghanis leaving no Giant heir. The mantle of head of the Ro-Malakai household then passed to his sister Ro-Zaahir Malakai and subsequently her daughter Ro-Taqwaa Malakai. Both of whom concentrated on protecting and developing the lands of their stewardship.

It was rumoured that Ro-Shahaada left no Giant heir as he had partnered with the Totem Warrior Witch Rann the Winter Wolf. After his death, she returned to her tribe of the Plains Bears and, to this day, her Tribe remains, amongst the nearby Litorian tribes, particularly close to the Ro-Malakai and her blood-line, particularly large and wise by Litorian standards, often rise to lead the Winter Wolves and Plains Bears.

The disappearance of Ro-Jaa’iz and the Dragon’s Bane

While the majority of the Ro-Malakai turned their attention to the stewardship of the land, the war continued towards what appeared to be its inevitable conclusion and Ro‑Jaa’iz along with several clansmen and Sibeccai left the Stewardship to take part. With him, Ro-Jaa’iz carried a Giant Greatsword created by a Sibeccai armourer of renowned. It was rumoured that this sword was anathema to Dragons and the creations of Dragons and he sort to test this in the Bitter Peaks.

Having headed into the mountains, the last the Malakai family heard of their clansmen was that he was exploring a Dramojh fortress and endeavouring to clear it of the remnants of their forces. Rumour reached the Ro-Malakai that Ro-Jaa’iz had tested the blade against a Dragon and that it had worked. But the parties that scoured the Bitter Peaks in the months after his disappearance found nothing. And further rumours abound that a Dragon captured and used Ro-Jaa’iz in experiments or that he accidentally opened a portal to another dimension and disappeared into it. Nothing more was heard from him and no trace was found; shortly afterwards the last Dramojh was exterminated.

Ro-Koran Malakai

Ro-Koran stands at seven feet tall, cleanly shaven and heavily armoured and wearing the insignia of his house on his right shoulder, he is the stereotypical Giant. He takes his role as a steward of the land seriously and looks to his family and ancestors for guidance and direction when making decisions, while offering protection and guidance to the younger members of his family, clan and the other races of the Diamond Throne.

Ro-Koran is sincere and serious in his actions and holds his first reactions in check to be sure that anything he does is measured and appropriate – though he has recently found his experiences when in the Chi-Julud particularly disturbing.

He respects the elder members of his family, brother Ro-Yaqin and father Ro-Ashura as well as sister Ro-Bakhti and mother Ro-Ansar above all others. And while never acting without his own reasons, he will always take to heart the comments of his elders and seniors and moderate his decisions accordingly.

He respects the abilities of his friend Claudia Ro’Sibeccaai and values highly the gifts her family has provided to his through their history together. He respects the role she is to play in her family and knows that she will serve his and her family well and he is always willing to ask her advice on things and knows that she values his. Though he is continually baffled by the disdain many in her family show her, he would never acknowledge or comment on this in front of her; not wanting unnecessarily to hurt her.

Sasha’s advice he also finds valuable. The farsighted thoughtfulness of the Verrik is something that Ro-Koran finds interesting and useful, if sometimes too abstract for him to understand.

The Ro-Malakai family is well respected amongst other Giants for the role they played in liberating the Diamond Throne from the Dramojh, then securing, developing and protecting the lands around Ghanis. They have a solid and dependable reputation. Other races also tend to know something of the Ro-Malakai, particularly the Litorians of Tribes who had fought the Dramojh even before the arrival of the Giants. Ro-Koran always does his best to live up to and maintain this reputation.

On a personal level, Ro-Horan always looks forward to the annual Clan gatherings that his family travels to when their duties permit. Such gatherings are occasions for great festivities, as well as solemn rituals and ceremonies between the Giant families.

Draft of the Ro-Malakai family history

This is my first draft of an extended Ro-Koran family history for the Arcana Evolved game I am in.

Ro-Malakai family history

Arrival in the West

The Ro-Malakai landed at Khorl in 6439 (common year 1228) as part of the force of Giants and Sibeccai who had come West.

Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki, then head of the Ro-Malakai family, led the vanguard of Giants and Sibecai into Khorl. Facing stiff resistance from only a thin line of defenders the soldiers quickly broke through and entered the city. When the defenders realised that the host of Giants and Sibeccai that had cut through their line so quickly was only the initial probe they promptly surrendered to Ro-Aayaat, he accepted not wanting further bloodshed.

Accompanying Ro-Aayaat into Khorl was the third borne of a Sibeccai Matriarch, Domitilla – one Metellus. Mettellus was an oddity amongst his family - who generally engaged in the Liberal or Magical Arts – and considered an outsider. Metellus took part in the initial assault on Khorl and would go on to fight at Ro-Aayaat’s side through much of the Giant’s early efforts to liberate the lands from the Dramojh. Leading a contingent of Giants and Sibeccai as Ro-Aayaat’s most trusted lieutenant and confident – the like of Metelllus has not been seen amongst the Sibeccai since. In fact, Metellus – and the magical Great Sword he carried - figures prominently in the Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malakai and Ro- Shahaadah Malakai Books of Lives, though he has vanished from the history of his own family.

The Battle for Johar Valley

On the dawn of the 11^th day of Ko-Fenas, 6441, Metellus and Ro-Aayut found themselves and their cohort deep within the Johar Valley following a massive river, now known as the Ghost Wash.

Having travelled into the Valley of Johar two days ahead of the main army of Giants, Sibeccai and their newly liberated allies, scouts brought news to Metellus and Ro-Aayat of a large contingent of Dramojh and their minions forming a battleline in a bottleneck of the valley. Knowing that if the enemy had the time to fortify that they would be immovable without a great sacrifice of life Ro-Aayat and Metellus met with their captains to discuss their choices. Both Ro-Aayat and Metellus knew that they would have to attack the massive Dramojh force if the army – two days march behind them - was to be able to pass through the mountains and continue the war. They put it to their soldiers that they would need to sacrifice themselves to win the passage.

On the 12^th day of Ko-Fenas Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat, Metellus and their soldiers threw themselves into the first fight of the battle for Johar Valley. The plan, to disrupt the enemy lines long enough to prevent the preparation of fortifications.

Ro-Aayat and Metellus fought with their small contingent for two-days without rest. During this time the Chi-Julud irrevocably engulfed the Giants while, by the hour, Metellus and the Sibeccai devolved into their ancestral heritage.

The carnage wrought on the Dramojh army was immense the strikes of the Giants literally exploding their enemies, or opening the earth to engulf them, while the Sibeccai’s ferocity led them to tear their enemies limb from limb washing the field of battle in blood, flesh and entrails.

But the small force was not an army and for every one of the Dramojh army brought down or torn asunder more stepped into the breach and step by step, they overwhelmed the Giants and Sibeccai. Weight of numbers gradually consumed the vanguard until midday on the second day when the badly wounded Ro-Aayat fell at the feet of Mettellus, only Metelltus still stood and continued to lash at the swarms around them until both where engulfed under a rising tide of enemies.

But the Giants and Sibeccai had won the pass for the force behind them; the Dramojh had been unable to prepare for the army that attacked at dusk on the same day that Ro-Aayat and Metellus fell in the Johar Valley.

The Plains

The death of Ro-Aayaat’Muhkamaat Malaki meant that his young brother, Ro‑Shahaadah, became head of the Ro-Malakai household and would step forward to fight to liberate the lands from the demon Dramojh.

Ro-Shahaadah rode fast to follow the Giant army through the Johar Valley but after leaving the valley he did not follow the main army towards the Rosewood Hills, instead he passed into the open plains then south towards the city of Ghanis. He was looking for tribes of Litorians.

Ro-Shahaadah knew that the Litorian tribes would understand the lands between the Bitter Peaks and the Elder Mountains better than any other race as it was here that they had fought a guerrilla war against the Dramojh for centuries. To him they represented an opportunity to at gain allies for the ongoing war if he could convince them that the Giants had not come to conquer, as the Dramojh had.

It took some months but with diplomacy, he convinced the elders of two tribes two come together with him to discuss the ongoing war – the Winter Eagles and the Plains Bears - and he found amongst the Tribes an unexpected ally, a Tribe member named Rann. Rann, a Totem Warrior and Witch, was the daughter of a Plains Bear Totem Warrior and Winter Eagle Witch, she with Ro-Shahaadah convinced the two tribes to form a war band and head north to join with the Giant army.

As they travelled north more tribes were convinced to join by the combination of Ro‑Shahaadah and Rann. The Litorian War band arrived at the second battle of the Rosewood Hills in time to add their weight and turn it to the Giants favour much quicker than would otherwise have been the case.

After the second battle of the Rosewood Hills Ro-Shahaada returned southwards with the Litorians, a number of Clansmen and their Sibeccai allies and fought to clear the lands around Ghanis. His family was eventually awarded lands under the Steward at Ghanis and they turned their attention to developing and protecting these areas, even before the final Dramojh had been cleansed from the land.

On the 1^st Day of Te-Karob (Gift in the Litorian) Ro-Shahaada died fighting near Ghanis leaving no Giant heir. The mantle of head of the Ro-Malakai household then passed to his sister Ro-Zaahir Malakai and subsequently her daughter Ro-Taqwaa Malakai. Both of whom concentrated on protecting and developing the lands of their stewardship.

It was rumoured that Ro-Shahaada left no Giant heir as he had partnered with the Totem Warrior Witch Rann the Winter Wolf. After his death, she returned to her tribe of the Plains Bears and, to this day, her Tribe remains, amongst the nearby Litorian tribes, particularly close to the Ro-Malakai.

The disappearance of Ro-Jaa’iz and the Dragon’s Bane

While the majority of the Ro-Malakai turned their attention to the stewardship of the land, the war continued towards what appeared to be its inevitable conclusion and Ro‑Jaa’iz along with several clansmen and Sibeccai left the Stewardship to take part. With him, Ro-Jaa’iz carried a Giant Greatsword created by a Sibeccai armourer of renowned. It was rumoured that this sword was anathema to Dragons and the creations of Dragons and he sort to test this in the Bitter Peaks.

Having headed into the mountains the last the Malakai family heard of their clansmen was that he was exploring a Dramojh fortress and endeavouring to clear it of the remnants of their forces. Rumour reached the Ro-Malakai that Ro-Jaa’iz had tested the blade against a Dragon and that it had worked. But the parties that scoured the Bitter Peaks in the months after his disappearance found nothing. And further rumours abound that a Dragon captured and used Ro-Jaa’iz in experiments. Nothing more was heard from him and no trace was found; shortly afterwards the last Dramojh was exterminated.

Ro-Koran Malakai

Ro-Koran stands at seven feet tall, cleanly shaven and heavily armoured and wearing the insignia of his house on his right shoulder, he is the stereotypical Giant. He takes his role as a steward of the land seriously and looks to his family and ancestors for guidance and direction when making decisions while offering protection and guidance to the younger members of his family, clan and the other races of the Diamond Throne.

Ro-Koran is sincere and serious in his actions and holds his first reactions in check to be sure that anything he does is measured and appropriate – though he has recently found his experiences when in the Chi-Julud particularly disturbing.

He respects the elder members of his family, brother Ro-Yaqin and father Ro-Ashura as well as sister Ro-Bakhti and mother Ro-Ansar above all others. And while never acting without his own reasons, he will always take to heart and moderate his decisions accordingly.

He respects the abilities of his friend Claudia Ro’Sibeccaai and values highly the gifts her family has provided to his through their history together. He respects the role she is to play in her family and knows that she will serve his and her family well and he is always willing to ask her advice on things and knows that she values his. Though he is continually baffled by the disdain many in her family show her, he would never acknowledge or comment on this in front of her; not wanting unnecessarily to hurt her.

Sasha’s advice he also finds valuable. The farsighted thoughtfulness of the Verrik is something that Ro-Koran finds interesting and useful, if sometimes to abstract for him to understand.

The Ro-Malakai family is well respected amongst other Giants for the role they played in liberating the Diamond Throne from the Dramojh, then securing, developing and protecting the lands around Ghanis. They have a solid and dependable reputation. Other races also tend to know something of the Ro-Malakai, particularly the Litorians of Tribes who had fought the Dramojh even before the arrival of the Giants. Ro-Koran always does his best to live up to and maintain this reputation.

On a personal level, Ro-Horan always looks forward to the annual Clan gatherings that his family travels to when their duties permit. Such gatherings are occasions for great festivities, as well as solemn rituals and ceremonies between the Giant families.