In the fourth cycle of Jena Year 2551, the disastrous consequences of the drought in the Burning Desert came to a climax. At the beginning of the cycle, the desert tribes were protesting outside the Fyros cities, and frahar were swarming over two of the desert regions. By the end of the cycle, the tribes had all gone home, and the frahar problem had been mostly solved.

This didn't happen easily or quickly though. After the events of the second cycle, most of the Akenak resigned in protest. And with nobody to take action anymore, the problems only worsened during the third cycle. It was only after foreign intervention and the election of a new Akenak that the problems started getting resolved.

The tribes were one by one negotiated with until they could be convinced to withdraw their forces. The frahar however were a bigger problem. A detailed investigation had to be launched to find why they were multiplying so quickly, before a large expedition could finally put a stop to it.

Buildup: Third Cycle

Buildup for this event continued on from Water Perils, Saturday, 3 July, 2010.

Summer, 3th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

The events of the second cycle had left the desert tribes protesting outside the Fyros towns Dyron and Thesos, while aggressive frahar camped at the oasis. Furthermore the Akenak was in disagreement with the Senate over how to solve the situation.

Several Akenak had already announced their resignation over the disagreement, and elections for a new Akenak were due. But these elections would not be completed until the beginning of the fourth cycle. Thus any solution would have to wait while the third cycle dragged on...

Autumn, 3th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

On Harvestor 13, the Matis Nobles held a secret meeting to discuss the situation in their neighbouring nation. Rumours abounded that they were plotting to take advantage of the anarchy in the desert and the weak state of the Fyros Empire.

In the month of Fallenor, the situation in the desert escalated further, as some of the tribes moved away from Thesos and Dyron to instead blockade the gates of Pyr itself. There was general outcry from the population, but despite a repeated plea from the Akenak, the Senate still refused to take military action. Ofcourse this didn't stop some citizens of the desert from attempting to remove the tribes by force themselves. But they only obtained temporary successes, the tribes always returning with reinforcements. Thought after the first skirmishes the tribes did move further away from Pyr.

Winter, 3th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

In the winter of the third cycle, the Matis chamber of Nobles, perhaps feeling regret over their earlier actions, invited the tribes of the desert to move to Virginia Falls in Hidden Source to last out the drought there. The three tribes that were blockading Thesos at the time accepted this invitation and made camp in Hidden Source for the rest of the drought, clearing Thesos of tribal blockade.

“

To the tribes of the Buring Desert:

It is well known that you are suffering from a terrible drought and that the situation is getting more dire every day. The Matis Kingdom wishes to do what we can to extend a helping hand and prevent further suffering.

The Fyros turned down our offer of assistance, and we've accepted that until now. However with the situation only worsening and the Fyros government apparently in disarray, the stability of our borders is now being threatened. We've thus decided to make an offer directly to you, the tribes, that we hope will stop the rising tensions on our border.

We cannot organise relief caravans loaded with water as well as our Tryker friends can. However, we do have lands close to the Burning Desert, and on those lands not far across the border is an abundant source of water: Virginia Falls. As far as we know, it is still largely unaffected by the drought. While the Lakelands are much too far for most of you to travel to, this would only be a short trip from Thesos.

The Matis Kingdom thus hereby officially invites all tribes of the Burning Desert in need of water to move their populations across the border into Matis lands and camp at Virginia Falls during the drought.

  Official Forums

Dyron and Pyr remained under siege by the remaining tribes, however.

Very shortly thereafter, it was announced that the Akenak elections had finished and that a new Akenak would be installed in the second month of the fourth cycle.

“

Truth! Honor! Discipline! Justice!

The Call of the Dagger has concluded! Let it be known that 2 candidates will be named Akenak for duration of 1 Jena year!

I announce that on Quarta, Germinally 4, 4th AC 2551(JY) at 20h Prince Lykos will confirm the title of Akenak on elected candidates. The ceremony will take place at the Akenak meeting place in the Imperial Hall! All candidates and current Akenak should attend!

For the Emperor Dexton! For Fyros!

  Official Forums

Akenak Assembly

The Akenak assembly started at 23:00 GMT, Wednesday, 21 July, 2010.

The old and new Akenak met at the Imperial Hall in Pyr. Senator Dios and prince Lykos attended the meeting, but only to discharge the old Akenak and inaugurate the new one. They then departed to leave the new Akenak to decide how to handle the problems.

Some Matis Nobles were present at the meeting, officially to offer their full support but probably also to spy on the proceedings. Several concerned Fyros citizens were also present to join in the discussion. A reporter was there to report on the meeting, and a few angry citizens of Pyr were there to complain to the Akenak about the ongoing drought and lack of solutions.

The new Akenak promised to immediately get on it and discussed various possible solutions. They ultimately decided they would try again to negotiate with the tribes for a peaceful solution, while more information would need to be obtained about the Frahar before they could decide what to do about those.

Wasting no time, the Akenak immediately sprang into action and rushed over to the Leviers camp to begin negotiations. They managed to persuade both the Leviers and the Barkers to lift their blockades of Pyr almost immediately after the assembly. They also questioned both tribes about the Frahar, but obtained no useful information.

Buildup: Fourth Cycle

Spring, 4th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

Because all eyes had been on the tribes, nobody had really noticed the Frahar until now. It was only shortly before the Akenak Assembly that people started noticing how many there suddenly were all over Frahar Towers. And their numbers weren't the only thing shocking; specimens of Frahar were observed that were much stronger than normal Frahar. They seemed as powerful and as intelligent as the Fraiders, but far more malevolent. Scouts even confirmed the presence of Frahar magicians, who could launch powerful fire spells over long distance that killed many a desert travellers before they ever realised what happened.

But perhaps strangest of all was that the Frahar were building totems.

At about the same time, the Fyros citizenry started making themselves heard: Concerned citizens starting popping up all over Pyr, sharing their concerns and opinions and knowledge about the Frahar with anyone who would listen. (The speeches of all these NPCs can be found below.)

Adventurers started thinning out the Frahar and destroying some of the totems, but it quickly proved futile, as the Frahar would simply return and the totems rebuild.

A call went out shortly after the new Akenak was installed, for information on the Frahar!

“

Attention Patriots, residents and visitors of the Desert!

The Akenak is requesting information regarding the recent frahar infestation in the Frahar Towers. Any knowledge that has been ascertained should be passed on to the Akenak.

Truth! Honor! Discipline! Justice!

  Official Forums

Summer, 4th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

During the summer months, while adventurers gathered information about the Frahar, the Akenak continued negotiation with the rebelling tribes.

In one expedition, they attempted to gather information about the Frahar from the Lawless, the Scorchers and the Fraiders. All three tribes weren't particularly friendly with the Fyros and had to be bribed. And only the Fraiders had any kind of usefull information:

In other expeditions, they convinced the Water Breakers, Frahar Hunters, Renegades and Watchers to all lift their blockades. This ended all the tribal uprising in the desert. Now only the Frahar would have to be dealt with. The Water Breakers had suggested perhaps there was something in the water, so water and soil samples were taken.

“

An emergency meeting of the Akenak will be held on Dua, Thermis 26, 4th AC 2551(JY) at 8h to review the results of the water and soil analysis.

  Official Forums

Autumn, 4th Atysian Cycle, Jena Year 2551

Finally, the long awaited call for a mass action came:

“

Foragers and care planners of Ayts! Your expertise is needed in the Burning Desert!

The Pyr scholars have determined that an over abundance of resources in Oflovak's Oasis and the Frahar Towers has polluted the water and caused the explosion of the frahar population. In a joint effort between the Akenak and the Barkers an excavation expedition has been organized for Quinteth, Fallenor 11, 4th AC at 8h. All homins are invited to help. Diggers, care planners and general guard teams are welcome. Meeting place is at the Northlake Farm Tower in Oflovak's Oasis.

Once the resources are reduced in sufficient amounts, homins will be asked to help reduce the frahar population.

  Official Website

NPC speeches

Troubled Homin

I was running through the Frahar towers the other day, before the region became so overwhelmed, and I observed some Frahar as they were building a totem. That was a strange sight, you can believe me!

Since when can these animals process wood?

Exhausted Homin

Why? Because no one believes me!

*imploring tone*

I have seem him! Believe me!
A huge Frahar as big as a mighty Kincher!

*gives a discouraging sigh*

But all think I'm crazy...
It was only a few hundred meters from here that it marched past.

Well, it was dark. But its enormous eyes flashed at me! Then I immediately took flight. But that's understandable... or not?

I will never forget the sight ...

*stares at the ground and starts shaking*

Drunk

The Fraaah... *hic* rrrr...
they are *hic* back-shhtabbing beashhtieshh *hic*
They block entire roadshh, you *hic* know.
There ishhn't any getting through! *hic*
It'shh mushh better to shhtay here... in the baaar.
*hic* Baaarkeeep!

Merchant

Ha! These damned Frahar! One can hardly move. The Akenak better belive that the Fraiders are behind this.

*spits*

A punitive expedition to the beasts down there in the gorge and the situation is clarified, believe you me! Then finally it will be quiet here and we can pursue our work without being robbed by these creatures!

Yes! Robbed! You heard me! My mektoubs were stolen right under my nose - along with all the wood I was transporting.

*waves hand in angry gesture*

And nobody does anything about it!
Patriots. Pah! All Cowards!

Scholar

Want to learn more about Frahar? Then you have come to the right man!

Frahar are only slightly more intelligent than ordinary animals. Some even say that a Shooki is more intelligent, but I beg to differ.

Frahar normally live in herds of 5 to 10 and are excellent hunters. It is worthwhile to observe them in the hunt, for they are indeed very clever and take advantage of weaknesses of their victims selectively. They have learned to deal with primitive tools and have weak magic skills in which they have developed a special talent for fire and use it in the hunt.

We know that they not only do they eat flesh, but they also take vegetable food. How accurate is the composition we have unfortunately not yet able to explore, as the Frahar proceed quite aggressively against curious observers.

What? You are not interested in what I have to say? You want to know why they multiply so suddenly?

*points and turns indignantly away*

My colleague over there investigated the mating behavior, ask him!.

Scholar

*mumbles to himself *

This cannot be! Why...? But that has yet...!

*jumps in fright*

Don't do that again! Sneaking up on a scientist...Tsk!

*shakes head vigorously*

Oh, you want to know something about Frahar? I can tell you a lot!

I have specialized in the mating behavior of all sorts of animals and the Frahar have made amazing progress lately, do not you think? Well, the females cannot ordinarily be seen. Many homins believe, that the male and the female simply cannot be distinguished apart, as is the case with most animals. But the Frahar females differ significantly from the males. They are smaller and have a lighter coat. As far as I can tell, they are nearly blind, for they are kept from their pack under the surface in dark caves where they care for their offspring.

The hunting pack that is seen usually at the surface consists only of males. Once they have mated with the females they return to the surface while the females care for the young. Their offspring, once matured, venture to the surface and join another clan.

This new generation here is adopted in an astonishing way ! it appears that the clan or the pack is getting stronger. Recently, one could observe how the groups are getting larger and they seem to have organised themselves better and have become more adept at using tools.

There must be some current conditions that are taking its effect on the Frahar allowing them to multiply as massively as hey have. I think that there is an oversupply of food in the areas of the clan or such a development could not occur. But, so far, we have seen no evidence for this theory.

Perhaps it is worth examining the regions of the Frahar for more accurate information. There are a couple of hermits who may have seen more. I would leave but it is too dangerous for me to leave the Academy.

But now please let me continue working. The yubos show a very unusual technique of pairing which I wish to study further.

Guard

The damned Frahar keep us very busy.
Not only are they are becoming more, they also seem to be ordered to move.
Have you ever seen these creatures behave like this? I have not!

Hermit

I think I must move from here. The water here is not drinkable. I do not know what is going on. The only things that drink from it now are the Frahars. All the other animals avoid it and the last time I tasted it I felt really strange.

Poisons do you think? Well I do not know who would want to poison it. Moreover, no one comes over here really.

Traveler

*lifts head from meditation*

The so-called primitive people are smarter than most homin are willing to believe. They are creations, though their culture may seem alien and abnormal to us, of Ma-Duk and we should not interfere in the divine, least we draw the ire of punishment from the Kami.

*falls back into trance*

Wandering Madwoman

*giggles in a high tone*

Frahar? What are Frahar?

Oh, you mean those hairy Homins running around everywhere?

*makes a sweeping gesture*

They are quite dear, but who do not mind a bit. They even eat mainly plants or bark or something of that nature... Or at least they get it from the ground... far below,.. faaaaaar.

*gives a wild-eyed look at the formations of the Frahar Towers*

Then they stand up there and dance at the top. This can be seen every night. See? Just up here.

*giggles shrilly*

And then they jump and sail down to the ground. Where they land hundreds of small white hairy homins immediately crawled out of the ground to pay homage to great gliders.

*grins and spreads his arms and looks expectantly at the ground as if witnessing many small Frahar immediately popping out of the ground*

Harvester

Here one cannot become rich because people are so spoiled. The raw materials here just are not good enough. But the region is overflowing with them! I can forage only a small fraction of it and you would hardly notice. Yes, here it is always lonely. Nobody else is buildings things from here.

Frahar Hunter

These damn Frahar! If the increase continues they will overrun us! We do have our hands full keeping the roads clear here, but there are just so many...

*Sighs from exhaustion*

Sometimes I do think that we would be better to withdraw from the region and focus on the border with Oflovak's oasis. Especially since we hardly have any water...

Fortunately, our supplies have been supplemented with water from the Aeden Aqueous. But I do not know how long the supplies will last. With the Frahar multiplying so quickly, the water is now undrinkable!

*Stands tall*

But we do not give up! We must not give up! The Empire needs us!

Event

This part of the event started at 19:00 GMT, Sunday, 1 August, 2010.

The warriors and foragers trickled into Northlake Farm where they were awaited by the Fyros Akenak and Overseer Pin Ulyn of the Barkers tribe. Pin Ulyn explained what her tribe had discovered: If a substantial amount of resources would be removed from 6 specific locations, it would tip the scales and restore the balance for the time being. She explained that 3 of those locations were in Oflovak's Oasis, and 3 were in Frahar Towers.

She led the entire party to the first location in Oflovak's Oasis, and had them dig enough resources to decrease the Kami Tolerance is that area by about 20%. The same was then done in the two other locations. As Oflovak's Oasis was for the most part not occupied by Frahar, the foragers did not need to be guarded and the operation proceeded smoothly.

Against the Frahar

But next they would have to extract resources from Frahar Towers, which was nearly completely overrun. The first location Pin Ulyn led them to was only just across the border, but occupied by hundreds of Frahar. Thus the foragers all donned their battle gear and started slowly and painstakingly thinning out the Frahar.

They quickly became bored with this, so they tried instead to run around the Frahar to the dig site. But this resulted in disaster as they ended up getting caught between two armies of Frahar. Most of the homins were slaughtered, and the survivors scattered around the region. It then took a very long time for the survivors to return, the fallen to be revived, and the scattered groups to reunite into a single army.

Once the army was reunited, they decided removing the Frahar from the dig site would be only way, and returned to the task of slowly thinning them out. Eventually they had cleared the entire area and could safely bring out their picks and remove the excess resources, while the dedicated warriors protected the foragers from the sporadic Frahar that attacked them from nearby.

Cleaning up

However, this operation had so exhausted the homin army, they worried they'd not be able to repeat it two more times. But Pin Ulyn told them the last two locations should be easier to reach. Indeed, the next location was just outside Dyron, and the homins only had to deal with a few groups of Frahar while the foragers removed the resources. The last location was in the far south of Frahar Towers, with not a Frahar in sight, though the guards still had their hands full guarding the foragers from varinx and kinchers.

Once enough resources had been removed from that last location, the operation was declared a success. Though the Frahar were still there and would still have to be dealt with, Pin Ulyn announced they should not be able to multiple quickly enough to replenish their numbers anymore. The Akenak thanked Pin Ulyn for her services and all the homins for their help.

A rerun of this event was scheduled for 02:00 GMT, Monday, 2 August, 2010. But it is unknown whether this indeed took place.

See also

Assembly notes for the Noble meeting during this event - Harvestor 13 Assembly Notes

References

See also: