Warriors of Mameka
A Knightly Order of The Hierarchy of The Eternal Flame
The Warriors of Mameka are a Terhani order of the Reaper. It is sponsored by the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel. The following document comes from a collection of written works by various Warriors throughout their history at the bequest of Klyrdes of Bisidril, Apalankh of Hârn and Viriahn of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel.
History
The Warriors of Mameka trace their history through the Order of Mamaka who claim to be descendants of the ancient order of Khamar. Little is known of the Order of Khamar as most all of its history and documents were destroyed with the fall of Kuistan. Surprisingly the Order of Mameka does not claim ancestry directly to the wandering bands of prophets from around 1450 BT as do most Agrikan orders.
The Warriors of Mameka took their name in memory a band of mercenaries who fought to protect fleeing Agrikan priests from the Balshang Jihad in 574TR. Without the Warriors of Mameka, the Jihad would have destroyed all the written lore of their religion.
The story of the Warriors development begins with the Interregnum.
Under Morgathian Rule
Their founding came amidst the Interregnum (588-621 TR). To help the Order of Mamaka survive under Morgathian rule, the Warriors were an affiliated group of lay agents and assassins. Their purpose was to infiltrate the ruling Morgathian hierarchy and be ready to topple the corrupt and foul government when the time was right. Additionally, the Warriors were to assure there were no other competitors for the power when the Morgathian hierarchy collapsed. The early Warriors quickly developed a silent language of signs and gestures to pass on information, even while being watched by the enemy. This silent language, called Nazar after the priest who created it, quickly became the Warriors best weapon.
The infiltration of the Morgathian hierarchy took far longer than expected. It taught the Warriors patience and guile. The Warriors often became weapon and armour crafters to hide their Agrikan ways of combat and practice. The Morgathians did not trust the craftsmen of their cities, but their services were too valuable to loose. The sons and daughters of these craftsmen rose to become guards, assistants and powerful Morgathians within the hierarchy. Many of these links to the Morgathian power structure within Rethem are said to still exist today.
Officially they "helped" Agrikans within the cities escape, and passed on whatever information they could to these other orders so that they could harry the Morgathians at every turn. Many doubt this, and a few orders still believe the Order of Mamaka ordered the destruction of their brethren to better their own position with the Morgathians. A convenient lack of documentation for the time does not allow this mystery to be solved.
Arlun's Conquest (621-654 TR)
It was a covert member of the Warriors who first spotted the barbarian army as it advanced south upon what is today Rethem. The Order of Mamaka, sure that the Morgathians could defeat such a rag-tag army remained covert. They ordered their Warriors to obey the Morgathians and remain hidden among the faithful. The time was not yet right to overturn the existing power structure.
Unfortunately the Order miscalculated. In the late 620s Arlun the Barbarian and his Kuboran supporters took the Second Theocracy by storm. They created the kingdom of Rethem and in the process destroyed the armies of Morgathian faithful and hidden Warriors alike. More covert agents were killed during the purges of Morgathians after Arlun banned the Morgathian Church.
The Warriors fled back to their families of craftsmen and hid anew as the workers and builders that Arlun would require to repair the cities his forces had damaged in conquest. The tribesmen remained a constant danger to those within the cities, but Arlun protected those who swore fielty to him. And many of the Warriors did just that. It was, they reasoned, the only way to save their life's work.
At the order of the Order of Mamaka, the Warriors of Mameka came forward as a group and pledged loyalty to the new barbarian King. Those that did step forward, craftsmen for the most part, took the role of brutal enforcers of the new laws. The visible Warriors retained their positions as crafters and builders within the cities. The visible Warriors were used mostly to quell revolt and crush opposition. Arlun quickly learned that the Warriors were too violent to be used as peace keepers or even enforcers.
A strong discipline based on years of silence and secrecy grew within the Warriors. They used this to appear far more vicious than they really were. Many agents complained to their Order that their work was distasteful and barbaric. But the general consensus was that this was a barbaric time, and to survive barbarity was needed.
A few covert agents remained within the now hidden and persecuted Morgathian hierarchy. They became more important to the Morgathians because of their outside ties that provided shelter and protection in a time when everyone else had abandoned them.
The Reign of Obras (655-672 TR)
Shortly after Arlun's death, the Kuboran tribesmen who had supported the king, left Rethem to return home. Obras, Arlun's son, used the Warriors and other Agrikan bands to strengthen his kingdom. Still, the Warriors were deemed too vicious to be peace-keepers, but with so many new revolts breaking out their viciousness were needed. The Warriors were anxious for the Order of Mameka to seize control, but the Senesharil said the signs and portents for such a move were not yet present.
Under Arlun's rule they were no more than a band of thugs or ruffians in armour. Under Obras they often went forth to perform the King's business. The military force of the Warriors retained its tradition of practicing craft skills, but gave up building skills (engineering, masonry, woodworking, etc) and began the pursuit of more warlike crafts (weapon crafting, armour crafting, alchemy, and so forth.)
When the Order of Mamaka assisted in having Obras reinstate the Morgathian church, many of their members gained seats on the Golothian Heptarchial Council. In retrospect Arlun's toppling of the Morgathian Hierarchy and destruction of its upper-most members resulted in the Warriors achieving trusted and powerful positions.
With the number of Morgathians so reduced, the Order decided to try to infiltrate other aspects of Rethem society. New Warriors became part of other Agrikan priestly and knightly orders, and even joined many noble families. All nobles wanted military-trained men for bodyguards and the Order found themselves with an abundant supply. A few Warriors gave up their freedom to be sold into houses that the order could find no other way to infiltrate. This new network is believed to still be in existence today.
The Reign of Nemiran (672-681 TR)
Under Nemiran's rule the Warriors were used as a military extension of his will. They were not his first choice as such, but he needed more men to quell the revolts that plagued Rethem and the Warriors made themselves more easily available than most of the other Agrikan orders. The Order of Mamaka tried to keep a low profile, remaining humble and in the background as much as possible.
The Warriors received the name "Blood Hounds" for once tracking a man guilty of treason all the way to Melderyn before returning him alive to face Nemiran's justice in Golotha. The Warriors never acted in any official sense as purveyors of Nemiran's justice or will, yet they were persuasive none the less.
During Nemiran's rule a lot of courtiers disappeared mysteriously. At the time it was readily blamed on the banditry that plagued the countryside, or more rebel uprisings. Still, it became dangerous to speak one's mind in court. When Nemiran asked for advice or suggestions from his court, only Agrikan priests found it safe to speak. Other noblemen who did tended to disappear with a few Order-controlled exceptions.
Most believe that during his reign Nemiran promised them a large land grant along the kingdom's northern frontier near the failed colony Bedenes. Since little or nothing had been heard of the colony since before Arlun's army returned to the north, the land was deemed abandoned. While other Agrikan orders received land grants, there is no written record of Nemiran giving the Warriors any land at the time.
Historians today site the coincidence, that Nemiran gave out land to the other Agrikan orders shortly before his own death, and wonder. Could it be that Nemiran had hoped to continue playing the loyalty of the Agrikan orders against each other - promising them all land grants in return for survives? If so, why did he not actually give the Warriors land when he gave it out to the others. It is a possibility that Nemiran relied heavily on the Order's secret network of spies and informants and feared that network so much as to hope to string the Order along forever. If such was the case then Nemiran would have believed the Order would eventually turn on him when he was no longer of use.
Regardless of the theory, with records missing from the time and no land grant in evidence, the Warriors claim to Bedenes is doubtable at best.
Ezar's War (682 TR - 697TR)
The war between the Copper Hook, an Agrikan order, and the Checkered Shield, a Laranian order, grew to encompass two countries in a war that broke out in 682. Most Agrikan orders eagerly supported the war against Kanday and its Laranian forces. The Order of Mamaka could not get King Puril to confirm the grant of Bedenes to them (supposedly) by Nemiran. This enraged the order so greatly that they did not support Ezar's War. While not so foolish to speak out against the war, the Order insisted that the borders with Tharda and the north had to be guarded and watched while all the rest of Rethem's forces poured into the south.
The Order succeeded in convincing King Puril that a two front war was a possibility if he left his other borders undefended.
The decision to remain distant from Ezar's War seems to have served both orders well. Many orders-- most notably the Fuming Gate and the Copper Hook-- were gravely weakened by this fifteen year struggle. By contrast, the priests of Mamaka the Master of Steel and the Warriors of Mamaka seem to have taken advantage of the war to further their individual ends.
The Warriors of Mameka was sent north at the beginning of the war to protect Tormau and other northern towns from the active Kubora. At the time, the Warriors consisted of so small a force, the generals of King Puril decided it best to leave the Order of Mameka behind, taking only a token force from the Warriors.
Little did they know their own forces were riddled with infiltrators from the Warriors. The war cost Rethem three kings in rapid succession and decimated the army and the holy orders of Agrik.
In 689TR, with the death of King Puril, Etrellis Bedrarn, then primate and grandmistress of the order of the Crimson Dancer was accused of treason against the crown, and disloyalty to the Eternal Flame. Brandon Yeden, the grandmaster of the Order, accused the Order of the Crimson Dancer of being directly responsible for the death of King Puril. He presented evidence to the Hierarchy of the Eternal Flame of Hârn after her execution.
Brandon claimed she died through a trial of combat. Buoyed by this success, the Order directed the Warriors to seize Bedenes the following year. The council, the majority of which abstained due to in absentia, elected Brandon Yeden to the primacy of Hârn. With Ezar's War going badly, the other orders had no choice but to accept this new situation.
Reign of Chafin I (692 - 703 TR)
In 694 the Order of the Crimson Dancer was offered on last chance to prove their worth. With Brandon Yeden's approval, the Order of the Crimson Dancer sent a member to assassinate the victorious Queen Eriel of Kanday.
The capture of the assassin confirmed the god's opinion of the Order. Brandon Yeden was said to shrug off the rumors of a Morgathian conspiracy linking the information about the planned assassination to the thrown of Kanday. Few could believe a Laranian Queen would deal with Morgathians.
In 696TR, for services to the Crown of Rethem, the badge of the Order and the Warriors of Mameka was amended. During that amendation, the lands of Bedenes and its surrounding manors were officially recognized as belonging to the Order.
By 699TR the keep at Bedenes was complete, and shortly thereafter silver was discovered nearby. Chafin's assassination of Ezar of Zhirdoka, the grandmaster of the Order of the Copper Hook, earned him the disfavor of the Hierarchy of the Eternal Flame.
Reign of Chafin II (703-715 TR)
Under the reign of Chafin II, the new Agrikan primate of Hârn gained religious freedom from the crown. While the King remained hidden, the Order established a temple in Golotha, destroying the neighboring temple of the Crimson Dancer and re-consecrating the ground.
The reign of Chafin II relied upon "copied" histories that many find circumspect. Even the Order of Mameka helped in restoring the official histories of the realm, offering some of its own documents to help alleviate confusion. Librarians and scribes claimed numerous records and histories had been lost to a small fire deep in the castle.
Current Situation
The Earl Lynnaeus of Tormau has gained the Warriors animosity by sending envoys to the Kuboran tribes. His promises to help the tribes against the Agrikans at Bedenes have left the Warriors unwilling to deal with him directly. The Order of Mameka has taken over dealings with the Earl, in an attempt to stem the flow of trade between the Kuboran and the Earl.
Along the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" philosophy, Chafin III believes that the Warriors stand against Earl Lynnaeus of Tormau strengthens their ties to him. The Agrikan Primate as the leader of the Order of Mamaka, has begun to publicly support the Warriors request for a holy war to the north; claiming that the Kubora would make excellent "guests" at the next Ukhila.
Horab of Gerund is a sadistic and corpulent sensualist. A master torturer, his Warriors protect him as much as they protect the priests at Bedenes. His unfree tenants try desperately to stay out of his way, and beyond his attention. Horab's dinners are infamous. Any unfree who is "invited" tends never to leave. The free are carefully left unhurt, but many cannot eat for days. Invitations to such dinners are given by an armed escort a few short hours before the dinner is to begin.
The Order of Mamaka finds these "dinners" excessive and has restricted them to once or twice a year. They have suggested Horab use tribesmen instead of locals for his entertainment.
Since Ezar's War, the Warriors of Mameka have maintained a firm defense of the primacy. It has managed to do this by maintaining its excellent intelligence system, through a tacit alliance with the Morgathian Church, and by successfully playing the other orders off against each other. Indeed, many suspect that the Order of Mamaka helped to engineer the schism within Herpa the Mace (i.e. the one that resulted in the creation of the Order of the Eight Demons), in order to weaken its power and to establish a force that could be used to counterbalance it. The Warriors of Mameka has also not refrained from engaging in overt temple war when it seems necessary or useful, as the destruction of the only temple of the Order of the Pillar of Fire in 717 shows. It is unknown whether the order's priests still dream of establishing an Agrikan theocracy in Rethem or whether they are now content to maintain their dominance over the Hârnic Agrikan church through the office of Apalankh.
Ideas and Morals
The Warriors of Mameka espouse the ideals of the perfect warrior. Obedience, silence and skill tops their list of requirements. Its members range from diabolical to law abiding in their morality. As a group they subscribe to the ideal that might makes right; but everything they do is heavily ritualized to restrict combat among its members.
Even the most diabolical among them obey the orders they are given for fear of reprisals. Their hierarchy permits little or no free will among the lower ranks. Failure and disobedience is often met with brutal punishment. And yet the hierarchy does send some on impossible missions.
Faith
The Warriors of Mameka have their own opinions of the gods. While similar to that of their parent order, they differ from their point of view. The other 9 gods in the pantheon, and their lesser followers exist to the Warriors. Only their place in the great hierarchy of existence is questioned. The Warriors have a pantheistic view of the other gods.
Tell me the truth about….
The following is a handout for all Warriors and priests of the order of Mameka. It explains the official doctrine against the followers of other gods.
Agrik :The Reaper commands his forces across a great battlefield. The Warriors pray to Mameka for strength and fortune in battle. If the Reaper is the general, then Mameka is the commander on the field. Mameka is a general in the armies of the Master of 10 thousand ways. Mameka oversees the forging of the army from the mass of humanity.
The Reaper is the ultimate test of a warrior, just as the smith's hammer tests the blade. If the edge is sharp, and the haft strong, the blade is rewarded with battle. If it breaks, the metal that made it is discarded into Baldashang to be reforged through pain and force.
Larani: For the injustice she did by refusing to battle the Reaper to the death so long ago her and her kind are the proscribed enemy. Larani sharpens her blade until there is nothing left with which to fight. Her blade is sharp like no other, but the haft is weak from so long against the stone. Her followers are not fools, but for warriors they have chosen the wrong side. Kill them quickly - for their skill equals ours, but their hearts are never in the battle.
Peoni: A shadow of Larani. Her forces are numerous, but unwilling to fight. They control the land, and thus are a necessity to life in this place. Leave them be for they are beneath our notice. They are the bones we cast off our plate. They help grow our bread, but are tools to be used, and replaced as necessary.
Halea: A vain woman who has no heart for battle. She is a pretty plaything that has no value to us in this lifetime. Do as thou wilt with her followers. They are the gold and the gems of this earth. Spoils to be taken in battle. If they are on the battlefield, they are to be discarded.
Naveh: They claim at the last battle only they will remain standing. This is a myth they tell each other to keep their fear at bay. Naveh is a knife in the dark turned aside by a mail coat. They are dangerous, but only to those as yet untrained. Their illusions are a morning's fog burned off by the Reaper's anger in the day.
Morgath: Is insane. Everyone knows this yet few will say it. His followers are delusional and in league with the enemy that will not die. Destroy his followers utterly. Purify the places where they fall with flame and holy words. We fear them not, but their nuisance cannot be allowed to interfere with our great war against Larani.
Sarajin: A northern warrior of great heart and little skill. His warriors scream and dance in battle, but they cannot hear the music. Their steps are misaligned and they are easily killed. Be wary for their strength and endurance may match ours - but their mouths are always open and their heads are always empty. Kill them quickly and move on. Their skills are not worth wasting our time.
Siem: A god that doesn't understand mankind's need for battle. Let the elves and the dwarves worship him. Honor the dwarves in battle for they understand the way of the blade as well as we. Avoid the elves for their ways are not ours and we have no quarrel with them. Siem's human followers are confused and should be converted by pain and fire to the true faith as quickly as possible. The other races are of no concern of ours.
Save-K'nor: A god with books and lore and knowledge. This too could be a form of blade. But they do not have any stomach for war. His followers are more spoils to be taken in battle. If they are on the battlefield kill them quickly less they addle your mind and make you loose your peace. Burn their books before their eyes to weaken them. Bury your sword in their hearts to stop their meddling.
Ilvir: Another mad god. This one is allied to our Master for it was he who helped create the V'hir, our Master's sons. His followers should be left alone whenever possible. If they dare challenge our right to the battlefield then they are our enemies and should be swept aside as we sweep aside any peonians.
Holy and Taboo
The following is taken from the Hidden texts of Training.
Battle is holy. We are in the process of creation. Born to this world, under the hand of Mameka we are being forged as mighty blades for battle. All things related to the blade are holy. Seek battle each day with peace in your heart and your head full of tactics.
There is no sin in challenging a brother to combat. Your reasons may be your own, and none need know them. Instead you can see if you are just through victory. He who wins has Mameka on his side. The tools of battle are the blades, poisons and tactics taught to us by our forefathers.
It is forbidden to question, to disobey and to be cowardly among your brethren. Questions may be asked to clarify an order, or to seek new information but obedience must be given regardless of the answers you receive. Death caused by bad orders is not your fault, and your obedience to those orders will be judged as equally by Mameka as to other orders from your brethren.
Ethics/Commandments
The ethics of the Warriors are simple, and all are related to the idea that each Warrior is a blade sharpened for battle. It is interesting to note - the Warriors do not consider themselves to be a sword, rather a blade - as found in a sickle, scythe, dagger and sword.
All blades are tempered. They have suffered the heat of the forge and the frigidity of the cooling bucket. They bear the scars of the heat beneath a shining surface. This tempering makes them stronger. Each blade is tested often during its creation. So we too must be tested time and time again. For our time here is nothing more than our creation.
All blades are sharp. For a dull blade is worse than useless. But even a dull blade can be made sharp again. Working against the stone, the unbeatable opponent, strikes off the dullness and replaces it with an edge that can kill. We are like the blade, our edge must be honed and kept sharp. A sharp blade can cut both its wielder and its enemy. We should be able to turn against ourselves just as the blade can turn against its wielder. By being sharp we can be victorious.
All blades glow with an inner sense of peace. Is a blade ever undecided? Does a blade ever hesitate? Neither should we. Cut deep, drink deeper and be victorious. A blade obeys its wielder. The Warrior is the blade, the hierarchy is the wielder. As with the blade, the wielder is both more and less than the blade.
"Be like the blade. Be tempered, be sharp and be at peace. Through this peace war will come. And the battles you are in require all your wits and all of your abilities. Be like the blade. Does it not sing in battle? Does it not drink deeply and either break or be victorious?
"Be as the blade."
Way of the Warriors
Sin/Punishment
Sins are the defeats in life. They must be purged from the blade as impurities are purged from the ingots. There are three tests of sin. They are the only way to judge if a warrior has sinned or acted by Mameka's orders.
"Mameka, our general, our master, his orders overrule those of the hierarchy. None can do wrong when obeying his words."
Way of the Warriors
The Test by Fire must be performed before the Eternal Flame of a temple of the Order of Mameka. If the tester is guilty he will be consumed by the ever present fire. Bathed in the holy oils of the Order, the tester must jump through the openings atop the pit. If the fire does not consume him, he is innocent. If he refuses, or balks at the necessity of this action, or if the flames do not die down at the end of the ritual invocation, he must jump none-the-less. His brethren are expected to help him should his courage fail. The guilty are cast down into the flames of Baldashang to be reforged as a new blade. The innocents are scared from their ordeal, but emerge as a new blade emerges from the forge.
The Test by Flame may be done around any sanctified fire. A priest of the Order of Mameka taps the logs of the fire with a purified hammer - to scatter them about a cleared area until a path of coals is made as long as the tester is tall. The tester must remove his boots and bath his feet in a purified oil. If he can walk among the coals calmly while chanting the blessings of Mameka then he is innocent. If he runs, jumps off the coals or fails to complete the blessing prayer he is guilty and must die by flame and sword within the day. He is granted a formal death of flame so that his soul can be reforged. Healing balms are permitted on the innocent warrior so that he can walk anew.
The Test by Combat is the most common way to challenge an order or an officer of greater rank within the Warriors of Mameka. A test of combat must occur with the permission of the presiding member of the Order of Mamaka. The challenge is noted, and a date and time set. The contestants square off inside a chalked octagon, and fight until an agreed-upon limit is met. This can be to first blood, first knock down, first knock out or to the death.
These tests of sin are, in and of themselves, a punishment. In the best case the sinner can expect to be scared, and in the worst case - killed. The priests of the Order assure these tests are never performed during a time that would upset ongoing activities.
Death/Afterlife
"And when the battle is lost, the soul returns to the forge so it may be once more cast as a blade. As the blade is reforged there is a chance that this will be its final forging. When perfect Mameka hands the blade to his master. And we become one more soldier in the armies of Agrik."
Way of the Warrior
The Warriors believe in a form of reincarnation. They believe with each reincarnation they grow closer and closer to perfection. Their souls spend time in the forges of Baldashang to remove further impurities. Eventually, when their souls are perfect they will be born as a creature of the Master of the 10 thousand ways.
As this new creature they will take their place in their Master's army, and spend the rest of eternity as a perfect warrior. Should the Warrior fail in life to meet with the expectations of the Order, the Warrior will simply spend longer in the forges of Baldashang.
The Warriors believe that only the best of humanity is chosen to be Warriors, and that all other fighting orders of Agrik are only lesser versions of themselves. Eventually all Agrikan warriors are born as Warriors of Mameka.
Myths
Mameka is the Master of Steel. He is the embodiment of the Eternal Flame of Baldashang's mighty forges. He appears as a tall human made of molten lava. His skin is dark black with veins of pulsing red. He is often depicted behind an anvil. In his right hand is a giant whip studded with pieces of ragged steel. In his left is a giant hammer. The anvil sits amidst a sea of blood.
Mameka and Mamaka are believed to be the same being. The Order of Mamaka depicts Mameka as a master assassin with no friends, and alone. The Warriors of Mameka depict him as a master warrior with a huge following.
He is said to forge weapons for Agrik out of the living bones of his enemies. Weapons made by Mameka are said to be alive and living in perpetual torment. Mameka is a saint of Agrik. He watches over the care and use of the weapons of war. Legend says it was Mameka that gave humans the secret to making steel.
Heroes
It is believed in each age there is a hero among the Warriors. He is one who The Master of 10 Thousand Ways will soon call to join his army; and he will not come again.
"In the time of the Interregnum a mountain of a man rose from the crush of his enemies. His sickle broke upon the armour and shields of his victims. Daggers of treachery reached for his heart but he held back his own death by screaming his conviction. Forced to flee we saw him fall again and again only to rise and crush the forces that we thought had surely killed him. He alone guarded the passageway through which the priests and their precious lore fled. Truly he was a hero of the age. He was Dacorin Praineh, Apelank of the Warriors of Mameka."
Akarata Jornejin Tremen,
Priest of Mameka 589TR
"In the time of Arlun, Akarata Gaugier Werebasen ordered us to surrender to who ever came over the ridge. We obeyed, but not before we watched him take on all kuborans who accepted his challenge. His mace was sheathed in flame and his body awash in blood. Throughout the long day and into the night he fought. Slaying all who accepted his challenge. We had been ordered to delay the Kuboran advance for one day. And at dawn exactly he died along with his flames and over thirty Kuboran warriors. Truly he was a hero for an age."
Lieutenant Senel Prained,
Warriors of Mameka, 627TR
"In the time of Obras nine Warriors were sent north to quell revolt. Eight men rode out to eight different towns all under the leadership of Elbeltricia Sauras. Pursuant to her orders, each of the eight men rode alone to the heart of the unrest. They challenged the leader in their area to a duel, offering their own arms and armour as a prize should they be defeated. Should they win, the revolt would end. Eight battles were fought and eight were won. These eight were brothers and they earned their place in history. But their commander was truly the heroine of the age. She was their mother and she sacrificed herself to Mameka to assure her sons success."
Senot Sauras, Son and Lieutenant.
Warriors of Mameka, 668TR
"In the time of Nemiran Hunelin Sauras was but a soldier in our midst. The Crown of Rethem worried about traitors, and sent a group of Warriors out to find a man so accused. Hunelin rode out alone. The traitor Deripimë could not be found, and so Hunelin cast off his armour, and left his horse and weapons with his brother. He wandered the countryside looking for Deripimë. We thought him long dead on the day he returned. Herune brought back the traitor's head, and Deripimë's only son to testify to his father's death. Truly Herune was a hero for the age."
Lieutenant Candrina Raimon
Warriors of Mameka, 681TR
"In the time of Ezar's War, Lieutenant Irmtrud Prained argued against the crown's oversight in forgetting to add the Warriors to his army. Irmtrud Prained gathered 20 men to him and, using his family's wealth, purchased passage on a ship. The Warriors attached themselves to the king's contingent. It is said Prained died defending his king when all around him had never learned his name. Now there is a hero for the age.
Lieutenant Arbert Prianed
Warriors of Mameka, 699TR
"In the time of Chafin I Hagann Saras led a group of Warriors against raiders to the north. His victories are sung to this day by Warriors who honor tactics and talent over brute force. Hagann led his group against every-increasingly large groups of raiders until one day he asked for more men. The Akarata asked him, are all the tribesmen destroyed? He answered: No they were not, but would be soon.
"The Akarata replied: In my dreams you destroyed all the raiders and only then did you get more men.
"Hagann took this as a prophecy and went out alone against the raiders. His brethren considered this a bad order, for everyone knew he was desperately outnumbered, but he refused aid for the Akarata had dreamed of Hagann alone. We never saw him again. He was a hero for an age."
Wedoka Asto,
Priest of Mamaka 700TR
"In the time of Chafin II, Uvranas Heinard stood in the thrown room of Chafin II. He was ordered by the crown to kill a priest of Mameka who had offended the crown. Bowing his head he drew his blade and beheaded the priest with one clean stroke. The priest had been the man Uvranas was to protect. Before the crown could speak anew, Uvranas reversed his sword and plunged it deep into his belly. It is said he apologized with his last breath for bleeding on the Crown's carpets. Now there was a hero for the age."
Karamë Rugmenald
Warriors of Mameka, 714TR
The current age is the Time of Chafin III. There is no current hero for this age, but the order suspects it will be Lattold Keleto, the lieutenant voted most likely to lead the Warriors of Mameka to success in the Octentenial Games in 722TR.
Legends
The warriors legends deal primarily with conversations between Mameka and the Reaper. A few of their tales serve to illustrate the Warrior's position in the Reaper's hierarchy, but the majority of the legends are drawn from the Order of Mamaka. The Warriors have only two legends that the priests do not repeat in their services. These are the Pact between Mameka and the Reaper, and the Mamekan pledge.
The Pact between Mameka and the Reaper
In the time before Man the Master of the Ten Thousand Ways sat within his mighty fortress and pondered the battle between him and his arch enemy. His alliance with the Dark God and the Craven One weighed heavily on his mind.
Then Mameka appeared before him. Our Master rose up from the floor between the Master of the Ten Thousand Way's feet. "Lord and Master" said Mameka.
"I am a creature of Ketheria. Born of its flesh, filled with its fire. Let me adore you. Let me worship you."
The Master of the Ten Thousand Ways was not impressed.
"I can create for you the weapons you desire and the creatures you need." Mameka pulled forth a great sickle from within his chest and presented it to the Reaper. Its metal was glowing hot and refused to cool.
"Make me warriors from the Men of Ketheria. Bring me soldiers forged as well as this blade and you may serve me."
Mameka bowed low. "I shall Lord." He promised. And to this day Mameka crafts the weapons for the Reaper's armies. We are those blades, made pure in his mighty smithy in the bowls of Baldashang.
The Mamekan Pledge
Mameka appeared to the first Warrior assigned to assist the Order of Mameka in a fiery dream. And this is what Mameka said.
Think you are good enough to protect one of mine from the strife of life? Think you are a blade best wielded by me? Prove it. Take this pledge and promise me your soul when you die.
And the warrior repeated this pledge.
I am but a blade.
To be reforged as many times as needed
My soul is no longer my own.
I give it freely to Mameka and in return he doth give me his strength and
his courage.
A blade knows only obedience. A blade knows only tempering and use.
My edge will ever be keen and my mind at peace with all I do.
And when I die, like the broken blade, I shall be thrown back into the forge
to be made anew.
When I have been reforged and am perfect I will be a true creature of the
Reaper and happily take my place amongst his army.
But always I shall remember - the Reaper is my god, and Mameka is my master.
Holy Books
The warriors, under Saras Heinard's direction are slowly gaining a written history. Tales from older members are at last being put on paper. The current works of the Order of Mameka detail only this decades deeds factually, the remainder of the works are scrolls of legends, and tales of heroes. While this work does provide a general history, it is not considered holy. The Warriors have no holy books.
Community
The Warriors of Mameka are part of a closed and secretive community. Initiates are carefully instructed that loose tongues will be removed.
Secrecy is the other key to the Warriors. Everything they do is part of a secret worth defending. Forged in the turbulent times of the Theocracy, the warriors learned secrecy as an art of survival. The Warriors learned from their priestly brethren the art of silent speech (hand signals). They train their members to speak as little as possible. The punishment for talking for no reason is to have one’s tongue removed. To trade information to someone in another Agrikan order, or worse still – outside the religion, is to suffer a painful and slow death. Rumor says the Warriors often become inventive, creating a new method of dying for each occasion.
Surprisingly their habit of silence has created a hierarchy within the Warriors of eloquent speakers. Long in the habit of choosing their words carefully, the Warriors deliver brief and to the point messages whenever they speak.
Chapter Houses
The Warriors frequent the churches of the Order of Mameka, Master of Steel in Golotha, Bedenes in Emesa hundred and Holaseth and Kibly in Arerath hundred. They have chapter houses in Bedenes, Golotha and Holaseth.
Bedenes
The caer at Bedenes acts as a chapter house for the area. It was built between 690TR and 699TR. The Bedenes chapter house is well organized and well provisioned for a longstanding, if unofficial, war against the Kuboran. This house is home to Horab of Gerund, his body guards, a garrison guard and roughly an understrength company of mixed calvary.
Refer to the Bedenes article for maps of the caer and further information.
At Bedenes, there are 10 medium foot Laumaki veterans stationed at the Caer as a garrison guard. An additional 128 regular Light foot Laumaki can be drawn from the manors surrounding the Caer. This produces 8 understrength light foot companies.
*Golotha
The chapter house in Golotha is within the temple of the Order of Mameka. Located on the ground floor it provides only just enough room for the Knights of the Order to each have their own private rooms. The Haraghi share a room, as do all the Laumaki stationed here.
At Golotha there are 10 medium foot Laumaki veterans as a garrison guard.
Holaseth
Holaseth manor is the third chapter house of the Warriors of Mameka. Holaseth is a fortified manor that sees numerous visitors throughout the year. The manor is a safe house and resting place for the Warriors agents in Golotha. They often retire to Holaseth to regain their balance and enjoy a few days of weapons and craft practice before returning to their duties. The manor at Holaseth has also housed refugees from Golothan justice. These refugees are secluded are guests of the primate and thus never questioned.
Occasionally Holaseth is graced by the presence of the primate and his personal guard. At such times the manor is filled to overflowing and its stores are stretched to the limit. Fortunately the primate never stays long and always brings additional food with him.
Refer to the Holaseth article for maps of the caer and further information.
An additional 104 regular Light foot Laumaki can be drawn from their manors in Anerath, producing 6 understrength light foot companies.
Lands and Wealth
The Warriors of Mameka hold land both in Emesa Hundred and in Anerath, just south of Golotha. The southern holdings primarily supply support for the Order of Mamaka, the priestly order, stationed in Golotha. The northern holdings in Emesa are engaged in a war with the Kuboran tribes. The northern Warriors of Mameka have the long term goal of recapturing Kubora.
Lynd Kaim discovered the vein of silver in 693. He dutifully reported it to the miner’s guild in Golotha. The guild is currently trying to negotiate a contract with the Warriors of Mameka for protection while the miners examine the area. King Chafin III has yet to give permission for a settlement or a mine in the region.
The Warriors of Mameka are currently in negotiations with representatives from the Golothan Mining Guild. The silver mine some 5 3/4 leagues from Bedenes will offer both the Order and the guild a prosperous future. In return for their protection, the guild is offering 1/20th of their profits. Although Horab has instructions from the Order of Mamaka not to be greedy, he is still holding out for a higher percentage. He claims that 1/20th will be insufficient to cover the cost of initiating more knights, and extending their patrols to the east of Bedenes.
The majority of the funding for the Warriors of Mameka comes from the trade of wild beasts and hides from Bedenes. The Order of Mamaka's fundraising in Golotha supplements the Warrior's income.
The lands in Arerath hundred are in a fertile area and provide sufficient foods to sustain the Haraghi serving there. The monies derived from taxes, rents and trade in Arerath provide sufficient funding to assist the local chapter house in Holaseth.
Sub Orders
The Order of the Warrior of Mameka is the only fighting order of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel. Founded initially as a private body guard, the Warriors have expanded into a formidable force that now acts without direct supervision of its parent order.
The Terhani
The Warriors of Mameka divides into two groups. The first protects the Order of Mameka. They are the Terhani, the protecting blades. They serve wherever there are priests of the Order to protect. The Terhani are not all large men in armour wielding huge battle maces, although that is a fair general description of most of their number. The Terhani learn the art of assassination along with the art of war. As they are sometimes ordered to preemptively remove a problem. The Warriors are careful to never involve themselves in the politics of the Order. While that may not save them, it does assure them a sense of simplicity. They do what they are told.
The Ziguar
The Warriors at Bedenes, also protect the priests in residence, but their primary goal is to retake Kustan from the tribesmen. These are the ziguar, the active blades. The Warriors and the Red Shadows of Herpa are both actively campaigning for a holy war to take the Agrikan religion to the tribesmen, converting them by the sword. The Rethemi crown has yet to sanction such a massacre, but both fighting orders are certain that it will only be a matter of time.
Offices
The Warriors of Mameka divide into the Laumaki, and the Knights of the Order.
Laumaki
These are the foot soldiers of the Warriors. They are most often drawn from the serfs and cotters on the lands owned by the Warriors. For exact numbers and where they serve, refer to the Chapter house information above.
A Sample Laumaki
ATTRIBUTES
STR 12 EYE 12 INT 12 END 12 STA 12 HRG 12 AUR 12 MOV 12 DEX 12 SMT 12 WIL 12 DGE 60 AGL 12 VCE 12 MOR Unscrupulous INIT 78
SKILLS
Physical: Climbing/52, Jumping/52, Stealth/52, Throwing/52 Communication: Awareness/45, Intrigue/56, Oratory/24, Rhetoric/42, Singing/36 Craft/Lore: Fletching/24, Foraging/33, Hideworking/24, Combat: Initiative/78, Unarmed/39, Bow/52, Dagger/48,Spear/56, Roundshield/XX, Mace/XX Languages: Hârnic/85, Nazar/30
CLOTHING & ARMOUR
Cap/Cloth /0.4 Leggings/Cloth /4.4 Tunic/Leather /8.8 Knee Boots/Leather /3.8
Ainlaumak (Corporals)
The Ainlaumak are all medium foot. There are 27 at Bedenes, 3 at Golotha and 18 throughout their holdings in Anerath. On average an Ainlaumak has between 3 and 5 years experience as a Laumakai. A few may be dressed in Kurbol or ring, but the Warriors dress most of their Ainlaumak in leather whenever possible.
A Sample Ainlaumak
ATTRIBUTES
STR 12 EYE 12 INT 12 END 12 STA 12 HRG12 AUR 12 MOV 12 DEX 12 SMT 12WIL 12 DGE 60 AGL 12 VCE12 MOR law-abiding INIT 78
SKILLS
Physical: Climbing/52, Jumping/52, tealth/52, Throwing/52 Communication: Awareness/45, Intrigue/56, Oratory/24, Rhetoric/42, Singing/36 Craft/Lore: Fletching/24, Foraging/43, Hideworking/24, Combat: Initiative/78, Unarmed/45, Bow/58, Dagger/48, Spear/58, Roundshield/XX, Mace/XX Languages: Hârnic/85, Nazar/40
CLOTHING & ARMOUR
Tunic/Cloth /4.4 Vest/Leather /5.6 Leggings/Leather /8.8 Knee Boots/Leather /3.8 Halfhelm/Plate /3.2
T'kelars (Sergeants)
The T'kelars are medium foot. There are 9 T'kelars at Bedenes, 7 throughout their holdings in Anerath. A T'kelar is usually a man-at-arms. He may have come from the Laumaki, but is more likely a friend, or son of a servant of a Haraghi.
A Sample T'kelar
ATTRIBUTES
STR 12 EYE12 INT 12 END 12 STA 12 HRG12 AUR 12 MOV 12 DEX12 SMT 12 WIL 12 DGE 60 AGL 12 VCE 12 MOR law-abiding INIT 72
SKILLS
Physical: Climbing/48, Jumping/48, Stealth/50 ,Throwing/52 Communication: Awareness/80, Intrigue/52, Oratory/35, Rhetoric/39, Singing/36 Craft/Lore: Foraging/36, Heraldry/12, Physician/28 Combat: Initiative/72, Unarmed/36, Dagger/60, Shield/60, Sword/60, Mace/XX, Spear/XX Languages: Hârnic/85, Lakeese/72, Nazar/40
CLOTHING & ARMOUR
Knee Boots/Leather /3.8 Byrnie/Mail /22 Halfhelm/Plate /3.2
The Knights of the Order
The Warriors have a combined mounted force of 4 companies of calvary (40 horsemen, the majority of which is light horse.) Unfortunately their calvary is scattered throughout their lands with only an overstrength company of calvary (10 horsemen) in Bedenes and half a company in Golotha.
The Knights of the Order have mastered riding through forests, and have begun using their horses only as transportation. Ever since their losses to the Kuboran in 718, the Warriors have begun practicing combat on foot more than on horseback.
This order has no Dolmen.
The Akarata (Grandmaster)
Sir Horab of Gerund is the grand master of the Order of the Warriors of Mameka, Master of Steel. He is in close contact with Klyrdes of Bisidril, Apalankh of Hârn and Viriahn of the Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel. It is the Akarata's duty to assure the Warriors are obedient to the divined intentions of Mameka, and the Reeper himself.
Horab has a reputation for being a corpulent sadist. He was born on Morgat 17, in the year 698TR. He was the third child of four born to a moderately wealthy family in Golotha, Rethem. His parents fostered him to the order of the Warriors of Mameka when he was 12 for political reasons. Four years later the candidate was knighted under the name Sir Horab of Gerund.
Always overweight, Horab overcame this problem by being sneaky. What he could not defeat directly, he tended to stab at from behind. He took to fighting with a dagger and sword in his younger days, but now practices with sword and shield.
He has a medium complexion and brown hair gone gray from age. His eyes are a piercing brown in color and usually appear as if he has only just finished laughing. Horab has always been able to find something funny about every situation he's ever been in; and yet few would call him jolly.
Horab owes his position to his keen whit. A master tactician, and keen on courtly politics - Horab is content to remain at Bedenes and guard the northern border from both the Kubora and greedy southern lords.
Horab has a sick sense of humor, enjoying the pain and disfiguration of others. The Warriors encouraged these traits in him as it only added to his reputation as a violent and masterful fighter. He now goes everywhere armed. Rumor says his dagger blade is always poisoned.
Horab leads his Warriors by example. He asks nothing of them that he would not do himself. He is an active man, but remains obese by the simple matter of always eating too much. His reinforced table has held tons of food, and dead men too in its time.
He loves the finer things in life, but works to assure his pleasures never constitute a weakness. In the past year he has been challenged twice by other members of the Warriors. He did not work up a sweat in either fight.
He has four bodyguards. They are: Rimfrid of Queldstar, Siegfried of Gasherus, Eduard of Simon and Rusward of Choan. At least two of these Haraghi are always with him. These men are quiet and obedient, and are rumored to all be distant relations of Horab.
| ATTRIBUTES | |||||||
| STR | 15 | EYE | 10 | INT | 16 | END | 14 |
| STA | 12 | HRG | 08 | AUR | 08 | MOV | 11 |
| DEX | 11 | SMT | 08 | WIL | 15 | DGE | 55 |
| AGL | 11 | VCE | 12 | MOR | Diabolical | INIT | 84 |
| SKILLS | |||||||
| Physical: Climbing/48, Dancing/68,
Jumping/51, Stealth/88, Throwing/92
Communication: Awareness/85, Intrigue/92, Musician/68, Oratory/78, Rhetoric/78, Singing/43 Craft/Lore: Heraldry/76, Law/84, Physician/56,Cooking/64, Perfumery/43, Tactics/87 Combat: Initiative/84, Unarmed/82, Riding/78, Club/72, Dagger/84, Shield/62 Sword/78, Spear/76 Languages: S:Hârnic/85, W:Lakeese/72, S:________ /70, S:Nazur/92 |
|||||||
| CLOTHING & ARMOUR | |||||||
| Calf Boots/Leather /3.2,Gauntlets/Ring /1.6, Cowl/Mail /4, Hauberk/Mail /32.5, Breastplate/Plate /9.6, Backplate/Plate /9.6, Coudes/Plate /1.6 | |||||||
The Tenaka (Deputy Grandmaster)
The two Tenaka of the Warriors of Mameka each control one of the two fractions of the order. The Tenaka coordinate between the Hierarchy of the Eternal Flame at the Akarata of the Warriors.
The Tenaka handle all affairs and duties, reserving only the most pious of questions for the Hierarchy, and the most marshal of matters for the Akarata. Guests to either Bedenes or Holaseth would meet and negotiate with the Tenaka rather than the Akarata at Bedenes or the Primate (if he's in residence) at Holaseth.
Hanfried of Triam
Tenaka of the Ziguar, is stationed at Bedenes.
A quiet and dangerous man it is said he has killed more men with his bare hands than with his sword. He is patient only when practicing his flute. He has the annoying habit of shifting his weight from foot to foot when forced to wait for anything. Even his horse seems to have picked up this trait from him.
He assures Bedenes is run in such a manner that Horab is never bothered with day to day affairs. Horab has, in the past, permitted the execution of serfs, large monetary transactions and even selling captives and serfs into slavery with only a nod in agreement after the fact. Hanfried of Triam has a logical and calculating way about him. His reputation is one of a greedily cautious man. The Order approved of his appointment because his caution offsets Horab's appetites sufficiently so that few waves are caused by the atrocities performed at Bedenes.
Hanfried enjoys battle more than he enjoys pain or suffering, but has been known to dabble in pain drugs. He also sits in on torture sessions at Bedenes whenever he has the time just to keep up his skills. Hanfried is a master shield maker and prides himself in his artistic capabilities.
He is served by Rarick of Atarnet and Hundbar of Fena, both Haraghi who have made good reputations for themselves in personal combat.
| ATTRIBUTES | |||||||
| STR | 15 | EYE | 10 | INT | 14 | END | 13 |
| STA | 10 | HRG | 9 | AUR | 13 | MOV | 12 |
| DEX | 13 | SMT | 9 | WIL | 15 | DGE | 60 |
| AGL | 12 | VCE | 12 | MOR | Corruptible | INIT | 84 |
| SKILLS | |||||||
| Physical: Climbing/58, Dancing/54,
Jumping/58, Stealth/78, Throwing/78
Communication: Awareness/85, Intrigue/72, Musician/38 (flute), Oratory/78, Rhetoric/52, Singing/43 Craft/Lore: Heraldry/76, Law/64, Physician/46, Painting/67 Combat: Initiative/84, Unarmed/62, Riding/68, Club/70, Dagger/74, Shield/62, Sword/68, Spear/76 Languages: S:Hârnic/85, W:Lakeese/72, S:________ /60, S:Nazur/81 |
|||||||
| CLOTHING & ARMOUR | |||||||
| Calf Boots/Leather /3.2, Coudes/Plate /1.6, Gauntlets/Ring /1.6, Hauberk/Mail /32.5, Cowl/Mail /4, Breastplate/Plate /9.6, Backplate/Plate /9.6 | |||||||
Ekkold of Kaildstur
Tenaka of the Terhani is stationed at Golotha.
Half-brother to Falko of Zasorë, a Meketa at Golotha he is as different from his kin as day is to night. Ekkold is quiet and moody. He prefers normal colored clothing to the dark ropes most of the Order wears as he does not like to stand out.
Ekkold makes spears by trade, but practices it rarely. Instead he spends the majority of his time as a procurer of information for the Order of Mamaka. Ekkold has that stunning natural ability to stand in a room and be almost forgotten by its population. He does not often speak his mind, and even his opinions appear average.
Ekkold works hard at this appearance. He never hides his rank, nor his affiliation, but he will rarely give them unless asked specifically. He is, most judge, an easy man to talk to. What most forget is that anything said to him flows directly back to the Order. A master at Nazur, he also collects information from the slaves, guards and other secreted members of the Warriors throughout Golotha.
He has no Haraghi as assistants as, he believes, they would only draw attention to him, or worse still slows him down.
| ATTRIBUTES | |||||||
| STR | 12 | EYE | 12 | INT | 17 | END | 11 |
| STA | 11 | HRG | 11 | AUR | 9 | MOV | 12 |
| DEX | 9 | SMT | 11 | WIL | 9 | DGE | 60 |
| AGL | 12 | VCE | 10 | MOR | Corruptible | INIT | 96 |
| SKILLS | |||||||
| Physical: Climbing/44, Dancing/30,
Jumping/40, Stealth/87, Throwing/64
Communication: Awareness/75, Intrigue/80 Musician/42 (lute), Oratory/60 Rhetoric/82, Singing/56 Craft/Lore: Heraldry/84, Law/32, Physician/48, Smithing (SpearMaking)/77 Combat: Initiative/96, Unarmed/86, Riding/80, Club/78, Dagger/75 Shield/85 Languages: Hârnic/85, Lakeese/72, Nazar/90 |
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| CLOTHING & ARMOUR
Knee Boots/Leather /3.8 Byrnie/Scale /30.8 Halfhelm/Plate /3.2 |
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The Meketa (Knight Commander)
There are two types of Meketa in the Warriors of Mameka. The first controls the fortified manors under the Warriors control. The second act as commanders of the temple guard.
The Meketa in charge of the fortified manors are commanders of a combined force of Haraghi and Laumaki stationed at the manor. The Meketa is responsible for the care, organization and management of the manor and its surrounding lands. His duties include the inspection of the books and tax roles as well as inventories of provisions, arms, armour and equipment.
The Meketa in charge of the temple guards must interact directly with the hierarchy of the Eternal Flame. They are given the rank of anas-Heruchai. Should the orders from the Hierarchy and their Tenaka or their Akarata contradict, the Meketa is expected to choose between the two and then later justify his choice in a trial by combat.
All Meketa are master craftsmen in the art of warfare.
Rottfrich of Quasin
Controls Hask manor. He is a large and loud man. Rottfrich is a master armourer. He runs Hask manor with the assistance of Friderich and Gotfrig; two servants specializing in the organization and economics of running manors. Gerald, Rottfrich's son, died in the botched raid on Kustan. Since that day in 718 Rottfrich has sworn revenge against the Kuboran.
Rottfrich regularly arms himself with a large battle mace, but has ridden into battle with warflails and lances in the past. He is a devout Agrikan who listens closely to the local priests suggestions and opinions. His wife, Agregarea is a quiet woman who seems to love her husband greatly. She has born him a son and two daughters. In the spring of 720TR she is pregnant again with their fourth child. Rottfrich is loyal to his wife. It is said he has offered his share of the escapades in the next Ukhila in return for permission to set the first hut aflame.
Agregarea is the daughter of a cotter family in Holaseth. Her family, also Agrikan, has not seen her for over a decade. She does not seem to miss them. Instead she busies herself with her family and the manor. Her keen mind and sharp eyes have assured that the manors stores have always been more than enough to see its inhabitants through the winter.
Hadorard of Dehernë
Controls Penor manor. A city boy by birth, he is a sword smith by training. He assures Penor is run like the military encampment that it is. Tall and of medium build, he is most recognizable by the long scar that divides his face from his right eye across his nose and down to his left ear. Hedor believes the Warriors should focus on eliminating the gargun from Hârn instead of the harmless Kuboran. Regardless of his personal opinions, he follows the orders of his Akarata without question.
He has no family at Penor, having left them long ago to join the warriors. He is a master of the empty fist and makes taburi by trade. He enters battle with a brace of poisoned taburi and a battle mace. His horsemanship is only average and many consider him to be far more dangerous man when on foot. The manor is a place of lively music and friendly faces for Hedorad is seen as a fair man of good standing. He has a violent and dangerous temper that destroys anything that opposes him. His temper never reigns down on his servants nor serfs for he is equally motivated to protect that which the Warriors have placed in his charge.
Hagann of Zhorjan
Controls Torkat manor. She is in her late 30s and unmarried. Hagann joined the Warriors at the age of eight. She is a master boyer. She enters battle with a warflail and a boss-gored buckler. Hagann avoids the Akarata as much as she can but never shies away from danger.
Her ranks were earned and her men obey her orders without question. Little is known about her past before joining. As a warrior she has led many successful raids into Kuboran territory. In personal battles her successes have been total.
Hagann is resourceful and very calm. She prefers the art of the filled fist, but is good with both. She leaves the organization of Torkat Manor to the Beadle Johanas. Were it not for a broken leg, she would have led the ill fated attack on the Kuborans in 718TR. A masterful tactician, the Order of Mamaka has high hopes she will give them the edge in the next Ukhila.
Enar of Yretë
Controls the temple guard at Bedenes. He is the oldest of the warriors still serving. He is in charge of a squad of Haraghi stationed at Bedenes. A dedicated master to marshal skills, he is a mace-smith and a sword-smith. He is also personally responsible for the lives and well being of the eight priests and four heruchai in residence.
Ener has trained dozens of Haraghi and fully intends to train dozens more. Most admit Ener looks strange out of armour. His wife and four sons don't seem to mind. Ener tries to protect his family from his Akarata. His wife is a devout Agrikan, as are her children. While neither he, nor Alexandria, his wife, is as cruel as their Akarata, they are equally driven.
Ener has no interest in climbing g the hierarchy, but occasionally does have to protect his position. Age has yet to dull his blade or his mind. The priests are Bedenes are use to his armed presence and almost enjoy the Northern Devil Bear's presence, especially when intimidation is required.
Eraracht of Zarnaë
Controls Hengel manor, but he is almost never there. Erarecht is known as The Wraith. He is the Order of Mamaka's favorite assassin. Erarecht has a reputation of being able to breach any security to reach his target He always beheads his victims although that is not always how they die.
He has two daughters, his wife died when the twins were born. They are known as the Hand maidens of Agrik. One is studying to join the Order whereas the other intends to become a squire to Hagann of Zhorjan. Erarecht dresses as a knight in black armour. He is equally skilled with several weapons, but is a master of poisons and is a dart smith.
Erarecth prefers to deal with the hierarchy of the Eternal flame rather than his Akarata; fortunately there is Ekkold of Kailstur, the Tenaka of Golotha, between them.
Falko of Zasorë
Stationed at Golotha, he is considered a fool. He is always dressed in the latest styles and is more often found at parties than on duty. Everyone admits he's the last one to be confused with an Agrikan warrior. He is very handsome and in excellent shape. He specializes in crafting sickles. The primate puts up with his foppish behavior because Falko can get into places other Warriors cannot; and because Falko is a very skilled fool.
Falko is familiar with most all the social politics in Golotha. He is even openly welcomed at Golothan Court. Easily underestimated, Falko uses this to better help him meet and evaluate the order's enemies. Falko is a brilliant and consummate actor. Most agree he is far more an asset to the order, if not for an occasional embarrassment.
Fond of ladies, Falko has been called out to duel for a lady's honor several times. To date he's never lost. He enjoys dueling, claiming that's the second place a man feels most alive. Contrary to popular belief, the first place, in his opinion, is within the light of the eternal flame.
The Telmen (Knight Companion)
Subordinate to the Meketa, the Telmen command the unfortified manors owned by the Warriors. When stationed at chapter houses they tend to act as quartermasters. The Telmen of the warriors are older Haragi chosen for their capabilities or disabilities. A Haragi must request this rank from either another Telmen or a Meketa.
A Telmen is still expected to practice their weapon crafting skills regularly; but are otherwise treated as haragi with special duties. Most of the Telmen were injured in some manor such that continuing to ride with other Haragi would be impractical. Telmen are sometimes called shieldmen and are seen as a necessity, for without them the Order would be more reliant on their serfs for the running of their manors.
Hanfreied of Triam
Stationed at Dasath, he specialized in smithing metal javelins and short swords. He was a promising young Haraghi of the Order. On day, in a combat with Ivinian raiders, Hanfried was injured, loosing the use of his left arm and his eye. Miraculously he survived. After six months of recovery he began training as a Telman. He has defended himself several times with a short sword. He is currently working to create a one-handed version of the open fist.
Hanfried and the local priests agree he was fated to his current way of life. He has found a natural talent for manorial economics and mathematics. He learned how to read and write during his recovery. H has not stopped smithing, but now requires an assistant to work the blades. Hanfried takes a personal interest in Dasath manor. His serfs find him reasonable and understanding, two enormity traits unexpected in an Agrikan. Even his temper is moderate.
Hanfried rule Dasath fairly but sternly. Oath and law breakers are viciously treated; as Hanfried has regularly turned his back on both. The hungry must come to him for supplication. Serfs must fulfill their contract else forge a new one accepting harsher terms.
Vorl of Bisidril
Stationed at Bedenes, he sees to the special provisions required by sir Horab of Gerund on a regular basis. A natural procurer of goods, Horab promoted the lad soon after he became a Haraghi. Vorl is feared by most of the slaves at Bedenes, for he is believed to be the primary cause of the disappearance of slaves from the fields. Vorl often travels to and from Golotha to acquire his lord’s desires. Vorl is hated by most of the Mamakian hierarchy.
He has only faced battle in the holy arena and his victories there were either fated or won with trickery and assistance. He works no smithy and practices no honest trade. Instead he dabbles in poison and plays at battle. Even Falko of Zasore admits Vorl is too far lost to even be a true assassin for the Order.
Vorl was born on the streets of Golotha and will always be a thief before a warrior. The hierarchy had hoped to use him as a link to the Lia-Kavir but Horab instead Vorl serve him. This breach of protocol is yet one more strain between the Order and the Warriors.
Aarich of Hamadryn
Stationed at Medeval, he manages his manor is a sliopshod and hasty manner. Recently injured by Peran raiders, Alarich wounds only recently healed, but his mind is still affected. He feels, without his right leg, that he is less than a man. He refuses to learn how to read or write nor practice the managerial skills his future will require. Once a master mace-maker and a skilled practitioner of the empty fist, the Order hopes he will recover.
And so he was given Medeval, the one manor that almost runs itself. The settlement is older than the warriors presence and the serfs are content to work their land, pay their taxes and live their lives. Alarich knows little of his lands or his people and cares even less. It has been over a year since his disfigurement and even the order is beginning to loose hope in him.
He has been sent on a holy quest to Lythia and is, at last, active. He will depart his residence in the early spring, travelling with only two Hagikari. He will go to the Golothan papacy to determine if Agrik wishes him to live or die. It is said the Order has had a leg fashioned for him. He can ride stand and even fight without any assistance. He has a cane, but wields it more like a club than a support.
Waldi of Hamada
Stationed at Scutal. Named after an Agrikan hero who fought insurmountable odds to overcome his Lord & Master’s foes, this Waldi has also refused to give up. Waldi is blind. He has learned how to fight without his sight well enough to defend his title twice. Waldi has learned how to manage his land by speaking to his serfs and servants regularly. He keeps track of the success or failures of the crops and is learning to differentiate between the failures of men and those of nature.
He has a reputation for metering out hard punishments to those he deems to be breakers of manorial law. He has no love for cruelty nor pain, but deems both necessary tools for success. Waldi has been lknwon to laugh at adversity and danger. He believes strongly in his purpose and is driven to be the best master this manor has ever seen. The Warriors require a great deal of foods and thus Waldi’s demands on the land are growing. He hopes to increase the land around his manor and has been pressing the Order for more money so that he can buy new workers. He is trying to attract cotters to the manor, but so far has had no luck.
Hord of Ernah
Dtationed at Byced, he was once a priest. In his 21st year his Haraghi were slain and he picked up a fallen battle axe. He was found among the bodies of his friends and nine enemies. He had slain at lest six with his borrowed battle axe. The Order deemed this to be a sign, and Hord began training as a warrior. His love for battle made him a quick study to the art of the Filled fist; but he has not been so quick to learn the art of forging battle axes.
At the age of 30 he asked to become a Telmen. He had lost his hearing from a blow to his head. His mind was not affected by his injury but he admits to loosing his love of battle. He is not liked by his serfs who find him cruel and demanding; but he believes to be anything else would be unfit for one of such duty. Hord has never had to defend himself and is well liked by the Order. While barely tolerated by the Warriors, they fear to touch him due to his ties to the priestly order.
He keeps a detailed written account of all the conversations and dealings with his brethren. This account is seen by the warriors as a weapon against the brotherhood. It is only a matter of time before he is challenged. Horab has quietly decided that so long as Hord does nothing overtly against the brotherhood he will not intervene.
*Ekkold of Kaildstur
Stationed at Golotha.
*Ronkë of Zhamad
Stationed at Holaseth.
*Rolbert of Opraltin
Stationed at Kilby.
The Haraghi (Knights)
These are the lowest ranking knights of the Order of the Warriors of Mameka. The Knights act either as a personal body guard or friend and assistant to whomever they serve.
The Warriors lost a calvary squadron in the botched raid of Kustan in 718TR. To date the Order has neither the volunteers nor the money to replace them.
The Warriors of Mameka have 25 knights in their order. Of these 8 are medium horse personal body guards and only 6 are light horse stationed at chapter houses with no permanent duties. The remaining light horse knights are assigned to the various Meketa and Telmen in the order and are scattered throughout the Warrior's holdings.
The Warriors are hopeful that the silver mine near Bedenes will allow them to upgrade several of their knights from Light to Medium Horse.
| Name | Station | Troop Type |
| Rimfrid of Queldstar | Bedenes | MH |
| Siegfried of Gasherus | Bedenes | MH |
| Eduard of Simon | Bedenes | MH |
| Rusward of Choan | Bedenes | MH |
| Rarick of Atarnet | Bedenes | MH |
| Hundbar of Fena | Bedenes | MH |
| Fruno of Traimon | Hask | LH |
| Dilster of Shedar | Hask | LH |
| Sorard of Doka | Penor | LH |
| Wold of Garian | Penor | LH |
| Ethrharick of Keleto | Torkat | LH |
| Vollried of Ueleras | Bedenes | LH |
| Wietagr of Bisidoika | Bedenes | LH |
| Ebald of Hamadian | Bedenes | LH |
| Henfrick of Chonid | Bedenes | LH |
| Gerharick of Barsen | Dasath | LH |
| Freld of Tarado | Scutal | LH |
| Vorard of Zhoan | Golotha | MH |
| Mand of Trald | Golotha | MH |
| Gadegard of Oprail | Hengel | LH |
| Hegard of Banched | Hengel | LH |
| Ganduin of Zarseth | Golotha | LH |
| Keroldt of Thekal | Golotha | LH |
| Kardel of Feraildon | Kilby | LH |
| Worard of Kardina | Holaseth | LH |
Politics
The politics of the Warriors of Mameka are generally less complicated than those of its sponsoring priestly order. The Order of Mamaka the Master of Steel holds the office of Apalankh and must handle the intricacies of interaction with all of the other orders, with the Hierarchy of Eternal Flame, and with the political states of Rethem and Tharda. The Warriors of Mameka, however, generally only interact with its sponsoring order and with the Rethemi Crown.
The Rethemi Crown
The Rethemi crown generally regards the Warriors of Mameka as loyal vassals-- and seems quite justified in doing so.
The ruler of Rethem relies on the loyalty and strength of the Warriors. To keep them loyal he does what all the Rulers of Rethem have done. He listens to their requests and then assures them of his personal support, and yet nothing is done. Horab is sure the forces of Rethem will never rally against the Kuboran tribesmen. The crown's argument is that the country must first be united before any holy war can take place.
In retort the Warriors claim nothing should be more uniting than a common enemy. The Warriors are patient only because their priestly order insists. The Warriors barely believe in signs and portents. They have begun to trust the crown even less. Occasionally Horab has to go to court to show his loyalty and petition the crown for new land, people or goods. In the fall of 719tr he claimed he could not attend due to illness. He will have to attend the spring session of court else risk offending the crown. The order is adamant that he will attend.
The Earl of Techen, Reni Lenesque
The Earl of Techen desires peace and stability in Rethem. He has had few dealings with either the Order of Mamaka or the Warriors of Mameka. Many believe the lack of respect is mutually felt.
The Warriors believe Techen to be weak and undecided. His desire for stability should create a desire to take sides; instead he does nothing. His belief that the crown has wronged him should create a desire to side against the crown, but instead he does nothing. He talks like a Peonian and is worthless as a leader. If he would take a side, even one against the Warriors, they could respect him.
The Earl of Tormau, Denye Lynnalus
The Earl of Tormau has sent a few envoys to the Warriors, hoping to convince them to maintain neutrality in his feud with Chafin III. The Order's leadership has received the Earl's envoys with politeness, but insists that it will take the field for Chafin III if/when his ongoing conflict with Earl of Tormau comes to blows. In truth, the current Akarata would prefer to avoid a civil war altogether and dreams of a united Rethem crusading northwards to reclaim Kustan and subjugate the Kubora-- though he no ideas as to how this dream might be realized in the kingdom's current political climate.
The Earl is an honorable enemy that the Order has forbidden the Warriors to destroy. They find him both cunning and dangerous. Falko often says Tormau duels with invisible daggers that few can defend against. Occasionally the Order refers to him as the Hippogriff; for he is a strange beast that none can fully understand. The barbed reference also hints that they believe him likely to play the Kandian-lion against the Rethemi-Eagle. As a supporter of their enemies, he should be destroyed - but the Order has forbidden it for the Warriors do not fight with the same type of dagger.
The Earl of Ithiko, Herrin Barzak
Earl Barzak takes the crown's opinion of the Warriors to heart. He believes them to be loyal to the crown and too occupied with their own affairs to be of any assistance to him. His dealings have been mostly with the Order of Mamaka rather than the Warriors. The Earl hopes that, perhaps, the Warriors will destroy the Earl of Tormau thus alleviating the necessity of hiring a mercenary army to defend his own land from his greedy neighbor.
Earl Barzak is almost blindly loyal to the throne. While he is the enemy of the Earl of Toramu, he is also old and a sloppy player in the games of politics. The Warriors believe that when Earl of Tormau takes out Ithiko it will be time to unite the land of Rethem by armed force.
The Roving Doom
Long time enforcers of the King's will by brutal force and now a nearly independent force, the Warriors are openly jealous. The Warriors openly question the loyalty and the discipline of the Order of the Roving Doom. Many of the Warriors believe the next attempt at the Primate will come from the Roving Doom. The Pillar of Fire's insistence on secrecy has made the Warriors nervous. Who can say if the priesthood of the Pillar of Fire exists in Rethem, plotting their revenge?
The Red Shadows of Herpa
They are allies in the quest for a holy crusade against the Kuboran tribesmen. The Red shadows have had very few dealings with the Warriors, but both orders detest the Earl of Tormau and have similar goals. The Warriors question the discipline of the Red Shadows, since that order schismed in 714TR.
Cohorts of Gashang and the Order of the Eight Demons
This new order is a thorn in the side of Earl Lynnaluis, and for that they are appreciated. But instead of declaring their loyalty to the crown of Rethem, they are trying to play the Crown against the foreign government of Tharda. Their Senesharil, Merle of Kantar, plays with similar daggers as those of the Earl, and thus cannot be easily trusted nor defeated. A few warriors secretly believe she would be the perfect mate for their Akarata - Horab of Gerund.
The Fuming Gate and the Order of the Copper Hook
They fight an honorable enemy and do much to increase the valor of the religion. It's just a shame they are so unlucky, ill trained and otherwise ill-suited for such honors. Obviously they are weak of faith for Agrik's might has granted them no victories. Their war of shadows has done nothing but aggravate the enemy from a more docile state.
Order of Kukshin and the Crimson Dancer
A foreign order who has proven to be unworthy of the challenge. The Warriors have not dealt with this order since its departure from Rethem in 701TR.
Order of the Octagonal Pit and Demon Pameshulu the Insatiable
Only when the lands are cleansed of tribesmen and Laranians will this order's place in things make sense. True they spread the glory of combat to those who could not otherwise partake; but battle is not a spectator sport. If the Order were, perhaps, to train their combatants to fight all manner of things and people - it would make more sense. Still this order buys the beasts and slaves collected by the Warriors and as a source of income they are allies, of a sort. The warriors consider this order to be only barely Agrikan.
The Central Authority
The pontiff and central authority is aware of the Order of Mamaka, but they have yet to achieve sufficient status to become notable. If the Order remains in power on Hârn for a decade, or more, or better still the Warriors conquer the tribesmen to the north - perhaps then the Central Authority will make use of them.
The Kuboran Tribesmen
These are the proscribed enemy of the Warriors of Mameka. There is much speculation as to the Warriors hatred. Perhaps it is because the Kuborans destroyed the Order of Khamar. Perhaps it is because Arlun used them to destroy the Morgathian Interregnum before the Order of Mamaka could subvert it totally to their cause. Perhaps it is because the Kuborans abandoned King Obraas in a time when he needed them most. They are an obstacle to the Warriors conquest of new lands to the North. Or perhaps it is simply because they worship other gods than Agrik. Regardless the Warriors are bent on their total destruction.
Language
The secret tongue of the Reaper is known to both the Terhani and the priests; but the Terhani take an oath never use it. Instead they learn it so that they can understand the rituals, and commands given to them by their parent order.
The Warriors also learn Nazar. It is a silent speech that spells out proper names and conveys information. Nazar is often used to broadcast quick and short messages amongst the brethren within line of sight. Nazar is a dynamic language that can be spoken with one hand, or two or even a series of looks. It is complex and difficult to master, but its mastery is required of all Warriors who obtain the rank of Haragki or higher.
Script
The secret tongue of the Reaper is used by the Order of Mamaka for all its holy texts. The Warriors of Mameka use Lakeese.
Conflicts/Schisms
The Warriors of Mameka present a unified front against the world. A few of their members take a leave of absence from their brethren and wander the world, often with a Haraghi. They offer the wandering priest protection while they travel seeking their center. Such conflicts of faith are often solved after a lifetime of wandering the world.
Cult
The cult of the Warriors of Mameka is focused on obedience to the hierarchy and victory in combat. The discipline required by members tends to remove those insufficiently ambitious and disobedient from the ranks. The cult is based upon three pillars of belief.
The Warriors of Mameka take most of their rituals and lore from their parent order, Mamaka the Master of Steel. Indeed, their very name is meant to illustrate their reliance upon their clerical sponsors. Just as the warriors of Mameka's tribe relied upon his metal weapons to triumph over their enemies, so too are the Warriors of Mameka expected to triumph by using the spiritual, political, and practical 'tools' given to them by the priests.
Adherents
The Warriors are all adherents of the church of Mameka, Master of Steel. The servants and slaves of the Warriors are considered lay members of the church. The faith of the Warriors has a special place for anyone who works with steel either as a craftsman, or as a warrior. Most merchants who have regular dealings with the Warriors pay at least lip service to the Church of Mameka.
"Coins should be the province of Mameka. For their weight must be fairly judged. And money is as often the start of war as any other."
Saying of the Warriors
Morality of Adherents
The Adherents of the Church of Mameka range from Diabolical to Law Abiding (see HMC: Character Generation.)
All Warriors adhere to a common code of honor regardless of their Morality. This honor code helps determine when and how one should try to rise in the ranks. The honor code is as follows:
Lie never to a brethren. Keep silent instead lest your tongue be removed.
Speak never our secrets to an outsider. Keep silent instead lest your tongue
be removed.
Abandon thyn family. Lest this family of our brethren be lost to three.
Pray to no other. Lest thy soul be lost.
Obedience in all things to the Warriors and the Order and Agrik. Lest ye be
removed.
Unlike within the priestly order, assassination is not an approved of method for advancement. Instead one is expected to openly challenge the person holding the desired position and fight it out in temple at the appointed hour. Such duels are always to the death.
Service Features
A Lay Mass often begins with prayer and song and culminates in a ritualized combat between randomly selected members of the Warriors who are present. The combat is performed with real weapons, and the dangers should a Warrior misstep or forget his moves, are equally real.
The Lay members watch and listen as a priest tells a story which is carefully played out by the Warriors. A good showing ends with one Warrior willingly allowing the other draws blood. The Warriors strive for perfection during these combats, and are guided through the steps by reading the Nazar signs made by the priest telling the tale.
It is during such combats that Laumaki are expected to practice their Nazar reading.
A High Mass often includes an animal sacrifice to Agrik, and a real combat between two randomly chosen Warriors. As the congregation sings and prays, the Warriors fight for their lives. While the battle is suppose to stop at first blood, this is most often the place and time where duels are fought. Killing ones opponent during a High Mass is acceptable, but frowned upon. While it does weaken the Warriors, the dead are in a divine state of grace and thus go to Baldashang blessed.
Occasionally thieves, captives or slaves are sacrificed to Agrik during a special mass. Such events culminate in the Warriors, including the Laumaki, dipping their weapons of choice into the blood from the sacrificial victim. The Warriors believe such weapons to be blessed. These special masses are rarely held for the laity and tend only to occur just before battle.
The Pillar of Craft
Each member of the Warriors learns the art of weapon-making. As a general rule, each Warrior concentrates on learning to make the weapons he himself will use on the battlefield: Haragki make broadswords, maces, lances, and 'chivalric' weapons, while Laumaki make short swords, bows, arrows, spears, and other 'commoner' weapons. Telmen and higher ranks are expected to specialize on one particular aspect of their weapon.
Weapon-making is both a practical and a ritualized activity. It is typical, when making any kind of a weapon, for a warrior to mix several drops of his own blood into all liquids used for tempering its metal or treating its wood, so as to make his 'own fiery soul' a part of the weapon.
The Warriors do not make fetishes out of their weapons. Instead the creation of the weapons is symbolic of the forging/creation of a warrior from its baser metals. Weapons is a broad category that sometimes includes the arts of boyary and fletching, spear-making and even the study of poisons, and throwing knives or darts.
The Pillar of Silence
The Warriors observe the pillar of Secrecy in several ways. First, they are forbidden to communicate the tiniest scrap of information about the order's lore, rituals, plans, or possessions to outsiders. Even the least violation of this rule is punishable by either a trial by combat (where they are unarmed and unarmoured) or a trial by flame.
Those who have captured members of the order and sought to extract secrets through torture report being laughed at by their captives, who claim: "Nothing you can do to me is can possibly compare to what my brethren would do, should they learn I betrayed them."
The Warriors, like their priestly masters, are also taught to avoid frivolous and unnecessary speech, even when alone or with other brethren. Those who violate this rule are generally punished by whipping; repeat offenders may be punished (and 'cured') by having their tongues ripped out by red-hot pincers. Surprisingly, this emphasis on silence has created within the Warriors a hierarchy of skilled speakers, who always choose their words carefully and convey ideas clearly and succinctly.
Finally, the Warriors of Mameka preserve their secrecy by being the only Agrikan fighting order in Hârn not to accept Anasi, that is to say, honorary members. The risk that such half-outsiders would betray the order's secrets is deemed too great.
The Pillar of Trial
A Warrior, it is said, must constantly be tested, both on and off the battlefield. If one's martial skill is not tested, one cannot be sure one is a great warrior. For this reason, members of the order are encouraged to constantly be testing themselves (individually) against their brethren in 'mock' combat and against the order's enemies (collectively) in real combat.
Each warrior, upon being initiated, is subjected to some kind of 'loyalty test' comparable to that which Agnichari of their sponsoring order have to endure. Those who pass this test are accepted into the Warriors as full members. Those who fail are never seen again.
Martial Practices
In battle, each Warrior uses a weapon he has made himself. As with most other orders, the mace is a preferred weapon for many Warriors, although the spear, the short sword, and the bow are more typical for Laumaks.
Unlike other Agrikan orders, the Warriors of Mameka do not generally practice advanced unarmed combat techniques, such as Sashata. Instead, they are taught a rather curious 'style' of combat called 'The Empty Fist'.
The Empty Fist is a system of fighting that teaches one how to use available, seemingly non-deadly objects as weapons. This might include anything from throwing dust in an opponents eyes to blind him, to slipping a spoon's dull edge between his ribs so as to puncture his lungs, or using a cloak to entangle or smother him. This practice, which requires extremely quick and creative thinking, probably originated back when the Warriors were more like a covert band of assassins rather than a military organization.
Treat the Empty Fist as a specialty on Unarmed. Such specialties are available only after Unarmed reached ML80+. (See HMC: Combat.)
To use the specialty an NPC must make a successful INT check to be able to grab the desired "weapon." For PC's allow the player to role-play the situation, or make a successful WIL check.
Invocations
The Warriors of Mameka have only 3 circle 1 invocations. These are practiced only by the Akarata and his Tenaka. While it is unusual for a fighting order to actually have invocations, the Warriors explain it as being very close to their priestly order. The Akarata and Tenaka are seen as lieutenants in the
Symbols
Bladed weapons are important symbols of the Warriors of Mameka, as are mailed fists. They prefer the Mace, Whip and Sickle to other weapons, as most Agikans do, but do not feel limited to them.
They believe that blood and its depiction (the color red) are both equally holy. The Warriors do not interpret symbols regularly, using them only during Lay Masses when ritualized combats sometimes require symbolic deaths, or representations. They leave such signs and portents to the Order of Mamaka.
Artifacts
The Warriors claim there are valuable artifacts in the ruins of Kuistan. In 718 a group of Warriors attempted to reclaim those artifacts from the ignorant Kuboran. Their attempt failed. The Warriors are assured that, should they recapture these ancient artifacts, their order will obtain success and wealth in all things.
What, exactly, these artifacts are unknown to the Order. The artifacts were believed to have been brought to Kuistan to help sanctify the temple there. Whatever they are, they were lost to the Order when the outpost fell. The Order of the Warriors has come to believe that the retrieval of these artifacts from the hands of the tribesmen in the area is their new purpose for being.
Instruments
The Warriors use a variety of flutes and drums. Almost every other Warrior has a skill with some type of musical instrument. A few Warriors at Bedenes have begun working on a musical version of Nazar, but their "language" is far from complete.
Warrior music is suprisingly light and uplifting. In their free time Warriors are encouraged to learn jigs, reels and other dance tunes. Combats are sometimes preceded with dancing and music around a camp fire where Warriors in full armour will dance to the wordless tunes.
A few priests have said practice with wood-wind instruments has assisted in increasing the Warrior's endurance and stealth. But most assume the Warriors learn and practice this form of music because it is enjoyable to them.
AnimalS
The Warriors associate the war horse (Destrider) with Mameka. They train their own horses to love the smell of blood, and indeed their horses seem to enjoy combat almost as much as their riders. They prefer dark colored beasts, but horses with stars or stockings of lighter colored hair are considered lucky.
They attribute seeing the raven and the wolf as good omens when on a battlefield, and bad omens everywhere else. Snakes, dogs and death birds (ravens, crows, gulls, and hawks) are all seen as representatives, or messengers for Agrik and his forces.
The raven is the messenger of Mameka, as it likes to roost on metal, and is often seen near weapons in battlefields. Hearing its call early in the morning is said to promise a good day. Hearing its call late at night is said to foretell your death.
The Salamander represents the power of the forge and the might of weapons in battle.
References
This article is based upon the Warriors as presented by Columbia Games in their works detailing HârnWorld. For more information on Columbia Games, and the references used to create this document, please refer to the References document on the HRT-Agrik web page at: http://www.stanford.edu/~jchokey/HRT/AGRIK
Hârn References
Hârn references are all © Columbia Games Inc. 1983, 1990. Box 8006 Blaine, Wa. 98230, USA, and N.Robin Crossby. No breach of copyright is intended by this article.
Thardic Republican Module (History of the Tharda River Basin and the Corani Empire) 1-3.
Rethem Kingdom Module (History of the Corani Empire, History of the Kingdom of Rethem, Bedenes manorial information, Order of Mameka) 1-9, Kubora 1-4, Kustan1-6
Gods of Han (Agrik 1-8)
HârnDex (Mameka, Master of Steel, Order of pMA, Bedenes, Keep [C6] pBE, Agrik pAG, Warriors of Mameka, Order of WA, Corani Empire, The pCO, Rethem, Kingdom of pRE) ibid Hârn.
HârnWorld (History of Hârn, p__)
HârnPlayer (History of Hârn, p34-46, Mameka, p103, p128)
Author's Notes
The spelling of Mamaka and Mameka is not an error. The Order of Mamaka is the priestly order where as the Warriors is of Mameka. The difference in the names is supposed to have come from an ancient form of the name.
The character names (with the exception of the Earls, the Akarata and the primate) were generated using EBON (Ever-changing Book of Names v2.1 © 1997-1998 Sami Pyorre) with Rethemi Clan Names module used to generate family names and Germanic Males module used to generate proper names. These modules were provided by Charles Heckman.
Copies of EBON 2.1 are available at: http://www.utu.fi/~sapyorre/ebon
Copies of the EBON chapters used in this article are available at: http://www.ketherian.org/paxtharda/ in the downloads section.
No breach of copyright was intended by this article. Instead it is presented to expand and improve the existing documentation and information available within Han products. If you find this information of use, please let me know. Questions and constructive criticism is always welcome.
You may copy and distribute this document freely on the condition that the document remains intact and unchanged. Quotations or clippings from this document must retain my name, the date of publication and CGI's copyright information.
Non-Haring References
Warlords, Ancient-Celtic-Medieval By Tim Newark. [Arms & Armour press. An Imprint of the Cassell Group. Wellinton House, 125 Strand London, WCR OBB © 1996, Tim Newark, 1997 Omnibus Edition. ISBN 1-85409-444-0]
Thank You
Special thanks to Jim Chokey, John Sgammato, J Holland-Hibbert, Jonathan M. Davidson, Andreas H. Nicoletti and others on the HRT (Harn Religions Team) for their patience, advice and e-mails. A large portion of the history and direction of this order comes from their suggestions.
This page was last updated on 30 June,
2000
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