Chronicles of Sha'Lazar

Rebel Leader : Kadir
Rebel Warrioress : Nazli
Rebel Seer / Empath : Kalima
Slaver : Alai Karzi (Nemesis of the ASWAD / former territorial warlord of southern deserts.
Slaver / Warrior : Abdullah Zeer (escaped gladiator and former slave in Malli'ayad; now Second to Karzi)

BACKGROUND:
For thousands of years, caravans of camels loaded with rubies, jade, amber, musk and of course silk made their way along routes that zigzagged across Sha’Lazar’s interior. Trade has been the mainstay of wealth in the land… where goods such as ivory, silver, iron, wine, and yes, silk were exchanged across the world, but starvation, thirst, bandits, and ferocious storms, among other threats were known to bury entire caravans. In the end, any traveler would express gratitude for surviving a journey; or pray for safe deliverance before embarking.

Governmental oppression, poverty, exclusion, desertion, greed... just a few to identify prime reasons for a correctable deterrent to trade – the Bandit. So, one might wonder what environment fosters such criminals, as well and family and camaraderie among men? Could it be a city-state’s violent and oppressive history of government, its numerous corrupt and inconsistent rulers, or a violent disregard to a justice system. Regardless of a reason, or reasons, it nurtured an atmosphere of self-reliance and cooperation among the people that opposed the reasons that developed deterrents to trade. This reliance and respect was voluntary, and usually supported by the individual’s family and friends to oppose the ruler or government that instilled violence, exclusion, oppression, and threats.

Once in a while, these bandits, who violate the laws, but who still serves a higher justice. They rob from the rich and give to the poor, free slaves from the slavers, and only kills in self-defense or *just* revenge. As long as they observe this code, they are, in myth and legend, invulnerable to their enemies; they can die or be captured only when betrayed by friends.

Many years ago, there was a wealthy happy family. The merchant, his wife, three sons, and four daughters; the sons to carry on the family business, three beautiful daughters to marry for wealth and prosperity, and the 4th youngest daughter, with promising abilities as a future seer for the temple. The future for this family would turn bleak as the elder brothers and sisters that watched their parents brutally slaughtered for their fortune. And the Amir’s guards, in an attempt to falsely arrest the siblings for their parents’ murder, killed the two elder brothers, then raped the two elder sisters, then killed them as well. The youngest brother, Kadir, and his two youngest sisters, Nazli and Kalima, were hidden away, thanks be to Kalima’s unique ability; and from their location Kadir watched his older siblings violated and murdered... and vowed justice. Under the cover of darkness, Kadir, Nazli, and Kalima ventured to their cousin’s estate near the coast.

Now, over the years, Kadir’s vivid nightmares and Kalima’s visions fueled hatred, hatred begat enemies of the state. And the siblings garnered associates who either sympathized their efforts against the Amir and his oppressive government, or favored his ousting. Titled as Enemies of the State, the band of criminals continued to grow...

This is the Aswad...

Unbeknownst to Hassan il Sharir, in the deserts of the Rash’ani, several unified bands of Uthmann opposition continue to raid and battle against government institutions… people who are now declared free… These hotspots across the Acacus grow with each passing day. While people die and the blood stains the sands, Amir Abu Said ibn Tumart and the al-Jama’a al-Ashar (Council of Ten) argue politics while their people are attacked again and again.

Meanwhile, Alai Karzi, a former territorial warlord, ultra-opposition to Amir, Abu Said Uthmann, remains a powerful force to the south, one the Council of Ten cannot remove. For the last few years, a little known, yet affective, force called the Aswad had raided Amir Abu Said Uthmann’s caravans and now ventures out to raid any caravan that crosses the sands, for they knew little of who to give a strained loyalty.