"Of the great Ashland Clans now remain three ? Zainab, Erabenimsun and Urshilaku. While laughable when placed alongside the Septim Empire, the three Clans have proven themselves, time and again, as worthy allies to the three Great Houses of Vvardenfell."
-4E 148, Arthus Raemulos, The Provinces of the Septim Empire- Morrowind

4E 179. The Third Empire of Man has firmly re-established itself in Tamriel, having quelled the last major uprising seventy years ago. Prosperity has returned, and even though there is rarely a day without a battle being fought somewhere, the life of the people of Tamriel has largely changed from the dread-filled existence that it was during the 'Dark Age' following the Oblivion Crisis.

In one place, however, life is only beginning to change. While Vvardenfell was left shattered after the Oblivion Crisis, with House Redoran nearly destroyed and the balance of power largely disturbed, the wide open Ashlands did not change. And neither did its people.

The nomadic Ashlanders of Vvardenfell have lived for ages as ones with the nature. They took what they needed from the land, no more, no less ? only enough to survive. The four Clans lived largely in peace, only the occasional herd theft disturbing the relationships between the tribes. Now, things are starting to differ.

With the destruction of Clan Ahemussa at the hands of the Zainab warriors, the clan-less Ashlanders have scattered throughout the three remaining tribes. The Ashkhan of the Zainab has set an example by claiming the Grazelands, and the two other tribes may be expected to move too...

The warlike Erabenimsun in the Molag Amur have for long been living in the harshest lands of Vvardenfell, and some are starting to think that they need new lands for their herds and huntsmen. To the west lie fertile lands, but they are filled with Hlaalu plantations and Imperial colonies. Moving there would surely create brushes with the settled people, and a careful Ashkhan may choose to move his people northwards, to the Grazelands... That may mean war with the Zainab, but then, since when does the Erabenimsun fear some bloodshed?

The opportunistic Zainab in the Grazelands have already displayed their prowess by wiping out the Ahemussa. They rule over large tracts of land now, largely untroubled by outsiders and fellow Ashlanders. Some have started thinking about settling down, yet some still cling to the old ways; the Telvanni to the east may also not take well to the Zainab settling down so close to their traditional territories, but then they may not care enough to actually step out of their mushroom towers and do something. A risk must be taken, for if the Ashkhan does not exploit the current situation, one of the other clans may make a move...

The traditionalistic Urshilaku have long been respected by the other Clans due to the wisdom of their Ashkhans and Wise Women, and their close bounds with the Nerevarine. However, with the recent changes, it would be foolish to count upon this respect for protection. While the Ashlands may not be as fertile as the Grazelands, they breed strong warriors and smart hunters, while letting the tribe survive with comparative ease. Perhaps now it would be time to try and attain more than respect. Power, the title of Ashkhan of the Ashkhans, something that all Ashkhans, Urshilaku or not, have been dreaming about for ages. Perhaps now, with the bolstering of Urshilaku numbers by many of the fleeing Ahemussa, it would be time to claim this power..?



The basic stuff applies to this RP ? no ubering, no one-liners, don't clog up with OOC pvssyr, I'm sure everyone here knows this. New RPers to the forums are encouraged to read the magnificent 'So you think you can RP?' guide if they haven't yet. I'd also like to ask everyone to stay dedicated; I really don't want this to die off after the first few pages, and I'll try my best to be a good GM and not leave people out via the magic wand ? events.

This isn't strictly a war/political RP. Since the Ashlander numbers are few, individual warriors, hunters etc. Matter and can decide the tide of small skirmishes that will probably be the main thing going on action-wise in this here thing (note to would-be Ashkhans ? remember that most Ashlander troops will be levies (doesn't necessarily mean they're crap), so don't go diving into large battles as you may end up losing the entire thing).

Also I'd like to mention that once the Ashlanders inevitably make contact with the settled people, any of the major guys would be left to me to RP. I've got nothing against RPing some minor merchant selling you a bit of food, but I don't want huge caravans spawning randomly in the middle of the Molag Amur, with cheap ebony weapons aplenty. I'll notify everyone when there's a caravan passing by one of the tribes, and I'll also handle the caravan masters; same for House Dunmer, if you're making a treaty please let me handle the non-ashlanders' response, as trade agreements and such are supposed to be big deals, don't expect to get something like that every time. And don't go contacting with the outsiders all the time, too ? remember that Ashlanders tend to dislike both outlanders and House Dunmer.

Before we start, I'd like to have at least two-three players per tribe, preferably one of those would be the Ashkhan. Any Gulakhans/Wise Women coming in will sadly have to wait for an Ashkhan to come around.

Ranting aside, here's the character sheet. The slots marked as 'Ashkhan' are obviously only for people applying to be Ashkhans. Please send me the sheets via PM titled 'WA [your character's tribe]'

Name (remember that Ashlanders have distinct names when compared to settled Dunmer):
Age (no need for the '80 but appears 20' stuff, that's a given):
Race (this should say Dunmer, unless you give me a good reason why is your character not one and yet a functional member of the tribe):
Tribe (if switched sides at one point or another, list it as mother clan/current clan, same for Ahemussa Ashlanders):

General Appearance (the usual stuff at very least ? height, build, distinct features, weight):

Short Bio:

Weapon (tribal stuff mostly, iron and better would be a sign of a wealthy and respected Ashlander):

Armor/Clothing (same as weapons):

Companions (if any):

[Ashkhan Stuff]

Players (this will have to be updated as new members join your tribe, please note in brackets next to someone's name if the RPer is a Gulakhan (3-4 per tribe) or a Wise Woman (1 per tribe); those two will have to be ok'd by the Ashkhan as well as by me)

Troop numbers (remember we're thinking tribes here, most warriors will be levied hunters and simple tribesmen, and a couple thousand men will be a very large army):

Troops (just so no one forgets, cavalry would be guar-mounted, horses are nonexistent in Vvardenfell):

RPing sample (I'd like to see something along the lines of a skirmish, or a war meeting, or whatever; preferably not adventure stuff, as you'll be running a dang tribe here, not running around killing alits; this doesn't have to be posted if the character is approved):

The Nix-Hound that slowly walked along the grazeland was alone, unlike the usual hounds that travelled around here. It traversed the dark and rocky ground slowly and cautiously, sniffing around the grass constantly, as if looking for food. it's mouth was bloody and dirty, and a small wound on one of it's hind legs impaired it's movement slightly, an almost unnoticeable limp occurring every few steps. All was silent in the grazeland it travelled across, the only sound coming from the wind as it forcefully moved the leaves and trees of the land.

Suddenly, the animal stopped in it's tracks, raising it's head and looking to the distance in dark, dense bushes near a tree. For a moment, the wind stopped, and the twang of an arrow being released could be heard.

The shot was clumsy and amateur, but through luck more than anything struck true, hitting the hound forcefully in the neck, knocking it to the ground.

From the bushes where the arrow came from, a strongly built Dunmer equipped in Chitin smiled. He came out of the bushes now, still almost silent as he did so, and approached the hound. Packs of them had been giving the local Zainab camps trouble with their herds, and Shanat had brought it upon himself to see if he could clear a few of them out. He looked down at the bow in his hand as he walked, it wasn't his preffered weapon, but it was undoubtedly useful, and he was getting better. Slightly better at any rate. His aim was not yet precise, and his hand not yet steady, but he could shoot an arrow with reasonable power, though it was mostly down to good fortune that his shots actually hit their target.

The ground under his feet was soft and dark, the result of a recent downpour of rain over the grazelands. It stretched for miles around him, yet he knew exactly how far and in what direction the camp lied, such was the outcome of living as an Ashlander for your entire life. He knew the land as well as anything in his life, and reading the weather was as easy as reading another man's emotions, he just had to look for the right things. The sky was clear today, the rain had come and gone.

He stopped in front of the hound, which uselessly twitched and tried to move its legs as it tried desperately to survive. Shanat withdrew his spear and put it out of it's misery quickly. Mercifully. Suddenly, the wind changed, and he looked up towards the heavens. Something was different today - it brewed underneath the surface of an otherwise normal time. Shanat paid no notice, and picked up the dead hound, lugging it over his shoulder to take back to camp. Hound meat is sweet and tender, and this had been a clean kill, it could feed several, and would no doubt be a welcome gift to be brought back.