Ninja Dude
Sorry, I wasn't listening...
The Zenze Clan had a strong tradition of poetry, story-telling, and when times of great conflict came, negotiation. Being one of the Four Holy Clans responsible for watching over the sacred Aunsui Lake, the Zenze Clan is deeply respected and revered. It's status as one of the Holy Clans eliminates any potential of an attack towards them.[1] The usual pilgrimages to Aunsui Lake provide income, each of the Holy Clans collecting a small toll from the pilgrims. While this provides a steady income, it is also incredibly small. The real money is made in the form of gifts from chiefs and shamans that constantly shower the Four Holy Clans in exchange for wisdom and blessings. Such a sheltered and luxurious lifestyle has allowed the Zenze priests and priestesses to perfect their poems and songs, drawing their inspiration from the sparkling waters of Aunsui Lake.
However, not all clan members spend their days chanting with pilgrims and indulging in gifts from the surrounding chiefs. Many men from the Zenze Clan, finding the life of a Shaman of Aunsui too confining may venture in the neighboring lands, serving as advisers and diplomats in surrounding chiefdoms. Their skill in arbitration is well known, and many wars have ended as a result of a Zenze's soft words. Their oral tradition has made them great public speakers, and their holy background adds even more weight to their words. In exchange for their services, these wandering men receive handsome payments. In a way they are a nomadic version of their brothers at Ansui Lake, receiving generous gifts from the chiefs of the lands they pass through.
However, there was one man that refused brought to him. Selflessly giving advice and words of wisdom to men of power, he only asked for food and shelter. He was Oltac Zenze, better known as the "Great Shaman". Strangely, he was not originally a shaman. His elder brother Yenle was a prominent shaman of Aunsui, relishing in his position of luxury. Disgusted with the indulgence and corruption of the shamans of Aunsui Lake, Oltac walked forth into the surrounding lands, aiming to please his god as a humble servant, not a spoiled manchild.
Soon he came upon two warring clans, for the delicious river crabs that had once been so plentiful were now becoming scarce. Now there were only a few pockets of land populated by the crawling banquets, and both clans felt that they deserved them. Oltac discussed this issue with both sides, offering to help negotiate peace. And so the two clan-heads met in a hut with Oltac. While peace seemed nearly achieved, one of the chiefs made a remark about the other's daughter. The other chief became infuriated and attempted to slash the offending chief accross the throat. Oltac bravely threw himself in front of the inconsiderate chief, receiving the slash across his left eye. The chiefs ceased quarreling, and immediately pleaded to Oltac and begged for forgiveness. Oltac forgave them, but only in exchange for permanent peace between the two tribes, lest the wrath of Aunsui be called down upon them.
And so Oltac had secured his first victory in the name of Aunsui. Eventually he moved onto more lands, achieving similar victories. Peace spread wherever Oltac walked, blood feuds and age old disputes being solved in a matter of weeks. Eventually the humble traveler had more influence than perhaps all the Four Holy Clans combined. Everywhere he went, extravagant gifts were offered to him. Women, gems, land, all offered. And all rejected. Such worldly things meant nothing to him. Only complete peace amongst the Aquen mattered, and so long as he was alive, that was his goal.
One day, a message had been brought to Oltac. Yenle was dead, and the shamans of Aunsui wished Oltac to come home and take his place. Oltac accepted, believing that with his body aging, he may be able to do more at Aunsui Lake than laying in the dark forest with a broken hip. And so he came to Aunsui Lake with the last of his youthful energy being put into his speedy return. Upon his arrival, he gained a following amongst the shamans there, who mimicked his philosophy of living a humble and selfless life. While this group remained a minority for many decades, even after Oltac's death, most of the shamans did treat as Oltac as their leader nonetheless. Under his leadership, the Oltacian Ban was born.
The Oltacian Ban, as it came to be known, was Oltac's last resort in achieving peace between all the Aquen. Towards the end of his life, Oltac had nearly all of the Aquen Clans in a state of prosperity and peace. But still, a few outlaying clans refused to give up their old struggles. And so, Oltac banned the chiefs and their followers from Aunsui Lake. The effects of such a punishment were felt immediately. Aquen cheifs and shamans are expected to visit Aunsui Lake at least once every 3 years to worship Aunsui and receive blessings from their god. Without these blessings, famines, disasters, and worst of all, banishment from Aunsui's heavenly water-plane after death would plague his entire tribe. Pilgrims from the tribe were by extension also banned.
Needless to say, this was an extremely effective way of bringing the last few Aquen clans into line. In the year 230 (according the Aquen New Calender), Oltac passed away in his sleep, having finally achieved his life's mission of bringing peace to his brothers. Buried in simple stone tomb near Aunsui Lake, his resting place is almost as popular amongst pilgrims as the Lake itself.
Throughout his life, Oltac brought about many changes to the priesthood of Aunsui. Many had adopted his selfless lifestyle, and refused gifts. Often traveling through the wilderness, many of these imitators ended up as accidental missionaries, missing their intended destinations and preaching the virtues of Aunsui to people who had never heard of him.
Not only did Oltac affect the personal decisions of the priesthood, but also the organization of it as well. The Four Holy Clans each elected a religious leader known as a Yenleta Sav, or "High Shaman", wielding powers similar to those held by Oltac during his life at Aunsui Lake. Among these powers is the ability to issue the Oltacian Ban, which is still a potent weapon against possible dissenters. Without a doubt, Oltac has become the most influential person in Aquen history by far, bringing about major changes to the leadership of the Aquen, which are sure to last.
But what of his peace? While the Aquen hold their Yenleta Sav in high regard, they mean nothing to nonbelievers, who seem to be a growing problem ever day. While the Aquen are now relatively sound internally, Oltac's word holds no weight in the lands outside of Maulan.
[1] No Aquen in there right mind would ever lay a finger on a priest of Aunsui. Much less attack any of the Four Holy Clans. The repercussions of such an act would have disasterous results.
OOC: Is this story okay Daft? I wanted to give my "Great Person" a little background, as well as flesh out the Aquen a little bit. Please tell me if you have any problems with my story. Orders will be in soon by the way.
However, not all clan members spend their days chanting with pilgrims and indulging in gifts from the surrounding chiefs. Many men from the Zenze Clan, finding the life of a Shaman of Aunsui too confining may venture in the neighboring lands, serving as advisers and diplomats in surrounding chiefdoms. Their skill in arbitration is well known, and many wars have ended as a result of a Zenze's soft words. Their oral tradition has made them great public speakers, and their holy background adds even more weight to their words. In exchange for their services, these wandering men receive handsome payments. In a way they are a nomadic version of their brothers at Ansui Lake, receiving generous gifts from the chiefs of the lands they pass through.
However, there was one man that refused brought to him. Selflessly giving advice and words of wisdom to men of power, he only asked for food and shelter. He was Oltac Zenze, better known as the "Great Shaman". Strangely, he was not originally a shaman. His elder brother Yenle was a prominent shaman of Aunsui, relishing in his position of luxury. Disgusted with the indulgence and corruption of the shamans of Aunsui Lake, Oltac walked forth into the surrounding lands, aiming to please his god as a humble servant, not a spoiled manchild.
Soon he came upon two warring clans, for the delicious river crabs that had once been so plentiful were now becoming scarce. Now there were only a few pockets of land populated by the crawling banquets, and both clans felt that they deserved them. Oltac discussed this issue with both sides, offering to help negotiate peace. And so the two clan-heads met in a hut with Oltac. While peace seemed nearly achieved, one of the chiefs made a remark about the other's daughter. The other chief became infuriated and attempted to slash the offending chief accross the throat. Oltac bravely threw himself in front of the inconsiderate chief, receiving the slash across his left eye. The chiefs ceased quarreling, and immediately pleaded to Oltac and begged for forgiveness. Oltac forgave them, but only in exchange for permanent peace between the two tribes, lest the wrath of Aunsui be called down upon them.
And so Oltac had secured his first victory in the name of Aunsui. Eventually he moved onto more lands, achieving similar victories. Peace spread wherever Oltac walked, blood feuds and age old disputes being solved in a matter of weeks. Eventually the humble traveler had more influence than perhaps all the Four Holy Clans combined. Everywhere he went, extravagant gifts were offered to him. Women, gems, land, all offered. And all rejected. Such worldly things meant nothing to him. Only complete peace amongst the Aquen mattered, and so long as he was alive, that was his goal.
One day, a message had been brought to Oltac. Yenle was dead, and the shamans of Aunsui wished Oltac to come home and take his place. Oltac accepted, believing that with his body aging, he may be able to do more at Aunsui Lake than laying in the dark forest with a broken hip. And so he came to Aunsui Lake with the last of his youthful energy being put into his speedy return. Upon his arrival, he gained a following amongst the shamans there, who mimicked his philosophy of living a humble and selfless life. While this group remained a minority for many decades, even after Oltac's death, most of the shamans did treat as Oltac as their leader nonetheless. Under his leadership, the Oltacian Ban was born.
The Oltacian Ban, as it came to be known, was Oltac's last resort in achieving peace between all the Aquen. Towards the end of his life, Oltac had nearly all of the Aquen Clans in a state of prosperity and peace. But still, a few outlaying clans refused to give up their old struggles. And so, Oltac banned the chiefs and their followers from Aunsui Lake. The effects of such a punishment were felt immediately. Aquen cheifs and shamans are expected to visit Aunsui Lake at least once every 3 years to worship Aunsui and receive blessings from their god. Without these blessings, famines, disasters, and worst of all, banishment from Aunsui's heavenly water-plane after death would plague his entire tribe. Pilgrims from the tribe were by extension also banned.
Needless to say, this was an extremely effective way of bringing the last few Aquen clans into line. In the year 230 (according the Aquen New Calender), Oltac passed away in his sleep, having finally achieved his life's mission of bringing peace to his brothers. Buried in simple stone tomb near Aunsui Lake, his resting place is almost as popular amongst pilgrims as the Lake itself.
Throughout his life, Oltac brought about many changes to the priesthood of Aunsui. Many had adopted his selfless lifestyle, and refused gifts. Often traveling through the wilderness, many of these imitators ended up as accidental missionaries, missing their intended destinations and preaching the virtues of Aunsui to people who had never heard of him.
Not only did Oltac affect the personal decisions of the priesthood, but also the organization of it as well. The Four Holy Clans each elected a religious leader known as a Yenleta Sav, or "High Shaman", wielding powers similar to those held by Oltac during his life at Aunsui Lake. Among these powers is the ability to issue the Oltacian Ban, which is still a potent weapon against possible dissenters. Without a doubt, Oltac has become the most influential person in Aquen history by far, bringing about major changes to the leadership of the Aquen, which are sure to last.
But what of his peace? While the Aquen hold their Yenleta Sav in high regard, they mean nothing to nonbelievers, who seem to be a growing problem ever day. While the Aquen are now relatively sound internally, Oltac's word holds no weight in the lands outside of Maulan.
[1] No Aquen in there right mind would ever lay a finger on a priest of Aunsui. Much less attack any of the Four Holy Clans. The repercussions of such an act would have disasterous results.
OOC: Is this story okay Daft? I wanted to give my "Great Person" a little background, as well as flesh out the Aquen a little bit. Please tell me if you have any problems with my story. Orders will be in soon by the way.
) (1e).
Sorry for the inconvenience Daft.
