In the interest of giving examples of how some Heortlings themes and issues can be played out in a campaign, here's David Dunham's notes from our recent Seattle Farmers Collective game set immediately after the surrender of the Sartar High Council at Larnste's Table in late Fire Season 1613.
On Wild Day, Fazzur rode into Boldhome at the head of a huge column of troops. He wore ornate iron armor chased with silver, and two iron scimitars. His bodyguard of 18 fierce warriors also wore iron.
Temertain waited to receive him, accompanied by a pack of werewolves. Fazzur gave bowed to him, and greeted him in excellent Sartarite as Temertain the Learned. He gave gifts, primarily papers and books. In the ceremonies confirming the surrender, Fazzur seemed to be going out of his way to pay respect to Temertain.
There was a big feast, with some of the entertainment provided by the Lunars. Temertain was accompanied by Redbird. Fazzur and Temertain got along quite well and Fazzur discussed the theory of forms and other learned issues with Temertain.
The Orindori were a powerful Tarshite clan, from which the hereditary kings came. His sister was married to the Prince-Regent of Tarsh, Pharandos. Fazzur had been a leader during the invasion. He was clearly in charge during the feast. His men called him Fazzur Wideread, since he could read several languages. In fact, he traveled with a library of a hundred books.
Fazzur's first cousin was the leader of the bodyguard. One of his companions, Dagius Furius, never removed his cowl. Gordius Silverus was another prominent Tarshite and the chief lieutenant of General Fazzur. He was to be the Lunar appointee to Temertain's Ring.
Fazzur's men were busy planning, though he had Temertain review written plans. Fazzur tried to involve Temertain in as many decisions as possible.
Jorad Sideburn had marched an army into Wilmskirk. The Garrisoning of Sartar had already begun.
Among the gossip heard by the Sartarites was the fate of the previous Governor-General. Euglyptus the Fat had died eating a "surfeit of jellied eels" in Alda-chur.
Temertain was worried because there was only one piece of the regalia extant: the Scales of Sartar. The Colymar couldn't decide whether they should use the Scales to support Temertain or leave.
Kev granted Kaylin a vision of what would happen if we left with the Scales: Urothfalda's Stead in flames, and a Lunar gallows on Starfire Ridge.
In Earth Season, Korlmhy and Herger convinced Temertain to appoint Korlmhy as his priest in charge of Sartar's rites. They also obtained a letter of free passage.
Later that season, they were given leave to return to the Colymar. Temertain gave everyone gifts. There were a lot more Lunars in evidence now - perhaps four times as many as during Euglyptus's rule. Fazzur had his troops keep busy. Trade was brisk in Wilmskirk.
The major leaders of the Colymar had been outlawed: Kallai, Kangharl, and several others. Beneva Chan had voluntarily followed her husband into exile, along with a dozen hall-thanes. All had gone south. Perhaps 400 Colymar had died during the entire rebellion or its fallout. The Varmandi chief Rastorlanth had been killed during heavy skirmishing before Larnste's Table. Nymie Vale had been plundered by a thousand soldiers. The Ernaldori had given food and tribute to the Lunars. Some pillagers had gotten as far as Old Man's Stead, but were repelled. Hindalsstead had been burned. Several hundred cows had been taken. There was still no king, and no obvious successor. There were Lunar soldiers in Clearwine, and a smaller number in Runegate. Bandits, deserters, and Lunar patrols were reported throughout Colymar lands.
In the wake of the defeat of the armies of Sartar, the Lunar occupiers had placed the Zethnoring clan under the protection of the Locaem tribe, and the Antorling and Lysangi clans under the jurisdiction of the Malani tribe - removing them from the Colymar.
The Kheldon and Culbrea were also severely impacted. Ranulf was now known as Turntail, because he had departed, but was now king of the Culbrea. The Kheldon were not allowed to have a king.
Chief Gordangar greeted his kinsmen from Boldhome coolly. 40 Orlmarthing had been killed, including 13 from the Varsmaring bloodline. The herd had been depleted down to 2300 cattle. The Hindallings were calling in loans and favors to try to stay wealthy, but there were almost 200 of them.
The Orlmarthings were due to pay the Lunars 600 cows, on top of the 100 owed to the tribe and 150 on the Tarshgild. The Arfritha Vale clans had been pillaged even harder, however.
Fazzur made it known that the tribute would be reduced by 1 cow for each Duck bill delivered to the Lunars. Apparently the Ducks were being blamed for instigating and abetting the rebellion.
Yerestra seemed shocked by her grandchildren's deeds. She had known Eonistaran and his son Markalor, and thought that line were a bunch of cowards for having fled Sartar. Even worthless Salinarg fought a hopeless battle, though he knew the omens were against him. She was Saronil's granddaughter, and she knew what she spoke of.
The harvest was not a good one. There was a clan moot about redistribution of cattle and land. The Hindallings argued for reallocation. Orayasstead said it was bad luck, but could be overcome with cattle loans. Many Varsmarings thought the chief should make loans. It was finally decided that the chief would make most of the loans.
Korlmhy loaned amounts sufficient to pay the tribute for seven cottars. Brenna helped two widows. Herger helped two of the Hindalssons. Vonlanth gave loans for three others, but miscalculated his wealth and had to borrow from wealthier members of the clan to pay his own tribute. With great effort, the clan paid the tribute in full - 100 cattle to the tribal ring, 150 cattle for the Tarshgeld, 300 cattle to the Lunars and another 300 in goods and sheep to the Lunars. The clan's herds were reduced to 1750 cattle. It would be a hungry winter.
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