A strange assertion you may think - but a true one. It is well known that the ducks were made scapegoats for the Rebellion of 1613 by the Lunars, and that they were hunted for the bounties on their heads. Now you might think that this was a clever political manoeuvre by Fazzur Wideread which allowed a peace with honour between both the Lunars and the human Sartarites. But that is to ignore the long term economic effects of his short-term decision.
You see the ducks controlled the trade route down the Creek Stream River to the great port of Nochet, the gateway to the East and the West. When the Lunars made them scapegoats this trade route came to a complete halt. This meant that the only trade routes open to the Lunars were the land route to Karse through hostile Volsaxi lands, or the route through the Grazelands with the high costs of local caravan guards.
In 1615 the Lunars attempted to control the Grazelander route by invasion and conquest. However, this failed when it became obvious that conquest of a horse-borne nation was virtually impossible. Thus there was no alternative but to invade Volsaxiland and capture of the port of Karse.
Thus began the most ignominious campaign in Lunar military history leading to humiliation at Whitewall, utter defeat in Esrolia, and the end of Lunar domination in Dragon Pass. Without these defeats in the Holy Country, Argrath and Harrek could never have had the subsequent successes they did have, and the Lunar Empire would probably have survived.
I believe this also plants another nail in the coffin of Fazzur Wideread's reputation. Recent documentary evidence suggests that his original invasion of Heortland in 1605 failed not because he was recalled, but because of his inability to organise the logistics of the campaign. The evidence shows that he abandoned the campaign a full two days before he received his recall orders.
His catastrophic failures at Whitewall and in Esrolia are well known. However, his most heinous act was to turn against his rightful king, Pharandros of Tarsh, and hasten the fall of the Empire. It is this act, of them all, which shows how despicably ambitious a man he really was.
Perhaps blaming the ducks for the Empire's fall is wrong, for the blame lies squarely at Fazzur's feet. We must not make the self-same mistake that he did!
Cafe Casablanca:
To change the subject completely. There are still a few places left at the Cafe Casablanca freeform in Nottingham from 1st - 3rd September (not to be confused with Kevin Costner's Naatingham). Contact Kevin Jacklin, 4 Lee Court, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 3SY. Telephone: (01252) 331014. Or contact me.
Cheerio, and remember the Red Goddess loves you all!
David Hall
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