Plot Summary!
This will eventually find a home on the plot thread, but for now:
The story so far…
It began with a group of refugees, fleeing the north to seek shelter within the Motoujamii.
These refugees brought fear with them. Fear of an unknown, destructive force they called ‘monsters of the north’ or, more formally, the ‘Nergui’. They spread the rumours through the Firekin, speaking of barbaric monsters who massacred the Hongshan people without mercy. Speaking of chaos and death for those who did not prepare for their arrival. Some Firekin believed them. Others did not. But, sometime after, proof of their warning arrived on their doorstep.
More refugees arrived at the Firekin borders, headed up by a strangely marked male known as Miah. He was declared a Nergui by one of the Hongshan members and has since been kept segregated from the rest of the pride. The decision to keep him alive was met with a mixed response.
At around the same time as Miah and the refugees arrived in the lands, the Nergui made their first move. A Firekin patrol came under attack resulting in a number of injuries and the death of Nur’yu; son of Azar and Khin’del. The Nergui, however, all escaped with their lives.
This attack was taken as an act of war and, as such, the Regents declared the Firekin officially at war with the Nergui.
Since then, preparations for the impending clash are being made.
The Firekin’s training regime has expanded so that civilians can develop their basic training, enabling them to temporarily be recruited into the army.
And, whilst the bulk of the Firekin remain in the lands to bastion the borders, a group of Firekin sentinels, headed up by Moto’Seide, are roaming the rogue lands. Their goals; to secure outposts, water sources and gather information on this elusive enemy.
Since the sentinels began their work, a new, somewhat shaky alliance has been formed with the Ithambo’hlabathi pride [The Bonelands]. As a result, the Firekin have now secured an outpost and an extra water source under the agreement that they, in turn, will provide training to the Ithambo’hlabathi members. Huria will also be trained at this outpost and be given the option to join with the Ithambo’hlabathi instead of going rogue once they reach adolescence.
More recently, the Ithambo’hlabathi and Motoujamii-Simo have traded ambassadors. Su, daughter of the regents, has taken up residence within the Ithambo’hlabathi lands. And, in return; Machozi, son of Njalo and Matifu [owned by Neon Fly], is now in residence within the Motoujamii.
Unfortunately, further explorations made by the sentinels has revealed that the Nergui have spread further than predicted and that they have set their sights on the plagued pride, Kitwana’Antara. This pride have safeguarded the disease to ensure that it doesn't extend pass the reaches of their borders. But, if the Nergui were to become infected, the destruction that could follow would be insurmountable.
[More detailed summaries can be found in the plot archive located here.]
Present situation…
Ithambo’hlabathi – The situation with the Ithambo'hlabathi is, thankfully, settling in well. There is still some suspicion towards the 'red-pelts' from a number of the natives, but many there have welcomed the warriors and it is hoped that - with the ambassadors now in place - the alliance will continue to strengthen. Training between the two prides has begun at the outpost and regular reports are run back and forth. Sentinels based at the outpost are also switched in and out if they volunteer themselves for the duty.
Kitwana’antara – It is hoped that the Nergui can be staved off at the desert so that they will never reach the Kitwana'antara to carry out their plan of taking the Kitwana virus. Arrangements for a messenger to take back word to the Kitwana'Antara on the Nergui's position are in progress.
Firekin – Preparation for war is well under-way. Pride-wide war events have been held in which all Firekin are invited to attend. Civilian members are now being encouraged to take on military roles on a temporary basis. But, with news of the Nergui's spread, some Firekin have decided that now is the time to try and uncover more about this mysterious foe...
