The Northern Usurper

(TA 1559-1563)
Copyright Eric Dubourg 2001
Edited by Joe Mandala and Cory Rushton for The Guild Companion
Learning of the defeat of his father in Nllond, Nlzagar (in command of a reserve army in
Felayja) ordered a retreat to Mardruak in Hazaj Tollin. During his journey he learned of a "coup
d'tat" conducted by a distant Tumakveh cousin, Thnuzir. Thnuzir had been heir to the
asapthubth of Nark-zadan, but the Umbareans had taken advantage of the unexpected and the
unexplained death of Pharuztamar in 12 Dahlat 1559 to influence events in Nykkea and in Narkzadan. The Saphtn order was to play a minor role during the remaining years of the Divided
Realms of Bellakar. The Southern Realm could await Nlzagar's vengeance, as he was forced to
first wrest power in Mardruak from Thnuzir. The usurper would prove a major obstacle to
Nlzagar's ambitions.
Nlzagar sent a few loyal spies to all the cities of Mardruak, hoping to gather support against the
Usurper amongst both the population and the nobility. This attempt met with very little success, as
the population saw no real distinction between the rule of Thnuzir and that of Nlzagar, son of
rkhr. The other purpose of the spies was to feed the Usurper's court lies about the defeat of
Nllond: rumors were spread concerning not only the death of rkhr, but of both his sons:
Nlzagar and Kadurphazgn. Meanwhile, Nlzagar moved his army secretly to Auz Hulja.
Those who profited from that instability in the North were the Umbareans, not the Southerners,
who were rebuilding their realm's defenses (specifically those of Nllond and rzyan) against
future Northern aggression and in the hopes of the re-conquest of the North. Under the rule of
Thnuzir, Umbareans infiltrated all levels of Bellakaran society, and a true commercial exchange
(policed by the Umbarean merchant houses) began to flourish. Thnuzir was encouraged by
Abrzagar (the asapthubth of Nark-zadan), whose friendship with the usurper was of public
notoriety.
Nlzagar secretly waited several months in Auz Hulja, slowly rebuilding his army's strength.
Nlzagar took soon control of Auz Hulja, creating a third Bellakarian kingdom, by a strategy of
subterfuge and assassination. He replaced unfriendly governors and army officers, never very
numerous in the region, who had been appointed by the Usurper. Of course, this "third realm" was
technically subject to the Usurper's will, but in reality the new lords awaited only an opportunity to
rally to Nlzagar's banner and complete the open conquest of Mardruak and to effect the death of
the Usurper.
This opportunity presented itself within two years, when a restrengthened army commanded by
both Nlzagar and his brother was deemed ready for combat. Mardruak was at peace, and
Thnuzir had no reason to fear an attack from the South. Spies had long reported that the
southern realm was rebuilding its strength, and had no will to invade the North, at least for the
moment. On 22 Ishat 1562, an army led by Nlzagar's brother and disguised in Thnuzir's
symbols, invaded Hazaj Tollin by surprise from the South. After brief and relatively bloodless siege

of three days, Kadurphazgn took full control of the garrison. Unfortunately, their hopes of taking
the Usurper alive were thwarted when he escaped towards Nark-zadan and his ally Abrzagar.
Within a year, almost all of Mardruak was again under the control of the rightful king (at least to
Northern eyes). Zimrnzil was the first city to be recovered, in 12 Mizir 1562; then Sarnak Hor in
24 Darat 1562, Nykkea in 12 Najam 1563; Saz Nejja on 29 Manjaz 1563. Only the city of Narkzadan, ruled by Abrzagar of Umbar, still held out against Nlzagar.
Nark-zadan would prove far more difficult to take. If the city were attacked, Umbar would be
displeased, and might even come to the aid of the embattled Northern forces. On the other hand,
Nark-zadan was a traditional part of Mardruak, and the city would have to be re-integrated into
the Northern Bellakarian realm if Nlzagar's task was to be complete. Hoping to avoid Umbarean
intervention and its costly ramifications, Nlzagar sent a few diplomatic envoys to meet with
Abrzagar and discuss the conditions Nark-zadan surrender on 12 Vetrashu 1563.
One main condition was the surrender of Thnuzir the Usurper. As the asapthubth had no
political reason to protect the Usurper, Abrzagar exchanged Thnuzir and swore allegiance to the
North in exchange for the right to continue Mardruak's trade with Umbar and the royal
acknowledgement of himself and his descendents as rulers of Nark-zadan. When the treaty was
accepted, Abrzagar handed Thnuzir over to Nlzagar as promised on 17 Vetrashu 1563.
Thnuzir, as the price of his felony, was promptly executed in Hazaj Tollin two days later. All of his
relatives who could be linked to the usurpation followed him into the traitor's grave. Five days
after Thnuzir's execution, Mardruak was again unified. Nlzagar could now look towards the
South, just as his father had before him. The executions which marked Nlzagar's return to power
clearly showed his hatred towards any who would challenge his power, and was to presage the
Stalemate of Terror in the South.
Where am I? Archives Voices of Reason Fellow Travelers Vote for us on the RPG 100 Sponsored by Mimic Media & Data Systems