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The Firetruce

Editor's Note: This history of the Firetruces is told by Nivek ilac Azanti, Savant Astrakhan of Bira Marduk. What follows is an excerpt from his work, "Blood, Fire and Sword, The life, death, and rebirth of the Children of Phoenix." Published in 3940 it drew much criticism from the Phoenix and the Diamond Sword as well, but is widely regarded in the Empire and among many Wilderzone scholars as the most comprehensive text on the history, culture and politics of the First Tribe ever written. Therein he chronicled the major events of the first six Firetruces, the origins of the event and the significance of the impending Seventh 'Truce. Sadly Azanti never lived to see the opening ceremonies in 3941. He died on Sahranon Xi IV four months prior to the Firetruce's commencement. It is said that before his passing Phoenix Prime Gistos visited Nivek and congratulated him on his work. Folklore however, as well as many urban legends, maintain that he knew, and published, too many of the Children's secrets and was therefore assassinated. Medical records show that Azanti died in his sleep of heart failure. His death was ruled as being by natural causes.

INTRODUCTION
Ah, now we approach a topic dear to my own heart, for it holds the hope--perhaps even the promise--of peace for the Tribes of Man. These old eyes will probably never see such a miraculous development, but I can pray that fortune will favor my granddaughter with an end to this war and tumult that threatens to overwhelm us all.

I shall examine now the famous custom of the Firetruce, begun centuries past by the Children of Phoenix. The reader will forgive, I hope, the gaps in my knowledge. Despite the rigors of my scholarship, some details are forever lost to time, or lie locked in the secret histories of the Four.

Nivek ilac Azanti, Savant
Astrakhan, BIRA MARDUK
17 Lost Sword 3940

What is the Firetruce?
Held twice per century, the Firetruce represents a singular tradition among the Tribes of Man, one modeled after the Olympic Games held on Old Earth millennia ago. The Firetruce began as an effort to promote tribal unification, a return to the days when all tribesfolk were of one tribe. Though that purpose ostensibly remains, the Firetruce has become a forum for competition among the Tribes of Man. Tribal delegates now view the Firetruce as a showcase for political grievances, an opportunity for intrigue, and a stage for humiliating rivals.

In The Beginning
At the outset of the 35th century, the explorers and settlers who roamed the fringes of the Empire called themselves "The Children of Phoenix." Though they sprang from diverse backgrounds, they had evolved a set of customs and a sense of kinship that they described as tribal.

In 3450, the Empire sent the Order of the Blood Eagle to subdue these frontier "tribes." The subsequent war shattered the unity of the Children as splinter groups fled the Blood Eagle or denounced the Children of Phoenix leadership for failing to protect them. By the end of the century, the Children had broken into many different tribes, but the Blood Eagle had become a "tribe" as well, and war continued unabated through the wilderzone.

By 3600, over 100 different tribes existed, the two largest being the Children of the Phoenix and the Blood Eagle, which made up over fifty percent of the total tribal population. The Starwolf were just beginning to emerge at this time, and the Diamond Sword had yet to form. At this time, tribal warfare began to subside. Chief among the new tribes was the Gorgon Killers, a group of ex-Children who had adopted the brutality of the Blood Eagle. Through the dominance of the Children of Phoenix, the Blood Eagle, and the Gorgon Killers, warfare had declined to small-scale raids and skirmishes. The Phoenix Prime dared to express hope that peace would come to the Tribes of Man.

In 3610, the Starwolf and the Blood Eagle fought over the planet Ganges III. At some point during the battle, ecocidal weaponry was used, leaving the planet a lifeless husk. Each side blamed the other, and so began the centuries-long hatred between these two tribes. The relative peace that had begun to blossom appeared ready to die like a candle in a windstorm.