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THE SEVENTH FIRETRUCE (coming in 3941)

Prophecy of Destruction
The upcoming Firetruce comes at a critical juncture in the history of the wilderzone. The falling out between Great Eagle Alexandre Konovalev and his Starwolf bride Freya Cloudchaser has deteriorated to all-out war. As the Blood Eagle and Starwolf tear at each other's throats, almost every smaller tribe has taken sides or tried to exploit the unrest. Even the Children of the Phoenix stand at the brink of civil war, as radical elements calling themselves the Harbingers of Phoenix argue for a Crusade to force unity on the rest of the tribes. Phoenix Prime Renn Gistos yl-Harabec faces growing opposition to the path of peace. The Diamond Sword gather their forces into a defensive position, pulling back from their more vulnerable worlds. Dark Griever bands pick off fringe settlements, and refugees flood into the wilderzone from Imperial space, fleeing a reinvigorated Scourge. Fearful rumors circulate about the return of Gir Draxon and a massing of BioDerm Hordes for a new offensive against the beleaguered Imperials. Some alarmed voices among the tribes cry that the Scourge may even invade the wilderzone itself.

In addition to the threats of war from within and without the wilderzone, the Children now face an unexpected political challenge. In an effort to force some sanity into the increasingly bloody conflict, the Phoenix Prime declared the Seventh Firetruce would occur on Hepta Ourubis II, the world devastated in the last war between the Blood Eagle and the Starwolf. The other Great Tribes protested this choice, but Gistos remained firm, relying on the prestige of the last Firetruce and his own tribe's stature to support the decision. However, political problems have undermined his authority. The Diamond Sword Court of Blades, in an uncharacteristically radical move, has offered an alternative setting for the Firetruce on the Sworder world of Bella Omega, formerly known as Sahranon Xi IV. The Blood Eagle accepted immediately. Konovalev is known for his desire to topple Phoenix pre-eminence, and he may wish to demonstrate strength in the face of the rising popularity of Fury within his own ranks. The Starwolf, on the other hand, seem reluctant to relinquish the opportunity to remind the other tribes of Blood Eagle ecocidal crimes. One radical chieftain, Ursula DiVaragas, has even suggested the Diamond Sword are secretly in league with the Blood Eagle. Though respected as a leader, DiVaragas is known for an even greater hatred of the Blood Eagle than most members of her tribe, and so her opinion is discounted by cooler heads. The greater number of Starwolf chieftains seem willing to follow the Sworders' lead in hopes of securing support for the war with the Blood Eagle.

The Children's position is less clear. Renn Gistos has declared he is willing to change the location, an acquiescence that shocks those individuals accustomed to the sometimes haughty leadership of the First Tribe. One observer writes:

My personal belief is that Renn Gistos wishes to impress upon the Harbingers that he is not alone in his desire for tribal unity (although the Sworders' motives for this turn of events remain clouded at best). Perhaps the Phoenix Prime has finally realized the extent of the cancer which infects his tribe and is fishing for outside support. In fact, it was Renn who suggested that the body of the founder of the short-lived Diamond Sword Republic be interred under the primary meeting hall of the Firetruce. This rather obvious political move is perhaps meant to indicate some understanding between the two great intellectual tribes, though the fact that the Starwolf and Blood Eagle supported the idea makes it a symbol of changing political winds in the wilderzone.

from "Fall from Grace: Commentaries," by Nabterayl,
Priestess of the Ko l'Yah

The leader of the Harbingers, General Anton Malderi, warns that this "concession" constitutes an unacceptable loss of face for the tribe. The Harbingers have also condemned the writings of scholars such as Nabterayl, with some of the louder voices even threatening retaliation. The rumormongers of the wilderzone claim the Children of Phoenix have begun to disintegrate, though tribal stringers and merchants scoff at this idea. Other sources contend the Diamond Sword seeks to usurp the position of the Children and therefore issued its challenge at a time of great tension and confusion among the Tribes of Man. Regardless of the truth, the Phoenix Prime faces a serious dilemma within his own ranks as well as without.

In this ominous atmosphere, a new, highly disturbing rumor has emerged. Some say it originated in the fraytown slums of Bira Marduk, others ascribe it to Diamond Sword philosophers, the Ur-Shaman of the Starwolf, or even the Immortals themselves. Strange wanderers calling themselves "Fenicians" are circulating this rumor and other warnings through the wilderzone, but most tribals dismiss these individuals as frays and charlatans. Nevertheless, the rumor has taken on disquieting weight for many tribals, and it spreads swiftly. The "Fenecian prophecy" has many variations, but the most common version is:

The Tribes of Man shall be scattered like smoke, and the Four shall succumb to madness. The sword shall be drawn too late, the eagle shall bathe in its own blood, the wolf shall fall into its shadow, and the phoenix shall with two heads devour its children. A thousand worlds shall be rent with fire, and even the Immortals shall tremble, for there will be no haven but the night, no safety without fury, no peace until the ashes grow cold.

The Seventh Firetruce comes at an unusual juncture. What will emerge from it is anyone's guess, but the tribes may never again be the same.