<Snipped quote by Aristo>

Given the Firebrands reside in the Claws and Zar Endal's proximity to the mountains I imagine we've clashed in the past or at the least have crossed paths before? On that note if you're looking for ideas, I don't know if the Phantom General would seek to take advantage of this but Zar Endal is currently vulnerable with Lord Alkhazar leading a sizable portion of it's military force to support Zar Vorgul. Alternatively if you're seeking to get involved in the main action at Vorgul maybe the Firebrands accompanied Alkhazar to the city? Just some ideas. :)

And now I've had to spoil the surprise I've been building up to. :(

EDIT: @Lone Wanderer@Aristo

Can we work something out? I've been dumb for keeping my plans secret so long, and my intention to wait until after my next post to bring it up has cost me the idea. I really don't want to start over because I've but so much time and thought into this, but since I was an idiot and have kept my mouth shut these last few days, it'll be my fault if I have to. I guess it just seemed like it would make more since if I waited to ask until after the Arakkai began to leave.

<Snipped quote by Lone Wanderer>

You're right - I think conflict between the Firebrands and Zar Endal would be inevitable, given their proximity. With Alkhazar away, it'd be the best time to strike; maybe Barsabbas had been waiting for this chance for a while.
Because Zar Endal is a Drathan state, it'd most likely perceive Barsabbas as an enemy, even with him no longer truly representing the Salished. That is, unless Alkhazar can overlook Barsabbas' origin and is willing to deal with him outside of the greater Drathan eye...

Grrrrrrrrrrr! I was looking at Zar Endal. The other clans of the Arakkai are going to come together next post and then will march down from the mountains. If there's nothing to take, then I'll have to figure out a completely new way to get them into the desert. And throw away the next 3-5 posts I've planned out.

Hey @Flagg, here's the character I've been working on, as well as a bit of a lore post to describe his home country to go along with him, since I wanted him to be a bit of a foreigner. Of course, I was working under the pretense that it was okay to just make up an entire country, but if not, I certainly don't mind just making him a part of the common rabble.

Mahaad Abshir [+]

Name: Mahaad Abshir

Description: Mahaad Abshir was born and raised in the southern country of Eyhwan, where greedy tyrants rule over the poor citizens of the nation, who often resort to crime and otherwise unfavourable lifestyles in order to survive. Murder and theft are rampant, and the growing and sale of mind-altering substances is one of the biggest and most viable industries. As a result, Mahaad learned from an early age that crime does in fact pay, as long as you can get away with it. His entire life, the Eyhwanian has survived by carrying out tasks that many common folk or nobles in other more well-to-do countries would never dream of - piracy, assassination, and slave-trading, the latter of which is what brought him to the Red Desert. Specifically, the various city-states that make up the Drathan Union. It is here where he's made a living by tracking down and kidnapping Aboriginals - the Nyr'Kiin - to be transported to the Drathan mage-lords as slaves, or whatever else the pale abhumans would do with the bugpeople. Mahaad cared little, as long as he was paid well for his work.

Race: Human

Faction/Unit: Independent/Slaver

Location: The Red Desert

Synopsis of Role: As a professional criminal, Mahaad has developed quite a silver tongue and sharp wit. His prowess on the battlefield is as good as any other thief's, but it's his charismatic personality and natural charm that's gotten him out of most predicaments unscathed. His oddly optimistic attitude and relaxing aura are his strongest weapons, and have proven to be a valuable asset over the years, especially since coming to Azoth. While he is only one man, his personality alone has helped him develop some interesting relationships with powerful people throughout the Drathan Union. In such a harsh and hostile country, his skills in diplomacy and speechcraft are something of a rarity, and certainly ones that could prove to be useful in the face of war.

Eyhwan [+]

Name: Eyhwan

Type: Country

Faction/Unit: Independent. Not associated with Azoth.

Description: Eyhwan is an island country located a week's journey south of the Smouldering Coast, accessible only via ship, or any other means of traversing the oceans. It is governed by tyrannical slavelords, pirates, murderers, or whatever other evil soul manages to climb his or her way to the top at any given time. As a result, the common rabble of Eyhwan have lost faith in any ruling party, and instead fend for themselves, surviving by any means possible. Crime is rampant throughout the country, though with ever-changing sets of laws being put in place, the word crime has something of a malleable definition in Eyhwan. Regardless, the people who inhabit the country have learned to survive by any means possible, whether that be fleeing the country, or staying and fighting their way through life.

If there's anything that needs changing, or anything that just doesn't really fit, just lemme know. It's not like I'm married to anything here!

Also, after reading through the OOC, I've managed to come up with a little something that may be of interest to @Aristo, @Nieszka, and @Lone Wanderer. Assuming all is well with Mahaad's character sheet, of course.
Since Mahaad is a slaver transporting Nyr'Kiin slaves to and from the Drathan city-states, I was thinking he might already be on good terms with Alkhazar. If Barsabbas and the firebrands, as well as Cerys and the unbroken, have plans to invade Zar Endal, Mahaad may be in the right place at the right time. Both parties seem strong, but Barsabbas seems a little too intimidating to be a great diplomat, and Cerys likely isn't all that well-versed in communicating with people other than the mountain tribes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things though! But for the right price, I'm sure Mahaad could be persuaded to help them with whatever goal they have in mind, as I'm sure they're aware that a powerful force behind them is only one side of the coin when it comes to war, specifically invasions. Plus, he's got all these supposedly able-bodied Nyr'Kiin with him, albeit against their will, that Alkhazar wasn't around to claim as his own. I'm sure they could find a good use for a group of insectoids. ;)

<Snipped quote by ECDN>

Accepted. One thing- Azoth is just a name for the world- as in, Earth. The area where the action is taking place = the Avanagashan Wastes aka the Red Desert and to a more limited extent the Ashlands (heartland of the Drathan Union).

Eyhwan works perfectly, and may occasionally be 'ruled' by a Drathan lord before he or she gets themselves murdered. Many Eyhwan emigrees would live and work in the Union.

Also, after reading through the OOC, I've managed to come up with a little something that may be of interest to @Aristo, @Nieszka, and @Lone Wanderer. Assuming all is well with Mahaad's character sheet, of course.
Since Mahaad is a slaver transporting Nyr'Kiin slaves to and from the Drathan city-states, I was thinking he might already be on good terms with Alkhazar. If Barsabbas and the firebrands, as well as Cerys and the unbroken, have plans to invade Zar Endal, Mahaad may be in the right place at the right time. Both parties seem strong, but Barsabbas seems a little too intimidating to be a great diplomat, and Cerys likely isn't all that well-versed in communicating with people other than the mountain tribes. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on either of those things though! But for the right price, I'm sure Mahaad could be persuaded to help them with whatever goal they have in mind, as I'm sure they're aware that a powerful force behind them is only one side of the coin when it comes to war, specifically invasions. Plus, he's got all these supposedly able-bodied Nyr'Kiin with him, albeit against their will, that Alkhazar wasn't around to claim as his own. I'm sure they could find a good use for a group of insectoids. ;)

@Lone Wanderer@Flagg

I think I've made up my mind of what direction to take. Expect a post tomorrow, if not tonight, of Barsabbas' involvement in the big picture. Is there any more background on Zar Endal in the works?