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Kin Faction takeover in Ylaruam leading up to the Great War

by Jesper Andersen

It occured to me that since the War against the Master of the Desert Nomads is probably going to occur relatively early in the timeline, I need to facilitate a change of government in Ylaruam first. The reason why I am in such a hurry is this:

• Ericall will soon be appointing lords in Norwold. He has already been king since 992 AC, so it is time for him to act
• Before CM1: Test of the Warlords, the war against the Master of the Desert Nomads has to take place, because part of getting the aid of Thyatis is to agree to certain foul deeds once Ericall calls for champions to rule the north with him
• Before the war against the Master can take place, the Kin faction should be in power in Ylaruam to ensure that this nation sides with the Master

All of this probably means that the war will occur as early as 1003 AC. Before that I want the Kin Faction firmly in place, ruling the Emirates of Ylaruam. But I don't want a civil war or a coup d'etat - the people of Ylaruam (for the most part) should have a reason for supporting this change of government in order for the armies to fight loyally in the coming war. But what would that reason be?

In Gaz 2, it says that the Preceptor Faction rules politically and encourages culture, trade and foreign relations, while the Kin Faction vie for religious authority over the country. They are opposed to foreigners and consider Ylari culture and military strenght superior to that of foreign nations. The Kin are based in Abbashan but are probably at odds with the emir of 1000 AC, since he is determined to open up a trade route from the coast through Abbashan to Ylaruam and create more wealth and prosperity that way.

Setting the stage for a change of government

• In the years leading up to 1000 AC, the Kin Faction has heavily influenced the religious sphere of Ylaruam. Most of the clergy is influenced by their philosophy of strength and isolation. They preach that foreigners are making Ylari citizens soft with their decadent ways and introduction of luxury items and comforts, sapping the strength of the traditional proud desert nomad.
• The Kin have also managed to influence several key military leaders - particularly the ones who are dissatisfied with Karameikos pushing humanoids into Ylarai lands from the Altan Tepe Mountains.
• Relations with Darokin continue to worsen as a war of trade tariffs in the border region between Selenica and Parsa escalates (Gaz 2 page 25). The Kin argue that foreigners are exploiting the Ylarai, giving nothing in return.
• Alphatian agents work to coax the Ylari into invading the Tel Akbir peninsula in Thyatis. When this plot is exposed and made public, the Kin use it as another example of how untrustworthy foreigners are and how they see the Ylari as dumb pawns to be manipulated for their own gain.
• Kin agents provoke riots, demonstrations and other kinds of civil unrest in several cities across the land. Foreigners are beaten, their goods taken and their livestock killed or confiscated
• The Sultan of the Preceptor Faction is getting old and failing to pay enough attention to government.

What happens then?