Chapter 2 The Tribal Wars
The Tribal Wars, a series of conflicts in and around the Si Wong Desert over a period of 30 years. With a known total of three coalitions of tribes as well as their various allies, the first and second wars had lasting repercussions for both the Kingdom of Omashu and Ba Sing Se. While the following wars have had less of an impact they still affected the development of sand bending culture. Now, as we had last left off the instigating action to the tribal wars was a grave insult from the Xera clan upon the Hami and Elor tribes. Interfering with an ancestral duel that was set to take place on Oasis grounds. Soon afterward both duelists left. Raron of the Hami tribe going back to his older brother for council and to tell him about the event. While Vinrom of the Elor tribe went back to muster his fellow tribesman to declare war on the Xera.
When Raron arrived back to his home camp he sought out his elder brother. After finding him he explained the details of what had happened. The insult to the Hami tribe as well as the declaration that the Oasis belonged to the Xera. However, the events as Raron described them were a little out of proportion. Still, his brother listened to them and begin to assemble their allies.
Vinrom returned much later to his tribe than anticipated. Getting stuck in a sandstorm of epic proportions. In that time he began to think in greater detail about the consequences of his actions. In his leaving so quickly Vinrom believed that the Xera was aware of his plans for war and were already assembling a massive host while he was stuck in the storm. When he finally returned he proposed to his fellow tribe members a joint alliance with the Hami until the Xera tribe was removed from the oasis. They were cautious, but their fears were assured when Vinrom promised that as soon as they got the chance they would destroy the Hami clan once and for all.
The plan was set and both armies agreed to meet to finalize the deal. However, a Xera tribesman had heard of this large gathering and went to investigate. Sneaking in under the cover of night he heard the plans to attack the oasis and split it amongst the both of them. Vinrom, of course, had no intention of keeping his end of the deal but played along with it anyway. With their plan set in motion, the marched at first light. Specifically not using their sand sailers due to wanting the element of surprise.
Little did they know of the Xera tribesman by the name of Gel had heard their plans and went back to his home in the Oasis as fast as they could. Arriving home out of breath and on exhausted he explained what he heard. The reactions of the joint council of Xera tribsman shocked him. They laughed, letting him know that if they were coming to take the Oasis then they had a mighty challenge ahead of them. Walls of hardwood were erected so as to prevent sandbenders from simply dissolving stone ones. A contingent of guards from both Ba Sing Se and Omasu had just arrived to make sure that goods were secured for trade. Finally, they had been able to use their wealth to buy better equipment and arms than the other tribes. Still, they had not seen what Gel had. Only one member of the council took his warning with an seriousness, a very old man named Kran. A former leader among his people, he had traveled the world and learned its ways. Eventually going on to train the Avatar in the ways of Earthbending. His voice had once carried much sway, but he was too old to make any important decisions but was still offered a seat due to his prestige.
He took Gel's warning seriously and brought him to their part of the Oasis. Explaining that he was going to use the resources available to him to send himself, Gel and a small group of his most trusted companions to a much smaller oasis not far from their current location. So as to establish a base in case the oasis did fall. As well as seek help from the various smaller tribes. Perhaps to assemble a large enough army so the Hami Elor alliance would be deterred from raiding the nearby areas. They soon set out and the stage was set for the first conflict of the Tribal war.
The Hami Elor alliance arrived at the Oasis weeks later after rounding up many of their offshoot tribes. They found an army waiting for them. Though they lost the element of surprise, none were deterred at their prospects. The Defending Xera army, however, were shocked. They had never expected to see so many united against them just for the oasis. The eldest brother of the Hami wanted to negotiate and use the army as leverage but was struck down by a stone to the head. Killing him instantly, what is interesting to note is who was it that shot the stone that killed him. Was it Vinrom? Wanting to get rid of his main rival and frame the Xera attacking under a banner of truce? Or was is a foreign soldier wanting to receive the glory of striking down a sandbender chief? The world does not know, but with that blow, the war began.
Instantly the Hami-Elor alliance was on the offensive. Launching massive waves of sand so as to sweep the defenders off the walls. In response, the defenders began to return fire with heavy stones, launched by teams of earthbenders. Though the sandbender portion was able to deflect the stones and come away unharmed, the same could not be said for the non-bending contingent of their army. Armed with only light armor they could do nothing, but be destroyed by the incoming stones.Still, they were not useless in the battle. using blowguns tipped with cactus juice to confuse the defense and sow chaos among the enemies ranks. The battle continued for days, with the Hami-Elor alliance not being able to take the thick wooden walls of the Oasis. No matter how much sand they sent they simply could not sweep the defenders away as intended. They tried making the stone underneath the walls turn into to sand, to no avail. Many casualties were taken on both sides, but the day ended with victory for the Xera. Though they had lost the battle the alliance was not deterred and begun to instigate a backup plan in case they did not succeed. The defenders, on the other hand, had received relatively light casualties and were jubilant at their victory. Laughter was loud that night as the defenders celebrated. That was until they looked over their walls and found their attackers gone. No one really knew why, but the answer was apparent soon enough. They had gone looking for easier targets.
This omake has been a blast to write. I will try to change it up a bit and write something other than history just for variety's sake. Still, coming up with history for this massive bit of land that we live in has been exciting. If anyone has any suggestions for what to add in the next omake I will do my best to include it. Also, edits will still be made to put this on a higher level of quality once I get more time.