Post by Admin on Aug 18, 2017 9:12:48 GMT -5
House al-Jasham is one of Rohari’s youngest recognized tribes. Taking its origins from within the al-Azariya tribe, a difference of opinion was causing much internal strife and battles. Some believed that the people of the Rohari were best served with adopting the same changes that the al-Khalid Caliphate presented, a certain modernization of their ways, remaining in one city. Some others however found this to be an insult to their ancestry and beliefs, and refused wholeheartedly to follow any Emir who would keep them “as westerners”. While the Rohari of the tribe could never truly be considered as anything but as completely Rohari, the sentiment was fuel for on-going tensions and debates.
One family among them, the al-Jasham, were the head of the rebellion among their tribe. In the early 1300s, the family took a turn for the better as they started some independent ventures for wealth and recognition. Firstly, the group was always prominent among their raiders, scouts, and primary defenders. The al-Jasham has since continued to be a face among the soldier-types of their tribe, if not leading such groups. Secondly, due in part to travels and in part to skill and creativity, the al-Jasham found a successful market in tapestry weaving, and partially also with their rugs. Looking forward, the clan hoarded their knowledge, keeping it for themselves and those close families to them, rather than sharing with the tribe as a whole.
Eventually, the tension was too much, and the al-Jasham along with several loyal families or individuals left - not without fighting - to be their own tribe. Now nomadic, they had need to travel to find adequate areas for survival. Given their prowess in fighting and defence, they were able to stave off immediate collapse upon splintering from the al-Azariya by pushing back the border and taking an oasis. Similarly, the al-Azariya were still feeling the void of their lost warriors, too much so to be able to assimilate them back into their ranks. With constant offensive action, the al-Jasham tribe were able to keep the westerners on the far side of the border at bay and gain supplies and people when needed, eventually building a reputation that helped to insulate them from many threats.
The oasis they chose, while a blessing and a most prized possession, also called to them more trouble. Whether by luck or good planning, they managed to remain afoot, sometimes with many losses, and growing with whatever hostages they might have taken. The then-Sheikh also chose to branch out politically, first by assuring the ruling Caliph of the al-Khalid tribe that they were to be peaceful, as well as establishing trade with other nomadic tribes. Through the years, the group had to take many risks to remain independent and strong, including many hostages or mergers, which has meant that the group itself has become unstable. With many different voices and cultures or perspectives taken in within a relatively short period, it has remained a challenge for the al-Jasham Sheikh to keep the tribe from imploding.
After some decades, the oasis of their calling would start to dry up. The tribe - and Rohari as a whole - consider it a grave and strictly punishable offense to deplete any water source completely, and so would have to scout for months at a time for a new viable home. This new home would often be fought for, or be a temporary compromise until they found a better place. Oases, however, were the perfect location as it brought many other Rohari to them which allowed for either more commerce or a chance to again grow their ranks and reputations. It also opened the doors for a new commerce avenue, that of producing and selling horses. Their latest movement has been to the Oasis they name Qara, nearest the border into Seravino.
Recently, the Sheikh Rizul ibn Saghir al-Jasham experienced failing health, due in part by old age. One man’s voice among the tribe had taken the opportunity to rise, claiming Rizul’s incompetence, anything that could offer him support to clearly eventually taking over the tribe. Those of Rizul’s family present at Qara of course worked hard to refute these claims, but eventually Rizul was found dead with poison being a suspect - a coward’s way. Rizul’s only and eldest son had of course immediately returned to Qara from his position as a hostage in Zahran to not only grieve but to take up his role as Sheikh and establish his rule over the tribe before any other opportunistic man might make a move. With word of dissension even within his own family, the new Sheikh Gafir has much work ahead of him.
One family among them, the al-Jasham, were the head of the rebellion among their tribe. In the early 1300s, the family took a turn for the better as they started some independent ventures for wealth and recognition. Firstly, the group was always prominent among their raiders, scouts, and primary defenders. The al-Jasham has since continued to be a face among the soldier-types of their tribe, if not leading such groups. Secondly, due in part to travels and in part to skill and creativity, the al-Jasham found a successful market in tapestry weaving, and partially also with their rugs. Looking forward, the clan hoarded their knowledge, keeping it for themselves and those close families to them, rather than sharing with the tribe as a whole.
Eventually, the tension was too much, and the al-Jasham along with several loyal families or individuals left - not without fighting - to be their own tribe. Now nomadic, they had need to travel to find adequate areas for survival. Given their prowess in fighting and defence, they were able to stave off immediate collapse upon splintering from the al-Azariya by pushing back the border and taking an oasis. Similarly, the al-Azariya were still feeling the void of their lost warriors, too much so to be able to assimilate them back into their ranks. With constant offensive action, the al-Jasham tribe were able to keep the westerners on the far side of the border at bay and gain supplies and people when needed, eventually building a reputation that helped to insulate them from many threats.
The oasis they chose, while a blessing and a most prized possession, also called to them more trouble. Whether by luck or good planning, they managed to remain afoot, sometimes with many losses, and growing with whatever hostages they might have taken. The then-Sheikh also chose to branch out politically, first by assuring the ruling Caliph of the al-Khalid tribe that they were to be peaceful, as well as establishing trade with other nomadic tribes. Through the years, the group had to take many risks to remain independent and strong, including many hostages or mergers, which has meant that the group itself has become unstable. With many different voices and cultures or perspectives taken in within a relatively short period, it has remained a challenge for the al-Jasham Sheikh to keep the tribe from imploding.
After some decades, the oasis of their calling would start to dry up. The tribe - and Rohari as a whole - consider it a grave and strictly punishable offense to deplete any water source completely, and so would have to scout for months at a time for a new viable home. This new home would often be fought for, or be a temporary compromise until they found a better place. Oases, however, were the perfect location as it brought many other Rohari to them which allowed for either more commerce or a chance to again grow their ranks and reputations. It also opened the doors for a new commerce avenue, that of producing and selling horses. Their latest movement has been to the Oasis they name Qara, nearest the border into Seravino.
Recently, the Sheikh Rizul ibn Saghir al-Jasham experienced failing health, due in part by old age. One man’s voice among the tribe had taken the opportunity to rise, claiming Rizul’s incompetence, anything that could offer him support to clearly eventually taking over the tribe. Those of Rizul’s family present at Qara of course worked hard to refute these claims, but eventually Rizul was found dead with poison being a suspect - a coward’s way. Rizul’s only and eldest son had of course immediately returned to Qara from his position as a hostage in Zahran to not only grieve but to take up his role as Sheikh and establish his rule over the tribe before any other opportunistic man might make a move. With word of dissension even within his own family, the new Sheikh Gafir has much work ahead of him.