Archive for the ‘Southern Trade Alliance (STA)’ Category
Expedition to the Pani Islands 2
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Word spreads along the docks of Selnar like sparks on dry parchment – the Southern Trade Alliance vessel, Lysander, has slipped into port under a bright Imperial sun and now rests at anchor in the harbor.
No official announcement preceded it.
No courier rode ahead.
No herald arrived to prepare the city.
The Lysander simply appeared at dawn’s first light – its sails furled in disciplined lines, its sail marked with the familiar sigil of the Southern Trade Alliance.
Merchants gradually arrived and unloaded crates and barrels destined for the Lysander at the docks.
The Lysander is so huge that it doesn’t fit into the harbor of the Ubarate of Cos and therefore had to anchor in the outer harbor where the water is deep enough. On the second day, several merchants arrived by boat to inspect the ship.
On the evening of the second day, another ship arrived, the Mjollnir, belonging to the White Tarn Mines Company. The passengers and slaves soon rowed to the Lysander, as they too wanted to travel to the Pani Islands.
The mooring fee for the ship and the fee for stacking the crates and barrels at the docks was quite high. One had to pay two silver Tarsks – as much as a warrior’s monthly wage.
Meanwhile, the ship filled with passengers who spread out over the two decks below the main deck, in the cabins and in the hammocks. A member of the black caste appeared and spread fear, but fortunately it turned out that the man had been hired to protect the HoY Company, i.e., he was under contract.
In the evening, members of the white caste, including the Initiate from Isfahan and an Initiate from Selnar, bestowed blessings for the journey and wished the expedition good luck and success.
Shortly before dusk, the passengers gathered on deck and discussed what to do, as the captain had not yet arrived. Some knew how to sail a ship, but they were unsure of the exact direction.
It was decided to hoist the sails, weigh anchor, and slowly sail towards the Pani Islands, hoping that the missing captain would be able to find a fast sailing vessel in the port of Selnar to join the expedition.
As the last rays of the sun faded, the sails unfurled, displaying the proud symbol of the Southern Trade Alliance. They sailed out past the bustling port of Selnar, hoping the weather would be favorable for the expedition.
Soon night fell and the stars shone above the Lysander. A sailor’s voice could be heard singing a song and others joined in during the chorus.
Upon the Thassa, dark and wide,
where roaring winds take hold,
we cast our fate to wave and tide,
to waters deep and cold.
The timbers groan, the sail-cloth strains,
yet still we onward steer;
for every man of Gor remains
too proud to bow to fear.
Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
your song is fierce and free.
We brave your wrath, we dare your might,
great ancient, endless sea!
A shadow circles round our keel,
a hunter of the deep.
The deck is slick with salt and steel,
and no man dares to sleep.
The storm above begins to roar,
it tears the sky apart;
but Gorean men endure far more –
with fire in every heart.
Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
your song is fierce and free.
We brave your wrath, we dare your might,
great ancient, endless sea!
Through shattered clouds a pale star gleams,
a guide for those who roam.
It leads us past the Thassa’s schemes
and whispers, “Sail for home.”
Yet should her call return once more,
we’ll answer without shame;
for men who voyage out from Gor
are bound to sea and flame.
Oh Thassa blue, oh Thassa gray,
we heed your timeless plea.
When next you call, we sail again –
proud sons of Gor on sea!
What a pity! The Tahari is not safe again…
Sunday, November 30th, 2025
A large group of armed men gathered yesterday in the main square of the Oasis of Lame Kaiila. They had responded to a call to track down and capture a band of outlaws who, according to caravan leaders from the Oasis of Klima, were hiding near the Exchange Point. Or perhaps near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara; no one knew for sure.
Those who knew the area waited warily, fearing the dangers, especially the ever-present quicksand and the difficulty of attacking the exchange point should someone happen to be entrenched there.
The expedition was ill-fated from the very beginning. Everyone had hoped that Salt Ubar would send its elite troops, the Guards of the Dunes. But that didn’t happen. They waited in vain. Consequently, there was a lack of organization and experienced military leadership. The men began to grumble in frustration. One heard disrespectful remarks like, “He’s a man who values comfort more than fighting,” or “He just sits in his palace and does nothing.”
At least the ruins of the Oasis of Mandala were reached without incident, and nobody got lost.
But when we reached the enormous rocks that protect the Oasis of Klima from the sandstorms, and passed the well-known rocky outcrop, what many had feared came to pass: the outlaws had prepared and ambushed the expedition.
There was great confusion, and no one knew who was friend or foe because, of course, everyone involved was masked for protection from the sand, and no one was giving proper orders. Unfortunately, all of us were hacked down, shot, and without exception, bound.
Fortunately, it turned out that the band of outlaws had arrived at the Exchange Point purely by chance and had no idea how to get back to an oasis or where the paths were. We pointed out to them that without the help of the locals, they would have perished miserably from thirst.
Someone offered to bring the outlaws back if they simply released the majority of the prisoners. There was supposedly a tunnel system near the ruins to bypass the quicksand. This was, of course, a trick and a lie, but the outlaws fell for it.
In the labyrinth, which had already been explored several times, they managed to lead the outlaws astray. And the few who reached the surface again wandered among the dunes. All the prisoners were freed. No one knows where the outlaws are now. But one cannot be sure that they are still near the ruins, because that is the only place with water.
The men blamed Salt Ubar for his shameful neglect of the dangers posed by outlaws and the safety of the caravans.
Make the Tahari safe again!
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
A caravan of Kaiila is being prepared in the Oasis to move to the Exchange Point of the Oasis of Klima.
Urgent: A very large group of outlaws, including women, has been seen near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara. They appear to be heading towards the Oasis of Klima’s Exchange Point. Perhaps they are simply lost and don’t know where they are. However, they have attacked a caravan.
The caravan leaders refuse to march to Klima as long as the area remains unsafe.
The Southern Trade Alliance (STA) is currently assembling the largest possible number of armed men. We need help!
All male members of the STA who are able to carry weapons are needed!
Next march to the Oasis of Klima: November 29 (Saturday) noon SLT / 8pm GMT, 21:00 GMT+1-german time)
Start main place Oasis of Lame Kaiila
Expedition to the Pani Islands 1
Monday, November 24th, 2025
The Southern Trade Alliance (STA) is currently building a huge ship capable of crossing the Thassa Ocean and reaching the Pani Islands.
It is said that there are very interesting, valuable, and rare items to be acquired there. STA merchants believe that the Pani could use salt and other goods from South Gor. This presents good prospects for trade.
The ship “Lysander” is currently in a secret shipyard near Selnar on Cos and is being outfitted with the necessary equipment. One shipyard worker managed to paint a picture of it. They are hoping for good weather for its imminent departure.
[For more information about the roleplay plot ask Rarius Yuroki.]
Bring Food to Klima!
Monday, August 18th, 2025
The people of the Oasis of Klima were starving and desperately needed food! In the exchange point of Klima, a parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) had infested almost all food and made it inedible.
The last caravan only made it as far as the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara. There, a violent sandstorm caught them by surprise. The caravan leaders tried to bring the food into the labyrinth, but the men disappeared, presumably perishing in the quicksand.
The Southern Trade Alliance and Oasis of Lame Kaiila equipped an expedition as quickly as possible. They set off a few days ago….
As every desert dweller knows, east of the Oasis of Lame Kaiila begins a dangerous area with plenty of quicksand, in which one sometimes has to wade up to one’s knees for hours. Only a few caravan leaders know the uncertain paths.
After a strenuous march in the blazing sun, almost always moving in single file, the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara finally came into view. There’s a little water there, but little protection from the sandstorms. As expected, some of the surviving Kaiila were recaptured.
Afterward, most members of the expedition climbed into the two known entrances to the ancient labyrinth to search for the food crates. Others remained on the surface with the Kaiila. The area as a whole is very unsafe, and even Kurii had been seen there.
Remains of the lost caravan were soon discovered. They even found an open crate of dried fish and several barrels of Ka-la-na.
After the entire labrintt had been thoroughly searched, the crates were loaded and they marched on to the Exchange Point of Klima, which was completely deserted and empty.
As the guards of the dunes and a few others know, the path behind the Exchange Point climbs steeply, through high dune ridges, to a plateau. The Oasis of Klima itself lies in a wide valley, which is not so easy to find, because one has to descend into the salt mines.
The entrance to the salt mines is extremely difficult to find and is also blocked by a heavy gate to protect the interior from the constant sandstorms.
After all members of the caravan had arrived safely in the salt mines and no one had been injured by the salt sharks (in some places you have to wade through relatively deep water), you could finally march to the exit of the mines and to the Oasis of Klima itself.
One can imagine how happy the inhabitants of the oasis were when the rescuers unloaded and stacked numerous crates of all kinds of food in the well-known tavern T’zshal’s Inn!
Massacre near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara
Friday, December 6th, 2024
Urgent message to all leaders of the STA, sealed and encrypted:
Two caravans are missing! A caravan leader who was on his way from the Oasis of Lame Kaiila to the Klima Exchange Point has returned: he saw skeletons in several Kaiila, salt blocks lying around and equipment. From now on, no more caravans are allowed to go to Klima.
The Southern Trade Alliance is currently equipping an expedition. All men who can carry weapons are requested to join. We will meet at the main plaza of the Oasis of Lame Kaiila.
Find those responsible for this cowardly attack and arrest them! We must find out whether they have allies!
The armed units of the STA also searched the area around the Kasbah, but nothing was found at first. They approached every rock formation with extreme caution.
Unfortunately, the remains of the caravan and some luggage were found near the ruins of the Oasis of Mandara. Numerous skeletons of the kaiila were bleaching in the desert sand. Shortly afterwards, the bandits who were responsible for this massacre and who were hiding attacked…
After a long and fierce battle, the villains were overpowered. The prisoners were taken to the salt mines of Klima…. Our fighters marched to the Oasis of Klima, where they refreshed and strengthened themselves.
Negotiations in Pa-Kur (Vosk Delta)
Sunday, October 20th, 2024
The Hoy ship “Phaedra” anchors in the port of Pa-Kur. There were exhausting and lengthy negotiations with the merchants about Pa-Kur’s potential accession to the Southern Trade Alliance.
Finally we got a letter:
Honored Yuroki,
In the spirit of kinship and shared prosperity, we, the Council of Merchants, humbly extend our greetings to you, esteemed leader of the Southern Trade Alliance. The winds of fortune have guided our deliberations, and we are pleased to announce that the Council has convened in earnest, our hearts aligned in purpose.
After thorough discourse and the weighing of the scales of trade, we have reached a momentous decision. With the blessing of our esteemed Ambassador, whose wisdom shines like the morning sun, we formally apply for admission into the Southern Trade Alliance.
We understand the weight of this request and recognize the bonds that unite your Alliance—a fellowship forged in the fires of commerce, trust, and mutual respect. Our intent is to contribute our resources, skills, and unwavering commitment to the prosperity of the Alliance and its members.
May our joint endeavors strengthen the markets, enrich our peoples, and foster a spirit of cooperation that echoes through the sands of time. We look forward to your favorable response, and to the flourishing of our alliance, hand in hand.
In brotherhood and trade,
Al’Hakim Anbay
First Merchant of Pakur
General Assembly of the Southern Trade Alliance
Monday, September 30th, 2024
This time the general assembly of the Southern Trade Alliance took place in Nyoka. Almost all of the Tahari oases had sent delegations. Isfahan was also present.
The administrator of Rarir applied for membership. Rarir was accepted unanimously
This man (right) is an important figure in the Tahari, he is almost always surrounded by bodyguards.
The Pasha of the Oasis of Red Rock had come with his Free Companion.
The detailed discussions are confidential. They talked about salt prices, sales strategy and a new port on the coast of Thassa where trade with the north can be organized.
Port Andros
Monday, August 12th, 2024
The Hoy Trading Company arrived at Port Andros near Genesian Port and offered products from southern Gor. Port Andros joined the Southern Trade Alliance (STA) recently.
Port Andros
Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
Port Andros near Genesian Port had applied for membership in the Southern Trade Alliance (STA). The STA sent a delegation to Port Andros, which arrived safely on the Phaedra, a ship belonging to the House of Yuroki Trading Company. The Phaedra anchored there for several days. The members of the delegation inspected the port. They then met and discussed the results. The decision was made to support the admission of Port Andros. The port administrator even provided the STA with an office.
