~ Opening of the Thengoz ~
( 258BC )


The thengoz had been delayed for several days now, and the representatives, whether they were priest, warriors or just tradesmen started to grow weary. Sure, the longhouses which in they were housed were not too bad, and both women and spirits were pleantiful, but something was ailing the members of the thengoz.

Rumors had it that Ansuhárjáz had rejected the summoning, and that Hárjáwulfáz had come in his place. Surely, the king's own son would have some authority over the generals, but then again, Ansuhárjáz was both older and far stronger in mind and body. And where was the king himself? Hêruwulfáz had been gone for several days, speaking with men from the west who did not speak the language of the Swêbóz tribes. When the thengoz was finally gathered, the relief was great but did not last long. The cold day had all the members of the thengoz gather in the largest longhouse and it was in the light of a great fire that Hêruwulfáz stepped forward and adressed the thengoz:

" - I declare this thengoz, third in line since my succession as Druhtênoz Theudónóm Aláizôm, open and I welcome you all to these lands. We are near the borders of Galla, and it is from here where I thought the main assault on the celtae lands would start. I have however an announcement to make, that the invasion of Galla would have to wait. Four days ago, I received both good and ill news. In the west, Ansuhárjáz have subdued all of the belgae and they now march in our armies..."

*Hêruwulfáz was interrupted by high cheers and shouts*

"- However, Hêruwulfáz continued, as the town know to the Belgae as Bagacos fell, my son Hárjáwulfáz lead a group of spies into the west and south to scout the lands of the Aedui and Sequani, allies of the Arverni. Hárjáwulfáz is with us today, and will adress the thengoz for the first time with the reports of his travels in the celtae lands."

*Hêruwulfáz steps down as his son, Hárjáwulfáz, prepares his first statement in the thengoz*

"- I am Hárjáwulfáz, some of you know me, others might not. I come from the west, to represent the general Ansuhárjáz and to give my report on my travels in Galla. My father has postponed the invasion of Galla, as an invasion would prove disastrous to our confederation. As me and my companions traveled the western lands, we quickly became aware that the civil war between the Aedui and Arverni has slowed down to a armed truce with the armies standing ready all the time. I witnessed one of the army camps of the Aedui and I counted easy over 25.000 men, and my companions reported of two more camps with just as many soldiers in them. As we traveled back east to deliver the news, we had to pass through the lands of the Sequani, allies of the Arverni, and got just past their entire army, counting way over 20.000 men. The short version, the west is closed."

*Hárjáwulfáz stepped down, as the thengoz got more and more confused. Hêruwulfáz took the stand once more*

"- It would takes us years before we can muster the armies to match the Sequani, and I would be grey and old before we could even think of attacking the Aedui. The west is closed, for now, but we cannot sit idle. The Rûgoz has long desired to take control of the amber trade route in the east, the háttôz has provided me with information that the city of Vindelicoppidos does not count to the Arverni alliance anymore, and words have reached me about our kin the Bástárnôz in the south-east is under great pressure from a mounted tribe known as scythians. The word is free for anyone who wishes to speak..."