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Despite
their fundamentally nomadic way of life, most of the nomadic empires founded
at least a capital city to strengthen the central imperial authority and sustain the necessary administration, as well as small forts to maintain a presence
at the edges of the Empire or on strategic routes -and probably also to keep an eye on the turbulent local tribes. So the Uighurs, who assimilated many settled
cultural traits from their neighbours, without becoming sinicized like
their successors. It is said
that they built up to 7 towns during their 100-year empire. But what archeologists
excavated in central Siberia in the Tuva country (Russian Federation) in 2007
presents a few oddities and a number of mysteries, which could be exploited for
a role playing game.
Extract from the Por-Bajin official site:
“Por-Bajin
is an ancient fortress the ruins of which are preserved on an island in the
middle of Tere-Khol Lake in a distant, almost not affected by civilization
corner of the Republic of [Tuva], not far from the Mongolian border.
Por-Bajin
is legally treated as one of the most mysterious archaeological monuments of
Russia. Apparently, it was built at the period of the Uighur Khaganate
(744-840). But it is not clear what did they build a fortress for in such a
solitary place – far from big settlements and trade routes.
It
is also unclear whether Por-Bajin was a defensive structure, a Buddhist or
Manichaean temple or a summer residence of Khagan. There is even a version that
there was an ancient observatory in it. The architecture of the fortress also
produces many questions; it reminds a model of an ideal Chinese city-palace.
Finally,
it has been unknown for long whether the structure was built on the island or
the lake was formed later, around the already built fortress.”
At the time Por-Bajin had been
built, in the last 3rd of the 8th Century, it was located close to the Kyrgyz
territory. Several small forts have been built in this region along the border,
but Por-Bajin is the only one of this kind. Why and what for they built it in
the middle of nowhere is still unknown. The typical Chinese building
techniques involved in the construction suggest the employment of Chinese
workers and engineers.
The palace has been very little in
use. It has no heating systems, which suggests a seasonal occupation in the
summer only. As the Empire eventually collapsed and the Uighur were driven away by the local tribes in the 9th
century, the place was abandoned.
The area had to suffer from two
earthquakes, during the construction and shortly after the abandonment. GMs may
imagine any supernatural or mystic explanation to this.
The Por-Bajin "palace" could be a good
place for WotS games, possibly combined with The Celestial Empire:
- -
PCs convoy Chinese
workers sent there to build the palace and to guard the construction site. Or if
you usually play with TCE, the PCs are the Chinese themselves, lost in this
unknown hostile World.
- -
The place is the sacred
ground of a local Tuvan clan, of a Peri or of Almas living in the nearby mounts (or all together):
they try to prevent its desecration.
Shamans summon ancestor spirits, evil üör or local nature spirits to discourage the
foreigners to stay, while warriors sneak to abduct or kill workers and Uighur guards and officials. Could be played as Tuvan or Uighur, or even as Kyrgyz helping the Tuvans. Of
course, Tuvan PCs have to remain anonymous, since the Uighur are supposed to be
their masters. They may even be hired as guards of the site and engage in
double dealing.
- -
Earthquakes: An Alp
dedicates himself to the local mountain Ezi spirit and starts a quest to
acquire powers (e.g. rock slide) to destroy the palace before it is built. The
goal of the quest may even be to have the mountain spirit, or Ätügen herself,
shaking the earth. Tuvan PCs will help in the quest. Uighur or Chinese PCs will
try to prevent it
- -
The PCs may go there to
prepare the coming of some manichaeist sages for the summer: what will they
find in the palace, empty during winter time? Wild beasts, plundering Nomads, a
griffin family?
- - PCs escort a manichaeist priest
through the clans to convert the local Nomads to Manichaeism, which is a way to
strengthen their fidelity to the Qaghan
- -
Many dangers lurk
outside the walls: hostile clans, marauding Kyrgyz, wild animals, strange
spirits, may be even demons or fantastic creatures (Pitsen, Shurale, Almas,
Gwainu, Peri…). Nobody can go outside or escape without risking for one’s health or life,
which may drive someone crazy. Who will dare looking for help, hunting for
supply for men or take the horses to the nearby grazing?
- -
PCs escort supply
wagons to the palace: when they come
closer to the palace, they notice the dozens of flying vultures and crows above
it… Üör decimated the place, PCs have to seek the help of a powerful shaman.
- -
Around the end of the
Uighur Empire, warriors are sent to rescue the last sages and the small
garrison holding the place and surrounded by Kyrgyz enemy tribes. They have first
to reach the place and then to organize the escape. They may try to seek help
among some rare allied Tuvan clans, most of them being probably on the Kyrgyz’
side.
Since the first mentions of this
archeological site from westerners date from 1891, it could be used as a nice
set for Chtuluh adventures.
Other nice photos (incl. the one
illustrating this post) can be found on The Siberian Times web site or on this page of the Por-Bajin.com site.
