525 Azka-Sur Grand Circuit

The **525 Azka-Sur Grand Circuit** was a grandiose expedition sent out by the Lord of Parusad Bhola, Dharendranarayan of the Ruby Garden. The goals of the Grand Circuit were the expansion of trade contacts and opening diplomatic negotiations, the other aim of the Grand Circuit was the acquisition of exotic plants and flowers to further enlarge the Ruby Garden. Dharendranarayan also used the expedition to display the wealth of the at the time thriving lordship.

The expedition would travel westward, stopping at all the major cities of Rahen that were on the route to Bulwar, eventually ending up in Davarrhal. From there the large convoy would make the dangerous crossing over the Salahad dessert, to reach the grand city of Azka-Sur. Although smaller parties sent out by the expedition would end up as far as Gelkar and Aqatbar.

## The Goal

The Grand Circuit had multiple goals, all equally important.

1. The first goal was the opening of diplomatic negotiations. Dharendranarayan of the Ruby Garden wanted to forge alliances and defensive pacts to ensure the continuation of the current prosperity and to shore up the geopolitical strength of Parusad Bhola. He hoped to wow larger lordships into opening negotiations, utilizing the wealth and prosperity displayed by the great convoy.
2. The second goal was the expansion of trade networks across Rahen, this is also why the Circuit stopped among the most important cities on its way westward. Parusad Bhola wished to expand its trade networks to enlarge their imports, which Parusad Bhola would support with an increase in the export of medicinal herbs. This was possible due to the herbs from the Ruby Garden being higher in quality than others in the market and due to a recent expansion of said herb garden.
3. The third goal of the expedition was the expansion of the Ruby Garden. Wherever the Grand Circuit went the botanists of the expedition would be sent out to search for exotic plants and herbs not yet in the Ruby Garden. It would be this goal the expedition would be most famous for, as this was the public face of the expedition and the goal that succeeded beyond expectations.

## The Composition

The expedition would be a large gathering of people, from different races, classes, castes, and nations. The expedition would be supported by a contingent of the Parusad Bholan army, who were to always guard the expedition. Botanists were of course also a part of the expedition; they collected new plants and herbs and kept them alive until they were brought to the Ruby Garden. Diplomats/nobles were also part of the expedition and were due to their status part of the leadership. Although the head of the expedition would be one of the sons of Dharendranarayan, Chaturanan. The expedition would be assisted by a large civilian following, cooks, cleaners, smiths, grooms, etc. Adventurers also formed a small part of the expedition; they were most common in the vanguard. The expedition would contain around 8000 men at the start.

Humans made up a slim majority of the expedition, with Harimari being a close second. In the expedition there would also be a small minority of Dwarves and even a few Harpies who joined the expedition during the trek through the Salahad.

## The Route

### Rahen

The Grand Circuit would first travel towards the Porcelain city of Khisrapid, after which the grand convoy would make its way down the Kharunyana river towards the rich city of Sramaya. There the expedition would remain for two grand weeks of celebration and trade, during which the leader of the expedition hashed out an important trade agreement and alliance between Parusad Bhola and the lord of Sramaya. Sadly, the alliance would quickly dissolve after the lord of Sramaya died soon after the expedition left, his heir seeing no reason to keep the alliance.

The next destination was Sardiphandin, where the only real progress regarding alliances would be made. The lord of Sardiphandin was enthusiastic about signing treaties with Parusad Bhola and for the month the expedition was in the city a celebratory mood hung in the city, with feasts being organized every other day.

After Sardiphandin the convoy would travel to Dhenijansar, where Chaturanan would meet with the Raja. Pledges and promises were made, and feasts were held in honour of the Raja and the lord of Parusad Bhola, but nothing meaningful would be negotiated due to the Raja being unable to commit to anything because of the rising military independence and regionalism.

Sarkhashabid was the next destination; the expedition was refused entry by the leaders of the city. Entry was refused because the lord of the city held grievances against the lord of Parusad Bhola when the lord of Parusad Bhola had unintentionally insulted him. As a result, no large celebrations were held in Sarkhashabid, negotiations over a treaty still happened but in the end they failed. Chaturanan did manage to send out a small botanical party to Sarhal, this small detachment would make it home safely in early 528.

When the Grand circuit arrived in Davarrhal large parts of the civilian following were sent home back to Parusad Bhola, to bring back the riches traded for so far and to avoid unnecessary deaths in the Salahad desert. In Davarrhal the expedition focused on the preparations for the crossing, this would be one of the largest recorded expeditions to cross the Salahad so far. To ensure a steady supply of water, deals with the Masnish were made to prepare outposts and oasis for the arrival of the grand convoy. The expedition would leave for Azka-sur in late 526.

### Bulwar

Crossing the Salahad would be a large undertaking, deals were made with the local Masnish tribes to protect and guide them as well during the crossing. This would not be enough, and the leaders of the expedition would be forced to make deals with the local harpies, after a few devastating raids by the local harpies. The expedition would cross the desert via the north, to send out a small party to the dwarves of Verkal Gulan. The small diplomatic mission was however refused entry into Verkal Gulan. The grand convoy would finally reach Azka-sur in early 527.

When the expedition arrived at the gates of Azka-Sur it is said the locals heard the ground shake and were perplexed as to how such a large convoy could have successfully made the crossing. In reality a vanguard was sent out to the lord of Azka-Sur so that he could make proper preparations, killing any sense of surprise. The lord of Azka-Sur would welcome the expedition with open arms, giving them a small plot of land outside the city to set up camp, where a small city made up of tents would emerge. The stay in Azka-Sur would be very pleasant for both sides, there were large scale exchanges of knowledge and goods. Furthermore, the lord of Azka-Sur organized multiple games and even debates like in the Hall of Endless Debates. Just before the expedition would depart after having stayed for six months the lord of Azka-Sur would sign a treaty of Friendship with Parusad Bhola.

The advanced guard of the expedition would however not stop in Azka-Sur. Botanists, Architects and other specialists would be sent to larger Bulwari cities along with guards to gather more knowledge. Parts of the vanguard would make it as far as Aqatbar. It is because of these vanguards that the hanging gardens would be introduced to the Ruby Garden, as well as the Pomegranate, the Orange and other fruits/herbs.

The return journey would start when the last of the advanced guard would return in the middle of 527. Due to the previous deals being made with local harpies and Masnish the convoy could safely make the return journey across the Salahad with all the bounties from Bulwar. When the expedition would arrive in Davarrhal they would buy large transport ships and sail towards Sramaya, relations between them and Parusad Bhola were still favorable regardless of the alliance not having been renewed. The expedition would return on the 1st of Nerament 529 being welcomed by a grand feast organized by lord Dharendranarayan of the Ruby Garden.

## The Result

The expedition had a mixed success. While the botanical aspect of the Grand Circuit was a smashing success, with many plants/herbs/fruits/architectural styles being introduced to the Ruby Garden. The diplomatic and economic aspects of the expedition were less successful, with only one of the treaties made surviving. This failure to forge any lasting alliances allowed Ghospar “the Iron tail” to seize the lordship in 533. The expedition would also be a huge strain on the treasury, the trade treaties made not earning enough to break even.

The expedition can also be described as a massively lucky one, despite the failings of the treaties and the large burden upon the treasury. This was because no great tragedy befell upon the expedition, despite the tumultuous times in Rahen due to the increasing military independence and regionalism.

The expedition would also be massively successful in the legacy it left behind; the grandiose expedition further enhanced the legacy of the Ruby Garden dynasty. Word of the Ruby Garden and the lordship spread throughout Bulwar and even into Cannor, with people hearing tales of the most extravagant trade convoy ever seen hailing from the most beautiful and lavish garden in the world. Some rumors even said that the Ruby Garden rivaled the garden of Surakel himself.

## Plant Acquisition

The grand circuit brought about a substantial increase in the number of plants/flowers and herbs in the Ruby Garden.

* Multiple medicinal herbs were brought back to the Ruby Garden: Black seeds, Chamomile flowers, sage plants, thyme, and Myrrh were brought back from Bulwar. A few Cannorian herbs were bought on the market of Aqatbar as well, such as Crosswort and Comfrey.
* Multiple fruits were introduced as well: oranges, pomegranates, figs, olives, dates and unknown species of apples, pears, and many others.
* Furthermore, a small number of trees and flowers were brought along as well, most notably the Acacia and the Ghaf trees. The blood lily, red acacia, tulips, and the desert rose were the most notable flowers brought back to the Ruby Garden.

All these plants brought back from the expedition would help the Ruby Garden grow even larger in size and collection.