Tales of Amma the Wanderer

Watt of Lambrook, Minister of Historical Research

Introduction

In Summer 287YE, Minister of Historical Research Watt Lambrook dispatched Ser Eddard d'Argenteux to the Sumaah Republic. There the researcher was able to collaborate with Sumaash historians in compiling several stories of "Amma the Wanderer". Amma is of special interest to some virtuous historians; it is widely believed that Amma is none other than Adelmar the Lion, who may have travelled to Sumaah following his departure from the Empire around 80YE.

Ser Eddard visited the port-city of Zemeh as a guest of the High House of Ambition, and spent several months talking with Sumaah historians and virtuous scholars. He recounts that his welcome was quite warm, and that the Sumaah were quite open to the idea that the Imperial exemplar and the Sumaah hero might be the same person. They were eager to share several of the best-known tales of the Wanderer's exploits in the area that become the Republic.

The Tales of Amma

There are several stories about the escapades of Amma the Wanderer in Sumaah. The High House of Ambition has many stories from across the republic; far too many in too short a time to be true, but the Sumaash tales of paragons often appear to be less than reliable. We have stories of how they simply co-opted tales of their idols into tales of the true paragons and exemplars. I believe that some of the following are in that group. However, the first one of these tales, at least, has been deemed credible by use of divination and investigation.

Could Adelmar the Lion and the Sumaah figure Amma the Wanderer be the same person? Some historians say yes, while others are less convinced.

Amma the Wanderer and the Corrupt Satrap

Amma the Wanderer and the corrupt satrap is a tale from a children's primer. It is relatively simple, but it represents the most fundamental understanding of Amma the Wanderer's place in the Sumaah approach to the Way. This is, perhaps ironically, the tale most likely to be based on true events, but the clear efforts to make this a tale into one more suitable for younger minds means that it is difficult to be entirely certain of the providence.

In the town of Valzhaven, there was an evil satrap. He used his power to rule over the townsfolk. He made everyone give him most of their food, which he sold or feasted on. Then, one day, an old wanderer arrived in the town (which was secretly Amma the Wanderer in a cunning disguise). The old wanderer did what he could to help the locals. Some days he would carry lumber, other days he would till the fields or tend the flowers, and others he would fight the monstrous drakes that prowled the jungle surrounding the town.

As time went on, and the prosperity of the town increased, but the evil satrap got more and more greedy. He began to demand more and more of their food as tribute, throwing feasts for his evil satrap friends. Amma the Wanderer saw this happen, and decided to do something about it. Amma the Wanderer (still in disguise) approached the satrap and challenged him to a duel, saying he wasn't going to give his food up any more, knowing that the satrap wouldn't be able to help himself. The priest, being evil, decided to make an example of this old wanderer and accepted. At this, Amma the Wanderer threw off his disguise, drew his sword, and slew the satrap. The town grew and grew to one day become Zemeh.

If we accept that Adelmar the Lion and Amma the Wanderer are one and the same, then the town is very unlikely to be Zemeh. Imperial understanding of Zemeh's history goes back beyond before the birth of Adelmar.

Amma the Wanderer and the Bladed Companions

Amma the Wanderer and the bladed companions is a tale of Amma the Wanderer finding several companions as an act of defiance against an Asavean warlord. The parable is often used in academies to encourage students to consider the worth an individual might bring to a banner.

The wild jungle was the home of a powerful warlord. This warlord was the most powerful at the time; influential and dangerous. She is said to have recruited dozens of dangerous brigands by offering them treasure. She is said to have convinced hundreds of bandits to follow her by offering them riches. She is said to have raised armies of thousands by promising them their every wish.

This warlord was obsessed with being known forever. She worried so much about being forgotten that she engraved her name on the gates of every village and town that paid her tribute. For if they did not, then the gates were left open and the monstrous drakes would be allowed to enter and eat the inhabitants.

Amma the Wanderer went to each of these villages and towns, and asked the same thing. "Who amongst you might stand with me against this warlord?" In most, he was ignored. In some, he was derided. In just a few, he was listened to and heard. And so, Amma the Wanderer found mighty companions who would accompany him into the wild jungle of Valzhaven.

Deep in the jungle, Amma and his companions approached the home of the powerful warlord. Amma called out the name of the warlord and issued a challenge. "Come and fight me. Bring all of your brigands. Bring all of your bandits. Bring your armies of thousands and fight me. I shall beat each of them!" Then Amma and his companions withdrew into the jungle.

The warlord sent out her brigands first. The dozens of brigands pushed into the jungle in search of the Wanderer and his companions, but they couldn't be found. Instead, the hungry drakes feasted on the brigands. Then, the warlord sent out her bandits to search for the companions of Amma. But again, they couldn't be found, and the drakes feasted again, this time on the bandits.

Then, the warlord in a rage, sent out her armies of thousands. The drakes feasted well, growing fat and slow. The armies of thousands were afraid of the drakes, and fled from them. Amma and his companions fell upon the armies, slaughtering them as they fled. Then, they led the fat drakes to the villages and towns and they were butchered for their meat and hide. The only thing that Amma asked of the townsfolk and the villagers was that they scratch off the name of the warlord from their gates.

Finally, Amma the Wanderer walked with his companions to the deep jungle, to the home of the warlord. There, Amma told the warlord – who was alone – that nobody would remember her name. That she would die along, forgotten, and frightened. He turned away to leave, having issued his judgement, when the warlord attacked. Or at least she tried to. Amma the Wanderer parried her attack and put her down with a single blow. He waited with the warlord as she died, listening to her pleas but resolute. This warlord had caused much pain and misery.

If we accept that Adelmar the Lion and Amma the Wanderer are one and the same, then this would match many of the stories of Adelmar demonstrating his martial prowess and inspiring others to the same. Nothing in this story is contested, everything appears to be true. Of course, it does date around three hundred years ago, so we have to assume that the "flavouring" of this tale are inconsequential and have been changed over time to match the needs of the Sumaah.

Amma the Wanderer and the Natphally

Amma the Wanderer and the Natphally is the last tale of Amma the Wanderer in Sumaah. The story goes that there was a vicious beast that had established its hunting ground around a remote town. Amma the Wanderer arrived at the town and spent an entire day - from dawn to dusk - hearing tales of the beast. The townsfolk told him of how the vicious beast, which they had named Natphally, would slink through the town at night and seek out an open door for it to enter and feast on those within. If no door was open, then it would claw and gnaw at one of the closed doors, and feast on those within instead.

Amma the Wanderer, now late in his life, decided that he would solve this problem. He told a family to rest with their relatives and went into their house alone. He left the door open and waited in their house with the door open. Natphally came slinking through the town and found the open door. The vicious beast saw the open door and struck. For a whole night Amma the Wanderer and Natphally fought, until dawn came once again and the vicious beast slunk away. Amma the Wanderer realised that he would not be able to do this forever, and so followed Natphally.

Amma the Wanderer was never seen again, but neither was Natphally. The town has a shrine to Amma the Wanderer, an obelisk built of white granite and consecrated with true liao, that has this tale engraved across it.

Conclusions

Ser Eddard does not draw any conclusions from his time in Sumaah. He points out it is his job to present information and allow those better placed to determine what these stories might mean. Personally, he thinks on balance that Amma might well be Adelmar in a later phase of his life, but even if not points out that the tales of the brave and consummate warrior are still inspirational. He also thanks the Minister for Historical Research for giving him the opportunity to revisit Sumaah - it having been a great many years since he was last there - and renew acquaintances with some old colleagues.

Further Reading

• Adelmar the Lion
• Sumaah Republic