The Pole-Ball Farce

Only considered a proper war because it involved declarations of war, the Pole-Ball Farce was a moderately tense five-hour showdown between the Madhira and Asshan, two Kastaen tribes that clashed over a game of Razal-Sakat gone wrong. Despite the best efforts of third parties to remediate the situation, no less than three separate skirmishes broke out between the two tribes over the period of the conflict. However, despite genuine attempts at bloodshed on both sides, the Pole-Ball farce reported two casualties (a camel that was in the wrong place at the wrong time and an elderly man that wandered into the middle of one of the skirmishes) and no fatalities, sapient or otherwise.

The Conflict

Prelude

In the outskirts of the tent-city of Dkhotelai, the Madhira, Asshan, Terhas, and Jiriok tribes gathered for a friendly game of Razal-Sakat whilst the Ahsam Lodkaien of the tribes met within the boundaries of the city to discuss diplomatic issues. Unbeknownst to the tribesfolk, talks were breaking down in Dkhotelai's kadkheng lodkai as a result of the Asshan refusing to budge on a resolution to loosen restrictions on the trade of a certain textile that was primarily produced by the Asshan.
Outside, the Jirioken claimed victory against the Terhasen in the first game of the day and the second game between the Madhira and Asshan was well underway. Everything was going well until the Madhira razlak accused the Asshan razlak of cheating. The details of the accusation are somewhat unclear, but most contemporary accounts claim that the Asshan razlak was accused of using a powder in his hands that helped with clinging to the pole despite the grease. Nevertheless, the majority of historical accounts agree that following a heated back and forth, as well as an ignored ruling by the kotlai a fistfight erupted between both sides.
The conflict was resolved, but the game was suspended due to violence. No one is certain how, but news of the encounter reached the lodkaien in their meeting, igniting hostilities inside the tent. The Asshan lodkai demanded an apology on behalf of the Madhira, while the Madhira lodkai refused to do so until a proper deal could be made. The reason for the drastic turn of events is unknown but the Asshan lodkai promptly stood up, grabbed the customary cup of milk in front of the Madhira lodkai, drank the contents, and spat it out at the foot of the Madhira lodkai (an open, nonverbal declaration of war). Understandably, the diplomatic session descended into chaos, with the Madhira lodkai making a declaration of war in kind after recovering from shock.

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

7.2.2.3.325.30 NL

Ending Date

7.2.2.3.325.30 NL

Belligerents

Madhiren Tribesmen

Asshanen Tribesmen

Strength

• 50 shepherds
• 20 warriors

• 53 shepherds
• 26 warriors

Casualties

1 elderly man

1 camel

Objectives

Loosening of trade restrictions

Avenge insult to tribe's honour