Agaros Xamaroth - Counting Coup of the Isles

I dedicate this book to Red Knight, the Lady of Strategy. War is won by the best planning, strategy, and tactics, regardless of apparent odds.

I have learned that in the faraway lands of Maztica, that there is a type of ‘war game’ known as ‘counting coup.’ Counting coup is the practice of winning of prestige against an enemy. Warriors won prestige by acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, which could be recorded in various ways and retold as stories. Any blow struck against the enemy counted as a coup, but the most prestigious acts included touching an enemy warrior with the hand, bow, or coup stick and escaping unharmed.

Here, in this unusual archipelago, we have the ever-lasting game of capturing the relics and the Master of the Void. (For reference, read my Speculations on the Master of the Void.) It is well established that these relics are shards of inestimable power. Also, every so often, someone asks the question, ‘why are we fighting?’ I believe I have an answer.

I believe that this ‘game’ of capture the relics is the Isles’ form of counting coup. In one of my many conversations with Talavar, King of Helzbelt, he referred to it as ‘The Great Game.’ I believe that we are practicing a war game to ensure that our respective factions can be prepared for any outside threat to the Isles.

Should this prove true, then, we should be ready.

The signature of Agaros Xamaroth (Suspicious Activity) appears at the end of this book.