The Lords of the Atlas is a military/diplomatic game of skullduggery, treachery, bribery, masquerading as important religious figures, and generally poor moral example. It is played on a map of the area of the Atlas Mountains of southern Morrocco, with the city of Marrakesh at the centre of the map; for my convention games, I choose to portray this with a fairly ornate 3-D wargames terrain on a table 5' by 7'6" or thereabouts, with 6mm troops and buildings.

However, it is not a game about tactical actions (though these may well occur), but about naked ambition, personal vendetta, and enormous amounts of highly suspect cuisine. To this end, the rules are secondary to the imaginative ideas of the players, and colourful acts of bravado may receive appreciation - though dastardly acts of villainy will surely serve better in the long run.

In practical terms you need a map of some sort, markers for the players and their retinues, harkas, even real armies (!), and at least half a dozen players willing to indulge in this kind of thing -

GENERAL BRIEFING FOR ALL PLAYERS

It is August 12, 1912 of the accursed Christian calendar. The Sultan of Morocco, Moulai Hafid, has abdicated. His brother Moulai Youssef has been acclaimed, and the crimson parasol raised above his blessed head. The French Resident General, Lyautey, suggests that he is satisfied with the decisions made within the Royal House, and that rumours that he was seen handing over a large cheque made out to Moulai Hafid in return for his letter of resignation are completely unfounded. The fall of the Sultan means, as always, the ruination of his friends and the exhultation of his enemies. It will be a time of plunder, brigandage, and great opportunities ---

What makes this time different is the presence of the French, who have established what they call a 'protectorate' over the country. What this means is not clear. In the south of Morocco, the rugged highlands of the High Atlas range, there are no French soldiers, a situation much to the liking of the great Caids, or barons. These men are the Lords of the Atlas.

The land is a wild mountain tangle of lawless Berber tribes, wandering saints, snow capped peaks and blistering valleys. No ruler has ever maintained his right to lay down the law and levy taxes beyond the distance of his cannon-shot and the raiding parties of his cavalry. In recent years the three caids known as the M'Touggi, The Goundafa and the Glaoui have extended their power over lesser clans. They view one another with grave suspicion, each hoping to claim the governorship ('Pasha') of Marrakesh for their own house. Marrakesh, mother of villages, is truly the prize. Yet, in the barbaric deserts of the south, has arisen a new pretender to the Sultan's throne. He calls himself El Hiba, the owl, and most inconveniently claims to be the Anointed of God ---

Meanwhile in Marrakesh, the Glaoua have stolen one of the M'Touggi's boy prostitutes, in retaliation for the M'Tougga doing the same thing to the Glaoua last week, and rumours are sharp as knives in the marketplace and the streets behind the Mosque of Koutoubia...

CAST OF CHARACTERS

El Hiba, the pretender, at the head of 10,000 men or more, blue-clad nomads from El Sus, the desert region beyond the Atlas. A holy man of great baraka, dedicated to eradicate the vile and blasphemous influence of the Nazarenes, expel corrupt Caids, and, of course, take his rightful place on the throne of Morocco.

Madani el Glaoui, Caid of Telouet, head of the House of Glaoua and, until recently, vizier to the former Sultan. Now reduced to his ancient tribal holdings, Madani and his brother Thami (lately Pasha of Marrakesh, but driven from his post when Madani fell from power) have innate cunning, 4,000 tribesmen and a useful selection of artillery to their credit. Madani has extensive knowledge of the French and their methods.

Abd el Malik el M'Touggi, Caid of Bouabout and head of the House of M'Tougga, is a schemer, a subtle intriguer whose luck has recently turned for the good. The disgrace of the Glaoua has rebounded in his favour. He has taken the lands, the flocks, the benefices once controlled by Madani. His man, Driss Menou, has become Pasha of Marrakesh. He has 6,000 warriors, well armed with modem rifles.

Tayib el Goundafi, of the House of Goundafa, Caid of Amizmiz. A proud, traditional mountain chief, el Goundafi has had little to do with the intrigues of court, the French or the pretender. He has 5,000 men, well armed.

El Ayadi, Caid of the Rehamna, an Arab tribe of the plains. He is a swashbuckling brigand, a rogue, who holds up traffic in the area of Safi as he feels. He has 3,000 riders.

Driss Menou, a kinsman of el M'Touggi, promoted by the most recent past Sultan to replace Thami el Glaoui as Pasha of Marrakesh. He has a guard of 500 crack soldiers, some under 60 years old, some not.

Joshua Corcos, a Jewish banker of Marrakesh, known for his diplomacy and intimate connections with the powerful. Serves as a go-between in tense situations.

General Lyautey, Resident general. Ostensibly chief adviser to the new Sultan. Something of a visionary, a renegade, and arch-priest of French expansion.

Colonel 'Senegal' Mangin, bull-like French field commander, experienced in the brutal wars of the sub-Sahara. Marched to Fashoda in '98 with Marchand.

Consul Maigret, French diplomat; the voice of calm, common sense, and not doing anything that would cost the taxpayers anything. Accompanied by delegation consisting of Major Verlet, Sgt Fiori, Lt Koudi, M. Alicot and Dr Guichard.

Major Simon. Agent of the Bureau des Arabes, an Intelligence man of some repute.

PERSONAL BRIEFINGS

El Hiba, the pretender, at the head of 10,000 men or more, blue-clad nomads from El Sus, the desert region beyond the Atlas. A holy man of great baraka, dedicated to eradicate the vile and blasphemous influence of the Nazarenes, expel corrupt Caids, and, of course, take his rightful place on the throne of Morocco. Starts at Tiznit. Baraka = 10

Allah has anointed thee. Go thou and do His bidding.

Madani el Glaoui, Caid of Telouet, head of the House of Glaoua and, until recently, vizier to the former Sultan. Now reduced to his ancient tribal holdings, Madani and his brother Thami (lately Pasha of Marrakesh, but driven from his post when Madani fell from power) have innate cunning, 4,000 tribesmen and a useful selection of artillery to their credit. Madani has extensive knowledge of the French and their methods. Starts at Telouet. Baraka = 4

Madani: Increase your own fortunes by playing the balance of power. You know the French have vast power if they choose to use it, but El Hiba has the warriors right now. You intend to see the fall of the appalling M'Touggi.

Thami: Knock a few heads. See that miserable cur Driss Menou's head on a spike above the city walls.

Abd el Malik el M'Touggi, Caid of Bouabout and head of the House of M'Tougga, is a schemer, a subtle intriguer whose luck has recently turned for the good. The disgrace of the Glaoua has rebounded in his favour. He has taken the lands, the flocks, the benefices once controlled by Madani. His man, Driss Menou, has become Pasha of Marrakesh. He has 6,000 warriors, well armed with modem rifles. Starts at Bouabout. Baraka = 6

You must play a game of diplomacy in difficult times. You are vulnerable, very vulnerable, since your promotion at the hands of the last Sultan. El Hiba seems like the usual desert boor, but he might be used. As always, the Glaoua are your deadly foes.

Tayib el Goundafi, of the House of Goundafa, Caid of Amizmiz. A proud, traditional mountain chief, el Goundafi has had little to do with the intrigues of court, the French or the pretender. He has 5,000 men, well armed. Starts at Amizmiz. Baraka = 5

You suspect everyone of the basest motives. None of these jackals has any honour. El Hiba may be what he says, but Pretenders arise each year, and fall like the leaves of the mountain sycamore

El Ayadi, Caid of the Rehamna, an Arab tribe of the plains. He is a swashbuckling brigand, a rogue who holds up traffic in the area of Safi as he feels. He has 3,000 riders. Starts outside Safi. Baraka = 3

You wish to elevate yourself from brigand chief to respected power in the land. The Rehamna seem enthusiastic for El Hiba, and at present you stand with him.

Joshua Corcos, a Jewish banker of Marrakesh, known for his diplomacy and intimate connections with the powerful. Serves as a go-between in tense situations. Starts at home in Marrakesh, by the Bab el Makhzen. Baraka = 3

Ah, you dislike the insecurity of the times, but understand that there are opportunities to make friends and money in such times. You have just bought the first motor car in Marrakesh, and only wish there were roads to drive it on.

Colonel 'Senegal' Mangin, bull-like French field commander, experienced in the brutal wars of the sub-Sahara. Marched to Fashoda in '98 with Marchand. Starts at Settat.

You'd sort this foul shower of towel-heads out, no bother, but the bloody brass keeps you tied down in garrison. You understand that unauthorized success is always forgiven, but failure, never. Let's have another Cognac.

Consul Maigret, French diplomat and the voice of calm, common sense, and not doing anything that would cost the taxpayers anything. Accompanied by delegation consisting of Major Verlet, Sgt Fiori, Lt Koudi, M. Alicot and Dr Guichard. Begins at a rented, but clean, house close to the Mosque of Koutoubia.

You know the soldiers are simply itching for a fight, they always are. You are to keep Marrakesh and the mountains safe for the new Sultan at a minimum of unpleasantness.

Driss Menou, a kinsman of el M'Touggi, promoted by the most recent past Sultan to replace Thami el Glaoui as Pasha of Marrakesh. He has a guard of 500 crack soldiers, some under 60 years old, some not. Starts at his own palace.

You are anxious to show your independence. You know your master would throw you to the wolves if necessary. You also know Thami el Glaoui would like to see you in the deepest dungeon.

General Lyautey, Resident general. Ostensibly chief adviser to the new Sultan. Something of a visionary, a renegade, and arch-priest of French expansion. Off the board at the start, in Fez.

You have very limited resources to deal with the crisis and, since Paris refuses to take decisive measures, you need to step carefully. What you want is security for Southern Morocco, it doesn't much matter how. Mangin has 2,000 men, and you hope to spare 2-3,000 more in a few weeks. He must not seek out battle if there is any risk of a loss of French prestige. Trust Major Simon for advice over the diplomats.

Major Simon. Agent of the Bureau des Arabes, an Intelligence man of some repute. Starts wherever he likes.

You want to keep a close watch on events, reporting directly to Lyautey, avoiding dealing too much with the maniac Mangin or the too-smooth diplomat Maigret.

Lords of the Atlas Rules