Tribes of the Kingdom of Judah

[betaraybill]

In this campaign setting, Tribes function essentially the same way as races in a traditional AD&D setting. As such, they come with benefits and limitations. Here is a little history about the tribes of Israel.

During the conquest of Canaan, in the 14th century BCE (some 700 years before the events of our campaign) the lands were divided between 12 of the Tribes of Israel. These can be divided into 3 general groups:

The Northern Tribes:

Dan
Ephraim
West Manasseh
Issachar
Zebulun
Naphtali
Asher

The Trans-Jordanian Tribes

Reuben
Gad
East Manasseh

And those to which I intend to call our attention, the Southern Tribes:

Simeon
Judah
Benjamin

Unlike the rest of the Tribes, Levi was given no tribal allotment. They were reserved as special servants of God and dispersed throughout the tribal lands. As such, Levites lived in all cities throughout the lands, and controlled their own special cities known as Cities of Refuge. These too were dispersed throughout the lands. Cities of Refuge served as places that those accused of the accidental murder of another Israelite (and other lesser crimes) could go to pay penance while being protected from retribution.

In the 11th Century BCE, the tribes were united under the rule of King Saul. Saul was eventually overthrown by David the Prophet King, who was in turn succeeded by his son King Solomon the Wise. In all, the tribes enjoyed nearly 100 years of relative harmony.

However, when Solomon's son, Rehoboam was anointed King of Israel, the Northern and Trans-Jordanian tribes revolted against the rule of the Tribe of Judah under the leadership of Jeroboam I. Together, they retained the name of the Kingdom of Israel. In the following years they drove the Levites out of their lands - forcing them to go into hiding or flee to what was now known as the Kingdom of Judah - the lands of the Southern Tribes still loyal to the House of David.

Since that time, at the beginning of our campaign nearly 140 years have passed, and the Northern and Southern Kingdoms are still at war. Uzziah has just been anointed King of Judah while Jeroboam II has been King of Israel for a little over a year.

That said, let's take a look at the Tribes of the Kingdom of Judah.

[betaraybill]

Tribe of Judah

Members of the noble Tribe of Judah, particularly the House of David, have been the rulers of the Kingdom of Judah since its inception - not to mention the Kings of the former united Kingdom David and his son Solomon. Judeans, though not all of such noble lineage as the House of David tend to be upright citizens of the kingdom. They are natural leaders and holy men. The progenitor of the tribe itself - Judah, son of Jacob, was among the most respected of his brothers, known for his piety and wisdom.

Judeans tend to stay in the heartland of the kingdom, but are generally so numerous that they are dispersed throughout. They tend to be the most stationary of the tribes, providing the majority of agricultural and herding activities.

The tribal emblem of the Judeans is the lion.

Judeans are the most numerous of the peoples of the Kingdom of Judah

Judeans may take any of the following classes:

Warriors

Fighter
Solider (Fighter)
Peasant Warrior (Fighter)
Holy Warrior (Paladin)
Cavalier (Paladin)

Rogues

Thief
Scout
Psalmist (Bard)

"Wizards"

Prophet

Multi-Class

Prophet/Fighter

A more detailed map of the tribal allotment of Judah, where the campaign will begin



Note that dotted lines represent major roadways, and red stars denote Cities of Refuge.

[betaraybill]

Tribe of Benjamin

The Benjamites are a lucky, shrewd, resourceful and above all loyal people. They are also known for their pride, which has been a shortcoming in this history of some of their people. They are extremely skilled warriors and tacticians, and they make up a large portion of the army of the Kingdom of Judah. Notable members of the Tribe of Benjamin have been Ehud Judge of Israel, and the former King Saul. Their progenitor, Benjamin son of Jacob, was the youngest and favorite son of Jacob.

Due to their active role in the military, Benjamites tend to be concentrated on the frontier areas of the kingdom, particularly in their own tribal lands on the border of the Kingdom of Israel.

The tribal emblem of the Benjamites is the wolf.

Benjamites are the second most numerous people of the Kingdom of Judah.

Benjamites may be of the following classes:

Warriors

Fighter
Soldier (Fighter)
Peasant Warrior (Fighter)
Holy Warrior (Paladin)
Benjamite Warrior (Ranger)

Rogues

Thieves
Scouts

[betaraybill]

Tribe of Levi

The Levites are the priestly caste of the Israelites. The most notable member of the tribe is Moses. Like Moses himself, the Levites in general are known for their compassion, righteousness, piety and wisdom. Their status as the priestly caste, reserved for the service of God, is thought taken to be atonement for the actions of their progenitor, Levi son of Jacob, who along with his brother Simeon, slaughtered an the entire male populace of Sechem for the rape of their sister, Dinah.

Because they have no tribal lands of their own, there tend to be two types of Levites - wandering Levites, or Monk-like Levites who have come to live at a particular temple either in their own Cities of Refuge, or in a city controlled by a friendly tribe. Furthermore, the Levites are collectively responsible for the upkeep of temples, as well as religious services for the people of the Kingdom.

Just like the Levites have no tribal lands of their own, they also have no tribal emblem of their own. In place of a tribal emblem, Levi Priests use the holy symbol of the 8 pointed star.

Levites are the third most numerous people of the Kingdom of Judah.

Levites may be of the following classes:

Priests

Anointed Priest
Temple Guardian

Rogues

Psalmist (Bard)

"Wizards"

Prophet

Multi-Class

Prophet/Anointed

[betaraybill]

Tribe of Simeon

The Simeonites are not a glorious lot. From their tribe has sprung little or no notable members of whom to speak. They are thought of as being tainted with the sins of their progenitor, Simeon son of Jacob. As such, they are the outcasts of the peoples of the kingdom. They are thought of as savage, ruthless and perhaps even thoughtless warriors. Although they are mostly loyal to the kingdom, they mostly remain so due to the circumstance of having been absorbed into the Kingdom of Judah. Although they have an allotment of their own, it is a somewhat amorphous region that is only a part of the allotment of Judah.

Because they do not view their allotment as being their own, the Simeonites tend to be wanderers. They are dispersed throughout the Kingdom.

The tribal emblem of the Simeonites if the gate.

The Simeonites are the least numerous people of the Kingdom of Judah.

Simeonites may be of the following classes:

Warriors

Fighter
Soldier (Fighter)
Peasant Warrior (Fighter)
Simeonite Warrior (Fighter)

Rogues

Thief
Scout