Aplaa Libaya Kanodari

The White Shark

^{Sunfall


Royality, Nobility and Lowborn


Samadic


Aplaa Libaya Kanodari}

He never truly lived on dry land. He just... existed. It was at sea that you saw the man that Aplaa was, and could be.
— Aplaa's Funeral Oration, 85BSF

Aplaa 'the White Shark' Libaya Kanodari (143-85BSF) was a Samadic pirate and admiral who is often regarded as one of the best naval tacticians in the known world before Sunfall. His main achievements were during the Andistani Revolt and the Second Kanod-Samadic War. He is best known for his resounding victory at the Battle of Mypatha over the Kanodites which earned him the agnomen Kanodari. Although lauded by the Samadic people, primarily for his acts of charity and victories against the Kanodites, Aplaa was largely disliked by the nobility. Rumours of corruption and bribery dogged his career and he was eventually charged and brought to trial. Freed by a mob during the Aplaan Riots, he fled the Samadic Kingdom, never to return, and entered into the employ of the Samaheans for the remainder of his life.

Early Years (143-128BSF)

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Aplaa grew up in a period of upheaval and internal strife for the Samadic Kingdom but was far removed from the majority of the conflicts. During his infancy, he was taught how to swim and spearfish and became adept at diving. During one of his hunts, a companion was ambushed by a shark and badly injured. Aplaa attacked the shark, spear in hand, and eventually slew the creature. Bringing the corpse back to dry land, he was given the nickname 'White Shark' which became the name of choice by the lower classes of society for him.

The beast came from the depths, thrashing and snapping. Its jaws filled with teeth the size of daggers. Yet the White Shark was ready, spear poised and he slew the creature in one fatal strike.
— A dramatisation of the encounter between Aplaa and the shark

^{A shark}

His first contact with the Samadic navy came during the first Kanod-Samadic War (135-115BSF). Fearing the encroaching Kanodites, a good salary and food rations were offered to any man who joined the navy. Many took up the offer but returned home, after the war, to work that paid far less than their military service did. Desirous of the life they once had and using the skills they had learned fighting the Kanodites, many turned to a life of piracy. Without a good alternative and wanting the success that others had enjoyed at sea, Aplaa joined up with a trireme crew as an oarsman under the command of a man called Madsa.

Piracy (128-110BSF)

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After his encounter with the shark, Aplaa was seen as protected by the gods and he saw his first naval conflict in 128BSF. During one engagement, his trireme was boarded and Aplaa defended the ship, slaying three of the attackers before they were repelled. Having had his bravery observed, Aplaa was made a marine and gained a reputation for his risk-taking during raids. During one successful ambush, a trireme was captured with Aplaa confronting and besting the ship's captain personally. As a reward, he was given command of the ship. Shortly after another trireme joined, adding a third ship to the disposal of Madsa, admiral of the flotilla. Madsa and Aplaa, originally friends, began to squabble. Madsa advised caution, concerned that any raids too overt would draw the attraction of the Samadics who would send out a fleet to hunt them. Aplaa called Madsa a coward and began undermining his leadership publicly, decrying his lack of ambition and spreading rumours that Madsa had been bought by the Samadics. Upon hearing this, Madsa lost his temper. A fight ensued which Aplaa won, cutting down Madsa. After a vote, Aplaa was made admiral of the fleet.

Enough of waiting, enough of holding back. These are our waves, our shores! Let's show those who stand in our way who owns the seas!
— Aplaa to the crewmen after he is made admiral

Becoming known for his audacious raids, Aplaa was brought to the attention of the Samadic admiralty who, as Madsa predicted, sent out a dozen ships to end his piracy. Aplaa planned an ambush for the squadron and waited for the Samadics to beach and resupply before attacking during the night. Nine of the triremes were captured alongside a Samadic noble who led the fleet. Within a year of the killing and usurping of Madsa, the pirates had quadrupled their squadron and ransomed the noble for his weight in gold. Aplaa had shown his ambition as achievable and more joined his forces. In 116BSF, Aplaa raided the port town of Arbirma after he was informed that the region's tax collections were being held there, awaiting transfer to the capital. Slaughtering the garrison, he left with over twenty chests laden with gold and silver and torched the town. In retaliation, the Samadics placed a bounty on Aplaa and dispatched a large portion of their navy to find him. With the net closing in, Aplaa fled to the Kanodite Empire, basing himself near Marinjan. After two years, Aplaa had been brought to the attention of Sahand, one of the Chief Admirals of the Kanodite Empire. Sahand had fought in the first Kanod-Samadic War and had a large fleet at his command, between 70 to 80 triremes. In a similar fashion to the Samadics, he had become weary of Aplaa and began hunting him. Aplaa went into hiding and does not appear to have conducted much piracy for the next six months and instead turned to smuggling. A portion of the Kanodite navy dispatched by Sahand found Aplaa moored with his forces and blockaded them, sending a message back to the admiral whilst waiting for reinforcements. Running the blockade, Aplaa rammed and sank six Kanodite ships before slipping by, disappearing once more. Enraged, Sahand sent out a message to Aplaa calling him a coward for running and challenging him to personal combat.

It takes a brave man to skulk and flee before the enemy. If he is done cowering before the might of the Kanodite navy, he may see fit to end this personally. That is if the White Shark of the Samadics still has any bite left.
— Sahands message to Aplaa

Aplaa, not wishing to lose face, accepted and both men met on a beach west of Marinjan. The terms were agreed and oaths given to the gods. If Sahand won, the men sworn to Aplaa must swear fealty to the Kanodite Empire and serve in the imperial navy. If they refused, they would be executed. If Aplaa won, Sahand would lade his ships with gold and allow him free access back to the Samadic Kingdom, unmolested by the Kanodites but under oath not to return. Aplaa was victorious and slew Sahand. Despite the humiliation, the Kanodites kept to Sahands terms and Aplaa set off to the Samadic Kingdom, with wealth comparable to the highest echelons of Samadic nobility.

^{Aplaa meeting Hiyani III}

Rumours of the duel, and Aplaa's impending return, reached the Samadic King, Hiyani III, who saw an opportunity. Despite calls from his court to sail out, crush Aplaa and take his spoils, Hiyani offered to meet Aplaa on his return. In exchange for his fealty, Hiyani offered Aplaa the position of Samadic Grand Admiral and an estate near the capital. He and his men would be pardoned for any previous offences against the Samadic Kingdom but must be brought into the Samadic navy. As a final offering, Hiyani would pay the men a years salary in advance. Aplaa, for unclear reasons, accepted the deal.

It is possible that his men had become tired and wanted to return home or that Aplaa saw an opportunity to better himself at very little cost. Regardless of the reasoning, Hiyani III had managed to turn a grave threat into an advantage. Aplaa brought 40 triremes into the Samadic navy, with experienced crewmen and marines. Aplaa himself was undefeated in his career to date and knew the Kanodite navy well, having spent five years based in the Kanodite Empire. This knowledge would prove fortuitous later in his career during the Second Kanod-Samadic War. Whilst the decision proved popular among the common people it angered the nobility, some of whom had been victims of the piracy perpetrated by Aplaa. Not only had Hiyani III welcomed a known felon back into the Samadic Kingdom with open arms, but he had also offered him amnesty and awarded him one of the highest military honours and placed him in charge of the royal navy. Never before had a commoner, let alone a criminal. held the role typically reserved for the oldest noble families, and this deeply grieved the most powerful nobles in the royal court.

Perhaps we should all take to piracy. It appears that looting and raiding are greatly rewarded by our king, in comparison to honour and loyalty!
— An extract from a letter sent from the capital, Samadin, after Aplaa's return

Samadic Military Service (110-98BSF)

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Aplaa quickly married into the lesser noble Libaya family which partly legitimised his position in the royal court and strengthened his position in the capital. The more prominent families felt that Aplaa had bought his way into nobility with a large dowry and still detested his presence in the capital, however. With his wealth, Aplaa expanded his estate and planted grapevines and olive trees, donating a large portion of the crop to the people. During this period, he drilled the navy learning from those who had served in the first Kanod-Samadic War and teaching them lessons from his times of piracy. He became increasingly popular with the lower classes who served with him and had heard of his victories against the Kanodites and the Samadic navy. Aplaa frequently paid off their debts and paid for their defence in the law courts. He began greatly rewarding captains and sailors, endearing them personally to him which became a point of concern for the royal court. Whether Aplaa was generous for generosities sake or used the people to solidify his position in the Samadic Kingdom is a debated topic. However, the death of his wife, Milta, in 102BSF saw the rift between Aplaa and the Samadic nobility grow once more. The nobility saw his actions as populism and mocked him openly in the court, particularly for his common upbringing and oath to Samand. His semi-retirement ended as Aplaa challenged a noble, Khammo, who had been particularly vocal about his displeasure to Aplaa, to a duel. Hearing of the challenge, Hiyani III, beginning to regret his desire to enter Aplaa into his employ, was forced to choose a side. Not wanting to alienate his nobility, who were never unclear in their distaste for Aplaa, he chose to ban the duel and commanded Aplaa to stand down. Aplaa refused, calling the king a coward and disregarded his order, arriving at Khammo's estate re-iterating his challenge before being clapped in irons and brought before Hiyani who stripped him of his rank and lands. Despite calls for execution, Hiyani feared that large portions of the navy would mutiny if Aplaa was killed. Instead, Hiyani exiled Aplaa, removing him quietly from the capital during the night.

Despite Hiyani's secrecy, Aplaa left Samadin with 15 triremes who defected with him and sailed east, raiding the Hakobyans for the next year before being recalled in early 99BSF to Samadin at the request of Hiyani III for unknown reasons. It has been suggested that Hiyani believed that the Kanodites were preparing to invade once more and the Samadics needed an admiral. Alternatively, some have suggested that those loyal to Aplaa had begun pressuring the nobility for Aplaa's return. Regardless of the reasons, Aplaa returned to Samadin but quickly fell out with the nobility once more and publicly clashed with the Crown Prince Kina, cursing him at a banquet before being escorted out by the guards.

Do not mistake my restraint for weakness! With a wave of my hand, I could torch this city, raze it to the ground, taking you all with it. The people left among the ruins would still celebrate my name more than yours ever will be. Yet you dare believe me beneath you! Bloody the water, see how the shark responds!
— Aplaa to Crown Prince Kina and the assembled nobles

Aplaa was forced to withdraw the insult, under threat of arrest, and removed himself from politics, and the capital, until 98BSF.

Andistani Revolt (98-95BSF)

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^{Main article: Andistani Revolt}

In the opening months of 98BSF, the Kanodite city of Andistan rose in revolt and slaughtered the garrison, declaring independence and crowning an Andistani noble, Sina, king. News of the uprising reached Samadin within a month when an Andistani delegation arrived requesting aid. Hiyani III, ever the opportunist, saw a chance to resolve the 'Aplaa Issue' that had plagued him since the admiral's return. Summoning Aplaa to the capital, Hiyani tasked him with leading a Samadic armed force to aid the Andistani in their revolt.

A storm is coming to the Kanodite Empire. It will either crash through all in its path, leaving destruction in its wake or collapse in on itself. Either outcome is agreeable.
— Hiyani III on Aplaa's departure

Aplaa was given control of a portion of the Samadic fleet, primarily comprised of those that served with him during his times of piracy. In total, he departed with 50 triremes and 5,000 men and stopped at Faravar, before sailing up the Kassia. During his brief stay in Faravar, he sacrificed to the Solite gods and asked to be freed from his oath given to Sahand 18 years prior. The priests acquiesced and Aplaa was free to continue his campaign. It is posited that Aplaa would have continued regardless however he wished to avoid having his first act in the revolt being a broken oath. Alongside the navy and army, Aplaa arrived with enough funding to support his forces for a year with further funding to raise further forces.

Battle of Mypatha

^{Main article: Battle of Mypatha}

Concerned about the numerical advantage that the Kanodites could bring against them, Aplaa wanted to win the war quickly. In particular, he saw naval supremacy as key to victory and wanted to bring the Kanodite fleet based at Kangaroud, roughly half the imperial navy, to battle. However, the admiral, Bijam, refused to sally forth and had decided to wait for reinforcements. To force a battle, Aplaa dispatched his men to burn the estates of the Kangaroudian nobles, except those of Bijam. Eventually, Bijam was forced to sail out and meet the Andistani-Samadic forces.

^{The Kanodites sail out for battle}

The Andistani and the Kanodites meet near the Bay of Mypatha. Bijam, eager for victory, engaged the Andistani fleet initially pushing them back. When it appeared victory was close for the Kanodites, the Samadics sprung their ambush and flanked the opposing fleet, opening their attack with firepots causing the Kanodites to panic. The Kanodite navy at this time relied heavily on boarding action to win naval engagements and did not have the manoeuvrability to counter the rear attack. Bijam fell shortly after leading the Kanodites to rout. The Andistani and Samadics lost 25 ships with another 20 damaged. 40 Kanodite ships were sunk, 30 with all hands and 70 were captured. The rest of the Kanodite fleet was only saved by a change of wind which allowed them to escape the onslaught. Aplaa personally captured six vessels and shared out the spoils with his men following the battle, taking a large number of trophies for himself, including the breastplate of Bijam. The victory was decisive and directly led to the Sarvenganians breaking free from Kanodite rule. Further, the result guaranteed access to the Kassia to the revolt and gave the Andistani time to marshal their forces and prepare for the Kanodite counterattack. To celebrate his victory, Aplaa sent back large amounts of plunder to Samadin to be shared among the people. He commissioned the Mypathian Column, made from the melted down bronze of captured Kanodite rams. At its base, several war trophies were placed, particularly the captured standard of Bijam's flagship. For his victory, Aplaa was given the agnomen Kanodari by the royal court at the bequest of the people. Despite the significant victory, Aplaa and Sina both had grievances with each other following the battle. Sina, in particular, felt that Aplaa had chosen to delay his intervention in the battle, causing more Andistani casualties than needed solely to garner more prestige for himself. It was true that Samadic losses were light in comparison to the Andistani. Yet Aplaa openly boasted that 'he' had won the battle. On the other hand, Aplaa decried Sina's perceived lack of action and accused him of squandering the momentum gained at Mypatha and Abisi and refusing to capitalise on the lack of opposition in the area. In particular, the regional capital Kanagroud was wealthy and now largely undefended, and yet Sina did nothing. Eventually, Sina accused Aplaa of inflating his impact in the battle and reminded him he was only welcome in Andistan at Sina's pleasure. Aplaa was quickly wearing out his welcome. In his anger, Aplaa drew his sword and reminded the King that the Kanodites would have ended his revolt without Samadic intervention. Whilst an altercation was avoided, the alliance was over. Aplaa left the Andistani over the following days with his forces, ending the Samadic input in the Andistani Revolt.

The Kanodites are a fruit ripe for picking, succulent and sweet. Yet you let the grapes wither on the branch and complain that they taste sour.
— Aplaa to Sina after an evening of drinking

Passing through Faravar, Aplaa left a significant amount of gold at the main temple in the city. He argued that this was thanks to the input of the gods, who had granted him victory at Mypatha and permitted him to return to the Kanodite Empire, despite his oath to Sahand. Upon his return to Samadin, he was greeted by the lower classes with a great fanfare who had heard of his victory. However, he was quickly summoned to the palace and reprimanded by Hiyani III. The king expected Aplaa to win the war, not win a battle and then flee. Some of the nobility believed that Aplaa's substantial gift to the priests in Faravar, and the seemingly unending plunder that he returned home with, were part of a deal that he had made with the Kanodites to end the Samadic interference in the revolt. Despite calls for Aplaa to be brought before the courts, Hiyani refused their requests but forced Aplaa to be frugal in his victory celebrations and to surrender the majority of his spoils to the royal treasury, to cover the expenses of the war. Both Aplaa and Hiyani felt that they had been wronged during the war effort and the accusations of bribery would return later in Aplaa's life.

Second Samadic-Kanod War (93-91BSF)

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^{Main article: Second Kanod-Samadic War}

If you had stayed and won the damned war, instead of enriching yourself, we wouldn't be here!
— Hiyani III chastising Aplaa at the onset of the Second Samadic-Kanod War

A Kanodite emissary arrived in the Samadic capital at the beginning of 93BSF and repatriations to the Kanodite Emperor were demanded for the Samadic input in the Andistani Revolt. Specifically, Mazyar I wanted Aplaa turned over to him and a large amount of money paid as compensation. To ensure further peace, the Kanodite Emperor asked for a number of noble hostages that would be returned after five years if peace was maintained.

Our Great King has offered you peace and I pray that you accept it. Your city is certainly beautiful and it would sadden me to witness its destruction. I am sure that those in your charge would lament losing their lives over a mistake that we can fix with diplomacy, and not war.
— The Kanodite emissary before the Samadic Court

He reminded the Samadic king of the last time the two nations had fought and suggested they should make terms now instead of going to war once more. Thousands of people didn't need to perish when the King could make amends for his infraction. After a brief discussion Hiyani III refused and expelled the emissary from the city. As a parting gift, he gave the emissary the bronzed ram from Bijam's ship. The gift was inferred as a threat and a declaration of war was made shortly after with the first engagement taking place in the middle of the year.

After the accusations against Aplaa following the Andistani Revolt. Hiyani III refused to place him in charge of the Samadic fleet. Aplaa, for his part, refused to hear anything about the war effort and stayed on his villa in seclusion. In an attempt to placate his nobility, the king granted command of his fleet to Khammo, the noble that Aplaa once challenged to a duel. The appointment was well received by the nobility but decried by those loyal to Aplaa, entrenching rather than ameliorating the divide in the court. The outcry was short-lived as Khammo perished in the crushing defeat at the Battle of Nippurah. Half of the remaining Samadic fleet was then destroyed in a storm a month after the battle. When Hiyani attempted to place another noble in charge of the navy, the mariners mutinied refusing to sail unless Aplaa was reinstated as chief admiral. Fearing that the war would be lost unless the issue was resolved quickly, Hiyani asked Aplaa to the capital and accepted the mutineers' demands. To replace the losses suffered, a one time tax was levied against the nobility to fund shipbuilding. The nobility was infuriated. The king had not only placed Aplaa at the head of the navy once more but asked them to pay, out of their own coffers, for Aplaa's fleet. It was rumoured that some in the court planned to replace Hiyani III but nothing materialised.

Battle of Karbayah

^{Main article: Battle of Karbayah}

In 92BSF, Aplaa met a portion of the Kanodite navy near the Bay of Karbayah. The Kanodites had moored in the bay to resupply and avoid the storms that are common in the spring. Similar storms had ruined the Samadic fleet in the previous year. During the night, Aplaa arrived and launched an immediate attack opening with fireships. The Kanodites panicked and attempted to set sail and break up their formation to avoid the spread of the fire. Split up, the fleet was destroyed by the Samadics with the retreating forces hunted over the next few days. Whilst the material loss to the Kanodites were relatively light, with roughly 20 triremes lost, the battle reinvigorated the Samadics and entrenched Aplaa's leadership of the navy. The victory also proved that Hiyani's decision was correct, despite the complaints from the nobility.

Battle of Khahuk

^{Main article: Battle of Khahuk}

Two months after the Battle of Karbayah, the Kanodite fleet began investing the strategically important city of Khahuk. Aplaa was dispatched to end the siege and, if possible, destroy the Kanodite forces. The Kanodites had brought a large force, roughly 350 triremes and 35,000 men. Aplaa arrived with 200 triremes and the promise that another 50 would be dispatched from the capital within a month. Concerned the city would fall before the arrival of the reinforcements, Aplaa engaged the Kanodites whilst they were escorting reinforcements for the siege.

The shark comes from the depths once more, stronger than ever. Its jaws are wider and its teeth sharper than any seen before. Face it with me, less it consumes us all!
— Aplaa at the onset of the Battle of Khahuk

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Aplaa had outflanked the Kanodites and managed to ambush them. Much of the fleet was unprepared for combat and fell quickly. Attempting to protect the transports, the remaining Kanodite triremes grouped in the centre allowing the Samadics to surround them. A bloody melee followed for the next few hours until the conclusion of the battle. The Samadics lost 80 triremes with another 20 damaged beyond repair. 80 Kanodite triremes were lost, most with all hands. In total 84,000 Kanodites lost their lives. The Samadics captured 190 ships.

Battle of Hillakho

^{Main article: Battle of Hillakho}

After the vast loss at the Battle of Khahuk, the Kanodites ended their military campaigning for the year and prepared for the next year. A vast fleet was raised, roughly 700 triremes to crush the Samadic fleet and force Hiyani III to terms. Members of the royal court were bribed to supply information on Aplaa's movements and the Kanodites were informed that Aplaa would be moored near the town of Hillakho in a few months. The Kanodite fleet set sail to intercept the Samadics. Aplaa's scouts reported the Kanodites arrival at Hillakho and advised retreat. Aplaa refused, giving battle. The scale of the Kanodite fleet did not permit Aplaa to utilise the tactics that had won him previous engagements and the fleets engaged each other in a brutal melee. Within the first hour, Aplaa was wounded by a javelin and forced to withdraw from the front line. Half of the Samadic fleet had fallen with the next two hours with the Kanodites beginning to encircle them. The ease of the impending victory concerned the Kanodite admiral, Amin, who had learned about Aplaa's prior battles. He became worried that an ambush or a ploy was being prepared and that he had walked into a trap, similar to the one used at the Battle of Mypatha. Not wishing to find himself surrounded, Amin ordered his fleet to retreat. With the Kanodites withdrawing, Aplaa ordered what was left of his fleet to retreat. The Battle of Hillakho was the final conflict of the Second Kanod-Samadic War. A few months after the battle both sides agreed to the Parian Treaty. Aplaa was present at the negotiations.

Later Years (90-85BSF)

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After the war, Aplaa was removed from the admiralty entering a semi-retirement. Despite his absence from the royal court, he was lauded by the common people who believed he had saved them from conquest. However, the nobility had lost large sums of money in the war. Aplaa was one of the few who had left the war richer than he was at its onset. His supporters argued that Aplaa had taken large war spoils from the Kanodites yet his detractors asserted that his increase in wealth was further proof of corruption. The Samadics should have been slaughtered at the Battle of Hillakho yet the Kanodite Empire retreated. Rumours began that Aplaa and Amin, on behalf of the Kanodite Empire, had reached terms. Seeing an opportunity to have a scapegoat, Hiyani III brought charges of corruption and treason against Aplaa. The case was agreed to take place in a month whilst witnesses were called. Aplaa was imprisoned and his estate taken by the state. Before the case could be brought before the courts, the Aplaan Riots began. The riots caught Hiyani by surprise who struggled to bring them under control. During the chaos, which saw large parts of Samadin torched and up to 10,000 killed, Aplaa was broken out of prison and taken to the ports where he boarded a trireme and fled. It was not until a week after the riots were quelled that Aplaa's disappearance was noted. A small force was dispatched to recover Aplaa but was ultimately unsuccessful. Aplaa would never again return to the Samadic Kingdom.

^{Aplaa before the Samahean Senate}

In exile, he journeyed to Epicurum, round to Ubar before reaching the capital of the Samahean Republic, where he was honourably received by the Samahean Senate. The senators employed Aplaa to advise on military matters and he was given the position of admiral in the Samahean navy. Primarily, he was tasked with rooting out the Cotnarian pirates that plagued the region and improving the capabilities of the navy. He fought his last battle in 84BSF when he clashed with raiders off the coast of Samah, which he won with an ambush, typical of his tactics.

Some said that Aplaa hated the way that the Samaheans approached naval warfare, accusing them of taking a passing interest rather than funding the navy as needed. A Samadic emissary arrived in 86BSF, after news of Aplaa's arrival reached the Samadic King, and demanded that Aplaa be surrendered to the Samadics in return for a large sum of money, but the Samaheans declined. Aplaa fell ill at the end of 85BSF and was retired from the Samahean navy.

Death (85BSF)

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Aplaa retired to a country villa near Jomardu, on the Dzinii coast. He lived there for the rest of his life, becoming known for his fishing trips and feasts that he laid on for the locals. It was said that he frequently spoke about his exploits and showed great generosity to those that served with him. He died in 85BSF aged 58. His death was rumoured to have taken place under suspicious circumstances but it is commonly agreed that he died following a short illness. He was buried on his estate with a short funeral and left his estate to his crewman. The Samahean Republic gifted Aplaa's sword back to the Samadic Kingdom in 80BSF as a goodwill gift and it was placed before the Mypathian Column where it remained until 24BSF.