The Frozen Oasis

It is said that deep in the Smali a frozen oasis can be found. The place is described as alien and utterly out of place, with a frozen body of water and snow-covered palm-trees. Even furred animals are told to live there. Legend has it that the oasis only appears to those who truly need it as if it has a will of its own. This at least is the story of Heejal.
Heejal was a Kjai who rose to prominence and gathered a small group of followers after ecountering the oasis and returning to speak of it. His followers worshipped him as some sort of prophet, calling him "witness" and "blessed one". Heejal was left in the desert to die but, according to his own accounts, was saved by the Frozen Oasis. He was sheltered from the heat there whenever he needed it most, claiming that the oasis "wandered with him". After his return, Heejal became obsessed with finding the oasis again, travelling around the Grand Kingdom of Farid'zai in an endless effort to convince people to join him. Finally, after almost beeing arrested on the behalf of religious authorities, who saw his cult-like group as potentially heretic, Heejal decided to venture out into the desert again. At this stage, he was convinced to be the Chosen One, speaking of the oasis as an entity that wanted him to show it to the world. Most of his followers accompanied him but some stood back, claiming that a search for the oasis would be against its will of appearing only to those in dire need. Those who walked into the desert, including Heejal, were never seen again.
The split of the group is its own small myth, as it is believed that a fight broke out, leading to the death of several followers. This at least is the description passed on by the "Remnants of Heejal", as the followers who stood behind called themselves. The are responsible for the recording of the tale, writing it down around ten years after Heejal went into the desert again. The group still exists, waiting for another "prophet" to come out of the desert claiming to have seen the Frozen Oasis.

Spread

The myth of the Frozen Oasis is known throughout parts of Farid'zai, mostly those areas that are close to or in the Desert of Shali.

Variations & Mutation

"The schism" of the Heejal followers has seen different interpretations in the last decades. While some claim that the followers that stood behind are the "true" prophets, understanding the will of the oasis, some go as far as calling them traitors to Heejal and his true word.

Cultural Reception

The Frozen Oasis is seen as imagination of people who almost died in the inhospitable area of the Desert of Shali. Almost no one seems to take the myth seriously. Those who are obsessed with the myth are seen as crazy and often avoided.

Date of First Recording

around 1310 PC (Universal Solar Calendar)

Date of Setting

around 1280 PC (Universal Solar Calendar)