Life in the Land of Fate

The Land of Fate is known as Zakhara.
This great, civilized land measures nearly 3,000 miles from its northernmost outpost to its southernmost isles. From east to west, the continent stretches almost 2,000 miles.
Zakhara exists on the world of Toril, in the poorly charted territory south of Faerun (Regular Forgotten Realms) and southwest of Kara-Tur (FG's equivalent of Japan).
To the north and west, Zakhara is bounded by the Great Sea, or Bahr Al-Kibar. Far to the east lies the Sea of Foreigners, or Bahr Al-Ajami. To the south of the Zakharan continent lie the myriad islands of the Crowded Sea, or Bahr Al-Izdiham.
The vast interior of Zakhara is mostly desert, a word which conjures images of great sandy wastes and towering dunes. While Zakhara does boast such deserts, only a portion fits that description. Zakharan wastelands include volcanic debris, salt flats, rocky uplands, ruddy cliffs, rugged mountains, and steppes that become a carpet of green in spring. All are deserts because they share one important trait: the annual rainfall is sparse. Despite the lack of water, life in this arid realm is as abundant as it is wondrous. Here the creatures of the desert make their home, from the gentle gazelle to the fearsome and deadly ghul. Merchant caravans travel established routes between lush oases. Human and demihuman nomads also cross the desert, moving to follow the spring rains and finding water where others believe none to exist. Yet even for seasoned natives, there are places in Zakhara where none would go, where the heat, drought, and dangers are far too great. In such desolate corners, the genies dwell.