Gihuela Desert
The Gihuela Desert is a drawn out desert that makes up the eastern part of the Kator Empire.
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While those of the cities know relative safety and peace, those of the settlements are used to wrest what they can from an uncooperative nature. Thus they view hard work and tenacity as a virtue. Still, they can also rely on trade and caravans, as well as aid from the Imperial Guard.
Though some more readily than others, all of these people see themselves as subjects of the Sorcerer King.
On the other hand you have those who do not live along any of the usual routes. These people live mostly isolated and have to fight the desert every step of the way, to ensure their own survival. They are wary of strangers, though once one has gained their favour they are loyal, sometimes to a fault.
The people of the depths of the desert also do not see themselves beholden to the emporer. Most don't even see themselves as part of a collective country, and instead work on a very regional and local level.
Although Magical Storms exist in other parts of Edrax, they are nowhere as frequent and as powerful, as in Kator in general and the Gihuela Desert specifically.
No one really knows what causes these storms, but they can appear suddenly and without warning and may disappear just as abruptly. Wherever they are, magic is in complete disarray. Sometimes it is more powerful than usual, sometimes less and sometimes it is gone altogether. Often it is utterly erratic and unpredictable.
Studies done by Professor Erid Zaheel and more recently by Professor Mikosa Huglen also show some strange planar inconsistencies.
If a sand storm approaches, it sure is a sight to behold, as dangerous as they might be. About a mile high usually covering the entire horizon they can last hours, sometimes even an entire day.
The best thing to do in the face of one such storm is to seek shelter, or at least protection, and wait them out.
If they attack, they lift their bodies higher out of the sand, though never quiet fully, revealing a haggard, sand coloured body with long arms and sharp, talon-like fingers.
A major problem for caravans especially, are the Sand Riders, well organized bandit clans considering the desert their hunting grounds.
The Riders usually attack with Vadi Keshtis, their desert ships. Build for speed and manoeuvrability as well as intimidation, these ships levitate a few feet off the ground and use sails to navigate. The aim of the Sand Riders is not necessarily to kill or harm, but to rob and capture. Those they can ransom back, they do. And those they cannot are usually sold on illegal slave markets.
Table of Content
Geography
Gihuala Desert is a hot and arid place. While the outer areas are a stone desert, the center of it is one of an ever shifting landscape of sand. It borders the Telsard Peaks to the north, the Verdant Belt and Dorcam Sea to the east, Unkaret Rise in the south and the Zagonda Plains to the west.Notable Places
- Pillar of Eternity. Solitary high mesa in the middle of the desert. Claimed by the Sorcerer King as his.
- Sinking Fields.
- Bone Forest.
- Shifting Bluffs. Small mountain range that, due to the ever shifting sands, seems to constantly change in hight and form.
Cities
- Wahah Bursaid. Kator's capital and seat of power.
- Wahah Tisit. The Pearl of Kator.
- Wahah Gebal. A city build into a narrow canyon.
Trade Route Settlements
- Nessu. Small oasis town on the trade route between Wahah Bursaid and Wahah Tisit.
- Me'hemid. Small oasis town on the trade route between Wahah Bursaid and Wahah Gebal.
- text copied with player's permission A small oasis town called Me’hemid Me’hemid is a small oasis town made of 10 small mutt houses and 3 larger ones the 3 large houses are a Taven called “Var’jossa”(meaning shade) A 2 story building filled with rooms for rent A stabel Me’hemid is on the northern part of the deaseret on a crossroad between 2 larger cities and a stop close to a mountain pass towards the “Kingdom of Thaeden”
- Tjepo. Small oasis town on the trade route between Wahah Gebal and Portcall .
- Wasde. Small oasis town on the trade route between Wahah Gebal, Wahah Tisit and Portcall.
Society
Two types of mentalities exist in the Gihuela Desert. For one, there are the people living in the major cities or along the trade routes. They are generally quite open and hospitable to strangers, as long as they come with manners and respect. Otherwise one will encounter their temper that burns just as hot as the Gihuela midday sun.While those of the cities know relative safety and peace, those of the settlements are used to wrest what they can from an uncooperative nature. Thus they view hard work and tenacity as a virtue. Still, they can also rely on trade and caravans, as well as aid from the Imperial Guard.
Though some more readily than others, all of these people see themselves as subjects of the Sorcerer King.
On the other hand you have those who do not live along any of the usual routes. These people live mostly isolated and have to fight the desert every step of the way, to ensure their own survival. They are wary of strangers, though once one has gained their favour they are loyal, sometimes to a fault.
The people of the depths of the desert also do not see themselves beholden to the emporer. Most don't even see themselves as part of a collective country, and instead work on a very regional and local level.
Hazards
Magical Storms
Sand Storm by allagar
No one really knows what causes these storms, but they can appear suddenly and without warning and may disappear just as abruptly. Wherever they are, magic is in complete disarray. Sometimes it is more powerful than usual, sometimes less and sometimes it is gone altogether. Often it is utterly erratic and unpredictable.
Studies done by Professor Erid Zaheel and more recently by Professor Mikosa Huglen also show some strange planar inconsistencies.
Sand Storms
Aside from the magical ones, travelers and denizens of the desert also need to worry about sand storms. Fortunately these have the decency to give the weary traveler a bit of a warning - of a few minutes as least. If one keeps an eye out.If a sand storm approaches, it sure is a sight to behold, as dangerous as they might be. About a mile high usually covering the entire horizon they can last hours, sometimes even an entire day.
The best thing to do in the face of one such storm is to seek shelter, or at least protection, and wait them out.
Sand Devils
For everyone traveling the sandy part of the desert, one thing they are wise to do, is to keep an eye out for sickle like horns rising from the sands. Usually they first appear at a distance. If they have locked on to a prey they decide to pursue, they disappear again for a short while, before popping up again much closer.If they attack, they lift their bodies higher out of the sand, though never quiet fully, revealing a haggard, sand coloured body with long arms and sharp, talon-like fingers.
Sand Riders
Harvest Season by fatias94
The Riders usually attack with Vadi Keshtis, their desert ships. Build for speed and manoeuvrability as well as intimidation, these ships levitate a few feet off the ground and use sails to navigate. The aim of the Sand Riders is not necessarily to kill or harm, but to rob and capture. Those they can ransom back, they do. And those they cannot are usually sold on illegal slave markets.
Shifting Landscape
Due to the storms - both the regular, but especially the magical kind - and just general winds, the landscape of the desert is ever shifting. Markers, oases, even entire landmarks can shift, change, appear or disappear entirely, making navigation even with the use of maps and tools a difficult endeavour.
A merchant's map of the Gihuela Desert by Simurgh
Type
Desert
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