The Ruins of Zol

The dunes of the Zol Desert shift after each storm, a living landscape shaped by the wind. On occasion, its olive green sands reveal ruins from the world before the Fall and Rend.
Most of what is buried is benign, and of interest to a few hedge scholars and apostate brethren.
Deeper: The ruins buried beneath the Zol Desert are exposed with the shifting winds and storms. Those exploring the ruins of Zol may discover more than just relics of the past in these shifting sands. Upon entering the landmark, roll [D6, List of Ruins...] to determine which ruins are uncovered.

List of Ruins under the Zol Desert

1. Seal of Oddity: A sealed stone inscribed with the Guild’s sigil hides six twisted, clawed arms that grasp and pull all into darkness.
2. Old Caravanserai: A crumbling, half-buried caravanserai with a shaded courtyard, dry fountains, and sand-choked stalls containing remnants of ancient trader wares.
3. Sand-Swept Archive: A sand-buried library with crumbling shelves; brittle parchments and stone tablets reveal mundane records of life before the Fall.
4. Amber Well: A dry stone well, filled with amber resin preserving insects and roots, valued by travelers for its fragrant, burnable scent.
5. Sheltered Courtyard: A sunken courtyard with half-standing walls and desert shrubs, offering rare shade and shelter for small animals and birds.
6. Roll again and add an additional roll for another Ruin from the List of Ruins Under the Zol Desert.

Amber Well

A simple stone well surrounded by a low, crumbled wall. Though dry, it is filled with hardened amber resin that preserves tiny desert insects and fragments of ancient roots. The resin is sometimes collected by travelers for its mild, pleasant scent when burned.
Deposits of amber resin that have solidified within the dry well, capturing insects and plant matter from the past [Exotic Alchemy Component].
The low wall around the well is eroded but still shows faint carvings that depict scenes of water gathering and communal rituals of offering libations.

Old Caravanasi

Once a bustling rest stop for traders crossing the desert, this caravanserai is now half-buried and crumbling. The central courtyard, still dotted with dry fountains and stone benches, offers a shaded respite from the sun. Occasionally, remnants of ancient wares can be found in the sand-choked stalls.
Intact jars [D6+2 Jars, roll D6 for Jar Contents] buried in the sand, once used to store water, grains, or spices. They are still sealed and could potentially hold something valuable.
Jar Contents

1. Moldy Grain: A jar filled with old, moldy grain that has long since decayed. The contents are spoiled and unusable, emitting a foul smell when opened.
2. Dust and Sand: A jar that has cracked over time, allowing sand and dust to seep in. Its contents are nothing more than a gritty, unappealing mixture.
3. Dried Insects: A jar containing dried insects, likely stored as an ancient food source but now long past being edible. They crumble to dust when touched.
4. Dried Herbs: A jar filled with preserved dried herbs, still fragrant and potent. These can be used for cooking, simple medicinal purposes, or traded with locals.
5. Salted Meat: A jar tightly sealed and packed with salted meat, surprisingly well-preserved. The meat is still edible and could serve as a valuable food source on a journey.
6. Spices: A jar containing rare and aromatic spices, such as saffron or cinnamon, that have retained their scent and flavor. These spices are highly valuable, sought after by traders and chefs alike.

Sand Swept Archive

The remains of a small library, its shelves now empty and crumbling under the weight of sand. The few fragments of parchment that survive are brittle and unreadable. Occasionally, intact stone tablets with basic records or inscriptions can be uncovered, offering glimpses into mundane aspects of daily life before the Fall.
Some of the stone tablets describe local customs and rituals, providing insights into the daily lives and beliefs of those who once lived there.
Lore Fragments

1. Sandstorm: Scattering colored sands and chanting to calm desert spirits during sandstorms; missing details on the dance and chants.
2. Feast: A communal feast with grain offerings and songs of gratitude to the desert; exact songs and offerings are unknown.
3. Binding: Ceremony involving elders, star alignment, and an incantation to seal the Oddity; key ritual steps are missing.
4. Moon: Night ritual under an amber moon with resin on faces for ancestral connection; exact timing and purpose are unclear.
5. First Well: Celebrating new wells with clay vessels of water for spirits; specific prayers and gestures are lost.
6. Procession: Dawn procession through ruins to honor the fallen; purpose and honored individuals remain unknown due to missing sections.

Seal of Oddity

The sands reveal great circular seal is centered on a rough stone floor. The sigil featuring a stylized seven pointed pattern of the constellation known as the Guild is inscribed on the heavy stone seal. Those familiar with the lore of stargazers or the rites of the Cults of Lothar will recognize the sigil.
A sturdy ring found near the seal, once part of the mechanism used to lock the stone cover in place. It’s old and rusted, but still functional. If the stone is moved, [D6 arms] of the Oddity from Beyond the Stars lunge out with relentless force, grasping at anything within reach. The arms pull whatever they catch into the dark hole beneath. No one has seen where these arms lead or what they are connected to, as all who are taken disappear forever.
Once a sacrifice is taken, the arms retreat. Those looking into the pit will discover a shallow empty well. If the seal is replaced, the trap resets.

Sheltered Courtyard

A small, raised courtyard enclosed in standing walls and is remarkably preserved. It provides a rare patch of shade and a quiet, secluded spot making for an ideal location for camp. Occasionally, small animals or birds take refuge here, adding a touch of life to the otherwise still surroundings.
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Supplemental

Gaelthane's Fall

The fall of the Sky Titan, Gaelthane. Where Gaelthane's landed a crater formed, his bones became the mountains, and his blood was made into the red sands that filled it. This crater is better known as Gaelthane's Tarn.

Oddity from Beyond the Stars

A void creature construct summoned from beyond the stars. This construct appears as six arms are twisted and gnarled ending in knotty hands with dirty chipped nails, sharp as claws and as hard as iron.
AC: 16, HP: 50, ATK: 6 arms (near) +7 (1d10 bludgeoning) or Crush +7 (1d8 bludgeoning, grab), MV: Double near (when moving to grab), S: +5, D: +2, C: +3, I: -, W: +2, Ch: -, AL: C, LV: 10
Relentless Grasp: The arms lunge out with great speed, attempting to grab any nearby creature. If the arms hit with a grab attack, the target is restrained and must make a DC 17 Strength or Dexterity save to escape. If restrained, the target takes 1d8 bludgeoning damage each round until they break free or are released. If pulled into the hole, the creature disappears forever unless the stone cover is restored.
Crushing Blow: Each arm can perform a crushing blow that targets objects or creatures. Attacks with Crush deal an additional 1d8 damage to structures, barriers, or equipment. Creatures struck must make a DC 15 Constitution save or be stunned for 1 round due to the force of the blow.
Rift Pulse: If the stone seal is disturbed or broken, a grasping mass of limbs emerges. This creature attacks furiously and attempts to pull creatures back into the hole. The mass can make 2 grab attacks per round, requiring a DC 15 Strength or Dexterity save to avoid being grabbed. If defeated, the mass collapses into lifeless limbs, but the danger remains until the stone cover is properly restored.

Olivine Sands

Dull green sand, thought to be a corroded form of peridot, commonly found near cliff-faces and ravines in the deserts of Yaddish or at the Zol Desert in Corrhéo.

The Rended Sea

The Rended Sea or simply the Rend refers to the years following Gaelthane's Fall and the torrential rage of storms made by Ibak Pursuant.