Bright Desert

The Bright Desert is an extremely hostile and treacherous land, known for its extreme temperatures and inhospitable terrain.

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The Bright Desert is an extremely hostile and treacherous land, known for its scorching days and frigid nights. Despite its dangers, the desert holds an undeniable allure, as precious stones and metals—copper, silver, gold, and gemstones—are said to lie exposed upon the sands. This tantalizing promise of wealth draws fortune seekers into the desert’s grasp, though few ever return.

Over the centuries, military expeditions have tried and failed to conquer the region, falling to the relentless terrain and the fierce Suel nomads who call the desert home. These nomads, deeply divided among themselves, are united only by their hatred of outsiders, striking down intruders without hesitation. Additionally, rumors persist of secretive dervishes dwelling in the bordering Abbor-Alz hills, possibly of Flan descent, who also reject all outsiders and seem to harbor a deep enmity for the Suel tribes.

The Legacy of Sulm

The Bright Desert was not always a wasteland. Long ago, it was home to thriving civilizations, the most powerful of which was the Kingdom of Sulm. In -700 CY, its downfall came when King Shattados sought ultimate dominion over his people, placing the cursed Scorpion Crown upon his brow. The artifact twisted his ambition into a nightmare—Shattados was transformed into a monstrous, gigantic scorpion, and his people became the horrific manscorpions and dune stalkers. The land itself withered beneath the weight of the curse, becoming the lifeless, shifting sands known today as the Bright Desert.

Yet Sulm’s greatest loss was not merely its people, but the River Athis, a once-mighty waterway that sustained the kingdom. Though the land was already arid, the Athis flowed strong, giving life to the Bright Desert’s heart. Flourishing settlements, verdant oases, and teeming wildlife lined its banks, thriving off its life-giving waters. But when the kingdom fell, so too did the river—its flow inexplicably ceased, leaving only a vast, cracked riverbed as a painful reminder of what once was.

The Return of the River Athis

For centuries, the Bright Desert remained cursed, the Athis nothing more than a dry and forgotten relic. But recent events have ignited a flicker of hope. A daring band of adventurers, delving deep into the heart of the desert, uncovered the lost tomb of the last royal advisor of Sulm. Within, they found ancient inscriptions detailing a means to lift the curse that had bound the river’s waters for over a millennium.

At the heart of the desert lies the Fountain of Athis, a vast basin that once served as the river’s wellspring and lifeblood. Upon lifting the curse, the basin began to slowly refill with fresh, life-giving waters. While it will take years for the river to return to its former glory—and even longer for the land to recover—the first trickles of renewal have begun. Already, small patches of greenery have appeared along the forming banks, and animals cautiously return to the water’s edge. In time, the Bright Desert may yet reclaim some of its lost splendor.

Ul-Bakak: The Trading Oasis

Despite the perils of the Bright Desert, one settlement remains a beacon of tenuous stability—Ul-Bakak, a neutral trading village of around 900 people located in the western expanse. It serves as the only reliable point of contact between the desert dwellers and the rest of the Flanaess. However, even reaching this fragile sanctuary is treacherous, as the pass leading to Hardby is largely controlled by the Tareg, a fiercely independent and often hostile group.

Ul-Bakak itself is little more than a collection of tents, situated at the foot of three craggy hills where a well-guarded spring sustains life. This spring is considered a sacred site by the Suel and Flan nomads, as well as the hillfolk of the Abbor-Alz. While trade is possible here, outsiders are only tolerated as long as they bring goods of value. Any misstep could result in swift and brutal consequences.

A Land of Mystery and Peril

The Bright Desert remains a realm of lost wealth, lingering curses, and unrelenting danger. Though the River Athis has begun to flow once more, it may be generations before its presence fully reshapes the land. Until then, the desert remains as it has for centuries—a land that tempts the bold with promises of riches and knowledge, but often rewards only with death. Yet with the return of the river, there is a new chapter to be written. Perhaps, in time, the Bright Desert will no longer be merely a tomb of forgotten empires, but a cradle of rebirth.