Qir

Qir is a fictional desert setting influenced by history in which a “sword and sorcery” style story is being told. The setting is influenced heavily by the works of Robert E. Howard (“Conan the Barbarian”), various Middle Eastern folk tales (“One Thousand and One Nights”), as well as actual Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian ancient and medieval history and mythology. Qir is a land full of danger, mysticism, political intrigue, mercantilism, warfare, and brutality - In it, you may find anything from sizzling desert bazaars with merchants peddling hash to plate-clad warriors marching behind terrible war elephants.   In reading about Qir, you may find instances of “culture crossing.” This is the idea that you may come across a concept that is familiar, due to its roots in history, but it may be intermingled with other familiar concepts of different cultures. A standout example of this is the Templars, priests throughout the desert who worship the Patron - to them, the one true god. The Templars build cathedrals in the Patron’s name and read his teachings in the Good Book. This may sound similar to Crusades-era Christianity, but also consider that the Templars pray five times a day, and hold important religious regard for prophets, concepts found in Islam.   Qir is a very adult-oriented setting. It is a place where many concepts that are unsavory in modern times exist and in some cases are embraced. First and foremost, the setting is brutally violent and there is no shortage of bloodshed and warfare. Sexual deviance is fairly commonplace and the use of mind-altering substances is rampant. Finally, racism and prejudice play a role in the politics of certain regions within the setting, and subsequently, some societies have turned to the repugnant practice of slavery. These aspects of the setting can be ignored or replaced in most cases, but for all intents and purposes the setting should be enjoyed by adults, or with close adult supervision.