Introduction - Secrets in the Sand
This adventure takes players to the lands of Zami Ramal. Connected only to the Far (Forgotten) Realms by an influx of refugees at the time of the Landing, the lands have existed in isolation for 1600 years or more. The people have adapted over this time to the harsh environment. They have also learned to make peace, to grow crops and that when a problem comes up, it needs dealing with promptly.
Background
Every year, after the rain, the desert city Akhang-Ahvar celebrates the River Festival of Jawm Al-Nahr. The city features great pools which overflow with clear, fresh water. Children and animals are baptismally bathed, street fairs thrive, merchants fill the taverns and visitors come from afar to join in the spectacle. This year, however, the rains came but the rivers did not flow, the pools did not fill and the expectant crowds grew frustrated and afraid. The crowds left, the celebration all but cancelled and the city elders gathered to discuss how this could be solved.Vizier Ghadir Jalal has decreed that a party must be hired to seek out the cause of the water shortage, for it cannot be natural and some force must be holding back the precious water from the rivers and wellsprings. Should the drought persist, the citizens will have no water available in 7 days, and after that, sickness and dehydration will start to take the lives of children and the elderly. This cannot be allowed to happen, the water must be restored! It is known that the source of the water was found out in the deep desert but the location has been forgotten over the decades of rich, comfortable living in the desert city.
Structure
Exposition
Zami Ramal - desert lands.
Sand, always the sand...and the dust....
Dust blows ceaselessly on the constant winds, getting into everything and everyone. Transport across the desert is by camel train. Water is a precious resource. The native people are dark-skinned and fierce, no matter their race. The people who came in the Landing have integrated completely but are notably less weathered, in most cases. Buildings are made of mud bricks, wooden poles and canvas awnings.
On the Eastern coast, facing the Sunrise sea, stands Hajdib, centre of wealth, law and education.
To the West, with a harbour facing the Sunset Se and the Shattered Isles, is Kurata, the main industrial and trading city of Zami Ramal.
Betwixt the two there stands the City of Akhang-Ahvar where trade is done and the annual festivals, markets and tourism support the deep desert settlement.
There are a few scattered oases in the desert, the largest of which is Subha's Oasis, site of a grand temple and a necessary crossing point in the dunes.
Sand, always the sand...and the dust....
Dust blows ceaselessly on the constant winds, getting into everything and everyone. Transport across the desert is by camel train. Water is a precious resource. The native people are dark-skinned and fierce, no matter their race. The people who came in the Landing have integrated completely but are notably less weathered, in most cases. Buildings are made of mud bricks, wooden poles and canvas awnings.
On the Eastern coast, facing the Sunrise sea, stands Hajdib, centre of wealth, law and education.
To the West, with a harbour facing the Sunset Se and the Shattered Isles, is Kurata, the main industrial and trading city of Zami Ramal.
Betwixt the two there stands the City of Akhang-Ahvar where trade is done and the annual festivals, markets and tourism support the deep desert settlement.
There are a few scattered oases in the desert, the largest of which is Subha's Oasis, site of a grand temple and a necessary crossing point in the dunes.
Conflict
Akhang-Ahvar relies heavily upon annual tourism to the Jawm Al-Nahr festival to support its economy, its market and its temples. Should the drought persist, the citizens will have no water available in just over a week, and after that, sickness and dehydration will start to take the lives of children and the elderly. This cannot be allowed to happen, the water must be restored. As soon as the waters did not flow, rationing was enforced, causing unrest and suspicion. The Viziers guard has a heavy presence in the streets to keep order and prevent hoarding and theft. The citizens are afraid and frustrated and tempers flare often. The party chosen have the chance to save an entire city from ruin.
Rising Action
The City of Akhang-Ahvar is suffering a great drought at the time of the expected height of the rivers after the annual rains. The celebrations that normally welcome this event are subdued and tense. A party of adventurers must go and find the reason for the drought. This has been foreseen by prophecy in the Temple of Chauntea - Earth Mother at Subha's Oasis . Clues must be found as to the location of a secret temple out in The Deep Dunes .
Climax
The water temple should be found and the warlock who is in hiding there must be overthrown, her plot brought down and her prisoner released.
Falling Action
The adventurers free the water and the celebrations in Akhang-Ahvar are restored. The party are hailed as heroes.
Relations
Protagonists
Vizier Ghadir Jalal , human male nobleman
Languages - Common, Draconic, Elvish
Ghadir Jalal is the highest authority in Akhang-Ahvar and is of noble birth. Nobles wield great authority and influence as members of the upper class, possessing wealth and connections that can make them as powerful as monarchs and generals.
Languages - Common, Draconic, Elvish
Ghadir Jalal is the highest authority in Akhang-Ahvar and is of noble birth. Nobles wield great authority and influence as members of the upper class, possessing wealth and connections that can make them as powerful as monarchs and generals.
Chapter 1 - Akhang-Ahvar
Chapter 2 - Subhas Oasis and the Temple of Chauntea
Chapter 3 - The Hidden Temple
Chapter 4 - Return to the City
Appendix A – Monster Tables
Appendix B - Maps
Chapter 2 - Subhas Oasis and the Temple of Chauntea
Chapter 3 - The Hidden Temple
Chapter 4 - Return to the City
Appendix A – Monster Tables
Appendix B - Maps
Plot type
Story Introduction - The Secret in the Sands
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