An Introduction to Dis

Dis is a massive desert spanning almost 700,000 sq miles with a long history centered around its scattered people. There are four races that exist here. A unique breed of The Tablin who call themselves the Demkeht, the sand elves, The Palimphata, and the Nocturna. While humans of many colors and nationalities have made their way to the golden seas, it is not their native land. Diseamet as it was called, is a land of desert creatures. The desert is unyielding with the suns rays beating down on the shifting sand. Ruins litter its landscape constantly being covered and uncovered as the dunes move. There are remarkable few resources in the desert. An oasis is often a welcome sight for tired and thirsty travelers. There are not many and those that exist are usually guarded fiercely by those who live there.

by thiago almeida

We were a nation once. We were united. Now there is only war. Our gods are gone, our people are dying, our oasis...it shrinks by the year. It seems that, since the collapse, every year brings us less and less to fight for.

— Sabir, The Boy King

The Diseans

The people of Dis are made up of four races.

The Sand Elves

The sand elves live in rocky mesas and caves scattered across the land and often hoard massive underwater wells that sustain their numbers. They are most known for their survivalists. These elves know the desert better than most and can always seem to survive no matter how unforgiving the land seems. The sand elves are unique in that they have no pointed ears. They also have a range of skin tones from brown to black that most elves do not have.

The Palimphata

As one nears the border of dis and Lartasia they will come across a race remarkable similar to humans. Their skin tones however vary widely from pale white to brown and black and the oldest among them have blue or purple skin. The Palimphata received a gift from their gods many eons ago. They have unusual long lives, ranging from 200 to 300 years and each has the ability to call upon ghostly arms that appear to emerge from their spine. As they age, these arms grow more physical and lose their ghostly appearance. The Palimphata live in massive settlements along this border where the jungles that lead to Lartasia are teeming with life. They have lived in these jungles long before borders were drawn and were held in the highest regard before the collapse.

The Demkeht

While considered tablin in name only, the Demkeht are actually human in every way except for the fact that their heads are that of animals. While full breed Demkeht does exist, it is rare to ever see them as many died during the collapse. They live along the rivers of Dis. These regions are the only ones that can support life. The Demkeht are often at war with each other just as much as the other races of Dis. They spread themselves out in many tribes, each fighting for their own god in a war that cannot end until the gods dictate it is to be so.

The Nocturna

The Nocturna is the oldest race in the world. They are also close to extinction. They hide in their city-state Arkysalem and rarely consider themselves a part of Dis, favoring Estoya. Many, however, wander the wastes. Some are exiles, others are adventures looking for anything that may bring interest after such long lives.

by Jeff Simson

We are dying. Someone must win the war and right the wrongs of the past and soon. The sentinels have stirred again. The last time they rose from the sand, they killed thousands. My mother was one of them...I know the others would never admit it, but...I hate my gods and I'm starting to wonder if they hate me too.

— Rhomitmose, Pharoah of the Fields

The Diseamet Empire

Initially, the Palimphata were the only ones who lived in Dis. They were close to their gods but they and their gods were alone. They were wise beyond measure and soon new gods and people came to their lands. When The elves and humans came they shared that wisdom and welcomed them with open arms. They welcomed their gods too and together they formed a pact. They would follow their gods without question and hold no god above another and in return, they will form an empire in this paradise.
The Diseamet Empire is a myth to most but the people of Dis know that it was all too real. The empire ruled over a massive oasis built by their many gods surrounded by desert sands. The gods took the most loyal among the people and granted them their Mantles](law:af4ea620-12be-4970-ba57-19115b96ba11) creating the Demkeht. The people were said to have the power of flight, advanced medicine, weapons similar to the Elven Lances, genetic modification, and many more marvels of magic and technology.
For whatever reason, the gods became angry at their people and destroyed what they had created. The pantheons fractured into many parts that make up the current theological landscape of the region.

by lanbzhh

The Amoloten Pantheons

Many pantheons joined together to make up the Amoloten. Once it consisted of hundreds of divine beings. Titans, gods, survivors, and even saints and scions had a place in its ever-changing complexity. The Pantheon itself had many changes, additions, and redactions as gods came and went. Some left by choice, some were simply forgotten as they fell out of favor or lost a war with a rival and were banished. Regardless the pantheon is still in constant flux as the people of Dis grew and evolved. Once the collapse came, the pantheon shattered into several other groups. The pantheon still exists today, albeit smaller than it was before, and is generally worshipped by the Demkeht.

by Grafit Art

Amonoten Mantles

Demkeht receives a special gift: the mantle of the god they are most loyal too. A mantle is a unique form of avatar gods use to transform and work through their worshippers. Every member of the Demkeht is born human, but at around 11 years of age, they are given the mantle of their chosen deity which hardens the body and transforms their heads to that of an animal. They are recreated in the image of their deity and remain as such for the rest of their days.

The Collapse

A long time ago these races were united. They were a great civilization that boasted feats of great technological power as well as complex cultures. The ruins of this great nation can be seen flowing in and out of the sand. The gods of the many pantheons of Dis punished their people for an act of unspeakable evil. The gods sent a sandstorm from the eastern ocean and covered the land. Many died beneath the sand and the only ones who survived were those deemed worthy by their gods. The gods are still said to wander the dunes as massive sentinels who watch over their people to make sure such acts never occur again. The fine details are lost to the ruins beneath the sand but some venture out to explore them and bring back more and more each time.

Drop Down For The Reason For The Collapse

by Daarken

The oasis and its empire lived in peace. New gods joined the Amonoten and people came and enjoyed the splendor. Then a new God, who ascended to become a titan, came to the land. Aten, the sun disk, looked on the other gods and proclaimed that he alone was the one true god to be worshipped above all others. He was a jealous and envious god, and so he proclaimed that he was owed this worship by all mortals and sent his followers to spread his faith. A titan of the sun, he takes the form of an illuminated disk that hangs in the sky. He watched from his perch as his followers converted the masses. Those who refused were slaughtered and sacrificed to him. They were tied to stakes in the desert and his light would set them ablaze in a torrent of blazing fire.

This madness began to grow and consume the people of the empire. The gods banded together and demanded of Aten that he end his heresy. He refused and the gods of death gathered the souls of the Mad Titans victims, unable to rest due to their desire for vengeance. The gods asked these wailing souls what would give them peace and the cried out in agreement,
"Bury them, but not under the sea, for the sun peaks through the water. Bury them in the desert sand so the light of their god may never reach them again." The gods did as the souls wished. For the empire was no longer theirs. Their people had broken their oaths. While many still prayed to them in secret, they held Aten above all. The gods took the souls and built for them massive sentinels they would control. The sentinels would watch over the survivors and ensure the people remember their sin. The Atenites did not go quietly. They made a promise as they faced the wave of churning sand that would be their doom. The Twin queens, the Pharaohs of Aten raised a first to the wall of sand and screamed,
"Do what you will, but we will endure and by our God's grace we shall return."
The Amonoten didn't know it then, but to their everlasting shame, the Atenites were right...

by Ariel123

It was thought that the Atenites were long dead but some time within the last decade, the followers of Aten returned. When the gods sentenced them to die, Aten intervened. He appeared before his followers and shielded them. As the sand covered them Aten laid out their plan of vengeance. He would slumber there and gather his strength while his followers would use what precious air they had mummifying each other with rituals that would allow them to weather the centuries. When the time was right Aten stirred and the city he shielded rose to the surface bringing with it the undead Atenites and course black sand, charred by Aten's light. Now they wander the desert gathering followers and slaughtering any who resist.

by Aguilas

We will reclaim what is ours. We will have vengeance. Our armies are strong and our god is with is. Can they same the same?

— Pthoraten, Pharaoh of the Black Sand

Fauna & Flora

There are many forms of life apart from the sentient races that make their home in Dis. Many live in the underground caverns made by the dwarves who have long since abandoned them. Others live in the sands themselves or walk the desert from oasis to oasis. Dis has a very unbalanced ecosystem. There are far more predators than prey and the predators themselves can last for many months without a meal as they enter a state similar to hibernation. This does allow the less hostile creatures to repopulate to some degree but the demand for food by the sentient races stifles it. Many have resorted to herding and breeding the creatures on farms to better control the population and consumption. These farms are always on the lookout for guards are they are often a target for the hungry predators who awaken.

by Te Hu

Major cities and locations

Tulin-ten, The Sun City

In the east a small range of mountains borders Dis and The Black March that branch from The Harrows in Estoya. The mountains make a crescent shape and nestled within is the city of the sun. Made from sandstone scorched black by the light of Aten, the city is home to the Atenites both living and undead. Many monstrous creatures of the desert lurk here, turned into slaves of the sun god.
The architecture is jagged. Black spires scrape the sky as an orb of light hangs over the city that shines as bright as the sun itself.

Losilotep

Losilotep is a large city, not far from Arkysalem, that stands in the southern oasis. Pyramids reach high above the small sandstone buildings below. Statues of the Amonoten gods stand with divine majesty here. The city is beautiful, with gold and silver accenting every corner. Market stalls litter the as the Demkeht live out their lives far from the wars of the desert.

Pthurit

Pthurit is the name for the many small patches of oasis that stem from the center of the region to the north and west. The area is fertile and the only place in Dis that has truly abundant resources. The region is plagued by war as the races fight for a piece of what little there is. Small settlements dot the landscape but most are ghost towns that see little life save for a traveling army in search of a safe haven.

by igorkieryluk

Thomi-la

In the far northwest at the border or Lartasia and Dis lies the city of Thomi-la. The city is home to the Palimphata. Who hoard their wisdom behind their stone walls. The city is known as a place of healing and wonder, though few who face the race on the fields of battle could believe such a thing.

Hiferliti, The grottos of the golden sea

Hiferliti is the name given for the many large rock formations that can be found all over Dis. These, grottos as the sand elves call them, serve as the races home as they travel the desert. They delve into newly uncovered ruins in search of lost wonders that allow them to defeat the forces of Aten. The Sand Elves care little for the endless squabbling of the other races. They know the true threat of the desert and will stop it themselves if they have to.

The Pharaohs

Since the collapse, there have been remarkably few who could call themselves Pharaoh. The pharaohs of old were handpicked by the Amoloten gods and shared the blood of the gods. The Pharaohs were Scions who ruled in their god's name. There are currently five people in Dis who claim the title of pharaoh.

by theclockworkpainter

Arauraten and Pthoraten, pharaohs in Queens, The Pharaohs of the Black Sand.

The twin queens rule in unity as they plot to overthrow the Amoloten gods. They plan their vengeance, pacing in their dark spire as they await their god and his command.

by thefearmaster

Klatanamun, The Pharaoh of the Southern Dunes, Chosen of Bastet,

A Demkeht with the head of a desert cat, Klatanamun is a fierce woman who rules the city of silver and gold: Losilotep. She and those in her city are the few who still keep the Amonoten pantheon as their gods. Her throne rests in a great pyramid where she makes her plans of war and oversees the governing of her people.

by Nick Robles

Sabir, The Boy King, Pharaoh of the West.

Sabir took the title of Pharaoh as a courtesy to those he conquered. The term does not originate with the Palimphata and he much prefers the title of king. When the collapse occurred, the kings of Tamil-la abandoned did and their gods followed. Their gods succeeded from the Amoloten and their wisdom was all but removed from the land. While they routinely wage war with the other Pharaohs, Sabir is the only one who truly seeks peace. The war claimed all of his family and is the sole reason he sits on an unwanted throne. The responsibilities placed upon him by his people and his gods are far too much for a boy at the age of ten, but he has proven himself many times. His true wish is to restore what was lost and rebuilt the great kingdom that Dis once was. His desires fall on deaf ears, even when shared with those closest to him.

by Wendy Hamlet

Rhomitmose, Warden of Pthurit, Pharoah of the Fields

Few would ever desire to the Pharaoh of Pthurit. Rhomitmose is no exception. He is surrounded on all sides by enemies who desperately desire the land he rules. Often called the better king, Rmomitmose often offers to fight on the side of whoever takes his land in exchange for the land itself to return to his hands. This tactic has been exploited by each of the other Pharaohs as his loyalties constantly ebb and flow from one side to the next. To him, this is a necessity. It allows him to provide for all the people of Dis as he has much to offer them and they have so little.

Alternative Name(s)

The Golden Sea, The Disean Desert

Type

Desert