Overview of Vas’tek

From The Musings of a Wanderer by Bevel Dart

Upon the Thundering Sands lies the Kingdom of Vas’tek. Centrally located upon Aropria and the source of many exquisite archeological finds and precious gems, Vas’tek is worth a visit, if you know how to survive.

The People

The Vas’n, the people of Vas’tek, culturally embody a kind of double-personality. Permit me to elaborate. In almost any dealing with a Vas’n, you will be met with little emotion, shown as coldness, serenity, or bland professionalism. Seek to hire a Vas’n in the grand bazaar of Moijavera to act as guide to go a’quest’n on an archeological dig into the desert and you will find a stoic pro. You will rarely crack him. But if you have the immense pleasure of visiting Wayat’ujan, the Oasis City, you will never find a more friendly, more wholesome people.

The nomadic tribes of Vas’tek roam the sands of their homeland. Where you and I would quickly perish, they thrive. The desert is their home. They know every oasis - they have no need for roads.

Within each of the tribes, members are closely knit by familial ties. Marrying outside the tribe is common and appears to ensure friendly relations between tribes. That and the fact that all Vas’n share the same true home: Wayat’ujan.

Wayat’ujan - Oasis City

The gem amongst a desert of hidden gems is Wayat’ujan, the Oasis City, the Unwalled City. Here the hardness of the desert people gives way to the deep spirit of family that runs through all Vas’n. Desert sands give way to hard streets, colorful stone homes, lush gardens, and gushing fountains.

Wayat’ujan is rightly and wrongly named the Unwalled City. Primarily, the desert is her wall, her blanket of protection. No road leads to the oasis - you must know the way. And no army large enough to take the city could expect to make the trek across the dunes. Secondarily, the Unwalled City does have a wall - of lattice. Climbing this wall of lattice is a blanket of purple-leafed vines that absorb both congruence and sunlight. The wall of vines does a good job of screening the city from the worst of the winds, but it appears to have a second purpose: fuelling the city. The congruence absorbed by the vines is partially used to assist with water flow throughout the city.

The city itself is a uniquely civilized place. Various markets are scattered about the city. Streets are full of whistles and bustling activity. Open-air tearoom are commonplace where you can enjoy one of several board-based games of strategy and of chance. Street vendors are common. I found myself partial to a particular vendor with a certain bright orange congruence-cooled tangy-sweet beverage. I won (and lost) many a game sipping my orange draft.

The grandest part of this vibrant city was the feeling of family and welcome. You are welcome to virtually any table, not as a guest but as a member of the family. I had to stop asking for directions because I was constantly being whisked into the dining courtyard of a new home. I had to let out my belt several notches during my stay. This tradition is carried all the way up to King Zaem himself. The palace’s dining courtyard is as welcoming as the smallest home.

Other Oases

Scattered about the Thundering Sands are oases of much smaller size. A few are large enough to support a single permanent trading post, but most are only large enough to water a few animals and refill your waterskins.

The Thundering Sands

The Thundering Sands themselves are perilous to outsiders without a guide. Oases are too few and distant for the inexperienced. The lack of landmarks and roads makes navigation extremely difficult. The winds of the Thundering Sands cause regular shifts to the terrain, and they will uncover, and then recover, an old ruin within a month.

One distinct landmark and waypoint is the Mast. The Mast is a huge, apparently-wooden column that leans due south. The Mast is often used as a rite of passage, wherein a young adult is blindfolded, transported to a random expense of dunes, and then instructed to find her way alone to the Mast after waiting a full day. Because of this custom, it is common to find several groups of Vas’n camped at the Mast awaiting the arrival of their soon-to-be adult.

Another distinct landmark is the Hills of Glass. This northern large mass of hills appear to be sand dunes, however upon reaching them you will find these dunes have been glassed by some long-ago blast.

Another distinct landmark is the Forest of Columns. Located in the southern part of the desert is a vast labyrinth of stone columns. Some columns appear to be naturally made, while others appear to be built of blocks. Carvings and writings of many different languages adorn some of the columns.

Masters of Fluid - Air and Water

The congruence masters of Vas’n hold a special aptitude for fluids. You will often see Vas’n congruence users manipulate air to assist in all sorts of uses, such as guiding the sand-filled wind around a caravan during otherwise impossible travel.

Whistling is used as a short-hand second language. Those with even a trickle of congruence aptitude learn how to send whistled messages long-distance upon the wind itself.

Vas’ns command of water is also unparalleled, however this is much more rarely seen. I could never confirm it, but the rumor you may have heard about Vas’n congruence masters creating artificial oases is likely true. Reading between the lines, such ability is the height of ambition and prestige among the Vas’n.

Governance

Vas’tek is loosely governed by the King and his high court. Family and tribal justice keeps most people in line.

Succession of the Sash (the equivalent of a crown) is governed by strict adherence of family bloodlines. Seats in the high court are selected by the King himself.

Military

The Vas’n military as a standing force is tiny. But nothing would band the tribes together more quickly than an invading army. Imagine fighting an enemy in the desert who can call up wind storms of sand. Imagine struggling your army across an endless expanse of sand while your water reserves mysteriously vanish.

Trade

Traders of Vas’tek is a common sight through much of the continent. Due to the hazards of the desert, it is primarily Vas’n traders who travel to the markets of other nations, rather than outside traders making their way into Vas’tek. Nashriam's wealth and interest in archeological finds ensures good business. The Curathian elite’s interest in gems also generates a steady flow.

Notable Relations with Other Nations

Vas’tek deals little with other nations diplomatically. The Vas’n have little need and little interest. They are neither hostile nor particularly amiable with any nation.

Misc

• A common pet and companion of the Vas’n is a fyrib. These creatures act much like falcons. They are fairly intelligent animals that you will often see perched upon shoulders. These creatures sport hawklike faces, mostly feathered bodies, and batlike wings. Their double-wings give the appearance of one larger primary set of wings with a smaller set below.