The sands consume all, slowly, methodically. We dare to push back, to hold the oasis, to defend our very lifeline.
Once upon an age, they were nomads. Wanderers that would travel the hills, the forests, even the seas. This was their very way of life, both their reason for existing and means of survival. Taking goods from one place to the next, never really settling down. That was, until one fateful day. The
Kessian Desert is not a place to take lightly, nor a place suited to smooth travels. But these nomads knew the stars, they could read the weather and they thought themselves ready to cross this vast empty plane. Sandstorms are not common here, but they are not so rare either, and they thought themselves prepared. Not three days into their journey, the worst would befall them. A storm that cut like a thousand sharp needles, winds that would bring a horse to its knees and a darkness akin to the blackest of nights.
But there was one thing that always seemed to be on their side, luck. The storm would batter their caravan of travellers, many would lose their lives or lose there way in the chaos. But through the sheer adversity, the sands would part upon them a gift. They were but ruins, a shell of their former selves. But it was shelter... and it was hope. They would weather this storm of storms for what felt like to them, an eternity. Lighting illuminating the countless daggers that filled the swirling sky. Winds howling like the creatures of a child's nightmare.
When they awoke, they were but a shadow of their former selves. A group now stranded, no supplies, no means of travel other than their own two feet and no time to mourn. With no other options, they began exploring the very ruins that had saved them. History gets a little blurry here, and there are a few different accounts of what they found. The one thing all historians agree on is that they discovered the source, a plentiful oasis of pure water that allowed their continued survival. Many believe that was not all they found however we shal get into those details another day; for now all you need to understand is that they lived. Not only would they survive though, they would thrive.
Zoseer is a small desert colony, it's people adhere to the laws laid down by the people of the original voyage. There is also one identified true bloodline that can be traced back to the first of them to truly take leadership and push the survivors into a new age of prosperity. This lineage has always provided it's eldest son or daughter as advisor to the people, a position of great respect and admiration. The adviser makes decisions when the laws fail to provide an answer.
Being so truly remote, Zoseer is protected by the elements and desert. It's people have mastered reading the sights, sounds and slightest changes in the sand; they would learn from their ancestors mistakes. Because of this understanding with their environment, the Zoseer can travel faster and further than most would dare; providing ample scouting capability.
While there isn't much in the way of fertile land, nor trees to harvest or seas to fish; Zoseer has a thriving culture. The desert is very much alive and for those who know how to reap what she provides, it proves most valuable. Various creatures are captured for their chrysalis like shells and meat, but nothing goes to waste; their is a use for everything out here. The people produce some unique alcohols made from a particularly hardy breed of cacti berry, such as sandkeg cider. They are also avid explorers, something that will always sing in their blood is the need to move, to travel. Because of this they have mapped a vast portion of the Kessian Desert and discovered many an artifact along the way, some of which they will happily trade for foreign goods and luxuries.
Not a lot is truly known about the township itself, visitors are welcome of course and will be treated as honored guests for simply making the trek; but most are not allowed below the upper levels of the settlement. Beneath its mighty sandstone walls lies a series of halls and chambers, this is also the believed location of Zoseers lifeline, its water source. The water is brought to the surface via a few protected wells, these locations are watched day and night to insure they are not abused nor tainted. The various upper buildings, towers and walls were once but ruins. The Zoseer have spent a countless years restoring the old architecture back to its fabled beauty, and continue to do so.
Most of what they produce, construct or find they keep for themselves. While they have almost mastered the art of living in the deep desert, they still live a harder life than most and so place great value on anything they have. There is one thing they have crafted that catches many a foreningers eye and imagination however... the sand skimmer.
These craft made from farmed and reclaimed palm woods allow the Zoseer to travel quickly and almost silently across the dunes of the desert. Adapting their ancestors knowledge of the sail and the wind, they created these craft out of a deep need to move beyond that endless sea of sand; to continue to explore. They have since built a myriad of versions, smaller two man skipper craft, all the way up to the colossal Duneking; a feat of engineering that can take a crew of fourteen.
There are no guilds nor real factions within Zoseers walls, the people are united still by the very desert that attempted to banish them. There are however, the Zaseet. A select group chosen by the peoples advisor to guard Zoseer, its laws and its way of life. They are chosen at birth and raised to be true examples of Zoseers ability to survive, adapt, understand and overcome.
The township has a unique feel, it's very design and structure was not that of it's current people. Not much is really known about it before the nomads discovered it, and what knowledge there is is closely guarded by the Zoseer. That doesn't mean one can't admire it however, for it is truly unique and beautiful. A beacon of life and proud survival in an otherwise inhospitable land.
Afterword: These creations are places that have not truly found their place in a world, that being said they are a platform ripe for adaptation and further exploration. These articles will change many times as we take them and individually make them our own, but their true foundation will always live on in the preceding words, art and song.
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