The Dune Seas of Kharak

Following the winds and waves south through the Gulf of Xeti and then around the colorful sandy beaches of the Ixaocan Penninsula, to the far continental southeast lies the windswept and ancient lands of Kharak. Nestled in the continental south east, next to the Jungles of Xeti and the Golden Plains, it is a land of endless seas of sand and rock, relentless sun, oppressive heat, elemental Gods and ancient evils. The Dunes of Kharak and the Sands of D'resh are utterly unforgiving to those who don't respect the power of the sun and sand. Among the sand swept rock formations, hardy tribes of the D'Reshi people eck out a living in worship of elemental deities long forgotten by most areas of the world, while sand sailing nomads traverse the vast dune seas on powerful thermals of hot wind.

Amongst the Sand and Rock

The pebbled beaches of the Bay of Gifts are the first to greet the sea weary traveler having safely navigated the dangers of Serpentine Coast and the coral shoals of the Dragon Coast. This is where the port city of Sham'mel welcomes those traders bold enough to gamble on the journey from afar. But, its to the Sun City of Al Radishah that all roads and paths meet eventually meet at the throne of the Sun King. Beyond the port cities of Sham'mel and Al Radishah lie the ports of Ka Sabar, Qa'Rosh, and Dar el Hama. Beyond them, and the narrow strip of inhabitable land on the coast, lies the Desert that seems to stretch on forever. It is here in among dunes of the Sands of D'Resh and the Dunes of Kharak, together known as the Dune Seas; that clans and tribes of desert nomads reside. Overbearing heat, deadly sandstorms, and ever-hungry denizens of the dunes encroach on the safe travels any caravan may attempt across these lands in search of a number of the oasis-like bastions of civilization.
Dotting the dunes can be seen the ruins of nations and kingdoms gone past, reminders of an age when the dunes were covered in lush grass and forests of trees. The tops spires and statues can be seen poking from their sandy sea beds, monolithic epitaphs to a once flourishing kingdom of Giants who occupied this land. On the wind can often be felt a strange static in air, one that begets the elemental power of this place; dotting the land can still be found temples and shrines, abandoned and occupied, to elemental deities of old; Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Stranger still are ruins which none can identify, filled with marking that at best no one understands, and at worst hurt the eyes and mind to even gaze upon.
Bordering both the Western reaches, and eastern shores are the rocky Sandstone Shards and Spine of Khsar mountain chains. These vast ranges spread for hundreds of miles of high peaks, deep chasms and endless caves, housing predatory creatures lying in wait, before giving way to the jungles in the west, and the Dune Coast on the east. The mountains harbor most of the small forests which remain in the Dune Seas. In those mountains reside the elemental clans, those which still serve the "old gods", the Elemental lords of the realm. It is also here that the remains of the former lords of these lands can be seen; the Stone Giants. Their one glories cities and towns carved into the sides of mountain, canyon, and cave; now waiting to be explored by those daring enough to brave the sun, sand, and whatever guardians may be left.
In the north, the sand gives way to an array of monolithic stone formations which rise out of the sand, breaking up the sea instead into rivers of sand between the stones of the Thousand Mesas. These rivers of sand and stone eventually give way to grasses and streams before disappearing into the enormity of the Golden Plains and their endless seas of grass and sky.

Peoples of the Desert

While the peoples who have dominated or ruled over what is and what was the Sands has changed dramatically over time, Humans now represent the dominant species across the regions, from coast to desert Oasis. Among the villages and cities of the coast, all manor of race known to Esseas can be found. While Elves, Dwarves and other common folk do not have their own homes in Kharak, they have made themselves at home among the cities of this desolate landscape. Humans in these lands mostly come from two original tribes, the Khsar and the D'Reshi, with the dark skinned, black haired Khsar predominantly living along the coasts.
Outside of the cities, the seemingly sparse and empty deserts are patrolled by a numerous nomadic tribes living off the land. Foremost and largest among these are the D'Reshi peoples, who live in small communities called Shieks hidden by rock and illusion magic. The D'reshi people stand out with their deep reddish bronze skin, braided hair, ritual patterns scarred on their skin, and often eye colours of rich blues, purples, reds, and greys reflecting their elemental heritages. Rare in other parts of the world, but common in the Dune Seas, Genasi make up a sizeable population, living seamlessly among all others and forming tribes of their own continuing to worship Elemental Gods of old. Others, like Kobolds and Goblins, each once having had kingdoms of their own, now form tribes of nomadic scavengers; stripping the desert dead and looting tombs. Among the Spine of Khsar the Drow of Redoran make their home in a city buried deep in a canyon. Others still, Aarkokra tribes form small enclaves at the peaks of rocky spires, and glide on the powerful thermals; and Bronze Dragonborn wander the dunes. In the north among the rocky Thousand Mesa's clans of brown skinned Orcs make their home. Stranger still, rumors of Werepeople in the Sandstone Shards having formed their own home. Becoming more common are sightings of insectoid Thri-Kreen, usually highly secretive, making their appearance out from their hidden hive warrens a mystery.