Asheron's Call Manual/Al-Arqas

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Al-Arqas From 11-02-1999 The A'mun Desert is a hostile place, reminiscent of the trackless Naqut on Ispar. The dunes stretch beneath the sweltering sun for mile upon mile, with little water or hope of shelter. Even within such harsh lands, however, there are rare islands of succor: oases where fresh water miraculously bubbles forth, creating motes of greenery amid the wastes. Such a place is Al-Arqas (literally, "The Haven"), which sprang into being only recently, when Gharu'ndim desert-walkers discovered a hitherto unknown spring in the A'mun's southern expanses. Though less than half a year old, the town is already flourishing, as it provides a convenient halfway-point for travelers moving between Yaraq an southern towns like Uziz and Khayyaban. Points of Interest The Djubar Amitri, a pool of fresh, surprisingly cool water, forms the heart of the oasis where Al-Arqas has arisen. Though it is small, the spring that feeds it keeps it filled, even during the dry season. Less than a year ago, the pool began to emit clouds of cold mist. The reason for this is unknown, though doomsayers claim it heralds a coming disaster. In the dunes east of the oasis, a portal leads to an old compound once used by the Empyrean to train their young in the arts of war. The portal was buried beneath the sands until shortly after the Gharu'ndim first arrived in Dereth, when a storm uncovered it. For a time, bandits dwelt within, but they were driven out when the desert folk settled Al-Arqas. Now, Drudges prowl its empty vaults.