IER Yeruns ens of by Anne Brown 3123IBTHRIGHT es Khourane table of contents Last Words from the Emira. . History of the Realm. Geography Culture Map of Ber Falaia. Supporters and Scoundrels . - Assets and Holdings ..... Rumors, Secrets, and Piots Strategies een Sunsiuucier andthe TSR Topeaesteremarks owned by TSR, Toe AAITSR characters, character names and the datinctve Ukenescs thereo! are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. ©1996 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America fandom House andi alae companies have wide de nation rights nthe boo trade for Englthtnguage prot of| ‘TSR, Inc. Distributed tothe toy and hobby trade by regional di Iwibutors, Distibuted tothe book and hobby tae in the United ing by TSR Lud This material i protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unnuthoried use fof the material contained herein e prohibited without the expest Alten content of TSR, Ine siasxcxisot ISBN 07869-0397. TSR, tne TSR Lu, 201 Sheridan Springs Re 120 Church End Lake Geneva, WI Cherry Hinton sa147 Cambridge CEL SLB USA UNITED KINGDOM fhe lands of the Khinasi seem to stretch ‘on forever. From the fringes of the Har- rowmarsh all the way across the conti- nent to the coast of the Sea of Dragons, a trav- ler could spend a lifetime visiting every settle- ment and every point of interest. It is a land of both riches and desolation—and certain domains include more than their share of one or the other. But Khourane is a realm that benefits from a long, beautiful coast, deep forests, and shining deserts spotted with oases. It has been the subject of envy more than once in its long history. Today, this domain recognizes a new Teader—your player character. what you need to play This domain sourcebook is designed for use with the BIRTHRIGHT® campaign setting. In addition to the Player's Handbook and the DuNnGEON Master® Guide for the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DrAGONs® game, you or your Dungeon Master (DM) should have a copy of the BirrHriGut boxed set. The Cities of the Sun accessory will also prove helpful. Before attempting to incorporate this material into an. existing campaign, be sure that you and your DM have thoroughly read this product. using this domain sourcebook This product is designed as an aid for players who wish to install a character as the regent of Khourane. This sourcebook expands upon the information in the BixtHRiGHT boxed set and Cities of the Sun to provide details of the Khi- nasi settlements and strongholds, progress in disputes with enemies, the current political situ- ation, resources and shortfalls, and the disap- pearance of Emira Kalilah bint Farid el-Mashil It also provides an examination of the distinc tive cultures in these lands and their interac- tions with outsiders. Like all game products, this sourcebook may be modified by the player and DM to suit an individual campaign, Because a player character will be assuming the role of regent, that player is free to drive Khourane’s future in any direc~ tion. This material is also appropriate for a non- regent PC or a DM wishing to play Khourane as, a nonplayer character domain.last words even she cannot °° hear us above this how!- from the emica mf eemeen he formal garden of the emira’s palace is I especially beautiful in the early morning. ‘Your character lingers over breakfast in this small paradise, enjoying the shade of cypress trees and the brilliant blooms of hibiscus and lilies. ‘Their scents waft over you as you gaze at the deep blue sky and feel the warm morning breeze. The air is remarkably clear following last night's storm—the wind and rain were so fierce that you wondered if it weren't a typhoon, But morning has dawned with no sign of damage in the immediate area, Just a storm, you think to yourself—and how wonderfully it cleansed the air and washed the dust from rooftops and paving stones. ‘A servant boy steps forward to pour coffee. He raises the silvered pot, then an object sails over the high wall surrounding the garden and lands on your table with a thump. The boy barely man- to keep his grip on the coffee um, but skill- fully prevents the hot liquid from spilling. ‘The object that landed on the table suddenly gives a little hop, You see that it is a golden scrolicase—and you recognize it as belonging to the emira, It flutters slightly on richly colored feathery wings; their blue and emerald tones glint in the sunlight. The case half hops, half flutters over to you and stops. The latch is easily opened and you lift the lid. Inside the case are a quill pen and a sodden sheet of papyrus. You unroll it carefully and discover a sf letter addressed to you. The handwriting looks like that of the emira, but is crooked and shaky. “My trusted ambassador, “L hope this missive finds you! We are nearly | home from our journey to the cold country—we hhave passed the Magian’s peninsula. But a storm of such wrath has whipped up that I fear we may never make landfall. The ship rocks terribly, and as you know, Tam no weakling when it comes to sea travel. "Even the captain has a gleam of fear "in his eye. The ship is secured and the sailors have lashed them- selves to the deck, but the beams and mast creak ‘hoevibly; We are pray- pene — perhaps that I am lost. “In the event of my demise, you must carry on in my absence. I know that you will encounter opposition from others who would sit ‘on my throne, but this letter must serve as my official notice that I wish to pass the scepter to you. I pray that this scrollcase reaches you and ‘does not fall into enemy hands! “have every faith in you as a leader, but I will not rest unless I can give you these warnings. “Be wary in dealing with the elves! They will take any opportunity to recover their beloved lands. Never take anything they say at face value, “Beware the awnsheghlien, especially the Serpent! I know you recognize their dangers, but they will try to fool you or make a fool of you. Keep our trusted wizards near in any deal- ings with them—and depend on magical reports of activities in enemy lands. The Serpent is especially tricky—he will try to take the land out from under you when you are not looking, rather than marching in with an army. “Do something about that scoundrel el-Sirad! He is a traitor without rival—and if he can strike once and seal off our lands to steal them, he can surely do so a second or third time. You must eliminate him or somehow strike a treaty with him. Make an example of him to anyone “Turn to Beshir for everything. She knows ‘who can be trusted and who should be buried in the garden with yesterday's fish bones. She will reveal to you many of the palace’s secret magi- cal devices for safety and for spying, “Tihara min Buseri is also trustworthy. She will embrace you as if were your sister. The treasury is healthy and our lands are prosperous. Our people are loyal. Do your best for them and they will repay you tenfold. “Foreign matters will occupy all of your time. Do not forget to keep a watchful eve on your own realm! The minute you avert your eyes for more ‘than a blink, someone will try to force their way in and steal the domain from the inside out. “Squash Mairada like an overripe melon if you must, That land causes us more and more trouble as the Serpent extends his influence. “Finally, never give up the fight. Our lands are worth preserving and our freedom is with- ‘out price. Always remember the lessons of —" ‘The letter ends in a smear of ink. It bears the date of eleven days ago.the transfer of power jhe moment the letter from the emira I Merived. you sncbiOSA Oey age the fleet and every wizard in the realm. But no combination of searches and scrying turned up any clue as to the emira’s whereabouts. Even those magical items specifically attuned to locating the emira provided no hope. ‘The last several days have been some of the worst you can remember. The palace has been in uproar; mourners have been arriving daily, the staff has been thrown into confusion, and the palace guards have had all they can do to keep the building in one piece. Further, you have received personal messages ranging from sincere congratulations to thinly veiled pleas for favors—and from ludicrous attempts at black- ‘mail to outright accusations of the emira’s mur- der, Fortunately, an assembly of mages from all across Khourane has authenticated the emira’s letter, At least the accusation that you engi- neered her disappearance has been quelled. The next several weeks will he difficult. Cer- tain staff members are already jockeying for posi- tion; some of your rivals still do not seem con- vinced that you were legitimately given rule of the domain. You know that you can expect any number of scandals to surface in the next few months, and that anyone with an ax to grind will ‘make an appearance to try to take advantage of the new (and presumably inexperienced) ruler. The oasis of calm in the midst of this stormy ‘tumult has been Beshir min Barein, the emira’s most trusted adviser. She has managed to keep the undesirable elements at bay—individuals ranging from beggars and looters to scandal seekers and spies have all been turned away by her sharp tongue. You've watched Beshir for years, and have always known her to be a quiet woman. But amid this chaos, she has taken con- trol of palace operations and has reserved her mourning for her private time. Without her experience and guidance, the palace would be in considerably worse shape and would likely be relieved of some of its treasures. Just at the times when you think you cannot. take any more of the stresses of office, Bes! appears with a pot of hot tea laced with honey and orange, Over a cup of her brew, she has soothed your aching head and worried brow. She assures you that Kalilah made the right choice in naming you ruler, and that the docu- ‘ment you received was authentic. “I shall make it my business to ensure that no ‘one questions your right to rule,” she tells you. “Some rulers might pass an edict demanding respect and outlawing talk to the contrary. But that is not how Kalilah would have wanted it, and that is not the way to gain loyalty among your people. Controlling the way that people think is never good for their souls. Instead, we shall plan a goodwill campaign that will garner loyalty and instill trust. Your people will soon follow you the way they followed Kalilah. “In the meantime, I am afraid I must report that the search for the emira has still yielded no success. We must call some ships back to the harbor; we are defenseless without them. We must also plan the emira’s funeral and then see to your coronation. The sooner the affairs of state are finished, the sooner our land can return to a life ruled by the rising and setting of the sun.” That conversation was a little more than two weeks ago. The emira has since been laid to’ rest, and you have ascended the throne of Khourane. You stand ready to serve as the new ruler of the domain.history of the reulit jhe history of Cerilia since the human arrival has been filled with chaos, unrest, and bloodshed. The Khinasi states have suffered more than their share of battle; these nations first defended themselves against the Roeles, eventually falling under their influence, then fought again to regain their freedom. The later battle was well worth the price; the result was the independence of all the Khinasi states with the exception of Suiriene (which Anuire eventually abandoned), Approximately half of the lands that would eventually be known as Khourane fell to Anuirean expansionism in 555 MA. The eastern half of the nation spent the next 250 years resisting the advances of the Anuirean armies. Despite the enormous enemy that waited to gobble it up, Khourane was founded in 815 MA by Rashad ibn Khourane. Rashad was the son of a freedom fighter who hoped to unite the free Tanils of the nation. Khourane died on the battlefield only six months before his son accomplished the task of declaring the realm a nation. Khourane’s dearest hope was that ‘by uniting the lands under a single banner, the people would exhibit greater loyalty to their homelands and thus see increased success in the war against Anuire. This dream was eventually realized; Khourane became a nation, and under el-Arrasi’s guidance, the Anuirean-held lands regained their freedom in 1299. ‘The desert lands west and north of Ber Falaia had at one time been considered part of what was now called Khourane, and the young nation immediately seized control of these regions. The removal of Anuirean influence in the Khinasi realm meant that many tracts of land were suddenly without lawful rule. The elves of the Rhuannach prepared to lay rightful claim to the forested areas, but they had no way of knowing the human reaction to this sudden lack of title. The humans began carving up large areas of the Docandragh before the elves real- ized what was happening. Never before in their history had they experienced such outright thievery, but stopped short of retaliation. Stories from the region tell that elf philoso- phers still argue the issue of exactly how the humans rationalize that once one group gives up a claim, the others may rush in and seize that which does not belong to them.recent cule he most recent royal lineage in Khourane that of the el-Mashil family. Seventy- seven years ago, Aziza el-Mashil gained control of the throne following the overthrow of a corrupt regime. The overthrow itself was extremely dangerous; the previous emir had spies in every alley who were willing to implicate their own forebears in order to gain the most paltry favor or trinket from the palace. After a full year of careful planing, the effort ‘was accomplished and Aziza was placed on the throne by unanimous decision of her cohorts. Every servant in the palace was dismissed, many advisers were executed (those who did not imme- diately flee the province), and the palace was burned to the ground, The new emira and her court had considerable reservations about living and working in a palace the previous offenders knew in intimate detail and that might be riddled with dangerous magical weapons or scrying devices. The burning of the old palace and the construction of the new also gave symbolism to the rise of the new El-Mashil was a strong but fair leader. In a few short years, her policies became known in even the remotest corners of Khourane: attempts to bribe her government were met with strict punishment, dirty dealings of any kind were not tolerated, and the emira never placed her needs above those of her realm. She ruled for only 11 years, but her son Farid carried on her work of restoring Khourane to an honorable nation. Aziza'a granddaughter Kalilah is said to bear a remarkable likeness to her ancestor in appearance, mannerism, and style of rule. The new emir will find the task of filling Kalilah’s slippers to be formidable indeed. timeline Khinasi use Masetian Arrival reckon- g in their histories, and the dates below are all listed in MA. To convert to the Anuirean standard, Haelyn's Count (HC), subtract 515 years from the dates listed below. Date (Masetian Asrival) Event 0 Acrival of humans in Cerilia 12 ‘Maltos Sariya founds Masetian city of Sariya 495 315 523 Widespread colonization effort by Basarji Battle of Mount Deismaar; Masetians practically exterminated Founding of Ariya 525-555. Roele unifies Anuire; surviving 555 575 815 890. 1065 1249 1271 1279 1299 1300 1302 1303 1311 1313 1488 1743. 1903 1912 1962 1973 1996 2023 2029 2033 2039 Masetians flee to the Ajari Deeps Djapar breaks contact with the Basarji; Roele conquers the Saere Siendere Death of Roele Founding of Khourane Dwarf city of Kheleb-Izhil sealed Serpent curses surviving Masetians Birth of el-Arrasi EL-Arrasi ascends the throne of Ari EL-Arrasi organizes Basarji Federa- asarji Revolution begins Basarji Revolution ends with Anuire holding only Suiriene Khourane struggles to reestablish itself as a nation Diyab el-Falaia emerges as victor in bloody maneuvering for the throne City of Ber Falaia founded El-Arrasi assassinated by an agent of the Serpent Diyab el-Falaia is assassinated; son ‘Yezeed ibn Diyab el-Falaia succeeds him Death of Michael Roele; Anuire abandons Suiriene “Appearance of the Minotaur in the Maze ‘The Serpent seizes control of Mairada Ber Falaia fends off an attack by the Black Spear Tribes Coronation of Aziza el-Mashi Death of Emira Aziza el-Mashil; yg Coronation of Farid bin Aziza 5 I | el-Mashil Refugees from Djafra spill into Khourane Death of Emir Farid bin Aziza el-Mashil of extreme old age: Coronation of Kalilah bint Farid el- Mashil El-Sirad forms Mour el-Sirad ‘The Mesias cotien ina Emira Kalilah bint Farid el-Mashil is lost at s Coronation of the new emirgeography ‘ew nations in Cerilia £: range of terrains four is a realm of sparkling white beaches, treacherous cliffs, rocky wastelands, forbidding mountains, and lush forests. A. bit of _ Khouranean wisdom advises, “Should the cli- ‘mate be disagreeable, simply pack your famil Bet sia patel your family nore kag any direction fingers of ayan oe the passable: The few passes are and choked with dense jungle tho al or impossi- be ae “LE ler, but the tem- Menor cad local apartatonice in i ‘employ to guide those who would undertake the journey to swear to the oaths. ‘This range of mountains is home to some of the most exotic wildlife in Khinasi. Brightly col- ae chatter in the jungle’s drooping ite: lizards and salamanders scuttle in growth, and monkeys and apes make hom ‘in inaccessible caves. The ayara, or , dvvell here as well. This breed “boasts exquisitely soft far the color Stasi {its fur rivals that of a chinchilla), ortunately for the species, the Khinasi con- sider it bad luck to kill the ayara. Perhaps two dozen families reside in the rugged mountains. For the most rt, they live an isolated life and are Se ee topea to trae in "nearby villages. These individu- ~ als tend to escape the notice se ofrovel tax collectors, So ‘ esl do no all pinchers. Even if the tax collectors could find these mountain dwellers, itis unlikely that the rusties would have anything of value to contribute. the rain serpent as ereiey we Es ave little trou = who venture ble traversing their realm. Humans beyond the borders of Khourane will find them- selves undecided about which is the greater danger—the terrain or the hateful elves. All varieties of jungle wildlife dwell in the Rain Serpents. Brightly colored birds screech in the treetops; lizards and snakes keep watch from the underbrush; insects in every shape and color chomp on leaves and jungle debris; and monkeys, chimpanzees, and orangutans swing in select areas of the mountains. A noteworthy creature peculiar to the region is the ruby snake. This water-dweller makes its home in rivers and flowing pools (stich as those below waterfalls). It boasts bright red scales that glis- ten like rubies even when dry. The creature can grow up to twenty feet in length, and the males bear hoods like those of a cobra. The bite of both the male and female snake is poisonous (Type D poison). The creatures are prized for their skins, which usually fetch a price higher than that for rubies because of the extreme dan- ger involved in obtaining them. Legends of the great rain serpent abound among natives of the mountain range, Tales of the creature are attributed to Masetian times. Descriptions of the serpent vary, but the common ‘elements in every story are the creature's silver and gold scales, a pair of delicate but powerful {an uncanny power to mentally affectandragh sncompasses a large portion of the iragh, named froman elvish phrase Bg "heart's wonder.” It is a beautiful, wild and of frequent rainfalls, hidden lakes, and . where the region as the Rhuannadaraight ends and the lragh begins, but everyone knows that guard their forest jealously and would ‘the chance to reclaim their ancestral Biadte: ‘The Khinasi aS are so ety enti sd, however, that only a massive likely bloody) effort by the elvesamight recl those lands. fan awnshegh were to suddenly take an interest in the assault or team up with the elves, hoy Khinasi states would no doubt) ‘turning in a slightly different ss The climate and features 0 eh closely match the description of the Rain Forest. Mountains. This is a place of misty glades, deep Tavins degused by dense undengeo¥y nd exotic wildlife, Any visitors to the re be foolish to venture into the Docandrs ‘out an experienced guide. lake ibnoume Hidden in the deepest inner reaches of the Docandragh, Lake Ibnoume is at once both wild and civilized. The northern end of the lake abuts the city of Totie el-Fasil in Min To call this settlement a city is an act erosity; the place more closely resemble: fortress. Crude walls encircle th ‘compound, and traffic in and out i monitored. satin Sew d placed by wats in Min ao: sh rn = oa The shores of untouched within 25.01 Wild creatures avoi to snack on fools or unf ‘the water. Elven scouts any who traverse the rit p a watchful eye on 5; those who appear arrow fire before they are taf theit enemy. Outside the Docandragh and west of the Magian’s borders, the Pipryet River sees a fair amountf trade between Min Dhousai and Khourane, This section of the river is,unhin- dered by natural dangers, clf arche¥8, of the Magian’s patrols. The river does not see nearly. |, the amount of traffic it might if neighbors fo the | asi and west were more hospitable, ic caster ig of tne Fieve isiavieahla ea entire length. It might serve as an excellen vehicle for trade if not for the Magian's p jat enforce martial law. Traders who: “the river usually find themselves subjec Searches, tariffs, and confiscation of "ques- tionable” ease take hesagthing since the ity, It is well fea anyone can Id love to expand his -. Controlling its the balance of guess that the wizard w domain to include Lake shores would considerably s! power in this comer of Khinasi crate of the», he features of Khourane’s 13 provinces . “are described below. Details are given, . for terrain type, flora and fauna, , settlements, and bits of local interest, Dominant terrain: Rolling plains, jung mountains. The Rain Serpent mountains fill ere ardy shrubs, flax, serub mole 125, however, this egress was abt Residents of Djafra are fully aware th is controlled by the mage; all who ent realize that they could be facing great than those they escaped. ghoucin Dominant terrain: Rolling plains, jungled mountains. Like Bicheda, half this provi covered by the Rain Serpent Mountains barely habitable, Flora and faui igle—deciduo vines, ferns, flowering plants and orchids; birds, snakes, lizards, parfots, monkeys, jungle cats Plains—grasses, shrubs, flax, scrub trees; prairie dogs, weasels, birds of prey, snakes. ‘Regoureaty ‘incense, flowering plants 2 royal gardens) ariele is a trading town in the ne to 1,200 permanent res- 200 occasional residents peculiarities: Like Bicheda, Ghourin was sealed off by el-Sitad ten years ago. The xesidents were at first unaware of their plight: ‘when no newcomers arrived in Mariele for several months was the magical barrier discov- ered. Citizens who have been questioned about ‘their decade of isolation have no memory of jing unusual in that time. : Jungled mountains. : Deciduous trees ; snakes, ferns, ards,dhoumaire are rumored to live in this Province every few years. el-sirte ‘Dominant terrain: Rolling plains, desert. Flora and fauna: Plains—scrub trees, shrubs, hemp, grasses: snakes, lizards, gazelles, small mammals, birds of prey. Desert—cacti, grasses, weeds; small mammals, vultures, other birds. ‘Settles > Yar ill. f le 2 tlements: Yariz is a village of 900 people ‘on the eastern border of the province. The vil- gers raise pigeons, pheasants, and quail; these birds are not only exceptionally healthy, but are sd in a variety of bright jeweltone colors that are found nowhere else on the continent. Local peculiarities: El-Sirte is one of the less hospitable provinces in Khourane. south ibnoume vines, bromeliads, orchids; snakes, lizards, birds, foxes, rodents. Resources: Plants and colorful birds some: imes trapped for export; exotic fish usually exported for reflecting pools in the homes of wealthy merchants and nobles. Settlements: A pair of villages known as Ibnim and Tbnam lie along the Pipryet river. Roughly 3,000 people are settled here in the vil- lages themselves and on the riverbanks between the cities. Life on the river is hard, but the peo ple here live in isolation and relative peace from the outside world, 3 Local peculiarities: The populations of Ibnim and Ibnam remain steady despite the harsh conditions in the tropical forest. The folk here are extremely superstitious, and are stispi- cious of strangers. Wizards seeking exotic spell ingredients sometimes journey here to learn of local herbs and plants. ras mhin Dominant terrain: Jungle, - Flora and fauna: Palm trees, ferns, vinesy © bromeliads, orchids; snakes, lizards, birds, foxes, rodents, tarsiers, beetles and insects: Resources: Timber, exotic birds and plants, insects used in making dyes. ‘ Settlements: None.Local peculiarities: The interior of the province is especially dense and impassable: ‘The fringes are slightly more accessible. The area is so wild, however, that no humans are known to livehhere. A rumor tells that the elves who once lived bai charmed the animals and : plants to grow sc ‘that humans would : never succes the province. zulaf Dominant terrain: Mountains, plains. Flora and fauna: Mountains—evergreens such as cedars, deciduous trees, serub.trees, =. shrubs, bay trees, laurels, grasses; mountain “ions, small mammals, birds of prey, todents, , mountain’sheepy llamas. Plains- feral iene te dogs. “Resources: Lamitel ‘timber, limited furs. ie ‘Settlements: The city of Moura is the second gems such as topaz. : ents: Tamir, located in ‘the interior of the province, is a ~ © mining town of about 600 people. Life here is difficult; residents must travel many miles for trees, flowering plants; rodents, supplies and the climate is usually hostile. Work inthe mines is dificult and ous and hardly a first choice for iployment. The town is filled with desperate fnlividuals who have come here ta escape the law, creditors, or other problems. The mines pay well; a man can earn enough in five years to support himself for the rest of his life—if the mines don't kill or maim him first. Hallam and Yazira are coastal trading towns that each support about 900 persons. Life here is much easier than in Tamir. Even the most ‘exotic goods will be found for sale in these busy villages. Most of the gemstones harvested in ‘Tamir through these two ports. Local pec jes: While the coastline of Adeid is strikingly beautiful, this province ‘would probably not worth settling if not for the gem resources in the interior of the province. Most of the landscape is barren, varying between ever-shifting sand dunes or rocky out- croppings. In some areas, sandstone pillars rise from the earth in bizarre formations, worn by centuries of wind and blowing sand : Desert, mountains. Flora and fauna: Desert—cacti, scrub trees; desert foxes, small mammals, birds of prey, scavengers, reptiles, Mountains—scrub trees, ‘evergreens, grasses, birds of prey, rodents. Resources: Semi-precious gems. Settlements: The village of Dhotir is prac- tically a mirror image of Tamir (see Adeid). Ramek is an unruly frontier town that func~ tions as a stopover for caravans and a haven for criminals, Ramellan is an elegant, civilized city of about 1,600 people: it is often consid- ered a little sister to Ber Falaia. In addition to serving as a busy port, Ramellan is also a resort; wealthy tradesman and minor royalty often visit here on holiday. Local peculiarities: The terrain in Tuarime is so rugged that only about 20% of itis habitable. ber falaia Dominant terrain: Desert Flora and fauna: Desert—cacti, serub trees; desert foxes, small mammals, birds of prey, scavengers, reptiles. Forest—deciduous trees (including citrus), scrub trees, shrubs, birds, small mammals. ‘Resources: Semi-precious gems, incense.‘Settlements: Falaia is the capital of Khourane and the site of the emir’s palace Approximately 5,000 people reside here, making their living as craftsmen, sailors, dock- workers, traders, royal servants ad guard and adventurers. Falaset is a mining town similar to Tamir and Dhotir, It is home to about 400 people, the majority of whom are desperate for work or hid- ing from their pasts. ‘Local peculiarities: This province is some- what barren and has limited natural resources. The founder of Ber Falaia was so taken with the beauty of the Inlet of Samih that he gave no second thought to the surrounding lands and ordered ‘the palace overlooks the sea; roughly one-third of the city rests atop a 200-foot wooded cliff. The rest of the city spills down the hillside par- allel to the coastline, and about one-quarter of the city is at sea level. sahadein Dominant terraii ‘mountains. Flora and fauna: Desert—grasses, cacti, scrub trees; gazelles, wild dogs, wolves, rodents, birds of prey, scavengers. Mountains—scrub trees, shrubs, mosses, grasses; wild goats and sheep, mountain lions, small mammals, birds of prey, giant eagles. Jungled mountains—decidu- ous trees, vines, ferns; exotic birds, yellow mon- keys, apes, reptiles. Resources: Timber, spices, fish. Settlements: Maja is a remote but prosper- ous town populated by about 1,100 people. Its success is due to its strategic location on the. Desert, mountains, jungled shores of Lake Ketihr and proximity to trade routes. The lake provides meunly endleasy source of fresh water and food (fish, sea and other greens). Bahara is a wild scattering of Flora and fauna: Desert—grasses, shrubs, cacti; small mammals, foxes, scavengers. Moun- tains—evergreens, shrubs, succulent plants; lla- mas, alpacas, birds of prey, rodents, wolves. Resources: Fish, stone, some furs. Settlements: is a quarry town. Little occurs here other than the labor of cutting stone. Loads of gravel, huge blocks, and slabs a de Gh copier aina whitey are loaded of bee and exported via' ge: Maral teaport, home tffabout 1,800 pes ireds of years ago, flocked her ¢ solitude and co nous, ancient library i f terrain: Mountains, fauna: Scrub trees, spic jon and nutmeg, grasses Flora as cin Settlements: Eyas is a village trappers, traders, and sailors, It is ily environment; law enforces have all they can do to keep Bocal peculiarities: Av righ in resources but diffieult to traverse. ost all forms of trade aretonducted by sea. ‘not for the terrain, Ayandlir might be a much ore civilized land. is a provincejhe territory currently recognized as Khourane falls among the oldest settled human lands. The Masetians, being among the first humans to arrive in Cerilia, set- tled here in year 0 on the Masetian calendar. Only 12 years later, the city of Sariya was founded on the site of modern-day Aria, quali- fying it as the oldest human this day, Anuireans take exception to this claim, But in the Khinasi lands, Afiya is considered the oldest|city on the continent ‘The culture of Khourane still shows evidence of the Masetians that first settled here, While al consider themselves Khinasi who sacs from the Basarj, s of Maset- ian culture still exist. In many€ases, lingering few people d mistaking ‘Masetian customs are so old recognize them as Masctian, i them for Basarji habits. ~All Khinasi people prize knowledge, beauty, {and honge. In the lands of Khouraie, a person lors his education anduatery of ude sogial 's than by his wealth or posi educ jon. If ition (or that of his children) or masterthe social graces (by better serving guests Oaiding the poor), then he is using his, blessings.wisely. A person of mea: flaunts his money, spends it foolishly, or ube: to embarras§ those around him is eet: shamefully. street beggar wealthiest meré The code of Khouraneans pri lives with honor an the Khinasi culture, a si xy hold more honor than t in a district. iim is alive and well here, yemselves in living thi iching their children the’ finer points of face One of the highest com- pliments that can be paid to a Khouranean is, “Your child honors yOur face.” A polite and subtle comment fo aiparent about a rude child is, “Your child shares your face.” To say that the Khouraneans prize 4s not to imply that they are people. Rather, it refers to tecture and decorating, A single stone objects of oe will gain the respect of her peers for her talents; such a woman who is honorable in her business and a gracious host- ss is prized indeed, ‘The Khinasi sense of aesthetics revolves around harmony in the surroundings and an integration with nature, When building a city, a palace, a temple, a simple house, or even a wall, the builder will evaluate the surroundings to determine how the new structure will blend with its environment. Every effort will be made to ensure that the shape, color, and position of the new construction harmonizes with the cle- ments around it. A new temple, for example, would not be built in such a way as to cast a ‘shadow on neighboring houses: likewise, the roofs of its minarets might be painted blue to reflect the sky or green to emulate a palm tree, but would never be painted black, red, or pur- ple, for example, unless an architect saw a par- ticular purpose for that color. The interiors of buildings are designed to provide a sense of comfort and welcome. Nearly every structure has a greeting room just inside the front door. These rooms are equipped with fresh water, towels, comfortable benches or pil lows, and sometimes fresh fruit or bread. Vis tors can then refresh themselves after a long, ing journey and make themselves presentable to their hosts Most homes and places of business are designed to be respites from the heat and dust. Rooms tend to be painted in soothing shades of blue, green, and lavender. Green plants (espe- cially palm trees and succulents) are typically grown for their cool, relaxing qualities. Indoor fountains and reflecting pools are common for the sense of serenity they convey. ‘Khouraneans also seek balance in their archi- the entrance to a palace or temple will, ‘out of place to a Khouranean; a pair of ‘on the other hand, lends a sense of bal- harmony, But more is not necessarilycode of colors hether this is a throwback to the Masetians or an ancient Basarji cus- tom, no scholar can say. References to the Code of Colors can be found in the lit- erature of both cultures as far back as docu- ments exist The Code of Colors is an unwritten system for the expression of various sentiments, The interpretations of the colorsare nestrved pri- marily for gift-giving arid the observances of certain holidays and rituals. When-a person arises in the morning and prepares to dress, he does not choose his wardrobe based on what he hopes the day will bring. When he chooses a gift of silk pillows for his neighbor's wedding, how- ‘ever, he might choose green to express his wish for prosperity or yellow to wish them joy. Black or red, for example, would be inappropriate— black is considered an insult for a joyous ocea~ sion, A man may give red as a wish for passion for only his wife, brother, or an extremely close friend; likewise, a woman would give a red gift only to her husband, sister, or a friend she has known since childhood, Color Sentiment Red Passion Maroon Comfort Pink Health Yellow Orange ity Deep green Prosperity. Pale green Knowledge Deep blue Pale blue Turquoise Violet Lavender Patience White Purity; sincerity Black Perseverance Gray Strength Brown Fortitude Silver Peace Gold Good fortune Brass Courage ‘The Code of Colors is quite flexible in inter- pretation. A turquoise-colored gift sent to the parents of a new baby might be interpreted as, *May your child bring you honor.” A light bluesift sent to an individual as a celebration of a pro- ‘motion might signal, "May the size of your head not impede your passage through doorways.” ‘The Code is also used for holidays and reli- gious observances. On such occasions, colors may be worn to express the wearer's wishes.They might also be worn to express wishes for the guests of honor; for example, wearing turquoise ‘or pink to a wedding is considered appropriate, while wearing black, lavender, or brass is consid ‘ered rude. Similarly, a woman might wear orange ij ‘on a religious holiday in the hope that the gods will bless her with a child; a sailor preparing for a long voyage might wear brass so that the gods will end him courage. education jhe Khinasi people place a high value on education, learning, and knowledge. The folk of Khourane are no different; every effort is made to enroll children in state schools ; \ and provide educational opportunities for adults. pecans eae, a child learns to walk, he j jins his first experience in school. Toddlers are foro Diadoialgcser io which they earn manners, polite interaction with other i: reget Yor eldeter and other basic potent in.these areas. sod Here fl and research techniques, practice exeicised of dexterity, learn arcane script, and study herb lore to learn the properties of spell a lients. “components and potion ingredl Until the age of ten, all children 7 are required to attend a state school. (This education is considered so important that parents of repeatedly truant children are sometimes fined.) Around a to. gence and discipline. Khourane has. attend schoo in this manner —-tidn of mapicy and even 9 sanctuary of male ic and pass some basic courses are requi 4 en to the Temple of Teint eines 4 parents and ‘child determine his future course of study. At this age, a child may be apprenticed to an artisan or craftsman, may be enrolled in a school of magic if he has shown aptitude and passed an entrance exam, or may attend a state-funded secondary school. Children who continue in a secondary school ultimately pur- sue careers as teachers, engineers, healers, merchants, scholars, chemists, and so on. Attendance in a secondary school may con- tinue for four to sixteen years before an indi- vidual is satisfied that he is prepared to take on his chosen career. Because of the high value placed on educa- tion, teachers of all levels are held in high regard. From the most learned instructors in the secondary schools right down to the care- givers in the socialization schools, teachers are well respected for their work. Teachers of all levels are allowed to wear a pale green sash to reflect their status; these may be embroidered with a'tiny turquoise flame for every year of teaching service. wizard | schools ch the hi Spokes es d for their i ards:are always resp secondary schools that specialize in the instruc ‘just outside Ber Falaia. ‘ by fe pore accepted inte a school of = -swear the ave Oaths nee ‘Once this is accomplished, the-student may return ‘school to continue his education. ee ‘Not all wizards gain thetr knowledge through formal schooling. Some apprentice themselves to accomplished to learn the craft “in_ thé field.” However, no wizard in Khinasi lands’ will accept an apprentice who has not sworn to the Five Oaths. For most students of magic, graduation from 1 secondary school practically guarantees a suc- cessful career. For some, however, no amount of study is enough; they may tum to the sanctuary of magic or strike out on their own to continue their studies. ‘The magic sanctuary, known as al-Azuk mir Ta'laya (translated as “House of the Shining Dawn”), provides a refuge where mages canare thoroughly teste ais investi gated before they are admitted to the sanctuary, Some applicants petition for admit- tance as soon as they are ready to graduate from a secondary school; others turn to al-Azuk after years of practice or adventuring when they find that they are weary from the demands of the world. adult education Once an individual has graduated from a sec~ ‘ondary’school to pursue the career for which he studied, his education is not finished. At east four weeks of every year are spent return- ing to school for courses addressing new advances in the technology of a given field (such as engineering or mathematics) or new opinions on philosophical subjects (such as ; new teaching or healing methods). These courses are considered a normal part of one’s occupation; attendance is expected by employ- ers andiis funded by the state. In addition, many adults attend classes in theif free time to study subjects that qualify as sobbies—foreign languages, philosophy, the + axts, horticulture, or other diversions. A bit of 3S ivigdom advises, “The wisest men stop wg only after they are dead.” Most aM seem eager to follow this advice. = ernment bureaucracy in Khourane is surprisingly E ‘Considering the large siz8-of the nation. ==. Because oi code ae im is $0 important in iets ie nag nd vil ‘makes reparations of his own volition; lawsuits are virtually unknown in this land. SS" The former emira controlled one law holding per province, with two in Zulaf and Tuarime and three in Ber Falaia. The new emir inherits con- trol of these. Kalilah always found these units of royal police to be sufficient to maintain order in their respective provinces. One exception has arisen to this status: The new emir would be wise to quickly and cleanly eliminate the Ser- pent’s law holding in Ber Falaia, esoteric soa 2 ii atthe nd rage holidays and eligious celebrations fhe people of Khourane recognize a num- - ff ber of holidays and religious occasions that require the observance of ancient ‘traditions. On such days, businesses are closed | ‘workigrinds to a halt, The only acceptable are those that contribute to the the Day of recognizes the end of the old reginning of the new; el-Arrasi’s Festival, celebrating el-Arrasi’s victory and the eventual liberation of the Khinasi lands; Mehar al-Biziz, a day of-thanks for land’s resources; : and the Eve of the Dead, a solemn festival that > honors all who have passed to the next life. In generaly the Khinasi people take their teli Bion very seriously; many symbols and da atti bold religious sgicance, On Sal days, colors are worn according to the Code to for blessings, great feasts are prepared according to ancient traditions, and the streets are strewn with herbs and flowers which per- fume the air as they are trampled underfoot. The Eve of the Dead differs significant from the other three festivals. All persons of means travel to the buri tors to.lay. a sae ts, Families unable to travel-set-up small shrines in their homes to Ree Wat loved ‘oes. This observation lasts for three days, diting ios colots sf cosiar sérenity, humility, honor, and peace omen The ine tds rie daye re spat in media. ee festival is a gelebration of life-aat future.of the family. eeThe City of Ber Falaia ae ” Docks PSone bgiga CO a tHe i ae fsa at . = Se ggeiantar SaaS iasuppor an scoundrels Note: Beshir min Barein has statistics appropri- ate for serving Kalilah bint Farid el-Mashil. If the new emir is a lower-level PC, the DM may wish to either adjust Beshir’s level, or disallow Beshir’s lieutenant action per domain turn as listed in the BrerrniGHtr rulebook. tihara min buseri Leader of the Shield of Halata Sth-level female Kbinasi fighter scimitar 148/148), spear (146/148), ‘mace (1d6+1/1d6) Bloodline: Basaia, tainted, 9 Blood Ability: Enhanced sense Equipment: Improved mail scimitar, spear, mace, scarab holy symbol, protection Tihara has held the reins of the Shield of Halaia for about 12 years. The temples hhave flourished and attracted new followers under her leadership. Unfortunately, Tihara and the former ‘emira had a personality clash and never | qhite trusted each other. They treated each other civilly, but neither went out : ‘of her way to accommodate the other. The two had no reason to distrust each other, but the ©» relationship was strained. : ‘Tihara, in her middle forties, isin physical condition, although her many battles have taken their toll on her appearance. Tihara is looking forward to working with the new emir, and hopes to cultivate a better relationship with the new ruler. Her biggest concern is the territory of Mour el- Sirad; although her temples there have suffered no ill effects from the sorcerer’s rule, she is uneasy about thesituation. She would be willing to join any battle to unseat el-Sirad. omar el-rehal Regent of the Docandragh Coster Stb-level male Kbinasi thief 4 (leather armor + Dex) hp: 39 Dmg: by weapon; short sword (1d6/1d8), whip (142/1) Bloodline: Basaia, major, 28 Blood Ability: Bloodmark, resistance (major) Equipment: leather armor, short sword, whip Omar el-Rehal is a fast talker and quick thinker; those who have dealt with him will swear that they have never seen him at a loss for words. This regent is able to bargain for the best deals and still leave his trade partners feeling that they got the best end of the exchange. Omar never walks away from a deal until he is completely satisfied. ‘Omar is in his late sixties. He inherited prop- erties and investments when he was 19. Traders often expect him to be senile or ineffective, not realizing that he has spent two-thirds of his life wheeling and dealing, and his mind is as sharp as ever. Omar is rather attractive and consid- ered an eligible mate; he has two wives, but might consider a third. The guilder stood to control most of the holdings in Khourane until the Serpent began exerting his, influence. If Omar hopes to bringthose holdings under his charge, he must step carefully $0 as not to anger the awnshegh, His other choice of actionwould be to prove to the new emir just how far-reaching the Serpent’ influence has become. This would no doubt lead to war, not for the sake of the guilds, but for the imminent danger created by the Serpent's infiltration. beshir min bacein Adviser to the Emir 10th-level female Khinasi Magician Dmg: by weapon; dagger (1d4/1d3), quarterstaff (146/146). Bloodline: Basaia, minor, 18 Blood Ability: Detect lie Equipment: ring of protection +3 Beshir is a seemingly ageless woman (she is, actually in her late sixties but appears to be in her forties) who emanates a sense of calmness. Servants follow her orders without question, bartering street merchants find themselves giv- ing in to her offers, and even enraged diplomats are mysteriously soothed by her presence. It is no wonder that she was the most trusted and valued adviser to the emira. Although she carries a minor bloodline and could have pursued a career as a true mage, Beshir instead chose to follow the path of the ‘magician. She never held a desire to wield flashy spells such as fireballs; rather, she was more fas- inated with divination magic and crafting intri- cate illusions. She is highly skilled in both these schools of magic, and her illusions are the envy of her peers. Her talents in these areas have served her wel in her duties within the palace. The new emir will find Beshir to be unfail- ingly wise and completely trustworthy. Enemies ‘of Khourane have begun to re. Beshir's fenpoctancer wine rues wl sks peceni oe safeguard her, as she is perhaps the most valu- able member of the palace staff, taeric uluine, the gray shadow Lith-level male Anuirean wizard u 15 2 18 14 14 #aT: 1 Dmg: By spell or weapon; quarterstaff (1d6/1d6) Bloodline: Vorynn, minor, 19 Blood Ability: Resistance Equipment: Bracers of defense AC 5, wand of flame extinguishing, staff of tbunder and lightning, ring of mind shielding Taeric is an Anuirean wizard who became some- what disgruntled with the power-hungry rulers in Anuire. He served as a court wizard for many years, but grew tired of territorial rulers with no respect for the magic potential ofthe land, Now 60 years old, Taeric has wandered the southeastern ‘quadrant of Cerilia for the past two decades. He recently settled in Khourane, discovering magic- rich lands and little opposition to his presence. In an effort to safeguard his holdings, Taeric approached Emira Kalilah, expecting to pay dearly for his right to control some of the magic in Khourane. He was pleasantly surprised, how- ever, to learn that the emira had no intention of ordering him to serve her needs; in fact, she was perfectly willing to grant him the —\, right to control the magic in his chosen. provinces and to subsidize his is Pe in return for his future aid, if needed.) Furthermore, she had no intention ed of civilizing those 8el-sirad Regent of Mour el-Sirad 17th-level male Khinasi wizard S: 12 13. 35 12 : 15 1 By spell or weapon; dagger (14/143) Bloodline: Azrai, major, 27 Blood Ability: Alter appearance (minor), height- ‘ened ability (Charisma), resistance (major) ‘Equipment: Wand of paralyzation, ring of buman influence, wand of fear, ring of protection +3 El-Sirad will no doubt prove to be the new emir’s greatest worry. Little is known about this stranger; in fact, no one had heard of him \ until he magically sealed the borders of Bicheda and-Ghourin ten years ago. When the © enchantment was removed less than a year ago, the inhabitants seemed none the worse ~ for the experience; apparently, life continued ina more or less normal fashion. Residents ‘have little memory of anything unusual tak- ing place in the past decade. Currently, they “>have little concern over the fact that el- ~~ Sirad.claims control of the lands. Some bs ie thankful for the seclusion Pei pate ten years; refugee traffic from Djafra was naturally brought pe 0 aha by the magical barrie. z onably dangerous. and sought to study them. He traveled to a number of sages and scholars to learn of the awnsheghlien and of the process to become one of their kind. The deaths of at least two scholars are attributed to him; local rumors report that el-Sirad murdered the men when they were unable to provide the for- mula to become an awnshegh. The wizard’s cur- rent bloodline reflects his past deeds of murder and bloodtheft. Rumors also tell that el-Sirad visited the Chimaera in order to learn more about awnsheghlien. Whether he gained the infor- mation he desired is open to speculation. Both he and the Chimaera emerged from the meet- ing unscathed; this might indicate that the pair reached an understanding. The Chimaera is not known to be particularly bloodthirsty, but she is known to have little patience for those weaker than her. The limited information that has come back from scouts in Bicheda and Ghourin indicates that el-Sirad has constructed a fortress at the base of a mountain on the southern edge of the Rain Serpents in Ghourin. Reports of his appearance are conflicting; itis difficult to get close to the mage for an accurate description, and he is known to have a talent for disguise (including his blood ability that allows him to alter appearance). The points on which these reports agree are that the wizard has black hair, stands over six feet tall, and appears to be in his mid-thirties, El-Sirad’s fortress is described as a small, black granite castle. The main portion is known to have two levels with two three-story towers. Another tower approximately five stories high stands about 100 yards forward of the main structure. Two walls extend from the castle to meet the towei g to form a massive, pointed courtyard, Hell hounds are known to roam this courtyard, attacking anyone not wear- ing el-Sirad’s magical warding devices. From all indications, el-Sirad is making plans to become an awnshegh. He is believed to have Killed two minor awnshegh and has presumably absorbed their bloodlines. If he is successful in this endeavor, Khourane will face an entirely new set of problems. Through his mechanical police, the meharmaine, the wizard stands to enforce any commands he wishes over his provinces, Khonrane’s greatest hope for vanquishing el- ies in the other awnsheghlien in the area se individuals, especially the Serpent, will not take kindly to a new awnshegh carving outhis own slice of territory and thus leaving less for the rest of them. IFel-Sirad appears to pose too great a threat, the other awnsheghlien may decide to eliminate him while they have the chance. A final point of speculation regarding el- Sirad regards his practice of magic. No one is certain whether the wizard traveled to the Temple of Rilni to swear the Five Oaths. If it can be proven that he has neglected this duty, little effort will be needed to rally dozens (per- haps hundreds) of wizards from around Khourane to face off against the sorcerer. If this can be accomplished, the battle that ensues will no doubt qualify as the greatest magical conflict ever seen in Khinasi. the meharmaine Servants of el-Sirad CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Bicheda and Ghourin FREQUENCY: Very Rare ORGANIZATION; Solitary ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any DIET: None INTELLIGENCE: Non TREASURE: ‘Weapons ALIGNMENT: Neutral NOLAPPEARING: 1-4 ARMOR CLAS: 3 MOVEMENT 3 HIT DICE: 18 (80 hp) THACO: 6 NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2d6 (claw) or 2d4/1d6 (Ihopesh) SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil SIZE: L (9 tall) MORALE: Fearless (19) XP VALUE: 7,000 The meharmaine are el-Sirad’s not-so-secret police. They have never been known to exist in Khinasi; by the time el-Sirad dispelled the magi- cal barrier around Bicheda and Ghourin, the meharmaine were patrolling the provinces in full force. The creatures stand 9 feet tall and are built entirely of brass. They are all identical, exhibiting the same facial features, markings, and mannerisms. Some sages have likened them to iron golems in form and function. ‘Twelve meharmaine are known to patrol each of the cities of Bebrid, Jallam, and Mariele. No one is certain whether el-Sirad has extras to replace any that might become damaged. ‘The brass constructs keep order by intimida- tion, Their height, hard brass armor, four clawed arms, and clawed feet are more than enough to instill fear in the average citizen. In combat, the creatures are fearsome, swinging their claws and khopesh swords to attack two enemies at once. ‘The creatures have no intelligence but can obey simple commands. Because they cannot reason, it is unclear how they decide whom to attack and whom to ignore. Some speculate that agents of el-Sirad are posted in his cities to secretly command the meharmaine, The meharmaine have Strength 24 for pur- poses of lifting and throwing objects. Because Of their limited Dexterity, they gain only a +4 Stooeth apie fontestba ‘The creatures may use a blinding gaze attack three times per day. This is the equivalent of reflecting a highly polished shield under the midday sun directly into an opponent's eyes. ‘The victim is stunned for one round and can make no attacks. A successful saving throw ver- sus petrification allows the victim to act in the subsequent round; failure means the victim is blinded for three rounds, ‘ The meharmaine suffer only half damage from slashing weapons and electrical attacks, They are immune to heat, cold, sleep, and mind-affecting spells. Some observers believe that the mehar- maine suffer from the effects of tarnish and from sand clogging their joints, No one has ever observed the meharmaine retiring for routine ‘maintenance; some speculate that the creatures are rotated for servicing ona regularassets and holdings fortifications Because so much of Khourane is inhospitable, Civilization is scattered far and wide. Some areas of land are settled, but are hardly the object of envy; ‘wage war for control of the lands themselves. Holdings are far more valuable: wars are likely to be fought in political or economic arenas. Asa result, the only fortification in Khourane is the palace in Ber Falaia, which is rated as a level 4 castle. e armies 3 The new emir gains command of the standing armies of Khourane, consisting of five units of Khinasi spearmen, five units of Khinasi archers, and two units of scouts. Each unit costs one Gold Bar per domain turn to maintain. All of the units report to the royal guard headquarters “in Ber Falaia, but may be posted anywhere in the realm except the provinces of Mour el-Sirad (moving troops into these areas would be con- sidered an act of war). One unit of spearmen is always posted in Zulaf. Khourane also supports a top-rate navy con- sisting of four zebecs, nine dhouras, and two hows. The maintenance cost for these ships is ‘one Gold Bar for each zebec, dhoura, and dhow. These ships are constantly patrolling ‘Khourane’s coastline, Mairada’s position, which breaks up the coast into two distinct areas, is often cause for tensions between ships of the opposing nations. either side wishes to start a war, however, and these encounters are normally peaceful. is unlikely that anyone will” coads Khourane’s rugged terrain makes overland travel difficult, Fortunately, the realm’s lengthy’ coastline allows for easier transportation via sea. Trade goods are usually hauled from inland areas to the nearest seaport, then traded to other provinces by seafaring merchants.» ‘The road connecting Bebrid, Jallam, and Mariele is an easily traveled route that has changed little in its past ten years of isolation. Before el-s 3 ier appeared, this > ‘road ‘of Yazir ct (two tray _* cock, oe ne i runs roughly 50 yards from the edge of the Coast tele eawall used tba i set : if (no guide is to trace its is always in seni The road is some- ‘times abandoned in foul weather: When storms and hurricanes blow in from the sea, caravans ‘caught unawares along the route must some- times head further inland to ride out the winds and driving rains. Moura is connected to Ber Falaia via a long and eipgetiteallof net sor the unit of royal troops constantly stationed in Zulaf (and rotated monthly with a fresh unit), this road would be much more dangerous as a result of marauding bandits, Most of the road is an easy journey, with the exception of the mountain passes near Ramek. Other roads in Khourane are little more than partly cleared trails. In many areas, an experi- enced guide can navigate these trails successfully. trade routes Trade is the most lucrative and political busi- ness in Khourane. The control of any resource offers significant power; any ruler of Khourane must keep an eye turned toward trade to sup- plement the royal coffers. The new emir gains control of two important trade routes: one con- necting Ber Falaia with Izédas in Ghamoura (yielding 4 GB per domain turn), and another Connecting Ber Falaia with Ber Mera in Merasaf (yielding 6 GB per domain turn).the court The palace at Ber Falaia is on of the most - beautiful structures in all of Khinasi It was'con- structed less than re ago, and thas does ine to age) * toplcbemitt ate ind work.” 5 Because ‘Khouranc has no caste system and lividualsiare treated equally, and because’ houraneans follow the code of sayim, the “palace ruins more efficiently than many royal (especially those in Anuire). As a result, the »may spend fewer Gold Bars on his _ colirt with no ill effect. The court is treated as gel highér than the amount spent; thus, if ‘spends 7, GB to maintain his court, the Fe steriga treated as 29GB cour. = : ley lines Khourane benefits from many untspoilediregions ‘of high magic potential, Provinces within the Docandragh provide a unique magical advantage: Because the lands.are go,Wild, they are to be settled and civilized at any time, ‘Thus, ards who gain Bibs ‘ofthese magic-ri provinces are vistilally guaranteed. that’ Mist sources will not diminishwith, 9 Mie oew omic ¢lite omit of i “lines. # ovtingtng in South ibaa Be first runs: ae Zolaf and terminates in Ber Fal: through Ber Djin and aus: inte. atter particularly i peters are srstegically planned so that plats _ ase in bloom year palace is designed for secu- tity and beauty. Visitors are welcomed by a ‘meandering path, bubbling fountains, and lush gardens, while riffraff are turned away by the efficient and discreet royal guards. 88 Steer nod main gate: The t-thick stone wall surround- ing the palace grounds is an effec- tive ea ‘would-be __ troublemakers. The brilliant ~ © white wall probably would not ws ornate ‘wrought iron gate provides access to the courtyard. _ B, Guard houses: These plain white structures are covered in flowering vines so that they are almost hidden. Ten guards are on duty here at all times; the houses include a small din- ing area and weapon storage. . Citrus groves: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, and kumquats grow here year round. The groves include winding stone paths and teak benches for visitors to enjoy the shade. The refreshing scent of citrus fruits constantly the air, built of vines and caniouflaged by trees and lilies. The palace’s 75 guards reside and train here. E, Formal garden: This garden, surrounded by a low stone wall, is especially pampered. Tended to by the head gardener he self, this area is reserved for the most exotic, rare, and tender plants. It includes a comfort able sitting area to conduct business or enter ‘tain guests. Peacocks stroll the grounds, adding to the garden's beauty. F, Inner walll: This white stone wall provides a second line of defense against intruders. It is watched by eight royal guards at all times who are conspicuous in their inconspicuousness. the palace structure The entire palace is built of glistening white marble. The exterior is decorated with brightly colored tiles and mosaics, carefully designed not to compete with the beauty of the gardens. 1. Main entrance: These arching, double doors are the primary entrance to the palace and are tended at all times by four guards. These posts are filled by senior members of the guard staff. 2. Welcoming hall: This wide lobby, deco- rated with fountains and sculptures, is a place to welcome guests and allow travelers to refresh themselves. It is furnished with comfortable divans and wash facilities. Servants are posted here at all hours to provide water, fresh fruit, and bread for guests. A curtain wall divides the guest areas from the servants’ facilities. 3. Servants’ stations: This area is stocked with towels, linens, and cleaning supplies. Ser~ vants are always posted here to assist 4, East and west kitchens: Equipped with all types of utensils and cooking implements, *5. Servants’ dining rooms: These rooms are plain but functional. Servants dine here and relax between duties. 6. Empty chambers: These rooms are inten- tionally unused so that space is available if an unusual need should arise 7. Servants’ quarters: These sections are divided into chambers housing two to three individuals. They are plain but comfortable, and would be considered luxurious compared to ser- vants' quarters in other royal dwellings. 8. Guest rooms: These chambers are reserved for visitors such as and the of dignitaries. They are clean and : Spiral stairs from the ‘room lead into this passage. Two guards are posted at all times, 2. Private audience chamber/meditation oom is intended for the emir's pri- vate meetings and his own relaxation. 3. Council room: The emir's advisers meet here for all matters of state. 4. Storeroom: Because the rulers of Khourane tend to be wizards, this room is stocked with herbs, spell components, and magic tomes. Ze 5 5. Laboratory: This space is reserved for magical research and experiments. 6. Advisor irtment: This area serves as Beshir's personal quarters and includes a pri- vate bath. 9 : fntourages Dignitaties’ rooms: Important and simple; but outfitted with the finest trappings trusted guests of state are housed here. - jaths: These private baths\are (feather pillows, silk bedding, etc.). 9. Guest baths: The baths are miniature sanctuaries decorated with flowering plants and detailed mosaics. Servants attend these areas to provide fresh towels and perfumed oils. 10. Formal dining room: State dinners are served here. The room is outfitted with the finest furniture, silk pillows, and intricate tapes- tries. 11. Library: The royal library is an impres- sive collection of books and scrolls gathered throughout the centuries. Fiction, genealogies, and magical tomes may be found here. 12. Conservatory: This area is reserved for quiet study and research, The room is rimmed with potted trees and plants to provide a relax- ing environment, The ceiling is open all the way to the top of the minaret, 13. Throne room: The most lavish cham- ber in the palace, the emir holds court here and conducts the business of state, Two spiral staircases at the back of the room lead to the royal apartment. 14, Guard chambers: Guards are posted here at all times to provide invisible security. 15. Ball oom: Entertainment for state tions is provided here. The ceiling is open: ‘top of the minaret; at night, the stars viewed through the glass roof. ~ 16. Empty chambers. S 's of the emir’s personal ser- comfortable chambers are occu- pied by the ten most trusted servants of the palace who see to the emir's personal needs. 10. Servants’ baths. 11, Servants’ dining room. iy kitchen: Meals for 9. Quai vants: The I apartment: To be ed by the new emir.his section is designed to provide 2 DM with Ds Jk ideas for adventures in Khourane, and also to provide players with story threads they would like to follow. Some may be short adventures; others may turn into long campaigns or open new opportuni- ties or difficulties for the emir of Khourane. It is recommended that the player not read this section for maximum game enjoyment. secrets the dhoumaire ¢ mysterious race known as the dhoumaire rumored to live in the Docandragh are not merely creatures of legend. They actually exist inhabiting remote “4 . — teaches of the deep forest. The clan moves se sonally to follow the best hinting. sr eee: and these moves also help to ensure their safety. Over the centuries, adventurers, hunters, and 6 explorers who have sighted the dhoumaire and |-Sirad is demanding to he recognized returned have never had success locating the of Khourane. (False) reclusive clan. Thus, their culture has remained . unchanged for over 1,000 years, i The dhoumaire are a remnant from the Bat- tle of Mount Deismaar. Before the war, they were an ordinary clan of Cerilian brownies minding their own business and living peace- fully in the forests. When the gods exploded at Mount Deismaar, some of their essence rained 7 down upon this clan of brownies, changing Spies frofik every corner of Khourane have them forever. descended 9 the city of Ber Falaia sincé the Fortunately for the brownies, the only emira’s ceagooee (True) essence that affected them was that of Reyn q and the entire clan was affected with minor ‘The palace hasbeen hiring adventurers #6 bloodlines. Because of their solitary lifestyle, clear out spies x provide extra security the bloodline has been maintained to this day at e around the ¢i ‘the emira’s disappeat-’ its original strength. ance. (True) My ~The dhoumaire do not consider themselves “ scions in the same way that humans do. Rather, ‘¢:The emira cecietedin unknowa-trearire Wie a dam bowers that specificaligatained somewhere north of Her Falaia outside the them to their lands and that allow them to live city limits. (True) “% ‘solitude. Members of the clan are immedi ge “ately aware of any strangers who venture within al ‘mile of their traditional territory. They can cove. Legend ‘alls that it was pirate hideclothing, and tools naturally take on the colors of their surroundings, much like the ability of a chameleon, The colors naturally shift and adjust so that some- ‘one observing a dhoumaire running full-speed through a forest would have only a 20% chance of detecting the brownie, A dhoumaire standing still in her native lands would be undetectable by any means. The dhoumaire are a peaceful folk whose only goal is to live in solitude. They are nonag- gressive and will fight only if cornered; in the past century, however, no story of a conflict, with the brownies has ever been reported... Explorers who claim tohaye sighted the dhoumaire describe.thém as-tall (for faerie folk—they are believed to average about five feet in height), slender, and graceful, with the ability to run and cavort in the forest with the utmost ease, They are said to have wide, watch- ful, intelligent eyes and a language that sounds like wind rustling the leaves. They are believed to have mind-controlling or charming powers, since anyone who claims to have seen a dhoumaire never has a recollection of interac- tion. From time to time, wanderers in the Docandragh have emerged from the forest after several weeks with no recollection of their ordeal. Whether the dhoumaire saved them from injury or simply turned them back on their Propet course is open to speculation, Remote human villages that have existed on the fringes of the Docandragh for centuries usually refer to the dhoumaire as “the ones who wait,” but no scholar or adventurer has ever determined what meaning this reference might hold the lost city of kheleb-izhil According to human and dwarven records, a city named Kheleb-Izhil once existed in Cerilia It was a vast and powerful dwarf realm of inde- seribable beauty at the heart of a great moun- tain. The city was rumored to be one of the old- est civilizations in Cerilia, From all estimates, around the year 890 MA, the dwarves sealed the doors to their city and disappeared completely. Over time, the location of the city was forgotten; most speculate that it lay in eastern Rhuannach,A handful of Khouranean scholars have taken icular interest in the city of Kheleb-Izhil. Their hope is that if the city still exists, the dwarves may have records dating further back in history than human accounts and that gaps in Cerilia’s history might be filled. Their greater hope is that the dwarves may harbor lost knowl- edge about the awnsheghlien that might be used to battle the abominations, Khourane is begin- ning to feel the squeeze of its awnshegh neigh- bors—any secret weapon that might prove ffective against Azrai’s children would be invaluable indeed. Scholars are divided on the issue of the most likely location for Kheleb-Izhil. Some are convinced that the southern pair of peaks in Rhuannach mark the lost city; others insist that the northernmost peak in Khourane is the only logical site. In any case, the search for Kheleb-Izhil offers no end of adventuring possibilities. Does the hidden dwarf nation with its roofs of beaten gold still thrive under the mountains? If so, what technology has evolved throughout the past centuries? What wonders have the dwarves invented in their seclusion? And if discovered, will they be willing to bargain and interact with the humans on the surface, or will they regard their discovery with hostility? thousand questions about this nation of unanswered, the cain secpent a is Known about the Rain Serpent, but oo Khinasi and most folk in the rest © aware of the legends, According 0 the tales, the Rain buaibangyelent 3t beat ifs name. No one in a civilized ‘Serpent was a powerful dian of the mountains _ o eee n has heard of a regions is unknown, Legends of the Rain Serpent origi- “so onated'in the south of the mountains in the province currently known as Ghourin. The stories date back to the era of the first Masetian settlers. The original legend, as it is best traced, tells of an ancient ruin on a high mountain plateau. The ruin was a decorated with hieroglyphs that have never been identified, and were accompanied by drawings of an enormous feathered serpent with rays of light radiating from its head. The builders of the city that even- tually became this ruin, as well as their demise, has never been explained, Tales also tell that the early Masetian settlers actually sighted the Rain Serpent. It is always described as a feathered serpent with eyes like liquid gold. The legends do not describe any frightening or horrific behavior, but instead describe it as a guardian and protector. Some legends connect the Rain Serpent with the dhoumaire, stating that the dhoumaire are the Rain Serpent's ears and eyes. Whether this explains the reference “the ones who wait” is a mystery. It has even been suggested that the dhoumaire; through a fantastic form of ancient magic, actually transform themselves to meld into the single creature known,as the Rain Serpent. » If the Rain Serpent actually exists and was present during the time of Mount Deismaar, no one ran even speculate what effect'a bloodline might have on this mythical creature, Robipabisiapy ter caves filled with treasure and:inhabi ‘stfange sea creatures. The rumors are true— “beneath the surface of this rocky isle is a As ilabyrinth of covés that stretches forsat least™ © Te ad ite five males fi ie island itself measures les, ti tip. The seavard side is a sheet ellfabott | feet high, The island slopes toward the con- ~~ tinent, and its edge nearest to Ber Falaia below the water. A narrow beach fringes point, and a coral reef stretches toward Khourane for about half a mile, The island's sur- face is rocky and barren, but scrub trees and ~sii6s6es cling to-the stone. Pelicans and gulls nest in the nooks and crannies of the rocks. The island isa remnant of an ancient volcano and was thrust up from the ocean floor millen- nia ago. As lava spewed forth beneath the sea and was quickly cooled by the water, bizarre twisting columns and tunnels resulted. Water in the tunnels either tuned to steam and escaped ‘or was forced out by pressure, leaving the ropy tunnels that exist today. & as‘The Mas ew of this island and used the coves as storage vaults and refuges against bad weather. The tunnels have never been fully explored in the past few centuries, so no one knows what dangers or treasures may hide in those dark crevices. ‘The outer caves afe inhabited by a colony of lawful neutral kuo-toa who are secretly paid from Khourane’s coffers to keep would-be explorers at bay. The emira and her predeces- sors maintained this relationship in order to safeguard a magical research station on the island. plots the serpent ne of Khourane's worst enemies is its southern neighbor—the awashegh known as the Serpent. Instead of down on the nation aid seizing it by force, this creature of evil has decided:to infil- traté Khoutane litte by litle, enjoying his eves- ightoning grip on thé unsuspecting citizens. The Serpent already controls a significant “of guild holdings and has spies in ity and settlement in Khourane. His Je a quiet campaign of subversion g Persons of political and economic Me Bicchis sway: be will promise any. {potential follower (regardless of sweepit is appointed to the new emir's staff llery maids to the’captain of the | guard can expect to be approached those they approach; they use caution not to reveal the true nature of their offers re certain that their new recruits are com pletely devoted to the Serpent's cause. Those unlucky few who refuse the Serpent's veiled offers but correctly suspect the awnshegh as the perpetrator usually meet with an untimely, acci- dental demise. If necessary, the Serpent may ally with el- / ‘Sirad to deliver the final blow upon Khourane. é Both parties, however, are likely to think that they will be able to eliminate the other after the “work has been done. The result of this could range from a clean and swift assassination to a Jong and ugly battle of magical talents. The result of the battle, regardless of the winner, can only spell bad tidings for the Khinasi lands. the magian » Liou ‘agian’ arrived in Cerilia only six ars ago and has gained control of a large to Khourane. The new emir to make any sort of decisions Att the attention of the Magian fuding such innocuoms actions as trade sanctions or travel restrictions) until the ruler is completely confident in his leadership abilities and in his advisers. | Although the Magian denies accusations that he plans to annex Khourane and Min Dhousai, no one doubts that these nations will face off ‘against the Magian’s troops sometime soon— probably, within the next decade. The sorcerer ‘would like nothing better than to control the powerful mebhaighl originating within'the Docandragh. Khourane's emir would be wise to appoint a councilof advisers to study and spy upon the Magian, Residents of the Magian’s peninsula are sneaking out of the domain with increasing regularity, and interviews with these individuals {especially in exchange for safe be telling: Any in it bled about t Khourane and her neighbors are lucky, a weak- ness might be revealed. 41¢ Emir of Khourane faces no end of challenges in ruling this land, One of his first tasks will be to build a trustworthy and loyal staff. Beshir min Barein will make this job considerably less difficult; she is personally acquainted with hundreds of people in Ber Falaia and can quickly and accurately'assess newcomers, The emir would be wise 16 take pre- cautions for her safet g s The emir must also chose an efficient and loyal captain of the ‘Only: a proper choice for this position will ensure the safety pf the ruler, the palace stall and aatiers oo al security, LEI ‘ A wise emir will also.assemb! team of diplomatic ambassado: both domes and fara a. provinces in Khourane all ne and numerous foreign neigh! everything from trade to warfate, the e needs dependable emissaries. A motto painted in the royal dining room reads."A ruler who &, in two places at once is in neithes.” When the emir isvabroad on issues of diplomacy, he can- not afford to be distracted by worries over matters at palace rp | ‘The following are pearls of wisdom for affect” ing matters abroad, | the serpent This beast is perhaps the most troubling of the awnsheghlien who inhabit the Docandragh region. The Serpent is a mastet of ini he will'steal half a rea : happ ation; although am jerpent or his minions are forbidden by law, the crea- a Ids considerable influence eee eee ace Hl er Fe it from its assault it, ategi a might convince Ghamoura, Suiriene, and Djafra to wage war against the Serpent. If Khourane agrees to claim Mairada and split the remaining spoils between the other nations, these potential allies just might agree to the effort. the magian ‘The wizard known only as the Magian poses a dangerous threat for both his power and his sheer unpredictability. No one can ventuire a ‘guess as to what the Magian maybe scheming: the Emir of Khourane would do well to normalize ‘other situations and ensure the realm’s strength before taking a stand against this awnshegh, el-sicad o As soon.as the emir is comfortable in his under- standing of the realm and can place full trust in his staff; he would be wise to eliminate’elSirad, The wizard wields considerable power, as evi- denced-by his takeover of Mout el-Sirad. Care-! fully-gathered espionage reports requested by Kalilah have come back recently; all accounts point to the conclusion that el-Sirad is using fy resources to become an awnshegh. Mis success in this goal could spell the downfall o human realms in this corner of “i. . jafra - ie : holdings are controlled by the greedy guild: _If the emir of Khourane could find a way to weitere deere the nation or at least a significant number of holdings. A military takeover would be cost! terms of gold and lives; garnering control gradu- ally through the guilds or temples would prove safer and less expensive. Any ruler who could offer to free the Djafrans from the oppressive rule of the guilds would gain the support of the populace; an all-out rebellion to overthrow the lds would not be difficult to orchestrate. Phere, he would stand to Control ===Khourane Bicheda ) FAMIN DHOUSAIemira’s aeeca ee teemira’s palace second Level & Door lecurtain $ Secret Door i Window | @ GateGenealogy of the el-Mashil line Kerim el-Mashil = —_ wife unknown Gem trader (1845 MA ~ 1890 MA) Aasim el-Mashil Zobeida (f.) Gem trader (1870 MA - 1944 MA) (1875 MA - 1940 Ma) Aviza (f) el-Mashil = Umar Ishil (1912 MA- 1973 Ma) | __ (1907 MA - 1940 Ma) —— ‘Tufala (f.) = Nabil el-Baran (Aziza's sister) (1916 MA -1987 MA) (1901 MA ~ 1979 MA) —, Mamoon el-Mashil {Aziza's brother; fathered one illegitimate child) (1921 MA - 1982 Ma) Alejan el-Baran _ Ketifa (f.) whereabouts whereabouts unknown unknown Farid bin Aziza el-Mashil () Safana (f.) (2) Amsha (f.) (1936 MA - 2023 MA) (1938 MA - 1962 MA) (1960 MA - 2018 MA) 2 = Married. Kalilah bint Farid el-Mashil (f) Female (1986 MA - 2039 MA) First Marriage Lost at sea: unmarried, no children RegentPEE. Player’s Seérets of by Anne Brown hourane stands out among the arid Khinasi lands like a blooming lily in Pe OC ea eee Ra ame ee ee the world: mountains, deep jungles, and a stunning coastline. These enviable features inevitably lead to conflict, however: The lands are coveted by os eee OME Reece eh ecm tT humans who claim control of their hereditary forests. Combine these problems with fierce trade wars, a harsh climate, and a missing ruler, and the result is trouble. Khourane needs a new regent in a hurry—is your character ready to face its challenges? The new ruler of this domain will be challenged by some of the greatest problems—and could realize some of the finest rewards—in all of Coralie a This Birruricrr® domain sourcebook is designed for players who wish to take the role of the Emir of Khourane. It may also be used by players seeking to play nobles, Roar ee eee eee Cre bears Peace BOYS asec anne ie eke ear! ferecenany a Sees Cambridge CB13LB Lo ene corset eee eee eed paper yer emir a ae Ta a ESS HMC UeS ESPxpoe ttl