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Description: This is a desert land, all blazing sun, rolling dunes, and widely separated
oases, similar in appearance and culture to medieval Arabia. In recent centuries, the Thyatians and Alphatians have come to
Ylaruam to conquer; they moved in from the south and the north and fought in the center, their wars going on for decades until
the Ylari people threw them out. Ruler: The Sultan (Emperor) of the city of Ylaruam, a direct descendant of Al-Kalim,
is the titular ruler of the nation, but he does not have absolute power; his Grand Vizier wields considerable influence, as
do the individual emirs (Kings), maliks (dukes), beys (counts), and sheiks (viscounts). Population: The Alasiyan culture which is dominant in Ylaruam is as harsh as the desert
that spawned it. The Ylari greatly admire the desert warrior, the turbaned hero with his flashing scimitar and noble desert
steed. Magic use is forbidden here; magic-users and elves are hunted down,
tried, and executed when their presence becomes known. On the other hand, clerics are venerated in this land. The Ylari follow the philosophies of Al-Kalim, a warrior and teacher
who died (or embarked on a Path to Immortality) a century ago. His dream was of the Desert Garden, all the desert lands of
Ylaruam transformed by work and cooperation into the greenest and fairest of lands; when the Ylari need something to unite
them, they use the words of Al-Kalim. Though the clans and tribes of Ylaruam often war with one another,
they willingly forget their differences to band against foreign invaders, but just as willingly renew their internal struggles
once the invasion is thrown back. Ylaruam: The capital of the Emirates has a population (counting surrounding farmlands)
of 20,000, about one-tenth the population of all the Emirates. It is a trade city, through which passes much of the agricultural
bounty of the land: herd-beasts of the desert nomads, grains of the farmlands, fabricated goods of the renowned craftsmen
of Ylaruam. Adventuring Opportunities: Adventures in the Emirates can include repelling Thyatian invaders from the
south, grueling trips through the desert, exploring ancient ruins (dating from a time when some of the most sterile desert
areas were lush and green), and conducting negotiations between the emirs of this nation and the rulers of surrounding lands. Player's Guide
From Conversations With a Veteran Adventurer
As Told by a Young Desert Nomad
As Told by the Younger Partner of a Merchant Caravan Outfitted in Ylaruam
Creating Ylari Characters Use the following charts to design characters with distinctive Ylari flavor.
The chart listings are meant to be suggestive, not restrictive; improvise freely in the spirit of the given listings, drawing
on your knowledge of fantasy literature and 1. Select a name and residential tag. The most important detail about a character is his name. Whatever a character
knows, he always at least knows his name, and expects others to remember it and to address him politely by it. His name also
contains the name of his father, Suleiman AI-Kalim, or Urabi-ibn-Selim ("ibn" or "al" means "offspring of'). In a land where
family obligations are cherished, the name of your father is an important detail. Right after the name, the most important thing about a Ylari is his place
and his cultural background. If a Ylari is a nomad, he moves around, and is not strongly identified with any place, therefore
his tribe is his most important identification. If a Ylari is settled, his region, village, or town name is most important.
When a Ylari introduces himself, he often adds his residential tag after his name. For example, Thhiral -Anouar of the Qahtan,
or Jaffar-ibn-Mehmet of Hedjazi. If you meet someone where he lives, he omits the residential tag in his introduction. It's
assumed he's a native if he doesn't state otherwise. 2. Select a cultural background
and spiritual alignment. The most common cultural backgrounds are Alasiyan and Makistani, with some
Thyatin, Alphatian, Nithian, and other cultures of the D&DŽ world. All but a few Ylari are Followers of AI-Kalim and the
Eternal Truth and of lawful alignment. The only sizable minority religions are foreign alignments in the cities and
the outlawed chaotic Magian Nithian religion. Another sizable minority has no spiritual commitment, though, for social reasons,
most at least pretend to be True Believers. These uncommitted may be of any alignment. If you need a chaotic character, insanity is a good excuse. A neutral is probably
either an indifferent Believer or an unbeliever pretending to be a Believer. When a character introduces himself, he seldom mentions that he is a True
Believer. In the Emirate that's a given. Ifamong foreigners and heathens, he may proudly announce that he is among the Faithful. 3. Select a physical hook
and nickname. A good way to make an NPC distinctive is to give him a special physical feature
or action. A nickname also helps to make an NPC unique and memorable. The Physical Tag and Nickname charts are obviously incomplete;
use them as examples, and devise your own physical tags and nicknames. YLARI NAME CHART (* indicates female names) Abdallah, Abdullah, Abdul, Abu, Ahmed, Ahmad, Aicha', Aladdin, Ali, Alia',
Aman, Amar, Amin, Amineh', Anouar, Azeezeh', Aziz, Baba, Babrak, Bechir, Besma', Buzurg, Chukri, Daood, Djamal, Dunya', Farah',
Farid, Farouk, Fatima', Faysal, Fuad, Habib, Hafez, Haroon, Hassan, Hosni, Hossein, Hussain, Ibrahim, Idris, Ismail, Jaffar,
Jamila', Jullana', Karim, Khader, Khalid, Leilah', Mahmud, Mansour, Maroof, Mehmet, Mizra', Mohammed, Muhammed, Muammar, Mujibur,
Muktar, Mussa, Mustafa, Myriam', Nadir, Najib, Naomi', Nasir, Nasser, Nazar, Nizar, Nizam, Nuri, Omar, Orner, Rachid, Radija',
Ramman, RESIDENTIAL TAG CHARTS Ylari Tribe Chart Awaliq, Awamir, Abidah, Amalisah, Asir, Awamir, Awazim, Anazah, Amarat, Bal-Ubayd,
Batahirah, Bayt Kathir, Bayt Yamani, Bani Yas, Buqum, Bani Kab, Bani Hajir, Bani Atiyah, Bani Sakhr, Dayyin, Dahm, Duru, Dawasir,
Dhafir, Ghamid, Gani Khalid, Harb, Hutaym, Huwaytat, Humum, Harasis, Hudhayl, Ifar, Janabah, Juhaynah, Mahrah, Manahil, Manasir,
Murrah, Muntafiq, Nu'aym, Qahtan, Qara, Ruwalah, Rashayidah, Rashid, Shararat, Sulabah, Shammar, Subay, Shihuh, Suhul, Shahran,
Sayar, Ujman, Utaybah, Yam, Yafi, Wahibah, Wayilah, Zahran. YLARI REGION CHART (* means an administrative province under Vouchery of Provinces) Ust-Urt Valley,The Dead Places (desolate areas of Nithia), Northern Highlands',
North Coast (Nithian coastal plain), Middle Coast (Abbashani coastal plain), Abbashan Oasis, Great Salt Basin (vast desolate
salt lake)', Great Alasiyan Basin (The Empty Quarter- Rub AI-Khali)', Ylaruam Oasis, Valley of Death (salt basin west of Ylaruam)',
Southwestern Highlands', Southeastern Highlands', coastal plain), For other geographical reference tags
,characters may also refer to the nearest town or village, or to nearby roads and caravan routes. (capitals indicate capital of the emirate) Emirate of Alasiya: YLARUAM,Kuznetz, Deraan, Sulba, Telal Kebir, Hedjazi.
Emirate of Makistan: PARSA,Warqa, Anram, Uruk. Emirate of Nithia: SURRA-MAN-RAA, Cinsa-Men-Noo. Emirate of Abbashan: ABBASHAN, Fabia,Jaboor. Emirate of Nicostenia: TAMERONIKAS,Cubis. Emirate of Dythestenia: The following town/village names may be scattered around on detailed topographical maps:]auf,
laymor, layma, Wahj, Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dubai, Doha, Salwaw, Jubayl, Qaysumah, Nuayriyah, Urayirah, Mubbaraz, Hofuf, Udayliyyah,
Haradh, Mishab, Ras al Khafqi, Ras Thnnurah, Abu Hadryah, ZiIfi, Ghat, Ruywaydah, Shaqra, Diriyah, DiJam, Hillah, Layla, Hariq, Salamiyyah, Attawiyyah, Turayr, Harlithah, Ha'iJ, Unayzah, Dawarlimi, Kasamin, Bishah, Baljurshi, Kahmis Mushayr, Abha, Dils, Kiyat, Ulan, Lith, Aflf, Ulah, Umm Lajj, Duba, Rasal Qasbah, Haql. CULTURAL BACKGROUND SPIRITUAL ALIGNMENT PHYSICAL HOOK (APPEARANCE OR ACTION) Distinctive Feature Distinctive Gesture, Phrase, or Interest coughs (nomad sandstorm lungs), whistles tunelessly,
always rubbing nose, fidgets with beard, chews lip, never looks straight in eye, haughty address, rude (rare among Ylari, sign of power or malevolence), drinks too much coffee, chatters all the rime, obsessed with horse racing, rug expert (family trade) NICKNAME (Best if based on distinctive feature, gesture, phrase, or interest. Could
also refer to famous incident or other reason for renown or infamy.) The Butcher (admiring martial ruthlessness, or condemning for cruelty), BlackHand
(cruel), the Poet (ironic-lousy and prolific poet), Desert Quail (sweet singer), Half-Heart (coward in battle), the Devout,
Tale-Teller, the Traveler (scholar), the Strange One (quiet sorcerer), the Northerner (dark Nithian) , Winter Rat (tough), Water Bag (always thirsty), the Generous, the Sworder of Vengeance,
the Just, the Cheerless (always pessimistic) Procedures Riding Checks Roll the character's riding rating or less on 3d6 to succeed in an
action. A character's riding rating is his dexterity modified by the following bonuses or penalties: Bonuses and Penalties (Cumulative) Dwarf: -4 Halfling: - 2 Level 1-4: -1 Level 10+: + 1 Military Cavalry Training: + 1 According to character biography or DM discretion. Most D&DŽ game nations have sizable cavalry units. Assume that
any fighter or elf has a 50% chance of having had cavalry experience, that any clerics have a 5% chance, and that a magic-user
or thief has a 1% chance. Born in Saddle: + 2 Makistani, Alasiyani, Ethengar, or other nomadic cultural background at DM
discretion Staging:
A riding check is appropriate whenever characters perform actions on horseback when poor horsemanship might interfere with
success. For example: .when meleeing .when firing a missile .when casting a spell .when the mount is traveling at full speed (penalties for poor terrain and
terrified mount are appropriate) .when executing a difficult maneuver (striking a ball with a polo mallet,
grabbing an object while riding past it at full speed, handing off a baton) If the character fails the riding check, he fails in his action. In combat,
this usually means a blow or a missile missed its mark, or a spell is ruined. In addition, if the horse is moving, the character
may have fallen off; roll 3d6 equal to or less than dexterity (no bonuses or penalties) to stay on the mount. In riding contests or games, characters may make opposed riding rating rolls
to determine which character succeeds in a contested action. The character with the highest 3d6 roll (plus or minus penalties)
who still passes the riding check is the winner. For example, Nadir the Nomad, a 5th level fighter of the Ifar tribe with a
dexterity of 14 is playing polo with Muktar Khan, chief of the Amarat tribe and a 12th level fighter with a dexterity of 17
and with cavalry training. Each charges and swings at the ball. Nadir is "born-in-the-saddle" for a + 2 bonus and a riding rating of 16. Muktar
is also "born-in-the-saddle," and has additional bonuses of + 1 for military training and a + 1 for over 10th level, for a
riding rating of 21. Nadir rolls a 12. He needs a 16or less to succeed his riding check, so he succeeds. Muktar rolls a 7. He needs a 21 or less to succeed in his riding check, so he succeeds. Both have successful riding checks so both stay on their horses. But Nadir
hits the ball because his roll is higher than Muktar's. If only one had succeeded, he would have hit the ball; the other would have
had to check to see if he fell off his mount. If both were successful, and rolled the same number, the rider with the higher
rating should succeed. If both ratings and rolls are identical, something dramatic should happen; maybe the ball shoots straight
up in the air, or both mallets shatter, or the riders get tangled in each other while the ball is trampled by the
mounts' hooves. Since horsemanship is an important part of Emirate culture, each PC should
compute and record his riding rating on his character sheet, and the DM should often list the riding rating among an NPC's
important statistics. Travel Rates Use standard movement rates with adjustments
for terrain in normal encounters. However, standard movement rates are not appropriate
for desert or caravan mounted travel, since they do not consider problems of feeding mounts (foraging delays or encumbrance
of carried fodder) or of pacing creatures in hot weather. Use the following guidelines for travel along
roads or caravan tracks: 1. With superior riding horses, a small group
lightly encumbered can travel 32 miles a day. 2. With riding horses, a small group lightly
encumbered can travel 32 miles a day. 3. With any mount other than riding horses
(draft or war horses, mules, camels, ox-carts) or on foot, a typical caravan, infantry unit, or party of adventurers loaded
down with gear may travel 12 miles a day. Forced marches may apply at DM discretion.
Foraging and hunting along caravans routes or roads is impossible. When not on a road or caravan track, reduce
these rates by ŧ. When off roads or tracks in wilderness desert and uplands terrain, reduce these rates by Ŋ, except with
camels reduce the rate only ŧ. Heat Exhaustion and Lack of Water This topic is much too complicated for a realistic treatment that is easy
to use in a game; however, the following procedures are adequate. For every hour a character travels in the heat of the day without adequate
water or while wearing metal armor, the character temporarily loses a point of constitution. If the character is both armored
and short on water, two points are lost. After the points are subtracted, the player rolls 3d6. If the result is greater
than the current constitution, the character collapses and cannot be revived until he awakens in Id4 turns. Thereafter he may resume travel, but continues to lose constitution and the
player must roll 3d6 against his character's current constitution each hour. When the character's current constitution reaches
zero, the character does not awaken and will die within Id4 hours. When a character experiences reduced constitution, such as when performing
any activity (for example, if in combat, casting a spell, or using a thieving skill) the player must roll 3d6 against his
character's constitution or the action fails. This reflects the distraction and debilitation of heat exhaustion and thirst. Optional Combat-in-Hot-Sun Rule: A character fights normally for a number of combat rounds
equal to his armor class (i.e., in leather armor for seven rounds; in plate and shield for two rounds). Thereafter he temporarily
loses a point of constitution per round, and makes constitution checks to use abilities and to avoid collapsing as outlined
in the procedure above. This adds a dramatic touch to desert fighting, but is a bit involved for regular use,
and makes heavy armor a real liability. Save it for small combats or duels when the sun just "happens"
to be real hot. Remember, you control the weather and the timing of most combat encounters. The weather is cool,
or the enemy attacks in the early morning or evening, as you desire. Staging: Unless the characters are normally foolish or completely ignorant, assume they
have the common sense to carry plenty of water in the desert, and when they insist on wearing armor as they travel, demonstrate
the constitution loss procedure as an instructional experience. It would not be nice of you to arrange an attack of a brigands to coincide
with the characters' first experience with heat exhaustion. Demonstrate
this procedure in an otherwise unthreatening situation, and if is hoped they will learn their lesson. Then you can save this procedure for an emergency situation where they've
gotten lost or the bad guys have dumped them in the desert without food or water. Experience Point Awards for Role Playing Points of Honor In the chapter concerning Social Structure it was recommended that you awarded
experience points to PCs who honor their social and personal obligations. Here are two suggestions for judging these awards: Honor Challenges: When you plan an adventure, add encounters and problems that specifically challenge
the honor of the player characters. Think of this "honor challenge" as though it were a monster with which you were going
to confront the characters. When you plan the honor challenge, jot down a description of the situation and the personal or
social dilemma it presents. Then consider how the PC may respond and how many XP the PC should receive if he resolves or mishandles
the problem. For example, a PC sees a ragged hunchback perched on his doorstep. The hunchback
is begging for money. If the PC gives him money, the PC gets 1 XP per gp. If the PC brings him in, shares food and lodging,
and listens to his story the PC gets 50XP and a hot tip about a magical treasure
in story form. If the PC delivers an impromptu speech to a crowd about the evils of vagrancy as the PC beats the hunchback,
roll 2d6, add the charisma bonus, and consider the speech for other bonuses. If the result is 9 or more, the crowd cheers
and the story becomes local gossip, and the PC gets 100XP.If the result is 8 or less, the crowd is sympathetic with the hunchback
and attacks the PC, who loses 200 XP. The last response doesn't deal with charity. Players will often see things
differently than you do; don't be surprised if they see a different moral dilemma than you do. When assigning an XP value for responses, consider that each honor challenge
XP award should be no more than 1/100 of the difference between the XP for the PC's current character level and the XP needed
for the next level is as listed on the character class experience tables. Also consider that honor challenge XP awards should not exceed the XP awards normally given for defeating monsters
appropriate to the character's level. For other examples of honor challenges, see NPCs, Encounters, Adventures,
and the Honor Points: A simpler method of awarding honor XP points is to wait until the end of an
adventure. If a character has been particularly honorable, award a 5% bonus to experience points. If the character has been particularly dishonorable, subtract 5% of the experience points. Stage this
as a reflection of the ruler or patron's praise or condemnation of a PC's performance, or as the state of his reputation when
the story of his adventure is known. Storytelling The art of storytelling is popular in the Emirates. Stories are told to entertain
and to edify, and dramatic and eloquent storytellers are often honored by their hosts with gifts and praise. Sultans have
been known to make a storyteller a vizier on the spot after hearing a story that particularly pleased them. The following procedures help the DM judge storytelling in role-playing adventures. Storytelling Rating: A character's storytelling rating is computed using the following
formula: Int + Storytelling Rating Telling the Tale: To tell a tale, a character rolls 3d6, adds it to his storyteller rating, and compares it with the Storytelling Chart. STORYTELLING
CHART Score
Story Quality
Audience Response 100
masterpiece
unforgettable experience; teller reckoned a saint (+4 reaction); treated as kin and excessive gift 90
remarkable
audience deeply moved; teller reckoned a wise man (+3 reaction); friendship
offered and great gift 80
pleasurable
audience enthusiastic; earns great respect (+ 2 reaction); generous hospitality and large gift 70
interesting
audience attentive and cordial; earns respect (+ 1 on reactions) and a small
gift 60
tedious
audience bored but polite; social duties met; hospitality extended 50 or less
shameful
audience offended; hospitality withdrawn; lose 1% of current XP Bonuses and Penalties:
Story Extension: If story was
interesting or + 5
if based on true character experience
better, the storyteller may choose to Extend His Story. + 5
if illustrates a moral lesson clearly
Roll 3d6. If the result is greater than the applicable to current circumstances
intelligence of the audience (average intelligence if a group of listeners), the story automatically + 1 to + 10
if enhanced with magical effects
becomes "boring," and the storyteller loses (i.e., charm, poetic incantation,
whatever benefits he earned with his first roll. If visual and auditory effects, etc.)
result is less than or equal to the intelligence of the audience, the storyteller may re-roll the
3d6 -1 to - 10
if audience is initially hostile
for his original storytelling roll. (if storyteller is foreigner, or
This is obviously useful when the first roll audience is captor, enemy, evil
was low, or when the importance of the occasion efreeti, etc.)
and audience justifies a little risk-taking. Dervishes (Desert Druids) The term "dervish" is often misused by foreigners, as indicated by the misleading entry
for "dervishes" listed under "Men," page 53, Expert Rule Book. The "dervishes"
listed there are probably no more than a typical Alasiyan nomadic tribe. The dervishes ate holy hermits, True Believers following the Way of the Scholar
as they live solitary lives of contemplation and physical devotion in the desert wildernesses of the Emirates. Also known
as desert druids, these holy men live in caves, crude shelters, or tents in remote regions. Dervishes are revered by desert
nomads, who aid in providing the holy hermits with food and shelter needs. In contemplation they strive to achieve a mystical oneness with nature by
studying and participating in the tranquility and majesty of the desert wilderness. They patiently observe and commune with
the animals and plants of the desert, and at higher levels of the discipline, they may even communicate with the elemental
forces of the desert such as the wind, the sand, the stone, the sun, and the miraculous inspiration of water. Their physical devotions, a discipline of strenuous ritual exercises, are
their prayers to the Eternal Truth. Acrobatic and athletic, these devotions produce men of remarkable durability and stamina.
They dash barefoot through the desert, acrossthe dunes, and over rocky mountains. They juggle rocks, lift great stones, and twirl like tops
in the heat of the noonday sun or in the chill of evening. Dervishes have withdrawn to the desert wilderness to escape the distractions
of commerce with other men, and they avoid becoming involved in the affairs of men. Visitors to the wilderness are considered
uninvited guests; if they are polite, not disruptive or demanding, and gone quickly, they are not offensive. However, as followers of the Eternal1futh, the dervishes are still bound by
the principle of concern for the welfare of their fellow man. Dervishes are generally extremely restrained and judgmental
in their expression of this concern. The foolish and arrogant may be left to their own devices when stranded in the desert;
the wise and respectful should not need aid. Dervishes are pacifistic in philosophy; they carry no weapons, wear no armor,
and learn no combat skills. They seldom interfere in violent conflicts, though their superb physical conditioning gives them
advantages when forced to fight. Their spells are primarily intended to facilitate their study and observation of nature,
though some are useful for self-defense. Staging: Desert Druids are special NPC clerics for the Ylaruam campaign setting. They differ from standard clerics in several
ways. Their constitution scores are 13-18 (ld6 + 12). Their saving throws
are as dwarves. They generally refuse to use weapons or armor, though there is no reason why they could not use them if they so chose.
Dervishes fight as thieves of similar level. Their spells, a mixture of clerical, druidical, and special spells, are specially
adapted to their life in the desert. Spells The following spells may be learned and cast as with normal cleric spells.
The total number of spells usable in one day does not change. Dervishes have no restrictions against the use of reversible
spells. The Dervish has the same abilities as the cleric. For example, they can turn
undead as a cleric of the same level. The DM may allow the use cure light wound spells on special occasions. FIRST LEVEL DERVISH SPELLS 1. Detect Magic (cleric, BP 26) 2. Detect Water (special, GAZ2) 3. Faerie Fire (druid, CMP 14) 4. Locate (druid, CMP 14) 5. Predict Weather (druid, CMP 15) SECOND LEVEL DERVISH SPELLS 1. Hold Person (cleric, EXR 5) 2. Obscure (druid, CMP 15; instead of a misty vapor, a dust devil is formed;
all other effects identical) 3. Snake Charm (cleric, EXR6) 4. Speak with Animals (cleric, EXR 6) 5. Truthtelling (special, GAZ2) THIRD LEVELDERVISH SPELLS 1. Call Lightning (druid, CMP 15) 2. Growth of Animal (cleric, EXR 6) 3. Hold Animal (druid, CMP 15) 4. Know Destiny (special, GAZ2) 5. Shift Sand (special) Range: 30' Duration: 6 rounds + 1 round per level of the caster Effect: Moves 25 cubic feet of sand per round This spell causes sand to flow like water, but at the bidding of the caster.
It can be used to excavate a ruin, open a passage, uncover an object, or tunnel an emergency shelter. If the flowing sand
is directed at a human or monster, it causes no more inconvenience than would a similar flow of water (i.e., the equivalent of standing in a small stream). Once the spell duration has ended, the sand behaves normally, flowing naturally
with gravity. If the sand is thoroughly wetted first (create water spell or equivalent), the shifted sand may retain
its shape until the sand dries which is one day, or at the DM's discretion. FOURTH LEVEL DERVISH SPELLS 1. Charm Animal (as magic spell charm monster, EXR 13; however, only
normal or giant forms of animal, including mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, may be affected; intelligent
animals and fantastic creatures are not affected) 2. Create Water (cleric, EXR 7) 3. Neutralize Poison (cleric, EXR8) 4. Speak with Plants (cleric, EXR8) 5. Summon Animals (druid, MP 5) FIFTH LEVEL DERVISH SPELLS 1. Commune (cleric, EXR 8) 2. Conjure Elemental (magic user, EXR 14) 3. Control Winds (druid, CMP 16; in a sand desert, this spell creates the
equivalent of a small sandstorm in the area of effect; all normal creatures are blinded) 4. Pass-Wall (magic user EXR 15) 5. Quest (cleric, EXR 9) SIXTH LEVEL DERVISH SPELLS 1. Anti-Animal Shell (druid, CMP 16) 2. Find the Path (cleric, EXP 9) 3. Speak with Monsters (cleric, EXP 9) 4. Summon Weather (druid, CMP 16) 5. Word of Recall (cleric, EXP 9) SEVENTHLEVELDERVISHSPELLS 1. Creeping Doom (druid, CMP 16) 2. Earthquake (cleric, CMP 13) 3. Holy Word (cleric, CMP 13) 4. Survival (cleric, MP 3) 5. Weather Control (magic user, CMP 21) Example: Saddam the Aged, of the Dead Places.
Former soldier, one eye destroyed by scimitar slash. Keen senses and communion with nature, speaks with birds and beasts,
lives near a cursed ruin proscribed by Al-Kalim and the Ylari government. Always pauses for five or ten seconds to consider
before replying to a question. Visited once by a messenger of the Immortals who warned of a great evil in the ruin, and prophesying
that someone shall come one day to lay the evil to rest. His magical Staff of the Desert is charged with an variety of dervish
clerical spells. Courtesy Tips for Foreigners in the Emirates A Nicostenian merchant briefing his newly arrived Thyatin cousin on the eve of his first cross-Emirates caravan: "When we meet with our customers, they first offer us coffee. Good coffee,
generally. No business spoken yet-the coffee sharing is a formal version of a religious water-sharing ritual. Praise the coffee
and drink three cups. Less suggests the coffee is inferior; more suggests lack of restraint. "Eat with the fingers of your right hand, never your left hand. Do not offer
your left hand to another. Emphatically wash your right hand before and after a meal. At meals, people of all social statuses
mingle together, a token of equality and brotherhood; do not be surprised if the host is as cordial to his servants and porters
as he is to you. "In meetings, do not be hasty in pressing forth your business; hosts struggle
to avoid abruptness and excessive briskness in both social and business life. Those in authority wish to appear accessible
and cordial to all, so don't be surprised if other persons are present during important exchanges. Conversations may overlap in a very confusing fashion at times. "Traditional dress is preferred-none of those flashy things you brought with
you from Thyatis. Keep your head covered indoors. Not to be well-dressed is unacceptable. It reflects lack of respect for
your host and careless personal habits. "If you can't speak the truth, don't speak at all. Don't chatter unless you
know what you are talking about; you are held responsible for your judgment on even trivial matters like the weather and the
proper conduct of children. "You can't learn their language right away, but you can show respect by learning
the common greetings and responses." COMMON SALUTATIONS Greeting
Response Peace be upon you.
And upon you peace. Good morning.
Morning of light. Good evening.
Evening of light. How are you?
Well, praise be to the Immortal Ones. Farewell, in the Immortals.
In the care of the care of the True Ones. Staging the Nahmeh Peoples of the Emirates like to quote from the Nahmeh when supporting moral
arguments or philosophical observations, or when making polite conversations. Offering apt quotations is a sin of piety, scholarship,
wisdom, and judgment. Since the Nahmeh doesn't really exist, it is hard for players and DM to quote
from it as player and non player characters. Instead, here is a strategy for presenting quotes as though they were from the
Nahmeh. Make a list of your own favorite quotations. Check reference books like Now review your list of quotes and adapt them to the Ylari culture. For example,
instead of "Observe the lilies of the field, they neither spin or weave... ," choose a hardy desert plant such as the acacia,
and adapt the quote to "Observe the flowering acacia..." Keep this list handy. Select a few favorite quotes for each player
character and non player character to become familiar dialog tags for each personality. Here are some examples of quotes from the Nahmeh created in this fashion: "We must be the candles that burn so that others might have light." (From
Al-Kalim commentary on soldiers defending the Faith on the battlefield.) "If friendship is a diamond, then troubles are a diamond mine." (An admonishment
to consider misfortune a confirming test of friendship. ) "The enemies of our enemies are not necessarily our friends." (A diplomatic
saying.) "If such may befall the mighty efreeti, then our own misfortunes are light."
(From the Parable of the Cuckolded Efreet.) "There is no power but in the Immortals." "Before the Dark Minister of the Graveyard, all joy seems fleeting, and the
day is a tedious prelude to a dark and restless night." "Do not rail against the condition of man. Would you rather be a dog or a
donkey? Accept what is given, and cease your grumbling." "Al-Kalim has said, 'The stranger must be succored in times of need." "Wealth does not avail before the Terminator of Earthly Delights." "If it were engraved upon the corner of the eye with a needle, it would serve
as a lesson to those who would be wise." Glossary ABBASHANI: citizens of the Emirate of Abbashan or the city of AC: after crowning (of first Emperor of Thyatis) ALASIYANI: citizens of the Emirate of Alasiya; original desert nomadic peoples
of the Emirates (see fold-out map) ALPHATIANS: citizens of Empire of Alphatia; Ylari citizens descended from
Alphatian colonists ARROW, ORDER OF THE: military religious order of mounted archers of the True
Faith ATABEG: Ylari noble equivalent of a duke (often governors of provinces and
large cities) BC: before crowning (of first Emperor of Thyatis) BEY, BEG: Ylari noble equivalent of a count CALIPH: political head of the Emirates; sultan (a religious term, literally
"defender of the faith") CHECHIA: cylindrical headgear made of cloth CHIEF: tribal leader; equivalent to a baron (also QADI) D&DŽ GAMEWORLD: place where all the gazetteers are set DESERT ROSE, ORDER OF THE: high status honorary military religious order of
soldiers, clerics, and magic users of the True Faith DREAM OF JUSTICE AND HONOR: principle proposed by AI-Kalim whereby each man
undertakes to do justice and honor to his fellow man and the Immortals, and expects the same in return; unifying theme in
Ylari politics DREAM OF THE DESERTGARDEN: AIKalim's vision; cultivation of Emirates' deserts
made possible by magical and technological development of water resources DYTHESTENIANS: citizens of the Emirate of Dythestenia (see fold-out map) EMIR: king; political head of an emirate EMIRATES (of Ylaruam): the nation, as natives refer to it FAHTMAH: woman FARID: AI-Kalim's companion and adviser FARIS: itinerant noble knight of the True Faith (equivalent of a paladin) FELLAH: peasant HAZAR: settled Ylari tribal peoples descended from desert nomads (literally
"house-dwellers" ) KIN FACTION: religious and political faction dominant in the Emirate of Abbashan;
supports tracing descent from AI-Kalim through AI-Kalim's personal ancestors KOUGLAR: curved dagger MACE, ORDEROF THE: military religious order of clerics of the True Faith MAKISTANI: citizens of the Emirate of Makistan; nomadic peoples descended
from Ethengar settlers in northwestern Emirates (see fold-out map) MALIK: a minor king; equivalent to a duke MUFTI: sheriff, chief of police MUHTASIB: inspector of markets and trade; minor government official NAHMEH: the sacred book of the Eternal Truth (literally "the word") composed
by Al Kalim and his companion Farid; revered and studied by True Believers NICOSTENIANS: citizens of the Emirate of Nicostenia (see fold-out map) PASHA: king (also EMIR) PIKE, ORDER OF THE: military religious order of select foot soldiers of the
True Faith PRECEPTORS, COUNCIL OF: governing and advisory body to the sultan PRINCE: general term referring to any noble ruler QADI: tribal leader (also CHIEF, QAID, KADI) QAHWA: dark strong coffee RELIGIOUS ORDERS: military religious orders of select warriors of the True
Faith SHEIK: chief of chiefs; equivalent to a viscount SPELL, ORDER OF THE: military religious order of magic users of the True Faith SULEIMAN AL-KALIM: founder of the religion of the Eternal Truth; father of
the Emirates; archetypal hero and leader of the Ylari. SULTAN: religious and political head of the Emirates; descendant of AI-Kalim
through election of the Council of Preceptors SUQ: market, bazaar THE ETERNAL TRUTH: the dominant religion of the Emirates, founded on the teachings
of AI-Kalim (also THE FAITH, THE WAY) THE WAY: see the ETERNAL TRUTH THYATIANS: citizens of Empire of Thyatis; Ylari citizens descended from Alphatian
colonists TRUE BELIEVERS: followers of the Eternal Truth, the Ylari religion founded
in the teachings of AI-Kalim as presented in the Nahmeh (also TRUE BELIEVERS,FOLLOWERSOF THE WAY, DEFENDERSOF THE FAITH) VOUCHERY: government bureau YATAGHAN: large double-edged scimitar YLARI: adjective form of Ylaruam; citizens of the Emirates YLARUAM: the capital city of the Emirate of Alasiya; 'Ylaruam' when referring
to the nation is common usage among foreigners; also YLARUAM OF THE GLITTERING SPIRES (see fold-out map) THE HIJRAH MONTHS Muharram Safar Rabi al Awwal Rabi al Thani ]umada'i Awwal ]umada'i Thani Rajab Ramadan Shawwal Dhu'l-Qadah Dhu'l-Hijjah . The Mystaran Year Months of the Year Ylaruam Muharram Safar Rabi al Awwal Rabi al Thani* Jumada’l Awwal Jumada’l Thani Rajab Shaban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu’l-Qadah Dhu’l-Hijjah *First day of year celebrated Days of the Week Yaum al-ahad Yaum al-athnen Yaum at-talit Yaum al-arba Yaum al-hamis Yaum al-jum’at Yaum as-sabt |
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