Lands of Black Sand

History of the Land

The Lands of the Black Sand lies almost literally in the center of the continent of Suun. It separates the northern and the southern subcontinents. The first intelligent inhabitants of the Black Sand Desert were a tribe of wood elves who migrated to the region in 021CR.

The Aris'ororian

From the Elvish lands recently established in the north came a group of nomadic elves which traveled south to seek their own claim within the great land of Suun. A Prophet among them came to a great barren wasteland in a dream. Amidst the sandy plains he had walked for a year within the dream, and realized the tranquility of the desert that could not be matched by the forest.

It was with his prompting that the elvish tribe, Aris'ororian had come into the Desert seeking purity.

The nomad tribe had wandered a year and a day within the desert, and had learned well how to obtain supplies and how to live in the harsh climate of endless sand. It was on this day that they topped the great mountain of Solitude, seeking only shelter from a sandstorm when the Prophet looked out upon the lands ahead, and saw for the first time the Great River Carrisane. Carrisane was surrounded by a fertile field filled with fruit trees, streams and animals of many varieties. The mountain shadowed the land giving it protection from the piercing sun, and allowing the animals a place to rest during the day.

The great prophet proclaimed that this was indeed the land that his dream had told him to seek, and this land would from this day be their home.

Foundation

The Aris'ororian pitched down their tents, and it wasn’t long before they had built more permanent structures. The Clan leader, Rei'leail organized a hunting party and the Tribe soon found it's niche within the desert. As life was very difficult in the desert previously, the Aris'ororian knew well the value of conservation and they did not waist their precious resources, for fear of the prospect of returning to the desert.

Rei'leail set up a system of no ruling class (other than his own), with thinking men as law makers, and with loyal men as guards and magistrate. The Elves were fiercely loyal to Rei'leail, as they had trusted that he would not fail them in their trek through the Great desert, and as he had not, he had gained their complete and undying devotion upon bringing them to this utopia.

Arisororia

Arisororia became a nation of proud elves who were fully adapting to the difficult conditions of the Great Desert. Rei'leail was naturally proclaimed King of Arisororia, and thusly lord to all the Aris'ororian. He ruled capably and strongly, was deeply respected by all his people, as well as the other nations of the elves.

He commonly accepted many other rulers to visit, including his great friend, the King of Whitewood forest, Kilipsuset Greycloak.

This closeness with the other elven nations helped to establish Arisororia as one of the greatest elven states, but despite the few elvish visitors that happened to make the difficult trek to Arisororia, the nation was very isolated. This fact caused them to develop a heritage and custom all there own. It can be said that the tribe first came to the desert seeking purity, and so they sought to build the purist of all empires. It was a time of a philosopher king, and a stress on simplicity, and purity. The nation soon outlawed trade with all other empires, finding their creations somehow impure, and faulted. They became so concerned with maintaining their isolation that visitors were not allowed, but the King still held frequent meetings with Greycloak in order to keep up to date with the happenings of the other elvish nations.

The guardsman-warriors of Arisororia made use of giant desert lizards called Gezzikle to patrol great distances in a short amount of time. They also perfected their riding skills on these mounts as well as their ability to attack while mounted. Their skills with speed became legendary within their own society, and the riders became honored within the society as they served as an important symbol of purity, strength and honor in Arisororia.

At this point, even the king Greycloak no longer continued his frequent pilgrimages to the Aris'ororian. The great society became a myth to many elves outside of it, and it remained hidden for many years.

Destiny of Rei'leail

After three hundred years (323CR) Lord Rei'leail died at the age of 504 winters. He was already over two hundred when he made the difficult journey into the desert, and had experienced a demanding life once therein.

The songs of Mourning for the Great King flew to the skies like vultures screaming pain. After their extended period of grief, there remained a serious problem. As the King Rei'leail had taken no wife, had no children, and died peacefully in his sleep, he had left no one to rule the land of Arisororia.

The lawmakers came together in several meetings and declared that a famed Warrior-rider of the Gezzikle, an elf of the name Kezliss was to be named king. He was always complimented by Rei'leail as a great warrior, and leader of elves. He graciously accepted, and took his seat on the thrown.

It was during this time that many elves, rebelling against the harsh rules and regulations of this land, began to fight for their ability to do as they pleased and be masters of their own existence. Many years were filled with this strife, and these types of problems, which forced King Kezliss to attempt to rigidify his authority, and regain the purity that he had grown with.

In the year 423CR, an elvish priest brought news that the lands beyond the desert had become vile, and dark. It was also during this time that, that perhaps partially do to the Aris'ororian's great success within the desert, that the great clans undoing seemed at hand.

A horrid drought plagued the desert, one more severe than any previously seen by the great tribe. The River Carrisane had grown tired, and dry, so much so that it became a fossil of the life-giving source, which had kept the Aris'ororian alive.

A great tragedy revealed that the tribe had grown greedy, and far to dependent upon the Great River Carrisane.

Luckily enough, what was left of the river lay huddled in a single tiny well. That year was the harshest year in over three hundred. Nearly half of the population dies young as mal-nourishment thrived, and water was scarce.

Another great warrior named Neassk, also a Gezzikle Rider amassed many troops together, as well as commoners, and departed into the desert to seek new lands. It was at this time (425CR) that four different clans arose and separated to seek a new utopia.

King Kezliss begged his people to stay, to remain unified, standing firm to the idea that the God's would not abandon them, but to his utter dismay, Arisororia became a memory, as it was abandoned to the desert waist.

Of all the city men, only a handful remained. King Kezliss carried himself proudly inside the doors of his mighty citadel, and there he stayed until his death shortly thereafter.

It is said that he roams these halls even today, in everlasting disgrace, and anguish. The great city is forever cloaked in darkness, and any within a days travel may hear the terrifying moans, and screams of those who refused to leave the city, and starved.

The tragedy of this was that beneath the very city existed an underground river, which if tapped, could sustain the tribe indefinitely.

Of the giant mass, which abandoned the city, three groups went their separate ways. They pledged to return to one another, and inform the remaining tribes if ever they came into a place capable of sustaining life for any extended period of time.

So the four tribes, including the first under the leadership of Neassk, became again nomads in the unforgiving desert.

The Oasis

It was in the year of 487CR, after more than sixty years of wandering aimlessly through the great desert, that the second sun arose into the sky as the battle between the God Mages Abithanoir and Cyryllynese came to a conclusion leaving behind the Second Sun pulsating with terrible energy.

The four tribes looked upon the Second Sun, and all in their more bestial state began to follow it like a fire to insects.

After traveling toward the unexplainable sphere for many suns, the tribe following the Gezzikle Rider, Neassk rose above a high sandy dune, and below it they glimpsed far off in the distance, a shimmering pool of light upon the desert ground, reflecting the moon above. A body of water could only make a sight such as this.

Rejuvenated, the tribe leader raced toward it on the back of his mount, and finding his vision to be true as the beast came to a stop at the edge of the oasis.

Soon the Sand Elf tribe reached their leader, and for many moments stared deeply into the clear blue waters. This was a moment of great discovery. Their long journey had not been in vain. Now was a time to rejoice.

The remaining three tribes continued on their journey seeking the second sun.

Many of the first tribe suggested that they send a group of riders out to seek the other tribes, but this was refuted. A more primitive people, the elves realized that the fewer their numbers, the more likely it was that this oasis could sustain them. They also thought that the riders would surly parish, as it had taken them six centuries to reach this location. No, they would stay, and they would ensure their own survival.

Little did they know the truth. Blinding desert storms, and seemingly endless miles of dunes had led them to circle many times. As the desert is a ever changing place, it was impossible to know that they were actually very close to where they started their trek. It was also impossible for them to know that their brothers all lie less than three days travel Gezzikle back.

The remaining three tribes continued to seek the second sun, every day drawing nearer to the oasis.

A Great Conflict

It was less than a week later when the first of the tribes reached the oasis. They followed the tracks of their brother after seeing the Second Sun shimmering in the pool, as did the first tribe.

As their nomad riders went forward to see more of the oasis and it inhabitants, they were greeted by a host of riders, outnumbering them three times over.

The coming tribe smiled warmly at their lost brothers, but the warriors stood firm, and unmoving. Neassk stepped forward and spoke.

He told his brothers that they must turn and leave. There was not enough water here to support more than their own numbers.

Dismayed, a traveler pleaded with Neassk, asking him to please reconsider, but he turned his back and left, having Abbathor deep within his heart.

Turmoil

It was in this way that the tribes began to raid each other, and war began among the survivors. When the remaining tribes reached the oasis they too were turned away and hatred began to live in their hearts for their lost brothers as well.

It was in this way the tribes lived for many years. It was not long before the oasis's supply was used up, but the hatred that had formed to separate the four tribes remained, and grew as tribes continued to raid one another, for what little food and drink they possessed.

Soon the tribes separated and adapted to the ways of the raider, and the nomad. Their ability to ride the Gezzikle continued to grow, as the elvish tribes were finally able to utilize the full potential of the beast's speed and stamina in the form of desert raids against their kinsmen. It became the goal of every male child to be excepted into the ranks of the Gezzikle riders of their respective clans, and to become proficient in the raid, and to become a great warrior.

The viewpoint was generally held by all the clans that the evils that had been said to overtake the world outside of the desert had taken hold in all the other tribes.

Although the tribal leaders knew this notion to be foolish and vain, they cultivated it into the minds of the young in order to maintain their skill as a raiding party.

The Elf Wars of Azmuuth

The year was 115SR, and the Elf wars of Azmuuth, or more properly of Suun, had just been finalized by his majesty, king Eirine Greycloak lord of the elves of Lor'Norian. Kilipsuset Greycloak was a great friend to the Aris'ororian once long ago, and when his heirs daughter was slain, it personally and greatly affected many of the warriors of the great desert. Many of these warriors left their tribes and made their way to Lor'Norian, where their exceptional speed of mount was utilized to great effect. Other than these warriors, the Elf wars had little effect on the tribes of the desert.

The Hour of the Black Sand

Over four hundred years passed on this way, as the raids continued to increase in frequency, and brutality. The Sands were scorched black by fire from the endless war of the Water.

The tribes had individually grown strong, as this way of living seemed to suit them well. It was said that in this time the number of the Suun Elves far outnumbered the largest amount of elves living in fabled Arisororia by ten fold, even at it's greatest size and productivity.

The Gezzikle riders stalked their prey like dogs on the fringe of madness. The four Tribes drifted about for centuries until one day, 540SR, in which the tribes drifted right into each other's doorstep. The site of the massive battle came to be known as, The Plains of Black-Sand.

The Four camps came bright with the light of a million torches. Battle clad men, women and children, charged the midfield of death, laying low their lost brothers like savages. The Glorious battle raged on for days, as cousins felled each other using their fathers swords, and their family blood. The nighttime hid the elves as their night-eyes made them plain, resulting in an unceasing fluxing brilliance, emanating a powerful red heat rising far into the heavens.

On the fourth night the battle ended as thousands upon thousands of bloody Elvish corpses littered the ground like and ocean of death.

A survivor recounts his memory:

There I stood victorious. I wadded threw the puddles of bodies, knee deep in blood, and I saw few survivors. The fray was glorious and lasting. My anger at my foes has been appeased, yet I cannot help but feel a deep sense of loss. The body that stood before me as I sat tired and aching among the dead, was my cousin. I had run with him as a child through the desert and I remembered us practicing and fantasizing about one day becoming great Gezzikle Warriors.

Yes this is truly the hour of my youth gone grey. He lays dead, and for what? Water that does not exist? Wells that run dry? Glory that buys us death?

Yes… Many have died here today. Most of the women and children, as well as the elderly men will run. They will reproduce, perhaps only to fuel the fire, and spark yet another bloodletting.

Present Day

Today the Tribes have dispersed into many fractions. They still raid each other unceasingly, but have also begun a new trade. It seems that in the present day, many Gezzikle warriors can be found hiring themselves out as mercenaries. There are some tribes consisting entirely of adult male Gezzikle riders, who hire themselves out to the various tribes to raid, in return for favors of various kinds.

The nomad tribes are in constant travel, and never stay in one local for more than a few weeks, if that long. The Black Sand Elves seem to hold a monopoly on the Black Sands, as no other intelligent race seems to posses the ability, or desire to live in the harsh climate.

The desert has become a savage place. Its borders stretch ever outwardly to the north, and south, expanding the lands of Black Sand.

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