Fhoryat is a vast desert of fine, ever-shifting sand in which rocky islands float. All of the settlement is built on these islands, creating a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The islands move essentially at random, but always within the confines of the desert. The main geographic features of the desert are its multi-hued sands, its mobile rock islands, and oases which spring up in a few hours, and typically last a few days. The sand itself is very fertile; it is infused with the essence of life.
Fhoryat is a testing ground, designed to protect the Fountain of Youth from those who would exploit it. In ancient days, entire kingdoms were offered to the man who could return with a flask of water from the Fountain of Youth. Virtually an entire nations worth of people flocked to this desert island, only to discover how truly difficult life was here. After landing a powerful storm destroyed many ships, often leaving no remains. The explorers, left with no way to return home, were forced to settle. For the first few years, they lived a nomadic life out of necessity. Water was scarce, and they followed creeks and streams as they moved about the isle. Eventually they discovered that great platforms of rock also moved. Having a site to erect permanent shelter upon, the people chose the most experienced among them to be water gatherers. To ensure that they could return home, great columns topped with fire were built upon the rocks. The Gatherers would depart at dusk, and return before the sun rose – if they returned at all.
Once the people began settling into permanent residences, they remembered the old conflicts which had divided them. Knowing that it would only be a matter of time before ancient conflicts arose again in this new place, they made a pact: Any hold will welcome a Gatherer, regardless of the tribe they are in. Any Gatherer will deliver water to the hold that he shelters for the night in. No war shall be fought while the fires hold.
Peace held for a generation; people did not leave their homes once they had settled. The new generation grew up in the desert and learnt its ways. They began to explore further and further away from their rocky homes. As they grew, they created new ways of travel. Eventually it was discovered that the rock upon which their homes were built floated above the sand. The children found that using thinner smaller pieces of rock, they could float above the sand. This thinner rock, when carefully formed, glided across the sands. It worked very well going down the dunes at least. One sailor came up with a way to attach a mast and sail to these rocks. Soon every village had at least one of these new devices to its credit. Higher speed travel led to increased trade, and assimilation of cultures. Instead of falling to old arguments, the people became united in their struggle against the desert.
This new peace insured the prosperity of this new society, but the Gatherers ensured its survival. In the new generation the practice continued of recruiting only the best into their ranks. The protections granted them by the water pact seemed unnecessary, but the Gatherers refused to seek water if they were not honoured. As time passed, and the original generation died out, the Gatherers became less like servants and more like rulers. Perhaps it was only a matter of time. The Gatherers formed The Seekers Council. One Gatherer from each village was allowed to represent that village on the council. In addition, one commoner from each village was also allowed to serve on the council. The Gatherers elected a Khan to lead the council. The Khan accepted the advice of the council, and then made decisions regarding law, trade, taxation, governance, and all matter of things.
This all worked well for a time, until twin sisters were born to one of the low ranked Gatherers. He raised his children well, and saw personally to their training. Both girls were popular, and more importantly, skilled in the ways of survival. However, when the time came to attempt the rituals, only the younger daughter attempted it. She succeeded, and grew in prestige and skill. Her sister trained herself, and truth be told, was the equal or better of her sister in every way. The sister who became a Gatherer was elected Khan on her 30th birthday. She ruled for one week, was assassinated, and replaced by her sister.
The flames, which had been a gift of God, went out. The people panicked, and fear and suspicion of outsiders reigned. They did not know that the Khan had been replaced, and placed blame on the outsiders. Out of fear, the people drove anyone unfamiliar or different out of their villages. Those who tried to return were branded, and if they attempted to return a second time, they were attacked. These attacks escalated quickly into armed conflicts between villages. At least, this is the story as we are told it. It has been so long since, that not even the names of the sisters are remembered.
