The Pandoran Desert

Description
The Pandoran Desert is a vast expanse of desert land in the east of Aldarun, past the Jaws of the East. It is a sunparched, barren waste where daily life is a constant struggle against the unrelenting heat, numerous predators, sinkholes and sandstorms that can strip the flesh right off the bone. Only the most stalwart and hardy of creatures call this forbidding land home. Water is so sparse here, that its inhabitants very lives revolve around it. The Pandoran forms a giant natural barrier between the Khazu Empire and the rest of Aldarun.

Few ever bother to venture into the Pandoran, because the smart know there is little of value to the western folk and traveling through it only invites death, either from the elements or at the hands of the Fedaykin. However, rumors of sandcovered ancient ruins filled with treasure still persist, inviting ignorant or simply foolhardy fortune seekers. Most of them quickly turn back, sometimes persuaded by the ends of Fedaykin spears. The bleaches bones of those that spurned their friendly advice litter the sands. Only Druids and caravans of the Merchant Guild are allowed in these lands freely.

Demographics & Government
The only civilized people that live in this forsaken wasteland are the fearsome Fedaykin, a loose alliance of nomadic races including Humans, Catfolk, Bhuka, Asherati and Fire Elves. No one knows how many of them there are. Some think there are only a few thousand, but other posit they may number over a million. However, it is known they are organized into 12 Clans, each of which is divided into many Septs. These Clans constantly war among each other over control of the regions sparse water and other resources.

Each Sept is led by a Chieftain, a position that can only be earned through merit and is usually filled by a talented and strong warrior. The Chieftain sees to the day to day affairs of the Sept and is also in absolute command in all matters of war. He is joined by a Wise One, a female Druid who serves as the Sept's spiritual leader and lawmaker. Wise Ones are sacrosanct and one could walk into the hold of a bloodfeuding Clan and walk out with not a single hair on her head so much as ruffled. The Chieftains and Wise Ones are often married, but this is not always the case.

Culture & Religion
Fedaykin society is based on three main pillars. First is the gathering and conservation of water. While abundant in the west, natural water is so sparse in the Pandoran that the Fedaykin consider it more valuable than gold and actually use it as a currency. Stealing or wasting it is considered a grievous crime punishable by death.

The second is respecting and keeping to oaths. When a Fedaykin makes a promise, he'd rather die than renounce it. They also expect non-Fedaykin to hold to the same standard and are extremely insulted if one doesn't. An ancient king of Arad Doman once broke his oath to them and in response their entire people went to war against the nation, resulting in a decade long conflict that only ended with the death of that king.

The third is their warrior societies. All Fedaykin are fierce warriors, always wearing veils in combat, and fight exclusively with spears and shortbows, which they call “dancing the spears”. Still some group together into societies due to similar philosophies or specializations such as the all-female Maidens Of The Spear. Due to their simple appearance and mercilessness in battle many consider them savages, but theirs is a rich culture full of traditions.

The Fedaykin are not a religious people. The hardships of lives in the inhospitable sands and rock of the Pandoran leaves little illusions about how much deities care about their flocks. Rather, they respect, but not worship, the capricious forces of nature.

Military
The Fedaykin have no need for armies. After all, only the strong can survive in a land as merciless as the Pandoran while at the same time constantly being at odds with every other Clan. Almost every single Fedaykin is a fierce warrior: men, women, children, even the elderly. This has come as a nasty surprise to many an ignorant wetlander brigand, thinking he found some defenseless civilians to prey on.

Going to war against the Fedaykin is to war against their entire people, as the Clans will temporarily set aside their feuds and unite against a common foe. Neither do they give quarter to enemies either. They will spear anyone who takes up arms, whether man, woman or child. There are exceptions however. It is extremely dishonorable to slay babies or those too sick or crippled to fight. The Fedaykin also hold blacksmiths in very high regard and will not harm one unless given no other choice.

Settlements & Other Locations

 * Rhidean