Rhidean

Description
Rhidean is the only permanent settlement of the Fedaykin people of the Pandoran Desert. While it is the size of a small city, it has few inhabitants, just a skeleton population of Fedaykin caretakers charged with maintaining the site and protecting it from intruders. It also also the location of Avendesora, the grand and ancient tree which the Fedaykin believe to be the very first tree. Because of their high respect for nature, this makes Rhidean somewhat akin to a holy site for the otherwise unreligious Fedaykin.

Since most Fedaykin abhor living in one place for long periods of time, Rhidean is mostly used for ceremonies. When the Chieftain or Wise One of a Sept dies, the other pairs of Chieftains and Wise Ones of the Clan choose a candidate from their people. These then meditate without food or water beneath Avendesora until only one remains. It is said that he or she will see a vision of the ‘truth’ of the Fedaykin people. Afterward, the Chieftains and Wise Ones will seclude the aspirant. Most of time, the candidate emerges and is proclaimed Chieftain or Wise One, but sometimes he or she does not return and is judged exile and forsaken, never to be spoken of again.

Because of this unique status, Rhidean is neutral ground for the warlike desert clans. No warrior is allowed to draw weapons, nor is any spellcaster permitted to cast spells within its boundaries.This peace is further enforced by ancient water oaths, obliging the Chieftain of any Sept who disturbs the peace to surrender both himself and the offender to justice or risk having his Sept destroyed by the combined wrath of all the other Septs of his Clan, if not the rest of the Clans.