The Abbiyad Mountains

Though Quel'Ahma is known as a desert land, its terrain is more varied than many travelers would expect, particularly in the relatively fertile Al-Riyah. The Emirate of the Winds is home to the Abbiyad Mountains - the name of this great range is derived from a Quel'Ahman word for "white," for they are so tall that on their upper slopes they are covered in snow year-round. Shielded from the hotter climate of the lowlands, these mountains are home to a robust forest of cedar trees, and the sight of the Abbiyad Mountains breaking over the horizon has brought relief for many travelers lost in the desert - not only for being an easily recognizable landmark for navigation, but also because they hold the promise of cooler and more hospitable lands within sight.

The Abbiyad region is known for its cedars, and many of the communities that hug the slopes of the mountains rely on the export of timber - in Quel'Ahma, where trees are scarce, the Abbiyads have provided essential materials for Al-Riyah's robust fleet of merchant vessels, which both rely on the wood for construction and export it to other parts of the realm. Though the mountains are a rugged hill country, with little in the way of major cities, a number of villages have grown up around them.

Perhaps the largest of these is Misri (hex 013.034), located on the trade route that goes north to the great city of Hajar, a major stopping point for caravans. Although the people there largely live an independent life and have little want for the attention of outsiders, they nevertheless see much traffic from merchants, traders, and nomads, and they have found their own ways to take advantage of this. The village is built along a number of multi-leveled terraces in the hills, with the main road winding through a narrow valley, and the people there hold a great market along this street, with vividly colored banners flapping in the breeze as merchants hawk all sorts of goods from their stalls. During business hours, the amount of traffic can slow passage through the mountains - which is just as the people like it, since it means merchants have no choice but to stop and peruse the town's wares. Many merchants spin elaborate tales about what they have for sale in order to make it seem more exotic and appealing, and to fetch a higher price than what it is by all means worth. They have no regrets for their dishonesty - after all, it doesn't affect them if they con some gullible outsider who won't come that way again out of a few coins.

Further off the beaten path is Ain-Kinan (hex 013.036). A more rustic community of foresters, it - like any village in Al-Riyah - has its own maqam; that is, a small domed shrine, built on a high place and often associated with a long-dead master of the Covered Path, sometimes (but not always) marking the site of their burial. In rural Al-Riyah, many people, though ostensibly Elementalists, care little for the grand pagentry of official cults and temples and devote their prayers to saints and spirits; in fact, not all masters honored by maqams can be historically verified, and some may be vestiges of cults to forgotten gods. Ain-Kinan's patron saint is Aziz S'himi bin Amnon al-Qadir, said to have been a Genasi official who renounced his life of luxury to pursue the Covered Path. It is said that those who leave food inside the shrine overnight will find it miraculously multiplied the next day.

Finally, in the southern foothills of the Abbiyads is the village of Al-Mazrah, which stands at the foot of the Lahksa River. Its people largely subsist as farmers from the flooding of the river, though they do harvest some lumber as well. Located not far from the village is a strange inscription cut into the stone of the mountainside, in what appears to be Nuwapian script. Those who can decode it will find it promising to honor one who has proven themselves stronger than the king of all beasts of the land and air - a DC 15 History check will reveal this must be referring to a gryphon, many of which dwell on the slopes of the mountains. If one anoits the wall with the blood of a gryphon, it will open into a hidden chamber containing 4,500 GP in gold and jewels and a scroll of etherealness.

Despite the scarcity of trees in Quel'Ahma, much of the cedar forests of the Abbiyads remain untapped. This is for good reason - the deepest reaches of the forest are known as a land of monsters, and few have emerged from them alive. Perhaps the most infamous of them all is the gorgon Kombaba, a monstrous ogress with iron claws for hands and snakes for hair, whose flesh is like steel and whose gaze can petrify (stats of a medusa, but with 159 HP and Large size, with Resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning attacks from nonmagical sources); she dwells in a cave located at hex 014.037, but has been sighted roaming the mountains by those lucky enough to escape to tell the tale.

Other dwellers of the deep woods may be more helpful. At hex 015.034 is the tower of Khadul al-Ghazzawi, a noted scholar and astronomer who has made his home in the mountains to better study the motions of the stars, and chart the course of fate. He is a bitter recluse and will not tolerate those who waste his time, but he may be able to impart advice on what the future may bear. At hex 015.036, meanwhile, is a shrine where the Amidi mystic Jamilah ibnat Karim dwells atop a snowy mountain peak, living her life in meditation. She is a wise old woman who can guide those who seek her to the path of perfection, but her mountain may only be found by those who actively search for it, and to ascend it is a challenge in and of itself, fraught with dangerous conditions and powerful guardians. Jamilah will only instruct one who shows enough dedication to the cause to brave the threats its pursuit entails.

Lastly, beyond the mountains, in the desert, is a ruined Nuwapian tomb (hex 016.038), in which is buried an ancient priest, Pahemnetjer, who pursued the path of lichdom. Though this lich still remains dormant in his coffin, buried far below the earth, his undead servants still stand guard against would-be tomb robbers, and so do many traps and enchantments placed to safeguard the priest's phylactery. A band of Caravan People are camped in the ruins above ground; they know of the dangers within and will provide rumors and trade with those who wish to brave its depths, but will not think of setting foot inside themselves.