Book 1

Home Port: Wherein

the Tale Begins
And who seeketh fame without toil and strife, the impossible
seeketh and wasteth life.
The First Voyage of Sinbad the Seaman

P
raise be Zakhara, jewel of the sun, pillar of the rock, prince of all
nations, sire of all wisdom, center of the firmament, whose sands are
more dazzling than gold, whose springs are sweeter than the honey of
bees, whose oceans are deeper than the void of Basim. Revered be the
Loregiver, mother of all knowledge, confounder of genies, deceiver of gods,
she whose Fate is that which was given her. Honored be the Grand Caliph,
blood of First Caliph, worthy of the gods, giant among men, scourge of the
unbeliever, confidant of the genie-races. (And praised be, too, the genies of
the four quarters and the genies of the four elements, that they may find
pleasure in this tale.)
It has reached me, O wise readers, that once there were, somewhere
within the great cities of pearl, a seaman and his companions. . . .

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 From the suqs of Jumlat to the arid deserts of the Each part included in this sourcebox is described
High Desert are men who call themselves brave and below. Look through the different parts to satisfy your
free, but who is more brave or free than the daring curiosity, then read this booklet, Home Port, first.
wanderers of the ocean waves? Not the spiritless With the background and starting material provided
townsman hiding behind his walls, not the soldier here, you should be ready to begin your campaign.
resting comfortably in his barracks, not even the desert
raider who stands safely on dry ground; none accepts What You Get
more risks or dares greater rewards than the bold
captain on the deck of his ship, or so by the wisdom of
Fate it is told in the great portsand who will argue
with the wisdom of Fate?
T he Golden Voyage sourcebox is made of many
different booklets and pieces. It is not necessary
to read all of these sections before beginning play.
Golden Voyages is a special adventure set for player However, you should have a good idea of what is in
characters using the AL-QADIM rulebook and is each booklet to ease the task of finding information
set in Zakhara, the Land of Fate. Reminiscent of the once play begins.
great adventures of Sinbad (stories and movies), the Home Port. This is the booklet you are reading
action ranges from the docks of the Pearl Cities to the now. Home Port includes an outline of the Golden
unexplored and wondrous islands south of the Voyages campaign, the framing story encounters
Crowded Sea. As they sail from place to place, the (beginning in the Pearl Cities), descriptions of the
player characters have the chance to experience a possible Great Treasure (the object of this adventure),
series of wildly different adventures. expanded rules on ships and sailing, and background
Golden Voyages is made up of many different parts to on the ways of Zakharan sailors. The last part of this
help you run campaigns on the Crowded Sea. Unlike booklet (additional rules and background) is meant to
other adventures where each encounter leads to the be used throughout all game sessions since it deals with
next, the adventures in Golden Voyages are more prop- situations that could arise at any time.
erly called mini-adventures. What PCs encounter on The Crowded Sea: al-Sartan. This booklet
one island will not directly affect their encounters on describes the islands that form the Sartan archipelago.
another. To give these mini-adventures continuity, they It includes descriptions of topography, tribes, and The
occur within a larger framing adventure. The framing Great and Dread God, an adventure set in these islands.
adventure provides the characters with reasons (beyond The Crowded Sea: Nada al-Hazan. This booklet
mere curiosity) to sail from island to island. covers the Nada al-Hazan (Strait of Sorrow) chain,
The classic example of this technique is the 1,001 including the trading port of Bandar al-Saadat. Two
Arabian Nights. The tale is told of a great caliph who adventures, A Night in Town and The Isle of Sadness,
with every dawn executes his current courtesan. To are set in these islands.
keep her head, his latest choice, a woman named The Crowded Sea: The Djinnis Claws. The
Sherazade, starts a tale every night, leaving it fourth booklet details the deadly archipelago known as
unfinished at the dawn. Naturally the caliph spares her the Djinnis Claws. Several small adventures, Servitude,
to hear the end of the story. The next night she Broken Talons, and Shark Food are set in these islands.
continues the tale and sometimes starts another, The Crowded Sea: The Steaming Isles. The last
always making sure to leave it unfinished at dawn. In text booklet is about the fog-shrouded and volcanic
this way she saves her head and, for us, provides the Steaming Isles, and the perils and treasures found
story around which all other stories are told. there. Praise be the Loregiver is set on these islands.

2
 Maps and Player Handouts. This booklet con-
tains sixteen pages of maps used in the adventures,
useful DM aids, deck plans, and player handouts for
Golden Voyages. Several of these handouts can be
used throughout a Zakharan campaign, particularly
the deck plans and trade route maps. Carefully
remove the staples from this booklet to separate the
sheets.
Monstrous Compendium Pages. These sheets
describe new monsters to complement those given in
the AL-QADIM appendix of the Monstrous
Compendium.
DMs Screen. This three panel screen, custom
designed for a Zakharan campaign, contains tables
useful to all AD&D campaigns, along with charts and
tables taken from the AL-QADIM rules.
Crowded Sea Map. This poster-size map presents
the islands of the Crowded Sea at the same scale as
those maps in the Land of Fate boxed set. This map
connects directly south of the Pearl Cities mapsheet.

Adventure Stages

G olden Voyages may be quite different from any

other modules you have played if those modules
are completely detailed descriptions of an ancient
ruin, dungeon, palace, or other specific location filled
with monsters and treasures waiting for you to arrive.
Golden Voyages is also quite different from adventures
that have carefully developed plots with a definite
sequence of steps and events. Although Golden
Voyages has a beginning, middle, and end, very little
about it is definite. There are several different ways
the adventure can begin, depending on you and your
player characters. During the middle section, when
the characters are sailing about, there is no set order
for the encounters. What the player characters
encounter depends on where they sail. Like the
beginning, there are several choices for ways to end
the adventure. All these things are shaped by the
interaction between the DM and his players.

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 The Golden Voyages adventure is divided into three Finding the Great Treasure is no simple task,
main parts: the beginning, set in Gana of the Pearl however. It could be in any of four locations that you
Cities; the middle, among the islands of the Crowded choose. However, the location isnt fixed (i.e., even
Sea; and the end, which returns the player characters you will not know for sure) until the characters have
to Gana once more. The possible adventures for each visited a few of the islands and gained some clues.
part are outlined here. Only by visiting several island chains will the
Beginning. Your goal here is to make the characters characters narrow the location of the Great Treasure
want to explore the Crowded Sea. The opening down to a single place.
adventures all provide reasons for boarding shipfrom Location determines whether a given adventure
the noble to the practical. In The Map in the Bazaar, will occur. If the player characters sail to Sartan, they
the motivation is basic greed. The player characters will most certainly meet The Great and Dread God,
obtain an authentic treasure map from a mysterious which might be the hiding place of the Great Treasure.
old merchant in an equally mysterious marketplace. If at anytime they drop anchor at Bandar al-Saadat,
Why they have the map and where it will lead are use A Night in Town, where they can learn clues about
questions the characters can only answer by sailing the Great Treasure. Farther down the chain, at The Isle
south among the lost islands of the Crowded Sea. of Sadness, waits another potential hiding place of the
The Quest appeals to the desire for fame and glory. Great Treasure.
Each year the Sultan of Gana challenges one and all to The Djinnis Claws provides the characters with
return with a great wonder and present it to his court. several opportunities to gain more clues in Broken
Hints of a great wonder far to the south will carry the Talons, and a chance to gain a necessary magical
player characters on a long voyage far from home. device through Servitude. The adventure Shark Food
For those of less noble intention, The Rogue Geasd hides the third possible location of the Great
provides a direct motivation to set sail. Caught in the Treasure.
act, one of the player characters is magically compelled The last chain, the Steaming Isles, presents the
to undertake a search to the far south. The only greatest challenge to the player characters, in the
question that remains is whether his friends will adventure Praise Be the Loregiver. It is not the deadliest
accompany him. adventure, but it is the most difficult for good
Finally, there is the straight-forward 90 Days or Else. characters to resolve. On these islands the PCs may
Here, the characters have managed to sink themselves find the hiding place of the Great Treasure or more
into debt. They can either let themselves be sold into items and clues useful to their search.
slavery or find some way to come up with the money Finale. If the characters are successful and return to
quick. Spurred on by tales of quick riches to the south, Gana with their prize, they have succeeded in their
(hopefully) the player characters opt to set sail. mission. Although there are no further prepared
By the end of this part, the player characters should encounters, DMs who want to keep the adventure
be ready to set sail in search of the Great Treasure. going can prepare their own obstacles for the group.
Middle. The adventures of the middle section occur Perhaps jealous courtiers steal the Great Treasure
once the characters have sailed into the Crowded Sea. before the characters can present it, or maybe a rival of
Each adventure stands by itself; you may use some or all the Fire Wizard (from The Rogue Geasd) believes the
of them. This stage of the adventure revolves around PCs are henchmen of his enemy. However, the
finding the Great Treasure necessary for the characters characters should have an opportunity to regain all
to resolve their situations back in Gana. before the final scene.

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The Great Treasure Great Treasures: Power Gamers
Power gamers are mainly concerned with gaining personal

T he heart of Golden Voyages is the search for the

Great Treasure, whether it be to satisfy an angry
wizard, impress the Sultan of Gana, or pay off a
might, defeating terrible monsters, and getting fabulous
treasure. Treasures most apt to appeal are those which
enhance ability scores, make characters less vulnerable, or
rapacious creditor. As such, the treasure must be increase personal combat abilities.
tantalizing to your player characters, a lure they cannot The Blade of Mastery. This treasure is a small
resist, and yet at the same time it must not disrupt your jambiyah with a most unique blade, ethereal and
campaign. Alas, not every campaign is the same. A cloaked in blue flame. The weapon cannot be used in
treasure that is irresistible to another group may not combat, since the phantom blade causes no damage,
appeal to your players in the slightest. The trick is to though it leaves a fading tracery of blue fire like a slash
find the treasure that best suits your audience. or cut. However, any character cut by the blade gains
Therefore, there is no single Great Treasure. Instead, 1 point to his prime requisite (or one of his prime
several different rewards are suggested here, suited to a requisites if his class has multiple requirements, or an
variety of different tastes. Read through the list and extra Hit Die for monsters), even in excess of racial
choose the one you like most (and you think would maximums. This works only once per character (or
work best for your players). If you do not see any you creature).
like, create your own Great Treasure. Remember two Examining the blade does not reveal its power;
things if you take this course: first, a treasure need not however, anyone who tests the sharpness of its edge
be an item of great wealth or powerwonder can be will cut themselves, thereby gaining the benefit. A
just as effective; second, the player characters are not player will be aware his character has improved
meant to keep their treasure it is meant to be given become stronger, smarter, etc.when this occurs.
to the Sultan, mage, or creditor. The Seal of Fate. This treasure appears to be
Do not let the player characters keep items of great nothing more than a small seal with deeply carved
magical power or wealth. These will unbalance your letters. When pressed against ones palm, the seal
campaign as time goes by, making things difficult for magically marks the character with its imprint. This
yourself. However, since contrived excuses to get items mark is invisible, though it radiates magic and can be
out of their characters hands only irritates players, try seen by detect invisibility and the hakimas truth-seeing
to avoid having the Great Treasure arbitrarily stolen, powers. The mark can be placed on each character
lost, taxed, or confiscated. Your best defense is to not only once.
give the player characters something you will have to The imprinted Seal of Fate mark allows a character
take away in the near future, or to make sure they to attempt to alter his fatethe player can reroll any
understand that they must surrender the item at the attack, damage caused or suffered, saving throw,
end of the adventure (to the Sultan or whomever). In proficiency check, chance to learn a spell, system
the latter case, be sure the group knows they will gain shock, or resurrection survival roll. The decision to
some reward for handing over the Great Treasure. reroll must be made immediately, before any other
One of the following Great Treasures should appeal results are known. Each time this power is used, there
to your player characters. To help decide which might is a 60% chance the mark will vanish forever. Once it
be best, the items are organized according to different has vanished, the character can never profit from the
styles of play. A brief description is given for each style seal again.
to help decide where your players best fall.

5
 stronghold at the headwaters of Al-Sabaya, the river
that eventually flows to Gana. Its size and the lands
which surround it (no more than a few miles) are left
vague. It should be no bigger than you can manage
while large enough to make the players feel like their
characters have found a permanent home. The Sultan
of Gana, marvelled and amazed by the appearance of
the First Caliph, will gladly honor the mysterious
bequest, provided the characters swear fealty to him.
Great Treasures: Warlords The Spear of the Wandering Legion. The ancient
Warlords are players who want power for their tale of the Wandering Legion dates back to the time of
characterspower to affect the campaign world around the First Caliph, and it goes something like this:
them. They want to become the movers and shakers in It has come to me, O virtuous ones, that in those days,
your campaign world. Lands, castles, mighty armies, exotic when the Wise and Exalted One was spreading the Word of
followers, writs from the Grand Caliph, ranks, and titles the Loregiver, there rose a company of apostate warriors
all appeal to these players. against his rule, but the Beloved of the Desert was
The Voice of the Great Lion. This treasure is strengthened and restored by the Word of the Law, and
nothing more than a crinkled and ancient scroll, their treachery was laid low. Then the Master of the Great
tattered at the edges and bound with a faded golden Throne, infinite as his wisdom truly was, showed great
cord. The scroll must be unrolled carefully to prevent mercy and spared their lives. Blessed be the Word and the
its destruction. The surface is covered with intricate Law for truly it is greater than we. None shall we follow
and highly artistic script, written in an old dialect of who does not cleave to the Law, proclaimed the
Midani. The first few lines are nonmagical and can be vanquished warriors. This they swore upon a spear of
easily read. It reads: silver, saying, Let he who is just carry this spear as the
Let be known to all the decision of the Great Lion, sign; then we will come to serve. Then each man
Worthy of the Gods, Confidant of Genies, He who sits on wandered by a different track into the desert and was never
the Enlightened Throne, for he decrees Krak al- and the seen by man again.
lands accorded it by custom be awarded to the bearer. Let he The Spear is an intricately etched shaft of slim
of the court who contests this judgment read and hear the silver that radiates magic. If struck upon the ground
proof of the Great Lion from our masters own lips. three times by a servant of the Grand Caliph (any
The remainder of the scroll is a magical script. A properly recognized official of him or his appointed
read magic spell does not identify the scroll but the caliphs and sultans), 100 to 300 (1d3100) 3rd-level
caster knows the text will disappear forever once read. farisan arrive to serve the wielder. They do not simply
When the magical script is read aloud, a glowing figure appear, but must reach the summoner by normal
of the First Caliph appears before the caster. It repeats means. (Once summoned, the Spear need not be
the judgment given above and then remains for one kept.) These men (and a few women) are all
hour, conversing and answering questions with those descendants of the original soldiers, the legacy secretly
present, just as if the First Caliph was still alive. This passed on from father to child. The warriors are
would be a great wonder to bring back to the Sultans fanatically loyal, but only to those who recognize and
court, indeed. uphold the Law. Otherwise they instantly leave. The
The fortress mentioned, Krak al- , is a small soldiers can only be summoned once.

6
 As treasures go, the judgment is completely useless
to the player characters. For the court of Gana the
judgment is a treasure, indeed, since it would do much
to bolster their claim to the pearl banks. (Jumlah, too,
would pay dearly for this worthless scrap of paper,
since they would love to see it disappear.) If the
characters return with the scroll, Vizier Alia bint-
Hazir will provide an appropriately handsome (but not
extensive) reward. A warrior might receive a sword +2,
Great Treasures: Role-Players a shair a ring of spell-storing. Characters can also claim
Role-players are interested in the personality of their a great favor from the Sultan sometime in the future,
characters and how they get along with others. They are provided the request is judiciously exercised.
less interested in defeating monsters than in meeting and
dealing with people. Role-players often prefer treasures that
make their characters unique and distinctive from others.
The Earring of Prince Mamoon. This is a hoop of
jet coral, pierced with intricate calligraphy. These
earrings were fashioned by Mamoon, a prince of the
marids, who created them for the students of his
marqab, a school of mystic learning in Gana. Over the
centuries the shair of this small and elite school have
achieved renown for their skill and learning.
Presenting one of these earrings allows characters to Great Treasures: Story-Tellers
join the marqab. Members (of any class or race) can Story-tellers want a good tale when everything is said and
reside at the marqab without charge. The shair of the done. The tale can be filled with grand heroics, high drama,
school will assist with spells, seeking answers to or low comedy, so long as it makes a good story. Story-
questions, and other non-adventuring activities. The tellers prefer treasures that inspire a sense of wonder and
shair will not research new spells or create magical amazement or reveal secrets about the background of your
items for the characters, but he will sell potions and campaign world.
scrolls at discounted prices (a mere five times the xp The Crab Gods Shell. This treasure is deceptively
cost of the item). After one month of study, player simpleall the characters need do is find and bring
character shairs gain +5 to their chances of locating back a huge, red-brown bowl that was once the
spells. armored shell of the great crab god, Karrrga. With
The Judgment of Abd Hikmat. This treasure is a such a wonder, the Sultan would build a marvelous
simple scroll covered with nonmagical script. It is the fountain for his garden. (What the players may not
judgment of a long-dead but still greatly respected realize is that they do not have to kill the hideous and
qadi, Abd Hikmat (literally slave of wisdom, a name powerful crab-god of Jazayir Al-Sartan, since this is a
of honor) concerning rights to the pearl banks of near impossible task. Unknown to them, Karrrga
Jumlat and Gana. In it, the qadi rules Jumlat has periodically molts its shell as it grows.)
abused the Law and awards the greater portion of the The Book of Lore. This fabled tome is said to
pearl beds to Gana. contain all knowledge within its slim pages. Bound in

7
red leather unlike any known creature, the book out what they are. Umar protected the charts with a
contains a deceptively small number of pages. secret page spell. (Note: Since this is the Great Treasure,
However, no matter how many pages are turned, one dispel magic will not damage the contents of the page.)
more remains. Each page is covered with crimped Once deciphered, player characters using his charts or
calligraphy of great beauty. If a week is spent studying copies thereof gain a +3 bonus to all navigation checks.
this volume, the reader can thereafter attempt the More importantly, Umar carefully recorded the currents
equivalent of a legend lore spell once per week, based of the Crowded Sea (as noted on the Current Map).
on what he has read in the Book of Lore. (In addition, Those sailing these currents increase their ships base
characters able to use legend lore treat all casting times speed per hour by 1. Following the currents and winds
as one less when using their memorized spellsknown does not have any effect on running from pirates or sea
objects are treated as if they were in hand, etc.) Should battles. In these cases, use the ships normal (or
multiple party members attempt gain information on emergency) movement rate.
the same subject, those beyond the first add 2% to the Any character able to write can copy Umars charts
chance of success. Once read, it is not necessary to in a single week. Once copied, the original charts need
retain the book; it gives no further benefit. not be kept. Indeed, the Sultan of Gana would
The Book of Lore would add greatly to the prestige welcome these charts, for they would surely draw
of any court that possessed it, for scholars from all sailors and add luster to the Sultans small university.
lands would come to consult it. (Likewise, several waterfront merchants would
welcome these charts for purely economic reasons.)
The Oracle of the Hakima. This treasure is
particularly unique for it has no apparent value. Upon
reaching their goal, the player characters find a single
sheet written with a script that glows like fire: He who
is least among the greatest, foolish among the learned, waits
where others would leadthis one shall Fate proclaim.
The script has nothing to do with the player characters
or their adventures; rather, it is the answer to a
question the Sultan of Gana posed of a great oracle.
Great Treasures: Puzzle-Solvers He has grown concerned about his increasing age and
Puzzle-solvers want a challenge for their wits and are happi- so seeks to know which of his children he should name
est when they have solved some particularly thorny problem as his successor. If the scroll is brought to him, he
a trap, a magical item, a half-completed map, or what- instantly comprehends its significance, though not
ever. Good treasures for such a group are those that are a necessarily its answer. For him the sheet (and its
puzzle in themselves, a new challenge for the players to solve. bearers) represents a great treasure.
Umar al-Rubbans Suwar. This ragged looking
bundle of sheets is the long-lost collection of charts and Opening Adventures
daftar of Umar al-Rubban (the captain), perhaps the
finest sailor of the Crowded Sea in recent memory. He
disappeared many years ago, taking his secrets with
him. These charts reveal much about his exploration of
A ll opening encounters presume the player
characters are starting from the city of Gana on
the Pearl Coast. The adventure can begin in any other
the Crowded Sea, provided the characters can figure coastal city of the Golden Gulf, if you desire. Note

8
that if you do change the location, you will not be able Warrior of the Pearl or a reigning pearl captain of the
to use The Quest encounter or anything else that day sweeps down the avenue. The flooding revelers
relates to the Great Task of the Pearl. Since this is are like a wave that washes over the human sand
such a wonderful excuse to send characters on an before them, sweeping everyone into their current or
adventure, it would be a shame not to exploit it in out of their path. If the player characters allow
your campaign. themselves to be carried along, the group is quickly
When choosing an opening encounter, remember separated by the tide of revelers. Thieves in the crowd
that more than one can be used with a given group. will naturally take advantage of the situation (pick
Different player characters can have different pockets 65%).
motivations. Some may choose to undertake the Great The only way to avoid the rush is to instantly duck
Task of the Pearl as described in The Quest and down the nearest alley. It seems hundreds of people
purchase The Map in the Bazaar to help them on their are trying the same tactic, pushing the characters
way. The partys thief (if there is one) may accidentally before them. The stream forces the group down more
pick the wrong pocket, leading to The Rogue Geasd alleys and byways before it mysteriously vanishes as
or he may get lucky and escape the fire mages wrath. quickly as it formed, abandoning the characters at the
A good plan is to have several of the encounters ready, mouth of a tattered and smoky bazaar. Old toothless
just so you are sure to get your hooks into the group. men grin in predatory ways and silently wave their
All encounters begin with the same background hands over dusty wares that have never been
setting. The pearl season of Gana has just come to a touched. Eyes peer from the edges of shuttered
close and the pearl boats have sailed back to port for windows. Whispers follow the characters like seeds
the last time. For three days the city has been riotous sprouting in their wake. Figures cross their path only
with celebration of the Festival of the Pearl. The to disappear as soon as a comer is turned. The way is
bazaars and suqs are filled with buyers haggling with unnaturally silent for a day of festival. No amount of
captains over pouches of pearls, foreign merchants wandering leads the characters out of this strange
squatting behind rows of exotic wares, mystics twirling neighborhood, one that even natives of Gana do not
and drumming in entranced passion, beggars recognize.
entreating coin-laden divers to be merciful in the eyes Near the center of the market, the characters finally
of the Law (. . . a few coins for this most unfortunate, hear a clear human voice. Come look, come look at
miserable wretch not worthy of your attention, but my wonders, great wonders brought from far places.
may the gods surely bestow great blessings on you; oh, Trust Old Kerim, he knows what you search for. The
thank you most noble one, thank youa few coins for speaker, a pock-marked ancient whose eyes are so
this . . . ), while entertainers and thieves of all sorts swollen he can barely see, does not notice the player
ply their trade among the wondering crowd. It is a gay characters until they present themselves. Even then,
time, yet business is not completely forgotten. Deals he barely acknowledges their presence, talking always
are concluded, loans collected, and fortunes lost to a mythical third person. (Perhaps they will look
behind the facade of pleasure. with favor on poor Kerim.) His words are rambling
and indirect. Hakima characters (if high enough in
The Map in the Bazaar level) can tell that Kerim is enchanted, but not in
As the player characters are winding their way down a what way. Likewise (for those who can detect such
particularly crowded street, a thronging procession, a things), he appears to be disguised, although nothing
spontaneous paradeperhaps for the current Great can penetrate it.

9
 In response to all queries about his wares, Kerim winner, who brought back the head of a sahaugin
offers the group only one thinga faded scroll. It is a queen. When the echoes of this litany, chanted in
map, he earnestly informs the player characters. If unison by a hundred voices from a hundred towers,
asked what it is a map of, the answer changes every finally dies out over the city, the magically amplified
time. According to Kerim, it can show the voyage of voice of Sultan Yusef bin Ahamad al-Wadi booms out
the soul, light the way to the lost land of the Loregiver, from the sky.
set a man among the stars, guide a man through the Know, my children, that you have done well this
greatest halls of power, grant immortality on any brave year, for Gana grows greater than before. Never has
enough to use it, lift the veil of toil from the weary, or the enemy stood before our gates or threatened our
show a man his own doom. shoresbut Gana needs to remain strong. Therefore,
Naturally Kerim offers to sell it, asking at first an let the boldest of my children seek a wonder for all to
exorbitant sum. (Just how exorbitant depends on how see. I will greatly honor he who succeeds and returns
rich the characters are.) Fortunately, he can be driven with this wonder, conferring upon him the title Great
down to a reasonable price with the customary Warrior of the Pearl. By this deed shall all the world
formulas of protest and complaint. No matter how know Gana the Pearl is great and mighty still!
little is paid for the scroll, Kerim grumbles about being Thus is announced the yearly Task of the Great
robbed (still to his strange third person), but seems Pearl. Everyone in the city knows about it, so
satisfied. If attacked, Kerim, the map, even the stall characters will have no difficulty getting the
vanish in colored smoked. background information they need to start. Entice the
Once the scroll is purchased, give the PCs the players with grand descriptions of the rewards possible
Suwar Map and Clue #1 from the Map Booklet. Once for those characters who succeedriches, honors,
they have the map, the characters find their way back fame, station, followers, etc.whatever is likely to
to the main avenues without difficulty. If the interest your group. Of course, all these rewards are
characters refuse the map (and you really want them to presented through the grapevine. Only the least of
have it), they wander lost through this strange them can be confirmed directly.
neighborhood, encountering Kerim around unfamiliar If the characters decide to accept the challenge,
comers again and again. Sooner or later they will buy they must present themselves to the Sultan and
the map. announce their intention. Only those who have unde-
rtaken this formality are considered viable candidates
The Quest for the task. Wealth, station, even allegiance make no
The final act of the Festival of the Pearl is the differenceany person may approach the Sultan this
Proclamation from the Towers. For this event, the day. (Of course, precautions exist to protect the Sultan
Sultans criers take up positions in the towers of the from hidden enemies.)
temples throughout the city to announce the yearly The ceremony attracts a large, curious audience.
Task of the Great Pearl. The announcement begins Upon leaving the palace, the player characters are
with a long and poetic recounting of the exploits of assaulted by a horde of fakirs, sages, and roguesall
the Great Warriors of the Pearl who have come offering the secret to some Great Treasure. Most of
before. Many of these must have been truly these are frauds, but if the player characters buy
wondrousthe embassy from the court of the marids, information give them Clue #1 from the Map
the bottled city of Ibn Mutamin, the performance of Booklet.
the great poet Khalid al-Zayir, and the most recent

10
11
The Rogue Geasd life. However, for this gift of generosity you must do a
This encounter can only be used if one of the player service for me. Find me that thing which I desire or
characters is a roguepreferably a saluk, beggar-thief, suffer the penalties! Do you accept? If the answer is
or barberand is of larcenous intent. The encounter yes, the character feels a tingle of magic as Ibn Aasim
occurs when the scoundrel attempts something illegal casts a geas. Should the character refuse, Ibn Aasim
a pick-pocketing, perhaps. Play this out as a normal casts a magic missile, causing 5d4+5 points of damage,
encounter. Allow the character all normal die rolls for and then repeats the question.
his attempt, but no matter what the outcome (unless it After the geas is cast, there is the soft drop of a
is just too strained) the rogue is accosted by his victim, parchment and then mocking silence. Ibn Aasim has
who is no ordinary citizen. The poor rogue has the un- teleported away before the city guardsmen arrive. The
fortunate luck to choose Husam Ibn Aasim al-Zalim, only sign of his presence is the dropped parchment,
elemental mage of the Brotherhood of Fire, as his target. Clue # 1 from the Map Booklet.
Ibn Aasim reacts with fearful speed and magisterial For this encounter, Ibn Aasim will not fight. If for
authority. Although his dress is clearly beneath one of some reason he cannot avoid a battle, he will teleport
his station (as if the mage were attempting to remain away instead, Statistics for Ibn Aasim can be found on
incognito), the mage has no qualms about displaying the loose sheet, Ending the Adventure.
his full power. With a single sweep of his arms the
marketplace almost magically clears and the area 90 Days or Else
around the mage explodes into a hundred brilliant This encounter is best used on those characters who
motes of light. The rogue and those accompanying have property or aspire to it. It is assumed the
him (if they are in the immediate area) are characters are looking for a ship, but any other large
automatically blindedsurprised by the wizards quick property could be substituted instead.
actions. The brilliance of the sundazzle spell catches Word has gotten around that the PCs are inspecting
them defenseless. If necessary, Ibn Aasim follows this ships with an eye toward purchase (or lease on a very
with a wall of fire to isolate the rogue from any long term). It is not likely the group has tried to keep
protectors. their search secret, but even if they had, secrets of this
Once secured from further attacks, Ibn Aasim nature are hard to keep. As a result, the player
pauses to survey his captive. Finally, in a voice that characters are approached by a heavy-set, well-dressed,
shivers with merciless humor, Husam Ibn Aasim al- and appropriately circumspect merchant who has a
Zalim says, Because it would not be meet to mar the mean and humble ship to sell, not worthy of your
festivities of the wise and illustrious Sultan of Gana, I consideration, but if you wish to see it, I am honored
will not deprive you of your miserable and wretched to show it to you.
If the characters accept the offer, the merchant,
Fayiz, shows them a sound boom on the waterfront
which they can inspect at their leisure. Fayiz has
appropriate paperwork to prove ownership, a claim
supported by those on the docks. He will drive as hard
a bargain as he can get away with, although he will
accept the lowest haggling price listed.
If the player characters do not have the cash
required but still want to make the purchase, it is not

12
difficult to find a reputable moneylender and secure a overseerMauj, a reef giant of the pearl banks.
loanprovided the characters have good reputations (Complete details of reef giants can be found in the
and the apparent means to make good on a loan. For Monstrous Compendium, AL-QADIM appendix;
security, the moneylender can require the player Maujs description is found on the loose sheet, NPC
characters accept a geas that promises the loan will be Crewmen.) Mauj is aloof but friendly, although he
repaid (plus 10% interest) in the course of a year. makes it clear that any injury, disrespect, or treachery
A few days after the characters buy the boom, the to him or Diyab, their master, will make Maujand
new owners are visited by Diyab al-Jaradi, a his brothers, sisters, and parentsvery angry. Stress to
moneylender. He has come to collect on his loan. the player characters that they really do not want a far-
What loan? the PCs will ask at this point. As Diyab flung community of reef giants hunting them for
explains, the previous owner of their fine boom, Fayiz, vengeance. Just to be sure he can report any rebellion
borrowed a sum of money and used the boom as by Diyabs slaves, Mauj wears a ring of recall that can
collateral. Now Fayiz has disappeared (he skipped town instantly transport him back to Gana.
after getting money from both the moneylender and If the player characters treat Mauj correctly, he is
the player characters). According to a twisted actually beneficial. With his guidance, all navigation
provision of law in Gana, the holder of the collateral checks gain a +1 and he will fight in defense of the
(i.e., the PCs) is responsible for repayment of the debt. ship. He will not accompany the party ashore unless
Diyab wants his money now. He is not interested in there is a strong likelihood they plan to escape.
the boomhe wants cash. If the characters do not pay, Any remaining crew the ship needs must be hired
Diyab threatens to have them arrested. (Those arrested by the PCs either with cash (should they have any) or
must voluntarily commit themselves to slavery until, by negotiated shares of any profit made.
by their labor, the debt is repaid.) Once all arrangements have been made, let the
With the characters owing one, and possibly two, player characters fret for a little over how they will
large sums of money, they had better negotiate a raise the capital they need. If the characters decide to
method of repayment. Diyab, knowing he gets less if a sail for the Crowded Sea on their own, provide only
deal is not made, will accept the following: the player minimal guidance, since they are headed in the right
characters formally declare themselves Diyabs slaves, a direction anyway. Otherwise, the PCs can purchase
condition to last until such time as the player Clue #1 in a waterfront market, learn it through their
characters purchase their freedom by providing cash own researches, or hear it as a bit of useful gossip. If
(or treasure) worth the top price of the boom plus absolutely necessary, Mauj can offer the clue. Try to
50%. In exchange, Diyab will allow the PCs to use the avoid this alternative if possible, though.
boom for a reasonable amount of timeas long as the
Sultan allows for the Task of the Great Pearlto repay
the loan. As sign of his trust, Diyab will send only one
person to oversee and protect his property.
If the terms are agreeable, the contract is presented
to the local qadi for approval and registration in the
city records. If you feel it is necessary to keep the
characters honest, have Diyab insist upon a geas that
matches the contracts terms. After the contract is
sealed, Diyab introduces the characters to their

13
The Ships

A lthough the Land of Fate is best known for its

vast desert expanses and fearless horsemen,
Zakharans are no strangers to the blue oceans waves.
Indeed, Zakharans of the southern shores proudly
proclaim each other the greatest mariners that ever
were and ever shall be.
And who can dispute them?
Do not the bahriyin (seamen) of Jumlah ply the
Bahr al-Izdiham like flocks of geese? Who but the
baghlas of Huzuz sail the Bahr al-Ajami to the distant
lands of spirits and camphor? Do not the corsairs of
Hawa rule the Bahr al-Kibar and raid ajami shores?
Can any other people make these claims? Do they
build ships of such grace and speed? Only foolish ajami
do not see the skill and wisdom of Zakharas
shipbuilders.

Principles of Ship-Building
Although there are no proofs, no studies of the matter,
any Zakharan sailor will tell you part of their secret lies
in their ships. Well-traveled bahriyin have seen the
tubby scows of the northerners. With their nailed
sides, these ships would be easily broken on the many
reefs and shoals of the Crowded Sea. The barges of the
distant eastern lands, with their flat bottoms and
awkward sails, would never survive the fierce genie-
inspired storms that rage without warning across the
oceans.
Building ships in Zakhara is not an easy task.
Foremost of these difficulties is that the Land of Fate is
a land without wood. True, there are fruits, palms, and
other fine trees, but the Zakharan shores lack great
forests ripe with lumber for ship-building. Wood must
be brought from the islands of the Crowded Sea and
distant Afyal. The favored timber is teak, renowned for
its durability, but palm wood is also used. The lack of
wood has also meant there are few large shipyards.
Most vessels are built by a single ship-builder and his
crew, working on the beach when the lumber is

14
available. Many dhows sport distinctive touches that Jumlat, or Huzuz, where the great merchants dwell, but
identify the builder, a signature in wood. the caliphs of every petty state aspire to have one or
To deal with such problems as reefs, bad winds, and two baghlas of their own traveling the trade routes. Not
fierce storms, Zakharan hulls are made from planks only can these ships carry great amounts of cargo, but
sewn, not nailed, together. Holes are drilled through they also reflect the power and influence of those who
each plank and the ship is literally stitched together own them. Owning a baghla means more than just
with coconut fiber rope. The holes and seams are then possessing a large ship; it is a symbol of membership in
caulked with pitch and more fiber to prevent leakage. the elite ranks of the rich and powerful.
The result is a lighter, more flexible hull than that Baghlas range in size from 150 to 200 feet in length
built with nails and pegsa feature useful when blown with an average beam of 25 to 30 feet. Only one deck
onto a hidden reef or forced to beach before a coming runs the length of the ship. It is set, as in all dhows,
storm. Of course, sewn hulls tend to leak more and low in the hull so that the hold below deck is quite
Zakharan ships must stop often to recaulk and repair. small and cramped. Most cargo is carried on the main
Nor are the light hulls sturdy in rough, deep seas, but deck, especially since the hold tends to leak. At the
then the Crowded Sea and the Golden Gulf are stern, which is often elaborately carved, is a small poop
shallow and marked by many islands. deck set over a number of cabins. The square stern has
The most distinctive feature of any Zakharan ship is a rudder mounted at its center. The quarters beneath
its lateen sail, a style not used in the northern or the poop deck are most often reserved for important
eastern lands. Triangular in shape, the lateen is easily passengers and dependent women. The captain and his
identifiable on the horizon from the square sails of mate, like the rest of the crew, sleep on deck under the
other lands. In some ships the lateen is not a true open sky.
triangle, having the front corner cut away to leave a A baghla can carry cargo tonnage equal to its length,
luff. Large ships, such as the baghla, carry two sails madly packed and crammed onto every square inch of
one on the main mast and a second from the mizzen. deck until the crew must virtually walk and sleep atop
The triangular shape of the lateen allows the sail to be their freight. Its passenger capacity is astonishing. Up to
larger than a normal square sail and lets the ship sail 400 souls can be pressed aboard a single ship although
closer to the wind (windward), which makes sailing such loading threatens the sea-worthiness of the vessel.
much simpler. The ship requires a crew of 30 to 40 men. Any less
The rudder on a dhow may be mounted either on a makes handling the sails near impossible.
square stern or along the side of the ship (when the The baghla has a base move of 4 and an emergency
stern is not square). Only larger ships are built with a speed (main, mizzen, and a topsail) of 5. Its
square stern; for the smaller vessels the stern is pointed seaworthiness is 50% when checking for foundering
and the rudder mounted on the side. The square sterns from storms and whirlpools, but rises to 60% if the
may be an innovation taken from the northerners, check is for breaking up on a reef or shoal.
whose cogs and caravels sometimes reach Quwwat
but no true Zakharan ship-builder will ever admit to it. The Boom
Although nearly equal in size to the baghla, the boom
The Baghla is a far more common, and thus less prized, ship. The
The largest of the dhows are the great baghlas (or boom is the standard workhorse of the great merchant
baggalahs). They are also the rarest and most expensive families, gathering cargoes from distant lands for sale
ships to ply the Crowded Sea. Most sail from Tajar, in the suqs of Huzuz and beyond.

15
 Booms range in size from 100 to 150 feet long, with used only for cargothe ship has no cabins and
an average beam of 25 feet. While cut on the same everyone sleeps on deck. Cargo is lashed on deck and
lines as smaller dhows, the boom is easily identified by left exposed to the elements.
its jutting stem. This is used to fasten a foresail in Speed and seaworthiness of the sambuk are given in
those instances where extra cloth is needed. The stern the Arabian Adventures rulebook.
is square with a central rudder, but the boom lacks the
cabins and poop deck of the baghla. Instead, the aft The Zarug
portion is covered by a small roof that provides shelter The zarug is the largest of the everyday coasters, ships
for the captain, his mate, and any important cargo. It most often used for medium- to short-range voyages. It
is also used as a sleeping platform during the night. typically can be found hauling cargo and travelers
Like all smaller dhows, the boom has but a single between the cities of the Golden Gulf. It is also the
deck set low in the hull. Cargo is carried on deck and favored ship of the various bands of coastal pirates,
ships are often packed to incredible levels. The cargo primarily for its speed and capacity.
capacity of the typical boom varies between 100 and The zarug is similar in appearance to the sambuk,
125 tons. Up to 300 passengers can be crowded aboard except that the stern tapers to a point where it sports
a single vessel, although this leaves no space to even a distinctive, nearly vertical rudder. This is worked by
turn around. a complicated steering gear, another feature of the
Booms require a crew of 25 to 30 men, necessary to zarug.
raise and lower the great yardarm and perform other The zarug is well built, but not intended for deep-
tasks. The ship has a base speed of 3 and an emergency sea travel. Thus, it has two seaworthiness ratings.
speed of 5 when the main, mizzen, top, and foresail are When sailing within sight of shore, where the waters
used. Rigging for full emergency speed takes at least an are typically less violent (and a small ship can find
hour, during which the mainsail must be lowered to fix shelter quickly), the zarug has a seaworthiness rating of
the top- and foresails. If only the main and mizzen are 50%. However, when venturing onto open waters
used, the boom has an emergency speed of 4. In storms (which are prone to high waves and sudden changes in
and open sea, the boom has a seaworthiness of 45%, weather) the zarugs seaworthiness is reduced to 30%.
while along coasts and reefs this rises to 60%. The zarug requires a crew of 15 to 20 men and has a
carrying capacity of 60 tons, as given in the Arabian
The Sambuk Adventures rulebook.
Of all the ocean traders, the sambuk is the one most
frequently encountered. Smaller and cheaper than a The Barijah
boom, it is the standard ship used by medium and The barijah is the smallest merchant vessel found in
small merchants. Although the hull follows the same Zakhara. It is primarily used by fishermen, pearl divers,
general lines as the boom, the sambuk can be and traders who carry goods to the small villages on
identified by its distinctive wings that sweep off the the coasts of the Land of Fate.
square stem. It is also generally smaller in size. Barijahs vary greatly in appearance; some have a
Sambuks range from 50 to 100 feet in length, with the side-mounted rudder while others are square-sterned.
average hull being an even 75 feet long. The exact details vary from builder to builder,
The sambuk sports a single deck, although many according to local custom. The only distinctive
have a slightly higher poop deck for the captain and common feature is the raised platform at the back,
his mate. The small space beneath the poop deck is which serves as the captains bed. Barijah are

16
17
invariably 40 to 50 feet in length and fitted with a sense, sturdy boat-building, and a little luck. The latter
main and mizzen mast. requires navigationknowing where you are, where
Barijahs are not the most robust ships on open you have been, and where you want to go. Even with
water, so the wise rubban tries to always sail in sight of magical aids, this is far from an exact business.
the shore, where the ships seaworthiness is 40%. In In an ideal world, location is found through a
deeper and more dangerous waters, the poor barijah precise measurement of longitude and latitude.
has only a seaworthiness of 30%. Latitude measures the distance from the equator to the
With full sail (main and mizzen) and a good wind, poles. It is used to find out how far north or south you
the barijah can make good speed, thus accounting for are. Longitude measures the distance from an
its popularity. The crew of 10 and its cargo capacity of imaginary point (Greenwich, England in the real
40 tons are as listed in the Arabian Adventures world) and is used to determine a location east or west
rulebook. of this line.
In the PCs magical age and time, only half this
Ship Costs formulaa ships latitudecan be measured with any
accuracy. This is done by measuring the height of the
Item Cost (gp) sun or pole star over the horizon and comparing it to
A N B the navigators knowledge or tables prepared for this use.
Baghla 50,000 40,000 30,000 Longitude (east/west position) is another matter, for
Barijah 7,500 5,000 3,750 there is no simple method of reckoning it. Calculating
Boom 25,000 20,000 15,000 longitude requires accurate reckonings of speed and
Sambuk 15,000 10,000 7,500 time, neither of which are available to Zakharan
Zarug 12,000 8,000 6,000 sailors. While the question of timekeeping might be
solved through magical means, measuring the distance
sailed along a particular heading is near impossible due
The Lore of the Sea
to the vagaries of winds, ocean currents, and

T o run a successful Sinbad-style campaign, it helps

to know something about sailing techniques and
the hazards of the ocean, both real and fanciful. The
constantly changing headings. Here the navigator
shows his true skill, for he must estimate ship speeds
and distances traveled every day. This, combined with
entries in this section provide advice and facts on a knowledge of landmarks, seasonal winds, and ocean
dealing with the wonders and perils of sea voyages. currents, allows the navigator to estimate a ships
The material here is not going to make anyone into latitude.
a sailor. It presents a simplified view of the business of
sailing, where ease of play and fun are more important Fixing Location
than grim accuracy. Furthermore, nautical science in To determine a ships position requires a check against
Zakhara is far from todays standards, and it is further the navigation proficiency. Only the highest
complicated by the use of magic. proficiency score of those navigating is used. Success
and failure for different conditions are given below.
Navigation Along a well-known coast Success. The navigator
The two greatest concerns of every sailor are to keep has sighted a familiar landmark, fixing the
his ship afloat and to get from here to there. The ships position anywhere within 10 miles of its
former can usually be accomplished through common true location. Failure. No landmark sighted.

18
Along an unfamiliar Coast Success. The navigator
has sighted a landmark seen once or described
to him, fixing the position within 15 miles.
Failure. No landmark sighted. If the roll is a
20, the navigator has mistakenly sighted on
something that is not the desired landmark
and is now up to 100 miles off course.
Along an uncharted coast Success. The navigator
has successfully fixed the ships latitude
within 30 miles of its true location.
Furthermore, he has sighted a prominent
landmark that can be noted on his charts for
future voyages. Failure. The latitude sighting
is up to 50 miles off the ships true position
and no prominent landmark is sighted.
On the open sea Success. The navigator
fixes the ships latitude within 50 miles of its
true location and guesses the longitude
somewhere within 100 miles. Failure. The
navigator guesses the latitude within 100
miles of the true location but cannot fix
longitude at all.

Tools of the Trade

Many navigators rely on nothing more than their eyes,
fingers, and wits. However, there are a number of
simple tools (and a few expensive magical ones) that
can improve a navigators accuracy. All require a
minimal amount of training to use and understand
before any benefits can be gained.

Daftar
The most treasured of navigational instruments are
daftar, the instructions and tables compiled by
generations of navigators. Daftar record a wide variety
of information composed into sailing instructions from
one city or land to another. Daftar are not maps but
logbooks and tables. For example, one might read
instructions in a daftar as follows:
When the winter monsoons come, sail three days to the
point of the Great Elephant, then set your ship so the

19
Guiding Star rises half a hand over the mast. Sail for two Compass
days, and on the third the didban (lookout) will sight to the Although Zakharan navigators are familiar with
left a line of cliffs, half sunk beneath the horizon. One day magnetic compasses, these devices remain primitive
after sighting these, bear directly toward the Star of the and unscientific. It is commonly believed that the
Word.... needle is possessed by a gen, thus accounting for its
Sailing instructions such as these rely on many strange behavior. Compasses have only a fair accuracy,
observationsthe time of year, the height of the sun particularly aboard the moving deck of a ship.
or stars above the horizon, distant landmarks and Furthermore, navigators do not have a full under-
their position on the horizon, annual migrations of standing of magnetic declination (the angle of
fish and birds, and prevailing currents. Although they difference between the magnetic pole and the pole
lack pinpoint accuracy, a navigator who follows a star), limiting the instruments usefulness. Navigators
good set of daftar gains a +2 to his navigation using a compass gain a +1 on their checks.
proficiency score. There is also an extremely rare and expensive
Daftar can seldom be bought and are often jealously magical compass (which really does contain a trapped
guarded by their owners. The secrets of a daftar are gen in the needle). This compass points not to the
most often shared as a great gift, repayment for a favor, magnetic north, but to the pole star at all times. It is
or a trade of information. far more accurate than a normal compass, giving the
fortunate navigator a +2 on his proficiency score.
Rahmani However, confusion is sometimes created when
Another equally valuable tool of the navigator is a magical and nonmagical compasses are compared,
rahmani, or book of charts. These collections of maps since the two show different headings for north and
note coastlines, landmarks and rhumb lines, and south.
provide annotated sailing instructions. With a set of
rahmani, a navigator gains a +2 for those waters Kamal
depicted. This bonus cannot be combined with that This simple device is the most commonly used
for the daftar, however. navigation tool of the Zakharans. It is nothing more
Like the daftar, rahmani are not bought or sold. than a rectangle of wood with a rope through the
The information is shared as part of the tradition of center. The cord is knotted at different lengths. Each
hospitality among Zakharan seamen. knot represents a specific port. By taking a sighting on
the pole star at evening, the navigator can determine if
Cross Staff the ship is sailing north, south, or at the same latitude
A common tool of navigators is a simple device as any port knotted on the string. Using this device
known as a cross staff. The cross staff measures the gives a +1 to navigation checks, but only for those
height of the noonday sun over the horizon, or the made in the evening.
height of the pole star at midnight. With this A kamal can be bought at most large seaports, or
information, a navigator can get a more accurate fix one can be made with a minimum of skill, although
on a ships latitude than by just using ones fingers to many are elaborately carved. As opposed to their
judge. Navigators using a cross staff gain a +1 on their possessiveness about daftar and rahmani, navigators
proficiency score, but only for checks made at noon or like to show off their kamals, comparing knots and
midnight. artistic workmanship.

20
Tool Prices A shair may have the brilliant idea to use his gen
to provide directions, sending the little genie off to
Item Cost (gp) seek out instructions from the more powerful spirits.
A N B This is no guarantee of success. Gens are not the
Compass 100 75 60 brightest creatures among geniekind, the maridans
Cross staff 25 17 10 being particularly flighty on such matters as precise
Kamal .5 .3 .1 directions. Secondly, the gens do not seek out their
answers in this world but travel to their elemental
Asking for Directions plane. Thus, they cannot see the actual route but
Of course, rudimentary science is not the only means must rely on accounts of other genies. Finally, marids,
for determining where a ship is and where it is going. the source of most sea-going directions, do not
After all, this is the Land of Fate, the land of genie- navigate like ships. Landmarks cited are more
kindwhy not just call up a marid and ask for frequently far beneath the waves and therefore of little
directions? use to the average navigator. Sail three days until you
find the city of Rilah does not help when Rilah sank
Marids lie. beneath the waves centuries ago.
There is an old Zakharan saying that, A man who
trusts a genie should only ask for little things. Now, Harbors
there is no certainty that a marid or any other of the Although it is possible and often necessary to sail
geniekind would deceive a storm-tossed sailor. There throughout the entire night, many rubban prefer to
are tales of seamen rescued from certain drowning by drop anchor during the hours of darkness. This is
ancient marids, or even being lavishly entertained in particularly true when sailing through unknown
undersea palaces. There are many, many more tales of coastal waters. Darkness can hide dangerous reefs,
capricious marids raising deadly tempests, sinking jagged rocks, or monstrous terrors that would be easily
ships, or conjuring deceits to lure unwary sailors. avoided in daylight.
Dealing with geniekind is just plain dangerous. If it is Then there are storms which can arise suddenly
necessary to call upon a marid, characters should be during day or night from which a ship must seek
well-prepared to bestow generous and wondrous gifts shelter. At other times, ships must stop for fresh water
upon any marid who deigns answer their call. A or beach to make repairs. All of these require the
pleased genie is likely to provide simple aid, an vessel to find a safe harbor.
insulted one most certainly will not. Many harbors are already located on the Crowded
The dangers of dealing with marids are Sea map, primarily those of ports or places referenced
particularly demonstrated in open water far from in the adventures. However, there are many, many
land. Like the jann of the deepest desert, the marids more safe anchorages than are shown. Most of these
view the great expanses of ocean as their realm. are smalla lagoon sheltered by a reef, a river
Sailors and their boats are at best brief visitors, at mouth, or a sandy bar where a ship can be safely
worst trespassers. Invaders of the marid homeland beachedand some are subject to the vagaries of tide
may be dealt with harshly or completely ignored. and weather. Finding a safe harbor is a matter of both
Since it is impossible for a captain to be certain of his skill and luckskill in knowing which coastlines are
reception, the wise rubban sticks to coastal waters most apt to provide shelter, luck in actually finding
wherever possible. one.

21
 The chance of there being any good anchorage Hazards
depends on where the PCs look. Different types of If getting lost were the only hazard, life at sea would be
coastlines offer different percentages chances as given simple. Unfortunately, nature (not to mention pirates,
on the table below. These percentages should be used marids, monsters, and other risks) has created other
no more than once every five miles. Do not let the dangers to make a poor seamans life perilousdangers
percentages rule your game. If the characters really that include reefs, shoals, storms, and fog.
need to find a harbor (or if there is no good reason Reefs, the accumulations of jagged coral that ring
why they should not), then assume the search is atolls and line some coasts, and shoalsequally jagged
automatically successful. ridges of submerged rockare hazards found only in
shallow seas. They are normally easy to avoid. Waves
Shoreline % chance/anchorage* breaking over these formations usually give warning of
Coastal cliff 5% their presence. On calm oceans, they can be seen
Rocky coast 30% beneath the surface and sailed around. Nonetheless,
Sandy beach 60% wise navigators note the presence of these hazards as
Mangrove swamp 70% protection against the unforeseen. Night, fog, or a
Atoll 75% storm can conceal the presence jagged stone or
grinding coral just beneath the waves.
* Add 10% if the coastline includes a river mouth If a ship foolishly or unfortunately strikes one of
or delta. these submerged obstacles, a seaworthiness check must
be made. If the check fails, the ship has run aground.
Once an anchorage is found, it is up to the player A second check must be made immediately and once
characters to make note of it. If the navigator marks every hour thereafter to see if the ship is holed by the
the position on his charts and notes landmarks, the waves constantly pounding it against the coral. If the
anchorage can be found again with no difficulty second check fails, the ship begins to sink as water
(provided the ship sails back to the same area). If bad floods into the hold. Three men assigned to the task
charts or no charts are kept, the process of finding an can bail the water from a single hole, keeping the
anchorage must be repeated each time. Later success vessel afloat. If the vessel is allowed to flood, the next
may result in the same or a different anchorage for the seaworthiness check automatically fails and the ship
player characters. breaks up.
Most anchorages are little more than shallow Getting the ship off the reef (or shoals or even a
lagoons protected from the ocean waves by a line of sandbar) usually means waiting for high tide, which
reefs or a thin spit of land. Few are proper bays with arrives in 2-24 (2d12) hours.
well-sheltered entrances. Those found at river mouths The weather is the other great hazard of the sea. To
are commonly fresh-water channels deep enough for determine weather conditions each day, use Table 79:
the ship to take shelter. None have even the slightest Weather Conditions, from the Dungeon Musters Guide.
port facilities such as a village, much less docks or When rolling for a new weather condition, apply the
shipyards. following modifiers to the die roll and alter certain
results accordingly. Unless the player characters must
leave in a hurry, assume all voyages begin with a
favorable wind.

22
Weather was: Modifier Condition Change Pirates
Becalmed - 2 Gale/Hurricane = Storm As on all waters, the most sinister threat comes not
Light breeze - 1 Hurricane = Storm from reefs or unpredictable weather, but from man.
Favorable 0 No change Enlightened though the Zakharans may be, the inlets
Strong winds 0 Becalmed = Light breeze and channels of the Crowded Sea provide shelter to
Storm +1 Becalmed = Light breeze many a brotherhood of cutthroats and fiends. Pirates
Gale +2 Becalmed/Lt. breeze = Favorable range from a lone zaruq of scoundrels to organized
Hurricane +3 Becalmed/Lt. breeze/Favorable = fleets of five or more fine booms. Further south, there
Strong winds are opportunistic islanders with war canoes, equally
willing to trade with or plunder passing ships.
For example, it is summer and the characters are on Pirates of the Crowded Sea do not follow the same
the deep ocean. Yesterday the crew had a rough day traditions and customs of pirates elsewhere
battling a storm. At the start of the new day, the DM (particularly in the barbaric oceans of the north).
secretly rolls 2d6 for the weather condition, adding Zakharan traditions affect even their behavior. For
one to the die roll because of the previous storm. The example, they consider themselves subjects of the
DM rolls a 10, which becomes an 11 (10+1=11). The Grand Caliph who have been given claim over his vast
storm has increased to a terrifying gale, buffeting the oceans. Should the Grand Caliph ever sail their
ship with its mighty winds. Another day passes and the waters, they will give him all respect he is due. All
vessel is still afloat, so the DM makes another check, others, however, enter pirate waters at their own risk.
this time with a +2 modifier. He rolls a 3, modified to Pirates are not immune to the traditions of hospitality
5. The table indicates light breeze. However, since the either. Thus, it is possible to meet with pirates and
previous days weather was gale, the light breeze result survive the encounter mostly intact.
becomes favorable winds. The pirates of a given ship or fleet are commonly
If a ship fails a seaworthiness check due to a storm, brought together by some common bond. They may all
gale or hurricane, it does not automatically sink. (This be ex-slaves of a harsh master, inhabitants of the same
is to give player characters a chance to continue the village, or former mamluks. They do not consider each
adventure.) Instead, the ship has suffered major other thieves or cutthroats but honorable men (of
damage and needs repairs before the voyage can sorts) carrying out a trade. It just so happens that their
continue. Strong winds may shred the sails, a mast may trade is to take from others. Zakharan pirates consider
snap in a hurricane, or a gale may drive the ship onto a themselves part of the civilized people of the Land of
dangerous reef or shoal. The DM should choose Fate.
damage appropriate to the situation. Should a second Few Zakharan pirates are easily identified as such.
check be required and failed, then the ship will sink. Raiding is an honorable profession in many ports,
Finally, there is fog, the bane of seamen. Fog can provided the raider practices his trade elsewhere.
only occur when the weather is light wind or Pirates do not fly distinctive flags, conduct their trade
becalmed, and even then only on a roll of 6 on 1d6. in pirate towns, or form anything like a brotherhood
Fog does not occur in summer. In fog, navigation of the sea. On the waters, a pirate ship looks no
checks are impossible. If close to shore, the ship may different from any otherexcept, perhaps, for the
ground on a sandbar, scrape across a sunken reef, or larger than normal number of men she carries on deck.
smash into rocky shoals. Use fog and its dangers to As a consequence, most captains are wary of any ship
create some tension for your player characters. encountered at sea.

23
 The best defense against a pirate is to outnumber his For Zakharan pirates, the law of hospitality that
crew. Thus, merchant ships often travel in small fleets so guides all in the Land of Fate applies in a somewhat
as to intimidate potential pirates. Pirates, in turn, attack peculiar way. Once close enough to board, these
with small fleets to overcome the merchants. Once pirates fight without mercy until a ship is captured, but
faced by a determined pirate, the best choice for a then treat captives (at least other civilized men)
merchant vessel is to turn and run. If crew and captain leniently. All prisoners are spared, unless they prove to
act with speed and diligence and their ship is faster, the be difficult, so they can be sold in the slave markets.
pirates will be left far behind. If the ships are equally Merchants are given the opportunity to ransom
matched, have the rubban make a sailing proficiency themselves from slavery. Those who buy their freedom
check. If he succeeds, the pirates are evaded. If he fails, are typically released to the care of sympathetic
something unfortunate has happenedthe ship has lost merchants in a civilized port. Any characters of
the wind, the captain called for a change of direction at noteworthy ability may be offered a place among the
the wrong time, etc.and the pirates close for boarding. pirates, and truly charismatic individuals may even be
If the pirate ship is faster, the rubban must make a sailing freed without concessions.
proficiency check, subtracting the difference in speed This behavior does not make Zakharan pirates
between the two ships from his ability rating. If the foolish. Their reputation for merciful treatment of
check is successful, the captain has performed a brilliant captives makes most merchants more willing to
maneuver and escaped; otherwise, the pirates close for surrender when faced by pirates. For the PCs, this
boarding. means that their crew will automatically surrender to
No matter where they occur, pirate attacks follow a Zakharan pirates unless they are either fanatically loyal
pattern. Outside boarding range, most of the pirate or include marines hired to defend the ship. Loss of
crew remains out of sight so as not to arouse suspicion. cargo can be endured, death cannot.
Powerful magic that might damage the merchant ship
is avoided, since a sunken cargo is worthless to most Repairs
pirates. Zakharan pirates (as opposed to barbarians All ships need repair from time to time. Even the most
from the islands) even prefer to avoid missile weapons skillful rubban, having avoided reefs, shoals, pirates,
since these might encourage a crew to resist. Arrows and sea monsters, must still beach his craft every few
and spells are used against select targets to cow the months. There are always leaks to patch, barnacles to
crew into surrendering. scrape, and preservative oil to rub into the hull. To
Once close enough, the pirates attempt to grapple perform repairs and maintenance, the ship must be
and board the merchant ship. To role-play these battles, beached at any sandy coastline anchorage.
the DM can set out the appropriate deck plans from the Typical maintenance can take as much or as little
Map Booklet. (Permission is granted to photocopy time as the DM wantsit is not important to the ad-
them for personal use.) The pirates block wind to the venture. The only time PCs should be concerned is
merchant ship, making maneuvering impossible, and when the ship needs major repairs, be it from running
then grapple with 3d6 worth of irons (smaller ships may aground, pirate attack, or bad luck in a storm. At this
have fewer grapples). If not under missile fire or spells, point they will probably want to repair it as quickly as
at this point Zakharan pirates typically demand possible. Normal repairs require a safe anchorage and
surrender (islanders are much more unpredictable in supplies, although emergency repairs can be made at sea.
this respect), promising mercy. PCs cannot call on their To make repairs to the hull, the ship must be
crew to fight (unless fanatically loyal). careened, which requires unloading the cargo and

24
dragging the ship onto a sandy beach. Mast and rudder hours of rolling swells, the ceaselessly scorching sun,
repairs can be performed in a quiet lagoon with the and the gnawing thirst. While you do this, hopefully
crew diving over the side to do the work in the latter your characters are using their wits and their abilities
case. If there is wood presentcoconut, teak, or other to reach some shore. If the ship sank close to a coast,
suitable lumberthe repair process takes 2d10 days or they may sight and be able to swim to land. Farther
as long as the DM wants. There is always one skilled out, the characters may still be able to use spells,
carpenter among the crew to supervise the work. magical items (provided they have any), or sheer
While the repairs are being done, the DM should allow muscle to reach a known shore. Those with navigation
the PCs opportunity to explore their landfall and even should still be able to roughly determine location and
have adventures while the crew works. Repairs are direction even without a ship beneath them. To speed
always assumed to be successful unless the DM has things along or save the truly unfortunate, the
some reason for them to fail. characters can be rescued by a passing ship. It is even
Repairs at sea are a harder task, but no less conceivable that a sympathetic marid or djinn might
successful. Only the most foolish rubban does not carry rescue the characters (although it will deposit them on
a small supply of lumber, oakum, and other ship- some strange and distant shore) in exchange for some
building materials just for these disasters. A holed hull service.
can be temporarily repaired by the crew in 2d6 hours
using canvas and rope. The ship will still leak slowly Gctting a New Ship
and should make for safe port immediately. Repairs at Once characters find themselves stranded on a strange
sea require 1d3 + 1 days, during which the ship can only shore, one of their first concerns will probably be to
drift. Thereafter, the ship can only move at half locate a new ship. After all, this adventure revolves
normal speed and suffers a -10% modifier to its around sailing, not sitting stranded on a lonely beach.
seaworthiness until proper repairs are made. Thus, replacing a sunken vessel should always be
possible, though not necessarily easy. The different
Castaways options for refloating the PCs are described below.
By the end of this adventure, there is a good chance Passage. This is the easiest method, but it does not
the player characters will have gone down with the leave the characters in control. If there is civilization
shiponce, twice, or even more times. They may be and they have money, they can arrange passage on a
proverbial Jonahs, able to sink their own ships with ship. Not coincidentally, the ship sails where the PCs
the slightest glance. Since drowning at sea is hardly want to go, provided their destination is a large
heroic, whats to be done? Zakharan port.
The first thing is, then, dont let them drown. It Even if the PCs do not have money (as is most often
makes for a very bad end to your adventure. Let them the case with shipwrecked sailors), they can still work
swallow water and flounder about, force them to strip for their passage. Player characters can hire on as
off their heavy gear, but in the end allow them to crewmen, cooks, marines, assistant merchants, or
survive. Just like in innumerable Sinbad movies, give whatever else seems reasonable. The voyage will not be
the player characters a mast to cling to or hunk of as pleasant, but it will get them where they want to go.
shattered deck to use as a raft. In uncivilized lands, player characters can still
Once the characters are safe from drowning, make arrange passage, though not over long distances. In
them sufferbut quickly. Role-playing days adrift at this case, they convince a local chieftain to ferry them
sea is dull. In your best monotone, describe the endless to the nearest Zakharan trading colony.

25
 Buy. The player characters can always buy a new Should, even through all these conditions, one of
ship, provided there are two things presentmoney the characters somehow reach a point where such a gift
and shipbuilders. If the PCs are stranded on a civilized is appropriate, do not just hand over a ship. The
coast with lots of cash, no problem; they find a suitable presentation must be fraught with effusions of praise for
(though perhaps not perfect) vessel after only a few the recipient and humble apologies for the status of the
days. gift. Remember that the NPC is gaining great honor by
More likely the characters will not have any money. giving such a magnificent gift. (The degree of honor is
(It all sank with their previous vessel.) In this case, the linked to the size of the ship and the means of the host.
group must either choose another tack or find a way to It is of little account for a great caliph to give away a
make money. The need to raise money can lead to mean barijah, but a gift of a newly-built boom would be
adventures, although you may have to prepare these something special.) The NPC, of course, cannot admit
yourself. If you do not want the player characters to any ulterior motives and should constantly insist
striking off on unrelated adventures, present them with that his present is a mean thing, almost insulting to the
one of the other options for getting a ship. PC. The player character should then respond with
Build. Theoretically, any character with ship- expressions of wonder and praise to show he recognizes
wright skill and materials could build a new vessel. the inherent superiority of his host.
This takes time and helpers. Building a new vessel The player character would do well to note the
takes 3 to 8 months (1d6+2), depending on the size. name and position of his benefactor. There will come a
Other player characters, dragooned as common time, perhaps years in the future, when the PC will
laborers, provide a suitable work crew. find the roles reversed. Gifts beget gifts, and woe to the
However, most player characters are likely to be in player character who forgets this basic principle. (Woe,
a greater hurry than this. In one week, a group of PCs too, to the DM who forgets to exploit such an
can rough together a serviceable raft, again provided adventure hook in later campaign sessions.)
there are materials and someone with carpentry skill. If Rescue. Finally, if all else fails, the player characters
no one is trained in working with wood, a crude raft can be rescued. This is the only way off a true desert
(half-normal speed) can be cobbled together in the isle. After days, or perhaps weeks, of waiting, one of
same amount of time. the PCs spots a passing ship. Signal fires, flags, and
Hospitality. An extremely unlikely but intriguing shouts will bring about rescue. The captain will treat
method of getting the characters a ship is to give them the PCs with the hospitality shown all shipwrecked
one. Of course, this cannot be done by just anyone. mariners by taking them to the next friendly port.
Only the grandest of the grand, the most noble of There he will leave them with a little money, some
caliphs, the most devout of Zakharans would ever clothes, and perhaps some gear to get by.
express hospitality in such a manner.
Furthermore, not everyone can be the recipient of
Crews
such a gift. Only a PC of the highest station, the purest
of the pure, the paragon of Zakharan virtues would be
offered such a gift. Such a character must be of station
greater or at least equal to the host. His current
I t is said, and wisely so, that a fine ship has wings but
only a fine crew can make it fly. Without the hands
to raise the yardarm and handle the sails, the best ship
condition need not matter, for the giver can see the can do little more than bob on the water. Success on
PCs true virtue. Naturally, the relationship must be the voyage may be determined by Fate, but the wise
amicable between the two. merchant can hedge his bets by choosing captain and

26
crew carefully. After all, are not their fates linked to It is quite possible for the nakhuda and the rubban
that of the ship they sail upon? to be one and the same person, particularly on smaller
ships. If this is the case (or if the rubban has been
Crew Positions appointed as the nakhudas representative), the rubban
Unlike some other lands, the sailors of Zakhara are oversees the ship at sea, then, upon arriving in port,
blissfully free of encumbering guild organizations or lets his mate tend the vessel while he goes to the
elaborate chains of command. Indeed, upon any bazaar to sell the cargo and buy a new one. Indeed, the
merchant vessel (or pirate ship) there are only a few mate may even be told to sail along the coast to
positions of any significance. another port where the rubban will meet him with a
Nakhuda. The most important person on any new cargo.
vessel is the nakhuda (pl. nawakhid) or owner. The Rubbaniyah. Aside from the nakhuda and rubban,
nakhuda is not necessarily the captain of the ship; he no other positions are invariably required on any
is, however, the person who holds the papers on it. vessel. A ship may have anywhere from zero to three
The nakhuda has final say on when the ship sails, other officers, rubbaniyah. The rubban may have a
where it sails to, and what cargoes it will pick up mate, mudabbir al-Markab, to help him, especially in
including any passengers. ports. Otherwise, the only other post of note is the
While the nakhuda has final say due to ownership, ishtiyam, a pilot or navigator. The ishtiyam is most
he is not considered a normal part of the crew. He is often taken on when the rubban is sailing into
not expected to issue orders while sailing or see to the unfamiliar waters, such as on a long voyage to the
day-to-day operations of the ship. The nakhuda does lands across the Bajr al-Ajami. A rubban may also hire
his work in ports where he sells and buys cargoes in the an ishtiyam as a hedge, an extra safety factor on a
suqs and bazaars. voyage.
The nakhuda is not required to sail with his ship, Bahriyin. The majority of every crew is composed
but if he does not, an agent is appointed to handle his of ordinary sailors, known as bahriyin or bananiyah.
affairs. The first choice for agent is normally the These are the men who do the actual labor on the
captain. At other times, a younger member of the ships. In most ports they load and unload cargoes,
family may be sent to oversee the businessa nephew although the great cities have organized companies of
handling his uncles business, for example. porters to perform this task. At sea, they handle the
Rubban. Of course, almost as important as the sails, raising and lowering the yardarm or swinging it
nakhuda is the rubban, or captain of the ship. The around the mast when coming about. For the most part
rubban is responsible for the safety and success of the though, life at sea is dull. The men sleep, eat, chat, and
voyage. The rubban is expected to select a crew, make ropes. The ships carpenter, if there is one, may
navigate the ship, maintain the vessel, and get it safely build small boats to sell at the next port, using lumber
from one port to the next. Each rubban has his own brought on board for such a purpose.
rahmani (book of charts) or relies on knowledge Sailing is not a difficult life, although it is far from
locked in his head. While at sea, the rubban normally safe. Aside from the threat of shipwreck and storm,
has full authority. The wise nakhuda does not openly there is the ever-present risk of pirates. When sailing in
challenge the orders of his rubban since this would pirate-infested waters, most ships carry extra men to
cause the man to lose face. Instead, he expresses his serve as marines in case of pirate attack. Most of these
fears, concerns, and desires concerning the voyage in are askar and corsairs. However, a few may be naffatun,
private with the rubban. artillerists trained to handle the fearsome throwers of

27
Greek fire. These weapons are found on the largest ships Because each man acts as his own merchant, the
or those carrying the most precious of cargoes. Greek crew are not bound to the captain, once in port. It is
fire projectors are hardly the rig of the common each mans choice to decide whether he will stay in
merchant! port or sail on with the ship. The coming and going of
The single most important position of the regular crewmen is common. For example, Musalam may work
crew is the cook. Because of his work, the cook always as a crewman from Huzuz to Gana, stay in Gana, and
gains attention. There are all manner of cooks. Some catch a different ship back. Seamen come to know
can work wonders with the barest of provisionsdried favored captains and vice versa. Only when the ship
shark meat and dates, for example. Others seem to reaches realms beyond the Land of Fate does this
know only one recipe, and a bad one at thatperhaps constant turnover slow down.
a brownish paste that looks and tastes the same Zakharan crews can be of virtually any race.
regardless of ingredients. A good cook makes for a Halflings work well with sails and climbing masts,
good crew and a tolerable voyage. A bad cook is agony, dwarves are hearty on the line and strong with an oar,
best replaced at the first possible convenience. Not and elves are reputed to be fine navigators. Other non-
every ship has a cook. Some have more than one. Each humans can be found mostly among the pirates of the
man may be expected to feed himself, or the job of Crowded Sea. Nakhuda, rubban, and rubbaniyah are
cook may be rotated among the crew, but the quality sometimes independent women, and there are even
of the food and temperament of the cook are always reports of all-female crews, although these are always
subjects of conversation. in exotic and far away places.

Hiring a Crew Role-Playing the Crew

Zakharan crewmen can be hired in nearly any port in As befits the Sinbad-style theme of Golden Voyages,
the Land of Fate. There are always those willing to risk player characters should seldom (if ever) become
unknown dangers for a chance at a fortunefor that is concerned about their crew. Most of the men needed
exactly what they may gain. to work the ship are like extras in a movieseen but
Every member of the crew, from the nakhuda to the never heard. Speaking parts should be reserved for the
lowest bahriyan, is paid in part with a share of the nakhuda, rubban, rubbaniyah, and (of all the common
profits. Thus, every crewman has a stake in the success seamen) the cook. When ordinary seamen do make an
of the voyage; the more cargo and treasure brought appearance, it should be to deliver no more than a line
back, the greater each persons share. Of course, shares or twoPraise be Fate, land! or These waters are
are not distributed equally. The nakhuda earns the evil, esteemed one. No ship has everAIIEEEE! (just
lions portion, the rubban next, and finally the as the poor sailor is snatched from the deck by a sea
remaining crewmen. Each man also receives a small serpent).
but regular wage to ensure some pay even in the face of One important role these crewmen have is to die
disaster. Most important of all, however, is that every suddenly, horribly, and visibly. Every ship is
man on board ship is given space for his own sea chest, intentionally provided with a more sailors than it
stocked with whatever goods the man can afford. really needs. If the sambuk needs a crew of 15, the
Arriving at a new port, the men become petty rubban hires 17 or 18 men. The additional men are
merchants, selling their own wares in the markets disposable extras you should use for moments of high
along the waterfront. Thus, even the meanest of drama. A giant squid rises from the deep, wraps a
seamen can earn a tidy profit through sharp dealing. tentacle around a writhing seaman, then disappears

28
below the waves. Another, maddened by the curious of potential trouble. If that has no effect, the leader of
cries wafting from that fog-shrouded land, utters a the malcontents will challenge the rubban. Refusing
horrifying scream and hurls himself overboard, never the challenge is tantamount to surrender, so the
to be seen again. A third, while exploring a jungle rubban must accept the duel. (If he is old and feeble, a
island, is felled by a spear flung by an unseen hand. persuasive speech will allow him to elect a PC
These deaths serve to launch action and warn of champion.) If the rubban wins, the crew returns to
danger or mystery. At port, the rubban automatically their posts grumbling. Unless conditions improve, they
takes on new crew to replace those lost. He will insist, leave at the next port. If the rubban improves
of course, that the men are necessary to handle the conditions, the men resume their previous loyalty.
many duties aboard ship, never aware that he is
replacing expendables. Cargos
The cook is an exception to this situation. Blessed Zakharans are not a people inclined to go to sea for
or cursed with the task of sustaining sailors stomachs, pleasure or even war. When a Zakharan sets sail, he
each cook has a distinct personality. Sometimes it is almost always travels with one goal in mindprofit.
one of comic relief, other times the sublime treasure of Along the way he may have adventures, explore new
gastronomic skill, on yet a third occasion, irritable and lands, or even conquer pirate havens, but these are all
sullen grumpinesswhatever it is, the cook always the result of his efforts to find markets where he can
forms a memorable part of the crew. As such, they sell and buy his cargo.
should be role-played fully, perhaps as a running joke Unless under dire circumstances, ships on the
or pleasing comfort for the PCs. Crowded Sea do not sail without a full cargo. Some sail
Crews are just thatcrews. They do not take part in from Afyal and the southern islands, bearing teak to
land adventures, work as bodyguards, or fight if they do Huzuz. Others sail from the Pearl Cities with cargoes of
not have to. If attacked by pirates, most crewmen precious stones, brassware, and frankincense. A ship
(except marines) simply surrender, figuring their that returns empty is considered a failure.
chances of living are better that way. In port, the Filling a ship, even a small one, is usually more
crewmen stay near the ship or tend to their own affairs. expensive than a single merchant can afford. The
nakhuda buys as much cargo as he can afford, typically
Mutiny half the ships capacity, and offers the rest to others.
Morale and possible mutiny of the crew should only These merchants buy and sell their own cargoes,
become a concern in two instances. The first is if it is paying for deck space by sharing the expenses of the
specifically dictated by the adventure. Otherwise, voyage and paying a small portion of their profits to
mutiny should be a concern only if the player the nakhuda. Each merchant accompanies his cargo,
characters are callously abusive of the crew. This or at least sends along a representative. Thus, every
includes whippings, sending them ahead into danger, ship includes captain, officers, crew, and merchants.
denying shares, etc. The crew is marvelously tolerant It is not necessary to determine the cargo of every
of hardships that all suffer equally. If everyone is ship the characters might sail upon. However, there
starving or dying of thirst, then none in the crew are instances when this information is usefulwhen
complain more than would be fit. another ship is captured or pirates attack, for example.
If crewmen are treated badly, they will grumble and To determine a ships cargo, use Table 1: Cargo
cast dark, significant looks at their tormentors in Manifest. Make one roll for every 5 tons of cargo
classic movie style. The rubbaniyah may warn the PCs capacity that the ship has (for large ships you may

29
want to raise this to 10 or 20 tons per roll). Note that Glossary
T
some cargoes do not actually weigh or require that
he words below appear in Arabian Adventures, the
amount of tonnagethis method is a generalization Land of Fate boxed set, and Golden Voyages.
about all cargoes.
In addition to the Cargo Manifest Table, the Map Aba (or abba). Robe resembling a modern-world graduation
Booklet includes the Trade Route map for all the Land gown, worn primarily by Al-Badia (nomads).
of Fate. This shows the major shipping lanes Agal. Cord or group of cords designed to hold a keffiyeh, or
headcloth, snugly to the head.
throughout the Crowded Sea and the goods produced
Alim. Learned man, scholar, sage, or wizard.
by different areas. While other trade items can be Amir. Ruler (or emir). Amir is also a title assumed by paladins
found in the same area, those listed are the principle who are 10th level or higher.
exports for that city or region. Anjar (pl. anajir). Grapple-type anchor.
The cargoes here are not given a price. All except Bahriyin. Seamen.
passengers and exotica should cost between 1,000 gp Balanj. Ships cabin.
and 5,000 gp. This is purposely left vague to give you Bananiyah. Sailors.
complete control over how much money the Bander. Port (as in Sams Bandar).
characters must spend (or might earn). Suggested Barchan. Crescent-shaped dune, commonly at the deserts
edge. The horns point away from prevailing winds.
prices or items are given for exotic cargoes, while
Barijah. Small, 40-foot dhow that commonly serves
passenger fares should be negotiated if necessary. You fishermen, pearlers, merchants, and shore-dwelling
should always set the price for any cargo where you pirates.
think it is most appropriate. Bawara. Heavy anchor for sandy or muddy bottoms.
Not every cargo is available in every port. If the Beam. The width of a ship from gunwale to gunwale.
player characters insist on purchasing cargoes or it Blood price. Diyyah; payment to settle a blood feud or
conflict involving the loss of life or honor.
becomes important to the adventure, figure there is a
30% chance that any given trade good will be Caftan. Flowing, ankle-length overgarment, often cinched at
available, 70% if the desired cargo is produced in that the waist with a sash.
Casbah. Castle or keep.
region (see the Trading Route Map in the Map
Chador. A modest or moralist womans full-body robe with a
Booklet). Choose from the list that best matches the hood, plus a veil or cloth mask that may conceal even
place where the characters are trying to make their the wearers eyes.
purchase. If the players seek exotica or passengers,
Daftar. Sailing instructions often used for navigation in place
handle these situations on a case-by-case basis. of charts.
Remember that merchants are forever suspicious of Daqal. Mast.
deceit. Certainly if a ship, rubban, or crew has an evil Dhabb (also dhubb). Large, edible lizard; fish of the desert.
reputation, any merchant or passenger would think Dhow. A ship, particularly of Zakharan manufacture.
twice before trustingly walking on board or handing Didban. The ships look-out.
Dirah. The territory of a given desert tribe, usually about 200
over valuable merchandise.
square miles.
In the end, the intent of providing lists of cargo is Dishdashah. Simple tunic, usually worn by farmers and poor
not to turn the player characters into importers and merchants.
exporters. They should set their sights on adventure, Diwan. Court or council of a ruler.
not trade. The cargo manifests are useful in those Diyyah. See blood price.
instances where you need a little local color or a peek Dolman. Loose, floor-length robe with sleeves.
Dusur. Oakum or cordage for caulking seams in a ships hull.
into the daily details of life.

30
Fez. Round felt hat, like a cone with a flat top. A tassel Nargil. Coconut.
roughly as tall as the hat dangles from the top. Oculus. Eye decoration painted on the bow of a ship.
Gassi. Rocky path between two seif dunes. Qadi. Judge.
Hammam. Bathhouse. Qalat. Fortress; a fortified keep, manor, or palace.
Haram. Holy site. Qinbar. Coir (coconut fiber) cordage for making ropes.
Harim. Womens quarters; female counterpart to selama. Qutb al-gah. The pole star.
Also refers to the women who spend time in those Rahmani. A book of sailing charts.
quarters. Rais. Head, a title of respect, often used for those who
Harrat. Field of volcanic debris. hold civil posts.
Imam. Priest, usually one who is 8th level or higher. Raqi. Title of honor bestowed upon wizards who are 10th
Ins. Midani term to identify the enlightened races of level or higher.
humans, elves, dwarves, and the like. Rubban. Captain.
Ishtiyam. Ships pilot or navigator. Rubbaniyah. Ships officers.

Jalla. Camel dung; useful for fuel and many other purposes. Sufinah. Ship.
Jama. Pulley block. Sahil. Coast.
Jambiya. Curved, double-edged dagger commonly employed Saj. Teakwood.
by desert dwellers. Saluqi. Desert greyhound.
Jazirat. Island. Sambuk. The most common boat in the Land of Fate, aside
Jellaba. Heavy winter aba, worn over the traditional aba from the barijah.
and usually made of wool or felt. Seif. Also called a sword dune, it is the largest of all dune
Jummah. Ships hold. types. It runs parallel to the desert winds, has a sharp
peak, is very rugged, and can extend for hundreds of
Kamal. Simple navigation tool consisting of a card and miles.
knotted line.
Selama (selamlik). Mens quarters; counterpart to harim.
Kashabat. Wooden scaffold that serves as beacon and Sherbet. Zakharan sweet fruit drink.
watchtower. Shira. A ships sail.
Katar. Short, easily-concealed weapon, sometimes called a Sinn. Toothed anchor.
punch dagger.
Star dune. Twisted mass of sand resembling a starfish.
Kavir. Salt/mud flat; a dangerous terrain in which a salt crust
Suq. Covered marketplace, typically at a citys center.
lies directly over a sea of black, slimy mud.
Suwar. Sailing charts of maps.
Keffiyeh. Headcloth.
Khabb. Gale, typhoon. Tigers claws. Also called bagh nakh, this weapon resembles a
Khann. A point in the compassthere are 32 different set of brass knuckles with spikes.
compass points for navigation. Tufenk. Little more than a long blowpipe, the tufenk is used
Khayt. Stitch, as in the stitched hull of a ship. to project Greek fire across a short distance.
Koumiss. Drink of fermented mares milk, very potent. Ulama. Plural of alim.
Lamellar. Type of scale mail made of overlapping metal plates Wadi. Seasonal watercourse that floods but once or twice a
(lamellas), connected by metal links.
year, and is otherwise dry and solid.
Leben. A sour milk; staple of the Al-Badian diet. Whaleback dune. Dune resembling a colossal beached whale.
Markab (pl. marikab). A ship. It runs parallel to prevailing winds.
Mizen. Mizzenmast of a ship.
Zaruq. Small ship, slightly larger than a barijah.
Mudabbir al-Markab. Ships mate.

Naffatun. Artillerists who man the fire throwers.

Najhuda (pl. nawakhid) The ships owner, but not necessarily
the captain.

31
 Table 1:
Cargo Manifest

d20 Ship bound from:

Roll Pearl Cities Pantheon Crowded Sea Ruined Cities/Afyal
1 Armor Cotton Agates Beads
2-3 Brassware Dates Camphor Camphor
4 Carpets Dried Fruits Carnelians Exotica**
5 Coffee Exotica** Cotton Glassware
6 Coral Glassware Exotica** Honey
7-8 Rates Grain Feathers Iron
9 Dried Fruits Horses Ivory Ivory
10-11 Dyes Linen Herbs Lead
12 Exotica** Oil Musk Herbs
13-14 Frankincense Passengers* Passengers* Musk
15-16 Horses Porcelain Silk Passengers*
17-18 Myrrh Salt Slaves Rice
19 Passengers* Slaves Spice Spice
20 Weapons Wool Teak Teak

d6 Roll *Passengers **Exotica

1 Adventurers (1d6) Antiquities (1,000-6,000 gp)
2 Mamluks (2d8) Gems (2,000-12,000 gp)
3 Noblemen (1d3) Gold (1,000-10,000 gp)
4 Pilgrims (2d10) Silver (1,000-4,000 gp)
5 Official (1+1d6 servants) Pearls (1,000-8,000 gp)
6 Travelers (1d6) Misc. Magical Item (1-2)

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, and AD&D are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
AL-QADIM and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Copyright 1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
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prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.

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32
Book 2

Al-Sartan
. . . and what ship soever cometh to these climes there riseth to
her a monster out of the sea and swalloweth her up with all
and everything on board her.

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad the Seaman

O
wise readers, know that before the time of the Law, before the words
of the Blessed Loregiver appeared once more to men, before the
First of all Lions sat on the Righteous Throne, before men were
civilized, the world was wild and men did not know the Law. Men
worshipped unrighteous gods. Then said the First Caliph, Let all people
know the word of the true gods, and the heathen heard him and were
enlightened. Thus did they foreswear their unrighteous gods and learn the
teachings of the Law. But there were those who hardened their hearts against
the Law, saying, We will not abandon our masters. Against these the First
Caliph made the Pact of the Sword, and so the unrighteous and their gods
were driven from the Land of Fate.

This happened or maybe it did not; the time is long past and much is
forgotten. . . .

1
 The most grim of the Four Pearl Strands found on Climate and Life
the Crowded Sea, Jazayir al-Sartan (Isles of the Crab) For Zakharans used to the shores of the Golden Gulf
is visited only by the most daring traders. It is an and the blasted wastelands of the interior, Sartan looks
archipelago legendary for death and hideous terrors. a veritable lush paradise. The islands of the chain are
Tales from the waterfronts tell of barbaric islanders thickly covered with coconut palms, thorny brush,
and wild beasts, giant monsters, and well-guarded grasses, and flowers, but they are far from tropical.
treasures, yet no one claims to have actually ever been Sharp rocks break the tree-studded landscape, mixing
there. barren wastes with open palm forests.
This booklet is divided into two sections. The first For all its palms, rain is not generous throughout
provides a brief look at life on the islands of Sartan, Sartan. Most of it falls during the long monsoon
including geography, creatures, and important places. season. During this time, the islands can be awash in
Information on towns and villages is formatted as in rain. The monsoons are preceded and followed by a
the Land of Fate boxed setdescribing local rulers, short, mild season. The rains relent to brief daily
important personages, and unique characteristics of showers, almost invariably coming in the early
the towns. Other sites of interest or mystery are afternoon. Opposite the time of the great monsoons is
described as needed. the dry season. Rains are intermittent and the sun
The second half of this booklet features an blazes down, shrivelling much of the land. The palm
adventure set among these islands, The Great and fronds wither and grasses brown.
Dread God. Wildlife on the islands is limited in both size and
scope. The two most significant normal animals are
goats and wild boars. Beyond this, the islands sport a
The Islands of al-Sartan
wide range of birds, lizards, insects, rats, and small

T he islands of al-Sartan are divided into four major monkeys. Possible natural and unnatural creatures are
groupsJazirat al-Sadaf (Island of the Shell); listed on Table 2.
Jazayir al-Alfar (Islands of the Claws), of which there
are a northern and southern chain; and Jazirat al-
Qraidis (Shrimp Island). Sadaf and Alfar earned their Table 2: Suggested Creatures on al-Sartan
names once mariners had sailed round the outward
shores sufficiently to guess their shapes. Qraidis, Ant, giant Nymph
known for its fishing banks populated with shrimp, was Baboon Pahari
named long ago by the sailors who went there to cast Boar, wild Ogre
their nets. It is the only island of the archipelago that Crab, giant Rat (all)
has seen any Zakharan settlement, although even then Eagle, wild Scorpion (all)
only on the seaward side. Eagle, giant Serpent, winged
Between the arms of the crab lies Batihat al-Saji Lizard, giant Shark
(Lagoon of the Brave), dotted with the Uyun al- Lizard, minotaur Snake, poisonous
Sartan (Eyes of the Crab). These waters are shunned Makshi Vulture (all)
by the fishermen of Qraidis, who tell stories of a Naga, water Zaratan
hideous monster that lurks in the waters.

2
Jazirat al-Qraidis equally strong odor of palm oil, permeates the houses,
This large island is dominated by a mountain ridge clothes, and even the breath of the villagers.
that rises abruptly from the sea. So steep are the slopes Major Products: Dried shrimp, fermented shrimp
that, in some areas, scraggly vegetation can barely paste, copra, dried plantains, coconut husk rope,
cling to rocky cliffs that plunge precipitously straight coconut lumber, palm oil.
into the sea. Three jagged peaks, 9,000 feet above sea Armed Forces: 15 militiamen in times of need.
level, loom over all else on the island. The narrow Other Important Individuals: Shipwrecked
strand of beach around the island is thickly covered characters and captains with a ship in need of repair
with plantains, coconut, and oil palms, cultivated in would do well to look up Safana the ship-wright. This
many places by the islanders. The steep slopes of the middle-aged widow learned her trade helping her late
mountains, home to wandering flocks of wild goats, are husband build fishing boats. After his death, she was
jagged outcroppings of dry rock and twisted scrub. the only one with the skills to maintain the Qraidis
Qraidis is the only island of the Sartan chain settled fishing fleet. Over the years she has become quite
by Zakharans, and then only along the seaward side. adept at her work, and today her shipbuilding
The coast is strung with a line of scattered settlements proficiency is 17 on smaller vessels, 14 when working
looking out toward the Crowded Sea. The villagers with booms or greater.
earn a poor living by trading in plantains, dried Noted Features of the Town: Even though it is the
shrimp, and the products of the versatile coconut largest village on Qraidis, Sams Bandar is a shabby
palmcoconut husk ropes, lumber, oil, and copra cake collection of houses. From the sea, the village appears
(dried coconut meat). Reddish palm oil is shipped in to tumble down the mountainside in a ramshackle
jars to the kitchens of the Pearl Cities. Goats are raised cascade of mud-brick and wood. Running the length of
for milk, although passing ships often welcome the the beach are frames covered with drying shrimp and
chance to obtain fresh goat meat. coconut meat. A rickety wharf thrusts out into the
water and there is a small, usually deserted bazaar of
Sams Bandar tattered awnings near the beach. Indeed, the entire
Ruler: Najib al-Samsi, Amil al-Qraidis, (h/m/F/a/5) is village seems deserted most of the time since the
a gaunt, balding man so heavily weathered that his age villagers are either at sea or working the small palm
is impossible to determine. Titular ruler of the entire plantations that surround the village.
island, Najib spends most of his time commanding a For all its small size, Sams Bandar can outfit
modest fishing boat on the shrimp beds. adventurers with most necessary supplies, although
The Court: Once a week or so Najib convenes his only goat-hide armor is available.
court to gossip and settle any disputes. Those in Local Lore and Legends: The fishermen of Sams
attendance are his fellow captains and friends, Bandar know remarkably little about the Sartan chain.
particularly Qadi Yezeed (d/m/P/p/3) who, though What little they do know, they speak of with great
infuriatingly slow of speech, knows intimately the respect. They are particularly fearful of the Batihat al-
bloodlines and feuds of all the islanders. Saji on the opposite side of the island. No local will
Population: 103, although it might be 104 or 102 steer his boat into those waters. Just what frightens
soon, depending on whether Juleidah gives birth them is not clear since the majority who venture into
before or after Old Nura finally dies. the lagoon are never seen again. Some claim an evil
Distinguishing Features of Populace or Town: mage throws flaming death from the mountaintops or
The reek of shrimp drying in the sun, mingled with the that a giant beneath the surface pulls ships to their

3
doom. Others deny both of these and instead claim to Description: The halflings of the north live a semi-
have seen a great red-shelled crab rise out of the nomadic life and primarily live off the fruits of land.
wavesbut, of course, only at a great distance. They are not great fishermen. Their canoes are small
Whatever haunts the lagoon, if anything, has been and simple, just sufficient to carry them from island to
sufficient to keep the villagers at bay. island. They tend widely scattered groves of coconut
palms and plantains, supplementing their diet with
Jazayir al-Alfar land crabs, snails, fish, and the occasional wild boar.
These two island chains are distinguished as the north Although all of one tribe, the Tarangu spread
and south claws, or sometimes as the greater and lesser. themselves throughout their chain as a number of
The islands that form the arms are uncharted by family groups. A family has 2d6 x 10 members and
Zakharan sailors. The channels here are a treacherous tends a series of traditional groves that range over
maze of hidden reefs, mangrove swamps, and contrary several islands. Groves can be identified by a carved
currents. Without a knowledgeable pilot (who only marker pole set somewhere nearby. Each family uses a
can be hired from the not-always-friendly locals), any different carving style.
ship venturing into the channels runs a 50% risk of The marker pole also indicates the presence of the
running aground each day. If the sailors are lucky, they familys settlement. The Tarangu do not build
only hit a sandbar. Woe to those who drive their ship permanent houses on the ground, but establish finely
onto the reefs. If grounding does occur, assume the wrought nests, roofed and floored with palm fronds, in
ship has struck whatever type of sunken hazard is the tops of a cluster of specially planted palms.
nearest to it on the map. Coconut husk ropes connect the palms, allowing the
The treacherous waters aside, the al-Alfar are halflings to easily get around without having to touch
populated by natives. The northern chain is the home ground. (Although halflings are normally considered
of the Tarangu, a halfling tribe; the southern, the dark- earth-dwellers, underground warrens are not practical
skinned, human Haifami. Both are fierce and warlike, here. Monsoons would flood any warrens, and rats and
rumored to be cannibals. The latter is not truethat vermin would infest the holes. Thus, the halflings have
honor is reserved for the malevolent Gurum of Sadaf. It adjusted their culture to life in the palms.)
is true, however, that the Tarangu and Haifami have no Approximately once a month, the Tarangu make
love of strangers, particularly those speaking Midani. offerings to Karrrga, the great crab god. The offerings
Both tribes are the frequent target of slavers since are left along the lagoon-side beaches during the new
neither is counted among the Enlightened. They have moon and consist of coconut meat, plantains, other
learned not to welcome the great ships that appear off fruits, wild boar, and captives, if they have any. These
their shores. They are barely hospitable to each other offerings are eaten by the giant crabs of the lagoon,
either, although the two tribes have been known to along with nibbling rats and birds. In rare instances,
unite from time to time against the evil Gurum. Karrrga itself will come ashore to take an offering.
Still, Karrrga occasionally takes tribe members,
The Tarangu perhaps as punishment for some crime or sin.
Ruler: Indeema (hg/f/P/k/12), a fat, heavily tanned Armed Forces: The Tarangu do not seek out battle,
and freckled matron, is respected by the tribe for her but fight valiantly at the least threat. To defend
patience and fair-handedness. She is a priest of the themselves, up to 75% of a family can take up arms,
crab god that lives in the lagoon, and she supervises including young children. For raiding (mostly against
sacrifices made to appease the beast. the Gurum), no more than 30% of the familythe

4
ablest males and femaleswill take part. They battle cloth made of coconut fiber, although white cotton
equally well on ground or among the palm fronds. sarongs are popular with those who can get them from
Their preferred weapons are copper-tipped spears, traders. Men and women alike wear a long cloth
clubs, and hurled coconuts when in the trees. (A blow wrapped around their brows and heads as protection
from a coconut does damage equal to a club.) against the heat. Important individuals embellish this
Relations with PCs: The Tarangu are not apt to wel- wrap with brilliant decorationsdyed cloth, feathers,
come the player characters with open arms, given the coral, and pierced silver coins.
tribes past experiences with Zakharan slavers. Should The villages range from 50 to 200 souls (5d4 10).
the player characters land on their shores, the first Each is a permanent site, located along the coast,
defense is to disappear into the coconut forest. Thus, usually at a small bay. The houses are built of palm
the characters will find marker poles, obviously-tended lumber and fronds, raised slightly off the ground to
clusters of coconuts and plantains, and strange tree-top protect from rats, snakes, and spiders. Mud-brick tiles,
villages, but all will be deserted. If the characters glazed green and blue, decorate the sides. Each village
threaten to damage either groves or nests, the Tarangu is enclosed by a stockade built from square-hewn
will attack and then fade into the palms. They repeat coconut trunks. Outside the stockade are fields for a
this process until their enemy is destroyed or retreats. few vegetable crops and pens for the large flocks the
The characters can make friendly or forced contact. Haifami raise.
If the PCs cause no damage to Tarangu property and The main source of Haifami food and trade comes
leave gifts at the base of a marker pole, the Tarangu from the sea. Using sturdy outrigger canoes, the
will eventually come out to trade. Short of trading, the Haifami are not afraid to venture far out onto the
PCs might capture, heal, and release a Tarangu warrior. ocean or into the Batihat al-Saji. Such trips are always
After this, characters can deal with the Tarangu made with a village sea-mage. Sea-mages are always
Forced contact only comes about if the characters women, members of a special tribal society. Although
capture a tribe member and hold him or her hostage. the Haifami fish the lagoon, even they will not set foot
The tribe will fearfully open negotiations at this point, on the Uyun al-Sartan. Those islands are sacred to the
remaining well armed and dealing from a distance. servants of the crab god Karrrga.
Armed Forces: Under Chief Shafiyas guidance,
The Haifami each village keeps a ready store of weapons. All men
Ruler: Chief Shafiya (h/m/F/mb/8) is a tall, young from age twelve and up are drilled in their use. Thus,
man of great vigor and good looks. Third son of the each village can raise a militia equal to 50% of the
previous headman, he has risen to power through total village population. A network of watchtowers
undeniable displays of bravery and martial skill. and alarms allows any militia to fully assemble after
Court: The Chief convenes no regular court, one turn. Each member of the militia is armed with a
informally ruling over the Haifami from his Great set of spears and a fancifully-decorated shield carved
House. On those occasions when momentous decisions from a giant crab shell.
are made, Shafiya is sometimes assisted (or opposed) In addition to defending the village, the chief can
by the six village headmen under his rule. call on the tribe to assemble its forces under his
Description: The Haifami are a large and powerful personal command. In this way, Shafiya can raise
tribe, spread between a half-dozen small villages on the 2d10010 warriors.
same number of islands. The Haifami are black people, These warriors are backed by magic. One kahin or
tall and lean. They typically dress in a single long sea mage (level 1d4+1) backs up every twenty militia.

5
As noted before, these spellcasters are always women. from Qraidis is willing to go there, and most will
Relations with PCs: Victims of Zakharan slave advise the player characters to avoid it.
raids, the Haifami rely on strength to protect The great island is bounded on nearly every side by
themselves. Any ship spotted off their coast causes forbidding cliffs and craggy flows of volcanic rock. The
immediate alarm. The militia is called out and the ocean relentlessly batters these with swelling waves.
vessel is shadowed by armed men as long as it remains The hidden rocks and rough ocean present a danger to
in sight. Any party that comes ashore is challenged on any ship circumnavigating the isle, since there are no
the beach. If raiders get ashore, Chief Shafiya directs knowledgeable pilots to pick the safest way. For each
constant attacks against the strangers. If all these fail hour the ship sails within 1 mile of Sadafs shore, it risks
and the stockades do not hold, the Haifami take to a 70% chance of striking a submerged rock (resulting in
their boats and seek shelter on the lagoon. All the a seaworthiness check). If the ship breaks up, characters
kahin then pray for the intercession of their god. must swim through the stormy sea and then along the
Chief Shafiya recognizes the value of trade, thus shore until they find a place to drag themselves ashore.
giving the PCs a chance to deal peacefully with the This effort leaves all characters completely exhausted,
tribe. If the group comes ashore in a nonthreatening unable to do more until they rest.
manner (probably just a small party), the Haifami will Once ashore, the characters are no safer, for Sadaf is
warily meet with the group. Relations will be cool at the home to many dangerous creatures. Monsters
best until the player characters prove themselves and abound on the island. Fortunately for the other tribes
their intentions. of the Sartan islands, the rugged shoreline and fierce
seas prevent most of these creatures from reaching
Uyun al-Sartan other shores.
These small strings of islands are unsettled by sentient Like Qraidis, Sadaf is marked by towering peaks
life, but they are far from uninhabited. This rocky with steep slopes where scraggly vegetation clings. As
string of islets is the hatchery of the many giant crabs such, the island provides a mean existence for the only
that infest the lagoon. To the few Zakharans brave sentient tribe group living there, the Gurum. This
enough to venture here, the crabs are known as the savage tribe is one of the main reasons the Sartan
children of Sartan. Landing on these islands would be islands have gained such an evil reputation.
foolhardy, for the hatchlings are hungry and
carnivorous. Within one turn of landing, every person The Gurum
ashore will be swarmed by tens, even hundreds, of Ruler: Yaaz Gut-Breaker is a powerfully-built ogre
small hatchlings. These little beasts, far too many to mage with polished azure skin and fiery red eyes. The
kill, cause 6d6 points of damage each round. A ring of formidable Yaaz is not as cultured as those ogre magi
fire will hold them at bay, otherwise two new sometimes encountered closer to civilization, but what
hatchlings rush in to fill the space left by any the he lacks in urbanity he makes up for in sheer savagery.
characters kill. Court: The heads of the four families who advise
Yaaz do so at their own risk, for any dissent is quelled by
Jazirat al-Sadaf brutal death. This has resulted in a superficial approval
Sadaf is the largest island of the Sartan chainand of all his actions. In secret, each family head searches
the most forbidding. The inhabitants of the rest of the for the means to eliminate Yaaz and seize his position.
Sartan chain only speak ill of Sadaf. It is the home of Description: The Gurum are a tribe of mixed ogres
monsters, cannibals, and worse. No native or settler and ogre magi who live in scattered dwellings all over

6
the island. Each small settlementtypically a small defend. Of any family encountered, roll 1d10 to
caveholds a single family which may have twenty or determine family type: 1-2 ogre magi, 3-5 ogre, 6-10
more members. Although all one tribe, each family is ogrima. Except for ogre mage families, all warriors will
independent and often at odds with all others. The be the same race. In ogre mage families, 1d3 of the
most frequent cause of trouble are disputes over warriors will be ogre magi. All others will be ogrima
hunting territory, usually resulting in bloody skirmishes under their command.
and long-standing feuds. Ogre magi wear padded cotton robes and fight with
The Gurum are divided into three castes. Foremost fine swords. Ogrima wear no armor and typically use
are the powerful but few ogre magi. Long ago, these two-handed swords with one hand. Ogre families rely
powerful creatures arrived on Sadaf to find it already on traditional weaponsa thick club or copper-tipped
populated by ogres. With their greater abilities, the spear.
ogre magi quickly conquered and dominated the Relations with PCs: Unless the player characters
normal ogres. Today, four small families can still claim are superior in strength and firepowerand make a
pure ogre mage heritage. Most chiefs of the Gurum are brutally clear display of their powerthe Gurum will
drawn from these four families. attempt to enslave them. Even if the PCs can dissuade
Second in the caste structure are the pure ogres. any immediate attacks, they must be wary against
These are old families that never interbred with the sneak attacks and treachery. Dealing with the Gurum
invading ogre magi. Nonetheless, they have benefitted is not safe or advisable.
from contact and are generally more educated and
advanced than wild ogres. The old families
remember the old traditions and are responsible for the
sacrifices made to the crab god Karrrga of the Batihat
al-Saji. They surround these sacrifices with mysteries
to protect their position.
The least of all are the ogrima, a mixture of ogre
and ogre mage blood. Both ogres and ogre magi
consider them tainted, either physically weak or
spiritually corrupt. They are, however, the majority,
growing more numerous every day. The ogrima refuse
to accept their station and grow ever more restless
under the domination of the other two castes.
The Gurum are fierce raiders of their neighbors and
build good-sized, if crude, boats for this purpose. In
these raids, they seek slaves and meat for the cooking
pots. The Tarangu, who lack a strong defense, are their
preferred target. Enemies killed in battle are taken
back to be eaten; those captured serve as slaves until
they too are eaten by the brutal Gurum.
Armed Forces: The Gurum have rarely fought as a
single forcewhich is good for their neighbors.
Instead, each family can field 2d6 warriors to raid or

7
Batihat al-Saji the opportunity to explore the lagoon and surrounding
At the heart of the Sartan chain is the Batihat al-Saji, islands for the treasure they seek, and it eventually
the source of so much veneration, fear, and mystery. (and coincidentally) leads to their goal. Just which
The gently waving blue waters are deceptively calm, item the characters seek depends on the clues they
concealing terrifying death below. More than one bold have accumulated to this point.
rubban has sailed his boom into the lagoon in search of
pearls rumored to line its bottom, never to sail out Starting the Adventure
again. Dawn, casting its fire across the silvery sea, signals the
Anyone who sails out upon the waters of the start of another sultry day. For days the seaward winds
lagoon will marvel at the richness of the warm sea have been listless, becalming large ships. Even before
beneath them. The sea teems with firm-fleshed fish, the sun has risen, the shrimp fleet laboriously rows to
brilliant walls of coral, gaping giant clams, and the the schools, bringing in only a meager catch. By mid-
scuttling forms of giant crabs. The barnacle-crusted morning the ships return and the catch is divided; by
hulks of sunken ships are barely visible in the shallow noon the crews have dispersed into the cooling shade
areas. of mud-walled houses. There they sip tea and trade idle
At the deepest part of the lagoon is a shimmering gossip.
pearl of great size. This is a vortex to Karrrgas plane, The mid-day peace is disrupted by a ululating cry
Pandemonium. Fortunately for the unwary, the vortex from the rickety wharf. At first sluggish, the villagers
can only be opened by the proper command. Through gradually move with increasing panic. Invaders are
this vortex, Karrrga sometimes projects his avatar, coming to destroy all Sams Bandar! Cannibals are
who rises out of the lagoon in a form familiar to the coming to feast on the women and children! It is the
Tarangu, Gurum, and Haifamia horseshoe crab- retribution of the gods for untold sins!
headed giant of terrifying power. The avatar normally Amidst this confusion, Amil Najib finds the player
appears on moonless nights to collect the offerings characters and with a complete lack of dignity throws
gathered by his servants, but he will rise to sink himself at their feet. You, whose hearts must surely be
seamen who have not paid him proper obeisance or brave, protect us from the evil that Fate has allotted
who endanger his servants. Consequently, great us! Take your arms and save our worthless city, in the
treasures now lie sunken on the lagoon bottom. name of the Loregivers mercy, and you will be
rewarded handsomely! Najib continues on in this
Adventure: vein until the player characters agree to investigate.

The Great and Dread God Unless the group demands a specific reward, Najib
continues with grandiose promises of reward. If the

F or this adventure, it is assumed the characters

begin in the mean village of Sams Bandar. The
reason why the characters have come to Sams Bandar
characters demand amounts, Najib is suddenly less
munificent. Sams Bandar has little to offer aside from
dried shrimp and weathered barijahs. The amil offers
is not important; this adventure is situated entirely as little as possible; however, he will go as high as a
within these islands and is not directly tied to the newly built zarug, loaded with a cargo of dried shrimp
characters reasons for being on Qraidis. and copra cake. (This is quite a good deal, considering
Most likely the characters have come in search of the poverty of the village.)
the Great Treasure, either in the form of another clue Once the two groups come to terms, Najib explains
or the treasure itself. This adventure gives the group that a host of savage tribesmen have landed their

8
canoes just down the coast and are now marching on Shafiyas Story
Sams Bandar. It is up to the player characters to drive I am Chief Shafiya of the great Haifami, masters of the
the invaders away. The hideous cannibals will arrive many islands. I greet you in peace, and my warriors greet
within hours. you. . . .
With this the chief, speaking through his
The Emissary interpreter, leisurely explains his mission. Although
The group of hideous cannibals is actually a outwardly polite, Shafiya considers all Zakharans
delegation from the Haifami, led by Chief Shafiya (including the PCs) untrustworthy and evil. He has
himself. They are numerous50 all toldand well come only because ill times have befallen the Haifami,
armed, but the tribesmens intentions are more or less forcing this bold contact. According to the chief, a
peaceful, nonetheless. terrible threat hangs over all the islands of Sartan,
When the player characters investigate, the Haifami and Zakharan alike. The god of the waters
delegation is about an hours distance out of town and (Karrrga) has been driven mad by the dark magic of
making its way in stately march toward Sams Bandar. the Gurum. Unless the god is healed, Karrrga will lay
If the PCs openly approach, the procession halts a safe waste to all the shores of Sartan. By the words of all his
distance away (out of bowshot) while a single runner seers, Shafiya has been instructed to seek out the non-
hurries to meet them. If the player characters charge believers. Only such people as these can heal the great
the procession or attack the runner, the Haifami will Karrrga. If this is done, there will be many years of
attack. The Haifami will fight to kill the player peace between the Haifami and the Zakharans of the
chacters, overwhelming the group with a rain of big island. If help is refused, Shafiya is prepared to go
spears. If successful, they will swoop down on Sams to war until it is given.
Bandar to raid and pillage. Chief Shafiya, angered by If the characters (who seem to be the most able
his reception, is in no mood to show mercy or ask for unbelievers around) agree to help, Shafiya promises
aid as he once intended. life-long friendship. From his descriptions, the
If ambushed, the Haifami flee a safe distance, characters learn that a great crab-headed giant has
reorganize, and attack Sams Bandar under cover of been ravaging all the villages closest to the lagoon
darkness. If strong resistance is met during this raid, shores. Shafiya suspects the Gurum because: 1) they
the Haifami withdraw to their canoes and go home. are responsible for much of the other evil in the area;
The runner hails the party in ragged Midani, 2) they have been seen in the company of Karrrga on
offering greetings from the great chieftain of the the gods raids; and 3) his wise women told him so.
Haifami. He continues by inquiring if they are great Therefore, it seems to him that the way to solve the
and powerful men from the village of ships (Sams problem is for the characters to go to Jazirat al-Sadaf
Bandar). If not, he wonders how one might meet such and find the secret that makes Karrrga mad. Beyond
men. If yes, the runner then announces that Shafiya that, he does not really know what to do.
has come from his own lands to have audience with Once the characters have heard Shafiyas tale, they
the group. can confer among themselves and with the amil, if
After some back-and-forth haggling over how the they desire. Najib, quite naturally, wants them to go
meeting is conducted (which you can skip or role-play with Shafiya; if the PCs refuse, the amil and his
as you wish), the player characters finally get to meet people have to bear the brunt of the chiefs wrath.
Chief Shafiya. The amil may even attempt treachery such as setting
the PCs ship afire, thereby forcing the group to

9
remain on Qraidis and suffer the same fate as every- Shark, Common (4): Int Non; AL N; AC 6; MV
one else. Of course, he would prefer to avoid anything Sw 24; HD 5; hp 26, 24, 17, 15; THAC0 15; #AT 1;
so extreme. Dmg 2-8; SZ M; ML 10; XP 175 each.
If a pact is made with the chief, the group leaves in
the morning. That night Najib holds a feast. Freshly Giant Crab (20): Int Non; AL N; AC 3; MV 9;
butchered goats, shrimp, fish, plantains, and yams are HD 3; hp 21, 21, 18, 17, 17, 16, 16, 15, 14, 13, 13, 12,
fried in palm oil or boiled in thick stews of coconut 12, 11, 11, 11, 11, 10, 8, 6; THAC0 16; #AT 2; Dmg
milk. Even though the feast lacks the copious amounts 2-8/2-8; SD Surprise; SZ L; ML 13; XP 65 each.
of palm wine served at Haifami affairs (Najib tries to
adhere to the Law), Chief Shafiya is pleased by the Pahari (2): Int Very-Gen; AL CG; AC 7; MV 12,
feast. Sw 18/24; HD 4; hp 24, 19; THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg
1d6; SA 8th level sea mage; SZ M; ML 10; XP 3,000
The Journey each (see Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim appendix
The next day the Haifami leave, taking the player for complete details).
characters with them. The PCs ship and crew remain
at Sams Bandar, where they will beach the ship to Mgaiswalu
scrape and caulk the hull. On the day the group is due to arrive at Mgaiswalu, the
Because the Haifami boats are small, the player Haifami oarsmen are in good spirits, looking forward to
characters must travel in several different vessels. They the end of a long journey. However, a dark stain of
take the group around the coast and wend their way smoke over their destination dashes their fine mood.
through the many reefs and hazards that block the Something terrible has happened to the Haifami
inner channels of the southern island chain. Each day, village.
any character with navigation proficiency can attempt Chief Shafiya is no fool and quickly orders the
to chart the channels by making a successful canoes beached and hidden out of sight of the village.
proficiency check. Once accomplished, the character From here the approach will be overland. His fifty men
can add the waters tranversed that day to his charts, are divided into three groupsten to remain and
thus avoiding the perils of reefs when sailing through guard the canoes, thirty to accompany him, and ten
the passage. more to go scout the way ahead. The player characters,
The trip takes two weeks before the party finally as outsiders, are not given orders, but the chief clearly
arrives at the village of Mgaiswalu. Each night of expects them to pitch in and do their part. He does
travel, the oarsmen pull to the nearest shore, and the not trust them enough to involve the group in his
group camps on the beach, dining on fresh fish, battle plans, such as they are.
coconut, and fruit. There is little else to do. All in all, After an hour of cautious advance through the
it is not a bad life. coconut groves, Mgaiswaluor what remains of it
Depending on your mood, the trip is either comes into sight. (The village map is in the Map
uneventful or marked by a few random but not overly Booklet.) The village, once protected by a stout
extreme encounters. Possible events include a group of stockade, is broken and shattered. Dead men, women,
sharks overturning a canoe containing a player and children are scattered across the ground and
character, an attack by a horde of giant crabs, or a visit through the wreckage of the Haifami lodges. Much of
from a pair of curious and beguiling pahari seeking the village is in ashes and fires still smolder throug-
mates. hout. From the forest side, there is no sign of the

10
attackerssuggest to the PCs that perhaps they are all Ogres (5): Int Low; AL CE; AC 5; MV 9; HD 4+1;
gone. hp 18, 18, 15, 15, 7; THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg 1-10 (or
Only after the group is well into the village does by weapon); SA +2 to damage; SZ L; ML 11; XP 175
everyone discover the attackers have not disap- each.
peared. Near the beach are the boats of strangers, but
no one is in sight. As the group moves forward to Ogrima (6): Int Low-Av; AL C/LE; AC 5; MV 9;
investigate, they are attacked by a band of Gurum HD 4+3; hp 26, 25, 21, 19, 18, 16; THAC0 15; #AT 1;
warriors who charge from a thick tangle of trees D 1-10; SA Spells; SD Regenerate 1/turn; SZ L; ML
along the beach. 12; XP 420 each.
The attackers are a large band of ogres, ogrima, and
ogre magi. Chief Shafiya and his warriors are too busy Ogre Mage (2): Int Average; AL LE; AC 4; MV 9,
fighting unspecified Gurum to help the player Fl 15(B); HD 5+2; hp 34, 16; THAC0 15; #AT 1;
characters. Stress how desperate the fighting is for the Dmg 1-12; SA Spells; SZ L; ML 13; XP 420 each.
Haifami, but point out that their own situation is such
that they cannot provide aid. Sartani (2): Int Low; AL CN; AC 2; MV 15; HD
Only after the Gurum have engaged the player 8; hp 49, 47; THAC0 13; #AT 1; D 3-18; SA special;
characters does a second threat appear, this time from SD special; SZ H; ML 15; XP 2,000 each.
the sea. Rising out of the water are a pair of sartani
(see the new monster sheets included). These fearsome Aftermath
giants lumber ashore and join the attack on the PCs. Once the battle is won (if it is won), the Haifami
The sartani have been summoned and are under the regroup and assess their losses. Chief Shafiya survives,
control of the Gurum. Farther out on the water is a but this village, part of his tribe, is a complete loss. At
small boat, manned by ogres and one ogre magi. The sea, the ogre boat turns and heads for Sadaf. If the PCs
ogre magi has used a magical shell (specially granted did not notice the ogre mage on the vessel (and the
him by Karrrga) to control the two monsters. If this mystical shell he held), Chief Shafiya did and tells
ogre magi is killed, the sartani break off their attack them now. It is clear the Gurum are involved with
and return docilely to the sea. Otherwise the crab- Karrrgas rage. The chief insists the PCs must go to
headed giants fight blindly to the death. If both ogre Sadaf, find the source of this strange magic, and
magi leading the land attack are killed quickly, the destroy it, thereby releasing their god from his
remaining ogres and ogrima fighting the player madness. For this task, Shafiya provides a single boat
characters will retreat quickly, leaving the sartani to and the oarsmen needed to get the group there. He
finish the job. will not send any more, since it would risk his position
The fate of Mgaiswalu depends on the success of as leader of the tribe. If the PCs refuse, he restates his
the player characters. If the PCs defeat their enemies, intention to ravage Qraidis. The chief does not turn
Chief Shafiya and his men are equally successful. If the away any reasonable request for aidprovisions,
PCs die, the chief dies; if the group flees, so do the healing, perhaps even a minor potion or two. After
surviving Haifami. The losses taken by the warriors are this, the PCs are on their own.
proportionally equal to the damage suffered by the
PCs. Thus, if each player character has lost 50% of his Among the Gurum
hit points, 50% of the warriors are dead. The voyage to Sadaf requires less than a day, but the
boatmen provided by Chief Shafiya delay arrival until

11
late afternoon. The men are clearly fearful as they patriarch. Youth and infirmities notwithstanding,
approach the mountainous isle. None can provide every ogrima reacts with vigor if attacked. (Those too
useful information concerning the inhabitants or weak from age or injury are typically dispatched to ease
interior of the island. the burden to others. This, quite naturally, leads to
The boat reaches Gurum at dusk. The crew wants even the weakest trying their utmost to prove their
to leave immediately. Astute PCs might realize the usefulness.)
men are letting fear override their good judgment If the player characters attack the ogrima, the
sailing the treacherous waters at night is a sure method family wisely takes shelter behind the walls of their
for drowning at sea. Good player characters should stockade. There is at least one other hidden exit from
press the sailors to remain overnightunder the their cave; thus, they cannot be trapped inside. If the
protection of the PCs, of course. PCs attempt a siege, the family warriors simply slip out
Although your players may suspect you are and attack the group by surprise from behind.
setting their characters up by forcing the sailors on A much wiser course for the player characters is to
the group, nothing happens that night. Nothing, negotiate with the ogrima. For results of this, see
that is, beyond weird howls from the mountains, Attitudes, below.
shuffling shapes at the edge of darkness, and startled
squawks of bizarre nightbirds. (Play on the groups Wandering
paranoia to keep the PCs from getting a good rest If the characters do not or cannot follow the tracks,
this night.) they will have to explore the island blindly. Use the
With the earliest dawn, the sailors hurriedly leave, Beachhead map (in the Map Booklet) for this. As the
promising to return at some pre-arranged time. As the characters venture from their camp, they eventually
characters break camp and move out, their best tracker come across trails leading to different Gurum families.
(or any character if there are no trackers) discovers These lead to the homes (mostly caves with stockades
fresh tracks just beyond the beach. Anyone with around the outside) of ogres, ogrima, and ogre magi.
tracking proficiency can tell these tracks are fresh, The race and number of the occupants is noted on the
made only last night. Judging from the number of map. The reception at each place depends on the type
footprints, it must have been one creature watching of family encountered.
the camp for some time last night. To succeed in finding out why Karrrga is behaving
so strangely and how to correct it, the player
Tracking characters must gain information and allies among the
If any character can track, the group can try to follow Gurum. This requires a careful combination of
the trail. If the necessary check is successful, the trail diplomacy and force. Some of the families can be
leads to a small fortified cave about three miles from persuaded to aid the characters, although for their own
the landing site. This is the cave of the Yazhad, an ends; others want nothing to do with humans. All, no
ogrima family. The entrance, easily spotted by the matter how willing, are ogre-blood, not impressed by
thin trickle of smoke that curls out of the cave wisdom and talk. Any negotiation is going to require
mouth, is protected by a fortified wall of rock and some show of force by the player characters.
palm logs. An oversized gate is the only apparent
entrance. Attitudes
Six ogrima of various ages live in the cave. The The three family types in the areaogre, ogre magi,
youngest is a juvenile, the oldest a near-crippled and ogrimahave distinctly different attitudes and

12
aims. Each requires a different approach and not all are Ogrima. Lowest of the Gurum, the more astute
amenable to negotiation. When the player characters ogrima families will see the player characters as a quick
discover a Gurum family, use the general attitude route to power. However, the ogrima will only help if
description given below to help resolve the encounter. they believe the PCs are powerful enough to defeat the
In all cases, blatant attacks will be met with equally ogre magi. A test will be needed. Being brutally
blatant force. practical, the ogrima send the player characters to
To understand the attitudes, it is necessary to know wipe out a nearby rival family. (On the map, choose
the source of Karrrgas strange behavior. Part of it is the closest ogre or ogre mage family. This is the desired
natural to that beingthe crab god is chaotic neutral target.) If the characters do the job and bring back
and hence highly unpredictable. The beings natural proof satisfactory to the ogrima (bloody proof), the
tendencies, however, have been aggravated by a pact ogrima will aid the characters. Several of their number
made between it and Mus, a leader of the ogre magi. will lead the characters to the holder of the shell. They
This creature has promised Karrrga domination of the may even assist in defeating the ogre magi, though not
entire island chain in exchange for preeminent power at great peril to themselves.
among mortals. Perhaps pleased by the offer, Karrrga The ogrima have other plans, which is why they are
has granted Mus magical shells that allow him to saving themselves. They see the shell (and the power
summon and control the sartani. If the creatures are it wields) as the means of seizing control of the
within a one-mile radius, they arrive in 2d12 rounds. Gurum. The ogrima have no interest in conquering all
Control can be maintained without concentration of the Sartan chainyet. They only want to crush the
once they appear. It is the attacks of these creatures other branches of their tribe and become the new
that have been interpreted as signs of Karrrgas leading caste. To achieve this, the ogrima will wait
madness. until the PCs succeed or at least seriously weaken the
Ogre. As traditional keepers of the faith and hated ogre magi. Then they will make their move to
intermediaries between Karrrga and the Gurum, the seize the shell. This most likely means betraying the
ogre families are particularly incensed by the player characters, but the ogrima have no moral
usurpation of their role. That, combined with a qualms about that at all.
demonstration that the player characters are stronger, Ogre Mage. The ogre magi, although a minority,
should be sufficient to open negotiations with the PCs. have the wisdom to know their strength comes from
The group must take care not to overplay any force lest cooperation and from items like the mystical shell of
the ogres become incensed and seek immediate Karrrga. The ogre magi are also cunning and will
revenge. quickly realize the PCs represent a threat, especially if
The ogres know who has the shell and may even they are allied with other Gurum. Therefore, any ogre
guide the player characters there (if the group is mage family will pretend to ally with the player
lucky). At the least, the ogres will not sound the alarm characters with little resistance. The new allies will
that intruders are on Sadaf. Unlike the other groups, lead the player characters to the household of Mus,
the ogres want to see the shell destroyed and the source of the sought-after shells. Once the PCs are
balance restored, since this assures them of continued engaged with Karac, their allies will attack from the
power among the Gurum. For all their faults, the ogres rear with the aim of trapping the PCs between the two
have a sense of honorif the player characters groups. The ogre magi are not interested in prisoners,
succeed, the ogres will ensure the groups safe exit from especially since the deaths of the PCs would make a
Sadaf. suitable display to the other Gurum families.

13
 Ogre, Leader: Int Average; AL CE; AC 3; MV 9; realizing the ogre mage is their goal, Mus will pretend
HD 7; THAC0 13; #AT 1; Dmg 2d6+3, or by weapon; to negotiate with the group. Meanwhile his kin,
SA +2 w/weapon; SZ L; ML 11; XP 420 each. invisible and flying around, will slip out of the
compound and surround the party. After 1d3+2
Ogre: Int Low; AL CE; AC 5; MV 9; HD 4+1; rounds, Mus attacks. His hidden kin strike from all
THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg 1-10 (or by weapon); SA +2 sides (starting with cone of cold spells).
to damage; SZ L; ML 12; XP 175 each. To avoid an ambush, the player characters must
strike decisively before the ogre magi have time to
Ogrima: Int Low-Av; AL C/LE; AC 5; MV 9; HD prepare. A sudden attack prevents the monsters from
4+3; THAC0 15; #AT 1; D 1-10; SA Spells; SD acting as a coordinated group, although they can still
Regenerate 1/turn; SZ L; ML 12; XP 420 each. be formidable foes. While his kin hold off the
attackers, Mus rushes to one of the huts and grabs a
Ogre Mage: Int Average; AL LE; AC 4; MV 9, Fl pouchful of the mystical shells he has prepared. If the
15(B); HD 5+2; THAC0 15; #AT 1; Dmg 1-12; SA battle is going badly, Mus leaps from the cliff edge and
Spells; SZ L; ML 13; XP 420 each. swoops toward the sea below. As he flies away, the ogre
mage uses one of the shells to summon a sartani. The
Mus giant rises from the water and Mus lands on its
Eventually the player characters should find their way shoulder. Slowly striding toward the center of the
to Muss household, whether they are led there or lagoon, the sartani (and Mus) disappear beneath the
stumble across it. Unlike the previous caves, this place waves.
has the appearance of a small compound. Rough walls Once the battle ends, the characters can search the
of jagged rock have been rudely stacked and reinforced compound. Among the crude furnishings, they find a
with logs. Beyond the low walls are the thatched roofs golden-plated shield, studded with garnets, opals, and
of several tumble-down houses (though quite lavish by pearls worth perhaps 5,000 gp. Hidden carefully in one
Gurum standards). The whole thing is perched at the of the dwellings is a cutlass of the Golden Gulf, a vial
edge of a sea-cliff overlooking the lagoon. There is only containing two applications of oil of great devotion, and
one direction from which a party can approach on foot. two potions of extra-healing. A number of empty vials
This hardly concerns the ogre magi of the household, nearby indicates that several other potions may have
however, since they can fly to attack or escape. been used in the course of the battle. There is no
The household is occupied by six ogre magithe indication what these were.
greatest being Mus, the rest his extended family. One is
always on guard, although there is a 25% chance the Ogre Mage (6): Int Average; AL LE; AC 4; MV 9,
player characters (if they exercise caution) can reach Fl 15(B); HD 5+2; hp 36, 33, 30, 29, 25, 20; THAC0
the outer wall undetected. From here they can 15; #AT 1; Dmg 1-12; SA Spells; SZ L; ML 14; XP 420
overhear Mus discuss his plans to unleash a horde of each.
sartani on the unprepared islanders. If the group is
seen, the guard instantly vanishes and the alarm is Pursuit
raised. If Mus escapes, make sure the player characters see his
Should the characters approach with the mistaken somewhat spectacular departure. His threat to unleash
belief that Mus might be reasonable, or they just the sartani should still be ringing in their ears. If for
accidently stumble across the compound without some reason they did not hear it, the ogre mage taunts

14
them with it now, his words barely audible on the than 3,000 feet away. From here, player characters will
wind. This should be enough to motivate the have to travel underwater, daring all hazards on the
characters to act. way.
Even if Mus is dead, you still want the characters to The way to the shell is littered with jagged coral
sail to the center of the lagoon (if only to find the reefs and the half-encrusted hulls of sunken ships, a
Great Treasure or clue). As the group pokes through veritable mariners graveyard. This jumble provides
the compound, have a hakima (or the wisest character excellent cover to player characters and enemies alike.
of the lot) find crude writings that describe Muss plan. Far from the vortex, the currents are noticeable but
From it they learn one important thing must still be not strong. At 500 yards, the characters must stay
undone. To gain his power, Mus has opened a portal to within 100 feet of the bottom or they must make a
some other realm, releasing with it the sartani and Strength check to avoid being caught up in the
perhaps worse things. Unless this portal is closed, the whirling waters. At 100 yards, the limit is 50 feet. At
islands will be overrun with hideous monsters. It does 50 yards, player characters must make a Strength
not take much work to discover the portal is located check to avoid being pulled in (only one check per
on the sea floor at the center of the lagoon. character is required). Within 10 yards of the giant
The site can be reached by ship or flying carpet. oyster, any character in contact with the maelstrom is
Chief Shafiya will reluctantly provide a canoe, automatically sucked in.
although you should make the player characters work Those drawn into the maelstrom suffer 1d10 points
to persuade him, especially if the other boatmen never of damage from turbulent waters and are ejected to the
came back. Otherwise, the characters can hurriedly surface at a random point on the outer edge.
return to Qraidis and sail their own ship into the The greatest hazard is Musif he is still alive.
shallow waters, but this can be hazardous. Once in the Aware that the player characters are pursuing him (he
lagoon, the characters need only steer toward the is not a fool), the ogre mage summons six sartani to
center. defend the vortex while he beseeches Karrrga for
The group will have no trouble realizing when they more aid. The sartani are in their own element and
are close. The opened vortex releases massive energies will attack from all directions, including above. These
that chum and roil the water for a thousand yards creatures fight to the death without any guidance from
around. The heart of this maelstrom is a giant oyster Mus.
sitting on the bottom of the lagoon. Resting in its By the time the PCs defeat the sartani, Karrrga has
open shell is a pearl of oily blackness that throbs and answered Muss plea. Describe to the PCs the terrifying
shudders. The violent energies that churn the sea sight of an enormous sartani, easily twice the size of all
thread out from this like the tip of a tornado. This others, emerging from the constricted opening of the
creature is the open gate, and forcing the oysters vortex. Already the fearsome crab head and pincered
valves shut will once more close the vortex. arms of the creature have formed and are waving free.
Getting to the giant oyster is the problem. PCs The eyes glare with malevolent evil. It is the gathering
should rely on their own resources and skill, but if avatar of Karrrga, come to claim his own.
absolutely necessary Chief Shafiya can provide At this point the player characters must act quickly
necklaces enchanted with a spell that allows wearers to and decisively. The fearsome avatar has not fully
breath underwater for 24 hours. The shell rests on the passed through the vortex. Thus, if the shell is closed,
shallow bottom 200 feet below. The roily waters make Karrrgas earthly form will instantly dissipate.
a direct dive impossible. The ship can get no closer Karrrga is not going to let this happen without

15
protest. Although the avatar lacks his full powers 3-18; SA special; SD special; SZ H; ML 15; XP 2,000
(particularly movement), he can still attack the each.
characters while they try to close the shell. Closing
the shell requires a Strength of 24 or greaterif Karrrgas Partial Avatar: Int Very; AL CN; AC-
several characters attempt, use the highest Strength 6; MV N/A; HD N/A; hp N/A; THAC0 4; #AT 1;
rating of those trying and add 3 for every additional Dmg 10-40 (1d4x10); SA water blast at will; MR 20%;
character. (If four characters try and the strongest is a SZ G; ML N/A; XP 0. Karrrgas avatar cannot be
17, the total for the group is 26just enough to do killed by the player characters through normal attacks,
the job.) hence hit points and hit dice are meaningless.

The Great Treasure Aftermath

Once the shell closes, Karrrgas partial form vanishes If the characters defeat Karrrgas avatar, thus setting
with a howl. The maelstrom subsides and the waters everything right once more, they are hailed by the
gradually clear. As this happens, the group notices that Haifami as great heroes and saviors. After several days
one of the reefs is actually an ancient hull completely of obligatory feasting, Chief Shafiya returns the group
encrusted in coral. The fight shattered one side, and to Sams Bandar with five tons worth of cargo as gifts
there among the wreckage is an undamaged chest. (copra, exotic baskets, crab-shell shields, etc.). This
This chest contains either the Great Treasure (if the cargo will fetch from 250 to 1,000 gp per ton,
treasure is the shell of Karrrga, it can be taken from depending on the haggling skills of the characters.
the dissipated avatar) or another clue (see the Map The player characters can also conclude a treaty of
Booklet for the possible clues). In addition the chest friendship and peace between the Haifami and the
contains pearls worth 5,000 gp and two rings of free Zakharans of Sams Bandar. Chief Shafiya, while not
action. converting to the ways of the Loregiver, will allow
missionaries to come among his tribeprovided the
Sartani (6): Int Low; AL CN; AC 2; MV 15; HD people of Sams Bandar restrict the activities of slavers
8; hp 45, 43, 40, 33, 29, 28; THAC0 13; #AT 1; Dmg against the tribe.

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, and AD&D are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

AL-QADIM and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

Copyright 1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
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prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.
All TSR characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
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16
Book 3

Nada al-Hazan
. . . 0 my son, thou hast indeed been miraculously preserved!
Were not the term of thy life a long one, thou hadst not
escaped from these straits . . .

The First Voyage of Sinbad the Seaman

K
now, you who would be wise, that our station is given us by the
wisdom of the gods, and who can be wiser than the gods? Once
there was a sultan who, while standing in his tower, heard the
rattling bowl of a beggar far below, and said to himself, Fate has treated this
man cruelly. Who will say my kingdom is just if I ignore the injustices of
Fate? And he spoke to his wizier, saying, Go to the beggar who cries at my
gate and say to him, Your sultan has listened to your laments against the
cruelty of Fate and found it just. Then give to him this purse of gold so that
he is no longer poor. Thus I can correct the injustice of Fate. When the
wizier returned, having carried out the command, the sultan asked of him
what transpired. The wizier, bowing low, said, O generous sultan, I did as
you commanded, but no sooner had I presented the beggar with the purse
but a loose tile fell from the roof and struck him dead. At first I was moved
to rail against Fate, but then I thought on it and knew the truth. Great
sultan, know that our lives are as given us. Whenever you see a piece of meat
in a mans hand, say, By Fate he deserves this, and when you see a beggar in
rags, say, He deserves no more than this. So Fate has chosen.

Believe him who tells his story first, and bring him grapes to quench his
thirst. . . .

1
 At the edge of the Golden Gulf lies the entrepot to Sayyad (The Hunter) are famed for falcons and sea-
the mysterious Crowded Sea, the island chain of Nada bred horses, respectively. Finally, there is the dreaded
al-Hazan. Here is a swirling mix of civilized and Jazirat al-Gawwar (Island of the Whirlpool), shunned
barbaric, law and anarchy, piety and irreverence, cast by every mariner and pirate familiar with these waters.
across a string of rocky isles. Here death lurks in many Here ferocious currents have given the whole chain
guises, from black-hearted corsairs to churning its name as the Strait of Sorrows. Entire ships are said
maelstroms, giving force to the name Nada al-Hazan, to have been sucked to the bottom, never to surface
Straits of Sorrow. again.
This booklet describes a few of the many villages
and outposts found throughout the half-civilized Climate and Life
islands of Nada al-Hazan, in particular the town of The unfathomable vagaries of current and wind have
Bandar al-Saadat (Port of Luck). The end of this rendered most of Nada al-Hazan dry and treeless.
booklet contains two adventures. The first, A Night in The majority of the islets are covered with thorny
Town, is set in vibrant Bandar al-Saadat. This is likely scrub and straw-like grasses; only the largest islands
to be the first stop for most player characters, and in are capable of supporting sparsely wooded vales
this adventure the group has the opportunity to gain primarily of tamarisk, date, and coconut. These line
clues needed to propel them farther into the Crowded the infrequent streams that wash down the jagged
Sea in search of the Great Treasure. slopes. A few waterways end in silt-laden mangrove
The second adventure, The Isle of Sadness, is swamps, slowly thrusting themselves farther into the
another site where clues or the Great Treasure itself sea.
might lie. This adventure is structured more for role-
playing than heroic battle, and the player characters
must grapple with the riddles of a people who live by Table 3:
the Thousand Shades of Sorrow. Suggested Creatures on the Nada al-Hazan

The Strait of Sorrow Ant, giant

Ant Lion, giant
Hawk, any
Hieracosphinx

N ada al-Hazan is a chain of relatively well- Antelope Hornet, any

explored and moderately settled islands that rise Baboon Naga, dark
in bare rocky prominences above the sea. Well known Bat, any Nymph
to mariners of the Crowded Sea, the chain is Beetle, fire Orpsu
sometimes known as the Silver Road since it is an Centipede, any Rat, any
important way station of the sea lanes. Although Cockatrice Rhaumbusun
composed of a hundred uncharted rocks and islets, the Dogs, wild Roc
chain is normally divided into the Masud Jazayir Dragonne Scorpion, any
(Fortunate Isles), of which Bandar al-Saadat is the Eagle, all Snake, any
center. The islands continue down the chain, Elemental Spider, huge
gradually becoming less and less settled. Closest to Goat Tempest
civilization is al-Zabdiyat (the Bowl), now claimed by Hag, sea Turtle, giant sea
a mysterious shair. Then comes Tawil (Long), a place Harpy Vulture, any
noted only for its bleakness. Dirs (Jaw-tooth) and al-

2
 Birds and pestiferous insects, giant and small, are of the mainland city-states. The concept of the Law as
the most common creatures of the islands. It is claimed presented by the Loregiver is respectedin theory.
that a pair of rocs nest at the southern tip of the chain, Ask a man who owns his land and he will freely
occasionally snatching crewmen from passing ships. answer, The Grand Caliph, for truthand if he
However, it is the small creatures who dominate the comes I will give it to him. Thus the Law is flexed
land. The types vary widely from island to island. On and bent to suit individual strains of the islanders.
al-Zabdiyat, goats that escaped from pirate villages Actions barely tolerated in other landsmoney-
have nearly deforested the entire isle. Parts of the lending, blood feuds, excessive speech, public displays
Masud Jaziyar are noted for an abundance of rats and of celebration, even occasional honest piracy (i.e.,
spiders. Serpents, ranging from small and harmless to not against your neighbors or anyone who can make
great poisonous monsters, are found on Tawil, along trouble)are somewhat the norm for the islanders.
with a species of rock ape unique to the island. These Moralist priests find the Masudi to be abhorrent
primates live in colonies on the steep slopes, well away degenerates or rebellious troublemakers; the Masudi
from the giant ophidians. As noted before, Jazirat al- consider those of the Pantheon, in particular, to be
Sayyad is the source of a particularly fine wild horse, pinch-faced toads.
sea-bred with the stallions of the foam, while the
falcons of Dirs are worthy gifts to the sultans of the Bandar al-Saadat
Golden Gulf. Ruler: Rais Mahmud Ben Aziz (he/m/T/mr/11) rules
Possible animals and monsters for encounters are al-Saadat with a relaxed yet unquestioned grip. Given
listed on Table 3. Although there is a wide range of the morality of the region, the qadis decisions are
choices, no island supports all this life. On each island, often convenientsome would say corruptbut
only a selected few creatures should be encountered. Mahmud knows just who to keep happy in the town.
Mahmud would deny any wrong-doing on his part
Masud Jazayir its just that he approaches justice as another business,
Clustered west of the northern tip of the Nada al- selling the law to those who can pay.
Hazan chain is a group of islands known as the Masud The Court: Since Mahmud has many interests, he
Jazayir. The islands are the farthest outpost of Zakharan cannot attend to every little matter of town
colonization in the Crowded Sea. The isles are low and administration. He has created several posts to handle
rolling, marked by small streams from natural springs the day-to-day affairs. Naturally, he would only entrust
that wend down fertile vales. With such temptations, these to family members. There is his brother Karim
the Masud Jazayir has quickly become the vanguard of Ben Aziz (he/m/F/a/8), captain of the marketplace
Zakharan expansion. Small coastal settlements dot guard (whose guardsmen are all sons, nephews, and
these islands. With careful irrigation, the islands yield a cousins of the Aziz); his widowed daughter Halima
wide variety of produce from orchard and field (he/f/T/mr/5), town bookkeeper; and Aasim
almonds, sesame seeds, dates, sugar cane, grapes, (e/m/W/sh/7), his brother-in-law, who inspects all
pomegranates, citrons, figs, and cotton. Goats, sheep, cargoes at the wharf. Like Mahmud, these officials
and a few cattle are raised for local use. view their posts as a business meant to enrich the Aziz
The settlements have not brought with them all the family.
features of Zakharan life, however. Many of the Population: An average of 800, although this
islanders descend from outlaws, rebels, and number varies greatly with the coming and going of
malcontents seeking to escape the relatively rigid law the trading seasons.

3
 Distinguishing Features of the Populace: Two marketplace, and keeps 50% of the profits. The rest is
features mark an outlander from the citizens of al- magically shipped out to her employers. By wisely
Saadat. The obvious one is speech. The Masudi have spreading her wealth throughout the town, she has
a passionate love of words and, thus, never approach become a respectable citizenat least so long as she
any conversation directly and to the point. How are is successful.
you? becomes Hail, my brother, on this gracious day Noted Features of the Town: It is said of al-
that Fate has created and sent to entertain us, Saadat, like it is said of many places, that here is a
including myself, least of all beings, while surely you market where a man can buy anything. The claim is
must be richer than I to be out on this fine day? more true here than most; gems, gold, silver, and
Haggling for them is more than just businessit is a magic all pass through the ports stalls. Is there
chance to show off ones artistic skill. nothing that cannot be bought or sold by the
The second distinguishing feature, while not as merchants of al-Saadat? One local legend maintains
overt, is a trait of personality. For the Masudi of al- that here the gods themselves come in disguise to trade
Saadat, all life is business and all business is pleasure. for the souls of the living. Another maintains that
Making deals is more than a way of making moneyit Anwar the Fool bought the secret of Shulifan, the
is a reason for existence. Furthermore, a sharp deal or a Caliphate of Gold, from a merchant here. Was he
hard bargain can earn a man fame and reputation. The swindled? Perhaps, but no one has ever seen Anwar
Masudi judge according to the cleverness of ones begging in the streets since.
haggling. Bandar al-Saadat, the Crossroad of Trade, is the
Major Products: Trade goods of all types. center of the ungoverned Masud frontier and the
Armed Forces: The citizens can be mustered into meeting point of two major trade routes. From the east
an effective militia of 100 soldiers. They are practiced come ships bearing the iron and silver of Harab, and
at defending the port from sporadic pirate raids. The spices from Bariya; from the south come exotic
militia is backed by a cadre of assorted wizards (lvl 3- treasures from wild and unexplored lands. It is to
6), eight in all, who work for the merchants of al- Bandar Saadat, the gateway to civilized lands, that the
Saadat and the eight priests of the small temples in sailors converge to refit and celebrate.
town. Because of this, the large and powerful merchants of
Other Important Individuals: Al-Saadat is a way the Pearl Cities and great Huzuz herself have set up
point for many travelers and adventurers of the shop here to buy up the choicest items brought in the
Crowded Sea. Thus, there is always a good chance that ships. Each major merchant house maintains its own
someone of fame or notoriety may be temporarily caravansary (a combination travelers inn and
residing here. Of permanent and semi-permanent warehouse) for visiting captains. The caravansaries are
residents, the most infamous is certainly Ghunayya of stout, well-protected compounds, a scattering of small
the Rose Petal (h/f/F/c/12), the pirate queen. Captain forts rising above the rest of al-Saadat.
of a ship sometimes called the Djinnis Flower, The towns shoreline is lined with piers, wharfs, and
sometimes the Floating Rose, Ghunayya is a semi- quays. Those owned by the town are fine, solid affairs
legitimate privateer who does not raid of stone, with cranes and porters in abundance.
indiscriminately. Instead, she sells her skills as a pirate Berthing fees, paid to the Ben Aziz, are high: 2-5% of
to cities and nations throughout Zakhara. Armed with the cargoes value. Farther to the edges the piers
the appropriate letters of marque, she raids the ships of become rickety affairs, and the berthing fees drop
her employers rivals, dumps the cargoes in al-Saadats accordingly.

4
 Typically a ship owner will deal with the same Khadiga building it? No one knows for sure, but some
merchant house from year to year, berthing with say it is for herself. Others suggest it is meant to honor
regularity at the same pier unless angered or lured away a dead lover.
by offers of better deals. Once sold, the goods are If this gossip werent enough, other mysteries seem
carried back by ships that sail only from al-Saadat to to swirl around the reclusive Khadiga. Each year, near
the Golden Gulf and back again, a practice known as the Festival of Fasting, strangers arrive in Bandar al-
trading the short road among the merchant Saadat. Sometimes they are human, sometimes they
community. are clearly not. With each visit, the discreetly asked
Indeed, many of the captains who ply the Crowded questions are always the same: Has anyone seen the
Sea never once carry their cargoes to the Golden Gulf. woman of al-Zabdiyat? Have they bought anything
Instead, they off-load all their goods in al-Saadat. from her? Has she asked for this curious item or these
Although most of a ships goods are hauled to the rare goods? The strangers are no more open than
caravansary, a few items always manage to reach the Khadiga herself, sometimes artfully, sometimes
Swallows Bazaar (named after the birds that roost threateningly, turning aside all questions. It is a
under the nearby eaves). As a result, the town has a mystery within a mystery.
thriving marketplace. Though Bandar al-Saadat has
the appearance of an outlying backwater, this facade Dirs
conceals vast fortunes of both legal and questionable When in the Samardaz the poet Kalil said, How the
means. falcon speaks in words of flight . . . , surely he was
writing of the regal birds of Dirs. The rocky slopes of
Al-Zabdiyat this island have been the nesting home of an
Visible from the shores of the Masuds are the very tips exceptional breed of hunting bird for centuries. The
of the mountains that form the walls of the ill-famed falcons of Dirs have been presented to sultans and
al-Zabdiyat, a pair of crescent islands at the mouth of caliphs, even shipped as gifts to the kings beyond the
the Strait of Woe. These islands are rarely visited by Land of Fate.
honest folk, and they are usually avoided by sailors, for Given the wonder and value of the birds, it would
the round, storm-free lagoon is now the abode of be reasonable to expect Dirs to be well settledor at
Khadiga (h/f/W/sh/15) and her pet, Shipwrecker, a least with one small thriving village of falconers and
giant sea snake. Since the two arrived several decades merchants to capture, train, and sell the birds. This is
ago, the few other islanders have fled or disappeared. not the case. Dirs is a desolate wasteland, a bitter
The shair, through inhuman messengers, has made it tangle of cliffs and rock, sun-burnt grasses and twisted
clear that no one is to disturb her islands. At first a trees. No civilized settlement is found here, not even a
few ships ignored the ban; they were never seen again. single hut, for the falcons of Dirs have special
Since then there have been more than a few strange protectors.
sinkings and attacks against vessels which stray too Dirs is the domain of maskhi (see the Monstrous Com-
close to her shores. pendium: AL-QADIM TM appendix), a shape-shifting
Of the few reports heard from those who have race that calls Dirs their home. These creatures want
visited the island and survived, all concur upon a little to do with the outside world. Since the maskhi
single point. According to survivors, a great domed can assume falcon form, they are highly distrustful of
and towered mausoleum of the clearest crystal rises falconers. Indeed, there are tales of bird-catchers
from the very center of the great lagoon. Why is snaring their prey only to discover an angry and armed

5
little maskhi in their nets. Rather than continually the source of the magnificent Sayyad bloodline of
endure snares and the resultant humiliation (and horses. The breed is noted for its speed, grace, and fiery
possible death), the maskhi find it much simpler to temperament. Sayyads are referred to as sea-bred, for
keep Dirs free of strangers. it is rumored that the islands mares are mated to
Landing on Dirs, a group is likely to be faced by an magical stallions that rise out of the ocean foam. It is
emissary of the maskhi. In accordance with the also said that only a true horseman can master a full-
traditions of their people, the emissary courteously blooded Sayyad. Since there are more horse riders than
warns the strangers from staying on Dirs. If the true horsemen, Sayyads are normally sold on the
characters remain, they are subject to incessant mainland to sire other Zakharan horses. Half-, even
ambushes by concealed maskhi. quarter-Sayyads, retain much of the fire and fine
It is not impossible to befriend the maskhi, though qualities of their sires.
it is hard. If the strangers show both courage and The horses of Sayyad are watched over by most
gentleness (refusing to fight an ambush or voluntarily unusual herdsmentasked herdsmen genies. These
surrendering to the emissary), they can gradually servants were bound long ago by Alim Zangi, a great
befriend these strange people. Only those who have shair, when he cunningly tricked them into accepting
gained the trust of the maskhi can hope to snare the his service. At first the genies railed against Zangi and
falcons, since the little people otherwise assume bird their task, but over the centuries they have come to
form and warn off the intended prey. accept and even enjoy watching over their charges.
In Bandar al-Saadat there is one family of bird- They take great pride in the fame the Sayyad breed has
catchers whom the maskhi do trustthe Ben Nabil. achieved. Thus, they have become quite particular
Once a year the grandfather, father, and son of the about who buys their steeds (for they do sell them).
family make the voyage to Dirs, snare a few birds, and Buying even a single stallion (for that is all they sell
bring them back for training. Because their few catches at a time) from the genies of al-Sayyad is much more
bring in vast sums, the Ben Nabil jealously guard their complicated than just simply haggling for a fair price.
secrets, particularly of their relations with the maskhi. The genies care nothing for money, but demand
The Ben Nabil are not above sabotaging the efforts of extraordinary payments. Such costs are meant to test
others to reach Dirs. the character of the buyer. Suitable buyers must
demonstrate honesty, compassion, wisdom, knowledge
Jazirat al-Sayyad of horses, and nobility. The genies assume that those
This long island (sometimes called the Sea Anvil for who possess these qualities will treat their precious
its shape and jagged shores) is considered deadly water stallions well.
by most mariners. Wild currents curl around its cliff- The purchase deed, since it invariably involves a
lined shore and threaten to sweep ships into any of a task, changes with each transaction. Even those who
thousand rocks that wait like jagged teeth beneath the have dealt with the genies before must undergo the
waves. Huge stormy swells threaten to sweep ships same critical examination each time they return. The
against the gray cliffs. Most of the shoreline is a jagged herdsmen have no faith in the reliability of humans
wall with few safe places to land. The beaches can only they are too short-lived to be dependable. (Not that
be reached by threading the treacherous maze of rocks herdsmen genies are the image of reliability.)
and steering close to the gray cliff walls. Payments demanded by the genies include the
Nonetheless, there are mariners who will try, for answers to riddles, winning near-impossible races, or
there is valuable trade to be had. Jazirat al-Sayyad is punishing previous buyers who have mistreated their

6
precious purchases. The genies consider every Sayyad The island is the stronghold of the Wordless Ones, a
stallion theirs, even those they have sold. More than sect of holy slayers.
once they have demanded and received a great price
only to tell the buyer he can claim the horse of so-and- It is the last outpost of the lost wicked kingdoms of
so who is no longer worthy to own it. (Of course, it is Nog and Kadar. Their dark wizards summon up the
then up to the new purchaser to collect his goods.) whirlpool to destroy all who venture too close to
their land.
Jazirat al-Gawwar
At the very southern end of Nada al-Hazan lies the Jazirat al-Gawwar was granted to the genies by the
treacherous namesake of the entire island chain, a First Caliph in exchange for the secrets of the ship
ferocious and unpredictable whirlpool several leagues so that we could rule the seas as we rule the land.
across. It is known by many namesal-Gawwar, al-
Hazan, the Marids Mouth, and Maut Ahmar. If it had Of course, none of these rumors is completely true.
a fixed position, the maelstrom would be an easily Jazirat is inhabited, but not by monsters, evil wizards,
avoided threat, but this whirlpool seems to operate dead civilizations, or genies. It is the home of the
with a malevolent intelligence. It has been sighted in Forbidden, a people cursed by the gods to remain in
scores of different locations, sometimes churning at the isolation. Thus they have been hidden for four
center of a fierce storm, other times unexpectedly centuries, all memory of who they once erased with
shattering the surface of a placid sea. The only thing time from the records of the civilized world.
certain (and that only reasonably so) is that the Their story is thus: Once there was a city,
Marids Mouth always appears close to the shoreline of Takabbar. It was small but rich and urbane, and the
Jazirat al-Gawwar. Thus, this island is named after its people were proud of their accomplishments. Alas,
evil companion. but it was their blasphemy to deny the existence of
Not surprisingly, Jazirat al-Gawwar remains a the True Godsindeed the existence of any gods
mysterious and unexplored placeat least by ship. It is when the word of the Loregiver was brought to them.
said that wizards travel there by means of their Incensed by the pride of these humans, the True Gods
sorcerous powers. If this were true (which it is not), hurled their small city skyward. They allowed it
they have been very tight-lipped about what they have finally to come to rest here, and then set al-Gawwar
found. There are many rumors about the island, but off-shore to prevent any from ever discovering the
characters cannot gain any solid facts before arriving. Forbidden. It was then decreed that, since the citizens
Rumors the characters can learn are: of Takabbar had denied the gods, thereafter would the
gods ever deny them. All knowledge and signs of the
Jazirat al-Gawwar is just an uninhabited rock. After greater powers were wiped from the minds of the
all, who could ever live there? Takabbari. Only one god, Hakiyah, the Voice of
Mercy, took pity on them. She decreed that their
The whole island is overrun by evil creatures, but isolation would end on the day they understood the
the gods created the Marids Mouth to keep the True Sorrow. As a sign of her promise, she set the
beasts on their island. Tower of the Test on the hill at the center of town.
There the imprisoned of Takabbar could face the
The island is a secret fortress of the Brotherhood of challenge that would release them from the prison of
the True Flame. Jazirat al-Gawwar.

7
 Since that time centuries ago, the citizens of theyre lucky. A Night in Town, while potentially
Takabbar have endured the isolation by turning dangerous, is not meant to be a serious adventure. It
inward. They are now a gentle and philosophical relies on a number of basic comic techniques
people, connoisseurs of the melancholy they have mistaken identity, incredible stupidity, amazing
sought all their lives to perfect. It is only by coincidence, and cheap slapstick. With these tools you
discovering the True Sorrow, the one chosen by the should be able to rope the characters into a number of
gods, that they can once more rejoin life. improbable and stupid encounters.
Unfortunately, they have not yet discovered the secret Player characters who rely on hacking their way
of the True Sorrow. through every threat will have a difficult time with
For Takabbar, sadness is not just an emotionit is this adventure. Quick wits, a glib tongue, and fast feet
the course of life. Where the desert rider knows a are likely to be of much greater use. As DM, try to
hundred different forms of sand, from the sand that discourage any impulsive desires to solve things with a
swirls into the soft-sided dune to old and hard-packed sword. There are plenty of chances for that in other
sand that hints at water beneath, so a Takabbari can adventures.
distinguish the fine shades of sorrow. There is the
sadness felt when the sun sets, declaring another day of Getting Ready
failure, and the sorrow of a meal past and lost to the A Night in Town has as its central problem a case of
memory of the palate. mistaken identity. One of the player characters is
Were any to reach the city, they would find assumed to be a notorious thief. It is more than just a
Takabbar a curious placea lingering outpost of matter of sort of looks likethe mix-up occurs
another age. The citizens speak in the stilted ways of because the player character looks exactly like the
Old Midani, the splendid buildings have not changed thief; the two could be identical twins. No magic or
in four hundred years, and the people wear clothes out monsters are involved in thisit is just a complete
of fashion for centuries. Deprived of contact with the and amazingly-convenient coincidence.
outside world, Takabbar has stagnateda museum of Before starting the adventure, you need to select
what once was. one PC to be the unfortunate double. Do not pick
Even more curious, although perhaps not randomly! Instead, choose your victim based on three
immediately noticeable, is Takabbars complete lack of things. First, consider the personalities of your players
religion. There are no priests, no temples, nor any (not player characters)those who are least likely to
understanding of these. It is knowledge that has been quickly figure out what is going on and yet react
banished from their mindsand that is the True quickly (and comically) are good choices. Second,
Sorrownot to know the beauty of the Loregiver. consider the personality of the player charactersthe
ideal PC victims outlook on life should be as different
Adventure: from the NPC thief as is possible. Choose a PC who is
generally upright, moral, and would never commit a
A Night in Town
crimeperhaps a priest or straight-laced shair. Dont

T
his adventure can occur anytime the characters use a player character thief as your foilone thief
have dropped anchor in Bandar al-Saadat, the impersonating another is not nearly as funny as a
great crossroad of trade. It is an opportunity for the hapless fighter pretending to be a thief. Third, try to
characters to relax, have a little fun, possibly get choose the most distinctive looking PC you can who
themselves killed, and gain an important clue if still meets the other criteria. (The choice can be male

8
or female.) Is one of your choices six-foot three, red- Firuz is a quick thinker with a silver tongue.
haired, and speaks with a squeaky voice? There could Although the confusion created by the mistaken
never be two of him, could there? identity will throw him at first, he quickly works out
what is happening and tries to use it to his
The Cast of Characters advantage.
The action of this adventure revolves around
personalities and role-playing. Thus, it is necessary to Karbuqa, a confederate of Firuz/Zumurrud
have a large cast with varying motives and ambitions. 5th/6th-level Half-elven Male Fighter/Thief (Saluk)
Since characters are not expected to fight these NPCs, AC 7, hp 22, THAC0 16, Dmg 1d8
most have few statistics and more about their motives Karbuqa is Firuzs most trusted follower who
and goals. typically aids the master thief on his escapades, mostly
by doing legwork and providing muscle. Karbuqa is
Firuz/Zumurrud the Accursed engagingly dimslow on the uptake as it were. He is
10th-level Thief (Saluk) a born follower, eager to please and easy to anger. Less
Race and Sex: as needed of a thief and more a fighter, Karbuqa is most cheerful
Neutral Evil (and bloodthirsty) in a fight. His final endearing
quality is a certain dull-witted stubbornness. Once
Str 16 Int 13 HP 39 Karbuqa seizes upon an idea, it is virtually impossible
Dex 15 Wis 16 THAC0: 16 to change his mind. In this adventure, he cannot be
Con 12 Cha 15 AC: 8 convinced the PC is not Firuz.
Karbuqa is a short, burly man, bald and clean
PP OL FT MS HS DN CW RL Backstab shaven. His wide pop-eyes and heavy jowls make his
6 0 7 0 3 5 8 0 6 5 2 5 7 0 2 0 4 sweaty face unforgettably distinctive.
For several days, Karbuqa has been in Bandar al-
Wpn Proficiencies: Cutlass, katar, tigers claws, staff Saadat, awaiting the arrival of Firuz. Following orders
Non-Wpn Proficiencies: Appraising, awareness, sent ahead, the burly assistant has been casing the Ben
disguise, reading lips Ayyub caravansary, learning the layout, number of
Equipment: Normal clothing and equipment as guards, and general routine of the place. In addition,
needed, sword +2, dagger (katar) of quickness, 3 potions messages from Firuz have instructed him to collect a
of dreaming, scarab of deception strange assortment of itemstwo perfect white doves,
a jelibah of outlandish colors, a basket of snakes, and
The double for this adventure is one master thief, a two blown-out eggshells. Karbuqa has no idea what
saluk named Firuz (if the victim is male) or Zumurrud Firuz intends to do with these items and is
(if female), also called the Accursed or the Clever, understandably curious.
according to victims and admirers respectively. At their first meeting, Karbuqa instantly assumes
Physically, Firuz is a perfect match of the chosen the PC is Firuz and the rest of the party are the gang.
PC, including visible scars and voice. The clothing is Thereafter, he ranges from curiosity about the plan,
completely different, Firuz dressing in a style eager offers to help, and sullen paranoia that he is
completely opposite to that of the chosen PCflashy being cut out of the loot.
vs. conservative, for example. The two characters have
hair the same length but styled differently.

9
Kilij and Maneira baths he always has the table or pool to himself,
Two 6th-level Male and Female Halfling Thieves (Holy muttering his dire plans. On sighting Firuz, all Jawalis
Slayers) careful schemes of revenge vanish as the faris leaps up,
Both AC 6, hp 23, 18, THAC0 18, Dmg 1d3+1 brandishing his weapon, and tries to knock the thief
Kilij and Maneira are members of the Gilded Palm, unconscious, all the while shrieking about justice for
a matched team of assassins. They have currently been Najm. Do not explain his actions to the PCsjust
lent to Umm Ayyub, head of the Ben Ayyub why they are being attacked is one of the mysteries of
merchant house. Unknown to the rest of the world, the whole night.
the caravansary of Ben Ayyub currently houses a
unique holy relic of Jisan the Bountifula golden coin Alix
was bestowed by the deity. Kilij and Maneira have Ajami Merchant-woman
learned that the master thief Firuz (whom they have Alix, blond hair going gray, is a small merchant and
never seen) plans to steal this coin, and it is their task one of the few ajami in Bandar al-Saadat. She has
to find him and prevent the theft. heard rumors (like everyone but the player characters)
The halfling slayers have two obstacles. First, that Firuz is in the port. Armed with only a general
neither knows Firuz; hence, they will mix-up the description, she wants to contact the thief for a
victim PC with the true thief. Second, the pair was commissioned jobto steal the coin of Jisan from Ben
cursed with the Evil Eye during their last job, which is Ayyub. Confident her description is good, Alix tries to
something they have not yet realized. This curse is hire the person she thinks is Firuz without ever asking
likely to save the PCs lives. Although Kilij and a direct question or saying directly what she wants.
Maneira are as efficient and cold-blooded as they Hooded and veiled, she strikes up mysterious
come, the curse foils all their perfect plans. Their conversations, offering jobs and trying to haggle prices,
hearts are stone, their plans cruel, but they have all the assuming the pseudo-Firuz understands her intentions.
success of bumbling killers. This is an opportunity for much misunderstanding and
talking at cross-purposes.
Jawali
8th-level Male Dwarf Fighter (Faris) The Market Guard
AC 6, hp 34, THAC0 13, Dmg 1d8 Eight 1st-level Male Half Fighters (Aakar)
It is unfortunate for Firuz (and the PC victim) that All AC 8, hp 5, THAC0 20, Dmg 1d8
Jawali is in town just at this time. Once Jawali was Karim, Captain of the Marketplace Guard, has
responsible for the security of the temple treasure in heard there may be a dangerous thief in town, and he
Jumlat. Alas, but the Temple of Najm in Jumlat was has a description that roughly matches Firuzand
robbed during Jawalis watch. The faris got a good look several other people. As a precaution, he has ordered
at the thief and eventually matched a name to the his men (family, every one) to round up any
faceFiruz. Since then, Jawali has been tracking the suspicious-looking strangers. Fortunately, Karims men
thief from city to city and crime to crime, determined are more accident-prone than skilled. When running
to seize Firuz and drag him back to Jumlat for justice. the guard, describe how they pursue any suspect with
Jawali is a fierce, barely social dwarf. He never shouts and confusion. They bang into each other, trip,
smiles and never forgets the stain on his honor. Every tackle the wrong person, slip on melons, and narrowly
day, from morning to night, he is obsessed by the miss their goal at nearly every turn. The guard gives
thought of catching Firuz. At the coffee house and you many excuses for slapstick interludes.

10
Other Devices jokes given here have no purpose and will quickly
In addition to the characters briefly described above, grow tiresome and annoying. On this night, the player
there are a number of running gags you can use. (A characters must try to find the next clue they need to
running gag is a joke or incident you repeat several track down the Great Treasure.
timeswith variationsuntil it becomes an It is likely that the PCs begin the adventure with
anticipated joke for the group.) this intention, using previous clues they have
Whenever an NPC meets the PC look-alike, the obtained. If not, then one of the PCs receives a
NPC says, Firuz, youre not as tall as the stories make mysterious message before the action begins. Come to
you out to be, or something like that. the coffee house of Buri at the edge of the bazaar if you
At the height of the chase, a black cat (or other seek to gain. The message is from Alix and concerns
ill-omened creature) appears. All action stops as every her commission, but the PCs can give it any
NPC eyes the creature with superstitious fear. interpretation they want. Once the adventure begins,
In the bazaar, pursuers crash into a stack of allow mistaken assumptions and broad hints to keep
melons. Each time the cursing merchant finishes the characters probing.
rebuilding his display, it is destroyed again. The incentive to deal with all the NPCs is that one
Anytime Alix appears, the characters hear of them does possess a clue to the Great Treasure,
mysterious theme music. (Theres no reason for this at although he or she does not realize its importance.
all, but dont tell them that.) Choose one NPC to possess this knowledge. (For
example, Rais Mahmud could answer their question as
Keeping NPCs Alive a reward for sorting everything out in the end.)
This adventure will fall apart if you allow the PCs to Since neither side knows what the other is looking
kill the NPCs listed above. Therefore, you need ways for, conversations should be full of double-entendres
to keep them alive. First and foremost, discourage and mistaken assumptions. Since the clue is not
fightingkeep reminding sword-happy characters that particularly valuable to the NPC who knows it, once
they could be arrested and executed by the rais of the PCs straighten things out they can learn what they
Bandar al-Saadat. The threat of official wrath is real need to know without difficulty. Use the rules for
and characters will quickly discover not all the city giving clues found in the Map Booklet.
guards are bumbling fools.
Of course fights will be unavoidable, but even then Situations
unnecessary death can be avoided. The first reaction of An adventure like this does not structure itself well to
nearly every NPC to danger is flight. With the the normal keyed encounter or even to one that
exception of Jawali, no one is willing to fight to the defines a series of incidents. Too many things are
death or serious injury. When fighting, encourage the dependent on the actions and reactions of the player
use of non-deadly forceallow PCs to knock out, trip, characters. Therefore, instead of trying to dictate the
entangle, or blind opponents. Finally, if things go very course of events, the encounters here provide
bad, the NPCs will surrenderabjectly and completely. descriptions of a likely place for an encounter, the
NPCs present and what their opening actions will be,
Goal and a few desirable (or amusing) outcomes. None of
Throughout all this confusion and mix-up, the player the situations leads directly from one to the next,
characters need a goalsomething for them to strive allowing you to spring whichever one you think works
for and set their sights on. Otherwise, all the gags and best at a given moment.

11
 Naturally, this method calls for a fair amount of seen in the process. The cries of the brass merchant
improvisation on your part. For those uncomfortable bring the Marketplace Guard and the chase begins.
with this method of role-playing, the best advice is just Firuz wastes no time, easily leading his pursuers to a
to relax and let things happen. For this adventure, point where they come face-to-face with the
there is no coincidence too improbable, no outcome unsuspecting PC. That character can either flee madly
too ridiculous. through the market or face arrest.
If the other PCs are in the area and the true Firuz
The Coffee House of Buri knows who they are, he deliberately falls in with them,
Buried behind a rickety line of heaped fruit, tucked pretending to be the victim PC. He hopes the group
next to Usamah the Carpet Dealers stall, is the Coffee will unwittingly vouch for him, but if they are arrested
House of Buri. The small establishment is carpeted and as his gang, so much the better. He escapes any
furnished with worn cushions. A number of customers arrest.
are enjoying small cups of heavily-spiced and For any chase that breaks out, give the characters
sweetened coffee, as is the style in Bandar al-Saadat. all the opportunities of any good movie chase. There
Among these customers sits Alix, her face and hair are convenient baskets and large jars to hide in, carts
completely concealed. She is waiting for Firuz to to overturn, ropes to swash and buckle from, and lots
arrive. By sheer chance, Karbuqa is also here, since of dead-end alleys. In all cases, be sure to allow some
Buris is the place where he is to meet with his boss, means for the characters to escapepreferably one
Firuzan amazing coincidence, that. that is colorful and comicgrabbing a sheet and
When the group enters, both Alix and Karbuqa sprinting through the womens (or mens) bath, hiding
notice the pseudo-Firuz PC. After they take cushions, inside a rolled rug, leaping into a stall to impersonate
Alix cautiously watches and then approaches. She the merchant owner, or climbing the end of the fakirs
assumes anyone with the PC is part of his gang. rope to reach a rooftop.
Meanwhile, Karbuqa is doing a double take. At first he
impulsively moves to greet Firuz, but when the PC The Night Market
doesnt notice him, the lug assumes his boss is playing This situation begins at night when the group is
dumb, and so will he. Only when he can get a private passing through the nearly empty bazaar. If the PC has
word to Firuz does he approachperhaps when not yet been fingered as Firuz by somebody, Karbuqa
everyone is leaving. does so now, loudly and foolishly accosting the player
At this point have the two NPCs confuse the character. He wants to know about the job and why
characters. he has collected the things Firuz ordered.
Karbuqas talk instantly alerts three othersJawali,
Double-Takes Kilij, and Maneira. Kilij and Maneira carefully stalk
This situation occurs during the day when the victim the player characters. Just as they leap to silently
PC is by himself or can be separated from the rest of strike, Jawali barrels through them, screaming oaths
the group. As the character rounds the corner of the and whirling his huge sword. The halflings are sent
market, he bumps into a heavily veiled manthe real sprawling, but it should be clear that Jawali is not
Firuz. There are quick, startled apologies, but Firuz is helping the player characters. Allow a crazed three-
mostly amazed by meeting himself. He hurries away, way melee to erupt and have the slayers and Jawali get
but instantly sees an opportunity. Trailing the into an argument about just who gets to kill Firuz.
character, he stages a small theft, making sure he is Karbuqa immediately flees.

12
The Arrest and trusted hakima. With her powers, she is able to
In the dark of night, just when the PCs think all is discern which Firuz is which and bring the confusion
peaceful, Karim and his guardsmen burst in on the to an end.
player characters and arrest the unfortunate Firuz
double. Any who protest are assumed to be his Epilogue
accomplices. PCs who profess ignorance are released. As a final twist, just after the characters cast off from
Respectful PCs can accompany the guard and appear Bandar al-Saadats wharf, there is sudden burst of
at the diwan to state their case before Rais Mahmud shouting and cursing on the shore which is apparently
Ben Aziz. While the PCs are arguing for their directed at them. What has happened? Straining their
companions life, the Marketplace Guard brings in a ears, the group hears the cry, Stop them! Stop them!
new captivethe real Firuzto the amazement of Firuz has escaped from the palace and that may be him
everyone present. Just to make matters worse (and in escaping!
the tradition of most farces), all the other NPCs in the
adventure have been gathered at the diwan. Firuz and
the PC are dressed identically (if this is possible). The
Adventure:
rais has a simple solution to the question of who is The Isle of Sadness
whokill them both.
There is a quick scuffle, during which the
characters and the doubles can escape. However,
T his adventure is set on the isle of Jazirat al-
Gawwar, home of the long-lost and forgotten city
of Takabbar. It is a possible hiding place for the Great
guards block the exit from the palace, so everyone Treasure, or where one might gain a clue to the
must find some way over the walls. Run the PCs treasures true location.
through a merry chase in the grand tradition of farces This adventure is very different from all others.
(and cartoons). Make up any number of rooms, Properly played, the characters need never draw a
doorways, halls, stairs, urns, and pillars for people to weapon once. At no time are their lives in danger, nor
dash into, hide behind, pop out of, and leap from. The are there great rewards to be won by wresting treasure
PCs should meet every NPC at least once, if not from monsters. Instead, The Isle of Sadness presents a
several times, and even encounter them from several simple puzzlehow to get off the island of Jazirat al-
directions at once. Gawwar. No amount of force or magic will succeed
The PCs, barely a step ahead of Rais Mahmuds only wit can save the characters.
guards, sprint down a hallway and through the first
door they see. With a sigh of relief, they watch the Into the Deep
guards rush by, only to have their calm shattered by This adventure begins with the characters making
the shrieks of women. They are in Mahmuds harim! for the coast of Jazirat al-Gawwar. Perhaps they are
The guards wheel and charge toward the door. following a clue that leads them here, and perhaps
Thinking fast, the group sprints through the outraged they have just wandered too close to this ill-fated
harim and yanks open another door, only to find shore. The reasons for their arrival are not
themselves staring at the backs of Kilij and Maneira. important, only that they have come within range of
Now what? al-Gawwar.
This pandemonium is finally resolved when all The day is beautifully calm and peaceful, with an
characters are captured again and brought before the ocean serene and gently swelling in the steady wind. It
rais. At his side is Latifa Bint Husam, Mahmuds sister is a fine day for sailing.

13
 The peace is shattered by a bass rumbling that The group is not awake very long before they are
vibrates through the planks of the ship. Small items spied by a young shepherd from the islands interior. As
jiggle and creep across the deck. The crewmen turn the group spots him, he disappears over a rise. A short
ashen with fear, looking across the waters for the time later the youth returns, leading a delegation of six
source of the noise. At first nothing can be seen, but venerable, bearded ulama. The natives stop and Salaam
then the didban utters a fearful cry: Al-Gawwar! O a safe distance away. Once certain the PCs do not
rubban, look at the waves! he gibbers. The gentle intend any evil, the sages sympathetically welcome
swells reveal a fearful sightinstead of rolling gently them to Takabbar.
in the direction of the wind, they are beginning to Oh, woe that you should suffer cruel shipwreck; great
twist and swirl into the opening maw of a great our sorrow for your fortune now sunk beneath the waves;
whirlpool. and alas we feel the pain you feel that all should happen
At this point, no amount of sail or oars can save the most cruelly on this fine day. Great is our sorrow to see
ship, but certainly let the characters try. In a few you fallen so and it is with sadness that we welcome you to
minutes the eddy speeds up and widens, the center homes. Know that what little we have shall be yours, so
pulling toward the bottom. The ship is carried that your melancholy may be eased.
helplessly in an ever-quickening circle toward the Each character is treated courteously, and
center. Describe the helpless turns of the shipfaster arrangements are made for them to reside together as
and faster, deeper and deeperuntil the very bottom guests of the rais of Takabbar.
of the ocean, hundreds of feet below, appears. By now
the ship is spinning so fast that everyone blacks out In Takabbar
under the intense strain. The last image the characters Once taken in, the PCs are shown every kindness.
see is of a gigantic, fantastic face on the sea floor, This will probably leave your players crazed with
sucking in the ocean. paranoid suspicion, but the truth of the matter is that
their characters are in absolutely no danger from the
Awakening Takabbari. The citizens are kind, gracious, gentle, and
The characters do not die. Instead, describe that they generous. They do not carry weapons since there are
feel weak, warm, and wet. Grit and salt rub their no enemies to fight on their island. (This does not
cheeks, sand crumbles between their fingers. mean they cannot defend themselves, however.) Their
Gradually, they regain consciousness to find ways are odd and stilted, but this is hardly cause for
themselves half in the surf of a sunlit beach. They alarm.
may be bruised and battered, but none of the PCs are At this point, allow the player characters the run of
seriously hurt. The rest of the crew, alas, is not so Takabbar and Jazirat al-Gawwar. Obviously they
fortunate. Only those NPCs you choose have survived cannot barge into other peoples homes, but the
(a favorite henchman, for example); all other characters are not guarded or under arrest in any way.
crewmen are missing or their drowned bodies are In their explorations, the characters may notice many
nearby, rolling in the surf. Of the ship, only scattered things, by inquiry or through a successful Wisdom
wreckage remains. Again, you can allow them to find check if you so choose.
a chest of favorite possessions. (This shipwreck is not At the very center of the city stands a four-sided
meant to strip characters of all their hard-earned tower surrounded by a wall with four gates. The tower
friends and treasures, although losing a few wont does not appear inhabited, and no one is ever seen
hurt). coming or going from it.

14
 There are no temples, mosques, or places of carpets lose power about 1 mile from shore and can
worship in the city (or anywhere on the island). Like- barely glide back to the beach. Planar travel is
wise, the player characters see no priests of any type. possible, but the astral and ethereal realms surrounding
Although on an island, the Takabbari have no this island are guarded by hideous monsters. No direct
port, waterfront docks, or even fishing boats. As a aid will be forthcoming from the gods. The Takabbari
group, they exhibit a morbid fear of the water. have no ships, shipwrights, or sailors. Even should the
The people never mention the gods, the characters build a vessel, they will be caught within
Loregiver, or the Law of the Loregiver. If asked about a the waters of al-Gawwar and regurgitated once more
particular god, they are confused. onto the shore.
The Takabbari know nothing about recent events
in the world (say, for the last 400 years). If the PCs get The Tower of the Test
into a discussion with an alim about the Land of Fate, The only sure way off Jazirat al-Gawwar is through the
he describes a land that existed 400 years ago. Tower of the Test. Anyone can pass through the gates
Everyone in the city is perpetually sad, sorrowful, in the outer wallgetting out again may be another
regretful, melancholy, remorseful, rueful, mournful, matter entirely.
plaintive, cheerless, bleak, drear, somber, grave, Beyond the walls, the PCs find a sweet-scented and
grieving, or despondent. They have more definitions of cool garden surrounding the tower. Four doors, one on
sorrow than are known to exist. The Takabbari do not each side, open into the tower. Aside from the birds
find this unusual and expect the PCs to feel the same. and insects, nothing is found in the garden.
The Takabbari know nothing of the Great Beyond the doors is a single room with a circular
Treasure (or clue), although they suggest it might be staircase rising from the center. However, before the
found in the Tower of the Test. characters can mount the stairs, they must get past the
guardian genie that confronts them. One stands before
Takabbar the Prison each doorway.
Sooner or later, the PCs will express the desire to Upon passing through the doorway, the guardian
leave. With heavy hearts and long faces, their host genie salaams to the PCs and says, Greetings, O brave
mournfully informs them that this is impossible. A mortals. I am the Voice of the Test. Answer me and
powerful magic surrounds the island, making escape you may pass unharmed; fail and you risk my wrath.
impossible except by the Test, but no one has ever Will you take the Test, impudent mortals?
succeeded at that. The PCs must remain here, he tells If the characters refuse, they must leave the Tower
them, for the rest of their lives. and garden immediately or be attacked by the guardian
Pressed to explain, the host tells what he knows: genie. If they should defeat him, one of the other three
Long ago, the city was placed here for a crime they do will move to attack until all are slain. (Should the
not remember. Freedom is a simple matter that anyone characters leave and return, all four genies are in place
might achieve. All one need do is discover the True once more.)
Sorrow and go to the Tower of the Test. Those who If the characters accept, the genie continues, Brave
survive this test (whatever it is) are released from the are your hearts, mortals! Answer for my master this
island. Thats all there is to it. what is the True Sorrow?
Few player characters will accept his word without The answer is, Not to know the beauty of the
question and may try other means to escape. Teleport Loregiver and the Law (or words to that effect). If
and other traveling spells do not function. Flying given, the genie steps aside with a grand salaam and

15
allows the group to climb the stairs. Where you wish, Hints
is where you shall be, he says. If they answer Some groups may find the deceptively simple test too
incorrectly, the creature screams in triumphant rage. difficult to solve, and so it may be necessary to give
The PCs must flee immediately or be attacked. The hints like those listed below.
genie will not pursue. Remind characters several times of the complete
At the top of the stairs is a small, windowless ignorance of the Law and the Loregiver the Takabbaris
chamber with an intricate tile pattern in the floor. The demonstrate.
Great Treasure or a clue is also found here. Any Send a vision to one of the PCs, preferably a
character who stands on the pattern and visualizes a priest of Hakiyah (or any priest), that describes the
place he has been will be instantly transported there. crime these people committed long ago. Repeat this
This can even include the deck of their previously each night as necessary, gradually increasing the
sunk shipwhich is restored unharmed a safe distance amount of detail revealed.
off the coast of Jazirat al-Gawwar. The characters have Have the genie say in his test, Their crime is not
succeeded. yours, unfortunate man, but I am tasked to ask anyway.
Guardian Genie (4): Int High; AL L; AC -3; MV What, by the doctors of law, is the True Sorrow of the
15; HD 14; hp 88, 70, 60, 53; THAC0 7; #AT 4; Dmg Unenlightened?
1d10 4; SA Special; SD Special; SZ L; ML 18; XP
13,000 each.

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, and AD&D are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

AL-QADIM and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Copyright 1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is
prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.
All TSR characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the book trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book and hobby
trade in the United Kingdom by TSR Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by regional distributors.

16
Book 4

The Djinnis Claws

. . . Tall and big of bulk, as if he were a great date tree, with eyes
like coals of fire and eye-teeth like boars tusks, and a vast big
gape like the mouth of a well.

The Third Voyage of Sinbad the Seaman

M
ay the gods give you wisdom always to see the dangers of your
path, for there are perils beyond the realm of men. Learn now
the ways to deal with genie-kind. When traveling in the waste
or on the ocean stream, you may see a stranger climb from a well or rise from
the sea. The wise man cries out, Peace, O father, be with you, for I would
knoware you ins or are you djinn? For if the stranger is of the genie-kind,
it may then smile upon the wise man, saying,
Had not your greeting
Come before your speaking,
I would tear you limb from limb
And snap your bones and pick them clean!
And then the wise man knows the stranger is a genie, for this is the way
of their kind, and he is thankful to the gods for granting him the wisdom to
speak respectfully to children of the four empty quarters.

This way lies the Road of Burning, this way lies the Road of Drowning,
this way lies the Road of No Returning. . . .

1
 Beyond the wave-lapped shores of civilization and wildlife. Exotic plants such as giant tree ferns, orchids
the storm-guarded Rim of the World lie lands beyond of rampant bloom, ironwood, sealing wax palms,
the ken of ins. These are the realms of otherworldly strangling fig vines, draping mosses, and charnel-
creatures, the borders between our world and theirs. scented fungi thrive in the hot, constant wetness. The
Foolish is the sultan who presumes to rule such lands! slopes of the mountainous islands are heavily forested.
The Djinnis Claws is one of these places. Though Trees reach to heights of one hundred feet or more,
most commonly believe it is named for the shape of the forming a thick canopy overhead. The forest floor lies
islands as they appear on charts, old salts who have in perpetual shadow where little by little strange and
been there know the island is aptly named for better sometimes gigantic fungi grow. Not all plant life here is
reasons. It is said that when the gods gave the world to benign. Some has adapted to prey on the animals of
the ins, the genies were displeased. To appease the great the islands.
genies, lands far from the petty disturbances of the ins Animal life is no less diverse, with thousands of
were ceded to the genies, one to each quarter. The different species and sizes running free. Insects, lizards,
noble genies accepted these Lands of the Four Quarters and colorful birds proliferate. Larger animals exist, too,
as appeasement for the judgment of the gods. Are the ranging from leopards to the dreaded su-monsters.
Djinnis Claws one of the Lands of the Four Quarters? Table 4 below lists creatures suitable for encounter
Perhaps, or perhaps the lands of the tales never existed. tables in the Djinnis Claws.
This booklet describes the wild and completely
unsettled islands of the Djinnis Claws. The first
section provides a brief overview of the land, creatures,
and wonders found throughout the islands. Without Table 4:
the presence of ins, there are no cities, towns, villages, Suggested Creatures on the Djinnis Claws
or tribes to describe. The second part of the booklet
contains three adventures set in the Djinnis Claws: Ankheg Hornet, any
Broken Talons, Shark Food, and Servitude. Ant, swarm Lamprey, land
Ape, carnivorous Leech, any
Bat, any Maskhi
The Islands of the Djinni's Beetle, rhinoceros Mold, any
Claws Beetle, boring Pahari

B arely explored and completely unsettled, this chain

has few individually named islands. On most
charts it is only divided into three sectionsYadd al-
Boar, warthog
Burbur
Cat, leopard
Plant, carnivorous
Rakshasa, any
Roc
Djinni (Hand of the Djinni), al-Zira (the Arm), and Centipede, any Rom
Kalb Bahriy Sahr (Shark Reef). Sometimes a single Crocodile, any Sakina
island, Kaff (Palm), is separated from the others. All Dragonfly, giant Scorpion, any
others remain unnamed if they appear at all on any Fungus, any Serpent lord
charts. Giant, jungle Serpent, winged
Gen, maridan Spider, any
Climate and Life Genie, Marid Toad, giant
South of the arid belt that shapes most of Zakhara, the Goblin spider Zaratan
Djinnis Claws are islands of thick jungle and abundant

2
Kaff support this claim, the most popular being the Tale of
Northernmost of the islands in the Djinnis Claws, Iftikhar.
Kaff is considered the safest island of the group by
mariners who ply these waters. Several breaks through In the days of the First Caliph (honor be upon him),
the reef surrounding the island are charted, as are a few the Word of the Loregiver (blessed is the Word) spread
stream mouths that can be used as anchorages from across the sands from brilliant Huzuz to Makabba, and
storms. Ships in need of repair, provisions, fresh water, this was good. But when the great mamluk Iftikhar al-
and shelter put in to Kaff from time to time. Dawla, Pride of the State, Bearer of the Law, reached the
The island, however, has an evil reputation that shores of the Golden Gulf, the blue waves laughed at him.
has nothing to do with the terrors associated with Searching along the coast, Iftikhar finally spied an old
the rest of the chain. Those features that make it an fisherman tending his boat. Loudly did lftikhar hail the
attractive provisioning point, combined with its fisherman, O worthy ancient, grant me passage across
location at the edge of the southern trade route, the sea so that the wisdom of the Loregiver may be known
have also made Kaff a haven for pirates. The pirates to all men.
of Kaff are not like the established and semi-civilized The old fisherman answered, Courteous is your
corsairs of the north, for the Kaffia are ghouls, greeting as the wise man should be, and across the mad-
lacedons, and ghasts. In old and leaking ships, these waved sea I will guide you. But the word of the gods
grim pirates raid passing vessels, seeking not interests me not. By what means will you reward this
treasures but bodies for their carrion desires. Most humble servant?
often they strike by night, but these undead have no So great was Iftikhars need that he did not strike down
aversion to daylight. During the day they lurk in the the man. My service and my life are bound already. I
dense forest along the seas edge, preying on sailors have naught to give but what my lord has given me, the
gathering supplies. When encountered during great general cried out. Speak and say what you would
daylight hours, they conceal their awful visages have of him.
beneath dark hoods. Then the fisherman pointed across the waves. See
across the waters those islands of green? These my
Yadd al-Djinni children and their children after them shall have as
The tangled sweep of rocks and jungle that forms Yadd granted from your lord. Then shall I carry you across the
al-Djinniso named for the finger-like islands that waters.
spread from the shores of Kaffare unexplored and And Iftikhar knew the heart of his lord, the First
uninhabited, at least by ins. The slender isles that Caliph, and said, As it is said, so shall it be, my lord will
make up Yadd al-Djinni are inhabited by a host of grim grant those islands unto your children and your childrens
and dread monsters. Rare elsewhere, su-monsters children.
abound here. It is said that the unclean dead, perhaps Then before the eyes of the Pride of the State, the old
an off-shoot of the pirates of Kaff, also lurk in the dark fisherman rose up to become a giant. Taller than the palm
jungles of Yadd al-Djinni. was he; blacker than the Cave of al-Kamil was he. See, O
mortal man of flesh, that I am a lord of the Fourth
Al-Zira Quarter, and these islands shall be held by my children
The large islands of the Arm are the most feared of all when your children are dust. With that he swept Iftikhar
the Djinnis Claws chain, for they are believed to be across the waves in a single breath. And so have these
the property of the marids. There are several legends to islands belonged to the marids ever since.

3
 Whether the tale is true or not, the islands of al-
Adventure:
Zira are notorious for the genies found there. Marids
dwell in the warm, colorful coral lagoons. Djinni soar
Broken Talons
with the brilliant birds of the forest. Dao survey the
world from craggy mountain peaks. Only the efreet are
absent from the islands, perhaps because it lacks the
T his adventure is one of three set among the
islands of the Djinnis Claws and is intended for
use should the characters set shore on the island of
fiery pits needed for their comfort. Kaff. In the adventure, the characters may also find
This is not to say that genies are common here; one of the clues or the Great Treasure itself.
even at their most frequent, they are still rare. Rare Set on the florid, jungled isle of Kaff where
or not, the genies still regard al-Zira as theirs. Ins macabre perils lurk in the dark green, this adventure is
who venture into the lagoons or ashore are subject to best played with a strong feeling for the menace and
the whims of these powerful spirits. Courteously atmosphere. DMs familiar with the old Weird Tales
greeted and gifted, the genies may prove to be kind stories of decadent sinister empires, lost cities, horrid
and generous hosts. Rudely offended, they become villains, and beautiful victims should consider these
violent foes, and woe to the shair who has pulp fantasies a guide to the proper atmosphere. Other
imprisoned genies in the past, for he will find no inspirations for the right tone and feel include old
forgiveness here! jungle movies, Sinbad adventure movies, and the
lurid medieval theories of monsters found in distant
Kalb Bahriy Sahr lands.
The last notable feature of the Djinnis Claws is the While the action of this adventure is fairly simple,
great reef that guards the southeastern approach to the it will seem much more elaborate if careful attention is
islands. Part reef and part a wild tangle of rocky paid to setting and description. For example, when the
islands, there are no accurate charts showing the characters begin the trek up the mountain slope, it is
passages and channels through the dangerous, not merely a steep climb. Instead, the characters find
submerged wall, nor are there any friendly natives to themselves on an odyssey across sweltering verdant
guide a ship through. Given that few sailors would dare slopes, scrabbling over the crumbling and broken rock
the dangers of the Djinnis Claws anyway, Shark Reef of that ancient, decaying peak. The more grotesque
could easily be ignored were it not for the fierce storms color you add to this adventure, the more memorable
that rise in the channel that lies off the reef. The it will become.
surging waves and powerful winds swirl counter-
clockwise through the channel, breaking vessels Characters
against the jagged coral of Shark Reef. This adventure has more than a single plot going for it.
The reef gains its name for reasons obvious to any In addition to the main task of finding a way to escape
who have sailed in sight of its surging breakers. Silver- from the trap of Alim Baybars, there is the matter of
gray fins slice through the water near the islands and finding the Great Treasure (or its clue), a potential
shoalsthe waters are infested with sharks of all types love affair with the slave-princess Shajar, and the
and sizes. While they live on the thousands of fish that envious evil of Melisende. Finally, there is the
make their homes among the coral, the sharks of Kalb encounter with Old Riyas, the roc, who must be
Bahriy Sahr will unhesitatingly attack any being convinced to aid the player characters.
foolish enough to swim in their water. These characters have different motives and means
at their disposal. These are described below.

4
Alim Baybars compounds and leering orchids have ruined his face
14th/12th-level Male Elven Fighter/Wizard and health, leaving only a thin, wracked frame,
(Corsair/Ajami Necromancer) consumed by and filled with the evil it has been
AL LE; AC 7; MV 12; hp 50; THAC0 7; #AT 2; Dmg subjected to. Yet, in a perverse way, he is still a
1d8 (2); SZ M; ML 15 Zakharan. Honor, particularly the bond of salt, means
Spells: Chill touch ( 2), color spray, fire burst*, detect much to him. It is a weakness the characters may turn
undead, spectral hand (2), stinking cloud, web (2), hold to their advantage.
undead, spirit armor*, vampiric touch (2), alacrity*,
enervation (2), contagion, ice storm, Evards black Melisende
tentacles, animate dead (2), summon shadow (2), 8th/6th-level Female Half-elf Fighter/Wizard (Mercenary
avoidance, death spell (2) Barbarian/Elemental Flame)
AL CE; AC 5 MV 12; hp 32; THAC0 13; #AT 3/2;
Magical Items: Ring of mind shielding, wand of fire, Dmg 1d8+2; SZ M; ML 10
+3 caftan of protection, crystal ball, ring of regeneration Spells: avert evil eye, magic missile (2), burning
hands, strength, sundazzle, fireball, sunscorch
* This spell is found in the Tome of Magic.
Magical Items: Bracers of defense AC 5, sword +1,
This hateful ancient is an oddity among Zakharans, wand of magic missiles
for he has purposefully traveled to other lands in
search of magical training. Consumed by the desire for The child of Baybarss liaison among the westerners,
power over the dead, Baybars in his youth voyaged to Melisende (named by her non-Zakharan mother)
heathen lands and learned the secrets of the could have been an unearthly beauty if circumstances
necromancers. Now, centuries later, he practices his had been different. Unfortunately, her perfection is
craft in isolation, drawing upon unfortunate sailors for flawed, for though she is physically stunning, Meli-
the living material he needs. Baybars is the creator of sendes heart beats cold and her thoughts run cruel.
the ghoul pirates that haunt Kaffs shores, although he The half-elf maiden lacks the inner light of compas-
has no direct power over them now. sion and love that would bring radiance to her being.
It is at Baybarss direction that the player characters It is a not a lack that Melisende notices. She is
are trapped on Kaff, for he intends to use the group for what she is and will never change. She is vicious, self-
upcoming experiments. He is striving to speed and indulgent, manipulative, and emotionally diabolical.
improve the process of becoming a lich, and he needs She conceals her black heart behind a cunning mask
living subjects for some of the deadly experiments he of courtesy. Self-confident to the point of arrogance,
intends to perform. Confident that they will be unable Melisende has always been fiercely independent,
to escape or breach his hideout, the wizard allows them refusing to heed anyone save her father. The daughter
to roam the island. The task of watching over the PCs hates her father and would gladly kill himif she
has been assigned to his cruel-hearted daughter, thought she could gain his power. At the same time,
Melisende, while he prepares for the experiments to she is in fear of that power. Her fear of his anger is all
come. the keeps her under his control. Should he weaken,
Years on this forsaken jungle isle, combined with she will readily defy him. Baybars knows her feelings
his diabolic researches, have been cruel to Baybars. and she knows he knows; neither finds the sentiments
Humid air mingled with the exotic fumes of sinister of the other unusual.

5
 Melisende views the PCs as toys for her amusement. Melisende has no love of Shajar. The slaves
She knows they will eventually die under her fathers goodness, clearly higher station, and beauty infuriate
experiments, but until then they are hers. Since she her. Unable to cruelly kill the princess (since Shajar is
considers herself the superior, the half-elf will be under the gaze of Baybars), the half-elf delights in
wounded more than can be imagined by any romance inflicting cruel torments on Shajar. All these the slave
between Shajar and a player character. bears in stoic silence, secretly planning for the day
when she can rid the world of her wicked masters.
Shajar
4th-level Human Female Cleric (Hakima) Old Riyas
AL CG; AC 10; MV 12; hp 25; THAC0 18; #AT 1; Zakharan great roc: Int Low; AL N; AC 2; MV 3, Fl
Dmg by weapon; SZ M; ML 13 24 (C); HD 24; hp 100; THAC0 1; #AT 2 or 1; Dmg
Spells: Cure light wounds, protection from evil, sacred 4d6 (2) or 6d6; SA Surprise, Snaring; SZ G; ML 13;
guardian*, augury, detect charm XP 15,000.

Magical Items: None Lording on the mountain top, high over all the
petty concerns of the little creatures, is the aged and
Shajar, slave of the Ben Baybars, is the antithesis of weakening roc known as Old Riyas. Time has
every wicked quality of her masters. She is beautiful, weakened the majestic roc. His wings do not beat as
kind, resourceful, and moral where they are wicked strong, his talons are not as sharp, nor are his eyes as
and degenerate. Although Melisende may have greater keen as they were in his youth. Where once he soared
physical beauty, Shajar possesses the inner light the over the waves, plucking whales from the ocean for a
cruel half-elf lacks. Perhaps because of this, she has meal, Old Riyas now spends most of his days sleeping
been subjected to Melisendes continual wrath and in his nest, satisfied with the smaller morsels found
contempt. near the shores of Kaff.
Shajar is not a weak, shrinking violet, however. The As a great roc, Riyas is not unintelligent. If
daughter of a desert chieftain, she learned a few martial approached carefully and respectfully, he will converse
skills at his side. While wisdom and insight made her with the player characters. He is interested in food, the
destined for leadership of the tribe, Fate cursed her to sensation of soaring through the air, and the safety of
fall into the hands of slavers, who then sold her to a his nest. During conversations, the roc eyes the PCs
sultan of the Pearl Coast. For years she dwelled in his hungrily, constantly alluding to tasty morsels he might
harim, artfully preserving her honor and dignity all the eat.
time. Finally the sultan, perhaps vexed at her pride, Riyas knows a little of Baybars, and the necro-
loaded her on a ship as a gift to one of the petty mancer has harmed the roc in the past. Indeed, the
princelings of Harab. Somewhere off Nada al-Hazan, great roc has a fearful respect for Baybarss power. (He
the ship fell prey to corsairs, who were in turn the prey will not attack the necromancer directly.) Still, if
of the ghoul-pirates of Kaff. Baybars, not immune to appropriately bribed (with an ox or similar large
physical charm, claimed her from that hideous crew quantity of meat), Riyas can be persuaded to aid the
and installed Shajar as his household slave. Then he player characters indirectly. With great reluctance the
seemed to forget about her. For months the situation roc can even lift the PCs trapped ship safely over the
has remained unchanged. Shajar has desperate plans coral wall built by the coelenites (see the monster pages
though, should Baybars turn his gaze on her. in this sourcebox).

6
Romance the PC to betray the rest of the group, for by
Part of this adventure revolves around romantic corrupting the character she gains power over him.
entanglements between PCs and NPCs. While you The ultimate corruption is to turn her paramour
have no control over the PC reactions, you must role- against her father and eliminate the hated
play the romantic reactions of Melisende and Shajar. necromancer. However, once the deed is done, she is
The first task is to select an object of affection for likely to turn on the PC since Melisende has no
each. They may be attracted to the same or different intention of sharing power with anyone.
men (female characters are not in the running for Should the half-elf be snubbed or lose to Shajar for
this). Do not automatically assume it is the PC with the affections of the same man, love transforms to feral
the highest Charisma; rather, there is a more or less rage. In her depraved and cunning mind, Melisende
blank slate where each character has a chance. Of will seek out some means of destroying one or both of
course, high and low Charisma characters may have her enemies, preferably under the knives and arcane
better or worse odds. Make a list for each eligible experiments of her father.
character. Each time a PC does something
complimentary, nice, brave, kind, or thoughtful, add a Arrival
positive note to his list. Likewise, thoughtless, The adventure begins any time the player characters
suspicious, hostile, rude, and hurtful acts will count ship drops anchor in a seemingly safe lagoon on the
against the character. After awhile, there is likely to be coast of Kaff. Unknown to all aboard, the captain has
only one character worthy of each womans affections. chosen a harbor not far from the stronghold of
Once the choices have been made, you must begin Baybars. The necromancer and his daughter have
the difficult role-playing. Remember that neither watched the arrival of the ship, and dark plans have
woman is going to be fawning, weak, submissive, or already been set in motion.
docile! Both Shajar and Melisende are proud and For the rest of the day, nothing overt happens,
strong-willed. They will show their intentions through although the DM should make a Wisdom check for
deeds. those who go ashore. Characters who succeed at the
In Shajars case, this means she will take risks to check get the disturbing feeling that they are being
warn and possibly protect the man she has chosen. watchedand indeed they are, for Baybars scries them
During the adventure, she whispers warnings about the at regular intervals with his crystal ball.
evils of the Ben Baybars and assists in plans for escape. During the first night, have any character on watch
She will not be abandoned or played the fool, nor is aboard ship make a check to hear noise. (Ignore this
she likely to tolerate a character who tries to two-time check for characters camped on shore.) If the check is
her. She wants to be treated as a woman and an equal, failed, nothing happens. However, if the PC succeeds,
and she will accept no less. Once free from danger, she he notices a faint grinding noisenot on the ship, but
will make it clear that her intentions toward the PC around it. Lights shone from deck reveal nothing; to
are serious. gain more information the characters must use the
Melisende cannot loveit is not in her nature. For ships boat to venture into the darkness.
her the romance satisfies her desire for affection and Just outside the range of light, a hundred or more
adoration. She is more brazen about her feelings and coelenites are building a solid coral ring around the
more manipulative. She will contrive situations that ship, trapping it in the lagoon. They work under the
put her close to the object of her affection, preferably magical control of Baybars. The ring is formed from
alone. At the same time, she will attempt to persuade their calcite bodies, interlocked and growing upon

7
each other. Once each coelenite is in place, the colony Once inside, Melisende assumes an air of false relief
abandons its shell and flows back into the sea where it (for they were never in any danger). She then
will grow a new coral husk in a few days. introduces herself to those characters of rank (PC and
Already, with the ebbing tide the coral is NPC alike), such as the captain, merchants, and any
dangerously close to the bottom of the ship. Attempts other figures of authority. This should include some or
to move the ship will hole it, requiring a sea- all of the PCs. The rest of the crew huddle fearfully,
worthiness check and near-immediate repairs. Even watching the jungle beyond the compounds walls.
then the low tide prevents the ship from using the They do nothing significant for the remainder of the
channel originally found to enter the lagoon. By dawn adventure, except perhaps die dramatically.
the brand new reef will rise out of the water to form a Melisende describes her and her father as exiles
bowl around the ship, making escape impossible. From from Hudid of the Pantheon. She explains any
there the coral creatures close on the vessel, gradually ignorance of that city by saying she was only a little
encrusting the sides, deck, and eventually the entire child when it happened. Those singled out are
ship with their calcite shells. invited to join her and her father for luncheon in the
Players can attempt to bash through the coral wall, garden.
clearing five square feet per turn above the surface and
three square feet underwater. As they do this, new Luncheon
coelenites rush to fill the gap. It should quickly The luncheonsmall birds stewed with coconut,
become clear to the PCs that escape by this means is exotic fruits, and palm wineis set out in the garden
impossible. by Shajar, who takes great interest in the player
characters. Baybars plays the role of the urbane host,
Dawn polite and gracious. It is clear his body is wracked with
Assuming Baybarss trap has been successful, Melisende pain, but he refuses any clerical aid. The father
hails the beleaguered ship from shore. Quickly, come supports the daughters story of exile and seems
quickly! she urges. You are in great danger! Through interested in news from Zakhara.
shouts, gestures, and charm, Melisende attempts to At the end of the meal, Baybars formally offers salt
convince the characters she is their ally. The danger, to his guests, establishing the bond of guest and host.
she explains, is the coelenites, for eventually they will The PCs are welcome to explore the island, but
turn their attention on the player characters. (A Baybars warns them of the fearsome ghuls that lurk in
complete falsehood, for Baybars wants the PCs unhurt, the trees and the deadly roc that lives atop the
but a little tweak of his control over the creatures can mountain.
certainly make the threat seem real.) If the PCs volunteer to repay their hosts kindness
Once the PCs and crew come ashore, the half-elf now or at any time during the next three days,
guides them to her fathers house, urging haste so as to Baybars makes a show of reluctance but ultimately
avoid questions. It is a fine walled compound of takes them up on it. His spell research has been
polished stone, set in the depths of the jungle. thwarted by lack of an ingredient he is too feeble to
Throughout are curious relics (not magical items) of get: the freshly cut talon of a roc. There is such a
distant landsstatuary, furniture, and small knick- creature living atop the mountainan old and
knacks. Invisible servants tend to most needs of those perhaps not too dangerous one. If the PCs were to
who live here. The building is resplendent of wealth secure this thing for him, Baybars would be forever in
and magical power. the debt of such mighty heroes.

8
Guests Su-Monster: Int Average; AL CE; AC 6; MV 9;
The player characters have three days to rest and HD 5+5; THAC0 15; #AT 5; Dmg 1d4 ( 4)/2d4; SA
explore. If they return to the ship, they find the hull Psionic, lurk; SD Psionic; SZ M; ML 8; XP 650 each.
firmly encrusted in coelenites. Escape appears even
more impossible than before. Attempts to smash the To the Mountaintop
coral grip on the ship only seem to increase the Eventually, you want the player characters to
building frenzy of the coelenites. To the player undertake the climb up the jagged mountain slopes to
characters it will seem like there is a frustratingly the nest of Old Riyas. When the characters agree to
endless supply of the creatures. Because of their go, Melisende volunteers to accompany them as guide
colonial nature, there is. and an extra sword. Although it would be impolite,
Otherwise, the PCs can explore the island as they characters can decline her request, perhaps by using
wish, though Melisende will often accompany them. the argument that it would be wrong for a guest to
Use the jungle encounter tables to create encounters place their hostess in danger. While such an argument
for the characters or create your own encounters means nothing to Melisende, her father cannot refute
involving ghouls, ghuls, ghasts, or su-monsters. The it. If left behind, the half-elf will shadow the
statistics for these creatures are provided below. characters on their journey.
Although the characters are not guarded, they are Before leaving, Baybars provides the characters with
never allowed to roam without observation. Either gifts: three potions (climbing, flying, and giant strength)
Baybars or Melisende keeps an eye on the group and a scroll with three universal spells of 1st-4th levels
through the elfs crystal ball. Furthermore, they cannot (DMs choice). With these he hopes to make the task
go everywhere, for Baybarss secret laboratory is sealed easier for his agents and lull any suspicions they might
with a wizard lock against them. have. A farewell meal is served and any ordinary
If on the morning of the third day the PCs have provisions desired are provided.
not volunteered to climb the mountain and obtain a Once on the trail, Shajar takes the bold move of
rocs talon, Baybars now requests this service of them. fleeing the compound to follow the player characters.
The bond of salt has formally ended and now the PCs She will not reveal herself for at least a day, and only
must provide Baybars with a service if they wish to then when she is sure all is safe. Thus, if Melisende is
remain. with the group, the princess remains in hiding until
she can speak with her chosen character alone. If
Ghast: Int Very; AL CE; AC 4; MV 15; HD 4; possible, she will join the party, warning them that
THAC0 17; #AT 3; Dmg 1-4 (2)/1-8; SA Special; Baybars intends them some great harm. Just what he
SD Special; SZ M; ML 14; XP 650 each. plans she does not know, but she describes him as a
cruel and wicked sorcerer trained in the hideous arts of
Ghoul: Int Low; AL CE; AC 6; MV 9; HD 2; distant lands.
THAC0 19; #AT 3; Dmg 1-3 (2)/1-6; SA The journey to the peak takes three days if the
Paralyzation; SD Special; SZ M; ML 12; XP 175 each. player characters follow the rough trail, and double
this if they strike their own path through the jungle.
Ghul, Great: Int High; AL NE; AC 0; MV 18/Cl Use the Riyas Mountain Map from the Map Booklet
12; HD 4; THAC0 15; #AT 3; D 1d6 ()/2d6; SA for this part of the adventure. The numbered
Spells, shapeshifting; SD +1 weapon to hit, spell encounters are described below.
immunities; SZ M; ML 9; XP 1,400 each.

9
 1. Rom! At this point the trail takes a particularly camp outside, the undead giants will come out that
difficult drop, descending into a fern-filled and liana- night to punish the party. Escape will be difficult since
draped ravine. The characters are forced into single the group must ascend the narrow trail in darkness
file as they work their way down the narrow, mossy while dodging the blows of the enemy. Require
path. Call for Dexterity checks just to make the players Dexterity checks again, this time having characters fall
nervous; these checks have no real effect. to some projection below them (2d6 points of damage)
At the bottom, the trail enters a narrow cleft on a failed check.
through a rocky spire. Twenty feet in, this closes If the rom are defeated in their cairn, a search
overhead to become an underground passage. Light of uncovers 3,000 dinars and a qanun of quiet.
some type will be needed to continue since the trail
does not lead straight to an exit. (If Melisende is along, Rom (2): Int Low; AL LE: AC 1; MV 12; HD
she assures the PCs this is the path.) Rounding a bend 15+1; hp 78, 58; THAC0 2; #AT 1; Dmg 1d10+8; SA
in the darkness, the group encounters two rom. The Strength drain, fear; SD +2 weapon or better to hit,
trail plunges through the center of one of their cairns, spell immunities; SZ H; ML 19; XP 10,000 each.
so overgrown that its true form is concealed.
The rom are not pleased to have intruders in their 2. The Nest. (Note: This encounter requires the
domain, so if the PCs wish to avoid a fight, they must rules for psionic abilities described in The Complete
react quickly and politely. If the giants are greeted with Psionics Handbook. If you are unfamiliar with this
gracious and poetic words (a good task for a rawun) supplement, you may want to skip this encounter,
and apologies offered for the intrusion, they will not although the creatures can still attack physically.)
attack. Should the speaker demonstrate great As the characters are struggling up the slopes, the
eloquence (DMs decision), the rom insist the PCs trail dwindles and finally disappears, leaving no choice
remain for a time as their guests. Refusal is, of course, but to hack through the jungle. The progress is slow
an insult. The group will have to remain for at least a and sweaty.
night, during which time the rom demonstrate their It is while wielding their swords against the tangling
skill at poetics and music. vines that the group breaks into a clear area beneath a
The food served to their guests is icy cold, even the canopy of trees. Mold and moss-encrusted mounds
roast that is the centerpiece. It is also enchanted. With carpet the jungle floor. If probed, these reveal
the first bite taken, a saving throw must be made. If it is crumbling, spongy skeletons, mostly of animals, but
failed, the victim is compelled to remain with the rom some are clearly insperhaps elves or humans.
one day for each morsel devoured. Those eating will The group has entered the nest of a small clan of
evidence an increasing desire to stay and enjoy the su-monsters. Three adults and two young are currently
wonders of the rom. If forced to leave the cairn, those nested in the tree-tops overhead. Believing the party is
enchanted are wracked by unbearable pains when a threat, the adults clamber down the trunks (staying
exposed to sunlight. They scream in utter agony (cer- out of sight) until within range with their psionic
tain to attract other things) and are utterly incapable of attacks. Once close enough, they unleash their mental
the slightest action. This effect lasts an equal time to attacks. While the PCs are recovering, the creatures
the enchantment (i.e., days equal to the number of bites use their enhancement power to continue their psionic
eaten), but can be lifted by a remove curse. attacks while leaping from the trees onto the party.
If the rom attack, their first concern is to drive the Meanwhile, the two young will venture down from the
PCs out of their cairn. Should the group foolishly trees to use mind thrust from a safe distance.

10
 The adult su-monsters, frenzied by the invasion of denies any wrongdoing, branding Shajars accusations
their nest area, fight to the death. If the adults are as the desperate ploy of a thankless and duplicitous
defeated, their last dying act will be to screech out a slave. Although Melisende has the means to destroy
warning for the young to flee. The orphaned monsters (or harm) Shajar, she restrains her evil fury since it
will spring for the woods. Unless tracked and cornered, would reveal the truth. Shajar, knowing she alone
they will not return. cannot beat the half-elf, is relying on the support of
The su-monsters have treasure hidden in their the characters. One of the pair is telling the truth,
nests, 200 feet above the ground. If a means is found to which means the PCs must decide whom to believe.
reach these, the characters find gems worth 2,900
dinars and two moldering scrolls. The first has only Old Riyas
three readable spells remaining: banish dazzle, flame of At the top of the mountain, Old Riyas dozes atop his
justice, and sunwarp. The second is a scroll of protection massive nest. To reach him, the player characters must
from genies. clamber through the tangled trees (uprooted whole)
that form his nest. The process will take at least an
3. The Crag. Near the top of the peak, still several hour and may require the use of ropes and spikes.
hundred feet from the apex, the land changes as During this time, Riyas wakes and smells his visitors.
characters near the mountain treeline. The damp fades Peering about with his weak eyesight, the roc spots his
and the florid growth of the jungle gives way to drier small visitors scrambling through the branches. Ins,
plants. Eventually even these yield to stunted, wind- he sniffs in Midani, tell me now why I should not eat
blown scrub. Cold winds, freezing compared to the you?
tropical standards below, sweep over the barren Once again, courtesy and kind words are far
ground. superior to rash action. The wisest course is to tell the
Just short of the top and the rocs nest, a wall of truth. Upon hearing the tale, Riyas is quite amused, for
rock rises in front of the player characters. The peak of he and the wizard Baybars go back quite a time. The
the mountain is a single towering crag. The walls, necromancer has coveted Riyass claws for a long time,
cracked and sheer, rise three hundred feet from the and the PCs are not the first group the wizard has sent
base of the massive slope. to fetch them.
Obviously, to reach the top the characters must If the characters can get the roc talking, it turns out
climb the cliff face. Since it is doubtful the player he knows much more about Baybars than the PCs. The
characters have full climbing gear, the task may be roc warns them of what fate is likely to befall them.
doubly difficult. Characters will have to rely on thieves Even with my weak, old eyes I have seen the horrors
and ingenuity to reach the summitand, of course, wicked Baybars has created. At night sometimes, they
once on top there is no easy escape for the group. try to scramble up the sides of my aerie.
If Melisende is with the party, at this point she Should the PCs describe the predicament of their
refuses to go any further. There is no need to watch the ship, Riyas comments that he has never heard of
characters from this point on; they are not going creatures like those detailed anywhere among these
anywhere. She will wait for them here. islands. He doubts they are really beings native to the
waters off Kaff. Perhaps they have been brought here
Shajar Appears to trap fools such as you.
If Shajar has not revealed herself, she does so now to It should be clear that Riyas is not the dangerous
accuse Melisende of treachery. Naturally the half-elf enemy Baybars made him out to be. Indeed, the

11
creature seems almost to pity the characters their third round, each character who consumed the drug
plight. At this point the characters can try to make a must make a saving throw vs. death (-2 on the die roll)
deal with the roc to secure their rescue. (He will want or fall unconscious. Those who drop cannot be
a prodigious but obtainable quantity of meat as his wakened. If all the PCs are defeated, those not slain in
paymentfor example, a freshly killed whale.) Their battle wake some time later and find themselves
likely first requestthe roc fly them to safety strapped to tables, just as Baybars begins his hideous
elsewhereis automatically refused. Riyas is not up to experiments. If the two fiends are defeated,
traveling that far. Nor will he attack Baybars himself. unconscious characters wake on the banquet room
However, he can be persuaded to use his mighty talons floor a day later, weak but unharmed.
to break free their ship and even carry it over the reef If the player characters have foreknowledge of
beyond the range of the coelenites. It is then up to the Baybarss treachery, they can confront the unprepared
PCs to free the crew. wizard upon their return since the old necromancer
was relying on surprise. Baybars is only able to call 2d6
Clues and Treasures ghoulsformer crew members among themto his
Hidden among the tangle of Riyass nest is the Great aid. Once the necromancer and his daughter are dealt
Treasure the player characters seek, or at least a clue to with, the PCs can find their crew. Alas, but half have
its location. If the finder humbly requests the item already met terrible fates at Baybarss hands. They are
from Riyas and offers a valuable gift in return, the roc now ghouls among the pirates of Kaff.
will give it as a gracious gift. Otherwise the group may With Baybars dead, the coelenites are no longer
be forced to slay the beast to obtain it. under control and the ship can be freed from the
reef.
The Return
If the characters have not tumbled to Baybarss plot by Adventure:
the time they rejoin Melisende, she is not about to tell
Servitude
them. Shajar, if still around, will try to give one last
desperate warning, but it is up to the player characters
to take the hint. The journey back through the jungle
takes one day less, and although they must pass
T his adventure gives PCs the opportunity to
interact with genies, which may or may not be a
good thing. The actions revolves around an oath given
through the same encounter areas as before, nothing by the player characters and their attempts to escape
happens to slow their return. it. This is an adventure where negotiation and role-
If they bring the rocs talon to Baybars, he is most playing are far more important than combat or magical
thankful and arranges for his invisible servants to skills.
prepare a grand feast to celebrate. Shajar appears at the The crux of this adventure is an oath the characters
feast. The food is poisoned! she screams, but her are compelled to swear. For this adventure to succeed,
warning is too late (unless a PC has specifically said he players must be the type willing to have their
was not eating or drinking). Enraged, Baybars uses a characters honor an oath. This is a very Zakharan
death spell on the princess and then gloats to the others attitude (and should be encouraged). If necessary,
that they have all been duped. Within mere minutes remind players that in Zakhara, ones word is ones
they will be helpless against him! bond. Indeed, this is a great virtue to strive for. Ideally,
The characters have three rounds to defeat Baybars the player characters will strive for this ideal and
and Melisende before the drug takes effect. After the faithfully discharge their promise.

12
 Of course, this is a lot to hope for from some shores are ripe with fresh fruit for the stomach and
characters, so it may be necessary to add some beautiful flowers for the souls ease.
incentive to be supremely virtuous in the face of It is indeed a beautiful lagoon, peaceful and free of
adversity. There are several carrots and sticks that can dangeruntil the ship drops anchor. It is the groups
be used to motivate the characters to toe the line. On misfortune that the anchor plunges to the bottom and
the positive side, let the players know that honorable disturbs the peace of Mazdaghani, a noble marid. Ire
characters stand to gain esteem in the eyes of the roused, the genie rises to the surface, a dark blue stain
Denizens of the Four Quarters. In later dealings, the that rushes upward from the bottom until he emerges
genies may remember so-and-so as one who, even from the lagoon. He stands ten feet above the deck
though a mere mortal, knows proper respect. To a and faces down those who disturbed him. In one hand
lesser extent, the characters may gain renown in he holds the offending anchor.
human lands. Their crew (should any survive) will Impudent mortals who sail as if this water is their
spread tales of the PCs virtues. own, the marid thunders, know that it is the palace
Should a stick be necessary, there are several that of al-Mazdaghani, atabeg of al-Zira, whom you have
can be applied. First, any characters who break their disturbed with your rude tools. Name now why you
oath will suffer bad relations with all genies in the should not be destroyed?
futuresomething which ought to give the shair At this point, al-Mazdaghani expects the PCs to
pause. Dishonorable characters may fall under the prostrate themselves and beg forgiveness as several
curse of the evil eye or some other curse of the marids other members of the crew are already doing. (Know-
contriving. Slightly more extreme, the marid can hold ing player characters, pride is likely to prevent them
the crew and ship hostage as assurances of the PCs from behaving completely servile.) If they do, he is
good faith. He can easily sink their ship and eliminate placated somewhat; if they do not, his anger increases.
their crew, leaving the group stranded and at his In either case, the marid demands the PCs serve
mercy. If these are not sufficient, there is the threat of him from 100 to 1,000 days as atonement for their
death at the marids hands although, depending on insultthe length of service depends on his anger. He
your group, this may not be any threat. threatens crew and ship until the PCs swear an oath to
serve him. To show his magnanimous generosity, al-
Trespassers Mazdaghani announces, By your own words you are
The adventure begins whenever the player characters bound to me for the term named, but I am not
sail into one of the lagoons along the coast of al-Zira. heartless. Should any one of you best me in wrestling
If the PCs show no inclination of visiting this shore, before your time is done, then I will grant freedom to
they can either be forced to run for shelter from a you all. Of course, even the strongest character
coming storm or the adventure can be moved to a cannot out-wrestle a being made of water.
more convenient location. Once the oath is made, the marid sets them to their
Through the skill of the navigator, the ship reaches tasks. Enchanting the group with water breathing, he
a fine-looking anchorage. A twisting channel leads takes them to his palace at the bottom of the ocean
through the glittering coral reef, ripe with swarms of and makes them household servants (after relieving
fat and brilliantly-colored fish. Fresh water tumbles them of their goods). The marid does not send them
down a mountainous slope to splash into the crystal on dangerous adventures.
blue deep-water lagoon. Two long spits of land form As servants of al-Mazdaghani, the PCs carry platters
sheltering arms from ocean-sent storms. These same of food through coral-built halls, fetch their masters

13
slippers, sew his garments, and occasionally greet The Dao
guests. They are not guarded, but the only place to Al-Hajar can be reached through any of the caves
escape to is al-Zira. As an additional precaution, the found on the island, provided the searcher is brave
atabeg has sucked their ship through a whirlpool into enough to go deep into the darkness. You can create
the elemental plane of Water. any underground encounters you desire before the PCs
Of course, the PCs may attempt a number of things reach their goal. In the deepest pit, the characters meet
in their attempts to escape the oath. Some of these, Ataman al-Hajar, a short yet massive noble dao. He
such as teleport or word of recall, are quite practical for reclines on a bed of shattered stone, directing the toil
someone without honor. The atabeg views failed of a horde of xorn and earth elementals. Role-play al-
attempts as amusing proofs of his power. Those who Hajar as disdainful, hard-hearted, and irritable. He is
flee and return with reinforcements are treacherous barely polite while listening to the PCs request. Make
dogs and deserve no quarter. the group grovel for his attention. Your petty troubles
are no concern of mine, he sneeringly tells the PCs.
Atabeg al-Mazdaghani, Noble Marid: Int Genius; Should they offer to pay, al-Hajar is vastly amused. He
AL C; AC -2; MV 12, Fl 21 (B), Sw 30; HD 16; hp 76; points to the treasures around him and demands to
THAC0 5; #AT 2; Dmg 4d8 (2); SA Spells, water know what they could possibly offer him. If the PCs
blast; SD Spells, immunities; MR 50%; SZ H; ML 18; persist, al-Hajar finally demands a cool, steady breeze
XP 17,000. from his uncle, Malik al-Samawat, who dwells on the
highest mountain of al-Zira. He believes his request is
The Efreeti impossible, thus getting the PCs out of his way.
One day, the PCs are ordered to make preparations on
the shore for the arrival of Bey Gumushtekin, a noble The Djinni
efreeti. This includes setting up a pavilion and The highest peak of al-Zira is a bare, wind-swept crag
refreshments for the guest. The heroes are working at just below the line of permanent snow, its tip wreathed
this task when a chariot of brass and smoke thunders in clouds. This is the home of Malik al-Samawat.
across the waves to where they wait. The driver is a Again, you can create any random encounters you
fiery efreeti, dressed in harsh black and silver. Role- wish for characters ascending to the summit. At the
play him as swaggering, arrogant, fiery-tempered, and top, the characters find al-Samawat reclining in the
bloodthirsty, for he is Bey Gumushtekin. The efreeti airy garden of his palace (a field of golden clouds).
treats the PCs with contempt, ordering them to tend Role-play the djinni as particularly haughty, stuck-up,
to his flame-snorting steeds. Should any PC show and distractible. A long-winded story will cause him to
fortitude, however, the efreeti is intrigued by his lose interest, so the PCs will do best to keep to the
brothers servant and demands to know more about point. If they can manage to appeal to his fancy (with
that PC. On hearing his tale, the efreeti is greatly a witty recounting of their travails or the prospect of
amused. I can give you the secret to free yourself from something wonderful), al-Samawat agrees to help, but
al-Mazdaghani, he boasts to torment the PCs. If the only if they release a number of his childrenair
characters plead and negotiate, he agrees to help, elementals held prisoner by al-Mazdaghani.
provided they first convince Ataman al-Hajar, who
dwells in the deepest cave beneath the island, to give Payments
up a bowl of lava from the core of the earth. Once the player characters have learned what each
genie seeks, they can begin the process of obtaining

14
their freedom. The air sprites held by al-Mazdaghani DMs choosing. The items should be chosen from this
are bottled in a jar he keeps under a pillow in his list: +1 leather armor of swimming, tortoise shield, potion
private chamber. Someone must enter his chamber and of sweet water, potion of water breathing, a scroll with
steal the jar. The only time the chamber is not locked sea magic or water elemental spells, a scroll of protection
is when al-Mazdaghani is sleeping inside. The lock is from water, a ring of free action, or a ring of water
extremely intricate (-50% to pick). Use the walking.
Mazdaghanis Room map in the Map Booklet to If the characters lose, they will have to finish their
resolve any attempts at theft. service, all the while listening to the taunts of their
Once the jar is given to al-Samawat, the djinni master. The other noble genies will do nothing more
releases the air elementals. True to his word, he orders to help them.
each to spend one day of the week cooling the cavern
of al-Hajar. Adventure:
Now the characters must make their way back to al-
Shark Food
Hajar. The dao, feeling the cool breezes, is satisfied
that they have upheld their part of the bargain. So he
orders his xorn to fill a magical bowl with magma from
the core of the earth. Magma placed in the bowl never
T his very short encounter occurs when the
characters are sailing near Shark Reef on the
southeast side of the Djinnis Claws. In it the
cools, yet the bowl never becomes hot to the touch. It characters encounter the ghoul-pirates of Kaff while
takes two persons to carry the bowl. on the high seas. This is a wonderful opportunity for
When the bowl is brought to the beach, those players itching for the chance to let their
Gumushtekin appears to claim it. True to his word, the characters slice and dice something. The only problem
efreeti hands over a vial of magical oil. Rub this into is, they better not slice and dice everything, because
the skin of your strongest wrestler and you may win, there is a good chance they will need the ghoul ship
he proclaims. before the encounter comes to an end.
When the characters are ready, they can challenge
al-Mazdaghani to a wrestling match. The oil increases Ship Ahoy!
the characters Strength to 19. For this fight, the marid The encounter begins when the didban cries out, O
has a Strength of 21. Furthermore, when the marid rubban, ship off our port beam! Sure enough, a sail
grapples the character, the PC suddenly bursts into can be seen just over the horizon, though it is too far
searing flame. The character is unhurt, but now every to determine any other details of the vessel.
round the marid spends in contact, the genie suffers an As the ship nears, PCs can see it is a large boom
additional 2d6 points of damage. If the PC can cause running with full sail. The ship flies no flag, but this is
50 points of damage or pin the marid before being no surprise, for only royal vessels are flagged at all.
pinned (or killed) himself, he wins the match. The Merchants are merchants and see no need to
flames last for two turns. There is only enough oil for a announce their home port. If anyone on the ship
single application. possesses a telescopic magical device, using it now
reveals the true identity of the crewghoul pirates. So
Victory or Defeat forewarned, the pirates can be easily outrun.
If the PC defeats al-Mazdaghani, the marid is bound Without magical aid, the identity of the pirates will
by his word and releases the PCs from their oath. As not be discovered until too late. The boom has
a peace gift, he grants each PC a magical item of the positioned itself to the wind such that the PC ship can

15
no longer outrun it. After only a few minutes, the PCs have the unpleasant task of diving over the side
boom closes on the PCs ship and grappling hooks fly. into shark-infested water to keep any lacedons at bay.
Sharks begin to gather, instinctively sensing the The pirate boom, though filthy and disgusting, is in
chance for a meal. excellent condition. Ownership is claimed by the
The pirates do not fight to take treasure or the previous nakhuda. It is even possible for the nakhuda
player characters vessel as a prize. They attack for food to have come out ahead, if his previous ship was
in the form of the crew and player characters. The smaller than the captured boom.
living crew fights valiantly, but without PC aid they
will quickly be overcome. Ghasts (6): Int Very; AL CE; AC 4; MV 15; HD 4;
Even while the deck battle is going on, a second hp 24, 23, 18, 17, 16, 14; THAC0 17; #AT 3; Dmg 1-
assault is building under the sea. Lacedonsmarine 4/1-4/1-8; SA Special; SD Special; SZ M; ML 14; XP
ghoulsare cutting open the belly of the PCs ship. 650 each.
The first warning the characters have of this is a
thumping sound from beneath the deck. After 1d4+4 Ghouls (20): Int Low; AL CE; AC 6; MV 9; HD 2;
rounds, the ship is holed. Make a seaworthiness check hp 9 20; THAC0 19; #AT 3; Dmg 1-3/1-3/1-6; SA
to see if the damage is severe. If the check is failed, the Paralyzation; SD Special; SZ M; ML 12; XP 175 each.
ship begins taking on dangerous amounts of water.
Pumps can be manned only by taking men off the Lacedons (8): Int Low; AL CE; AC 6; MV Sw 9;
deck. Each round thereafter, an additional check must HD 2; hp 16, 13, 10, 8, 8, 7, 7, 6; THAC0 19; #AT 3;
be made with a -10% (cumulative) applied to the Dmg 1-3/1-3/1-6; SA Paralyzation; SD Special; SZ M;
seaworthiness. After three failed checks, lacedons ML 12; XP 175 each.
begin clambering through the hole. From this point
on, saving the PC ship is hopeless. It will remain afloat Sharks, Common (12): Int Non; AL N; AC 6; MV
for 3d10 rounds. Sw 24; HD 3-8; THAC0 3-4 HD: 17, 5-6 HD: 15, 7-8
The only safety lies in capturing the pirate boom. HD: 13; #AT 1; Dmg 2-5, 2-8, or 3-12; SZ M; ML 10;
Once this is done, the rubban or nakhuda frantically XP 3 HD: 65, 4 HD: 120, 5 HD: 175, 6 HD: 270, 7
supervises the transferring of cargo. Meanwhile, the HD: 420.

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, and AD&D are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

AL-QADIM and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

Copyright 1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is
prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.

All TSR characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the book trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book and hobby
trade in the United Kingdom by TSR Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by regional distributors.

16
Book 5
The Steaming Isles
...for know that the wind hath gotten the mastery of us and hath
driven us into the uttermost of the seas of the world.

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad the Seaman

I
n the time of the First Caliph, blessed be his memory, there came to our
masters diwan an ancient alim. What is the truth of the Law, O learned
sages? he cried. When the word of the Loregiver is spread throughout
her children, who will say that this word is true or that false? Who shall be
the lion of faith? And his cry was heard throughout the halls of our most
wise master. Each of the assembled ulama declared himself unworthy of the
task, though each would not refuse the wishes of Fate, for each secretly in his
heart believed he alone understood the Law. At last, despairing that the
great synod would ever reach harmony, the Great Lion, showing the wisdom
of his line, proclaimed, Unto me did the winds reveal the secret of the Law,
and into my hands were placed the words of the Law. Although I am only
the poorest of Fates children, we have no fate but what Fate has granted us. I
shall be the lion of the faith, and from my hand shall flow the Law of the
Loregiver.
But not all the ulama were pleased by their lords judgment. Generous was
the Great Lion with his children, but when they refused to yield their
heresies, he could no longer abide them. Confronted by his righteous wrath,
each faced the choice of repentance or exile.

May everyone who is sitting here be well and happy all through the
year. . . .

1
 Most mysterious of all the mysterious archipelagos These are our children, for did we not plant their
in the Crowded Sea is a string of twisted islands known seed here? spoke the others. Since when does the
as the Steaming Isles. It is said that here, hidden Law allow the father to slay his child? Let us send to
behind walls of fog and lit by the infernal fires of the them a warning so that they can return once more to
jann, is a land of lost empires and princes redolent in our household.
jewel-draped caftans. No one ever admits to having Thus it was agreed, and a minor power assumed the
been there, no daftar includes instructions for plying disguise of mortal flesh. In this way he traveled from
the waters of the Steaming Isles, and no chart shows city to city, warning the foolish of Nog and Kadar that
its coastline. Just how islands that no one admits the gods were angry with them, but the people
seeing, let alone visiting, came to be named or figure ridiculed him and cast stones his way.
in the lore of the Crowded Sea is one of those With this, the gods could abide no more. The
mysteries lost to time and memory. greater powers again debated. How can we slay our
Nonetheless, they do exist, and on a lonely night blood? Is this not against the Law? Finally, the wisest
after perhaps too much strong drink, an old sailor may of them said, Let us appoint the Lords of the Four
confide that he of all people has actually seen the fog- Quarters to be our generals that they may carry out our
shrouded shores of the Steaming Isles. The tales are will. The other powers heard this with favor and so it
told with a hint of awe and terror and seem too was agreed.
fanciful to be true. But surely one seaman would not So did the gods say unto their kin, the genies, Go
lie to another? you now into the land of ins and punish them for
forgetting us. Thus were genies released into the

Tales of the Steaming Isles world and great Nog and Kadar humbled.
But not everyone perished, for one of their own

S o great is the mystery surrounding the islands of

the Steaming Isles that more than one tale is
commonly told about what they are and what lurks
walked among the unbelievers. Take your followers
and flee, the power warned, for this land must be
cleansed. So heeding the warning of his brothers, the
behind their veil of mystery. These are given here, as if minor power took his followers (for Fate had not been
told by a storyteller, for introduction into the unkind to him) and boarded ships to cross the sea,
campaign. loading their holds with marvelous treasures. Never
again were these ships seen, but it is said that the
The Children of Nog children of their children still reign, supported in great
Let the man who knows his fate call me a liar; luxury, somewhere in the Crowded Sea on an isle hid
otherwise, listen to the tale I have for you. In the long by the gods from the eyes of ins.
ago and in the far away, before men knew what we
know now, there were the great lands of Nog and How the Jackal Gained His Freedom
Kadar. They were mighty, but they were also evil, for In the islands of the Crowded Sea (it is said, and
they had heard and rejected the Law. The gods were shame to the one who claims that I lie) there float a
sorrowed when they saw this, for the people of these group of islands not owned by ins, where the order of
lands were once their children. the world is inverted. Here ins live mute and animals
We must punish these wicked folk who have rule. Why this is so happened a long time ago.
turned their backs upon us, argued some of the gods, When the world was created from the Great Ocean,
for their anger was great. Fate, which rules all things, summoned her children

2
and cast lots for each division of beinggod, genie, would rule what island. Uncle, your servants are
ins, and animal. First to come forward was the pasha of foolish, without speech or learning. You have given
the gods. For him Fate drew the expanses beyond them a great gift, but they have not the mind to
mortal ken, and it pleased that pasha greatly. understand it. How much greater would you be if your
Brothers, they have taken the greatest, said the servants could defend and nourish the gift you have
jackal, lord of the animals, to his cousins. given them. Grant them wisdom so that they may
Next rose the four wiziers of the genies, and it was understand your true generosity.
their lot to inhabit the elemental realms. And again the sultan of the ins pondered this until
No warmth, no water for us, bemoaned the jackal finally he reached a decision. Truly jackal, you are
loudly so all could hear. right. Greater will I be if the animals govern
Third was called fourth the sultan of the ins. Of themselves. Let my servants have the wisdom they
that which remained, Fates lot decreed the ins masters need.
of the mortal realm. Then the jackal rose up with a great smile. Foolish
Now the jackal turned to the other animals and ins, you have given away the greatest of your gifts and
said, Brothers, there are no more lots to be cast and never need we serve you again! By the sultans own
only the worst remains for us. And indeed Fate words, the animals were freed of their servitude. Thus
assigned to the animals the lowest lot of all, to serve have they roamed wild, and man has had to work hard
the ins in all things. ever since.
So the jackal said to his brothers, Do not despair, And on one set of distant isles, the animals are
for I will gain us a proper birthright. Then, to the more than wild, for over these lands they rule and men
sultan of the ins, he said, Uncle, though you are must serve their whims.
wise, your children are few. Still, Fate has generously
given you the whole of the land to rule. We, who are The Tale of Jamila the Virtuous
to be your servants, are many and have no land. In the days after the Lion of Faithwhose blessing
Should it be said that the master treats his slaves should fall on us allfirst received the law, his mind
thusly? Grant us a little land that others will know was unsettled and sorely afraid. Emirs and maliks bent
you are virtuous. their knee to him and touched their foreheads to the
And the sultan of the ins thought about this and stone, yet still he was worried. Unto his harim were
finally agreed. There are some islands in the ocean my given the most beautiful of consorts, each one whom
children can never see. These you may have for your he wed, yet still his thoughts found no peace.
service. Of these women was one, Jamila bint-Susan, whose
And the jackal went back and told his brothers and eyes were limned with ochers beauty, whose voice was
they were pleased, but the jackal promised more. as gentle as the moons silver, and whose wisdom was
Returning once again to the diwan of the ins, he made greater than the highest wizier in all the Great Lions
as in mourning, entering the court wailing and diwan. Sensing the disarray in her lords mind, she
moaning. asked, What is this thing that troubles you, gentle
Why grieve you so? asked the sultan of the ins. sovereign of my heart? Do not the great and wise yield
Uncle, may virtue shine upon you, the jackal to your will? Is not the Law of the Loregiver honored
answered. I showed my brothers your generous lands from martial Qudra to distant Afyal? Is not your name
and they were greatly pleased to run freely through the uttered with respect by all Enlightened men? What
forests. But quickly they fell squabbling as to who troubles you, O my husband?

3
 My power is only what Fate has given me, my Though he did not understand her plan, the
honor only what the gods decree, yet for these I care Righteous One did as she requested and sent for his
nothing. I fear that the Loregivers words, may her three greatest teachers of the law, ordering that each
blessing be on us all, will be blown away like the dune be dressed to wed.
before the wind, once I am gone. No one among my When the teachers were assembled, Jamila said, O
wiziers can I trust to maintain the words of the my love, now you must divorce me so that I will bring
Loregiver. You, whose wisdom reaches beyond the no shame on your line. Though it saddened the
walls of my harim, whose body knows no treachery or Venerated Ones heart and he did not understand her
guile; tell me, Jamila of my heart, how shall the law be plan, the First Caliph did as she bid.
sustained once I am dust? When the time for the audience came, all the evil
Jamila thought no more than the beat of a gossips of the caliphs diwan could scarcely contain
hummingbirds wing before she gave her answer. themselves, for Jamila came among them in the finery
First grant unto me an island in the farthest sea that of a bride. Prostrating herself before the First Caliph,
I may hold for all time. Then, O husband, find three she said, Noble lord, I beseech you one last time, let
ulama, the wisest of your wise who do not know me choose one of these teachers as my husband and
corruption, and bring them before me dressed in your troubled mind will be at ease. The Great Lion
white robes for a wedding. Then shall I give you an gave his consent with reluctance, for it meant Jamila
answer. would no longer grace his harim.
When the three were presented, the first wore robes
of white and gold and was cloaked in dignity. The First
Caliph could only marvel at the richness of the
scholars finery. Surely there can be no sage greater, he
thought, but Jamila turned him down. The second
alim was called forth, and he wore clothes of patches
and rags. Such humility and poverty must mark this
man as greater than the first, the First Caliph
reasoned, but Jamila did not choose this one either.
Finally the third alim came forward, dressed in
clothes of mourning. Why do you shame my court?
the First Caliph demanded, wroth that his commands
had been ignored.
The alim stood before his lord unafraid. O brilliant
master, my clothes express the sorrow that I should
take a temporal wife, for am I not already wedded to
the Law? answered the sage.
Then spoke Jamila, This man, noble caliph, shall
be my husband, for there is none so faithful as he.
Know that so long as we and our children live, the
words of the Loregiver shall be sustained in the land.
Should our line perish, then the word of Loregiver is in
peril. No sooner had she spoken than a great djinni

4
appeared at her command and swept the pair away. Leaves and branches drip with moisture and moss.
Where they went is known only to the First Caliph, Mold, mildew, and fungi work to quickly spread rot.
blessed is his memory, and perhaps a capricious djinni. Characters quickly discover that their equipment
Now my tale is done, so put the lights out and all go needs constant attention. Wood, leather, paper, and
home. food are particularly susceptible to mildew and rot, but
even metal must be regularly oiled against the
damaging effects of rust.
The Steaming Isles Of creatures, there are many, more varied than

U nlike so many other islands throughout the

Crowded Sea, with their romantic or prosaic
names, their carefully charted coasts, and scattered
might be imagined. It seems as if every beast of the
forest can be found here. Indeed this is true, for these
islands are special, as explained below.
settlementsall which give shape and form a place in Another unique feature of the Steaming Isles is the
mans imaginationthe Steaming Isles are void of any complete lack of monsters. The only creatures that
marker. To the outside world, the islands do not exist. live here are natural animals, although these are
They float unnamed and undescribed. exceptional enough. Any strange or fantastic creatures
Still, the islands are not completely without encountered are merely passing through.
epithet. They are known to those who live there.
Farthest east is Nimr (Tiger). Moving west from there The Creatures of the Steaming Isles
are Sunn (Swallow), Hayyat (Snake), Gazal (Gazelle), In every tale there is some truth, and the stories told
Baz (Hawk), and Jaqal (Jackal). Beyond these large above are no exceptionit is just that in some there is
islands are a number of small islands that have no more truth than others. The tale of the jackal told how
names. the animals gained a land for themselves and the
knowledge to rule it. This was not fanciful imagining
Climate and Life and the Steaming Isles are proof of that, for here
Southernmost of the four island chains, the Steaming nearly every animal is intelligent and can talk in clear
Isles are not as hot or jungled as their neighbor, the and crisp Midani.
Djinnis Claws. Their slightly greater distance from the The Steaming Isles were given to the animals in
equator, combined with the cooling ocean current that some prehistoric agetheirs to rule. With it the
flows along the southern rim of the islands, relieves the animals were given the powers of speech and
islands from the torrid heat of the sun. However, the comprehension, although this capacity varies from
islands are heavy with humidity. Thick fog settles over creature to creature. Their kingdom models the finest
the land at night and persists through the morning, of the Enlightened lands, and their society is organized
usually cleared by a mid-day rain. according to the those actions encouraged and
The result is a sub-tropical rain forest. The islands discouraged by the Law. As with ins society, there are
are thickly covered with green; cedar, pine, teak, those highly faithful to the law and those at its darker
mahogany, walnut, coffee, and the like are found on fringes.
the higher slopes, while the shores are covered with At the same time, the animals are still animals.
palms of betel, coconut, banana, and mangrove. There is no change in their physical appearance or
Bamboo grows throughout. Were these islands settled, general habits. Tigers still pad about the jungle on all
they would be an important supplier of wood for the fours and hunt other animals for their food. The
nations of Zakhara. animals do not build palaces, wear clothes, or fashion

5
 Table 5: Creatures Wise and Foolish

Ant. The numerous ants always say we, not I. They have no interest in conversation unrelated to their task.
Ass. This animal prides itself on being the most knowledgeable in the ways of men. It often speaks in riddles and is
seldom direct.
Bat. Nervous and suspicious, the bat constantly bemoans its low esteem among humans. It is not to be fully trusted.
Bear. Slow of speech, the bear easily fixes on an idea and does not let go. Bears are soldiers of the pashas.
Beetle. Far wiser than they appear, the beetles know much that is secret. They are despised by most other animals,
making them cantankerous and irritating.
Black Rhinoceros. Loyal to the Law, the laconic rhino cares naught for the affairs of the pasha. The little birds on its
back are incessant, prattling gossips.
Butterfly. Hopelessly simple, the butterflies dont know anything useful but can easily be tricked. They talk mostly of the
surroundings and the weather.
Crocodile. The crocodiles are dangerously irritable and impulsive, with little ambition and no concern for the Law.
Conversations with them eventually come to the subjects of sunning and their next meal.
Elephant. One of the friendliest creatures to men, the elephant preaches the Law and urges hard work as a virtue.
Fox. Clever but easily alarmed, the foxes are messengers and gossips of the islands. They ask many questions, always
wanting to know more.
Frog. Complacently self-important in their ponds, frogs dont know much but are free with their advice.
Gazelle. Earnest yet always fearful, the gazelles constantly urge caution. They avoid dealing with ins, but quickly become
submissive if trapped. The gazelles believe in the Law but are not good at following it.
Hawk. Arrogant and proud, the hawks are the stern judges of the islands. They have little use for violators of the Law
and are intolerant of hypocrisy.
Jackal. The cleverest of the animals and the best at reaching compromises, but those dealing with a jackal must be wary
of humiliating tricks. The jackals give lip service to the Law, believing they can outwit even the gods.
Leopard. A seemingly sleepy being with little interest in anything, the leopard is actually a sharp observer and esteemed
scholar of the Law. It is curious about strangers, unfailingly correct in its hospitality, and cold-blooded about hunting its
meals.
Monkey. Although among the wisest of animals, the monkeys are incapable of treating any subject seriously, nor are
their attention spans long. Monkeys constantly change the subject and greatly enjoy word games with guests.
Parrot. Talkative and friendly, the parrots are worldly in the ways of their fellow animals. They return kindness with
kindness and do not view ins as the enemy. Parrots serve as heralds in the diwans of the pashas.
Possum. Quiet, efficient, and docile, the possums hold the position of household servants and chamberlains of the
pashas. They know many secrets and can be tricked into revealing more than they should.
Rat. Despised by the others, rats exaggerate their own importance. They will fall in with any ins willing to believe their
tales, but should not be trusted.
Snail. Slow-moving and deliberate, snails are the great theoretical scholars and hair-splitters of the Law. They love a
good argument in their own slow way. Any question asked of them gets a long, theological answer.
Snake. The snake attained his position as pasha through threat and terror. Most of the other animals fear him. The
snake likes to pretend that he is only a humble servant of the Padishah while concocting plots to gain more power.
Swallow. This bird revels in the arts and strives for beauty in all things. Practical governing is not for it. The diwan of
Pasha Sunn is filled with wiziers who actually run the government.
Tiger. The tigers are fearsome warriors and clever scholars, particularly adept at finding ways to twist the meaning of the
Law to suit their savage natures.
Water buffalo. Staunch and conservative, the water buffalo opposes any change to the status quo. He is a great believer
in hard work and silent suffering.

6
weapons. There are no libraries filled with books Forbidden Action. In general, the animals are the very
written by monkeys. The history of their islands and models of propriety at court.
the knowledge of the Law is passed by word from At the diwan, the shah personally listens to the
generation to generation. In addition, the sages of the complaints and requests of his people according to the
City of the Faithful serve the animals as ulama and Law (which requires the leader be approachable by his
advisors in tricky matters of the Law. people). To an outsider, the court business seems most
As noted, the animals are organized along human fantastic. For example, a magpie may seek payment
lines, including castes and nobility. Each island is ruled from the djinn for the damage her nest suffered in a
by a shah of the same species as that islands name. wind storm, while Rais Monkey, speaking for his tribe,
The five shahs are Shah Nimr (Tiger), Shah Sunn points out that the great baobabs fruit is not yet ripe,
(Swallow), Shah Hayyat (Snake), Shah Gazal so could the great shah speak with the tree and point
(Gazelle), and Shah Baz (Hawk). Ruling over all the out its error? Such requests are neither frivolous nor
animals is Padishah Jaqal (Jackal). (The jackals are impossible for the shahs of the animals, however, for
held in great respect, for it was their ancestor who they possess insights to worlds beyond those of human
obtained the gifts of land and enlightenment.) sultans. Every complaint is heard with respect, and
To aid in role-playing the different animals, a listing action is taken whenever possible.
is given on Table 5: Creatures Wise and Foolish. The Beyond the limits of the diwan, the animals are
entries describe the general station, behavior, and role- very much animals. Player characters may be stalked
playing cues for most of the animal types found by a tiger or teased by monkeys in the branches. The
throughout the Steaming Isles. beasts will not talk to the characters without reason,
but once revealed, the PCs can converse freely. Ins of
Life of the Shahs all types are viewed with great suspiciononly those
The animals of the Steaming Isles have modeled their of the City of the Faithful have gained any measure of
society after that of gods, genies, and menand yet trust from the animals.
they remain animals. They do not settle in towns,
build houses, raise armies, or assess taxes. These are The City of the Faithful
habits peculiar to the ins, foreign to the wild kingdom. Remarkable talking animals are not the only
What the animals have recreated are the trappings of inhabitants of the Steaming Isles. One small
majesty and the veneer of the Enlightened lands. settlement of ins can be found beyond the fog-
Thus, the animals are ruled by shahs from feral diwans shrouded wallthe City of the Faithful. Herein can be
filled with savage courtiers and wiziers, harims fecund found the core of truth to the Tale of Jamila the
with orchids, and marqabs where beastly scholars Virtuous, for this is the very city she and her alim
debate fine points of the Law. husband founded.
Of course, without architecture, the diwan, harim,
and marqab exist more as concepts than structures. Madinat al-Mumin
The diwan of each shah is a space outside his lair, den, Ruler: Jaddat Jamila, Grandmother Jamila,
or nest where the other animals congregate. By (h/f/P/m/15) is a direct descendant of Jamila the
custom, no animal attacks another here, even if Virtuous, co-founder of this colony. Perhaps seventy or
beyond the diwan they are hunter and prey. By equal eighty years old, Jaddat (as she is called by all) is a
custom, though, no animal may linger here unless lean, withered woman with thin gray hair. She dresses
invited by the shah. Breaking these customs is a in simple whites and blacks, spurning all adornment as

7
vanity. Her only concession is a mahogany cane which error, but they will not enforce their will on others.
she uses to get about. Although not a fighting-type The only exception is in the prevention of Forbidden
priest, Jamila is far from incapable. Her wit is quick, Actions. Atheists, murderers, and the like are
her senses sharp, and her wisdom at its peak. intolerable to the community.
The Court: Madinat al-Mumin lacks an official Major Products: None, since the community
court of any type. All citizens freely advise Jaddat. Her neither imports nor exports goods. However, nearly
husband, Jadd Alai (h/m/W/sh/13), is her closest everyone in the city is learned and many could put the
advisor. His advice is always cautious, for he fears rash greatest ulama to shame.
action will imperil the purity of the citizens. Armed Forces: None, although a simple militia of
Population: Madinat al-Mumin has only 98 citizens 28 men and women could be assembled. Should the
of all ages. community be hard pressed, the citizens can call upon
Distinguishing Features of the Populace: By far Fate. Because of the unique nature of this community,
and away, the most notable aspect of Madinat al- their attempt automatically succeeds.
Mumin is their curious dialect. It is an ancient form of Other Important Individuals: Beyond Jadd and
Midani, a language unchanged since the days of the Jaddat, everyone in the city is treated as an equal. The
First Caliph. Those first hearing this tongue must only distinction of station exists between themselves
make a Wisdom check to recognize meaning, although and any outsiders (who are automatically of lower
repeated attempts can be made. (Clerics of the Faith station). Great age confers more honor than youth, but
gain a +1 to their check since the words are similar to this is a natural consequence. Other individuals
the writings of ulama from the Time of include Samia (he/f/T/r/9), who knows the lineage of
Enlightenment.) Much of their conversation is laced every person in town; Rashad (h/m/P/k/10), whom the
with allusions and quotes from the Law. After a week animals trust; and Amsha bint Jamila (h/f/F/f/8), a
characters become accustomed to the dialect and no master of the sword.
longer need to make checks except, perhaps, for truly Noted Features of the Town: While city may
obscure topics. seem too grand a name for the size of this settlement,
The second noticeable feature of the populace is Madinat al-Mumin is far from a simple rural
their dress. While simple, restrained, and not backwater. Here there are no squalid shacks, rambling
ostentatious, everyone seems to dress well in clean, slums, or ill-tended outbuildings. Everything is
crisp cotton. There are no ragged beggars, half-naked gleaming white-washed walls and smooth, crisp lines.
children, or richly attired merchants. No one, not The few buildings here are works of marvelous
even Jaddat Jamila, dresses above the rest. architecture, the greatest being the palace that
Less immediately noticeable, but of greater impact, dominates the hill overlooking all. The workmanship
is the sincere piety of everyone living here. The people is worthy of any palace artisan, far surpassing that of
are not just respectful of the Law, they breathe the the standard village craftsman, and it would grace the
Law. The Loregivers words permeate every fiber of grounds of any sultans domain.
their existence. Fortunately for the PCs, the citizens of As mentioned above, the few houses of the village
Madinat al-Mumin do not demand the same piety of are dominated by a vast palace, far larger than should
outsiders (since they have never had to deal with ever be required for such a small community. It is the
outsiders before). Instead, they look on those less residence of Jadd and Jaddat, but even then only a
devout with patronizing tolerance, flawed but trying small portion of it is in regular use. As the people are
the best they can. They seek to enlighten and correct willing to explain, the palace was built when Madinat

8
al-Mumin was founded by Jamila the Virtuous and her out all Zakhara is imperiled. It is a great burden that
husband. the villagers approach with great seriousness.
According to the tale, the djinni who brought them Although this may sound like a fanciful tale to the
here, in order to gain revenge for the service he was player characters, it is not. Everything the citizens
forced to perform, arranged for the construction of the have explained is quite trueMadinat al-Mumin is
palace when commanded to raise a dwelling for the the cosmological linchpin of the Law. Through reasons
couple. While his mistress intended only a simple only sensed but not comprehended by mortals, the
house (for that was all she needed), the djinni oversaw Law of the Loregiver is guaranteed to survive for as
the building of the palace. The genie hoped to tempt long as these villagers carefully uphold it.
the virtue of his masters and thus bring about their fall. However, if the villagers fail or disappear from the
Jamila refused temptation, however, by only using the face of the world, the Law does not instantly collapse.
smallest portion of the great building, a tradition It will continue on, perhaps forever, but there is no
maintained to this day. The rest of the palace is assurance. Heresies could spread like sand before the
emptyunfurnished and hollowkept spotless by blowing wind, corrupting and perverting the Law.
invisible genie servants. The animals of the isles can Conquering nations could sweep it from the land. Sin
sometimes be found debating with hushed voices in and evil could end it all.
the distant halls.

Adventure:
The History of Madinat al-Mumin Praises Be the loregiver
Characters familiar with the tale of Jamila the Virtuous

T
and who suspect there is more to the story than just his adventure begins well before the characters
words are quite correct, for Madinat al-Mumin was ever arrive at the shores of the Steaming Isles.
founded by Jamila the Virtuous and her husband. There is more than just fog to keep these islands safe;
However, two people do not a city make, nor even a there are unique terrors of the sea that must be braved
small village like al-Mumin. before safe landfall can occur.
The islands were not deserted when the pair
arrived, and that is where the rest of the people came The Leviathan
from. Living here for untold eons before Jamila arrived This encounter begins at some point when the
were the descendants of settlers from Nog and Kadar. characters are sailing on the open sea, out of sight of
Were these the faithful followers of the god sent land. Ideally, the encounter occurs after several days of
among mortals or merely settlers blown far off course? such voyaging, when the group is beginning to feel
No one knows, for the records have been long lost. desperate for some welcome shore.
Nonetheless, Jamila and her husband guided them to It is late in the day, near evening, and the rubban
the true understanding of Enlightenment and the (if an NPC) has been concerned for the last several
villagers have been faithful to the Law ever since. hours. A storm front, sweeping in from the horizon,
The reason for this great faith, according to the threatens their safety. Although he tries not to show
townspeople, is to protect the Law of the Loregiver his fears, the old salts of the crew know perfectly well
from destruction. It is their sincere belief that so long as what distresses their captain. As the hours pass, even
they faithfully adhere to the Law, it can never be the dullest of sailors can sense the shifting weather.
forgotten in the Land of Fate. Should this village fail in The winds become fierce and gusty, rain falls in driven
its duty or be destroyed, the safety of the Law through- fits, and the waves toss and surge. Dark clouds roll

9
through the sky. Prayers are whispered softly and the Just in time the ship finds a shallow cove to drop
ominous word, Tufan, echoes through the ship. anchor. The violence of nature crashes over the island,
There is a growing sense of doom among the men. buffeting the ship. One seaworthiness check is
Just as the fear is reaching its peak, a cry echoes required. If passed, the ship is undamaged. If failed, it
from the lookout. O rais, land ahead, sings out the has sustained minor damage that should be repaired
didban with clear relief in his voice. An isle, captain, before sailing on.
with trees upon it! Those crew not needed for the Regardless of damage, it is likely the crew will go
sails strain at the rail for a sight of providence. Sure ashore. If the rubban is an NPC, he sends men to
enough, a low rugged isle comes over the horizon, search for fresh water and food. Otherwise, several of
small and green, with perhaps a decent anchorage to the crew request permission from the PCs to go ashore,
ride out the coming storm. ostensibly for food and water. The shore is shingly
If the ship remains at sea, it is hit by a fierce squall. stone, great gray-black patches of slate that are hard
Winds and waves batter the vessel at gale strength, underfoot. There is no beach; the soil gradually builds
requiring two seaworthiness checks. up farther inland, until there is a thickness able to
If the first is failed, a mighty wave heels the ship over support plants and trees over the hard surface. It is an
until water floods over the deck! Almost immediately unusual island.
the bilge begins flooding. The vessel, instead of righting It is also not an island, but the back of a great
itself, cracks its masts into the water and begins to sink. zaratan, larger than any ever reported. Deep in
Within minutes the entire ship will go turtle and slumber, the beast makes no notice of the tiny
eventually slip under the waves. The characters have no creatures on its back, unless
more than three rounds to grab anything they want, Unless they do something foolish to rouse it. A
including some type of makeshift raft. grand bonfire would eventually warm its thick hide
If the first check is passed, a second must be made. enough to cause pain, and digging for water will
If this is failed, there is a thunderous crack followed by quickly yield black blood. Should the beast become
a scream. The mainmast has shattered, clubbing a disturbed, it raises its submerged head out of the waters
crewman overboard in the process. In the wildly with a thunderous roar. (Save vs. spells or be deafened
churning waves and wind-blasted rain, rescue is for 1d6 rounds.) The entire island quakes and shudders
impossible. The great sail crashes to the deck, for several rounds and then suddenly begins to
smashing more of this ship. (Have any PCs on deck submerge. Sea water sucks over the wooded shell,
make Dexterity checks, just to make them nervous.) creating a vortex dangerous to ship. Worse still, the
The crew works frantically to heave the tangled mast ships anchor is wedged into the sunken lip of the
and sail over the side. Another crewman disappears zaratans shell. As the creature dives, the hawser strains
overboard in the process, but the storm passes. The so much that the ship tilts dangerously toward the
ship is crippled without a mast, but saved. The ship bow. Wood and rope groan under the strain.
must be put ashore for repairs, but the mysterious Action must be taken quickly to save the ship.
island has vanished. Was the ship blown off course or Although the hawser will snap before the ship is
was it never there? dragged under, waiting for that to happen is too late.
By then the ship will be unable escape the suction of
Landfall the creatures descent. The hawser must be cut
If the vessel does seek anchorage, make it a race immediately, sacrificing an anchor to do so. It takes 17
between the advancing squall and the nearing shore. points of damage to chop through the knotty, corded

10
cable. Those at the task must save vs. breath weapon effect is a strange weakness that seems to strike those
to avoid being struck by the wildly recoiling hawser. carrying significant amounts or iron or steel. Their
The thick cable does 2d6 points of damage if the save every effort is tiresome as if their armor, swords,
is failed. shields, or whatever suddenly weighed double. Still,
Once the rope is cut, the ship can sail to safety, there seems to be no particular cause, since some
again with prompt action. For dramatic effect, make people (those without metal) seem immune to the
the escape perilous by describing the looming head of weakening disease.
the zaratan that breaches the surface only tens of yards After the characters have had a chance to ponder
from the ship. It lets out a final shriek, makes toward this strange malady, new mysteries puzzle them. Small
the vessel, and dives away at the last second. It is items (all of iron or steel) disappear and change
never seen again. If the characters used spells on it, let location. Set a dagger on the table in one place and a
them have the satisfaction of thinking they drove the short time later it inexplicably falls to the floor. Maybe
mighty beast away. it was the pitching and yawing of the ship, but the
water is unusually calm. Next, the same items begin to
Night slide and slip across the deck of their own accord. Was
If the characters do nothing to rouse the zaratan and it the waves? Characters seem to drop items when they
you still want to use the encounter anyway, then the are actually being gently pulled from casual grip.
beast rouses from its sleep sometime during the night. By the time the characters see obvious evidence of
It is hungry and ready to feed. The crew first becomes the effect, it is almost too late. Suddenly swords, iron
aware of their peril when the watch (perhaps the PCs) pots, braziers every iron and steel item on board
hails out that the ship is drifting. The anchor has come seem to spring to life. With a single crash they leap
loose and the ship is moving slowly along an from shelves, launch from hooks, and crash to the
increasing current. Within seconds the seamen are floor, remaining rigidly pressed in place. Characters
surprised to see a black cave ahead into which the sea holding such items must make a Strength check to
flows. This is no cave but the gaping maw of the avoid being unexpectedly pulled from their feet. Those
zaratan. As before, quick and decisive action is needed in metal armor must make the check at -3 each time
to save the ship from being crunched between the jaws they attempt to move.
of the enormous monster. Gradually the attraction increases until moving any
metal item is the equivalent of lifting 200 pounds (plus
Lodestone the weight of the object). At this stage several things
Having survived the encounter with the zaratan, the will have to be adjudicated.
ship presses closer to the Steaming Isles, only to If the ship is carrying a considerable amount of
encounter a more insidious hazard. There is a reason metal, the entire vessel is in peril. An immediate
why the ships of Zakhara use no nails, and the PCs are seaworthiness check must be made or she sinks. Even if
about to discover it. passed, all motion stops as the attraction becomes too
Located at the bottom of the ocean, which is a great to break. Iron and steel must go overboard if the
mere 400 feet deep at this point, is a vast deposit of crew hopes to escape.
lodestonepowerful magnetic rock. As the ship passes If the ship carries a moderate quantity of iron and
over this region, every item with ferrous content is steel, movement of the vessel slows to half until free of
irresistibly drawn toward the bottom. the area. (This is a good opportunity for ghoul
The first warning the player characters have of this piratesusing wooden clubs, of courseto attack.)

11
 If a character is wearing considerable amounts of the rocks. It must be towed free quickly, probably by a
iron or steel, that character suffers 1d8 points of boatload of oarsmen (although a shair might persuade
crushing damage each round if the metal is a rigid shell a marid to rescue the vessel). Every fifteen minutes a
(like plate), or 2d6 points of damage for flexible metals new check must be made to see if the ship stays whole.
(like chain mail). If freed, it will float but needs repairs. Again, finding
Metal cast overboard is instantly drawn to the safe harbor involves navigation checks.
bottom. A metal item the size of a standard sword
results in sufficient attraction to drag down a Landfall Again
swimming man unless he lets go of it. The characters and crew have come ashore on one of
If forward motion of the ship is maintained, the the Steaming Isles. Select one most appropriate to
vessel moves past the epicenter in about one hour. their direction of travel. Like all the islands, it is filled
Thereafter the effects gradually reverse until, by the with both plant and animal life. It is also, by no
end of six hours, all is almost normal again. However, coincidence, the same island which contains the
there is a 75% chance that any iron or steel item has village of Madinat al-Mumin. (The DM may want to
been magnetized. Weapons become hard to use, metal locate this town on his map, now that its location is
arrowheads fail to fly true; both result in a -2 on the fixed.)
chance to hit. The weak effect passes after several Whether ashore or onboard, things seem normal
days. Worse still, from the mariners point of view, is and peaceful enough at first. However, before too long
that the ships compass (if it has one) is ruined. the crew becomes unsettled and afraid. Men sent into
the forest eye it with superstitious fear. No one will
Into the Fog admit any reason under open questioning (since this
After surviving all these perils, the characters finally would insult their own courage), but artful and gentle
site the fog-draped coast of the Steaming Isles. During probing reveals the cause. The forest, the crew says, is
the night, as the characters near the islands, a thick alive with evil. They can hear the murmur of half-
fog settles over the ship. Sailing through it is spoken words from the high branches, the whisper of
dangerous but unavoidable, so NPC rubbans will move dark deeds from the moldering forest floor, and
at the ships slowest pace. Visibility ranges from 100 articulate screams that float in from the distance.
yards on rare instances to less than 20 feet. As the ship Little things like tools constantly disappear. They
nears shore, lookouts hear the sound of breakers swear by all the gods that something is watching them.
smashing against the rocks. At this point the crew must be handled carefully,
A navigation check must be made to steer the for their fears could push them to the point of mutiny.
vessel clear of certain doom. If successful, the pilot Mocking these fears and calling them cowards causes a
somehow avoids breaking up on rocks, turning into great loss of honor. Ordering them into the forest
cliffs, or foundering on hidden reefs. The fog parts just without precautions brings surly defiance and
enough to reveal a small gap in the rocky coast that eventually bloodshed.
leads to a sheltered baythe perfect anchorage. Of course, someone is watching the PCs and
If the check is failed, the foolish pilot drives the crewthe intelligent animals of the Steaming Isles. By
ship onto the rocks. A seaworthiness check is made day, the parrots and snakes report on their every move.
and, if failed, the ship breaks up immediately. At night, the leopards prowl the edges of the camp
Characters will be swept, exhausted and battered, onto with sanguine curiosity. The monkeys steal whatever
the shore. If the check succeeds, the ship is stuck on they can, day or night.

12
Conflict overgrown gardens, until they come to Jaddats
Things could go on like this forever, but they almost chamber. Here the group is presented to Jaddat and her
certainly will not. One of the two events is likely to husband.
occur before the player characters leave the island Jaddat is immediately concerned by the arrival of
(assuming, of course, the characters do not foolishly foreigners. Up to now, all has progressed smoothly in
provoke a mutiny). Madinat al-Mumin simply because no outsider has
First, the PCs will go exploring and, in the process, ever found the place. By the customs of hospitality
discover Madinat al-Mumin. If this happens, the (important to the Law), the characters must be
adventure continues with Audience with Jaddat. received graciously and treated well, but Jaddat wishes
Second, the player characters or the rest of the crew they were elsewhere. What effect will the characters
get hungry. (Tempt the group with descriptions of the have on the purity of the villagers?
ample, fat game.) Someone stalks a nice, fat, and The best solution to this problem, Jaddat decides, is
unusually tame gazelle, kills it, butchers it, and roasts it to keep a close watch on the PCs. Therefore, she offers
for a great feast. This does not go over well with the them rooms at her palace and a feast that night. No
rest of the animals. In this case, press on with The attempt is made to force the group or restrain them,
Crime. but there is always a townsman around to keep an eye
If for some reason the player characters are on the party.
particularly circumspect and remarkably indifferent to The feast is entirely vegetarian, but questions about
exploration, the citizens of Madinat al-Mumin that and anything else relating to the community are
discover them. Out of hospitality, the leaders of the carefully dodged. Cosmological beliefs might be
crew (assuming here these are player characters) are discussed with learned clerics, but not with just
invited back to the village as befits proper hospitality. anyone. If satisfied the PCs are good (not necessarily
perfect), Jaddat relaxes her vigilance, although she
Audience with the Jaddat does warn the group to treat the animals of the island
The entrance of the player characters into Madinat al- with great respect.
Mumin causes quite a stir, for outsiders have never Although the characters are tolerated in the town,
been seen here in the last 400 or so years. Every citizen they should never feel completely welcome. With each
of the village turns out to see the newcomers, taking departure there is always a sense of great relief on the
care not to gape or stare too openly. Anything parts of Jaddat and Jadd.
unusualstrange race, appearance, dress, or item
provokes considerable comment, but no one addresses The Crime
the PCs about it. Finally, Samia and Amsha introduce If the PCs do not go hunting, the crew does in their
themselves (if they are not already accompanying the absence and manages to roast a gazelle for dinner. The
PCs) and invite them to rest in the house of their feast is wonderful, but it is tantamount to a Forbidden
grandmother (Jaddat). Both are unfailingly polite Action in the eyes of the animals.
and truthful, qualities befitting anyone striving for The next morning, the peace of camp is broken by
virtue. Neither offers more in the way of explanation. frightened screaming. A delegation from the
The pair leads the PCs through the town and up animalssix bears, six leopards, and six tigershave
the slopes of the hill (Purity) to the gleaming palace come to demand justice. If the characters refrain from
at the top. They pass through the gates and doors attacking, the oldest tiger will speak. He accuses the
without formalities, through empty halls and humans of murder and demands blood-payment for the

13
slaughtered animal(s). The price is two humans for Tigers (6): Int Semi; AL N; AC 6; MV 12; HD
every beast killed. Furthermore, there is the issue of 5+5; hp 32, 29, 24, 23, 22, 19; THAC0 15; #AT 3;
trespassing. The shah of the island demands that the Dmg 2-5/2-5/1-10; SA Rear claws 2-8 each; SD +2
humans appear before his court. surprise; SZ L; ML 8; XP 650 each.
Of course, the crew will mutiny if the PCs try to
hand over any NPC, and any NPC rubban will not Bears (6): Int Semi; AL N; AC 6; MV 12; HD
agree to such terms. The PCs can volunteer 5+5; hp 33, 32, 30, 29, 26, 22; THAC0 15; #AT 3;
themselves, but it would not be the best idea since the Dmg 1-6/1-6/1-8; SA Hug; SZ L; ML 8; XP 420 each.
beasts mean to immediately kill those given as blood-
payment (and any resistance would only result in war). Leopards (6): Int Semi; AL N; AC 6; MV 15; HD
Outright attacks are also foolish, for the PCs face 3+2; hp 20, 20, 18, 17, 11, 10; THAC0 17; #AT 3;
the might of the entire wild kingdom. True, the group, Dmg 1d3 (2)/1d6; SA Rear claws 1d4+1 each; SD -2
through spells, weapons, and surprise, might defeat the to be surprised; SZ M; ML 10; XP 175 each.
delegation now facing them, but knowledge of their
deed spreads almost instantaneously. Not only will Audience with the Shah
they face more of the great predators, but every
creature large and small will work against them.
Parrots and other birds dive bomb unexpectedly,
snakes strike from the bushes, sharks fill the bay, and
I f the PCs have made the request, the shah of the
island eventually grants them a hearing. The shah,
be it snake, hawk, tiger, gazelle, or swallow, is curious
monkeys pelt coconuts and rocks from the tree topsa about these intruders. The audience is set to occur
true gorilla warfare! Again, the characters may be without delay. The old tiger reappears at the edge of
strong and well-protected, but the majority of the the camp, flanked by a leopard and a bear, to escort
crewmen make easy targets for such attacks. the humans to the diwan of Shah X.
A far better idea is to negotiate. The PCs can If the PCs are not masters of the ship, it is at this
request an audience with the shah, pleading ignorance point the NPCs show their true spiritabject fear.
and mercy. The creatures are dealing from a position of Neither the nakhuda or the rubban will go. I have no
strength, so the PCs should be appropriately polite and skill at speaking, no knowledge of the law, each
humble. Arrogant demands and a lack of respect for claims. Someone else must go. The task is clearly up to
proper protocol are no way to talk ones self out of this the player characters. Every PC can go unless he or she
mess. If importuned correctly, the tiger relays their has been particularly offensive or hostile. Politeness
request to a parrot and then orders the beasts to counts.
withdraw until an answer comes from the shah. The The trip through the jungle is almost like a
bears, leopards, and tigers fade into the jungle, just procession down the main avenue of some great city.
lurking beyond sight. No one is allowed to go inland Animals of all kinds perch and hang from the trees,
from the camp. peer from the bushes, or caper alongside the escort that
After this visit, the crew is in utter terror. Not one flanks the humans. Voices whisper and comment on
of them will move from the beach, and if the ship is in the exotic strangers passing by. A few monkeys may jeer
any shape to leave, they want to gotight now. Clearly and hoot, but most of the animals are merely curious.
this is the work of evil genies or horrid monsters come The diwan of the shah is one that suits that
to trick them. The island is accursed and unholy. From particular animal. Shah Sunn holds court in a brilliant
here on the PCs are definitely on their own. glade, her throne a nest in a flame-of-the-forest tree.

14
Shah Nimrs is a bamboo thicket where the tiger l Servitude to the family of the slain animal(s).
sprawls in the hot afternoon shade. Shah Hayyat rules l An oath of vegetarianism from the entire crew.
from the edge of a swamp, his sinuous form curled l An oath to treat all animals as equals from the

around a moss-draped branch. Shah Gazal stands atop player charactersno riding horses, etc.
a small mound in the center of a grassy plain, his harim As a final precaution, the shah insists on an oath of
clustered in the distance. Shah Baz surveys his secrecy about the island from every member of the
kingdom from an aerie at the top of a rocky crag where crew. The animals are perfectly aware that humans
the wind howls continually. Padishah Jaqal rolls in the would invade their land in great numbers, were its
dust before his den, prowling as he speaks. location known.
The audience is a great affair for the animals. In Because these animals are specially gifted from the
addition to the Shah (or Padishah) there will be a time of creation, oaths made to them have two special
variety of other creatures present. Some are wiziers to effects. First, they have all the binding force of a geas
their lord, others petitioners with business of the day. spell. Second, all beasts throughout Zakhara (but not
Make the player characters wait for their chance to necessarily the world) sense the characters are marked
speak while the Shah hears other, trivial matters. A by the oath.
groundhog complains that a fox has stolen its den, two
monkeys argue over the ownership of a fruit tree, a Complications
nightingale seeks divorce from her unfaithful spouse. If the characters and the shah cannot come to
Each addresses the shah with the same respect a terms, then it is war between the two kingdoms, beast
Zakharan would give any ruler of the Land of Fate, and and ins. To the animals minds, the enemy includes the
each judgment is carefully debated and considered innocent citizens of Madinat al-Mumin and the player
according to the tenets of the Law. Impress on the characters are told as such. Since the laws of
characters the gravity of the court; this is no parody of hospitality and peace still hold, the PCs are escorted
human mores. back to their camp unharmed. Of course, should they
When the PCs are finally heard, force the players to foolishly attack the shah (tantamount to an
role-play the audience. Encourage them to prepare assassination attempt) or their escort, the peace is
speeches, impassioned arguments, debate fine points of broken and reprisals are immediate.
the Law, or whatever it will take to make a good On hearing what the PCs have done, Jaddat is
impression. Do not let players get away with just making mortified. If the characters do not know yet, she
die rolls (like proficiency checks) for success or failure. The explains the true importance of the settlement and
audience is the heart of this adventure and it should be berates them for the doom they have brought upon the
as challenging and fraught with peril as any savage Law of the Loregiver. Victory by the small settlement
battle of sword and spell. against the great numbers of animals is impossible.
After the characters have made their impassioned Peace must be made at any cost and the player
plea, make a judgment. How good was their defense? characters (as the offenders) must pay the price. The
Were they insulting to the shah? Did they offer any- characters may find themselves in a much harder spot
thing (other than lives) in exchange? (The beasts have than ever before. How this role-playing dilemma is
no interest in money, but might accept interesting resolved is left to the DM, since the solution is likely
goods instead of blood.) A price must be paid by the to involve noble self-sacrifice on the part of his
crewmen (including the NPCs), but it does not neces- players. No scenario can dictate that since it must
sarily have to be death. Possible outcomes include: come from the heart.

15
 If the characters refuse to face the consequences of
their deeds, they fall forever and irrevocably under the
influence of the Evil Eye. Clerics lose 4th level and
greater spellcasting abilities and all granted powers
until things are set right once more. The sleep of all is
tormented by dreams of the great crime they have
committed against the Law. If the Madinat is
destroyed, there is no hope for the PCs, save becoming
the greatest and most devout ulama since the time of
the First Caliph.

The Great Treasure

The shah and his wiziers are the source of the Great
Treasure (or its clue) in this adventure. Like all things
ins, it is of no importance to them. They will give it
up, but they will want something of equal value in
return, and they will only deal with those respectful to
them. Graciousness and cultivation are prized in this
land.
Of course, what animals value is far different from
ins. Payments similar to those already described are
what they require, particularly service. Take this
opportunity to remind arrogant player characters of
humilitymake them spend a month helping sparrows
build nests or standing watch over a herd of gazelles.
Have fun.

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, FORGOTTEN REALMS, and

AD&D are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.

AL-QADIM and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Copyright 1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America.
Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is
prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.

All TSR characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are
trademarks owned by TSR, Inc.
Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the
book trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book and
hobby trade in the United Kingdom by TSR Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby
trade by regional distributors.

16
Book 6

Map Booklet
Man at sea is an insect on a splinter, now engulfed, now scared to
death.

Caliph Umar ibn-al-Khattab (634-644)

Credits
Design: Zeb Cook
Editing: Bill Slavicsek
Cover Painting: Jeff Easley
Illustrations: Karl Waller
Cartography: Dave Sutherland III
Special Thanks: Wolfgang Bauer, Jeff Grubb, David LeMuele

1
1992 TSR. Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Clues But as the proverb says, Fate is not kind forever,
and so it was that Umar set out on one last voyage

F or the characters to find the Great Treasure, they

must follow the trail of clues you give them. As
noted in Book One: Homeport, there is no set order to
from which his ship never returned. It was to have
been the greatest of all adventures, to find the most
fantastic of all wonders. He sailed southwest from
these, with the exception of the very first. Instead, Huzuz toward a group of islands never charted, where
each clue notes where it will send the player shrimps and great crabs were plentiful. Perhaps there
characters. You get to choose where their adventures he met his doom, or perhaps he lives still.
will take them next, based on which problems you
want them to face and perhaps what treasures you To Send the PCs to Takkabar
want them to find. It has come to me that at the tip of the Strait of Sorrow
The clues here are meant to be copied and given to there lies a most mysterious island, guarded by a fierce
the player characters at the appropriate time. When maelstrom of evil intent. No sailor has ever put ashore
discovered, they usually take the form of a scroll or there, no wizard ever scried that land. Who knows what
other document, although a wise sage may also tell the wonders and riches might lie on those shores?
PCs the clue.
To Send the PCs to Kaff
The First Clue Genies make delights beyond imagining, but care for
It is said there are many wonders throughout the land, them not, leaving them strewn for others to find. Why,
some great and some small. Who can know all of there are even tales of beasts with wonders worthy of
these? Perhaps a bold explorer or merchant who trades the Grand Caliph yet who understand not the value of
with the edge of the world. the thing they possess. The wise man would sail for the
It is said that such a merchant can be found in islands of the djinn, for perhaps there he will find what
Bandar al-Sadat. Indeed, wisdom and folly have he seeks.
visited this one, for he knows a great secret yet does
not see its true worth. Go to al-Saadat and seek To Send the PCs to the Steaming Isles
among the merchants there. Treasures beyond value cannot be found within the
world man knows, for has not man recorded all of his
To Send the PCs to al-Sartan knowledge? So goes the argument of the great alim al-
There was or there was not, in the time of the Fifth Nasir. By his reasoning then, man cannot find more
Caliph, a great ship commanded by the bold Umar al- knowledge among the lands of men, but instead must
Rubban. For many years he voyaged between the seek out the lands of animalsas are rumored to be far
islands of the Crowded Sea, risking his life against to the south beyond the lands of mento advance the
hideous monsters, to find strange peoples and state of his civilization.
wondrous cargos. Many a delight he brought back to Clearly, now my students will see why the reason-
the marbled palaces of Huzuz and great was his fame ing of al-Nasir is false, for surely the animals given by
among the bahriyin. the gods to serve cannot be greater than men . . .

12
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
To the North To the East To the Eastern Lands Sikak
Paper Silk Salt Fish
Ajami magic Spices Wood Boats
Grain Exotica Rope
Wool Furrowed Mountains Salt
Antiquities Gems
Qudra Gems Slaves Jumlat
Slaves Exotica Hiyal Pearls
Mamluks Coal Shells
Armor Harab Iron Dye
Coral
Steel
Feathers
Liham Wool
Teak
Pottery
Coffee Spices Afyal
Armor
Pottery Musk
Weapons Wood
Salt
Gold
Bariya Haunted Lands Silver
Umara Feathers Gems
Livestock
Carpets Teak Ivory
Carpets
Cloth Spices Elephants
Wool
Cheese Silk
Antiquities
Dye al-Sadaat Dates
Ships
Muluk Halwa Dihliz
Dye Sams Bandar Livestock Rice
Cloth Coconut Slaves Antiquities
Shrimp Salt
Qadib Wool Kadarasto
Sages Rice
Cloth Fahhas Huzuz Cotton
Dye Fruit Pilgrims Antiquities
Magic Livestock Cloth
Pottery Rogosto
Hafayah Porcelain
Hilm Sages
Cloth Grain Art
Rice Itiraf Livestock Crystal
Agates Glass Horses
Sages Pilgrims
Utaqa Cotton To Akota
Mercenaries Talab Gold
Slaves Slaves
Gana Wool
Cloth
Tajar Pearls Herbs Exotica
Carpets Shells Healers
Wool Aromatics Wool
Metalwork Myrrh
Swords Frankincense
Horses Coral Hudid
Livestock Glass
Spices Ajayib Books
Coffee Sages
High Desert Fruit Scribes
Wool Frankincense
Dates Myrrh Mahabba
Metalwork Aromatics Wood
Carpets Dyes Cotton
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sartani

CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Shallow ocean and tropical islands than one). However, being the creatures of warm tropical oceans,
FREQUENCY: Very rare sartani are particularly vulnerable to cold. They save against cold-
ORGANIZATION: Solitary based attacks at -1 and suffer an additional point of damage per
die. A cone of cold causes damage and slows the creature to half-
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Diurnal normal speed if the saving throw is failed. This frost rigidity lasts
DIET: Carnivore for 2d4 rounds or until the creature can completely immerse itself
INTELLIGENCE: Low (5-6) in the warm sea for one round.

TREASURE: Nil Habitat/Society: The world is blessed in that the sartani are
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic neutral extremely rare, almost unique. So infrequently are they seen that
there is no reliable record of their existence among the many
NO. APPEARING: 1-3 scholarly bestiaries of the Zakharan sages, a group who has
ARMOR CLASS: 2 cataloged nearly every creature in existence. Several legends exist
MOVEMENT: 15, Sw 12 that describe creatures similar to the sartani. The best known of
these describes the crab-headed giants as the children of a crab
HIT DICE: 8 god, sent to prepare the land for the crab gods arrival. This tale
THAC0: 13 predates the spread of the Law, and it is considered an example of
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 heretical thought by the strictest of the Enlightened.
Other common explanations for such hybridsexperiments of
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3d6/3d6 mad wizards and crossbreedinghave been discounted in this case.
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Crush This is mostly because no one can imagine any purpose or
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immunities (see below) rationale for creating such creatures.
It is assumed the sartani are intelligent, for they act with
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil purpose. Above the waves their mandibles make a staccato
SIZE: H (14 - 20) clacking that is their language. It is assumed this same tapping of
MORALE: Champion (15) shells allows them to communicate underwater. (Among the
LEVEL/XP VALUE: 2,000 tribesmen, drummers often try to imitate this clacking for dancers;
this is known as crab-style drumming.)
Sartani are most frequently sighted (of their infrequent
Sartani are terrifying creatures, part giant and part enormous appearances) in the shallow waters of the Crowded-Sea,
crab. Their legs and torsos are those of a muscular giant, but their particularly around the islands of al-Sartan. Such sightings lend
heads and hands are those of an enormous crab, including eyestalks support to the theory that the sartani are servants of the crab-
and mandibles. A partial carapace of shell extends down the chest, headed god Karrgra, who is worshipped on those isles. It may also
back, and shoulders, gradually blending with unprotected flesh. be, however, that the sartani have always been there and the cult
Thick, sodden strands of hair sprout from gaps and cracks in the of Karrgra grew around them.
shell, having all the appearance of wet seaweed. The creatures Whatever their source, the sartani are most often sighted singly,
bodies range from dull red to greasy blue in color, the shell walking on the bottom of, or sometimes swimming through, the
normally mottled with a lighter shade. The sartani are not known ocean. When encountered in groups it is a fearsome time, for that
to wear clothes or fashion implements of any sort, probably signals a coming raid on some coastal village. Such attacks are
because their pincerlike hands make delicate work impossible. extremely destructive, for the creatures fight until all resisters have
been slain or fled. Only then do they feast on their kills before
Combat: Sartani are ferocious fighters of single-minded purpose, returning to the ocean. For those along the coasts of al-Sartan, it is
once urged into battle. They fight without any subtlety, wading a common practice to flee into the forest with the arrival of a
directly into the thickest part of any line and attacking the nearest sartani warband, leaving goods and property behind.
enemy. Few take the time to assess the threat posed by their foe, Although they are known to wantonly destroy houses and
hence sartani are easily lured into attacking the front rank of any property, the creatures do not collect treasure. Their raids ashore
group while spellcasters and archers whittle them down. seem only to be for food as they ignore all manner of valuables
The physical attacks of the sartani are fearsome, however. They scattered across the ground. It is not believed that they make lairs
never fight with weapons, instead delivering powerful blows and or undersea homes, but live as nomads beneath the waves. The
rending attacks with their clawed hands. These do 3-18 points of crab-headed giants are considered boorish and coarse by other
damage per blow. As one strikes, it attempts to snap its giant intelligent sea-dwellers, and they are only rarely invited to the
pincers around the unfortunate target. If the attack roll is a 19 or courts of the marids or other sea lords. Inexplicably, the pahari and
20, the sartani has clasped the victim with its giant claw. sartani get along quite well and maintain cordial (though not
Thereafter it maintains its grasp, automatically squeezing each overly friendly) contact with each other.
round for 3d10 points of damage. The held victim cannot attack
with weapons or spells, but he can attempt a bend bars/lift gates Ecology: In the sea, the sartani play the role of great predators and
check to break the monsters hold, one attempt at the start of every scavengers. They are not picky about their food and will devour
round. Those not held can assist, provided someone keeps the anything from sharks to beached whales. Unconfirmed reports
sartani engaged in melee. Each person aiding can add half his bend describe them as attacking passing ships by cracking open the hull
bars/lift gates percentage to the total roll. with their claws to extract the helpless seamen within.
The sartani have an overall armor class of 2; however, should Roughly once a year the sartani molts his head shell. These
only the shell-covered parts of their body be exposed, they have an massive carapaces are highly prized by natives. The material is
AC of -2. Because they possess both gills and lungs, sartani are extremely strong yet easily worked. Most shells are transformed
equally at home in water or on land. They are immune to water- into shields, but a few suits of sartani shell armor (AC 3) have
based attacks, and their hard shell affords some protection from been sold to sailors. Other uses for the giant shells include granary
flame-based attacks such that they gain a +2 on all saving throws roofs, mortar bowls for pounding cassava, and even altars for the
vs. fire and suffer -1 point of damage per die (though never less temples to Karrgra.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sartani

1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ogrima
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any land Ogrima Chieftains: The frequency of powerful chieftains among
FREQUENCY: Rare the ogrima varies according to the overall alignment of the tribe.
ORGANIZATION: Tribal Lawful evil tribes have recognized the merits of discipline and
organization. Among such tribes, there is normally one chieftain
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any for every twenty ogrima and a clan chief for every fifty. Among the
DIET: Carnivore chaotic tribes, there are chieftains for every thirty ogrima and
INTELLIGENCE: Low-average (5-12) there are no clan chiefs.
Chieftains are AC 4, HD 5+1, and they do 1d12 points of
TREASURE: M (Q, B, S) damage per attack. The clan chief is AC 3, HD 6+1, and he does
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic or lawful evil 1d12+2 points of damage per attack.
In some regions, ogrima tribes are led by ogre magi.
NO. APPEARING: 2-8
ARMOR CLASS: 5 Habitat/Society: Ogrima are hunters and scavengers, favoring the
MOVEMENT: 9 same terrain as their cousins the ogres. Both ogres and ogre magi
consider the ogrima to be social outcasts and treat them
HIT DICE: 4+3 accordingly. This has hardly done anything to improve the evil
THAC0: 15 temper the ogrima inherited from their parents. Consequently, the
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 ogrima are a foul and irritable race, quick to anger and attack, yet
easily cowed by displays of might and terror.
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d10 The ogrima are basically socialmoreso than the ogres. Their
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Spells skills with tools and crafts are greater, which allows them to
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Regenerate prepare dwellings more like the fortified compounds of the ogre
magi. Each compound is the work and property of an extended
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil ogrima family. Careful preparations are made to defend the home
SIZE: L (8 - 9) against attackers, and family compounds are typically crude
MORALE: Steady (12) wooden stockades or caves with entrances fortified by rocks and
LEVEL/XP VALUE: Common: 420 wooden walls. Several exits are sure to exist, and a guard is always
Chieftain: 650 on watch.
Clan chief: 975 Aside from good ins who may or may not be a problem, the
ogrima must always be watchful against raids by their own cousins,
Found only in the lands where both ogre and ogre mage dwell, the ogres and ogre magi. Ogres seek to destroy the more skilled but
the ogrima is a half-breed resulting from the intermingling of blood inferior-ranked ogrima, thus removing any threat. Ogre magi prefer
between the other two races, although by now the ogrima qualify the ogrima over the ogres as slaves. The ogrima are more difficult
as a separate race. Thus, the ogrima have inherited a combination to enslave, but have greater understanding and resources that the
of the best and worst features of their parents. ogre magi favor.
An ogrima stands eight- to nine-feet tall and has skin colored a The standard ogrima tribe is organized into different families,
sickly bluish-green or yellow. Its head is covered with thick, greasy 3d4 families total. These families may be spread over a broad range
hair from which juts a nascent horn, and ones eyes may range from of land, but the tribe centers around the chieftains or clan chiefs
bright blue to dark red. Their fingers end in cracked and thick nails, compound. Each family builds its own compound, independent of
wicked looking but ineffective in combat. Likewise, their mouths the other families. Beyond this, cooperation amidst the tribe
are filled with jutting and broken fangs more fearsome than useful. depends on alignment. Among the lawful evil tribes, these
Ogrima typically dress in brilliant colors, although they are forced compounds are closely grouped, allowing families of the tribe to
to rely mostly on ill-matched clothing and gear taken as booty. quickly unite against any danger. The more chaotic-minded tribes
have compounds that are more widespread, mutual defense being
Combat: Although far from being the brilliant tacticians the ogre of less concern to these families.
magi are, the ogrima are not combatants to be underestimated. A single compound contains 3d6 family members of all ages and
They possess the strength of ogres, but have more cunning than sexes. In terms of ability or role, there is no difference between
that race. Worse still, they have limited spell and regenerative male and female ogrima. Both are expected to fight and hunt for
abilities. the family as needed. The young are minded by those too elderly to
Ogrima favor large weaponstwo-handed swords and clubs go out. The extremely aged, crippled, and deformed are ruthlessly
wielded with a single hand, causing 1d10 points of damage. left out in the wilderness to die.
However, they are wise enough to mix melee and missile weapons, In particularly dangerous times, an ogrima tribe may submit itself
and most ogrima carry a stout bow built for their size and strength. to an ogre magi chieftain, but the majority of chieftains are drawn
Their arrows do 1d8+1 points of damage and ranges are treated as from their own blood. The clan chieftain can only be an ogrima of
if fired from a longbow. Aware of the danger of spells, a common the family line; only large tribes without fear of their neighbors
ogrima tactic is for one archer to hang back and target any choose clan chieftains, it seems.
suspected spellcasters while the rest move into melee. Ogrima blood runs true from generation to generation, hence
In addition to weapons, the ogrima can levitate, blur, and chill there is no longer a need for interbreeding between ogres and ogre
touch three times per day (having not quite mastered the ogre magi (although it can happen). Indeed, reverse discrimination is
mages ability to fly, become invisible, or cast a cone of cold). Once practiced. Ogres and ogre magi who mate into an ogrima clan are
per day they can change self, although their great size tends to limit treated with great contempt.
the effectiveness of this illusion.
Defensively, the ogrima tend to eschew armor, relying on their Ecology: Ogrima are hunters and scavengers. Their diet is mainly
own natural armor and their ability to regenerate 1 hit point per carnivorous, supplemented by a smattering of wild fruits. The
turn to carry them through. Those few that wear armor are tribes tend to move frequently, for they are prone to over-hunting
typically chieftains or particularly aggressive warriors who have any given area they settle in. As such, the ogrima are the bane of
stolen or captured an ill-fitted assemblage of pieces. rangers, druids, and those who make their living from the wild.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ogrima

1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Coelenite
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Coral lagoon organism (a finger of death, for example) are completely useless
FREQUENCY: Very rare against the coelenite. Magic which affects a small area of the
ORGANIZATION: Colony colony (such as a magic missile) does only 1 point of damage.
Damage spells that effect 50% but not all of a colony (shocking
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any grasp, burning hands), cause half-normal damage. Area-effect spells
DIET: Scavenger that encompass the entire creature (a fireball, for example)
INTELLIGENCE: Low (Colony)/Average (Mass mind) instantly slay the colony. In addition, without a central, single
mind, coelenites are immune to all enchantment/charm and
TREASURE: R, U illusion/phantasm spells. ESP only reveals the teeming presence of
ALIGNMENT: Neutral life, but no specific thoughts the colony may possess.
When a coelenites hit points are reduced to 0 through melee,
NO. APPEARING: 1-100 the creature does not actually die. Instead, it has suffered sufficient
ARMOR CLASS: 3 damage to destroy the colonys exoskeleton. Often the surviving
MOVEMENT: 3, Sw 15 single-cell creatures seep out of the coral to reunite and create a
new body somewhere else.
HIT DICE: 3 Because they are essentially a walking coral, the coelenite colony
THAC0: 20 can only remain out of the water for a short time. At the end of
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 every five rounds, the creature suffers 1d6 points of damage. Thus,
one of the most effective ways to destroy a coelenite colony is to
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2d6/2d6 trap it on shore.
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Special Coelenite colonies slain by area-effect magic or just dried out in
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Special the sun leave behind an empty, rigid husk, locked into whatever its
last pose was. These are extremely hard and resist destruction the
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Special same as the coelenite colony itself.
SIZE: M (4-6)
MORALE: Fearless (20) Habit/Society: Although they possess a simple intelligence,
LEVEL/XP VALUE: 270 coelenite colonies are solitary creatures. Each colony has a nest
that it stuffs with foodmostly decomposing fish. There the
This bizarre lifeform can either be considered as hundreds of colony rests, filtering the nutrient rich water throughout its cells.
creatures or just one, depending on what one is looking at, for the While most of its prey is small, colonies are attracted by noise and
coelenite is a colony creature. At its most basic form, a coelenite is action. Swimmers in particular draw its attention. A coelenite
a single-celled organism that lives in the ocean. Like its cousin, the colony has been known to seize a floundering sailor and drag him
coral, the coelenite gathers together with other single-celled down to its nest.
coelenites and grows a hard calcite shell.
A single-celled creature hardly seems a fearsome opponent, but it Ecology: The abandoned husks of a coelenite colony are the
is in part this property that makes it so feared. The coelenite earns source of many useful items to islanders. The sharp husk is used to
the attention of adventurers because of its unique properties as a stud clubs, is crushed as a grinding grit, sometimes even is used as a
colony. When enough of the single-celled creatures band together, building material. Traders in exotics have sold dead coelenite
they achieve a rudimentary intelligence. Adding more, they husks as foreign statuary. A superb specimen may fetch 1,000 gp.
become sentient. There even have been unconfirmed reports that colonies have
In this form, the creature is referred to as a coelenite colony. The been enslaved by powerful wizards and marids.
secreted calcite is modified and altered, grown with a purpose until
a body is formed from the hard mineral, assuming a humanoid Mass Colonies
shape. (The most reliable reports describe the coelenite colony as a
coral-encrusted man.) The approximation is only crude, however. On rare occasions, when the collection of coelenite colonies
There are no visible sensory organs and the coelenite colonys exceeds fifty, an even higher consciousness is achieveda mass
manual dexterity is quite poor. mind. When this happens, the coelenite colonies and the mass
Each coelenite colony is patterned and colored diversely. Some mind overall gain several additional powers.
are covered with whorled, brain-like patterns. Others are frilled Foremost of these is a noticeable increase in the intelligence of
with fan-like plumage. Colors range from dull browns to brilliant the mass colony mind. The activities of the separate colonies are
yellows and reds. directed by a single intelligence. The mass mind is Average
Intelligence, able to conceive and use stratagems for battle. Unlike
Combat: Coelenite colonies are slow but dangerous foes. Most many creatures, this intelligence does not have a fixed brain but
often they attack other creatures in the water, but they have been is the combination of the intelligences of all the colonies.
known to venture aboard ships for brief periods of time. Out of Communication between the different colonies is telepathic,
water they move slowly and suffer a +2 on their initiative rolls. though it only seems a jumble of raw data to any person with the
Their attacks are slow and stiff (hence their poor THAC0). This power to eavesdrop. If 50% of the colonies are destroyed, the mass
is offset by their hard and rasping exoskeletons that can cause mind will disintegrate and each colony will become independent
fearsome wounds. They swing their arms like clubs, each once more.
awkward limb causing 2-12 points of damage from the sharp coral One of the preferred tactics of the mass mind is to attack larger
edges. targets and build traps to catch more food. The mass mind
Depending on the method used to fight them, coelenites are considers its nest to be an entire lagoon. When large prey enters
either nearly impossible or ridiculously simple to kill. Edged and (such as a ship), coelenite colonies are ordered into position and
missile weapons do 1 point of damage per hit (plus Strength and then the shells are abandoned by their single-celled builders. The
magic bonuses). Blunt weapons do 1-2 points of damage. actual organism flows back into the sea to grow a new body. The
Magic has even more peculiar results. First, coelenites are never shells left behind are used to form a wall to block the exit or even
allowed a saving throw. Spells that affect a single individual or encase the prey.
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Coelenite

1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved

NPC Crewmen

Usamah is both nakhuda and rubban of his vessel, a point Al-Jawzi prefers hard work to magic. Her personal magic
of great pride for him. He is fussy about his ship and worries consists of a solid footmans mace +4 and scarab of protection
constantly. He has leather armor +2, a figurine of wondrous (cloaked wizardry).
power (marble elephant), a scroll of protection from fire, and a
rough map of the Crowded Sea. Young and inexperienced, Hasan ibn al-Din has become a
captain by the workings of Fate. He needs much seasoning
The mysterious and taciturn owner of an ill-kept ship, before he will be a master mariner. Nonetheless, he is eager,
Khalil seems unconcerned for the safety or comfort of all hard working, and wise enough to learn from the
who sail with him. His rubban is brutal, his destinations experienced sailors on his vessel. He has a passion for
dangerous, but he asks few questions. He is well equipped adventure, but little mind for trade. He owns a great scimitar
for danger, always carrying a jambiya +2, a scroll with +2, leather armor +3, a potion of fire resistance, and a scroll of
domination, rope tick, polymorph self, and seeming, scrolls of protection from possession.
protection from fire and protection from undead, a ring of mind
shielding, a ring of water walking, a scarab of deception, oil of Standing 15 feet tall (short for his race), Mauj looks the
horridness, a potion of water-breathing, and a pearl of the sirines. part of a terrifying monster when in truth he is an intelli-
His gen is a maridan. gent and wise being. The reef giant works with the money-
lenders of Gana as their enforcer, a task at which is quite
Though a dwarf and a female in a profession more commonly good. Few who have been visited by Mauj fail to pay their
practiced by male humans and elves, Bint al-Jawzi is a debts. Mauj is not cruel, but neither is he charitable. He
formidable captain. She has great energy combined with an prefers to solve problems without bloodshed, but he is
innate understanding of the sea. Some claim she is the perfectly capable of carrying out any threat. The reef giant
offspring of a marid; Bint al-Jawzi neither confirms nor has AC 0, THAC0 5, #AT 1, Dmg 1d10, SA whirlpool, SD
denies this. She laughs uproariously at the suggestion, but immune to water-based attacks, SZ H, ML 15.
always ends with a glint that suggests it just might be true.

Name Race Class Level Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha HP

Nawakhid
Usamah H(m) F(c) 8 15 14 12 12 11 9 46
Khalil HE(m) W(s) 15 15 15 14 14 11 10 33

Rubbaniyah
Bint Al-Jawzi D(f) T(mr) 10 7 11 15 10 15 12 44
Hasan ibn al-Din H(m) F(c) 7 18(90) 13 9 9 13 10 42
Mauj (reef giant) *(m) - 18+1 HD 22 - - - - - 76

Bahriyin
Alexius H - 0 12 12 10 14 9 7 6
Anwar HE M/sh 2 8 7 5 15 12 9 5
Ayyub Hf - 0 7 15 12 10 9 4 2
Batit H - 0 12 13 12 9 9 12 6
Buri Gn - 0 7 16 13 10 9 8 2
Essafah H F/a 2 15 6 12 8 12 8 7
Hatim H F/f 2 11 13 11 8 14 13 10
Hulegu H F/mb 1 15 13 11 11 9 9 9
Ismail D F/a 2 14 12 12 8 7 5 11
Jamal H F/a 2 13 7 13 9 8 8 15
Jubayr E P/my 1 6 12 14 10 16 7 2
Karbuqa H M/em 1 8 12 7 16 6 7 1
Kitbuga D F/mb 1 14 4 10 8 8 11 5
Mahmud H B/r 1 10 14 11 16 14 15 5
Musa H F/c 2 15 15 11 10 9 14 4
Najib H T/mr 2 7 9 12 9 8 8 10
Rashad HE F/a 1 13 12 9 14 13 13 4
Shama Gn T/mr 1 6 12 7 9 10 11 5
Shirkuh E - 0 10 10 14 8 16 13 5
Umar HE M/T s/hs 1 11 14 11 16 9 14 2
Wasil Hf F/c 1 12 9 13 9 8 8 9

1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ending the Adventure
Once the player characters have obtained the Great to each character, and they are honored for a week by the
Treasure, their adventures in Golden Voyages come to an people of Gana.
end. However, the PCs need a conclusion once they return
to Gana (or whatever port they sailed from) to let them The Rogue Geasd: Conclusion
know they have done well. Almost as soon as the characters arrive in port, their ship
Each of the four possible beginnings of the adventure has is met by a strange visitorHusam ibn Aasim al-Zalim.
a corresponding end scene. These are not full-fledged Through his sorcerous powers he has learned of their arrival
encounters, but skeletons for the DM to flesh out through and has come to collect his property. However, for their
role-playing. reward, ibn Aasim intends to kill the characters because
they know too much about his activities.
The Map in the Bazaar: Conclusion
Upon return to Gana, it seems as if nothing has changed. Husam ibn Aasim al-Zalim (15th-level flame mage): AL LE;
No one hails the characters in the street to hear of their AC 2; MV 12; hp 28; THAC0 16; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4+2;
exploits, and the rawuns of the coffee houses do not sing SZ M; ML 13.
their glories.
Just as the players characters are feeling their lowest (and Spells: Avert evil eye, charm person, fire truth, magic missile
are carrying the Great Treasure they have fought so hard (x2), banish dazzle, blind, fire arrows, sundazzle, wizard
for), a surge of people comes down the street. The lock, fireball (x3), hold person, sunscorch, polymorph other,
characters are forced down an alley, and the surge pushes sunfire (x3), wall of fire, cloudkill, conjure elemental,
them on and on until the group becomes thoroughly lost. teleport, wall of force, wall of iron, disintegrate, flameproof,
Lost, that is, until they come to a small, quiet street that delayed blast fireball.
looks familiar. As the characters stand in the street, they
hear a peculiar voice crying, Wonders bought, good prices Magical Items: jambiya +2, bracers of defense AC 2, potion of
paidtrust Old Kerim. gaseous form, oil of elemental invulnerability (water), ring of
Kerim inquires if the characters have found something feather falling, wand of size alteration.
they might want to sell. Once he has the Great Treasure in
his hands, Kerim transforms into a towering, flaming efreeti. 90 Days or Else: Conclusion
The landscape changes to the City of Brass wreathed in Barely have the player characters returned to port before
flame. Success, success at last! the efreeti triumphs. You the moneylender Diyab is at their door, demanding his
have served me well, mortals, though you knew it not. As money. If the PCs offer the Great Treasure as payment,
reward I grant you passage home and a single wish. Only Diyab assumes it is fakery. Make the PCs prove the worth of
state your desire and call out Kerims name, and so shall it the item and then argue about its monetary value. Only
be. Then, in a burst of brimstone and fire, the PCs find after they have sweated a while should the moneylender
themselves again on a back street in Gana. relent.
The party as a group has one wish to be used any time. All
members must agree on the use of the wish. Multiple Endings
It is possible that the player characters are beholden to
The Quest: Conclusion more than one NPC. With only one Great Treasure, this
Upon their return to Gana, the player characters must becomes a problem they must solve. For example a thief
wait until the appointed day, seven months from the may need the Great Treasure to satisfy ibn Aasim while the
announcement that set them on their way. On that day, two rest of the party hopes to claim the sultans favor with it. Do
others also wait to see the sultan. One is accompanied by an not give the players easy solutions to these difficulties, but
immense covered cage resounding with the growls and use the complications to create side encounters and
trumpets of some fantastic beast; the other carries a small adventures in Gana of your own creating. Who knows, their
carved chest. woes could be the springboard for a whole new series of
The chest-bearer is called first. He presents a rose whose adventures!
bloom never withers, whose scent never fades. The sultan
murmurs politely but is not impressed.
The cage is called second. With a great flourish, the
dashing corsair unveils a fabulous man-beast with the torso
of a human and the head of an elephant, which makes an
impassioned plea for its freedom. The courtiers and the
sultan are impressed.
Then the characters present their treasure (make the
players give a speech). Afterward, the sultan makes his
choice. Choose the characters if you want to reward them
(only one member of the group can win); otherwise, the
man-beast wins. The award raises the recipients station to
three greater than his level. His companions increase their
station by one. A pearl worth 1,000 to 5,000 gp is presented
1992 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Table 1: Shair Spell Chances

Level Level of Spell Sought

of Shair
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 55/45/15 45/35/05 /25/ /15/ /05/ // // // //
2 60/50/20 50/40/10 /30/ /20/ /10/ // // // //
3 65/55/25 55/45/15 /35/05 /25/ /15/ /05/ // // //
4 70/60/30 60/50/20 /40/10 /30/ /20/ // // // //
5 75/65/35 65/55/25 /45/15 /35/05 /25/ /15/ /05/ // //
6 80/70/40 70/60/30 /50/20 /40/10 /30/ /20/ /10/ // //
7 85/75/45 75/65/35 /55/25 /45/15 /35/05 /25/ /15/ /05/ //
8 89/80/50 80/70/40 /60/30 /50/20 /40/10 /30/ /20/ /10/ //
9 89/85/55 85/75/45 /65/35 /55/25 /45/15 /35/05 /25/ /15/ /05/
10 89/89/60 89/80/50 /70/40 /60/30 /50/20 /40/10 /30/ /20/ /10/
11 89/89/65 89/85/55 /75/45 /65/35 /55/25 /45/15 /35/05 /25/ /15/
12 89/89/70 89/89/60 /80/50 /70/40 /60/30 /50/20 /40/10 /30/ /20/
13 89/89/75 89/89/65 /85/55 /75/45 /65/35 /55/25 /45/15 /35/05 /25/
14 89/89/80 89/89/70 /89/60 /80/50 /70/40 /60/30 /50/20 /40/10 /30/
15 89/89/85 89/89/75 /89/65 /85/55 /75/45 /65/35 /55/25 /45/15 /35/05
16 89/89/89 89/89/80 /89/70 /89/60 /80/50 /70/40 /60/30 /50/20 /40/10
17 89/89/89 89/89/85 /89/75 /89/65 /85/55 /75/45 /65/35 /55/25 /45/15
18 89/89/89 89/89/89 /89/80 /89/70 /89/60 /80/50 /70/40 /60/30 /50/20
19 89/89/89 89/89/89 /89/89 /89/75 /89/65 /85/55 /75/45 /65/35 /55/25
20 89/89/89 89/89/89 /89/89 /89/80 /89/70 /89/60 /80/50 /70/40 /60/30

In each column, the first number applies to general knowledge spells; the third number applies to priest spells and wizard spells not listed in
Appendix A of Arabian Adventures; the middle number applies in all other cases.

Table 2: Table 3: Table 4 :

Combat Modifiers Standard Modifiers to Initiative Cover and Concealment Modifiers

Attack Roll Specific Situation Modifier Target Hidden Cover Concealment

Situation Modifier Hasted -2 25% -2 -1
Attacker on higher ground +1 Slowed +2 50% -4 -2
Defender invisible -4 On higher ground -1 75% -7 -3
Defender off balance +2
Set to receive a charge -2 90% -10 -4
Defender sleeping or held Automatic
Wading or on slippery footing +2
Defender stunned or prone +4
Wading in deep water +4
Defender surprised +1
Foreign environment +6 9366XXX1201 1992 TSR, Inc.
Missile fire, long range -5
Hindered +3 All Rights Reserved.
Missile fire, medium range -2
Waiting +1 AL-QADIM is a trademark owned by
Rear attack +2
TSR, Inc.
Table 5: Calculated THAC0s
Level 1
Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Priest 20 20 20 18 18 18 16 16 16 14 14 14 12 12 12 10 10 10 8 8
Rogue 20 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 12 12 11 11
Warrior 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Wizard 20 20 20 19 19 19 18 18 18 17 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 15 14 14

Table 6: Creature THAC0s

Hit Dice
or less 1-1 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ 6+ 7+ 8+ 9+ 10+ 11+ 12+ 13+ 14+ 15+ 16+
20 20 19 19 17 17 15 15 13 13 11 11 9 9 7 7 5 5

The THAC0 of creatures continues to decrease by 2 points per 2 Hit Dice beyond 16.

Table 8: Character Saving Throws

Table 7:
Armor Class Ratings and Penalties Attack to Be Saved Against
Paralyzation,
Character Group and Poison, or Rod, Staff, Petrification Breath
Type of Armor AC Penalty Experience Level Death Magic or Wand or Polymorph* Weapon** Spell
None 10 0 Priests 1-3 10 14 13 16 15
Shield only 9 0 4-6 9 13 12 15 14
7-9 7 11 10 13 12
Leather armor 8 0
10-12 6 10 9 12 11
Padded armor 8 0
13-15 5 9 8 11 10
Leather + shield 7 0 16-18 4 8 7 10 9
Padded + shield 7 0 19+ 2 6 5 8 7
Ring mail 7 0 Rogues 1-4 13 14 12 16 15
5-8 12 12 11 15 13
Studded leather 7 0
9-12 11 10 10 14 11
Ring mail + shield 6 -1 13-16 10 8 9 13 9
Studded leather + shield 6 -1 17-20 9 6 8 12 7
Brigandine 6 -1 21+ 8 4 7 11 5
Warriors 0 16 18 17 20 19
Hide armor 6 -1
1-2 14 16 15 17 17
Lamellar armor 6 -1
3-4 13 15 14 16 16
Scale mail 6 -1 5-6 11 13 12 13 14
Brigandine + shield 5 -2 7-8 10 12 11 12 13
Hide + shield 5 -2 9-10 8 10 9 9 11
11-12 7 9 8 8 10
Lamellar + shield 5 -2
13-14 5 7 6 5 8
Scale mail + shield 5 -2 5 7
15-16 4 6 4
Chain mail 5 -2 17+ 3 5 4 4 6
Chain mail + shield 4 -3 Wizards 1-5 14 11 13 15 12
6-10 13 9 11 13 10
Banded mail 4 -3
11-15 11 7 9 11 8
Bronze plate mail 4 -3
16-20 10 5 7 9 6
Splint mail 4 -3 21+ 8 3 5 7 4
Banded mail + shield 3 -4
Bronze plate mail + shield 3 * Excluding polymorph wand attacks.
-4
** Excluding those that cause petrification or polymorph.
Splint mail + shield 3 -4
Excluding those for which another saving throw type is specified, such as death, petrification,
Plate mail 3 4 polymorph, etc.
Plate mail + shield 2 -5
Intelligent monsters (animal intelligence or above) make all saves at a level equal to their Hit Dice. Nonintelligent
Field plate 2 -5
monsters save vs. poison and death at a level equal to their Hit Dice and save vs. all else at a level equal to half their
Field plate + shield 1 -6 Dice. Count an additional Hit Die for every four added hit points (or fraction thereof). Most monsters save as Warriors.
Full plate 1 -6 Those with special abilities that resemble another group can use whichever saving number is more advantageous.
Table 9: Zakharan Weapons Table 10: Missile Weapon Ranges

Damage Speed Range*-

Item S-M L Factor Size Type* Weapon ROF** S M L
Axe, battle 1d8 1d8 7 M S Axe, hand or throwing 1 1 2 3
Axe, hand or throwing 1d6 1d4 4 M S Blowgun 2 3
2/1 1
Blowgun 1d3 1d2 5 S P
Bow, composite long
Bow, composite long 7 L
& flight arrow 2/1 6 1 2 1 2
Bow, composite short 6 M
Bow, long 8 L Bow, composite short
Bow, short 7 M & flight arrow 2/1 5 10 18
Arrow, flight 1d6 1d6 S P Bow, long
Club 1d6 1d3 4 M B & flight arrow 2/1 7 14 21
Crossbow, heavy 10 M
Bow, short 2/1 5 10 15
Crossbow, light 7 M
Club 1 1 2 3
Quarrel, heavy 1d4+1 1d6+1 S P
Crossbow, heavy 1/2 8 16 24
Quarrel, light 1d4 1d4 S P
Dagger or dirk 1d4 1d3 2 S P Crossbow, light 1 6 12 18
Dart 1d3 1d2 2 S P Dagger 2/1 1 2 3
Elephant goad (ankus) 1d4 1d4 6 M P/B Dart 3/l 1 2 4
Flail, footmans 1d6+1 2d4 7 M B Hammer 1 1 2 3
Flail, horseman's 1d4+1 1d4+1 6 M B Javelin 1 2 4 6
Jambiya 1d4 1d4 3 S P/S
Knife 2/1 1 2 3
Javelin 1d6 1d6 4 M P
Sling bullet 1 5 10 20
Katar (punch dagger) 1d3+1 1d3 2 S P
Knife 1d3 1d2 2 S Sling stone 1 4 8 16
P/S
Lance, light horse** 1d6 1d8 6 L P Spear 1 1 2 3
Lance, medium horse** 1d6+1 1d6 7 L P Staff sling bullet 2/1 3-6 9
Mace, footmans 1d6+1 1d6 7 M B Staff sling stone 2/1 3-6 9
Mace, horsemans 1d6 1d4 6 M B
Morning star 2d4 1d6+1 7 M B * Range is given in tens of yards. Each range cat-
Pick, footmans 1d6+1 2d4 7 M P egory (Short, Medium, or Long) includes
Pick, horseman's 1d4+1 1d4 5 M P attacks from distances equal to or less than the
Polearm, awl pike 1d6 1d12 13 L P given range. Thus, a heavy crossbow fired at a
Polearm, glaive 1d6 1d10 8 L S target 136 yards away uses the medium-range
Polearm, halberd 1d10 2d6 9 L P/S modifier. The modifiers for range are -2 for
Quarterstaff 1d6 1d6 4 L B medium range and -5 for long range.
Razor 1d2 1d2 2 S S ** ROF is the rate of fire (i.e., how many shots
Scourge 1d4 1d2 5 L
that weapon can fire off in one round). This is
Scythe 1d10+2 2d6 8 L S independent of the number of melee attacks a
Sickle 1d4+1 1d4 4 S S character can make in a round.
Sling 6 S
Bullet 1d4+1 1d6+1 S B
Stone 1d4 1d4 S B
Spear 1d6 1d8 6 M P
Staff sling 11 M
Weapons Footnotes
Swords:
Bastard, one-handed 1d8 1d12 6 M S * Type is divided into bludgeoning (B),
Bastard, two-handed 2d4 2d8 8 M S
piercing (P), and slashing (S).
Cutlass 1d6 1d8 5 M S
Khopesh 2d4 1d6 9 M S * * This weapon inflicts double damage when used
Long 1d8 1d12 5 M S while on a charging mount.
Scimitar 1d8 1d8 5 M S
Scimitar, great 2d8 4d4 9 L S This weapon inflicts double damage against
Short 1d6 1d8 3 S P charging creatures of L or greater size.
Two-handed 1d10 3d6 10 L S
See weapon description, page 96, Arabian
Tiger claws (bagh nakh) 1d2 1d2 2 S P
Adventures.
Tufenk 9 L
Warhammer 1d4+1 1d4 4 M B
Whip 1d2 1 8 M