The Sands of Serrakhan is a sprawling desert located in the southernmost region of The Sun Realm, encompassing vast stretches of arid dunes, rocky plateaus, and the jagged expanse of The Serrakhan Scar. This legendary desert is steeped in myth and history, its very name honoring the great Mythar General Serrakhan, who sacrificed himself during The Aeonic Struggle to destroy a colossal Elementari of Sand. The desert was born from this climactic battle, its vast dunes and shifting sands believed to have emerged from the Elementari’s shattered remains.
Though unforgiving, the Sands of Serrakhan hold a wealth of opportunities and mysteries, from ancient ruins and sacred sites to dangerous predators and invaluable resources. It is a land of contrasts, where brutal survival and enduring faith coexist. Today, the region is dominated by the Serrakhan Sultanate, a powerful but controversial regime established by Malekith, who claimed divine authority as a supposed incarnation of Serrakhan. However, the desert tribes continue to honor the true legacy of Serrakhan, resisting the sultanate's oppressive rule while preserving their traditions and reverence for the fallen hero.
Geography and Features
These immense, undulating dunes stretch across the heart of the desert, reflecting sunlight in golden waves. Legend has it that travelers who gaze too long into the shimmering sands may catch fleeting visions of Serrakhan’s final battle or their own destinies.
The Serrakhan Scar is a colossal chasm of sandstone cliffs carved into the land during Serrakhan’s battle with the Elementari. The scar cuts across much of the desert, creating natural barriers and sanctuaries. Its caves and crevices are home to bandits, nomads, and dangerous predators.
The Sun Temple is a blistering expanse of flat, sun-scorched rock, where temperatures soar to deadly extremes. It is believed to be the site where Serrakhan first confronted the Elementari. Travelers avoid this area, save for those seeking pilgrimage to the ruins of ancient altars dedicated to Unknown, the God of Life.
Scattered across the desert are rare but vital oases that sustain nomadic tribes and wildlife. These pockets of life are fiercely guarded by local tribes, who view them as sacred gifts from Helion.
To the west of the desert, where it borders Faewylds, distinct traces of Faewyld influence are evident in patches of strangely fertile land, overgrown with twisted, alien vegetation. This was a product of the Conjunction of the Realms, where the Faewyld was forcibly merged with the Prime Plane.
Cultural Significance
The desert is named in honor of Serrakhan, the Mythar who gave his life to save the Sun Realm. His sacrifice remains central to the identity of the nomadic tribes, who pass down his story through oral traditions and rituals.
The desert is home to fiercely independent nomadic tribes who survive by navigating the harsh environment, trading, and raiding when necessary. These tribes see themselves as the true heirs to Serrakhan’s ideals, rejecting the Sultanate’s rule.
Formed during the Fourth Age by Malekith, the Sultanate claims to honor Serrakhan’s legacy but operates in stark opposition to his stoic philosophy. Malekith, who falsely claimed to be the divine incarnation of Serrakhan, erected statues and monuments in his image, mocking both Serrakhan and Emperor Ezekiel.
Temples and shrines to the Sun dot the desert, particularly near oases and the Serrakhan Scar. Pilgrims from across the Sun Realm visit these sacred sites to honor Serrakhan and seek the Sun's blessings.
Flora and Fauna
- Sandwyrm: Gigantic, serpentine creatures that burrow beneath the sands, emerging to attack prey with terrifying speed.
- Scarhide Basilisks: Reptilian predators with scales as hard as stone, said to have descended from creatures tainted by the Elementari’s essence.
- Desert Bloom: Rare flowers that blossom after infrequent rainstorms, prized for their medicinal and alchemical properties.
- Solar Drake: These majestic creatures are believed to be connected to the myth of Serrakhan, revered by desert tribes as divine protectors of the sands. Although the True Dragon are now extinct, their distant descendants (Lesser Dragon, such ass the Brass Dragon) are believed to still roam the dune sea.
- Taun: Large, rotund grazing creatures, which are often farmed for their succulent meat and organic water storage given the harsh desert climate.
History and Mythology
During the Second Age, Serrakhan battled the Elementari of Sand and Earth, a primordial being summoned during the Aeonic Struggle. His sacrifice shattered the Elementari and created the Sands of Serrakhan.
Following his death, Serrakhan was honored by Helion and ascended as an Archangel of the Celestial Host. He is believed to watch over the desert, guiding its people through visions and omens.
During the Fourth Age, Malekith, the split soul of Valekith, manipulated the memory of Serrakhan to consolidate power. The Serrakhan Sultanate, founded under his rule, twisted the ideals of Serrakhan’s legacy, fostering exploitation and oppression rather than harmony and freedom.
In the Fifth Age, the Sands of Serrakhan remain a land of stark contrasts—an enduring testament to Serrakhan’s sacrifice and a crucible of survival for those who call it home. The Serrakhan Sultanate continues to wield power, though resistance from nomadic tribes and renewed interest in Serrakhan’s true teachings grow stronger. Adventurers, scholars, and treasure hunters are drawn to the desert’s secrets, from the depths of the Serrakhan Scar to the ruins of lost temples.
Legacy
The Sands of Serrakhan are more than a desert—they are a living memory of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience. Serrakhan’s name endures not only in the land he saved but in the hearts of those who strive to embody his ideals, even amidst the shifting sands of time.