Chapter One: The Huzridan Holy Day
Every year the Ulah Oasis has crowded with the bodies of hundreds of curious, and proud, onlookers and well-wishers. Few people can remember when the holy tradition began, though many remember the stories of the Prophet Huzrida returning from the Solaris desert burnt nearly to death, glowing with an inner peace. He spoke to the tribes, long before the Twelve Kingdoms were formed, and told them that every year the Light of Solaris would give only a special few the chance to prove themselves, to show the wisdom, courage, and bravery to search for the way into Solaris. The chosen that succeeded would allow their people to travel with them, and all would live eternally in the light of purity.
So for years the Seers of Irridan looked to the sun to find the signs of the chosen, those that would be sent on the Holy Day to bring perfection to the lives of their people. None ever refused, for to be chosen for such a quest would mean that even should they perish, their efforts would count when their soul was weighed in the afterlife. It was written that those that refused would die horribly, their souls freezing at the edges of the world, eternally in darkness.
Sixteen people. So far you have counted sixteen of the chosen at the oasis, amongst hundreds of others here to watch those that would bring the land into Solaris. Brushing the dust of travel from your clothes you hand your invitation to a brightly dressed, and balding, man dressed in loose robes. Probably a monk, or sage, or someone important.
The tradition was the same every year, the Caliph would greet the chosen of the kingdom and shower well wishes and blessings upon them all. Then without skipping a beat remind all that the dictum of the quest is that none must treat the chosen any different to normal people, for it is up to their resources alone to carry the entire kingdom into the holy lands. Why would this year be any different?
The shade of the palm trees cools you from the afternoon sun, and a child no more than six summers old hands you a skin of water to refresh yourself with. A general hum of excitement from the crowd, all hovering outside the shelter that the Ulah Oasis has to offer (yet another tradition) and staring in at the chosen that loiter within, calmly waiting for the arrival of the Caliph.
Your eyes drift across the men and women waiting with you, many of which seemed content in their own company, or excitingly discussing their tactics to reach Solaris. Looking at the seal of your invitation grasped firmly in the monk's hand, you notice that four groups of coloured ribbons dangle from the wax. The indication from the monk's activities show that the colours dictate the groups of travellers that will be leaving together.
Minutes pass as your group assembles at the edge of the water, muttered introductions are mainly missed by the group at large as the busy monk hurridly dashes off to continue the preperations at hand.
A loud blasting of a trumpet cuts any chance of introduction and banter, as mounted heralds dressed in dust coated mottled tabards gallop to the edges of the oasis through the crowds. Behind the towering view of a massive elephant shambles along, flanked by a lightly armoured cavalry escort, upon which the Caliph rides elegantly atop of upon the comfort of his divan.
The Caliph wastes little time descending from his display of wealth, though still being careful enough not to lose the jewel-studded turban resting gently upon his head. Waving to his people, he strides into the oasis to address you all, a look of seriousness on his face now, for this is no game.
"Gentlemen, Ladies, it is lovely to see you all here on this most honoured of holidays. I am saddened that not all of those forseen by the Seers have made it, their magicks tell me that the poor souls were killed by creatures of the darkness on their travels."
"I speak to you now simply to offer my best wishes, for if I could I would give you all the gold in the kingdom's treasury to assist you in this venture. But the spiritual quest for ascention cannot be bought with gold, nor can it be bartered for."
"I wish that I could tell you that the months ahead will be easy, but simply because Solaris hangs high above the centre of the Twelve Kingdoms does not mean that your journey is as simple as walking towards it as asking for entry. No, you may see many things with your eyes on your travels, but look with your heart and your mind as well."
"Now we must embrace, and I wish you all luck and safety, as well as all my blessings and more that I will steal from my neighbours. I know that you will not know what you must do, nor where to start, for I have seen the other chosen leave here with faces as perplexed as your own. Solaris sees you know though my brothers and sisters, and there is no denying the pull of destiny!"
The embrace of the Caliph is a short but heart-felt one, and he kisses your foreheads and mutters an ancient blessing so that your ancestors will guide your steps and steady your hands. With a minimum of cerimony the Caliph walks into the crowd of people outside, granting blessings and passing copper coins to the commoners, leaving you to wonder your fates.
