D&D 5E Desert adventure help

[Gilladian]

I am running a campaign loosely modeled on ancient Egypt/Nuria Natal (Kobold Press setting). I am plotting a murder mystery set in a camel caravan in the desert. I need some “authentic color” to add to my plot. Can anyone suggest Npc descriptions, attitudes, activities, etc... that would be particularly fun and evocative?

Also, are camels nasty like llamas can be? What dothey sound like? There will be a scene where the camels are attacked by a monster. Would they scream? Defend themselves? I know they can bite.

 

[Bilharzia]

What do you mean by "Nuria Natal"? Donkeys would be more common than camels in an Egyptian desert, llamas are more of a high altitude creature than strictly desert. A monster might be a Manticore or Scorpionman, or an Ant Lion if you use a sand trap.

 

[Umbran]

I fixed a spelling error in your thread title. I hope that's okay.

What do camels sound like?


Camels are often ill-tempered, and can be nasty when provoked. Humans mishandling a camel may pay for it with their lives. That said, like most herbivores, they tend to run and scatter when faced with a serious predator.

 

[Gilladian]

Nuria Natal is the faux egyptian setting for Midgard by Kobold Press. I am loosely using it for this online campaign.

 

[Gilladian]

I fixed a spelling error in your thread title. I hope that's okay.

What do camels sound like?


Camels are often ill-tempered, and can be nasty when provoked. Humans mishandling a camel may pay for it with their lives. That said, like most herbivores, they tend to run and scatter when faced with a serious predator.

Thanks! This video helped. Now I just need NPC color... I find that advice from other people is so helpful in avoiding falling into blah or predictable patterns of my own.

 

[Eltab]

Lawrence of Arabia's The Seven Pillars of Wisdom and Revolt in the Desert if you have the time to read / take notes from whole books beforehand. Also the biographically-titled movie (which admittedly is Hollywood-Epic-ized)

 

[Dioltach]

For the best take on camels, read Pyramids by Terry Pratchett.

 

[Ancalagon]

You could have signing sands.

https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m_features/singing-sand-dunes

 

[Perun]

For the best take on camels, read Pyramids by Terry Pratchett.

Oh, this! Seconded, thirded, and slightly fourthed for good measure. Fantastic setting, Djelibeybi ('Child of Djel').

 

[Marc Radle]

Nuria Natal is the faux egyptian setting for Midgard by Kobold Press. I am loosely using it for this online campaign.

The following might be of interest

Southlands Kickstarter from Kobold Press coming Nov. 30th!
https://koboldpress.com/kickstarters/