World Secrets Among the Sands Worldbuilding

[Vacyr]

WIP for SAtS world building and plotting @EvangelineEverheart

Plotting [Spoilers]:

Spoiler: New list for plot

Bel'akka:

1. Arrive in mountains, set up camp
2. Other Sheikh comes by with his family to inquire what took Kazin and his people so long, finds out about the foreigners / meeting of the two neighboring tribes
3. Evelyn talks with Henry about her growing feelings/confession she thinks Kazin made while Kazin remains blissfully ignorant not knowing what he said
4. Its explained that they are further away from the sacred scar but its needed for the cold winter nights/survival. Either can come up with alternating shifts plan here or later.
5. Kazin sends women to check on their food reserves, finding a blight that ate through most of their rations for the winter
6. Kazin calls a council of Sheikhs to explain what's happened and they need to band together for the winter to survive
7. Kazin struggles hard with the idea of losing the children of the Bel'akka, revealing his own loss to Evelyn in private for a tender moment where Kazin realizes that even in moments of darkness and grief, Evelyn is there for him in a way no one else was
8. Gossip makes its way to the alternate Sheikh who becomes jealous of Kazin having what his son should have and visits the camp more frequently, trying to sway Evelyn towards his son. When she seems disinterested in anyone but Kazin, he kidnaps her
9. Kazin pursuits and ferociously takes back what is his, realizing he's way too invested in Evelyn to ignore his feelings anymore and needs to properly woo her, confiding in Noora who, thanks to her relationship with Conlan, can give him tips on what to do
10. Scene where Kazin carries Evelyn to her tents when she fell asleep - contemplates kissing her
11. Kazin takes Evelyn out for the day away from the dig, sandstorm happens, they seek shelter in a cave which takes them to Zufar/Jibril through ancient tunnel and finds Zufar and a natural gas spring (keep Bel'akka warm during winter
12. At some point, Ralila wrongs Evelyn again and Kazin either has her put to death, banished, or sold because he cannot have a mahiza trying to kill his future wife. Zurah understands her master's heart and stays on to safe face but knows their situation has changed drastically with Evelyn around.
13. Excavation begins
14. Springtime move once again, closer to Zufar and the "farming" lands for springtime crops
15. Spending the Spring excavating Zufar, trying to find a way to uncover the city. Tons of sand, rock, glass to clear and treasures to find. Direct proof of Kazin's ancestors are the survivors. Evelyn gathers enough to take back to England that the land there belongs to nomadic tribes
16. Oasis scene where Kazin tries to get Evelyn to open up about her feelings/apprehensions, to let him into her heart, knowing damn well he loves her at this point.
17. Scouts interrupt oasis scene, telling Kazin he is needed, there are government riders approaching in vehicles
18. Evelyn is forced out by government/bureaucracy and back to England practically over night while Kazin tries to reason with the gov people who detain him until

Post Separation:

1. Evelyn is told she must leave before time is up due to some political strife/funding, etc
2. Returning to london with the ancient remains of Kazin's ancestor and documentation of Zufar, the artifacts, pictures of the cave drawings and samples of the soil levels and paints, etc, perhaps she even found the meteorite during the spring
3. Kazin traverses the new political landscape, trying to keep Zufar in Bel'akka hands now that the government is involved who want the natural gas reserves for $ and to turn Zufar into a tourist attraction.
4. Scholars declare artifacts genuine, dated them, linked to Bel'akka. Evelyn has to present this politically. American granddad comes in to help her. Returns to arabia with Henry, scholars, nobles, politicians, backing Bel'akka, Evelyn told she can't go because sexism "won't listen to a woman" and presents findings to government with Sheikhs of tribes present
5. With Henry's help she writes her graduate thesis on the Green Desert theory, many scholars of all kinds coming to study and verify her findings and theory
6. Also tries to convince the scholars that Zufar is Bel'akka and should stay in their hands so that scholars can study it (not turn into tourist attraction or be milled for gas)
7. Her great aunt on her father's side sets her up with a Duke as a potential suitor, but he presents himself as an investor in her Bel'akka exhibit since he generously donates constantly to the museum, he says he gets her an exhibition (really the museum was PINING to have her findings as a new big thing)
8. The suitor works closely with her on setting up the gala, trying to woo Evelyn all the while, but she's so focused on the exhibit, she ignores it
9. Kazin and American grandfather become close after its revealed that Evelyn who hasn't talked to him in years reached out needing assistance.
   1. They bond over the proceedings. Kazin convinces him that life is short and he should take what he wants before its too late. When he returns to America, he intends to marry his mistress.
   2. Kazin, hearing it from a man who has had a mistress and a wife and how troublesome it can be for women of the West, knows that in order to win Evelyn's hand, he has to give up Zurah
10. it comes out as a scandal, her mistress grandmother is actually getting married to her grandfather - his wife has died, and he wants nothing to do with his horrible kids/grandkids who only want his money, he just wants to be happy. Her grandfather says that if she pursues her own happiness, he will make sure she is financially sound - ie, everything of his wealth would go to her.
11. Evelyn struggling over this constantly bc of loyalty to her family's titles, the promise she made to her great aunt, but knowing where her heart is.
12. Evelyn sends a blimp to the Bel'akka to pick up the Ihtizaz family for the gala, takes about 4 or 5 days to get there.
13. By this point, Zurah lives among the Bel'akka as one of them, no longer part of Kazin's mahiza because he has eyes for only Evelyn. Bel'akka understand and accept that their master wants the foreign noble to be his one and only wife. Support of family and tribe.
14. the night of the gala, the ihtizaz family has still not shown, Evelyn is getting worried, the suitor is telling her to get on with it, trying to hurry her
15. The Ihtizaz family arrive in perfect fashion at just the right moment for introduction as Evelyn is reading part of her thesis to the crowd
16. the gala is a complete success with the exhibit, Evelyn and Kazin even show off a little bit of Bel'akka dancing
17. while people are mingling, Kazin or Fahad overhears the suitor talking about Evelyn rather nastily and it takes all the restraint not to kill the man
18. Kazin sweeps Evelyn out onto the balcony to tell her how he feels in private, a passionate dance leading to their first kiss - this gets interrupted by the suitor who calls Kazin out for trying to steal "His" woman - making a public spectacle
19. Kazin contests this, telling Evelyn what he or Fahad heard the man say about her, and somewhere in there the suitor tries to get out of it showing the ring that "If I was so repulsed by a woman would I be planning to ask her to marry me?" - forces proposal onto Evelyn who is shocked into silence
20. Evelyn is caught of guard but just as Kazin is beginning to leave she rejects the suitor. He tries to coerce her that he will make things difficult for her "there are other places to dig-" when The suitor tries to stop her, hurting her Kazin does what Kazin does best.
21. Suitor is dragged off passed out as Kazin wraps his cloak/shawl around her and takes her home
22. Evelyn shows off her home to the ihtizaz family, they each have a room prepared "You have hosted me, please allow me to host you, make yourselves at home, whatever you need, just ask." Having known them for so long and with Noora around, their needs/wants are already anticipated.
23. Kazin goes to Evelyn's chambers to make sure she's alright, and there, he asks about the suitor. if she had been courting another man. if all they had was simply a mirage. pressing her to tell him how she feels.
24. Evelyn spills her guts to Kazin. that she's loved him for a long time, but she was afraid to say anything for the impossibility of them being together, for the terror the thought of being a wife and mother brings her, for how she knows Kazin will be treated by Westerners like some savage barbarian from the sands instead of the noble prince she knows he is.
25. all the feelings bursting out into the open, it may or may not lead into a passionate romp, or the two simply kissing and dancing under the stars all night on her balcony, do not know yet.
26. Evelyn has to do a brief tour around Europe and America when the Bel'akka exhibit is such a success, Kazin goes with her a little ways but then has to return to the Bel'akka where he sets up for her return, intending to propose Bel'akka style

Spoiler: OLD Plot Timeline

1. Atlantis was consumed by the desert and an evil djinn curses the land
2. Shiek, newly home from abroad, returns to his homeland because his father is ill and dying. He's told he needs to stay and continue the legacy of protectors
3. Evelyn Jones and her Harvard Professor/students arrive in ___ city and start to gather treasure hunters/local diggers for a quest to find the lost treasure cave of the 40 Thieves. They are funded by a wealthy nobleman with a map.
4. Evelyn can't seem to make the map work, only realizing it works via moonlight.
5. When she knows the location of the dig, she realizes that she's being watched/followed by strange cloaked men. Brushing it off, they gather their supplies and start their dig.
6. This alerts the Shiek's men who bring the news to him.
7. Evelyn and team are at the archeological site digging. Attempts to frighten them away occur but they brave through all of the non-violent attempts the Kazin's men use.
8. Kazin and Fahad get into an arguement, Fahan runs off trying to find Professor Henry Grant and stop their dig with force. Kazin follows him and defuses the situation but not without Henry getting hurt by Fahan throwing him against a table. Meets Henry and Evelyn for the first time.
   1. On Professor Grant's suggestion, Evelyn shows Kazin the government papers, benefactor papers, and dig site plans. She cuts herself and he tells her that virgin blood shouldn't be spilt on wordly things. Their first touch.
9. Turbulent relationship between cultures (esp Kazin slapping Evelyn). Evelyn takes Kazin in as a student. Kazin slaps Evelyn and repents. Gains back friendship under symbolism of a growing garden where friendship will be earned.
10. [Fill in rest later - requires re-read]
11. Evelyn brings map to Bel'akka camp with Noora and Conlan. Dressed in silks from Kazin's lap in judgement. Meets with elders. Figure out map is connected to moon in order to see full map.
12. Kazin barges into Evelyn's tent, upset that she didn't come when ordered. Turns into argument about lies (Kazin's mahiza, Evelyn's heritage as a Duchess). Cools down and Kazin keeps her secret safe and tells her he wants to be friends in their garden. Teaches dance and Kazin breaks rule about not touching while dancing together.
13. Kazin gets idea to "prove himself the perfect husband for Evelyn" after she tells him he'd be an awful husband. Harks back to Kazin telling Evelyn she'd make a good wife, just not for him.
    1. Thinks to put on a tournament to prove Evelyn of his strength in combat. Fahad, still angry, is his challenger and nearly kills him with a rock. Evelyn saves Kazin in front of his people. Kazin's speech on #220 page 11
14. Conlan defends Kazin and challenges him when no one else would after seeing Fahad's actions. Evelyn gives him dara knot tied to arm which she tells him gives him protection. He flips Conlan as a result, believing in sahira magic
15. Kazin summons Evelyn to his tent privately so they might speak about Fahad and her's first meeting. #231 pg 12 so he could go talk to Fahad and see what charged him up so much. Fahad needs reminding of what he means to Kazin. Evelyn fears the wedge she drives into his people and within him.
    1. Little bird and regal lion "game" gets out of hand. Desc of "perfect man" on #242. Taking "oh bite me" literally until Evelyn knees him in the damaged rib.
    2. Kazin gets caught atoning for his sins by punching himself, Evelyn is horrified he'd mutilate his body because of a mistake, not that it felt wrong. "do not try to change me Evelyn, because it hurts you" #255 despite her words of worry. After a brief meeting with Azizata, Kazin dismisses Evelyn.
16. Kazin finds Fahad and speaks with him while Evelyn walks with Eyad and Tarq and asks after further religious knowledge to better understand Kazin. Learns about Diyata, sharaf, and Ird.
17. Feast with some of Kazin's family (takes photographs, Kazin and Evelyn dance together and almost kiss)
18. Next day Eyad finds out of Kazin's plan to 'be best husband' and scolds him. Evelyn learns that she kissed Kazin on the cheek before going to bed. Both parties go to the sufi for assistance and run into each other to which the sufi witness and are later told to by Kazin about their clingy nature of their garden. Evelyn runs to cliff and is confronted by Fahad who saves her from falling off a cliff.
19. 
    
20. Evelyn finds the first artifact, being warned about the curse should they remove it from its resting place

Spoiler: Map Riddle

Trace these runes upon the strand
when rhythm quiets throughout the land
where old caverns deep meet the brand
and neither dusk nor dawn shines upon the sand

To grant safe passage by caravan
May he [Al-Quam] be your arcana at hand
'Neath His blinking eye, Heathens can not stand
Unworthy blood flow when they hear the Great command

(blinking eye in reference to the moon and its many phases)

Spoiler: Legend Of Zufar; city forgotten to sands

nadbat muqadasa - sacred scar

A Century after its founding the House Zufar became known for their wisdom and fairness. Unlike many nobles they did not lord their wealth and position over their people, but worked to better all of Zufar. Thanks to the oasis providing limitless water, Zufar became a trading hub in the desert. wealth and prestige overflowed the City and the House of Zufar.

Unfortunately wealth and success breed contempt and jealousy in others and Zufar was no exception to rivals. The blue djinn felt that any wealth that moved through the sands rightly belonged to him. As such the Djinn began raiding any and all caravans that traveled to and from Zufar, choking the lifeblood of commerce from the great city. Without trade the city would surely suffer, for it had grown beyond the bounty the oasis alone could support. Maji and Mercenaries alike of the land were called upon to rid Zufar of the Djinn. All failed.

It was during this time that the Sultan, having been thought infertile from a hunting accident, fathered a daughter, a child so beautiful he could only think of a single name for his sole heir, Zumena, an ancient word for true beauty. As Zumena grew her beauty grew with her, so radiant was the young princess that many claimed she was touched by the heavens or perhaps a Nymph of the oasis.

Zumena lived up to her names. Beautiful as her first name and as wise and kind as every Zufar Sultan before her. Many a suitor, Sheikhs and Pashas alike, risked both the danger of the desert as well as that from the Djinn for the chance to meet the Zufarian princess and take her hand. But all were turned away, found lesser and wanting in the princess's eyes. However her beauty soon became a curse as word reached the Djinn and he demanded she be given to him or he would rain lightning down upon Zufar and take all the kingdom.

It was at this time when a man who would be hero stepped forward. Rasheed Nohas. A nobody from the streets of Zufar born of no family or wealth, but found a talent in battle and leading men, and joined as a soldier. He heard of the demands of the vile blue Djinn and gathered six of his closest and most loyal companions. They set off into the desert, tracking down the Djinn's lair, and performing a deed none other had, trapped the Djinn within his own magic. but not without cost. Rasheed was the only survivor and bore scars of lightning magic on his face and shoulders.

When Rasheed returned bearing the container of the Djinn as proof of his deed, he did the unthinkable. He made no claim to the gold of its hoard. Instead giving the entirety of it to the Sultan, stating "This wealth was stolen from the people of Zufar. I return it to its rightful owners." The sultan was amazed by the generosity and honor of this young man, but honor decreed such a deed could not go unrewarded, and he demanded that Rasheed name a reward, anything in the sultan's power to grant would be his. Rasheed let his eyes fall upon Zumena, and the sultan knew what the man would ask. And he was willing to grant it, such a man would be a fine husband for his daughter. But once more Rasheed shocked the court as he gazed at the princess and asked for one thing. "I would ask for a lock of Princess Zumena's hair. So that I may hold a piece of true beauty near my heart for the rest of my days."

The Sultan was stunned once more. This was not what he had intended or expected, But his order was followed and he had promised to give the young man the reward of his choice. He turned to the princess and asked for a lock of her hair. Only to be shocked again for a third time this day. "No." The princess spoke firm and plainly. Brining a gasp from everyone in court. and causing the young Rasheed's shoulder to slump in disappointment. "I will not give a lock of my hair to this Hero of Zufar."

She boldly stepped down from the throne and stood before the kneeling Rasheed, and reaching down she took his hand into hers, and lifted him to his feet. "Instead I will give him my hand. For I can find no better match for me, and no better husband." Fate can be strange indeed, as the princess had fallen in love with the young Rasheed the moment she had set eyes on him just as He had fallen for her. They had never even exchanged words before this, a simple meeting of the eyes during a parade on the streets.

The sultan was thrilled that his daughter had chosen a Husband and they were married before the caravans could bring the djinn's gold back to the city. The years following were filled with joy. Without the Djinn, Zufar prospered once more, wealth returning to the city. But the sultan succumbed to illness as well, and Sultana Zumena Zufar took the throne, supported by her husband Rasheed Nohas-Zufar. They were loved by the people and the city seemed to only grow more prosperous. Between the wisdom of Zumena and Rasheed's talent at warcraft. Zufar knew no enemies and thrived diplomatically with its neighbors. And it was with great joy and celebration that the Sultana announced to her people they she was with child.

Sadly, not all tales have a happy ending.

The legend of the Djinn's treasure and power lingered in the hearts of those outside the favor of Zufar. A society of warlocks, makers of the black arts, planned to release the djinn and claim the city as their own. They infiltrated the royal house as loyal servants and staff. Watching. Waiting. Until the right time. Nearing the birth of her child, the warlocks cast a grave spell upon Sultana Zumena. Some say the child was born still. Some say that it was born a hideous monster that had to be hidden away or killed. Others swear the child was smuggled from the city for its protection when they discovered magic plagued to make the Sultana ill.

When Zumena lost her child the city mourned for the royal families loss, the princess only falling more and more ill. Calls were sent out, rewards of unfathomable wealth were promised for any who could find a cure for the poison that was slowly stealing Zumena from Rasheed. Finally. One day the Prince ordered every person from the palace district. Every Soldier, servant and advisor, even the doctors and clerics were banished from the grounds. Leaving the prince alone, it was thought to mourn the passing of his wife, but it was then that a great whirlwind rose up, larger than anything anyone had ever heard of in reality or myth and legends.

the last stand of the ancient Prince against the djinn, he evacuated the city of Zufar, leaving the people in the care of his most trusted advisors and warriors (one of them being Kazin's ancestor) along with secretly either his wife the Sultana who was with child or just their child to be taken secretly to a far away land.

In his final battle, the prince used magic armaments and arms prevalent in middle eastern mythos, before with his devotion to allah, he summoned a star to fall to earth and trap the djinn, and as a result it devastated the region by covering the palace in the rock formations with the intense heat and such.

He perished in the battle, it could be that all that was left of him was his arms and armor, or he could have been perfectly preserved in his final moment in stone like a chinese warrior, which his devoted friends found later. They could have entombed their friend along with all his armor and weapons or split them equally amongst each other to be passed down to the worthy generations, meaning one head of each clan/tribe could have one of the ancient pieces perhaps.

Years of struggle with vanishing resources in the region caused the people who were once one to split into several nomadic tribes to make use of the wider spread areas and resources they had access to. But the Prince's closest friend and advisor is the one who remained in the territory near the canyon, always keeping an eye upon the oasis and passing down the strict code of "The Path of the Fallen Star-" All the way down to Kazin. And in their years, people have forgotten this, to them it is just legend.

Spoiler: Not so Magical Explanation of Zufar

Zufar was a city ahead of its time. The meteor/meteorite came down, crashed into the crater that is now the big oasis the Bel'akka used, and of course pieces of it scattered, but it caused massive quakes and burst pipes to the natural gas and such in Zufar, it all caused massive sandstorms and for the place to be buried.
It didn't become a great massacre bc the city was evacuated as the meteor was observed coming for the city. The Prince was the last to leave, making a last sweep through the city to make sure no one was left behind, and sadly perished as Zufar got buried. As everything settled, the people returned and gave him a grand burial. The Sultana, in her grief for her lost love, left the sands in the hands of the noble houses. It was said one day she would return to liberate Zufar.
The whole thing with the djinn got thrown in bc people had to blame the meteor destroying their home on something.

 

[Vacyr]

Character List:

Spoiler: Character Color Codes

Kazin - dark red
Evelyn - teal
Fahad (commander) - blue
Israh (weaver) - light blue
Layla (twin) - gold
Alnahar (twin) - white
Halim (horse master) - dark purple
Owais (scout/huntsman) - light purple
Azizata (shaman) - lighter red
Sa'id (youngest brother) - green
Eyad - brown
Tareq - gray/black
Ralila - dark orange
Zurah - light orange
Servants (Noora, etc) - plain text

Spoiler: Bel'akka Characters

Family members of Ibn (son of)/Bint (daughter of) Al-Hamia Ihtizaz bloodline (purple, blue, and burgandy colors with silver and/or gold):

• Kazin Ibn Al-Hamia Ihtizaz (son of the protectors of the path of the fallen star) -- Sheikh
• Daamir Ibn Al-Hamia Ihizaz (Kazin's father).
• Sedera (mother)
• Azizata -- (sister, name means beloved) - Fuqara (Arabic for shaman). Widowed to previous shaman/healer. (black hair, honey eyes). Late husband Jibril. Believed to have died trying to rid the Sacred Scar of its evil and make it a sanctuary for the Bel'akka.
• Israh -- (sister, name means travel at night) - Royal silk weaver
• Sa'id -- (littlest brother, 8, means lucky/blessed) - dark brown hair, curly. Calls Evelyn "Hawwa"
• Jahdaa -- (sister) is married to Raffi of the Sha'akka tribe. Not present in camp.
• Fahad Ali Bakir (half-brother, high dawn) -- Commander (dark brown eyes,
• Halim, (half- brother, master of horses (sayid alkhuyul)) (affectionate and patient)
• Owais -- (half-brother, master huntsman (Sayaad)/Scout, little wolf) (playboy, entitled)
• Layla --(half-sister, sufi (mystic) twin (nighttime) golden robes, purple scapolite that changed into a deeper purple over time (uv light) thought to have dreamwalker properties)
• Alnahar -- (half-sister, sufi (mystic) twin (daytime) purple robes, golden scapolite thought to have healing abilities)

Non-Family members of the Bel'akka:

• Eyad Aziz Gazhali (mighty philosopher) -- Close Elder of Kazin's
• Haroun -- Elder -- drunk, angry
• Sameth -- Elder
• Amil -- Elder
• Tareq -- Elder
• Naji (she) -- trusty steed
• Ralila -- favored concubine with burnette hair, plots against Evelyn
• Zurah -- concubine, can be turned
• Noora -- Servant who attends Evelyn. Married. (Brown eyes, brown hair)
• Muna -- ladymaid, pregnant with Rayhan's child
• Rayhan -- husband of Muna,

Misc:

• Hamza -- dig site overseer, loyal to Kazin

Spoiler: Evelyn's Camp

• Evelyn Jones
• Charlemange "Charlie" -- Brown and black german shepard of Evelyn's
• Henry Grant -- Harvard Professor of Archaeology. (hazel eyes, graying hair)
• Hamza -- Head of diggers, servant of Kazin
• Louis Henderson -- American straw-blond hair
• Burns -- American
• Daniels -- American
• Captain LaMounte -- French Foreign Legion Captain
• Conlan -- Evelyn's Irish bodyguard. Friend of Noora. (6ft, middle age, black hair, mustache)

Spoiler: Jad'akka Characters

• Sheikh Alia Al-Farooq-- Sheikh who knows right from wrong, middle aged,
• Hana Al-Rashid -- wife, mother, visionary, middle aged
• Khalid -- Step-brother, eternal
• Faris -- Brother, knight
• Rami -- (Green/brown eyes - hazel, brown hair), Eldest son, marksman, childhood rival of Kazin
• Yasmin -- Eldest daughter, jasmine flower (brown eyes, chocolate brown hair)
• Hadi -- Son, to guide
• Samira -- Daughter, companion in heart to hear talks
• Has other siblings/children but will start there

Spoiler: Evelyn Party Table Seating

 

[Vacyr]

Bel'akka:

Spoiler: Bel'akka Laws

1. Muruwah - courage in battle, manliness, patience, endurance. Akin to knights honor codeObedience to chief. Duty called upon to avenge wrongdoings committed against him or tribe. This code can be translated to "manliness" and involves courage in battle, patience and endurance in suffering, and dedication to the tribe
2. Ird - honor code for women to keep their pureness until marriage. Sexual transgressions can take away. Not virginity but emotional and conceptual. Once lost it cannot be regained.
3. Sharaf - protection of ird by men. Protect family/clanswomen to maintain honor of tribe and protection within village.
4. Diyafa - Hospitality. Even an enemy must be given shelter and food for three days before let out into desert and then hunted. Generosity is a virtue. Gifts offered cannot be declined. Look after destitute with tithes.
5. Hamasa - courage and bravery. Willingness to defend one's tribe and innocents for the purpose of solidarity and balance regardless of interests in the matter. Ability to withstand pain (reference to circumcise). This code involves defending one's tribe for the purpose of ṣabīya (tribal solidarity and balance)
6. Law of Retribution - was arbitrated and administered by the sheikh. Injured parties could claim retribution. An act of aggression could be avenged in equal terms.
7. The Salt Bond embodies sacred trust and mutual protection of a guest by their hosts.

Spoiler: Bel'akka Constellations

Allah created these heroes/concepts in the stars like saints are in Catholicism.

• Zodiac signs
  • Al-Asad(Lion / Leo) - Leadership, nobility, and courage
    • Symbolizes the ultimate guardian with mane of sunlight and roar of thunder who stood protector over the desert people. When darkness threatened their peace, he fought valantly, sacrificing himself to preserve harmony. In honor of his bravery, he watches over the desert, reminding the tribes of courage and guardianship which are the noblest of virtues.
  • Al-Aqrab(Scorpion / Scorpio) - Passion and power
    • Once loyal guardian who was seduced by the promise of immortality and in his quest for forbidden power, betrayed the people he swore to protect. Passion and betrayal. As punishment, turned into a scorpion and condemned to scrawl the sands for eternity, his sting a reminder of the venom of his treachery. Caution about desire clouding duty.
  • Al-Ra'ed(Thunderer / Taurus) - Strength and steadfastness in the face of great storms
    • Legend of hero who could command sandstorms. Born during a great sandstorm, he was said to have a connection with nature that heeded to his command. He used his powers to protect the desert tribes from invaders, ensuring their prosperity. Respect of the natural world.
  • Al-Jawza(Mirage / Gemini) - Wisdom, cunning, resilience
    • Beacon of mystery, waver of illusions so tangible they are almost real. Her mirages are both a challenge and a boon. To those who can discern the truth behind her spectral veils, there is a reward with profound insights.
    • In a time of division and conflict, it was her who enveloped the warring tribes in a grand illusion, reflecting their own spirits and revealing the senselessness of their battle. An act of enchantment that united them, teaching the importance of harmony and strength found in collective aspirations.
    • "
  • Al-Qaws(Falcon/ Sagittarius) - Exploration of the unknown, quest for knowledge, and pursuit of truth.
    • Wise falcon whose talons can pierce the veil between worlds, revealing truths hidden to the eyes of mortals. His journey through the desert was a quest for enlightenment, each twisting route as he shot skyward a question posed to the universe. Immortalized as an falcon whose beak points to the center of the galaxy.
    • "Seek beyond the horizon"
  • Al-Harba(Chameleon / Pisces) - Adaptability, unity, and miracles
    • Twin lizards represent story of twin chameleons who possessed the magical ability to summon rain by changing their colors. When a relentless drought threatened the sacred oasis, the twins embarked on a quest to find the lost hues of the rainbow, believing that it held the key to bringing forth the rains. Quest to gather the colors of the rainbow and upon their return a great dance so divine that the sky wept with joy and showered the land in life giving rainfall.
    • "Paint your own path to destiny"
  • Al-Mizan( Balance / Libra) - Harmony and justice
    • Balance between justice and harmony. Legend speaks of a wise king who was renowned for his fairness and ability to weigh the truth as finely as the desert sands. His judgements were said to be so equitable that the gods themselves sought his council. He, among the stars, oversees the moral equilibrium of the world and a celestial reminder that justice must be as constant as polaris and there is balance to all aspects of life.
    • "Ensure the scales are even in all aspects of your life to achieve harmony"
  • Al-Saqi (Water-bearer / Aquarius) - Innovation and community
    • Legend of a camel who possessed the unique gift to find water in the driest corner of the desert. His ability brought sustenance and life to the tribes. He was revered as a savior in times of drought.
  • Al-Saratan(Crab / Cancer) - Resilience, protection, and providence
    • Colossal crab whose shell was so large, it carved with its body and claws the dunes and valleys of the sands. Wandering the desert, creating havens for travelers and animals alike, its movements bringing forth hidden springs. It was revered as a guardian of life in barren wastes, enduring spirit of protection for those who wander the sands.
  • Al-Thaur(Oryx/ Virgo) - Endurance, healing, vitality
    • During a time where the earth was barren, the tribes at the brink of starvation, it was the great oryx with horns that pierced the skies, that saved them from despair. As the great Oryx descended, its great hooves touched the ground of the dunes and oases burst forth, giving life to their desolate world. Its breath creating the winds that still blow to this day.
    • Fuqara descended from Al-Thaur's magic
  • Al-Jady(Weaver / Capricorn) - Ambition and traditions
    • Enigmatic weaver of fate draped in the veil of night is said to have spun the fabric of destiny with threads of starlight. It's loom the cradle of their lineage where each thread represents a life, and the intricate patterns tell the tales of their ancestors.
    • On the night of the new moon, Al-Jady descends to the mortal realm, intertwining the fates of those deemed worthy.
      • Children born when constellation is brightest and on a new moon are sufi (mystics) of tribe.
    • Her gifts are blessings of foresight and wisdom bestowed upon the tribe's mystics. Gentle sculptor of the future, ever present in quiet moments before the dawn, when the world holds its breath in anticipation for the new day.
    • Tribal mystics (sufi) descended from Al-Jady's lineage
  • Al-Hamal(Ram shepard / Aries) - Resilience and leadership
    • Steadfast shepherd among the stars. Emerged from a celestial flock as a guardian, his presence a promise of guidance and prosperity. When the desert was a labyrinth of treachery, his light shone upon the tribes, leading them to safety and abundance. A protector in the darkness that watches over the tribes when they sleep. His astral crook warding off shadows that lurk at the edge of dunes.

• Al-Qutb (Polaris)- Anchor of the heavens, guides travelers across the desert, the north star. Unwavering point in the ever-shifting tapestry of night.
  • Long ago, a great king sought to unite the tribes under a single banner. Looking to the stars for guidance, he noticed the steady light of Al-Qutb. A constant among the chaos of the cosmos. Inspired by its persistence, the king swore to remain steadfast despite the challenges he faced. In time, the tribes banded together and peace reigned over the Bel'akka. A symbol of hope and unity and a reminder that even the smallest of light can guide in the darkness.
  • "No matter how far we roam, there is always the light to guide us home"
• Al-Sirat- The endless path, the guiding thread that stretches across the sky. Importance of walking one's path and the interconnectedness of all things
  • Represents the tribes eternal journey through life and time and the passage from birth to death as they cycle through the seasons. Said to be the path walked by spirits of the ancestors, a celestial road that connects the world of the living with the realm of the afterlife to reach the oasis of eternity where they can join the stars and watch over their descendants together.
  • A child coming of age must embark on a solitary journey across the desert, following the line of Al-Sirat in the sky. The pilgrimage is a test of survival and spiritual quest
  • Evoked during times of decision-making and counsel by the Elders of the tribe to seek guidance for the tribe's future.
• Arabic Star Names

Seasonal Path for the Bel'akka nomads:

• In the spring when Al-Ra'ed the thunderer begins to rise in the evening sky and points their way, they know it is time to move toward the flowering meadows hidden among pockets in the dunes where the earth is plentiful and land fertile. He chases Al-Jawza across the heavens.
• When the blossoms of spring turn into the heat of summer, they follow Al-Saratan which arcs across the night sky with Al-Asad's watchful eye upon him. Blazing a trail for them to follow and find refuge from the scorching sun while also finding lands to graze in the heat by lush oases.
• The earth eventually cools and the season changes to autumn when they follow Al-Mizan the wise king of balance, harmony, and justice as he battles Al-Aqrab. A showcase of holy versus the corrupt as the nights grow darker. His highest nightly path in the sky signals the harvesting of bounties and the preparation for colder months ahead of them.
• As winter approaches, Al-Qaws, the falcon, takes a central place in the night sky, perching upon Al-Jady. Signaling the start of the winter months where winter encampments must be fortified in sheltered areas and protected from the harsh winds with food stores in the mountains to sustain them in the winter.
  • Al-Qaws, the great falcon, would lead them across the sands to his perch, watching Al-Jady weave her threads of fate with starlight. As the Bel'akka packed, they sung a beautiful song, almost like a prayer, to help shepherd them to their new home.
    
    
    O Al-Mizan, wise King, guide us with your just hand,
    while Al-Aqrab falls, the nights do grow dark,
    under your hand, let us prepare the perch.
    
    O Al-Qaws, falcon of the night sky, find Al-Jady,
    herald the coming of the unforgiving season,
    grant us strength and resilience as we fortify.
    
    May our fires burn bright and our spirits be unbroken,
    as we wait for the great chase across the heavens,
    and the flowering meadows it promises upon us.​

Zodiac signs and dates:

• Aries (Al-Hamal) -- March 21 - April19
• Taurus (Al-Thaur) -- April 20 - May 20
• Gemini (Al-Jawza) -- May 21 - June 20
• Cancer (Al-Saratan) -- June21 - July 22
• Leo (Al-Asad) -- July 23 - August 22
• Virgo (Al-Thaur) -- August 23 - September 22
• Libra (Al-Mizan) -- September 23 - October 22
• Scorpio (Al-Aqrab) -- October 23 - November 21
• Sagittarius (Al-Qaws) -- November 22 - December 21
• Capricorn (Al-Jady) -- December 22 - January 19
• Aquarius (Al-Saqi) -- January 20 - February 18
• Pisces (Al-Harba) -- February 19 - March 20

Signs and Elements:

• Fire:
  • Aries (Al-Hamal)
  • Leo (Al-Asad)
  • Sagittarius (Al-Qaws)
• Earth:
  • Taurus (Al-Thaur)
  • Virgo (Al-Thaur)
  • Capricorn (Al-Jady)
• Air:
  • Gemini (Al-Jawza)
  • Libra (Al-Mizan)
  • Aquarius (Al-Saqi)
• Water:
  • Cancer (Al-Saratan)
  • Scorpio (Al-Aqrab)
  • Pisces (Al-Harba)

Spoiler: Bel'akka Instruments

Rebab or Rababah, string instrument very similar to a violin.

A traditional lute called an Oud, very similar to a western style guitar. A set of leather skin drums.

A sintir

A qanun which the strings are plucked like a harp as it lays on the lap

The Ney - a flute with 6 holes

Mizmar, a type of flute trumpet

Mizwad, a type of middle eastern bagpipe!

Riqq or tambourine

Sagat or symbols :)

Spoiler: Gemstones

Layla and Alnahar have yellow and purple scapolite, an earth element:

• Purple:
  • Third eye chakra
  • Expands upon mental capabilities, psychic abilities, understanding daily synchronicities, astral projection awakening, lucid dreaming, heightened sense of awareness.
  • Purple will either stay dark forever or it starts out white and the more its exposed to uv light, the more rich purple color it becomes
  • Enhancing psychic gifts and abilities, thus receiving clearer visions from the divine. Stops negative thought patterns.
• Golden:
  • Crown chakra
  • Enlightenment, spiritual connection, higher consciousness, healing through emotional and physical balance within the body
  • Clarity, overcome obstacles, and balance
  • Enhances willpower, motivation, and inspiration in achieving goals in life
• Green:
  • Green impact fragment glass reserved for wear by the royal family only from the meteor impact that created the sacred scar
  • Often a gift from the Bel'akka males to the females upon kidnap and proposal (passed down from wife to wife as a wedding blessing/gift)
  • Kazin's mother has a fragment she used to tell them the stars were hidden inside of it and an inner star would shine with them.
  • Holy relics to the Bel'akka people
• Teas with ceremonies:
  • Chamomile
  • Orange (citrus)
  • Pine
  • Sage

 

[Vacyr]

Random Ideas to incorporate/Misc:

Spoiler: Desert Lotus

Desert Lotus tattoo for Evelyn. Idea is for Kazin to give a desert lotus flower tattoo with his clan colors/meaning to her as a "you are part of us now" momento. Symbol of his people.

"Represent a new beginning or going through a struggle and becoming a symbol of strength and overcoming challenges"
"Like a lotus flower, we too have the ability to rise from the mud and bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world"
"Symbol of overcoming adversity"
"Connection between the universe soul and your own"

Each color also has a meaning:

• White -- beauty, grace, purity, perseverance.
• Pink -- delicate and feminine energy. Symbol of rebirth.
• Red -- Fire and energy. Passion and inspiration of the heart. Love and compassion.
• Purple -- Mystic and self-awakening and esoteric
• Blue -- Rare. Focus on innate characteristics who can help you blossom into nirvana. Victory of the spirit over that of wisdom.

Spoiler: Video for Scene

Spoiler: References

The Original Arab, The Bedouin | TOTA

From The Arabs; A Short History by Philip K. Hitti, 1914.

www.tota.world

Spoiler: Blog

The Inspiring and Informative Wadi Rum Nomads Blog

Plan your desert adventure with the inspiring and informative blog posts from Wadi Rum Nomads, your go-to expert resource for the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.

www.wadirumnomads.com

 

[Vacyr]

Random Plot Ideas:

Spoiler: Plot Ideas

• Plot point: Shiek wants Evelyn and is challenged by right-hand man due to the insult of wanting a foreigner for a wife. Fight ensues and Shiek wins, presenting Evelyn with a Akhal-Teke horse but she refuses (afraid of horses) and dishonors him. Tribe wants her to walk the desert but Shiek steps in to take her place. After tension and being thrown out, he returns and issue is resolved.
• Shiek has a concubine who he doesn't pay/care much about. Evelyn is horrified by the notion of slavery. Throughout their relationship, the Shiek becomes softer on his concubine and eventually turns heart and frees her with Evelyn's help/suggestion. Village elders are appalled and its another strike against him for his mind being poisoned by the outsider woman
• Kidnapping happens after Evelyn accepts a gift from Kazin. Evelyn is appalled and demanding he take her back/she's not going to marry him while he says "see you say that, but we are, so accept it" or something. Traditional wooing period after the kidnapping where Kazin can entice her to the idea.
• Kazin's elder/family member has been trying to set him up with a wife for a while but he wants that firey kind of love that he's not found yet (until Evelyn)
• Soldiers of the encampment convince her to have some fun with them and join in a bonfire party which Kazin attends too or insists he stay with her. She's all dressed up and having a wonderful time dancing with french/italians who are affectionate with kisses to cheeks and hands before/after dancing. Kazin is jealous/confused/wants to kill each one of them for touching her, thinking she's a witch casting spells upon these men to make them act such a affectionate way. Tries his hardest not to look like he cares when its breaking him inside.
• They teach eachother about their culture, language, etc. Moment of showing her something and making physical contact.
• Go swimming because kazin finds out they're washing with powder and he wants to show Evelyn an oasis. She strips down and jumps in and he's trying so hard to not pay attention to her as she does. She asks him why he isn't joining her which nearly kills him
• KAzin teaches Evelyn to eat the locusts with garlic and peprika. Moment where their hands touch as he instructs her
• The funds run out for winter and both Evelyn and Kazin part their separate ways. Evelyn tries to find a suitor in the UK but they never hold a light to Kazin. Kazin tries to drown himself in wine and women but their smiles don't reach their eyes/everything reminds him of Evelyn.
  • Photos taken of Kazin and Evelyn, Kazin has adoration looks on his face as he looks at her, not really paying attention to their lessons or whatever they were doing. Only interested in Evelyn.
  • Photographs - She has many of him but he has one of her and its his most prized possession
  • Grant is the one who gets the dig funds back and writes a letter to Kazin telling him they've returned.
• Evelyn finds out Sahira means witch/enchantress. Evelyn hits him with a book she's so offended until he explains it also means echantress and why
• Evelyn brings Kazin to Europe/UK to meet her people/scholars and to show that the marriage was not kidnap
• When Kazin is invited to England for the gala event on her achievements, he sends her plantable flowers telling her to make a hadiqa of her own. That night, they dance together and almost kiss? The suitor sees them and confronts Evelyn about her feelings towards Kazin

Spoiler: Uncategorized Ideas

• Shiek culture
  • Guardians of the treasure
  • Law of the desert/sands - keep what you kill or capture
  • Time honored tradition of proposal is for a man/warrior to kidnap a woman he wants as his wife and she must accept his gift (gems, jewels, feather, shell, dress, horse, etc)
  • Women do not readily accept something from a man outside of food and water
  • Pride themselves on horses
  • Rite of passage for a boy to become a man by breaking in a stallion of his own
  • Colors/breeds of horses denote status as well as fabric types and colors
  • Fabric -- brighter the colors the higher the status, lower classes wear off-whites, browns, and duller/tougher fabrics of laborers
  • Insults and disputes laws
  • Punishment/chance at redemption is walk of the desert. Offending party is cast out to the sands with no help and if they can survive and reach the next destination of the tribe's resting place in a round about way, then the gods have forgiven them and they're welcomed back into the tribe
• Shiek sent to some european university to study then returns home upon his fathers' death to take command of the tribe and their purpose
• Evelyn has/finds a guard dog that refuses everyone but her and, eventually, the Shiek
• Ali Baba was trusted to hide a very important shifting key that will open all the places they need to go in the future. Contained within a spherical puzzle that needs study to open. Also a map with odd markings and grooves that can be shifted and changed to reveal constellations of the stars. Someone who doesn't know the desert readings of the stars will be doomed. Need the Shiek to read the sky for her.
• Egyptian prosthetic eye that Evelyn imbeds in her eye. Works because she's a descendant from the city's royal line
• He's descended of one of the sacred warriors meant to protect the city
• Soloman's shamir -- substance that has the power to cut through stone, iron, and diamond
• Persian epic of Shahhameh -- Dagger of Rotsam, Babr-e bayan (magical cloak), Helmet of Rostam, Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar (emerald sword), etc form the ancient armor they need to defeat the embodiment of the evil djinn
• Shape of the caves from a nearby sand dune gives them another clue to xyz
• Kazin telling Evelyn to stay ""Stay because you wish it, Evelyn. Stay for the adventure that calls to your heart, for the stories yet to be told. And should the sands and stars conspire against us, we shall write our own destiny, together."

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

Picture References

Spoiler: Calligraphy Examples

apparently in Arabic, they only have 3 vowels: a, i and u.

Evelyn in Arabic - pronounced ʾayfalīna : أَيْفَلِينَ
Jones in Arabic - pronounced jūnzu (jonas): جونز

Evelyn written in Diwani

Evelyn written in Thuluth

Evelyn written in Al Battar

Kazin in Arabic - pronounced kāzayni : كَازَيْنِ
Full name below arabic written right to left
Ihtizaz. Al-Hamia. Ibn. Kazin
كازين ابن الحامية إستيزاز


Kazin's full name in Al Battar

Kazin's full name in Thuluth

Kazin's full name in Diwani

Just Kazin in Diwani

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

SUMMATION OF CHAPTERS​

Spoiler: Chapter One

Pages 1-2, Replies 1-22. News comes to Kazin and Fahad that the leader of the foreign diggers upon Bel'akka land is in fact a woman. Fahad, in his rage that his Sheikh does not attack or send the foreign devils from their lands, rides off with the intent of causing harm. Kazin chases after him, arriving moments after Fahad is holding Professor Henry Grant, the Overseer of the dig, hostage against the pistol of Evelyn Jones, the student scholar and historian, lead archaeologist of the dig. Henry is wounded in the head by the scuffle, and Kazin orders Fahad to be taken back to camp before using his own silk wrap to bandage Henry. He shows respect to the Professor Grant, yet entirely ignores Evelyn as a woman - until he steps outside to give orders to his men to take Fahad home and sees Evelyn with her face-veil and hat removed, giving orders to the French Foreign Legion to stand down... and the men obeying this woman of blue eyes. Kazin is baffled by the concept, as much as he is baffled by the fact the sight of her makes him forget how to breathe, comparing her to the angels of European artists, even more baffled when he is left alone with Evelyn in the artifacts tent to see/copy the legal documents allowing her to dig on Bel'akka lands. While the two converse and begin to come to an arrangement of her teaching Kazin English in exchange for his political support, the two are already drawn to one another. Kazin's mind considering constantly whether she is married or not, especially to Henderson who is consistently trying to garner intimate moments with her, then wondering why does it matter to him, finding regrets in his harsh tone in commanding her away as if she is a servant, then correcting he is Sheikh and she is a woman, no she is a Sahira, an enchantress casting spells upon him! He cannot look at her for too long for want of seeing her face again, Evelyn for her part is quite perturbed as to why all her work now has to be redone, put off by Kazin's initial refusal to acknowledge her, but as she assumes a more diplomatic tone, their words become friendlier. she's a bit confused by the man, but very much entranced by his care (as he tended to a small paper cut on her hand) and his poetic tongue. With such phrases as "bright eyes" or "it is only sunset". She tries to explain her work to him, convince him that she has no ill intention for the artifacts. Kazin leaves with swift goodbyes, not wanting to look at the Sahira should her enchantments keep him there, intent on speaking with his elder about the sin of seeing her face.

Spoiler: Chapter Two

Pages 2 - 4. Replies 23 - 65. Evelyn reveals how she truly feels about the Sheikh to Henry. That he is Contemptable. Discourteous. Arrogant. Has no regard for others. Kazin too reveals to Eyad that he saw her face, that this foreign woman drives him mad with her errant tongue. It is decided Fahad will receive lashings for his disobedience and Kazin is the one to deliver them. When he returns to the foreigner's camp, he is worried to find that a few tents were burned during the night, beginning it seems from Evelyn's tents. Locusts attacked the camp early in the morning and ate rations, as well as left Evelyn's feet and lower legs slightly burned. After the initial awkwardness of walking in on her, Kazin and Evelyn begin to banter and even flirt extensively. Kazin finding himself enthralled by how Evelyn speaks her mind to him, challenges him, alights the spark of his mind and forces him to think and consider new ways and oddly he feels a respect towards the woman. To command men, to have such a fountain of knowledge, of stories that leave him wanting more and are seemingly never ending, envious how she has seen so much of the world. Yet regularly finds his traditions and thoughts of the Elders tearing him away from her ideals and not looking at her lest he be trapped in that Sahira magic. Evelyn meanwhile is growing fonder of the man by the moment. The witty banter from him, the flirtations causing her cheeks to burn, and the way he holds himself to such esteem, but listens, his poetic way of speaking. Even the way he cares and starts fussing over her. Somehow Evelyn even gets the Sheikh to fetch water for her feet! Of course he has a servant do it, but still he runs the errand. However, Evelyn soothes his ego with compliments and genuine praise. When she at last changes into a skirt and blouse (Kazin almost walking in on her naked behind the partition screen in anger that she was walking away from him-) all his angers over Sahira magic melt away to compliments of her beauty "a Moon on cloudless night-" This is where he first thinks her beauty surpasses even the prettiest of his concubines and understanding why she wears trousers - if she wore skirts all the time, no man would leave her alone. He demands to know whether or not she is wed then and there and feeling relief when he finds out she has no husband. Evelyn, for her part, is incredibly confused by Kazin's actions, but also endearing to the man. They begin his English lesson when a slight misunderstanding occurs. He offers to take her to see his people, the areas surrounding, if she wishes. In her excitement to learn more of his culture, Evelyn hugs him. This causes Kazin to grow angry, but also afraid for her safety. A misunderstanding of language leads to Evelyn thinking he threatened her life even though she apologized for the blunder. The two begin to argue, Kazin's frustrations of not grasping this language mounting to the point that he backhands her across the cheek then kicks her out of his way telling her to "Know your place woman", cursing that he hopes the sun will burn her skin and keep her strength. He leaves abruptly. Evelyn forces herself to return to her work, shaking and fighting tears.

Spoiler: Chapter Three

Page 4-6 Replies 66-111 - Upon return to the Bel'akka, Kazin is wrestling between the guilt of striking Evelyn and insisting he was right. In his turmoil, he goes on a drinking binge trying to forget her, but it only makes him think of her more. After three days, Eyad finally goes to speak to him after any visitor returns from the Sheikh commenting how he's ranting over a foreign woman's beauty or how she infuriates him. Unable to get any information, Eyad discovers Kazin has been lashing himself. In worry for the young man, Eyad journeys to the foreign camp and he and Henry become fast friends united in a common goal. Meanwhile Henry has been unable to get Evelyn to tell him what happened, and to everyone's worry she has collapsed in high fever after working herself to exhaustion and hardly eating anything. After a small bit of conversation with the woman, Eyad and Henry piece together that the two hot-headed youths misunderstood one another and hatch a plan of how to mend their relationship, for even the elders see there is something between them. Eyad, after one look upon Evelyn, now understands why Kazin feels such turmoil over the woman. Returning to the Bel'akka, he has herbs for her fever and burns sent to the foreign camp on behalf of Kazin, Eyad making the Sheikh belief that it was his own idea and pushing him a few days later to call upon Evelyn and see her health and apologize, Henry encouraging Evelyn to hear him out, to apologize as well. At first there is animosity from the woman, as he expected, but with slow conversation the two begin to open up. Kazin apologizes in his own way, Evelyn accepting and apologizing for her part as well. Kazin expresses the want for them to continue to see one another, to build a garden where they can speak plainly to one another and just be themselves, be friends. His lashes reopen, causing Evelyn to worry of him so much that he allows her to tend his wounds. She sings to him and they talk of many things. From music, how he thinks her voice would be lovely with Bel'akka music, to poetry how she thinks he should write a book, their families, their cultures, Kazin commenting how she might make a good wife, but oh not for him of course! and how the Bel'akka might not understand their companionship. Evelyn learns of what kind of ruler he is, decidedly not a tyrant, but a man who cares for his people and would not see them suffer. Kazin internally deciding he was determined to bring her to the Bel'akka and that once they met her, talked to her, saw her beautiful mind and kind heart, then they would understand, they would adore her. Evelyn shares with him the map, showing him the art and the ancient language and it is decided he will help her translate.

Spoiler: Chapter Four

Pages 6-7, Replies 112- 133- Following the weeks of their apology, Kazin begins to return to the dig every midday, the Bel'akka camp having been moved closer to the digsite to a small oasis meant for the summer months. He carries on lessons with Evelyn part of the time, as she helps him brush up his vocabulary, and the other time the two spend pouring over old tomes to translate the scrolls. Their relationship blooming, noticing small things of one another such as Kazin always remembering where Evelyn sat her glasses or pens down when she's frantically looking in the mess, Evelyn seemingly able to read his mind to know when he needs something or has grown frustrated to needing a break. Every night he leaves just a little later than the night before, after a dinner and a victory wine. It is such wine and irish whiskey that brings them out of their shells and closer to one another, to open up emotions on either end, Kazin admitting he hates forcing Evelyn to abide by his traditions in wearing the veil, and feeling torn between her world and his, Evelyn opening up about the loss of her family and how she searches now for a place to belong in the world, envying Kazin for knowing exactly where he belongs. Amid wine, music and dancing in the late hour, they find solace in each other's company, Kazin going so far as to embrace Evelyn and using each other's names, deciding in their garden to do away with titles. He shows her his tattoos, most specifically the dagger, which is his crown, his oath, to protect the Bel'akka and he speaks of how he is her protector from any who wish her harm. Though the two of them swearing to secrecy the actions within their garden.

 

[Vacyr]

Spoiler: Portraits of Evelyn and Kazin:

Spoiler: Kazin's Birthday Poem to Evelyn

In the golden sands where the desert winds sigh,
My heart finds solace beneath the endless sky,
For in the vast sea of expanse, your name I softly call,
Evelyn Jones, my love, my heart, my all.

Your eyes, like sapphires, gleam with ancient lore,
A scholar's wisdom, beauty to adore,
From the lush green hills of your Irish home,
To the arid dunes where my spirit roams.

On this day, the stars align to celebrate you,
A radiant light from heavens azure hue,
Your laughter, a melody so tender and true,
Healing the stone of my heart with love ever new.

With every grain of sand, our love does grow,
as time ticks on, my devotion shows,
Evelyn, my hearts true delight,
Happy birthday, for you are my guiding light.

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

Next Chapter Plots

• Spoiler: Next chapter plot

  • Evelyn hosts a dinner with the Ihtizaz family and the elders to explain her purpose here and give the leaders of the Bel'akka more control over saying whether or not she should be allowed to stay and learn from them.
  • It is put to a vote of all those present, and the majority give her permission to stay.
  • A week or so has passed of Evelyn being among the Bel'akka, exploring the oasis and caves with Kazin trying to confirm its the right place for her to dig before she goes and brings everyone from the other site.
  • Someone from the Bel'akka at the beginning of the week is sent for her belongings and tools and there is a slight translation issue where the messenger says "Sahira belongs to Master's house." or along those lines where it sounds like Evelyn is being held by the Bel'akka Sheikh instead of bringing her stuff.
  • Henderson insists Evelyn has been kidnapped and lets Charlie loose to follow the messenger carrying his master's belongings, keeping far enough behind not to be noticed, but he gets lost without a horse and Charlie runs off.
  • Meanwhile all week, Kazin has been taking Evelyn to explore the canyon and oasis, knowing she wont find anything but wants her to stay, etc. While they're exploring, Evelyn actually falls through the flooring of a place behind a waterfall into a hole - it was a false floor built long ago that was sealed up. Kazin could fall with her or not, no one's just ever noticed.
  • In the hole she is surrounded by skeletons, of course cue the screaming as one pops up on her "Oh i HATE it when they do that!" But ... its a mass grave of about 40 men give or take. These men were all sealed inside the cave to die. (40 thieves reference) and thats where she finds the cave drawings in the chambers further in, finding there are many chamber rooms (and booby traps that a few skeletons are caught in)
  • Of course Henderson gets captured by the Bel'akka warriors, Charlie just not giving a shit looking for his mistress, and perhaps Fahad orders a beating on Henderson for his trespass interrogating the man
  • There's a big fuss as Evelyn tries to calm everyone down and keep Henderson from behind killed for trespassing into their camp with weapons.
  • Evelyn (much to Kazin's disgruntlement) patches Henderson up "AGH! That stings Jonesy!" "Stop being a big baby!" and Henderson starts on about how he thought she'd been kidnapped, etc, and gets angry because he thought he was gonna come in the big hero "We's worried ta death over ya, bustin' our ass at the dig site, and Yer out here playing Seven Veils with the A-rab!"
  • Kazin and Henderson could possibly get into a fight bc he won't leave the camp without Evelyn to prove she's not a prisoner or being held against her will with the Bel'akka.
  • Evelyn, realizing the mounting tension, makes an abrupt excuse to leave the Bel'akka camp with Henderson, contemplating to Henry of just packing everything up and calling it quits.
  • Henry tries to understand what happened/why she suddenly wants to leave bc of Henderson's comments about her being Kazin's little plaything, but Henry convinces her to stay. She reveals they're digging in the wrong spot but tells Henry they need Bel'akka blessing to dig on their land and she doesn't believe they will grant it to HER.
  • Kazin gives Evelyn a few days despite wanting to run after her, its recommended by __ to stay back and let the woman have some space. He thinks she is still embarrassed from the sufi thing or Henderson's words (perhaps they got caught in another moment together by Henderson)
  • Maybe Evelyn sends Henry to negotiate the dig, furthering Kazin's WTF, why is she ignoring him/avoiding him and agrees only if Evelyn will speak with him herself.
  • Kazin speaks with his clans people and convinces them that Evelyn will dig, find nothing, then be on her way just like they want, but she is empirical and needs the evidence before giving up and going home (he believes this is what she wants)
  • Very awkward meeting between them but Kazin doesn't push the matter seeing how upset she is/recoiled and grants them the right to dig with the caveat that he has to be present as a supervisor since its ancient Bel'akka land. He hopes it will brighten her spirits.
  • Dig dig, work work dig dig work work and presto, they find said artifact or what have you?
  • Throw in ideas below intermingled in no particular order that happens during the dig.

  [*]

Ideas of the Digsite

• Spoiler: Ideas

  • idea of old bones coming to life within the oasis and attacking evelyn due to the djinn
  • Henderson - demolitions expert, the man knows exactly where all pressure points to hit in rock surfaces and practically eats tnt and nitroglycerin for breakfast
    
    Burns - Chemicals specialist, has a very sensitive nose for underground gas leaks,
    
    Daniels - engineer prodigy, man can make anything out of nothing, which is something you need when machinery starts breaking down.
    
    French Captain - weapons specialist
  • Evelyn's clumsiness is actually a blessing, as she stumbles through a series of booby traps, not getting hit once and all of them activating behind her so everyone else knows "oh... yeah be careful." Even tho she is their puzzle solver, she can spot the traps and worked out how to get around them, she still bumbles through xD
  • idea about the djinn putting evelyn under a sleep-walking spell in her dreams and luring her to the cliff pretending to be Kazin in her dream and intending to push her off the cliff.
  • idea about someone trying to sabatoge her work by burning the foreigner's digging camp, during which Evelyn actually saves Fahad's life from being pinned by a burning beam and fireman carries him to safety with adrenaline.
  • idea about Ralila and Zurah trying to sabatoge Evelyn to make her look bad with the silks being destroyed
  • idea of another Sheikh taking Evelyn temporarily, but ends comically with the man returning her to Kazin "SHE HAS UPENDED MY HOUSE WITH HER FANGLED IDEAS"
  • idea of horrid sandstorm happening that causes Kazin to take Evelyn into his tents to keep her safe and close which sparks
  • As far as Kazn and the oasis, the fact that she is there with him will make it magical? So we can throw in a special night when they finally rebuild their relationship perhaps after the first artifact is found?
  • Archaelogical theory of the Green Sahara. All very technical stuff with the earth's rotation of the sun and the axis tilt, but basically, scholars found evidence in the middle of the desert that there was once a mass area of lush fertile life including fish and croc bones and a whole spanning cemetery of human remains showing there was a society here. And that it happened every 21,000 years or so. They discovered cave drawings depicting people swimming and trees, it wasnt just an oasis. Now the Theory of the Green Sahara was actually posed in the 1930s and it was massively mocked and laughed at until the evidence was found much later.
    
    What if Evelyn posed the theory of a Green Desert? She finds similar cave drawings from the Bel'akka who lived there before, but the water used to be much more plentiful, there were fish and wildlife, there isnt now. But it was so long ago no one knows about it. It was when the rivers they follow were above ground. And so of course she compiles evidence to prove or disprove her theory, focused on that and studying the Bel'akka whilst stumbling on artifact finds.
  • Now Evelyn is going to theorize (after gathering evidence and dating the rocks and bones) that a great cataclysmic event like a meteor is what started a massive chain reaction that quickly devastated the regional plantlife and water supply and thus the civilizations along with it and gave way to the vast Rub-al-Khali sands they know now, but she's going to pose that all these hills used to be as green as her ireland and likely people are going to laugh at her.
  • The fallen star/meteor they find at the bottom of the oasis i am now thinking is where the djinn is imprisoned since its what angels in muslim culture used to kill djinn, which is what confirms Evelyn's theory.
  • Maybe she asks Kazin/someone how the Bel'akka bury their dead in order to trace a time-line of when there would have been green, and Kazin takes her to their cemetery so she can study the rocks that make the graves and thats where he tells her his heartache of his children he's lost and they have a tender moment of comfort.
    
    But then the scientist in her perks back up and says this is not all of the Bel'akka graves, it only goes back so far, so they go back around the oasis and eithrr following the cave drawings or detailed account copies in ancient archives only the Bel'akka have access to, she find fish bones, animal bones in abundance, and masses of graves - one of the graves could hold an important artifact.
    
    At first people are outraged she moved respected remains, Kazin having to do some major pull to keep them calmed. Which is where her and Kazin would argue bc she would need to show these human remains to her colleagues to be sure of the dating, etc. And to him these are his ancient people and he's allowed her to dig them up, disturb the rest of the desd and shes all "they're just bones now, Kazin-" but they will make up ^w^
  • Maybe Kazin allows her the one set with the artifact, says she can document and detail the rest but they will be returned to their resting place, not paraded through museums. I imagine to show the Bel'akka she meant no harm or disrespect, she is the one who actually prompts having a secondary funeral for the long dead (even tho those are ancient bones and would be a damn fortune and massive insight) the tribe still exists and there are boundaries scholars respect. Maybe Evelyn even buys the silks and carefully helps assemble and wrap the dead for reburial (bc as I understand it wrapping the dead in silk is a Muslim custom for silk is heavens fabrics). Now she's free to keep the fish and animal bones tho which heavily helps her theory, but the human remains and the cave drawings, remnants of tools for farming or fishing, thats what scholars look for.
  • plot point of the moonlight being needed for the map - the moonlight needs to be concentrated or a full moon specifically
  • Which, all this will tie in to her leaving for a year bc she has to get ALL her evidence that both supports and negates her theories proof read and studied by other scholars.
  • I am thinking that Evelyn and Kazin part on good terms as friends, just unsure where each other stands bc they are from such different worlds, but it's obvious they care about one another. the Suitor - i think Evelyn doesn't even realize the man sees himself as a beau or suitor, to her they are colleagues working together, those late nights and luncheons don't emotionally mean anything to her, but it means to the curator.

  [*]

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

History of Zufar and the Belakka

Spoiler: History

So in the magic history, the last stand of the ancient Prince against the djinn, he evacuated the city of Zufar, leaving the people in the care of his most trusted advisors and warriors (one of them being Kazin's ancestor) along with secretly either his wife the Sultana who was with child or just their child to be taken secretly to a far away land.

In his final battle, the prince used magic armaments and arms prevalent in middle eastern mythos, before with his devotion to allah, he summoned a star to fall to earth and trap the djinn, and as a result it devastated the region by covering the palace in the rock formations with the intense heat and such.

He perished in the battle, it could be that all that was left of him was his arms and armor, or he could have been perfectly preserved in his final moment in stone like a chinese warrior, which his devoted friends found later. They could have entombed their friend along with all his armor and weapons or split them equally amongst each other to be passed down to the worthy generations, meaning one head of each clan/tribe could have one of the ancient pieces perhaps.

Years of struggle with vanishing resources in the region caused the people who were once one to split into several nomadic tribes to make use of the wider spread areas and resources they had access to. But the Prince's closest friend and advisor is the one who remained in the territory near the canyon, always keeping an eye upon the oasis and passing down the strict code of "The Path of the Fallen Star-" All the way down to Kazin. And in their years, people have forgotten this, to them it is just legend.

Now. Where Evelyn comes in. The blood is diluted. But she is one of the last, or the last, descendant of the Sultana and the Prince. The surviving heir was hidden away in Ireland, thinking they would be safe in the far north. But with her family's travels into egypt and india, the djinn could feel them. He's been building his power over thousands of years, trapped. And the djinn wants her there, because if he can kill all the descendants, the spell holding the star will break and he will be freed.

Yet bc Kazin, again direct descendant of the Prince's best friend and war-brother, swore an oath of Sharaf to her (which is making the ancestors giddy as fuck i imagine) he's gonna get these... hair-prickling feelings whenever she's in danger. Like that uncomfortable premonition that something isn't right, like when a predator is stalking you and you can't see it. Little warnings to help keep her safe.

The city of Zufar was built/existed when the Rub-al-Khali was incredibly fertile. It wasn't just a large oasis, the entire desert itself was lush with greenery and farm land. With rising temperatures along the equator and then cold air from the oceans sweeping in beneath it, there would have been regular monsoon seasons and seasonal changes which caused this environment - at least scientifically thats the reason, we csn sprinkle in magic mumbo jumbo reasons later xD

The oasis that exists now is the only remnant of a great lake which was there that the city was built in the center of.

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

Reference Pictures

Spoiler: Bel'akka horses

telescope that let someone see whatever they wanted as long as they called out the name


Puzzle box possibility that is functionally just a layout map of the ancient city of Zufar, could be plugged into the city and map out where you want to go with a glow upon the floors or lift/lower a platform to the level you want to go.

Spoiler: Rostam's Armor

Rostam's Armor - Armor of the Prince - Representation of Earth - Mythical cloak and armor that is worn by Rostam in combat. Includes the Helmet of Rostam.

Spoiler: Arash's Bow

Arash's Bow. Arrow of spirit/wind - possibility that it can pull a soul from a body or put one into it. Can travel great distances on the wind, carrying your spirit/message to another person.

Spoiler: Solomon's Shamir

Solomon's Shamir Electric sword - could capture lightning, be a surviving source/example of electricity usage by Zufar, could also cut through stone and iron much like welding.

Spoiler: Tishtrya's Mace

Tishtrya's Mace - Persain mythology. Mace that can create earthquakes (amended from lightning) and tornados.

Music box - the different rings can be turned to play many different songs, the orb can be opened with the right song, the orb could possibly open up doors and such of the city with its song, or cause plantlife to grow with the right tunes, put people to sleep with the right tunes, etc.

 

[Vacyr]

When using Arabian Nights font, here is the spacing fix provided by Jumbled:

[div=line-height: 22px;]
Text goes here[/div]

Without the fix:
Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Sociosqu enim fusce dictumst imperdiet mus efficitur natoque. Nostra mi netus curae per metus natoque. Orci elementum quam dignissim id himenaeos erat. Cursus aptent volutpat aenean vel duis nascetur donec. congue dis neque. Venenatis aliquet dis facilisi quisque platea litora fermentum nisi torquent.

With the fix:

Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Sociosqu enim fusce dictumst imperdiet mus efficitur natoque. Nostra mi netus curae per metus natoque. Orci elementum quam dignissim id himenaeos erat. Cursus aptent volutpat aenean vel duis nascetur donec. congue dis neque. Venenatis aliquet dis facilisi quisque platea litora fermentum nisi torquent.

 

[Eva the Fairytale Maiden]

More ideas:
Idea of the mountains being attacked by Bandit raiders (bc i imagine that would happen in the desert) and Kazin boldly leading his men to battle in his armor, his battle cry ringing through the sands in the clash, warrior of the sands even if they are outnumbered... an archer has an arrow aimed straight for him when a bullet goes right between the would be assassin's eyes, Evelyn is up on the cliffs with her men sniping anyone with an upper hand. But of course stubborn woman, can't stay put, she gets into the fray jumping off a rock onto a rider gunning for Kazin's back, toppling him onto the ground as they roll, the man gets up with his sword and runs at her as Evelyn whips up her pistol and shoots him where she is laying, getting up and doing that til she runs out of bullets lol meanwhile Kazin is just cutting down the bandits and driving them back with the strength of twenty men in his arm, no one has ever seen him like this before, and when the bandits retreat, Evelyn and him meet up, and she has no clue but there's an arrow in the side of her thigh (was stopped mostly by her leather holster) and she's like "oh... would you look at that-" immediately faints into Kazin

... okay but while Zurah is having her accidental girl time with Evelyn, she lets slip that a mahiza, even a wife of a Sheikh, must always be at his whims even when it comes to pleasures, even when she may not be in the mood.
And Evelyn HARD STOMPS those breaks like "No man, even if he is your Sheikh, Sultan, Master or husband, has the right to take your body when you do not wish him to. And for his hitting you - hmph, If you ever need, you can have sanctuary here- "
and freaking Zurah moving into Evelyn's tent one day bc she's not wanting to deal with Ralila anymore and confessing to Evelyn that Kazin was right to "correct" her the last time because she had laughed at Evelyn's misfortune that SHE caused by tripping her. "Ralila is wrong of you. I was wrong. Please allow me to serve you as my Mistress, to atone for these. Your... ideas from West... are strange, but they are good for the Bel'akka. Good for my Master. You make him a better man, a happier man, I have seen this. And I live to serve my Master's happiness... which is you, Evelyn Jones."

Just dropping this here for notes on Evelyn's mindset:
She's a 1920's woman, meaning at the time period the suffrage movement was happening and many women were being jailed, beaten, forcibly lobotomized, etc, for their stance of rights. Evelyn likely saw the happiest women were the ones who were unmarried without children bc she grew up without her mother's influence. Marriage in her society is a partnership for gain, not love and everyone is miserable. So she doesn't look favorably on marriage or child rearing for most children she knew are raised by nannies and she has no idea how to raise a kid or if she'd ever be a good mother, much less be a good wife, and feel like a traitor to her ambitions if she gave them up to be a wife and mother as so many women did as one of her female professors said "Marriage has been the downfall of more women than war, famine and disease combined."
On the other hand... she was fine being alone, she had gotten used to it, burying herself in her studies and pushing for ambitions... until Kazin became a part of her life. Now, the thought of being alone again terrifies her. He's always in her corner, supporting her, driving her even, and she can't imagine not having him as a part of her life. But she's equally as terrified of never living up to the expectations of what a Sheikh's wife would be, much less mother to the children he wants, and is afraid of being an abjact failure and being rejected, so is fighting to put distance before that can happen, buuuuut Kazin is making that difficult ... and just wait til he starts actually putting the charm on.

Idea of the Jad'akka Sheikh and his wife at a gathered dinner one night evaluating Evelyn with many foreshadowing questions and comments

 

[Vacyr]

Map of mining ores common to which areas:


Natural resources (gas, petroleum, etc):

Energy in Saudi Arabia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org