It is also a world of beauty and enchantment. Great cities with towering spires and minarets dot the vast deserts, where powerful Sultans and Viziers with fabulous wealth rule.  Enchanting gardens and wondrous bazaars where all the things one could want and desire are for sale.

For this realm of high fantasy and enchantment I have used as a basis the Al-Qadim Campaign setting, by TSR (Now owned by Wizards of the coast, as I understand it) and bits from other Campaign settings.  I have also borrowed source information to flavour it and add spice to this world.

Follow the flames to learn more about the customs and people of this enchanted realm so you might not put a wrong foot in front, on your very first visit ;)

Also this link "Al Qadim - Dungeons and Dragons - Net Links" is very useful for Al Qadim and other role playing genres and games

Here is a new found friend of mine in Sweden, Starfox's Home page, A different system for Al-Qadim, I will let him explain :)

Finally, this fellow (Bjorn Tore Sund) has a page with some information on kits and proficiencies and more for the Al-Qadim campaign world.

Here at Silver Ghost Domain, you will find a list of TSR products for Al-Qadim as well as a nice map of the Al-Qadim world.

The Dhow's Hold, is a great place for magic items and a great description of some of (if not all of) the cities of Al-Qadim world.

This site has a link to a historical time line for the Land of Fate.  Home of Solmyr, Archmage of the Azure Star

I have evolved two new races, being that I used things that I have read and altered them to make both creatures, for the GM to spice up his retinue of creatures and also for use as alternative player characters.   The Liontaur and Rakasta (Katta) are two of those creature/PC races.  You may also wish to try Jannikin as a race?  Others will be added as I finish them :) Here are some monsters That I have found on the net.

I have left out things like Elves and Orcs, any that are around The Emirates are from far away foreign lands.  Dwarves are very rare and they are of the same type, in this case I use the Hill dwarf description.  Hobbits or Halflings, which ever you prefer, have suffered a similar fate as the dwarves and I use the Hair foot right up for their description.

I have dune this to further contrast AQ style campaign world from the normal AD&D campaign world, it just felt right for me, and it just helps make The Emirates a little more distinct :)

Here is a link to by button :) I am so proud of it :))

At the bottom of the page you will find links to other areas of my Al-Qadim page, including adventure ideas, Deities and Powers and other links of interest.

Other Races
There are several intelligent races associated  with this region.

Humans
Humans are a relatively new race to this area. They created the cities and towns which occasionally dot the landscape of The Emirates.

Gnomes
Small humanoids with a frivolous outlook on life. Gnomes , as always, go anywhere they choose to go in order to have fun. Mankind seems to be the butt of many of their jokes, wherever humans congest. Gnomes are pests as they frequently know magic. If you become the victim of one of their practical jokes it is best to grin and bear it.

Katta (Rakasta)
Katta are small, feline like humanoids which have adapted well to dealing with human society. They resided for centuries in the region around where Raseir was built but are now found throughout the Southern regions. They are gifted artisans and talented merchants.

Centaurs
Half horse and half human, the Centaurs roam the deserts of The Emirates in nomadic herds. They make excellent guides for this region since they take pride in knowing the desert like the tips of their tails. Centaurs are extremely honourable but have no sense of humour. They do not get along well with Gnomes.

Hobbits
Small humanoids with a laid-back approach to life where work is the furthest thing from their minds. They make shrewd merchants and are mistrusted by all those who have had business dealings with them.

Werecats
Little is known of this race or whether they are a race at all.  They can be found in Human, Katta or even in monster communities and are thus hard to detect. Though they are not malevolent creatures, they are sometimes feared by humans and others because of their shape shifting abilities.

Liontaurs
The Liontaur looks like a cross between a human and a Lion. They reside primarily to the south of The Emirates in their great kingdom of Tarna. Occasionally a young male will wander into the Emirates lands. Liontaurs are fierce fighters and very proud so it is best not to annoy them.

Other Races:  Are sometimes seen but are very rare and not often seen in these lands. The basic statistics for the creatures mentioned above are as per "Monster Manual" and "Players handbook".
 
 

Endemic Creatures of the Desert Regions

Creatures endemic to the desert regions gave one outstanding characteristic - they are tough to kill. The evolutionary reasons for this are rather obvious. A monster, as always, is defined as " that which attacks before asking questions".

Jackalmen
Jackalmen are jackal like humanoids that travel in packs. They are cunning and prefer to attack things previously wounded.

Brigands
Desert brigands roam the desert in search of unwary travellers to waylay. They are tough fighters and experts at desert survival. Tribes of brigands occasionally band together to attack caravans.

Griffins
The Griffin is a highly intelligent creature which seldom attacks humans. However, this cross between an eagle and a lion is a ferocious fighter and is extremely tough. It is difficult to kill and will retreat  from battle if seriously injured. Once its anger has been aroused, however, it will not forget an enemy. Griffins can be found nesting on the rocky ledges of the mountains surrounding the desert regions.

Gnolls
These fierce creatures, unlike jackalmen, will attack anyone or group they think is worth the time or effort  (they have lots of spare time and are very energetic). Because of their untamed and fierce outlook they are seldom welcome in human societies though as mercenaries they can be found in the employ of evil men.

Dogmen (Kobolds)
These small, usually dirty little Dog people (some times called the Rats of the desert) are numerous but scattered throughout the Emirates.  They live by their wits, as their size and strength are of seemingly little consequence, scavenging and living of other peoples junk they survive by trading and bartering their, acquired, wares to the other civilized peoples.

The Land of Enchantment
When The Emirates is called the 'land of enchantment', it is not simply a motto. There are many magical beings residing here.

Genie
Genie and all their relatives, the Jann, Dao, Efreeti, Djinn and Marid, are magical creatures of high intelligence found primarily around the lands of The Emirates. They are all shape changers but most frequently take man-like forms. They are occasionally found trapped in items such as bottles and rings. Releasing a Genie from such an item can be very dangerous.

Dao:
A Dao is a genie from the elemental plane of Earth. While they are generally found on that plane ( though even there they uncommon), the dao love to come to the Prime Material plane to work evil. Dao speak all the languages of genie kind as well as man's common language and the tongue of earth elementals.

Efreeti:
The efreet (singular: efreeti) are genies from the elemental plane of fire. They are enemies of the djinn and will always attack when they encounter them. A properly summoned or captured efreeti can be forced to serve for maximum of 1,001 days or can be made to fulfil three wishes. They are not willing servants and they will seek to pervert the intent of their masters by adhering to the letter of their commands. The efreet are said to be made of basalt, bronze and solid flames but whatever their makeup they are massive, solid creatures.

Marid:
The marid are said to be born of the ocean, with currents as their muscles and pearls as their teeth. These genies from the elemental plane of water are the most powerful of all genie kind. They are also the most individual and chaotic of the elemental races and only rarely deign to serve others.
On their own plane they are rare; marids travel so seldom to the Prime Material plane that many Prime Material regions consider marids to be creatures of legend only. Like other true genies, marids can speak their own tongue and that of any person or beast with intelligence they meet through a limited form of telepathy that enables them to speak appropriately.

Djinn:
Are from the elemental plane of air (Djinni is the singular).  Some are able to grant wishes to their masters and some (The noble Djinn) will not do any other service other than the wishes and will after be freed of their servitude.

Jann:
The race of the Jann is the weakest of the elemental humanoids ( dao, djinni, efreeti, marid ) collectively known as genies because a jann is formed out of all four elements and must therefore spend most of his time on the Prime Material plane. In addition to speaking the common tongue and the various languages of genie kind, Jann are able to speak with animals.
More information on the Jin, follow the flames, to see this page

Shedu:
These mysterious creature are powerful in the powers of thought and sometimes aid those in the cause of righteousness and good.

Desert Survival

Water:
Without it, you are just a heap of bones covered with sand. It is best to carry several water skins when travelling in the desert. Water is available in the cities and at the occasional oasis.

Caravans:
For long distance travel of any sort,  it is best to join a caravan.  Not only is it the safest means to send goods and merchandise but also for any would-be travellers, for the roads are not be travelled lightly.

Camels and Horses:
Beasts of burden and war, they're which no one can be without.  Horses, donkeys, mules and camels are but the most common but many others, both exotic and dangerous also abound.

Saraus:
The friend you can depend upon for roaming the dunes. This creature makes an excellent mount. It is fearless, loyal and quick to defend its master against monsters. It is obedient and willing to go wherever its master wishes. Most critically, it can always find its way back to the place where it is stabled so it never gets lost. A properly trained Saurus will understand such simple commands as "go home", "stay", and "get of my foot." Your Saurus - don't leave town without it.
 
 

Adventure plots and Encounters:  Here are some adventures and plots (hooks) that I have used in my campaign as well as some from other GM's that I have found or they have sent me.  Enjoy.
 I will be adding more as I do more work on  my role playing campaigns.

Characters in The Emirates
Here are some characters in my campaign world of Al-Qadim. Most of, if not all, of the background is made up and written by the players.

Deities & Powers of the World
A list of Deities and other mysterious powers for use in an Al-Qadim setting. Some are official and others are just for your use in anyway you like.

Other sites
Not necessarily about RPG but all have something to do with the atmosphere of such a genre.