16.9.1 The History of the Akrabi Race

Before the vast expanse of the Shaahri desert was dominated by the protectorate of Antioch, the region was much smaller, with the waters of the Western Ocean taking up much more of the area to the east of what we now call Aori Bay. The desert was a mosaic of lush oases and the earliest settlers of outposts here were blessed by fertile lands and abundant waters, and they knew prosperity and peace.

However, as the wheel of time turned, a profound transformation began to envelop the world. In the wake of the shattering of the moon over Aetherius, an event known as the Awakening, magick surged through the land, reshaping the very essence of life and terrain when Moradeim, the Moon of Change, moved closest to the surface. As the waters of the Western Ocean dwindled and the desert's sands advanced, another marvel emerged.

The offspring of the desert-dwellers began to display characteristics never before seen. These children bore the distinct features of the Akrabi: chitinous armor mirroring the desert's ancient arachnids and venomous tails poised with latent power. It was clear that the Awakening had touched them, intertwining their fate with the desert's spirit.

Yet, these changes were met with apprehension and fear. The Akrabi, despite their human lineage, were seen as omens of the tumultuous times. Branded as abominations during the uncertain second age, they were exiled from the Shaahri, cast out to face the merciless embrace of the desert.

But the Akrabi were not mere victims of circumstance. Their unique traits, gifts from the Awakening, equipped them to endure the desert's challenges. A group of these resilient beings, driven by a shared destiny, discovered a hidden network of burrows beneath the sands. This subterranean refuge became their sanctuary, shielding them from the desert's extremes. This refuge would come to be known as the Burrows of Arkaskarr, now a towne that belongs to the larger protectorate of Antioch.

Over generations, the Akrabi thrived, forging a society and culture that celebrated their unique heritage. Stories of their unjust exile and their tenacious survival became pillars of their identity, a testament to the Akrabi's unyielding spirit and their deep connection to the Shaahri desert.