Bastion's Resident Historian
The history of this land is as expansive as the desert itself. Luckily for you, I happen to be an expert on the subject.
Who are you?
Oh, my! What a delightful question. I am the world's leading scholar on the history of the Sandsea. I have devoted my life to studying and chronicling this land's past so that its wonder and grander may be appreciated and valued for ages to come.
Have you seen Valencia?
Are you looking for Ms. Shurehunter? She's currently residing in my office. Seemed like a reasonable thing to do after that business with the rebels today, with her being an outsider and all. One can never be too careful.
Lost Scrolls of the Sandsea
I'm always in the mood to share in the history of this great land.
- Lost Scrolls QuestEach completion of the 'Lost Scrolls Quest' unlocks more dialogue:
Read the Sandsea Scrolls
Let's see what these scrolls you've found have to say… Where should we begin?Scroll I: The Lamp
Long ago, the Sandsea was once a thriving, vibrant land. Many would venture from all around Lore to trade goods and enjoy the splendor of the desert's many glorious oases. This time brought good fortune for the people, but it also created tremendous boredom for the Keepers — a group of supreme beings from the ethereal realm who took Sandsea as their home away from home. The Keepers tended to the Sandsea, cultivating and nurturing the land to however they saw fit. But with everything in harmony in Sandsea, there was little for the Keepers to do. And for one Keeper, in particular, the dearth of conflict and bloodshed presented itself as a problem that needed to be solved. And so, she did…
Scroll II: The Lamp
Skorpienne, the Sandsea's Keeper of Death, sought to bring an end to the communal harmony of the Sandsea. After all, what was the Keeper of Death to do if there were so few dead souls to collect? But how could Skorpienne bring an end to that harmony? And that's when it dawned on her…
Scroll III: The Lamp
The harmony that everyone in the land shared was through the idea that all were equal. But what if there was something that could tip that balance… Something that would inspire even the noblest of men to have their minds and hearts corrupted with greed, envy, and rage. The thought of such a thing existing — an item that men would fight for and even die for — brought a smile to Skorpienne's face. To break the Sandsea from its harmonious spell, all Skorpienne had to do was create a modest trinket — a lamp — that had the power to grant its holder whatever wish they desired… And then se would sit back and watch the chaos unfold…
Scroll IV: The Lamp
Rumors of the wish-granting lamp hidden in the Sandsea began to spread across the land. At first, everyone laughed at the rumors. The idea of something so powerful possibly existing seemed preposterous. Besides, what use would anyone have with such a thing? Everyone in the Sandsea had all they could every want, right? But in time, the laughter grew to fade as many began to dwell on what they would wish for. More water. More gold. More power. Revenge over petty slights and far, far worse things. And so, as the rumors spread and festered inside the minds of the people, the chaos that Scorpienne had sown began to bloom…
Scroll V: The Lamp
It wasn't just the people of Sandsea who read the rumors of the magic lamp. Travelers from all across Lore heard of the tale, too. As more came to land for their own avaricious needs, the harmony in the land began to crack. Neighbors turned on one another. Fear, greed, and paranoia spread across the land. Accusations, brawls, and death soon followed. It has seemed that the Keeper of Death had succeeded until one man's voice rang out, bringing a moment of calm to all the chas. That man was Sekt.
Scroll VI: The Lamp
Long before he became the God-king of the Sandsea, Sekt was a lowly wizard with grand ambitions. Due to his frail body, he had already reached the limitations to the magic he could harness. But Sekt desired to achieve greatness, to become more than what his mortal body would permit him to be. So when Sekt heard about the lamp, he knew he had to have it, rumors or not. And thus began his plans to achieve the power he felt he deserved to possess…
Scroll VII: The Lamp
Two obstacles stood in Sekt's way of finding the lamp: The first was that he had no clue how to find it. But the more pressing obstacle was the vast number of people looking for the lamp, including many inhabitants of the Sandsea. Sekt knew that he alone couldn't acquire the lamp, but if he were to convince everyone to help him…
Scroll VIII: The Lamp
To Sekt, the distrust among the people in Sandsea was an opportunity to get everyone on his side. He convinced others that the lamp was a bane to their existence and that if they all worked together, they could find the lamp and wish it out of existence. This idea of the community working as one for the greater good succeeded. Everyone was enthrailed by this idea and trusted that Sekt would return harmony to the Sandsea. If only they had known Sekt's true desires…
Scroll IX: The Lamp
With the help of the entire community, Sekt was able to find the lamp's whereabouts within the sacred pyramids of the desert. Many gave their lives to help Sekt secure the lamp, thinking their sacrifice would help their family and friends live better lives. Only when Sekt made his wish did the living discover what the dead risked their lives for…
Scroll X: The Lamp
Amused by Sekt's treachery, Skorpienne, the Keeper of Death, went down to the mortal realm to meet Sekt and grant him his wish in person. But what she found most amusing is how Sekt seemed unimpressed by the Keeper's appearance, as if he considered himself equal to her. She liked his audacity. When it came time for Sekt to recite his wish, however, Skorpienne was puzzled by the wizard's odd phrasing. Skorpienne asked if that was what he truly wanted, making it clear that wish cannot be undone, but Sekt demanded that she make it so. And with a few magical flourishes. Skorpienne granted Sekt his wish exactly as he recited it: "Am I to become the immortal God-king of the Sandsea, from the temple of my own making, I shall reign for all eternity!"
Scroll XI: The Lamp
It did not take long for Sekt to seize control of the Sandsea with his newly acquired power. His conquest began with the construction of a temple worthy of his splendor. He then amassed a ruthless army and set forth to conquer all regions of the Sandsea, which was a simple endeavor because of his magical prowess. But Sekt carried himself recklessly, thinking he could not be harmed now that he had supposedly become an immortal God-king. It wasn't until a stray arrow flew and pierced his chest that he discovered the fatal flaw of his immortality.
Scroll XII: The Lamp
As his troops rushed the direly wounded God-king back to his temple, Sekt finally understood why Skorpienne seemed reluctant to grant him his wish. Because of how he phrased his wish, Sekt was only immortal when he's inside his temple. Outside his temple, however, he is vulnerable. And now, due to the mortal injury he sustained from the stray arrow that pierced his chest, Sekt was forced to remain within his temple or else he would succumb to his injury in hours. The God-king, whose powers knew no limit, was now caged inside the kingdom of his own making.
Scroll XIII: The Lamp
Forced to stay inside his temple to preserve his life, Sekt grew apathetic of his responsibilities as ruler. After all, why should he care about the health of a community he would never be able to visit? So as hardship after hardship fell upon the Sandsea, Sekt did nothing, forcing the people of Sandsea to fend for themselves…
Scroll XIV: The Lamp
Due to Sekt's indifference toward his responsibilities as a ruler, the Sandsea became a treacherous place. Those who could leave had fled the land to safer areas in Lore; those who couldn't fell victim to marauding monsters and other foul, formidable foes that took control over parts of the desert that Sekt cared so little for. Cities fell and were swallowed up by the sands, where they became forgotten in time. And the Keepers were helpless to do anything. After all, this was all the doing of one of their own…
Scroll XIV: The Lamp
Due to Sekt's indifference toward his responsibilities as a ruler, the Sandsea became a treacherous place. Those who could leave had fled the land to safer areas in Lore; those who couldn't fell victim to marauding monsters and other foul, formidable foes that took control over parts of the desert that Sekt cared so little for. Cities fell and were swallowed up by the sands, where they became forgotten in time. And the Keepers were helpless to do anything. After all, this was all the doing of one of their own…
Scroll XV: The Lamp
As it became clear that the once-prosperous Sandsea had turned into a dangerous wasteland, the other Keepers cast blame on the Skorpienne for the damage her magic lamp had caused. They compelled Skorpienne to rid he world of the lamp so that no more harm could come from it, but she refused. Because of this, the other Keepers banished Skorpienne from ever setting foot in Lore again… not that she cared. She had already accomplished what she set out for when she created the lamp. To her, banishment was just a funny way of saying early retirement.
Scroll XVI: The Sharken
Traveling across the Sandsea is perilous for several reasons but highest among them are the terrors that stalk unsuspecting prey from under the sands… and there is no foe more fearsome than the ravenous Sharken. The origins of the Sharken are unknown, with some speculating that they're an evolution of the standard Sand Shark or an ancient relative that has persevered against extinction. Irrespective of that, these beasts have made travel across the desert a treacherous endeavor. As dangerous as they may be, however, encountering a Sharken does not mean certain doom. There are accounts of those who have seen a Sharken and lived to tell the tale. Then again, there are also those who speak of a legendary Sharken, one more menacing than the others, that many pray they never to encounter out in the Sandsea…
Scroll XVII: Valley of the Undying King
Located in the far reaches of the Sandsea lies the Valley of the Undying King, a forbidden land that harbors the greatest sights of the desert, the Sandsea Pyramids. These for structures are the oldest in the desert, though still kept in pristine shape. Adjacent to the pyramids is the temple to the Immortal Pharaoh, Lord Sekt. "God-king" now holds the valley as his own dominion, this area once belonged to the ethereal beings who cultivated the region to its former glory: the Keepers…
Scroll XVIII: The Keepers' Kingdom
Before the Valley went by its current namesake, it had once been known as the Keepers' Kingdom. The valley is where the Keepers first step foot when they had arrived from the ethereal realm. Viewing the desolate landscape as an opportunity to craft their home away from home, the Keepers began their efforts of molding the Sandsea into a more habitable place by constructing a massive pyramid at the center of the valley. This pyramid — now referred to as the Great Pyramid of Sandsea — not only acted as their primary domicile but also functioned as a beacon to the ethereal realm. The pyramid housed many Keepers who were integral to shaping the Sandsea; foremost among them were the mighty Crocos, the stern Phara-Keet , and the often lazy Gar-Feld.
Scroll XIX: Crocos, Keeper of Water
Crocos, Keeper of Water in the Sandsea, took his role with great seriousness. Understanding that for life to grow and thrive in such a harsh environment, the desert would need a rich and plentiful supply of water to reach its potential. He sued his might to create the aquifer beneath the desert and the established oases throughout the desert. In time, flora and fauna began to appear in the desert… Or so the legend goes, anyway…
Scroll XX: Phara-Keet, Keeper of Wind
Among the harshest of the elements in the desert, the wind played a crucial role in making the arid landscape uninhabitable. Thus, Phara-Keet, the Keeper of Wind, saw to it that as his sole responsibility to quell punishment of the desert wind to help aid in the land's development. Under Phara-Keet's command, the sandstorms and fiery winds gave way to cool, gentle breezes and ample cloud coverage to offer protection from the unrelenting glow of the sun. Many, other Keepers included, would thank Phara-Keet for his intervention. But the stern Phara-Keet, always so serious, would never so much as smile in response to everyone's gratitude. He was just merely doing his part, as he would expect of anyone in his position… Or so the legend goes, anyway…
Scroll XXI: Gar-Feld, Keeper of Sand
As Keeper of sand, it was Gar-Fled's duty to oversee the development of the desert's land and soil to provide sustenance to the desert's inhabitants. Gar-Feld gleefully took on his responsibility bearing one condition: Gar-Fled refused to work on Mondays, claiming an irrational hatred that few understood. Regardless of Gar-Feld's antipathy for one day of the week, Gar-Feld oversaw the cultivation of the land's resources and was adamant about trying every tasty morsel to ensure its quality. It was Gar-Feld's favorite part of the job. And when Gar-Feld finished sampling the fruits of his labor, he would reward himself with a long, satisfying nap. Wherever Gar-Feld is slumbering today, it is certain that the voracious feline still hates Mondays… Or so the legend goes, anyway…
Scroll XXII: The Pyramids of the Sandsea
In time, the Keepers would make pyramids for their own use, with some located with the valley and others spanning the wise reaches of the desert. However, as the Sandsea took a turn to the worst during the reign of the Immortal Pharaoh, transforming into a dangerous, desolate place, all but four pyramids become lost to time: belonging to Crocos, Phara-Keet, and Gar-Feld.
Scroll XXIII: Skorpienne's Pyramid
Like her contemporaries, Skorpienne, Keeper of Death, also had a pyramid of her own. However, unlike the Keepers whose pyramids were lost during the Sandsea's transition into a wasteland in Sekt's rule, Skorpienne's pyramid was destroyed by the other Keepers as a part of a punishment for the impact her troublesome magic lamp had on the desert. Not that Skorpienne cared; she loathed the Sandsea and felt nothing when Crocos, Phara-Keet, Gar-Feld, and the others destroyed her desert pyramid. Why would she, when she could build a far greater pyramid for herself in the ethereal realm? And so, she did… Or so the legend goes, anyway…
Scroll XXIV: The Immortal Pharaoh's Temple
Aside from the pyramids, the valley also holds the temple to Sandsea's immortal pharaoh, Lord Sekt. Construction of the temple was the first endeavor for Sekt after using the magic lamp to grant his wish. Lord Sekt chose for his temple to be built near the pyramids because he felt an equal to the Keepers, if not greater. However, there are those who speculate that Sekt's reasoning for residing near the pyramids was to keep a close eye on whatever they may hold, which would explain why entry into the valley without permission is punishable upon death…
Scroll XXV: The Lamp: Aftermath
As a result of the impact Lord Sekt's wish had on the Sandsea, the Keepers Crocos, Gar-Field and Phara-Keet took action to protect the desert from further harm by Skorpienne's Lamp. Though their attempts to destroy the lamp failed, they were able to break it into peices and keep each fragment secured within their pyramids.
Since then, no one had been successful in their quest to attain the lamp, and in time, the lamp became a thing of legend, something people would question if it had ever existed… But the Keeper gained no satisfaction from the lamp fading from the people's collective memories, for they knew it would be only a matter of time before someone reclaimed the lamp…
Scroll XXVI: What Became of the Keepers
It was difficult for the Keepers to watch Lord Sekt demolish what they took centuries to cultivate. Whether it was through malice or naivety, Lord Sekt's reign accomplished nothing but harm to the people and the land of the Sandsea, and the Keepers could do nothing but watch.
The Keeper swore to never directly intervene with the actions taken by the people of Sandsea. What the people did with the Keeper's creation was not a concern for the ethereal ones. But they could not foresee the irreparable harm Skorpienne's lamp would cause. Many of the Keepers fell to despair upon witnessing the damage from Lord Sekt's reign and would return to the Ethereal Realm, never to come back to the Sandsea. Crocos, Gar-Field, and Phara-Keet were the only ones that stayed behind, hoping against logic that things would take a turn for the better, but in time, they too would abandon the Sandsea.
Scroll XXVII: The Vault of the Undying King
Hidden somewhere in the Valley of the Undying King is a vault where Lord Sekt keeps his most prized possessions. Gold, jewels, fine weaponry, relics from ancient times, anything of value or sentiment to Lord Sekt is secured safely within the depths of the vault, guarded by terrors that no thief would ever dare encounter.
Scroll XXVIII: The Lost Sand Scepters
Among the many lost treasures hidden in the Sandsea are two scepters that allow its wielder to access areas in the desert protected by walls of magical sand. To most, interacting with these magical sand walls would cause certain death; however, the two sand scepters had the power to protect their wielder form the sand, giving them access to whatever would be found on the other side. Some even claimed that the scepters would nullify any speed impediments caused by quicksand.
Originally, these scepters were made for Gar-Feld, the Keeper of Sand, but the chronically lazy feline had no need for them. So the scepters were dismantled, waiting to be crafted while again by someone worthy of their gifts.
Scroll XXIX: The Sand Witches
There are few inhabitants of the Sandsea more fearsome and powerful than a Sand Witch. What makes a Sand Witch so menacing is their complete command over the elements of the desert, allowing them to manipulate the sand, the heat, wind, and creatures of the desert to do their bidding. Though Sand Witches have not always aligned themselves towards malevolency, there have been many accounts throughout the Sandsea's recorded history of the acts of destruction and devastation that resulted from drawing the ire of a Sand Witch. Many know never to cross a Sand Witch, for the outcome is never pretty.
Scroll XXX: The Rise of Tor-Kei
One Sand Witch who has amassed a particularly infamous reputation is Tor-Kei, a witch whose magical ability is second only to the cruelty she shows to those who have crossed her. The notoriety of her sand-based escapades brought her attention at a young age. However, she hated to be compared to other Sand Witches and desired to be thought of as a truly unique force in the desert. It's this mindset that led her to adopt the odd name of "Tor-Kei" to further stand out amongst the other Sand Witches of the past, present and future. Never in her life had she heard another Sand Witch — let alone anyone — with such a name. To her, it was perfect, and under her new name, Tor-Kei believed she would carve out a legacy no other Sand Witch could compare. However, Tor-Kei the Sand Witch couldn't understand the odd reactions others would have to her new name…
Scroll XXXI: The Despair of Tor-Kei
As soon as the powerful Sand Witch began her next chapter in her life under her new name, so too came the public scrutiny toward the name "Tor-Kei"…
Whenever someone heard the Sand Witch recite her new name, their reaction was not of wonderment and awe like she had intended. Instead, the reactions confounded her. Odd looks, snickering, even direct ridicule over her chosen moniker. It never occurred to Tor-Kei how ridiculous her name was. Other Sand Witches confided with Tor-Key, trying to convince her to rethink her name. Tor-Kei would not have it; she had already purchased the trademark for "Tor-Kei" and was committed to making it her brand. But try as she might, no one would take the once formidable Sand Witch seriously anymore whenever she would utter her name.
Scroll XXXII: The Tyranny of Tor-Kei
Tor-Kei had come to the temple of Lord Sekt to seek aid in outlawing anyone from making jest of her name. It was her belief that diplomacy would lead to a more satisfying resolution than sheer force and cruelty. However, the diplomatic route backfired mightily when even the God-King himself laughed at Tor-Kei's name. When Tor-Kei vowed to curse anyone who dared to laugh at her, Lord Sekt paid no mind to the threat. He continued his laughter as Tor-Kei stormed out of his temple, the embarrassment fueling the Sand Witch with malicious intent. And from that day forward, anyone unfortunate enough to so much as chuckle at the name Tor-Kei would incur the Sand Witch's wraith.
Scroll XXXIII: Gar-Feld and Friends
One commonly known fact about Gar-Feld, the Keeper of Sand, is that he would always be accompanied by his friends, Ar-Len and Ne-Mal. He valued his friends' loyalty and support throughout all walks of life in the Sandsea. Ar-Len and Ne-Mal would offer Gar-Feld advice on how he could sculpt the topography of the desert. They would also keep any annoyances at bay when the Keeper would take one of his many daily naps. With them by his side, Gar-Feld felt invincible, as if nothing could ever cause him harm. But if one were to be away, let alone both, then the Keeper felt vulnerable to any potential threat that may present itself to him. Luckily for Gar-Feld, his faithful companions were frequently by his side.
Scroll XXXIV: Making A Wish
One does not merely have their wish granted when they assemble the magic lamp. No… Collecting the lamp only gives the lamp-wielder access to the Djinn Khal-No'Bir, the Keeper of Death's chosen guardian of the lamp. Khal-No'Bir's role as guardian is to test the worthiness of those who hope to have their wish granted.
The Djinn's test is a trial by combat, where time is determined at Khal-No'Bir's discretion. Those who can defeat the mighty Djinn are awarded a wish of their choosing… If the Keeper of Death approves of the wish.
Khal-No'Bir acts as the Keeper of Death's liaison, informing the wisher of whether their desired wish is approved or denied. After all, the Keeper of Death created the lamp to fulfill her desires creating more death and chaos across Sandsea. She's not about to let someone wish it all away… Or so the ancient text suggests.
Scroll XXXV: The First Wish?
It is believed that Lord Sekt was the first and only person to have had their wish granted by the magic lamp. However, a rumor tells of another soul who had their wish granted years before Lord Sekt's search for the lamp even began.
This rumor suggests that someone used the lamp to strike a deal with Keeper of Death, to be brought back from the dead with world-bending powers under when a particular condition was met. It is not known what the condition entailed, but according to the rumor, the Keeper of Death was most amused by it.
Scroll XXXVI: Sairus, Keeper of the Sun
Sairus, Keeper of the Sun, was known as the most powerful being among her peers. As her moniker suggests, Sairus possessed the ability to tame the Sun itself, carving the desert sun's path across the sky each day with her sword.
During her trip across the sky each day, Sairus would look down upon the Sandsea and obverse how the desert's inhabitants were thriving. Should anyone be in need, Sairus would rush down from the sky and come to their aid. Sairus took her duty as the shining protector of the Sandsea to heart, which is why she was so devastated by the blight caused by Skorpienne's Lamp. Sairus felt the trouble borne from the Lamp was ultimately her failing as she did not see the calamity unfolding until it was too late. To Sairus, an act of penance was in order to make amends for her failure as protector of other Keepers, Sairus, noble to a fault, resigned from her position as Keeper of the Sun and returned to the Ethereal Realm.
Scroll XXXVII: Sairus' Seclusion
When Sairus exiled herself back to the Ethereal Realm, the Sandsea's fate worsened. Try as they might, the remaining Keepers could not influence the sun's sweltering force. Without Sairus to guide the sun's path throughout the day, the sun hung in the sky. Its heat bore down onto the sands making the environment intolerable even against the interventions taken by other Keepers. In time, the sun's unchecked heat would be too great for the Keepers to control
So even though Sairus' seclusion was her way of atoning for Skorpienne's crime, it ultimately became the death knell of the Keepers grand design for reshaping the Sandsea into a paradise. And with them gone, it would regress to its form, decrepit state, but made entirely worse due to the resulting impact of Sorpienne's Lamp.
Scroll XXXVIII: The Keepers True Forms
There are some who believe that the look of the Keepers throughout the Sandsea does not accurately depict their true physical appearance. This belief, however, is widely panned among the populace.
Contrarians to the thought of the Keepers having alternate physical forms point to the plethora of documented accounts from those who encountered Keepers like Crocos and Gar-Feld. For them, the many scrolls, murals, statues, and other effigies that captured the Keepers' likenesses all declare that the Keepers looked just like any ordinary Zobekian or Kittarian. The same holds true to the other Keepers of note. Still, believers of the alternative form theory point to the fact that the Keepers all hail from another realm, which gives credence to the idea that Keepers had taken the appearance of native beings to hide their true forms.
Nonetheless, there is no proof to support the alternate form theory against existing accounts of what the Keepers looked like during their time in the Sandsea.
- Oh yeah! The statues...
- Craig's Letter of Rec.
- A Token of Historical Appreciation
Location: Bastion
