Prologue

Welcome, traveler, to the land of Albahkhar. A land of mystery, wonder, adventure, romance, and dangers alike. Not everything you'll see is similar to the deserts of your own homeland. Snakes are as giant as horses, massive centipedes scurry the sands, rock golems venture the lands at night, and big bat creatures fly throughout the scorching yellow sky. And that is only the tip of the iceberg of Albahkhar, or more appropriately, the first few inches of the sand dunes. We'll be focusing on the story of a thief seeking enlightenment. Abandoned by his parents for an unknown reason, left in the streets to rot, and nurtured into a life of crime and thievery, Shaleem el-Khalil wanders the desert in search of fulfillment and treasure. This is no easy challenge, as he is wanted in nearly every city-state he's ever visited. Shaleem never understood this, as he only stole food to eat, occasional fresh clothes to hide in, and some money to get by. Alas, the states and their leaders have had it with this man's trickery and have sent guards all over the desert to capture him. To achieve ultimate power and freedom, he must find the Golden Scarab. A treasure so powerful and mighty that almost every empire on the planet searches it. But little did he know, he'd stumble upon a gem possibly even grander and one far less believable; the Genie's Lamp. Welcome, to the sands of Albahkhar!