al-Kathos - The Folk

Belying its size, al-Kathos' population is meager, though very concentrated. Most people live in the few cities that are sprawled through the domain. Contact between two cities is by caravan, a trip that will often take weeks.
Traveling across the domain are various independent tribes, each led by their own sheik. Unlike the cities they do not pay homage to the brutal Malbus, though they try to stay clear from his wrath.
Al-Kathians are enlightened beings, and unlike most other domains, welcome strangers among their midst. They have no particular aversion to other demi-human races, though they are a rare sight in the domain. They are eager to hear new stories, and are polite and friendly.
They do, however, expect people to adapt to 'the ways of the Loregiver', a strict set of rules that come forth from their religious believes.. Guests are supposed to get acquainted with local customs, and at some places to pay their tribute to the local gods. Ignorance at these rituals is frowned upon. Unwillingness to participate is met with scorn. While no al-Kathian will harm a guest under his roof, characters need be willing to move out quickly, lest they turn the whole population against them.
If social difficulties can be overcome, the al-Kathians prove a cultured lot. They are great artists, excellent craftsmen, and shrewd merchants.
Magic is part of their everyday lives, though much more in their legends and tales as is it is practical spell work. The greatest source of magic are the flame mages of the cult of Flame, which reside in the Burning citadel. Other mages do exist, though they generally keep a low profile, as the cult is not very tolerant against competitors. Shair, mages which have power over the genies, are hunted down with vigor and as such are mere stuff of legend, though rumors persist that a select few are still active in the Shifting Sands.
The religion preached in al-Kathos is the way of the Loregiver. There are numerous rules and customs that form part of this religion, which does not so much center around a god, as well on the power of Fate. This female force of cause and effect entrusted her law to a young girl, known as the Loregiver. It are the words of this young woman, now vanished from the eyes of mankind, that color the life of al-Kathos, and make it's inhabitants so hospitable. Some priests do enforce vigilance towards a certain god, but most al-Kathians maintain that, in the light of fate, all religions are equal.

All character classes and races mentioned in Domains of Dread are allowed in al-Kathos. The only exception are the gypsy class and the half-Vistani race, as the Vistani themselves avoid the domain.
If possible, characters should be made with the kits presented in the al-Qadim, Arabian Adventures setting, to add flavor, but generic classes may work fine. Kits not available to player characters are the shair (or conjurer, if al-Qadim is not available), as these are hunted down in the domain (see magic and the Djinn), and the flame mage (or elemental fire wizard), as all flame mages are members of the Cult of Flame, and fall under Malbus' control.

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