Al Kathos
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This section contains canon Ravenloft information from officially published sources; see the References below. |
Al Kathos is a desert domain ruled by a "ram-headed abomination" named Malbus who commands legions of hellish minions and dines on the flesh of the mortals he captures. Among its notorious dangers are the Sand Singers, undead spirits who lure travelers to their deaths with "soft scents and honeyed tongues", and the jackalheaded priests of the Rotting Gods.[1]
Al Kathos is a very poor and barren domain; the places Malbus controls are vigorously policed, but outside of the towns and a few trade routs the domain is essentially lawless, with all the tribesmen willing to turn bandit at a moment's notice. Worse than bandits also make their homes in the deep desert. The population is hot blooded and has a strong tendency for violence and criminal behavior. Not all are criminals by any means, but the poverty of the domain makes it necessary for some to steal in order to live. The Sand Singers, the wraiths of harpies of the desert, lure men to their death, while priests of Set find followers to their evil cult and capture others to sacrifice to him. There are about twice as many women born in this domain as men, as this taunts the lusty ruler and keeps the population up in spite of all the violence.
