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Zerzura

I watched from my tent as a lone camel rider approached our camp from the eastern dune, and thought it strange since there were no dromedary caravan routes to the east. As he drew near I offered him food and drink as he appeared to be in poor shape and asked where in the east he had come from. His gaze was unwavering as he recounted how a vicious sandstorm had killed everyone in his travelling party and he apparently survived under the shelter of his dead camel. Disoriented and alone, he staggered towards a wadi in hopes of locating water but he passed out and awakened surrounded by a group of tall men with opulent scimitars who brought him back to their city, Zerzura

The camel rider grew animated as he ate and described a palace of unimaginable grandeur; As large as a mountain with walls pure white like the dolomite halls of the royal shati. He continued to regale me with stories of lavish meals and luxurious bathing pools. He gestured with his arms as he spoke, "The inner sanctuary of Zerzura seemed too vast and great to be founded on solid masonry, but instead must have been suspended from the heavens!"

My doubt surfaced as he spoke, and I asked how he came to leave the palace city. The camel rider's demeanor instantly changed and he grew uneasy and paused for a moment before explaining how he escaped Zerzura after a disagreement with one of it's officials. Sensing distrust, I offered the rider a bed for the night in good faith but my new companion seemed eager to depart. As he readied his camel and asked for directions I couldn't help but notice two large decorative satchels that looked full to the brim with heavy goods...



*For anyone curious what the creation process looks like for something like this, I've documented the project as it evolved in an image gallery[imgur.com]

Also known as "Golden Hats City"