But Abtatu was not a malevolent god. Oasis existed to provide relief and life in the sun baked sands. Each was a sacred reminder that they were still loved and cared for. The largest ones could provide water to several tribes for generations. And it was in these place shrines were built.
The sands never stayed the same for long and sadly even the most prosperous oasis and sacred of shrines could be lost over time.
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A cloth covered figure walked up to a rock cliff to find an escape from the heat of the blazing sun. Teriteqas sat down on a rock and pulled out a gourd. He removed the cloth covering his mouth. The cap was removed and he began to drink. The water was warm but still cooler than the air and sands. Once he was done, he put it away.
Teriteqas got up and got on his knees still in the shade. The abtati began to pray to Abtatu. Eyes closed and palms pressed together he bowed between words of praise. He had a sacred duty right now. A lost oasis had supposedly been found. He needed to find it. Once it was found he needed to restore it. And once it was restored he needed to make sure knowledge of it was spread so that Abtatu could be praised once more. Makan Al'amtar, the Place of Rains, was still spoken of in legends. A great oasis that had seen the Abtati able to survive for centuries in their early days until they were able to spread themselves back out to where they were now. One of the first shrines and most sacred of sites for all who worshiped Abtatu.
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Rumors had begun to spread around Amol-Kalit that the sacred Abtati shrine of Makan Al'amtar had been discovered. A lost traveler had ended up discovering it while escaping a sandstorm. Small trinkets had been taken from it and found themselves on the black market. Vastly more fakes had found their way as well. Most dismissed it as a hoax, but a few realized there was some truth behind it. Be it the shrine of Makan Al'amtar or not, a lost shrine full of treasure was out there to be discovered.... and looted.
Treasure hunters and shrine robbers were out in the sands in search for this lost shrine. Gold was on the mind, and for some violence towards their competition as well.