Know, oh emir, that all roads, whether paved with fortune or fraught with peril, lead inexorably to the fabled Black City. Should you commence your odyssey in the Emerald City, where a wondrous mélange of cultures, fantastical creatures, and advanced technologies intertwine, you shall find yourself drawn toward the same inevitable destination. Perhaps your initial footsteps will echo across the Steppe of the Lime Nomads, a realm celebrated for its people’s distinctive culture, unrivaled survival skills, and unparalleled prowess in trade and combat. Or maybe your hadj will wind through the perilous Death-Facing Passage, a route known for its treachery and ominous shadows. It matters not the path you tread, for all are destined to converge upon the Black City, that legendary terminus of all journeys.

—Orinthia, the Radiant Hakawati

Orinthia, the Radiant Hakawati