Al-Sarab
السراب
“عالم السراب” (Alam Al-Sarab), or Al-Sarab (السراب) translated as “World of Mirage,” is a fantastical realm steeped in illusion and mystery. The landscape of this world is characterized by shifting sands, ethereal oases, and elusive cities that appear and disappear like mirages. The very fabric of reality in this realm is intertwined with enchanting illusions, challenging adventurers to distinguish between what is real and what is mere illusion.
In the tapestry…
… of Alam Al-Sarab’s history, a legend echoes through the shifting sands, whispered by those who call this fantastical realm home. According to their tales, the world itself was born from the dreams of an ancient celestial being – its destiny forever entwined with the elusive quest for truth amidst the dance of reality and illusion. The legends speak of individuals who, by mastering the art of perception, can unlock the secrets hidden within the mirages and gain access to unparalleled knowledge and power.
Yet, even through the world’s mirages, remnants of an enigmatic past sprawl across the world’s landscape. Massive, ancient ruins stand as silent witnesses to a forgotten era, a legacy of the elusive First Worshippers, shrouded in mystery. The echoes of their advanced technologies and profound wisdom reverberate through the annals of time.
Now, factions race against each other, driven by an insatiable thirst for technological and cultural supremacy. Ruined cities, once mere curiosities for intrepid adventurers, have transformed into coveted treasure troves of lost wisdom, sought after not only by the curious but by entire factions hungry for ancient knowledge.
Creator:
Al-Sarab has been developed by Atomic Panda, a project of Create International. We would love to invite you to develop your own creations within Al-Sarab, particularly for the game Mirage – including creatures, jinn, locations and other characters!
Timeline
The history of Al-Sarab is a complex web, but there are some stand-out events that people can agree on. Below you’ll find a basic history of Al-Sarab, from the dissapearance of the First Worshippers up until The Callings. This brings us right up until the “present”.
Mythic Eras
Title
01 Mar, 2023
In the Beginning
Mythic Time, Before Memory
According to legend, Al‑Sarab was dreamed into being by the Creator, its reality woven from illusion and shifting sand.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Age of the First Worshippers
An unknown amount of time, thousands of years ago
A highly advanced civilization arises. They erect massive crystal‑anchored cities, build golems, war–machines, other marvels of the ancient world, and codify the five core Disciplines (Sight, Life, Shift, Elementalism, Symbolism). Their grand temples and libraries spanned continents, but then, inexplicably, they vanished. Their civilization collapsed, leaving behind ruins, shattered crystals, and dormant constructs.
The Wanderings
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Era of Wandering
A few thousand years ago
The First Worshippers’ ruins lie abandoned. People live primarily as nomads, moving across Al-Sarab as the world transforms around them.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Emergence of Part‑Jinn Bloodlines
Several Centuries Ago
People begin to show drastic physical changes, and the Majidjinn lineages are found across the world. Still rare, these individuals are seen as blessings (or omens) depending on locale.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Crystal‑Anchor Settlement
Several Centuries Ago
Eventually, these nomads learn to harness large crystal shards as “anchors” to stabilise townships. This is done through rituals. Initially, they settle in Valouros, but the practices is very soon seen across the world. Settlements cluster around these geo‑stabilities, and trade routes form – though always threatened by geographic flux.
The Current Age
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Formalization of Disciplines
Last Few Centuries
Magical guilds, academies, and apprenticeship programs rediscover and codify the five Disciplines, and formal schools of study arise. Rune‑studies, elemental theory, and empathic philosophy are studied alongside the ritual acts that humans use to care for anchors – while those who study the arcane whisper about more hidden techniques like jinn-possession.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Technomagical Innovations
Last Century
After centuries of attempts, scholars finally reverse‑engineer First Worshipper glyphs (the “Auric Script”) to translate the ancient language. Huge technological strides were made – everything from architecture, to engineering, to farming improved in the span of a generation. Possibly the most important advancement was when humanity worked out how to make use of Al-Sarabi crystals beyond the use of creating anchors. Scholars were animated again after finding that their Disciplines matched what the First Worshippers described.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
Golem Awakening
5 Years Ago
Ancient golems stir to life across the realm – some rampage, others stand sentinel once more.
Title
01 Mar, 2023
The Callings
Very Recently
Local tales speak of dreams calling people toward half‑buried temples. Some who venture out into the wilds return changed…