Crocriver: The Lord of the Oasis
The birth of a river
A new river had been born in the Sandsea. By custom, newborn rivers belonged to sacred birds and crocodiles. Mortals could drink only after a worthy warrior defeated the river’s guardian in ritual combat. Crulon chose the Hero to duel Sobekemsaph, the deified Pharaoh of Warfare, and win the people the right to drink from the river.
Djeba, a former Pharaoh, had risen to preside over the ceremony in Zhoom’s place. Djeba said the desert was still wary of Zhoom because of his connection to Sek-Duat, whose refusal to step down had left the Sandsea stagnant. Djeba appointed Crulon to oversee the rite as Chief Lector. Crulon said Sek-Duat had executed the other candidates when he took the throne.
The Pharaohs who returned
Djeba told the Hero how the sky had once begun collapsing over the Sandsea. Djeba sealed the power of the sandstorms within himself to hold the sky up, then agreed to be raised to divine status so the protection could continue. After reigning for a time, Djeba entered the tomb and let a successor rise.
Sobekemsaph had been mortal too. His people deified him to ward off evil. He later entombed himself to make way for his successor and returned when the river was born. Crulon explained that being a Guardian of the Djinn Realm qualified him to act as Lector. He compared that path to Sandsea deification, which he said was far more dangerous and demanded great personal sacrifice. Knowledge of the process was now forbidden and could draw the Avatars’ attention.
The duel for the river
On Crulon’s advice, the Hero sought the lamias’ glyph-etched scales in Djinn Guard to prepare. At the Dream Palace, the Hero sparred with Golmoth and his harpies. Golmoth, one of Sobekemsaph’s former generals, gave the Hero glyphs of power, protection and stability. Djeba warned that their magic could slowly turn the bearer into a crocodile and told the Hero to keep them only for the duel.
The Hero defeated Sobekemsaph in ritual combat and earned the Sandsea’s people the right to drink. Djeba said responsibility for the river now fell to the reigning Pharaoh. If the Hero trusted Zhoom, Djeba would send Crulon to serve at his side as Chief Lector.