What you see in the desert

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The bright horizon goes on and on in all directions. There is no obvious way to go. The dunes are wide and rolling, with dips and valleys as well as tall peaks. It will be laborious terrain to cross.

However, Eurynome pulls out a string worked with beads and charms tied with a small, conical crystal at one end. The crystal bobs slightly as she lets it down like a plumb-line, hanging from between her fingers, palm down. The woman begins to mumble to herself as slowly, she turns in a circle, eyes fixed upon the tiny movements of the crystal. She slows down as she faces the north, the little crystal trembles ever so slightly. She turns slightly back west and finds a spot in her circuit. When her hand rests there, the crystal jangles and sways at the bottom of its line.

“There's a lot of water,” she announces, “this way.”

You've heard that seers and magicians use such tools to divine things unseen. There seems to be no other obvious way to go and Eurynome looks convinced that what she is saying is true. You make what little preparations you can agains the desert sun and begin walking. The day is already hot and the morning has barely begun.

However, you walk for less than an hour before topping a ridge and seeing an amazing sight on the horizon.

There is a temple,  It for it to appear so large at this distance it must be truly massive: larger than the palace of the Sultan. A narrow channel crosses it's grounds, holding the tantalizing hope of water within. There are all kinds of out-buildings around the temple as well, a small town's worth. You will be able to see more once you get closer.

There is also a small tent between you and the temple, just a short walk away. It is made of outlandish purple fabric and seems to be sewn with gleaming crescents and stars. You wonder what all of this could portend.

The road is supposed to stretch on for weeks before reaching the small farming towns of the mountains. You have never heard mention of such an extravagant temple existing along the way.

Adib: You note that whoever is in the tent has posted no watchers. You could slip away, or sneak up to the tent without being noticed, as the ridges of sand are tall enough to conceal a crouching man.

Soren: You are not sure how Eurynome's divination works. To your eye, it seemed as if she was addressing someone. Perhaps she prayed to her deity, who granted her a boon. She is definitely not unskilled in the magical arts.

Eurynome: The temple is richly populated with people of all shapes and sizes. They buzz around, going about their business. But they are very strange people. Perhaps of an exotic race.

You are all on the edge of the valley in which the temple is located. Some obvious options are to visit the tent first, sneak up on it, or sneak past it. It looks to be a little less than an hour's walk before you can reach the temple itself.