D&D BECMI - GAZ 2 - The Emirates of Ylaruam

Publication Description - GAZ 2 - The Emirates of Ylaruam

• Publisher: TSR
• Rules: Dungeons and Dragons BECMI
• Series: Gazetteers
• Developer: Ken Rolston
• Reference: GAZ2 9194

Product Description - GAZ 2 - The Emirates of Ylaruam

This is the second in a series – a completely new concept in gaming aids for the DUNGEON & DRAGONS Game System. Within these covers is a complete historical, economical, geographical, and sociological overview of the Emirates of Ylaruam. The village of Kirkuk is presented in great detail (with both descriptions and a map of the area) as a typical village in the Emirates. An extended section on campaigning in the Emirates will also aid the DM in preparing his own adventures as well as enrich the playing of published adventures.

In addition, there is a full-size, color map of the Emirates, the cities of Surra-Man-Raa and Tameronikas, a typical Emirates Village, and a caravan village. This map is fully compatible with all Gazetteers in this series, so that DMs and players can put them side by side for comparison and/or play.

This series of Gazetteers provides a rich tapestry of background material for player and DM alike and is sure to benefit the gamer immeasurably.

Product History - GAZ 2 - The Emirates of Ylaruam

GAZ2: “The Emirates of Ylaruam” (1987), by Ken Rolston, is the second book in the “GAZ” series of Gazetteers for the Known World. It was published in April 1987.

Continuing the “GAZ” Sourcebooks. Like its predecessor, GAZ1: “The Grand Duchy of Karameikos” (1987), this is a 64-page sourcebook detailing a large region of the Known World. Also like its predecessor, it was written by a well-known freelancer from the ‘80s: Ken Rolston.

“The Emirates of Ylaruam” confirms that the “GAZ” books are largely intended for GMs. However, it also continues to provide some player information: the middle eight pages of the book are designed as a pull-out that can be given to players. This pull-out describes basic information about the setting and provides specific rules for Ylari characters.

The basic player information is titled “What Everyone Knows about the Emirates” and it’s composed of first person narratives. This format likely originated from Ken Rolston’s previous work with RuneQuest (1978), which uses a similar format to describe cultures.

Otherwise, “The Emirates of Ylaruam” continues to offer much of the same cultural information as “The Grand Duchy of Karameikos” — including sections on history, geography, people, economics, and society. The book also contains the bright, colorful maps that would become the trademark of the Known World.

A History of D&D Deserts. Deserts were a surprisingly popular locale for adventures in D&D’s early days. Notable desert adventures prior to “The Emirates of Ylaruam” included Tracy Hickman’s I3-5 “Desert of Desolation” adventures (1982-1983), Zeb Cook’s X4-5 “Desert Nomads” adventures (1983), and Allen Hammack’s I9: “The Day of Al’Akbar” (1986).

Expanding the Known World. Where “The Grand Duchy of Karameikos” detailed a well-known area of the Known World, “The Emirates of Ylaruam” described an area of the Known World that was almost unknown previously. Ylaruam lies to the northeast of Karameikos, and can be found on early maps. It was also the setting of B4: “The Lost City” (1982) — though that early module describes nothing of Ylaruam, instead focusing on what lies beneath the desert sands. That was all that was known of Ylaruam prior to 1987.

“The Emirates of Ylaruam” thus provides details on Ylaruam for the first time. It includes lots of general information on the region and heavily details one specific locale: the village of Kirkuk. The village isn’t a particularly important place within the Emirates, but it’s a great example of what life is like in the region, across many similar villages.

Ylaruam have been widely described as an “Arabian Nights” setting. It’s certainly an Arabic (like) society with an an Islamic (like) religion. By purposefully adapting a real-world society, “The Emirates of Ylaruam” set the model for the continued growth of the Known World, where new countries would often be based on Earth civilizations, transformed into fantasy realms.

“The Emirates of Ylaruam” also contains some additional details on the ancient Nithian people of the Known World.

Future History. “The Jade Hare” (1992), a limited-edition 8-page adventure given away by the Mail Order Hobby Shop, was lightly set in Ylaruam, but that’s the only later focus the area received. In the ‘90s, folks interested in Arabian adventures would instead have to seek out Jeff Grubb’s Al-Qadim (1992).

About the Creators. Though Rolston is best known for his work on the RuneQuest and Paranoia lines, he started freelancing for the D&D games with C3: “The Lost Island of Castanamir” (1984). In 1987, Rolston also authored IM3: “The Best of Intentions” (1987) for the Known World. He’d later write one more Gazetteer: GAZ7: “The Northern Reaches” (1988).

About the Product Historian

The history of this product was researched and written by Shannon Appelcline, the editor-in-chief of RPGnet and the author of Designers & Dragons – a history of the roleplaying industry told one company at a time. Please feel free to mail corrections, comments, and additions to shannon.appelcline@gmail.com.

Product Adventures - GAZ 2 - The Emirates of Ylaruam

Basic Adventures (Levels 1-5)
• GAZ 2 - Emirates of Ylaruam
  • The Fabled Treasures of Ylaruam - A chance to find and uncover one of the lost relics of the world. The Sands of Ylaruam hold many mysteries, having once held a lost civilisation that spanned the Known World Region before its fall into obscurity.
    Dendan Oil - A poition made from a legendary fish in the fables of Al-Kalim (p59)
    The Magic Saddlebags - Able to provide endless provisions (p59)
    The Yellow Kohl - A magical ointment of transmutation (p60)
    (Basic Levels 1-5)
  • Aladin's Enchanted Cave - A sorcerer seeks aid in exploring a trapped cave system in the deserts of Ylaruam. (Basic Levels 1-5, p61)
  • The Valley of Diamonds - The legendary Sinbad collected a fortune to fund his adventures from a secret place in the deserts of Ylaruam, can you find it. (Any Levels 1-36, p61)
  • A Bizaar Disturbance - A altercation accurs in the markets between Makistani and Alasyians leading to an Ethengarian interferring. (Basic to Expert Levels 1-15, p62)
  • The City of Brass - A trip is required to the legendary City of Brass. (Any Levels 1-36, p62)
  • The Dead Place - There are portal created by the followers of Thanatos and they need to be closed. (Any Levels 1-36, p63)
  • The Pilgrimage of Al-Kalim - True Belivers are taking a pilgrimage and are looking for companions or guards. (Any Levels 1-36, p64)

Expert Adventures (Levels 6-15)
• GAZ 2 - Emirates of Ylaruam
  • The Fabled Treasures of Ylaruam - Further treasures of the sands, these might be useful in the investigations or the start of the war. Can you find and hold onto one of the fabled treasures of Ylaruam.
    The Carnelian Idol - A magical idol of a small griffon carved in a red gemstone (p58)
    The Magic Lamps - Containers of Efreeti hidden (p59)
    The Sparkling Spear - A potent weapon of power against the fire lords (p59)
    The Ionian Gems - Ancient gems from the founding of the Thyatian Empire (p60)
    (Expert Levels 6-15)
  • The Valley of Diamonds - The legendary Sinbad collected a fortune to fund his adventures from a secret place in the deserts of Ylaruam, can you find it. (Any Levels 1-36, p61)
  • A Bizaar Disturbance - A altercation accurs in the markets between Makistani and Alasyians leading to an Ethengarian interferring. (Basic to Expert Levels 1-15, p62)
  • The Lake of Many Colours - A mysterious portal to the plane of water appears as a lake in the desert with a tower rising up out of it. Its appearance and location appear to be at random. (Expert Levels 6-15, p62)
  • The Tournament of Three Crowns - The Emir of Dythestenia is opening up land for settlement if they can win a tournament and impress the Emir. (Expert to Companion Levels 6-25, p62)
  • The City of Brass - A trip is required to the legendary City of Brass. (Any Levels 1-36, p62)
  • The Dead Place - There are portal created by the followers of Thanatos and they need to be closed. (Any Levels 1-36, p63)
  • The Pilgrimage of Al-Kalim - True Belivers are taking a pilgrimage and are looking for companions or guards. (Any Levels 1-36, p64)

Companion Adventures (Levels 16-25)
• GAZ 2 - Emirates of Ylaruam
  • The Fabled Treasures of Ylaruam - With the war breaking the world, can one of these relics from the past make a difference between surival and the end of all life?
    The Golden Bridle - A gem encristed bridle suitable controling a beast (p59)
    The Magic Tunic - An elegant embroided tunic able to see the future (p59)
    The Brass Horsemen - Brass Golems from the City of Brass (p59)
    The Golden Seal of Al-Kalim - A ring designed to entrap Djinni (p60)
    The Celestial PLanisphere - A crystal ball for communication over planes (p61)
    (Companion Levels 16-25)
  • The Valley of Diamonds - The legendary Sinbad collected a fortune to fund his adventures from a secret place in the deserts of Ylaruam, can you find it. (Any Levels 1-36, p61)
  • The Tournament of Three Crowns - The Emir of Dythestenia is opening up land for settlement if they can win a tournament and impress the Emir. (Expert to Companion Levels 6-25, p62)
  • The City of Brass - A trip is required to the legendary City of Brass. (Any Levels 1-36, p62)
  • The Dusky Land - Hired to investigate a disrurbance in the desert relating to portal activity. (Companion Levels 16-25, p63)
  • The Dead Place - There are portal created by the followers of Thanatos and they need to be closed. (Any Levels 1-36, p63)
  • The Pilgrimage of Al-Kalim - True Belivers are taking a pilgrimage and are looking for companions or guards. (Any Levels 1-36, p64)

Master Adventures (Levels 26-35)
• GAZ 2 - Emirates of Ylaruam
• The Fabled Treasures of Ylaruam - Can the failures of the Immortals be corrected once and for all. The hunt for the final relic of Ylaruam begins. Those who find it can change the course of history.
  The Lizardskin Bed - Bedding made of lizardskin streched over a frame inscribed with ancient runes and glyphs (p58)
  The Bead of Oblivion - The device responible for erasing knowledge (p61)
  (Master Levels 26-35)
• The Valley of Diamonds - The legendary Sinbad collected a fortune to fund his adventures from a secret place in the deserts of Ylaruam, can you find it. (Any Levels 1-36, p61)
• The City of Brass - A trip is required to the legendary City of Brass. (Any Levels 1-36, p62)
• The Dead Place - There are portal created by the followers of Thanatos and they need to be closed. (Any Levels 1-36, p63)
• The Pilgrimage of Al-Kalim - True Belivers are taking a pilgrimage and are looking for companions or guards. (Any Levels 1-36, p64)

Immortal Adventures (Levels 36+)
• GAZ 2 - Emirates of Ylaruam
• The Valley of Diamonds - The legendary Sinbad collected a fortune to fund his adventures from a secret place in the deserts of Ylaruam, can you find it. (Any Levels 1-36, p61)
• The City of Brass - A trip is required to the legendary City of Brass. (Any Levels 1-36, p62)
• The Dead Place - There are portal created by the followers of Thanatos and they need to be closed. (Any Levels 1-36, p63)
• The Pilgrimage of Al-Kalim - True Belivers are taking a pilgrimage and are looking for companions or guards. (Any Levels 1-36, p64)