The Witch of Almarra

The Witch of Almarra

If you travel in the desert, the legends say, beware the enchantress who dwells in the Dunes of Almarra. Her magic is greater than anything mentioned in the Arabian Nights and djinns and dust devils alike quake before her. She has the power to control the sun, the wind, and the very sand itself. No one has ever seen her true face, but she has appeared as both an old crone and a beautiful maiden. She is said to be able to take the form of a single grain of sand, so she could be hiding anywhere in the desert.

Under the dunes lies the great city of Almarra, once a jewel in the midst of the desert. The witch came to the city one morning disguised as a poor woman. She traveled from house to house begging for food, but the people turned her away. With one wave of her hand and a few muttered incantations she conjured a sandstorm that swallowed the entire city. Laughing and cackling, she transformed herself into a pile of sand and vanished with the wind.

So if you dare to venture near the dunes, you had best take an offering for the witch. If she is feeling charitable and your offering pleases her, she may let you pass. Not just any offering will do, for the witch cares nothing for gold or jewels. The only offering that she will accept is peanut butter and jelly for she is the dreaded Peanut Butter and Jelly Sand Witch!