of Harad and Kârna
The land known to most as Harad lies upon the southern border of Gondor, past the Harnen river. Only along the mighty rivers and in the shores of the great sea can truly fertile ground can be found, for leagues of savannah and desert stretch far inland.
Life in Harad has remained unchanged for centuries, for even the will of kings and princes finds difficult purchase upon those who live amongst desert and rocks. Before the arrival of the Númenóreans, Harad was an anarchic and fractious land.
In name, at least, Harad is currently ruled from an ancient city nestled within the bay of Umbar. This once Númenórean haven has seen a great deal of history pass within and without its walls, much of it bloody and sorrowful. The scars of time can be plainly seen on the buildings of the city's old quarter, where Númenórean craftsmanship has been patched with later, less skilled Haradrim masonry, giving the city a unique, if confused appearance.
With its safe anchorage and commanding coastal position, Umbar has long been the power in the surrounding waters. As a result of this, its name has become synonymous with raids and terror in the surrounding lands, so much so that it is known only as the City of the Corsairs in lands far and wide.
Harad's former capital, the great temple-city of Kârna, was ruined long ago in what was anything but Gondor's finest hour, when the soldiers of Minas Tirith sacked it following a great victory. Anything of value, they took; anything that would burn, was fired. Kârna was left a blood-soacked ruin, heavy with the signs of the past and the voices of the dead, haunted by the dread Dîmlokhi.
The Watchers of Kârna are the only Haradrim that now dwell in the shadow of ruined Kârna. Said to be descendants of Kârna's priests, the Watchers are an order dedicated to protecting the city from outsiders ans protecting outsiders from the horrors of the city.
Wise men go there not.
Aït Benhaddou (Berber: Ath Benhadu, is a 'fortified city', or ksar, along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech in present-day Morocco. It is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damages during each rainstorm. Most of the town's inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, ten families still live within the ksar.
Aït Benhaddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there.
The cache
The cache is located in the wall of mr. Brahim's house, witch is located in the new city, and where we spend the night.
You will probably feel you're in his backyard but he agreed that it could stay there and to take care for it.
We recommend you to visit the old city, in the other side of the river.
Some families still live there, and there are about 50 workers that make constant reparations in the buildings to avoid that the rains to ruin it.
There's a 10Dhs/person fee entrance to visit the ksar.
Try to get a guide to show you the abandoned city and you'll enjoy it much more.
And beware the Dîmlokhi...
