How to Play Oasis

Explore

Searching the Desert

Click on any fog tile that borders the desert. The Scarab King will travel there and dispel the fog. When the fog is cleared from a tile, you may find a City, a Field, the Mountains, the Oasis, or more Desert:

Cities: Cities are the mainstay of your empire. They provide the armies and defenses you will need to repel the barbarian hordes. The number on each city is its population, which determines the size of the army it can contribute. You can strengthen your cities by connecting them with roads, and by searching them for magical treasures.
Fields: Cities are surrounded by fields on all sides. When you find a field, it means that a city must be nearby. Fields that are adjacent to two or more cities are noticeably darker in color.
Mountains: The mountain range is completely impassible. Mountains can be seen from far away, and will be revealed when you explore any adjacent square. Some mountains contain mines, which are useful for producing technology.
Oasis: The Oasis is a paradise that grants magical powers to the Scarab King. It can always be found on the edge of the map. One square of the Oasis contains the Obelisk, which holds the key to your victory.
Desert: This barren wasteland makes up much of your kingdom. Because many nomads make it their home, desert is the best place to find followers. Somewhere in the desert is a cairn your spies have built to mark where the barbarians will enter the kingdom.

Gaining Followers

Rebuilding your empire will require the help of followers. Followers can build roads, mine mountains, and reinforce your armies. Every time you explore a field or desert square, you will find a few more followers. Nomad camps are a particularly abundant source of followers, and are concentrated in a single area of the desert.

O-A-S-I-S

On any level where you explore the entire Oasis, you earn a letter of the word "oasis." If you spell the entire word, you will be taken to a special bonus level where you can get a free Glyph of Power, and lots of Scarab Power. But beware! Searching the Oasis can be a frivolous waste of turns. See to the defense of your kingdom before seeking out O-A-S-I-S letters.