Velakan Sandpit
A small, maze-like area off the Velakan Trade Route in Therengia outside the city of Muspar'i. To access the area, you will JUMP into the sandpit from the VTR from a point marked with a warning signpost. To leave the area, locate the vine and CLIMB out.
Movement within the sandpit can stir up Red sand leeches and Black sand leeches. The red leeches are found in the northern part of the pit while the black leeches live in the Southern part. It is recommended that anyone with less than Aficionado to Adept levels in First Aid stay away from the Black leeches.
A favored location of Empaths when they spend more time than usual in the Muspar'i area because of the leeches in the Sand Pit. When an Emapth tends them off they teach Empathy skill and First Aid skill.
For non Empaths, instead of teaching Empathy, you will learn Skinning skill.
If a person ignores the leeches on themselves, it is entirely possible that the leeches will suck enough health from you that you will die. It is also possible for someone without enough First Aid that they will not see the leeches once they are attached. How much skill is enough is approximately Beginning Dilettante.