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Partially Magnetic Fluid - Research into Unconventional Alchemy V

Journal of Conrad Azohi - Day 416 after embarking

There has been a disaster.

As we've been crossing the Ahran Desert, we have passed through several rocky regions and several sandy regions. Over the last few days, however, we have been crossing through a particularly large sandy region. We generally sleep during the day, making camp in the shadow of particularly large dunes. However, today, a sandstorm came upon us without warning. We've encountered them before, but this one was far more fierce, like the typhoons that would strike the coast back home. It ripped the cloth from the back of our wagons and even ripped heavy objects out of our grasp. It was all we could do to gather together and hunker down enough to protect ourselves from the cutting sands.

After the storm passed, we tried to regather our supplies, but could not find most. Two of the wagons must have been buried in the sand. Our navigation equipment, a month's worth of food, three horses, and two members of our group are unaccounted for. What's more, the storm changed the landscape and we were turned around in the chaos. We no longer know which way is north, and the lingering dust clouds make judging directions from the sky impossible. Further, we are closer to Kuthus than any other locale, so it is necessary that we continue due north, to avoid wandering in the desert until we run out of supplies and die.

The group has looked to me to try and solve the issue with my alchemical expertise, but my available means of developing new navigation equipment is extremely limited. The best I've managed is to take a few iron nails from one of the remaining wagons and some of our now limited water, and craft a type of magnetic fluid. I've sealed it into a small, waterproof box and placed it upon the surface of water. It is not very responsive, but it does eventually turn one side towards magnetic north. I just hope that I have interpreted the behavior of this fluid correctly, and that the side which I believe is pointing north is actually pointing north.