Sandcrest Encampment

Nestled at the base of the cliff that holds the high-perched Last Oasis Inn, the Sandcrest Encampment is a sprawling and ever-changing tent city. Its patchwork of colorful tents, makeshift shelters, and occasional permanent structures creates a chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere. Seekers from all walks of life make this place their temporary home, returning to rest, trade, and prepare for their next venture into the Great Desert. Farmers from the outskirts bring their goods to sell, and merchants offer everything from weapons and gear to rare trinkets scavenged from the cursed sands. Beneath the cliff, a network of caves shelters one of the rare underground springs in the region, providing the lifeblood of the encampment. The spring’s waters are jealously guarded by local leaders but accessible to all—for a price.

Permanent Shops and Merchants

Willem’s Wayfinder Supplies
- Owner: Willem Harcourt, an elderly man with a kind heart and weathered hands.
  Willem is a fixture of Sandcrest, having lived there longer than anyone can remember. His shop is a cluttered trove of well-used desert survival gear: maps, canteens, bedrolls, and sturdy boots. He’s known for helping fledgling seekers by trading food and water for labor, often lending his experience to guide them through their first ventures. Willem is also an invaluable storyteller, with a wealth of knowledge about the desert’s dangers and hidden secrets.
The Shimmered Blade
- Owner: Voric Shald, a sharp-tongued ex-mercenary.
  Voric specializes in weapons and armor forged from scavenged materials, including fragments of metal found in the Crater Mines. His shop is adorned with an array of jagged swords, enchanted knives, and mismatched pieces of armor. He’ll haggle mercilessly with seasoned seekers but often gives discounts to those desperate to survive their next trek.
The Gilded Grain
- Owner: Darlia Fenn, a shrewd and enterprising farmer.
  Darlia grows hearty desert crops on the outskirts of the tent city, bringing fresh produce, dried fruits, and grain to sell in her modest shop. Her connections with local water traders make her essential to the camp’s survival. She’s often found negotiating with seekers who need supplies but struggle to pay.
Dust’s Embrace
- Owner: Tirven Morlow, a secretive purveyor of desert artifacts.
  Tirven trades in relics, crystals, and other mysterious items recovered from the desert’s depths. His shop is a dimly lit tent draped in silk, where strange artifacts glint in the shadows. Rumors abound about Tirven’s connections to the more unsavory elements of Sandcrest, but his wares are often the key to surviving magical hazards.
The Springstone Tavern
- Owner: Ryla Kordain, a brusque but fair woman with a knack for brewing.
  The Springstone Tavern is one of the few permanent buildings in Sandcrest. Its sturdy stone walls are carved partly into the cliffside, giving it a cool interior. Ryla brews strong ales and meads, popular among weary seekers and traders. Her establishment doubles as a hub for exchanging rumors and hiring desert guides.

Atmosphere of Sandcrest

The Sandcrest Encampment hums with activity day and night. Merchants hawk their goods under colorful awnings, farmers unload carts of grain and vegetables, and seekers barter over rare finds. The air is thick with the scent of desert spices and forge smoke, mingled with the occasional whiff of incense from Tirven’s tent. Despite the transient nature of its population, Sandcrest has a sense of camaraderie—especially for those who’ve endured the desert’s wrath. For many seekers, it’s a sanctuary, a place where they can find allies, resupply, and regroup before braving the sands again.