The Last Oasis Inn

Perched atop a plateau in the endless sands, the Last Oasis Inn is a modest but vital sanctuary. Though unassuming in size, it is known across the desert as a central hub for adventurers, scholars, and mercenaries drawn to the mysteries of the Land of Forgotten Horizons. Built from weathered sandstone, the inn’s thick walls provide cool shelter from the desert heat. Vibrant tapestries hang in its few small windows, shielding the interior from the sun while giving the structure a welcoming, lived-in charm.

Exterior and Entrance

The inn’s entrance is shaded by an awning of woven cloth and wooden poles, creating a small shaded alcove where travelers can shake off the dust before entering. A weather-beaten sign, adorned with the image of a distant sun setting over sand dunes, swings gently in the desert breeze, marking the inn’s name.

Interior Layout and Atmosphere

Main Floor

The inn’s interior is both practical and inviting. With only a few rooms available for rent on the upper level, it’s clear that the Last Oasis is more of a communal gathering place than a traditional inn. The main floor features a modest but comfortable dining room where adventurers gather for meals or discuss plans over maps spread across tables. Long benches and tables fill the space, and lanterns crafted from desert glass cast a warm, amber glow.

At one end of the room, a set of wide double doors leads to the offices of The Seeker’s Pact. These rooms are filled with stacks of expedition logs, maps, and relics in various stages of study. The Pact’s administrators work here, sifting through reports and job requests. The office is cluttered yet organized, a place where order is imposed upon the chaos of the desert.

Basement Tavern: The Edge of Oasis

Down a narrow stone staircase is the inn’s true heart: The Edge of Oasis tavern, a rugged and lively spot that juts out over the edge of the plateau. Here, a massive balcony extends out over the sands, with a breathtaking view of the desert stretching into the horizon. A low stone railing surrounds the balcony’s edge, where lanterns are hung, illuminating the sands below in the soft evening light.

Inside, the tavern has a warm, dimly lit atmosphere, with mismatched furniture and carved wooden stools. Small alcoves line the walls, offering patrons a more private space to share secrets and plan expeditions. A makeshift stage in one corner is where bards and storytellers entertain the crowd in the evenings, filling the tavern with songs and tales of distant lands and hidden treasures.

Staff of the Last Oasis Inn

Elda Stonewhisper – Innkeeper: Elda, a former adventurer with short-cropped silver hair and a wiry frame, runs the Last Oasis with a sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude. She’s a wellspring of knowledge about the desert’s many dangers and is known for her strong brews and her legendary tale-spinning skills. Elda sees to the comfort of her guests with quiet efficiency but has a deep affection for “her adventurers,” especially those who show respect for the desert and its mysteries.
Tanin “Dust” Varro – Head Bartender: Known as Dust, Tanin is a dark-eyed, sandy-haired figure who rarely speaks of his past but knows how to listen. He’s quick with a drink and a calming word for travelers weary from the road. Dust handles The Edge of Oasis with a calm presence, watching for trouble with a careful eye. Rumor has it he once ventured deep into the desert himself, and some say he’s still haunted by what he saw.
Lara the Lightfoot – Cook and Provisioner: Lara, a halfling with a warm smile and boundless energy, oversees the kitchen and supplies. Her cooking has earned her a near-legendary status among the adventurers, who flock to her for her spiced stews and strange concoctions. She’s also the main contact for supply orders, keeping careful tabs on provisions and making sure the inn always has enough stock to withstand unexpected sandstorms.
Gideon Fenn – Guard and Guide: Standing watch over the inn is Gideon, a rugged ranger who knows the desert paths well. Though not a member of the Pact anymore, he often works with them, providing guidance to new Seekers and patrolling the inn’s vicinity. Many consider Gideon the first and last line of defense for the inn, as he’s not only vigilant but also skilled with a blade and bow.
Mok Groa is a towering Dunmir. As a mute half-giant with a build as solid as desert stone, Mok is both a gentle caretaker and an intimidating figure to newcomers. His kind, expressive eyes and easy smile reveal a warmth that belies his intimidating stature, and he often assists Elda and Gideon with daily tasks around the Inn, from heavy lifting to keeping the peace when things get rowdy.

Key Figures in the Seeker’s Pact

Master Archivist Evandra Voss – Head of the Pact’s Local Research Division: Evandra, a tall, severe-looking elf with an extensive knowledge of the ancient civilization, is responsible for cataloging relics and logging all discoveries. She is meticulous and uncompromising, expecting nothing less than perfection from the researchers under her care. Adventurers who bring back artifacts often find themselves grilled by Evandra’s intense questioning.
Field Marshal Orik Stonefist – Commander of Seeker Operations: Orik, a stout, barrel-chested man in his late 50s with a booming voice and a knack for strategy, oversees all desert expeditions. He is responsible for approving expedition requests, briefing teams, and assigning personnel. Known for his strict discipline and tactical mind, Orik is respected by the Seekers for his relentless drive to uncover the desert’s secrets.
Alys Evershade – Seeker’s Liaison and Diplomat: Alys, a human with a silver tongue and an uncanny ability to read people, is the Pact’s official liaison with local keeps, traders, and factions. She negotiates access to relics, forges alliances, and occasionally smooths over conflicts. Alys is known for her elegant demeanor and her calm, calculating nature.
Kael Thornbrook – Recruiter and Desert Survival Trainer: Kael, a sun-weathered man with a permanent grin, handles recruitment and survival training for new Seeker initiates. He spends most of his time guiding newcomers, teaching them how to survive sandstorms, avoid desert predators, and detect ancient wards. Kael’s informal, friendly approach puts most recruits at ease, but those who underestimate him quickly learn of his deep knowledge of the desert’s perils.

Life at the Last Oasis Inn

With its seasoned staff and the dedicated members of the Seeker’s Pact, the Last Oasis Inn hums with an atmosphere of preparation and anticipation. Every day, adventurers arrive with tales of terror and triumph, sometimes injured, other times hauling back strange artifacts or new maps of forgotten paths.

The inn itself is alive with the scent of spiced stews, the sounds of clinking glasses, and the occasional eruption of laughter—or shouting—from the basement tavern. The Seeker’s Pact headquarters hum with activity, their rooms filled with the sound of parchment, maps being unfurled, and the hum of magical wards as relics are studied and cataloged.

The Last Oasis Inn is more than just a waystation; it’s a home to the desperate and the daring, a place where secrets are kept and tales are born, a bastion of hope and adventure on the edge of the desert’s deadly mysteries.