Village of Ashen Well
Ashen Well is a tenacious settlement carved from the unforgiving wastes, two day’s travel down the parched riverbed road from the Last Oasis. Nestled within adobe and stone walls that rise high to shield it from the desert’s relentless winds, the village clings to existence around a small, fiercely-guarded spring. The water trickles up from a narrow fissure at the village’s heart, pooling into a modest but life-sustaining well. This spring is Ashen Well’s lifeblood, and its preservation is the villagers’ utmost priority. Guards patrol the well day and night, and anyone caught threatening its integrity faces swift and brutal justice.
Life in Ashen Well is harsh, but the community is resilient. The mixed population—humans, orcs, Muls, Thri-Kreen, and a scattering of desert elves banished from their tribes—work together to scrape out a living. Half-elves, born of strained unions between humans and desert elves, find some acceptance here, though tensions simmer under the surface. The village operates on mutual need, and survival overrides prejudice for most. They grow drought-resistant crops like sparse barley, prickly melons, and hardy tubers, irrigating them with strict water rationing. Pens of thin goats and strange, scaled desert fowl provide milk, meat, and eggs, while hunters venture into the sands to trap lizards and other creatures for sustenance.
Ashen Well is known for its gleaming shards of desert crystal, a unique resource found only in the sands surrounding the village. These translucent, amber-colored crystals catch the sunlight in dazzling patterns, and their sharp edges are valued by Seekers and traders alike for crafting tools, jewelry, and even weapons. When enchanted, the crystals can hold minor spells or light, making them prized in the Reach’s markets. Villagers trade these crystals with the rare caravans brave enough to venture so far into the wastes, exchanging them for vital goods like fabric, metal, and medicinal supplies.
Ashen Well’s economy may be meager, but its spirit is indomitable. Its inhabitants have a saying:
“Where the water flows, so do we.”
This mantra reflects their unity and determination to survive. Even with the looming desert’s hostility and the ever-present risk of raiders or monstrous incursions, Ashen Well remains a beacon of stubborn life in the heart of the Great Desert’s wilderness.
Notable Figures in Ashen Well
- Kragul Stonejaw (Orc Elder): A grizzled orc with a weathered face and a twisted tusk, Kragul leads Ashen Well with firm pragmatism. A former warrior turned wise elder, he oversees the spring’s protection and mediates disputes.
- Shen’Kra the Gatherer (Thri-Kreen Forager): Shen’Kra is a wiry Thri-Kreen who roams the surrounding desert to harvest rare plants and desert herbs for trade and medicine. Her deep understanding of the desert’s rhythms is invaluable.
- Elya Windshadow (Desert Elf Exile): Once a proud warrior of her tribe, Elya was banished for a crime she refuses to speak of. She now serves as the leader of Ashen Well’s militia, using her sharp tactics to defend the spring from raiders and predators.
- Benneth Arlyn (Half-Elf Trader): A charismatic and shrewd half-elf merchant, Benneth coordinates Ashen Well’s trade with the caravans. He has a sharp eye for value and a knack for navigating tense negotiations.