The Sandstone Collective

History

The Sandstone Collective was founded twenty years ago by a group of talented young artificers from Sunsreach Academy in the heart of Idwala. What began as a small assembly of gnomish tinkers sharing ideas and experiments evolved into a respected guild renowned for its innovative approaches to harnessing the sun's energy. The founders, driven by a vision of sustainable technology tailored to the harsh desert environment, set out to challenge and surpass the achievements of those who harnessed aether crystals for the elves' skyships. Their first significant breakthrough was the development of a solar-powered mining tool that revolutionized resource extraction in the desert. This success attracted more like-minded gnomes, expanding their ranks and resources. The guild's reputation grew, earning them contracts and collaborations with various desert settlements and even the royal court of Idwala.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Sandstone Collective is to innovate and implement advanced technologies that utilize solar energy to improve life in the desert. Their projects include:
1. Solar Power Plants: Developing and constructing solar power plants to provide renewable energy to desert communities, reducing reliance on scarce fossil fuels.
2. Mining Tools: Creating efficient, solar-powered mining tools that make resource extraction safer and more productive.
3. Reflective Shields: Designing reflective shields for buildings and personal use to protect against the intense desert sun and heat.
4. Desert Technologies: Inventing various other technologies, such as water condensers and sand-to-glass converters, to enhance sustainability and comfort in desert living.
The Sandstone Collective also aims to push the boundaries of solar technology to compete with and eventually surpass the magical advancements made by the elves with their aether crystals.

Uniform or Symbols

Members of the Sandstone Collective are easily recognizable by their distinctive dark leather overalls. Each overall bears a single golden insignia of a sun and a stone, symbolizing their commitment to harnessing solar energy and their roots in the desert's harsh environment. This insignia is not just a mark of their identity but also a badge of honor, representing their dedication to innovation and sustainability. The overalls are designed with multiple pockets and compartments to hold various tinkering tools and materials, ensuring that each member is always prepared for hands-on work and experimentation.

Locations

The headquarters of the Sandstone Collective is located within the prestigious Sunsreach Academy in Idwala. This central location provides the guild with access to the academy's vast resources, libraries, and laboratories, fostering an environment of continuous learning and experimentation. In addition to their main base, the Sandstone Collective has several outposts throughout the desert, including:

Solar Research Stations: Small, remote stations dedicated to testing new solar technologies in various desert conditions.

Mining Collaborations: Joint facilities with mining companies where their solar-powered tools are deployed and refined.

Community Workshops: Outreach centres in desert settlements where they demonstrate their technologies and teach locals how to use and maintain them.

These locations serve as vital hubs for research, development, and community engagement, ensuring the widespread impact of their innovations.