The Spring of Peace
Every desert needs an oasis, and the Spring of Peace Tavern offers one of the finest ever to grace the sands of any world. Built around a lush, shimmering oasis along the Nimiya River, the Spring of Peace Tavern offers all the respite one needs after a long journey. In addition to the brutal elements, travelers have likely needed to pass through the territories of warring locals, so coming to this tavern—where peace is paramount—is a great relief. But as much as the proprietors and guests seem to leave existing disagreements at the doorstep, there can be tension that undercuts the perfect peace. Travelers should be on their guard, lest they get swept up in local disputes. This tavern hosts a diverse marketplace, as it is a frequent stop for merchants from many different areas. There is always a bustling trade taking place here, with goods ranging from the mundane to the extremely exotic and rare. While the main structure is fairly small by tavern standards, there is plentiful space available with the surrounding area. The actual boundaries of the tavern grounds are always in flux as people are constantly arriving, setting up camp, and leaving. The quality of lodging ranges from people just throwing a bedroll down on the sand to elaborate, luxurious tents that one can rent from the proprietors, including set-up!
Areas of the Tavern
Main Oasis: A large pool that shimmers in the sun, the oasis is ringed with lush palm trees and all sorts of plants. Birds are plentiful, as are fish that swim in the oasis. While some varieties of fish may look familiar to local travelers, there are a few species that only exist in this oasis. The source of the oasis is unseen, and is subject to much debate. It has no obvious connection to the Nimiya River. The depth of the oasis is unknown, despite all efforts to determine it. Because of this, entry into the main oasis is strictly forbidden and enforced. There are roped-enclosed public sections to both the east and west side of the oasis. A variety of human, dragonborn, and Amin guards patrol the shoreline. The pool itself is also patrolled by the dweller turtles, intelligent turtles that have evolved to live in this water over thousands of years. Recreational Oasis: The western section of the oasis is roped off for swimming and recreation. The water ranges from wading depth to a deep area for more actual swimming. There is an outdoor bar on this side of the oasis, as well as many chairs and blankets for relaxation. Rafts are available for rental, and many of them drift about in the sun. Healing Oasis: The eastern section of the oasis is also roped off, but it is much less rowdy and noisy than the recreational oasis. Many people believe that the oasis contains healing properties. Whether the water is actually medicinal or not is subject to much debate (and many guests do debate it, loudly, on this spot), but it is a fact that there is a higher concentration of plants with medicinal properties here than one would usually find. Many people come here to “take the cure” of the magical waters, or to research and barter for cuttings of the medicinal plants. The minerals under this particular section of the oasis are rich and diverse, further adding to the regenerative feeling one gets while relaxing in the pool. Market Area: In an open area between the oasis and the Spring of Peace Tavern, visiting merchants may display their wares, shop, and trade. There are many colorful tents, wagons, or sometimes merely blankets spread on the ground, showing goods of all types. Lack of coin is not always a problem, as there are many opportunities to arrange for trades, as well as to earn coin in one of the many games of chance played in and around the tavern. The center area is kept open for performers. The Spring of Peace Players in particular need the room for their acts involving acrobatics, fire dancing, and aerial stunts. The outer edge of the market area is for guest tents. Most traveling merchants staying at the Spring of Peace prefer to set up camp near their wares for convenience, but guests not staying in the main building are encouraged to set up around the perimeter. Guests may bring their own sleeping arrangements—anything is welcome from a simple bedroll to an elaborate caravan wagon. Tents may also be rented from the tavern, which offers three levels of tents and accompanying accessories:- Agate: A simple canvas structure, tall enough to comfortably sleep, but not really big enough to spend waking hours in. Includes a ground cover and bedroll. Available in single, double, or party sizes (sleeps six medium-sized creatures comfortably).
- Jade: Larger canvas structure with some simple decoration, tall enough to stand in. Includes ground cover, bedroll, and sitting cushion. Available in single, double, or party sizes. Can include set-up for additional price.
- Lapis: Very roomy structure with better quality canvas and includes awning, all elaborately woven and decorated. Includes a raised cot, bedroll, sitting cushion, and small table per person. Set-up is included in the price. Available in single, double, or party sizes.
History
This oasis’ history is riddled with war, bloodshed, and many a brief respite cut short. There are rumors of many amazing beasts: dragons, sphinxes, and djinni. It’s most notable history, however, comes from local three families: the Jaziri, Fadel and Amin.
In times far removed from what any mortal can recall, the oasis was home to a brass dragon, a gynosphinx, and a djinni. They were long-time friends, and often came to enjoy the calming waters, and played many games over the centuries. They were particularly fond of Serpent’s Coil, and could spend days playing it. On one fateful day, however, an argument arose over the fairness of the game. The brass dragon accused the djinn of cheating and, in a fit of rage, flung the djinn’s lamp into the oasis and flew off, never to return. The djinn could not find her lamp, and the deeper it sank, the more she forgot, until she lost all memory of her two gamemates. She remained tied to the tavern, and stays on as a director of the Spring of Peace Players, but has no knowledge of the tavern that any other employee would not have. The gynosphinx, embarrassed that she was the one who had resorted to cheating, and that she had caused such conflict between her two friends, disappeared into the earth and went into a deep sleep of stone.
The djinn’s lamp sank for an untold amount of time, until it was found by one of the dweller turtles. Knowing nothing of its importance, they kept it underwater until they realized it was somehow causing aggression among the dweller turtles. They found a place on dry land to store it, and there it has remained. The lamp’s location in the oasis has tied the djinn to the oasis, effectively making the oasis itself her master. In addition to this, the presence of the lamp in the oasis’ waters warped the brass dragon’s regional magic, leading people in need of safety to the oasis, but also sowing discord among those who found the oasis and wanted to make it their home.
A handful of generations ago, three groups came from separate corners of the desert. The first among them were the Jaziri, a clan of brass dragonborn fleeing the persecution their kind faced on the Borrovyan contintent during the Great Division. The Jaziri had enough resources with them to survive on the life-giving water, and began building structures that would eventually become the Spring of Peace Tavern. But construction was not even complete before a second group arrived: the Amin, a centaur race escaping raiders. Initially the Jaziri feared the arrival of the Amin would sap their prosperity. But the Amin brought with them knowledge, promising to show the Jaziri sustainable life through cultivation, and helped them finish the basic structures that still stand today by the oasis. The two families lived in a shared but uneasy alliance, and bonded over their persecution by raiders. This alliance found its breaking point, however, with the arrival of the human family, the Fadel.
The final group to arrive at the oasis, the Fadel, were humans fleeing a pogrom. Unable to provide resources, but remarkably quick to learn the newfound customs, the Fadel knew they had little to offer outside of cultural wisdom. The leader of the Jaziri was the first to call them out, fearing that they endangered the future of the oasis. The events that followed are impossible to track, as each family tells the story differently. The Amin would say the Jaziri became a militant threat, the Fadel would say unneeded tension caused a tear between them all, and the Jaziri say the Fadel were leeches that endangered the very sand they walked on. The aftermath of the following battles led to the current state of the oasis: the Jaziri are outposted to the West, the Amin are outposted to the East, and the Fadel have assumed uncomfortable authority over the waters and her tavern. There is bitterness and rumors about the powers of the oasis. The most persistent rumors are that the oasis has healing properties, and the waters are infinite in their supply.
Type
Inn
Owner
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