Khemset - The Golden Oasis

Distance from The Skeld: 4 days east
Population: ~3,000 (60% Human, 25% Halfling, 10% Dwarf, 5% Other)
Government: Merchant Council of Five Families

Overview

Khemset is an opulent trading hub built around a massive oasis with date palms and clear springs. The city focuses on luxury goods and exotic spices, with the golden-domed Sunbazaar serving as the heart of commerce. Despite abundant water, strict rationing exists as the resource is hoarded for trade leverage.

Culture & Society

Wealth determines status in Khemset. The Five Families control different aspects of trade: spices, silk, gems, magical components, and water rights. Competition between families is fierce but rarely violent—reputation and profit matter more than blood.

Notable Features

• The Sunbazaar: Golden-domed marketplace where exotic goods from across the desert are traded
• The Great Oasis: Massive water source with date palms, strictly controlled by the Water Wardens
• Silk Gardens: Terraced areas where silk worms produce the city's famous golden thread
• The Spice Vaults: Underground storage for the most valuable seasonings and magical components

Trade Specialties

• Silk: Golden thread stronger than steel, woven into luxury garments
• Spices: Rare seasonings that preserve food and enhance magical potions
• Precious Gems: Cut and polished stones, some with minor magical properties
• Magical Components: Rare materials needed for advanced spellcasting

Key NPCs

Merchant Prince Hakim al-Zahir

Race: Human | Role: Wealthiest trader, head of the Gem Family

Obsessed with rare artifacts and ancient treasures. Wears rings on every finger, each containing a different magical gem. His palace is filled with curiosities from across the known world.

Wants: To acquire the legendary Crown of Storms from the buried empire.

Spice Mistress Yasmina Goldleaf

Race: Halfling | Role: Controls the spice trade, knows every caravan route

Small but commanding presence, always surrounded by the aroma of exotic spices. Her knowledge of trade routes is unmatched, and she maintains detailed maps of safe passages.

Wants: To establish a direct trade route to the legendary Spice Islands beyond the eastern desert.

Water Warden Khalil ibn Rashid

Race: Human | Role: Manages the oasis, controls water distribution

Stern administrator who treats water like liquid gold. Maintains detailed records of every drop distributed and has secret plans to expand Khemset's influence through water control.

Wants: To discover and claim additional water sources before other cities find them.

Tavern Tales from The Golden Chalice Inn

The Merchant's Curse (Direct Lead)

Hakim al-Zahir bought a golden scarab from a desert nomad and now everything he touches turns to sand. He'll pay 500 gold for a cure.

Lead: Seek out the nomad tribe called the Sandwalkers in the Dune Sea, three days south.

The Spice Route Sabotage (Clue)

Yasmina Goldleaf's spice caravans keep getting attacked by creatures that shouldn't exist in the desert - ice elementals.

Clue: The attacks happen near an ancient ruin marked with frost symbols, despite the desert heat.

The Vanishing Gems (Direct Lead)

Precious gems are disappearing from locked vaults. The only clue is a faint humming sound heard before each theft.

Lead: The thief is a phase spider that can walk through walls, nesting in the old sewers beneath the market.

Adventure Opportunities

• Escort valuable spice caravans through dangerous territory
• Investigate the mysterious ice elemental attacks
• Negotiate trade deals between the Five Families
• Explore the ancient ruins where the cursed scarab originated
• Hunt the phase spider terrorizing the gem merchants