Oasis of Serpent’s Tongue
The Oasis of Serpent’s Tongue is a rare, almost sacred site in the midst of the vast, arid Velakan Desert. Unlike the fleeting and temperamental oases found across the desert, Serpent’s Tongue is a semi-permanent fixture, its waters replenished by an underground aquifer that taps into a hidden vein of ancient, untainted water. Nestled within a natural bowl surrounded by jagged rocks and half-ruined stone formations, the oasis is one of the few places in the desert where travelers can reliably find fresh water. Its location is known only to those who have survived the harsh desert for years, passed down through generations of nomads and traders. As such, it has become a vital landmark, often serving as a meeting point for merchant caravans, wandering tribes, and the rare adventurers that traverse the desolate expanse.
The name "Serpent’s Tongue" comes from the long, winding shape of the oasis' waters, which snake through the rocky terrain in a manner reminiscent of a serpent's sinuous movement. The water, though clear and fresh, holds an almost eerie quality, shimmering with a subtle iridescent hue. The surrounding flora, much like the oasis itself, is both beautiful and dangerous. Scattered palms, cacti, and hardy desert flowers grow near the edges, some of which possess medicinal properties, though many others are deceptively toxic. At night, the oasis becomes a hub for activity, with nomadic tribes and the occasional traveler stopping to rest and gather, but the surrounding area is always filled with tension, as the desert’s deadly creatures, such as giant sand serpents and territorial predators, often make their way toward the water.
The stone formations surrounding the oasis, remnants of some long-lost civilization, add a sense of mystery and foreboding to the location. These ruins, weathered and cracked by centuries of desert winds, are said to hold forgotten secrets—perhaps even relics or lost magic from a time before the desert’s vast expansion. Some claim that the water from the oasis is imbued with a strange energy, capable of healing wounds or granting visions of the past, though such rumors remain unproven. Only the most daring or foolhardy would explore the oasis ruins in search of answers, for the creatures that linger near the water are often as deadly as the desert itself.
The name "Serpent’s Tongue" comes from the long, winding shape of the oasis' waters, which snake through the rocky terrain in a manner reminiscent of a serpent's sinuous movement. The water, though clear and fresh, holds an almost eerie quality, shimmering with a subtle iridescent hue. The surrounding flora, much like the oasis itself, is both beautiful and dangerous. Scattered palms, cacti, and hardy desert flowers grow near the edges, some of which possess medicinal properties, though many others are deceptively toxic. At night, the oasis becomes a hub for activity, with nomadic tribes and the occasional traveler stopping to rest and gather, but the surrounding area is always filled with tension, as the desert’s deadly creatures, such as giant sand serpents and territorial predators, often make their way toward the water.
The stone formations surrounding the oasis, remnants of some long-lost civilization, add a sense of mystery and foreboding to the location. These ruins, weathered and cracked by centuries of desert winds, are said to hold forgotten secrets—perhaps even relics or lost magic from a time before the desert’s vast expansion. Some claim that the water from the oasis is imbued with a strange energy, capable of healing wounds or granting visions of the past, though such rumors remain unproven. Only the most daring or foolhardy would explore the oasis ruins in search of answers, for the creatures that linger near the water are often as deadly as the desert itself.
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