Sand Gnomes

The Sand Gnomes occupy the Green Sand Isles, an archipelago that spans the sea between the Fire Lord Principalities and Borgonia. The Sand Gnomes are nominally free, although, they are heavily influenced by the Fire Lord Principalities. Sand Gnomes live in semi-nomadic, tribal communities that work cooperatively with each other most of the time. The population subsists almost entirely on local species of fish and carrots, radishes and potatoes that are able to grow in the sandy soil of the isles. Sand gnomes show very little interest in the development of technology or complex political systems. This makes it difficult to trade for their "Desert Spice" with one exception: exotic plants. Exotic, lush, colourful plants are one of the few commodities to elicit genuine excitement among Sand Gnomes. They adorn their huts, market places and entire islands with the plants, covering as much surface as possible. From a distance, the small islands look like mini jungles which is how they came to be known as the "Green" Sand Isles.
In return for exotic plants, Sand Gnomes trade their famous Desert Spice. This is made by collecting or farming "fire roaches" a native species which lives under the sand. Fire roaches are killed and placed on a trellis made from interwoven local plants and are left to dry. Once dried the insects are flash-roasted and then ground into a fine powder. When added to food Desert Spice enhances the meal with a unique flavour of fire, smoke and salt unlike anything else in the world. Despite multiple attempts Desert Spice is, thus far, unable to be made anywhere else other than the Green Sand Isles, even when fire roaches are transported off-island to other lands. Whether it's the technique, the dry air, the proximity to the sea or the nutritional value of the sand that gives Desert Spice its unique taste is unclear. Due to its rarity and non-replicable nature, Desert Spice is one of the more expensive trade goods. Kingdoms, Empires and other entities large and small will have to continue trading exotic plants, or pay exorbitant sums to middle-men, if they want to gain access to Desert Spice.