Kara-Tur Kollection

The Kara-Tur Kollection is a rare and nomadic merchant caravan that travels the length of Faerûn, making a full round trip between the distant eastern empires of Kara-Tur and the bustling cities of the Sword Coast every two years. Known for its dazzling wagons, unusual wares, and complete independence from local infrastructure, the Kollection appears in major cities for only a few days at a time before continuing on its long and winding journey. Its arrival is often celebrated as a minor holiday among collectors, arcanists, and lovers of the rare and strange.
Two of the caravan’s wagons are configured to expand into a stable enclosure for their axebeaks—colorful, powerful riding birds native to the savannas of the east. This system allows the Kollection to remain self-sufficient even in the largest and most crowded cities, avoiding stabling fees, suspicious locals, or reliance on outside resources. Each wagon is pulled by a matched pair of axebeaks trained not only for endurance but for urban patience and decorative flair. When the stable is open to the public, the enclosure functions as a temporary petting zoo, particularly popular with children and animal handlers.
Entertainment is woven into the fabric of the Kollection’s presence. A pair of genasi fire dancers perform each evening as the sun sets, drawing crowds with their precision, intensity, and practiced showmanship. Nearby, a fortune teller offers cryptic readings and old-world wisdom, seated beneath hanging lanterns and surrounded by small relics from dozens of cultures. These features lend the Kollection the atmosphere of a roving festival as much as a marketplace, and locals often linger long after their coin is spent.

Notable Members

Bato Flamepot – Human male, a loud and cheerful cook from Durpar who sells hot dumplings, root stew, fire-paste, and preserved rations. His wagon smells like cardamom and ash, and he often sings while ladling stew into bowls.
Mireen Windsail – Elf woman from Semphar, an herbalist and spice trader who speaks in gentle, clipped phrases. She specializes in calming teas, enchanted incense, and fragrant resins collected from cliffside blooms. Her wagon folds out into a fragrant wing-shaped stall.
Master Varuun Halfstep – Dwarf man born in Ulgarth, a former mercenary turned weaponsmith. His wares include curved blades, quiet daggers, and blackglass tools. His wagon becomes a compact forge and display wall that clangs with every breeze.
Qaim the Inkcaller – Tiefling male with copper skin and ivory horns, a scribe and arcane calligrapher. He sells scroll tattoos, inked magic items, and silent wands. His wagon glows faintly and displays fragments of spells etched into hanging cloth.
Lapsa “Stitchspindle” Thistlebrim – Gnome woman, elderly but vibrant, known for her enchanted textiles, minor ward-charms, and uncanny needlework. She carries a quilt that she claims has survived three fires and one dragon attack. Her wagon expands into a colorful tent full of humming thread and clinking bells.
Brother Eleshen of the Open Path – Human of the Alamber coast, a gentle mendicant who sells votive shells, meditation tools, and blessings of travel. His wagon converts into a minimalist shrine framed in wood and sky-colored cloth. He speaks little but listen well.
Toka and Revun – Half-orc woman and halfling man, axebeak handlers and wagonwrights. Toka handles the training and security of the animals, while Revun handles grooming and provisioning. Though they do not sell goods, they are beloved figures among the Kollection, and children often leave drawings in their feed buckets.

Structure and Operation

The Kollection does not follow a strict hierarchy. Decisions are made through consensus at evening councils held around the central fire. Disputes are rare and usually resolved through mediation. Each member is expected to contribute equally to the safety and survival of the caravan, whether through defense, repair, cooking, or magical support.
While traveling, the caravan remains tightly organized for protection. At each stop, the wagons unfold into elaborately engineered stalls, each uniquely crafted to suit the merchant’s needs. When the day ends, everything folds back down into compact form, leaving behind only footprints, feather prints, and lingering scents.

Known Routes

The Kollection’s route begins in the eastern markets of Kara-Tur and crosses the Hordelands, Rashemen, and Thay before entering the Inner Sea region. It travels through Sembia, Cormyr, and along the western coast from Baldur’s Gate to Waterdeep and Neverwinter. While on the Sword Coast, the Kollection follows the Trade Way, stopping in major cities and market towns along the route. From there, it turns south through Amn and Tethyr, follows the Shining Sea to Calimport, then begins the return leg back east.
Most cities on the Sword Coast see the Kollection only once every two years. It is customary for local merchants to suspend rivalries during these visits, and in some areas, their arrival is heralded with banners or spontaneous festivals.