Zarekh Sandwarden
Dragonborn • Veteran • Lawful Good
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Languages: Common, Draconic, Undercommon
Occupation: Oasis keeper
Location: Desert oasis • Caravan grounds • Desert crossroads
Adventure Hooks: Needs help dealing with water thieves • seeks guards for a vulnerable caravan • asks for assistance removing a dangerous creature from the oasis
Appearance.
Zarekh is a tall brass-scaled dragonborn with a weathered face and piercing amber eyes. He wears layered cream-colored robes beneath worn golden armor, with a large desert-colored mantle wrapped around his shoulders. A heavy, ornate clasp shaped like a sun holds the mantle in place, and his clothing bears the dust and wear of someone who spends most of his life outdoors.
Personality.
Zarekh is patient, dignified, and surprisingly talkative once someone shows genuine interest in the oasis. He has little tolerance for wastefulness and will quietly collect discarded scraps or half-empty waterskins rather than let them go unused. Despite his stern appearance, he enjoys telling travelers exaggerated stories about how difficult it was to keep the oasis alive during particularly dry years.
Backstory.
Zarekh was born to a family of desert travelers and spent much of his youth following caravan routes across the region. After settling at a small oasis, he gradually became responsible for maintaining its wells, protecting its vegetation, and mediating disputes between travelers and locals. His reputation grew over the years, and he eventually became the person everyone looks to when something threatens the oasis.
Motivations.
Zarekh wants to see his oasis become a permanent refuge for travelers rather than merely another stop along the road. He also dreams of planting enough trees around it that, one day, travelers will be able to recognize the oasis from miles away by its green canopy.
Flaws.
He can be stubborn about doing things the traditional way and becomes quietly irritated when someone suggests a “faster” solution. Zarekh also has a habit of lecturing people about conserving water even when they have done nothing wrong.
Secrets.
Zarekh secretly keeps a small collection of worthless trinkets that travelers have left behind over the years, carefully arranged in a box beneath his bedroll. He dislikes sweets but enjoys spicy and salty snacks more than he should.