Siphone-Kett
Far from the seat of power in Karasi, Siphone-Kett has taken it's position as the last bastion of civilization before the great desert as permission to define "civilization" as loosely as possible.
That is to say, Siphone-Kett is a city of scum and villainy, paying lip service to the Karasan empire enough so that they don't look closely into the illegal activities. Jai Bharucha, their Bellahan, is outwardly ignorant of all that goes on within the city.
Organizations that create firearms and sell them to the other nations - even Karasi's largest enemy of Cactsia - are the least of the problems in this border town.
In fact, years ago, a small group of Cactsian defectors settled in Siphone-Kett. Their influence can be seen in places like the Victus Mercantile Guild and the thieves' guild of Noblisse Oblige
Districts
Caliginous Caverns
Wet, damp, and dark, the Caliginous Caverns are the sunken sources of water that Siphone-Kett was built to capitalize on. The visage of Nerovae carved all throughout the mazelike structure by the original builders of the city was seen as a way to thank the god of water for this oasis in the desert.
The criminals of Siphone-Kett hide their supplies and have secret meetings all throughout the caverns... if you're not afraid of getting wet.
Amongst the waterfalls and rippling pools, the gnome Omkar is a purveyor of perverse weapons. Cursed items, terrible potions and poisons, and firearms are his trade. He doesn't have a true storefront, but he makes himself easy enough to find.
Chaandee Exchange
The trade guild known as the Chandee Exchange is a loud, busy place. A hive of scum and villainy, to quote an unknown sage. It is a large building with inlaid silver in flowing floral and vine iconography, and matching dark wood doors that are closed at sundown each night and opened at sunrise the next day.
Ferre Promenade
As one would expect, the religious district of Siphone-Kett has a series of temples that are dedicated to the deities of less good pursuits.
They aren't so evil as to worship someone like Reka, but a pickpocket or a poor man both would pray to Althjof, and an ambitious soul may light a candle to Farahai or Skatr.
The Old Philter Gardens
A large glass greenhouse in the middle of the city, fed with irrigation systems built by the old Karasi master architects, the Old Philter Gardens are a public wonder of greenery.
Open to any and all to take from, it is the one area of the city where no one is stealing from another to take what they need - though some may still argue and jostle for control.
On the outside of the Old Philter Gardens is The Golden Trinket. This old, cheap-looking tavern's iconic "gold" charm has been flaking and peeling for years in the hot desert sun, but inside the tavern feels roomy, with a gabled roof that keeps the hot air trapped above the patrons rather than suffocating them. A small outdoor seating area to one side butts up against the gardens, and a trapdoor under a table in said courtyard leads into the Caliginous Caverns.
Yogesh
The most iconic building within Yogesh is the Yogesh Orphanage - which is, unfortunately, not as charitable as one might think.
The children of families who are poor or desperate or both were dropped off there (as well as actual orphans), and they are housed at the orphanage until one of the various criminal organizations buys them.
Sometimes, they'll get bought individually (for skills or simply being small enough/young enough for specialized training), but most often the organizations will buy lots of children, usually organized by age, size, gender, country of origin, race, or education levels.
These children are treated as apprentices, and upon paying off their debts to the organizations they are bought for, they are allowed to go their own ways... ostensibly. Unless you have a very high level of respect within your organization, you really don't have much choice but to continue to work with your organization until you die.
Barge Inn is built in the remnants of a great boat, one that (it is claimed) could sail across the desert that separates Karasi and Ilatros as if it were water. But it is now nothing more than a depilated, odd looking inn in the poorest district in the city.
Guilds and Factions
Sand Shift Navigators
A group of desert guides, the Sand Shift Navigators know their way to Ilatros and back. They charge handsomely for their services, but are known to also demand more along the way... or strand their clients in the desert with no food, water, or way back if their demands are not met.
Keepers of the Silence
There are eyes always on Siphone-Kett. If the Bellahan ever found out what went on here, they would crack down hard.
That is why Jai Bharucha, Siphone-Kett's Bellahan, still has the Keepers of the Silence to arrest and imprison those that threaten to bring too much attention to the region.
The Keepers wear dark green cloaks and hoods, with masks to cover the lower half of their faces. Their armor is leather, dyed black, with inlaid iron on the armbands to look like a crossed set of a lock and key.
Lambent Examiners
The bankers and accountants of the Chaandee Exchange are known as the Lambent Examiners.
Each carries a silver abacus, with which to calculate and audit the deals made within the walls of the exchange. They do not make any judgements on the ethical nature of the deals and contracts made within their walls - you could be selling a stolen necklace or attempting to negotiate an assassination - but embezzlement, breaches of contract, and price gouging are met with extreme punishments.
This is why many choose to have their contracts authenticated by the Examiners: they will deal with any funny business expeditiously.
Victus Mercentile Guild
A merchant’s guild renound for their prowess and aggressive acquisition behavior. Originally tasked with keeping trade routes safe, they have since begun acquiring all shops, banks, and caravans, and enforcing various ‘Maintenance fees’ on its members, while gray robed bureaucrats have become the norm in most cities.
Noblisse Oblige
A thieves' guild run by a once-royal family (or so they claim), Noblisse Oblige seeks to take the wealth that the extremely wealthy have accumulated for themselves, stating that they have waited long enough for their fortunes.
One of the members of their group is half-elf "Princess" Analonté.
Caliginous Caverns
- Omkar (magic items)
Chaandee Exchange
- The Exchange Building
- Prison of Peace
Ferre Promenade
- Altar to Felisis
- Cloister to the Lady of Fortune (convent to Farahai)
- Library of the Firstborn (repository dedicated to Doloros)
- Minster of the Destitute (temple to Althjof)
- The Noble Seat (temple to Skatr)
- Theurgy of Flame (temple to Incenderre)
- The Wolf's Whip (temple to Engenii)
The Old Philter Gardens
- The Golden Trinket (run by the human Heather Hamilton)
- Sharp Notes (music store)
- The Cornucopia (general store)
- Unearthly Remedies (apothecary)
Yogesh
- Barge Inn (run by gnome Jessup)
- The Naked Blade (armory)
- Yogesh Orphanage

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