Burninggem City

Burninggem is a resilient city, nestled in the southern-central region of the Living Nexus, surrounded by harsh desert and badlands. The city stands as a beacon of survival and adaptation, with its sandstone buildings and jagged architecture blending seamlessly into the desert landscape. Burninggem gets its name from the gleaming orange and red gemstones found in the surrounding cliffs and mountains, remnants of ancient volcanic activity. These gems are highly prized across the continent, making Burninggem a crucial trade hub despite its remote location.   The people of Burninggem are tough and resourceful, much like their city. Living on the edge of both the badlands and a marshland, they’ve learned to harness the best of both environments. Water is scarce, and the locals have developed intricate methods of extracting moisture from the desert air and brackish marshes. They've also mastered irrigation systems, channeling the marsh’s natural resources into the heart of their desert town, allowing small pockets of greenery to survive.   Burninggem’s society is built on self-reliance and the belief that survival is the ultimate success. Artisans, miners, and traders form the backbone of the city, working tirelessly to carve out their livelihoods amidst the harsh terrain. Their craftsmanship, especially with the local gems and desert metals, is renowned throughout the Living Nexus.   Notable Places: -The Ember Spire: A towering red and orange rock formation in the heart of Burninggem. It serves as both a cultural symbol and a source of heat in the cold desert nights.   -The Oasis of Mirrors: Hidden beneath the city in an underground cavern, this shimmering oasis provides the city's primary water supply. Only a select few have access to it, and the water is strictly rationed. The cavern walls are studded with natural reflective gems, causing the light to dance across the water’s surface, creating an eerie and beautiful sight.   -The Shifting Market: Each week, Burninggem hosts a bustling market that shifts locations based on the winds and sands. This is where merchants and travelers from across the desert come to barter for gemstones, rare spices, and desert-forged tools. The market’s location is known only to locals, and finding it without guidance is an adventure in itself.   -The Forge of Ash: A renowned smithy, where blacksmiths use the searing desert heat and volcanic minerals to craft superior weapons and armor. Many warriors and adventurers seek out the Forge for its unique desert-steel, which is both lightweight and durable.   Burninggem survives through its gem and mineral trade. The city’s miners brave the rocky desert cliffs, harvesting the glowing stones that give the city its name. These gems, alongside desert-forged metal goods, are its main exports, highly sought after for their beauty and magical properties. Additionally, Burninggem trades in exotic desert spices and creatures found only in the badlands, as well as unique marsh herbs used in medicine and potion-making.   Burninggem is also known for its Desert Silk, a rare and durable fabric spun from the webbing of desert spiders, famed for its resilience in extreme conditions. These silks are in high demand in aristocratic circles across the Nexus.   Survival in Burninggem depends on the people's adaptability. The desert provides little sustenance, and frequent sandstorms batter the city, yet the locals have developed methods of constructing buildings that can withstand the worst nature throws at them. Many homes are carved into the sandstone cliffs or built with retractable roofs that can close off during the worst storms.   The marshes to the south offer resources like fish and salt, but they are also home to dangerous creatures and treacherous terrain. The people of Burninggem have learned to venture into the marshes with caution, developing a culture of cautious exploration.   Burninggem’s proximity to the eastern mountains, which lead to the Sunken Orrery, adds an element of danger and mystique to the region. Few venture into the icy wilderness of the Orrery, and those who do often do so seeking treasure or lost knowledge from the ancient ruins buried beneath the ice.