Darra

Darra is the town built around an oasis of the same name. It is the titular capital of Djinndarra, even as small as it is, and really only because a country needs a capital city. The Djinndarri chose this one.   Expanding around the water source in a spiral that fits the natural lay of the land, Darra is built mainly of clay brick buildings that are covered in a cladding made of the orange mud close to hand. It is a small population center, as all towns are in Free Djinndarra, most of the population being nomadic tribes of elves and humans that follow herds of goats, sheep, camels, and rarely, cattle as they roam the desert looking for food and accessible water. It is a simple lifestyle, and a mostly peaceful one.   Darra mirrors the peaceful lifestyle of the rest of the country, and that peace comes from a sense of strength. Or, at least, of self reliance and defensibility. There is a town guard that doubles as a police force when necessary, but the townsfolk prefer to proactively take steps that prevent the crime in the first place.   Darra provides up to two gallons of free water to people, citizens and travelers alike, as needed. They cannot give totally freely, or the well would run dry, but they give what they can, in accordance with their overall beliefs. They also keep stores of clean water, grain, and salt-cured meats in case of hard times. They plant as many trees as possible.   Wind catchers are common household features, as are small moisture condensers that use magic and physics to capture water overnight. People sleep on comfy buckwheat mattresses and pillows, or in slung hammocks, both of which allow the sleeper to remain cool while trying to rest.   There is almost always a light breeze in Darra, even when the rest of the realm is still and stale. This promotes a tourist industry, of sorts, when the local nomadic tribes stop by to rest and enjoy the greenery of the oasis. There is a thriving market that sells fresh vegetables, spices, healing potions and poultices, and both fresh and salted meat. Street food is popular and well presented, in Darra, which prides itself on providing a welcoming and affable atmosphere.