The High Watch
A four-story tower constructed of polished limestone that gleams under the desert sun. Standing on the highest natural elevation within the Desert Gates, it is capped with a massive copper dome that rotates on a track of oiled ball bearings. The interior is a vertical labyrinth of spiral stairs and wooden galleries, housing a collection of delicate instruments used to track the movements of the stars and the shifting patterns of the dunes.
The High Watch
The air inside is surprisingly cool, smelling of old parchment, linseed oil, and the faint, salty tang of the nearby ocean. It is a place of quiet focus where the ticking of clockwork and the scratching of quills provide a constant background rhythm.
A four-story tower constructed of polished limestone that gleams under the desert sun. Standing on the highest natural elevation within the Desert Gates, it is capped with a massive copper dome that rotates on a track of oiled ball bearings. The interior is a vertical labyrinth of spiral stairs and wooden galleries, housing a collection of delicate instruments used to track the movements of the stars and the shifting patterns of the dunes.
Meticulous and somewhat dry, Aris cares more for the consistency of planetary orbits than the politics of men. He is often seen adjusting his spectacles while muttering about 'atmospheric distortion'.
History
Navigational Charts and Records
The tower's second floor houses an extensive collection of starcharts and shifting-dune logs. For a fee of 50 gold pieces, travelers can consult these records to gain advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made to avoid getting lost while traveling toward the Great Spring. These records are updated daily via messenger birds from various desert outposts.
The Solar Beacon
A system of high-intensity mirrors and a magical eternal flame sits atop the dome. In times of heavy dust storms or fog, the beacon is lit to provide a guide for any caravans within twenty miles. The light can be filtered through different colored glass to send coded messages to distant fortresses along the coastal road.
The Sand-Clock of Eon
Located in the lobby, this ten-foot-tall hourglass is filled with shimmering, magically-treated sand from the deep desert. It is perfectly synchronized with the astronomical seasons and is used to predict the arrival of the great seasonal sandstorms that can bury a caravan in minutes. Travelers are advised to check the clock's level before departure.
Denizens
Meticulous and somewhat dry, Aris cares more for the consistency of planetary orbits than the politics of men. He is often seen adjusting his spectacles while muttering about 'atmospheric distortion'.
A woman with ink-stained fingers who spends her days transcribing scout reports into master maps of the desert routes.
A retired scout with sharp eyes responsible for the tower's communication mirrors and beacon lights.
A stout man who manages the distribution of sand-blindness goggles and basic desert survival kits to travelers.
Rumors & Plot Hooks
- 1.The High Watch has a map that shows a hidden, permanent oasis between here and the Great Spring.
- 2.On nights when the moons are eclipsed, the telescope can see into other planes of existence.
- 3.Magister Thawne has a secret contract with the Desert Gate garrison to spy on specific caravans.
Classified Entry
A sub-basement beneath the tower contains a vault holding the original Sun-Glass Lens, an artifact capable of focusing sunlight into a beam of intense heat. It was removed from the main telescope fifty years ago for being too dangerous, but it is kept ready for use in the event the Desert Gates are ever truly overrun.
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