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Where the dry, rocky Duambe desert lays in the rain shadow of the Blackrock Mountains, Lake Kaonden formed. The lake is fed by  four rivers pouring off the back of the mountains. Between the harsh, high mountains and the dry, rocky desert the lake provides the wet oasis which allowed the primitive Kanduambet tribe to settle and flourish.

At the foot of the Blackrock mountains, the tectonic forces of a folding plate have formed an extensive network of caves and caverns and pushed a variety of lava tubes to the surface. The caverns are spotted with underground lava pools, springs, and streams drained from these tubes. The town of  Kanduambet originated with native settlement in the caverns around the lake. Over time, the tribe carved and quarried the rock and the town spilled out to surround the lake and gobble up the fertile land. Kanduambet's inhabitants live in a variety of environments; caverns, carved chambers and buildings, quarried rock buildings, natural and irrigated farmlands, and a huge market on higher, drier land near the fertile farms. A complex aqueduct system feeds fresh water from the lake into a water tower and distributes it throughout the city.

The town is large and sprawling, somewhat mysterious, and home to a diversity of residents. Farmers, traders, and craftsmen maintain a large central bazaar. A loose senatorial government actively encourages trade and immigration. There is a large, secretive population of Diarmiad worshipping the Ataxial hills to the west. They are generally treated with hostility and forced to remain secretive, since they will occasionally tip over the edge and mutate, running amok in town. There is a healthy population of Kracies working from Kanduambet, feeding off the corruption that takes place in the desert and practicing their dark sacrificial rituals. There are a fair number of “natural corruptions” wandering the desert and hills around the town. The town maintains strong, traditional ties to the ancient spiritualistic religion of the Kanduambet tribe. Many live in Kanduambet and many more pass through.

Kanduambet Tribe
In ancient times, the Kanduambet tribe settled this geothermal oasis in the Duambe desert. The friendly and welcoming tribe, in their hot spring paradise, were gradually overrun with settlers from across Saleen. The tribe as a distinct entity is essentially extinct now, melded into the larger, more diverse community of Kanduambet. Those of Kanduambet tribe ancestry tend to be slightly taller and paler than “non-natives” with blonde to white hair. They maintain some “native” organizations, historic sites, and and traditional art and craftsman shops.

The ancient Kanduambet worshipped natural Truths. They had no deities for night/day, good/evil, technology, or emotion. They worshipped nature and its fundamental relationships with man. While the principals are no longer worshipped as deities, per se, they remain strong in symbology and iconism and form the basis of strongly organized spiritual communities in Kanduambet.

City Layout

Kanduambet is a loosely organized, sprawling city with no structured city planning. The city is divided predominantly by land use and by the organizations that inhabit and run the various geographic divisions. Industry, commerce, and residences are intermingled throughout city. Many neighbourhood businesses also maintain stalls in the central bazaar. A complex aqueduct system distributes water from Lake Kaonden, the four rivers, and accessible underground tributaries. Water is collected in water towers and piped to the various sections of town through above ground and shallowly buried pipes. Neighbourhoods have local water supplies and those with enough money or power can tap gravity-fed running water to their residences and businesses by petitioning the Khagan through their Buccha.

Schooling is localized by neighbourhood, primarily trade-style schools teaching their specialized area of knowledge. Local children are generally sponsored by local parents who are a member of the organization, while outsiders can petition teachers to join the school.

Areas

Old City	Rocky plain at the foot of the Blackrock Mountains, next to Crescent falls. The old city is predominantly rough architecture, caves carved in the side of the mountain and buildings of crudely carved stone and scrub wood. The Old City is a segregated mixture of the very poor and very rich. The original Kanduambet tribe relied on the cave networks for protection and many of those vocally claiming descent still reside here. The members of the Nourani the Scourer sect live and act here in secrecy. The base of Lorringil power in Kanduambet reside here in well-defended splendor. The members of the Maudir of Silver Waters sect live here around the temple on the banks of The Pool. The Khagan's private military maintain their training grounds, armoury, and housing facilities in the Old City.
Palace District	The Palace District consists of a series of semi-isolated caves and stone buildings in the Old City.  Separated cave chambers are maintained for the Aggas and Khagan and their private military. Many of the city's administrative personnel and powerful rich live here.
Northfield	Northfield is defined by its fertile farming. Rich volcanic soil has washed off the side of the Blackrock Mountains and facilitates vegetable and grain crops and orchards. Wet pockets near north Silver River are ideal for rice. Most of the inhabitants of Northfield are farmers, who make the Maudir of Fertile Earth sect powerful and well represented here.
The Glebes	The Glebes are the higher, drier grassy plains just south of Northfield. The Glebes are rocky but support lush grasses, grazing, hay, and short grain crops. The area is predominantly inhabited by farmers, though the Kanduambet gunpowder manufacturers maintain their mills on the river here.
The Bazaar	Kanduambet's huge market grew in the high, dry, rocky flatland at the center of the city. Merchants and trade guilds set up buildings and stalls in a twisting maze. From simple carts to open stalls, to buildings of wood and stone, there are a large variety of structures in which merchants, tradesmen, and guilds have set up both home and shop. Some merchants are only around during their appointed “business hours”, while others live there permanently. Some tradesmen work their stalls during the day and live in their respective trade halls at night. The Tinkers have extensive, well protected facilities here. Busiest during "11 to 1" hours.
Silver City	Also known as the New City, Silver City has seen the bulk of Kanduambet's growth as settlers expanded beyond the crowded, dirty confines of the Old City. The area is dotted with small, convenient Lorringil outlets. The city of Simpori maintains a tribal facility here, where trade arrangements are arranged for all goods traveling overland to Simpori. Kanduambet's smokeless powder manufacturers maintain a large, well-guarded compound on river. Buildings are densely packed and include well interspersed industry, commerce, and housing. Architecture is often brick or the black or red volcanic stone pulled from Kanduambet's quarries. Naturally occurring hot springs have been enclosed or tapped into the bath houses near Farsee.
Farsee	A high, rocky mesa rising above the city's hot springs and providing an exceptional view for miles in all directions. Both the Khagal military and the Exemplars maintain garrisons on top of the mesa. Because the ground is rocky, unpleasant and unworkable, the poor and displaced folk of Kanduambet are often forced to join the shanty town that sprawls on and below the mesa. Bah the Rock, Kanduambet's most ancient temple, is located on top of the mesa.
Skalifen	The ground between the Crescent River and Lake Kaonden is wet and marshy but very fertile. The Wet Farmers who live here on sparse islands and stilted ranches are a hearty and unique breed. They bring in good money through hard work, are generally a proud and powerful family of families. They raise rice, shellfish, and fish. Perhaps the proudest, richest, and most powerful are the Skaliu harvesters. Wet Farmers collectively maintain a fairly mature security force to protect their valuable harvest and promote their political motivations.
The Garden District	This naturally wet but well-drained area by Lake Kaonden is the playground for Kanduambet's rich and powerful. There are a variety of entertainments, restaurants, and high end inns interspersed with lush natural vegetation. The Garden District is home to much of the city's professional and recreational lake fishing and a large public library. The Bah the Forever sect is popular here. Much of the power in the district is held by the Solace & Felicity guild.
Desert croplands	The area beyond the Southbrook and Meanderbrook rivers is the start of the Duambe desert, where the rich volcanic soil washed off the Blackrock Mountains has not penetrated, or has been dried to sand by the desert heat. Here, Kanduambet's Gnoth breeders raise their proud animals. Sidunda and satafta farmers supply much of the city's food, essential but without much the pomp and riches of the Northfield and The Glebes. The Nurani the Inevitable sect presides near New City.
Grazing lands	East of the Meanderbrook River lies the dry grasslands where widely spaced ranches raise the enkei that feed Kanduambet and the Wyin that make her famous. Near the river, the Carmissi and Pavayar gather to make their homes. The Nurani the Rage sect makes its home here.
Alynmarsh	Sand and water mingle in the Kanduambet Sandmarsh. The area is extremely dangerous and the unwary can find themselves rapidly sinking to their death in what seemed like innocent dunes. Inhospitable and dangerours, the Alynmarsh is also extremely profitable to those who can make their fortunes as alyn farmers. Near more solid and stable ground, less ambitious farmers make their living growing a variety of tubers. Alyn farmers generally maintain a very mature security force to protect valuable harvest and considerable political power.
Mines	Isolated camps perform specific mining and processing wherever rich deposits are found. Kanduambet's gunpowder manufacturers mine sulfur and maintain their furnaces here. This is the Industrial section of town... it is not pretty but it is critical to Kanduambet's economy.
Quarry	The Blackrock Mountains provide Kanduambet with plentiful, high quality stone in the form of extruded granite, basalt, pumice, and obsidian. Several major quarries produce clean, carved stone which is ferried down the Southbrook River in barges made of porous volcanic stone.

Government
Kanduambet maintains a loose central administration, while different political, spiritual, and trades groups hold power in different sections of the city. Each independent group maintains neighbourhood militias and enforce law and order locally. 

The politically powerful are called Aggas, and are composed of the descendants of ancient Kanduambet tribe royals, plus those who have garnered enough political clout to claim and enforce the title. The council of Aggas appoint the ruling Khagan (male) or Khanum (female). The Khagan or Khanum maintains their title until death, abdication, or until disposed by the will of the people or Aggas. The Khagan maintains a personal militia of Advocates. Their power is derived from and goes exactly as far as their respect from the people, the personal coffers, or the strength of their Advocates.

The Khagan or Khanum appoints personal Viziers as their personal representatives, advisers, and public administrators. The Khagan, with the advice of his Viziers, makes the written Khagal Laws of Kanduambet, which are enforced by the Khagal Advocates.  

Royal children are called Khazar (male) or Khanan (female). The terms are also used in general public banter to refer to people waiting for or aspiring to power. 

Each region of the city is populated by a certain demographic that chooses its own leaders and forms its own militia. The local leaders are generally called Bucchas (male) or Berques (female). 

Kanduambet maintains no real standing army. The Khagan maintains his personal milita of Advocates, primarily for protection, tax collection, and enforcement of basic societal law. Each Bucchal power and neighbourhood forms and equips local militias that control and police their jurisdiction. The Khagan has the power, sway, and money to influence or outright hire local militias for political or military gain. Taxes are generally low, to keep peace, and often collected in trade or service rather than cash. Collection of taxes from powerful Bucchas often requires careful politics and political favours in exchange.

Bucchal Powers

Non-Bucchal Groups
Many groups operate in Kanduambet outside the informal Bucchal system. Bucchas tend to represent constituents in a geographic area, forming the area's informal government. Other Kanduambet organizations represent specific members of society who are spread throughout the city and form their power structure without the influence of the Bucchal system.

Farming & Orchards
Lake Kanduambet and the volcanic soil from the Blackrock Mountains make the Kanduambet area one of the most fertile on the continent of Beredin. The variety of animals and plants the area supports provide a particular respite from the starkness of the surrounding mountains and desert. The area supports a variety of crops and livestock, medicinal plants, and a range of desert, steppe, and marsh life.

The Alynmarsh and Skalifen are especially wet and marshy and grow a variety of life completely unique to Kanduambet, including a number of extremely valuable medicinal weeds and funguses, as well as several unique herbs and spices.

The desert outside the city grows many of Kanduambet's sustenance crops, including edible succulents, tubers, scrub berries, and fruit. Livestock that provides Kanduambet's meat, eggs, and milk include ustubnas, sprzies, and enkei. The desert based gnoth and wyin breeders are critical to both the economy and prestige of Kanduambet. High quality, well-trained wyin and gnoth are extremely valuable. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and grain crops are produced in the more fertile farmlands within the arms of the rivers surrounding Kanduambet.
 
The fruits of the farming community are supplemented by hunting done by the Khagal Advocates, professional commercial hunters, and independent residents hunting to supplement their regular food supplies. Small hobby farms and gardens are often maintained by residents to reduce their reliance on commercial food sources.

The wet, flooded Alynmarsh and Skalifen provide unique wet farming environments. Dried sweet fruits and baloo abound, while rare and valuable alyn and skaliu bring both money and power to those who have the knowledge and skill to harvest them.

Common Kanduambet Crops

Ustubna	Small, hairy mammal used for milk and meat. Docile and domesticated. Short, curled back horns.
Sprzy	Large flightless bird with a short, heavy digging beak. Young ones raised for meat and eggs, old large ones sometimes ridden. In urban settings, they are smaller and more easily maneuvered in tight, crowded corners. Eggs are laid and incubated deep in hot desert sand.
Wyin	Swift, powerful riding mammal with good strength and endurance . Four-legged mammals that form strong bonds with owners.
Skaliu	Sharply fragrant wild moss that causes euphoria, strength, and speed. Causes hallucinations and paranoia if consumed in large quantities. Used as a spice in food and drink. Can be dried and smoked to maximize euphoric effects.
Alyn	A tasty fungus that grows at the waterline on submerged trees along the shores of lake Kaonden. An export and delicacy.
Satafta	Common cactus fruit. It can be eaten, juiced, or fermented into wine or liquor.
Sidunda	Swift-growing succulent ground cover. The small, thick leaves are eaten as a salad or side dish.
Enkei	Small, two legged lizards that make up a large part of Kanduambet's meat and egg supply. Wild, they are quick and agile but domesticated enkeis are fattened and slow. Their pellet droppings are composted and leached for niter (gunpowder)
Baloo	Marsh reed used in manufacture of paper, rope, fabric, woody construction materials. Grows rapidly to very large sizes in ideal conditions.
Wolo	Edible cactus flowers served as a side dish or in salads.
Sandbean
Gnoth	Domesticated pack predators. A variety of breeds and sizes are raised as pets, for hunting, and as military fighters.
Mok	One of the most-used hardwoods in the Kanduambet area. In dry desert areas, mok grows slowly and forms into small, dense, short trees with deep burrowing root systems. The wood is hard, dark, and resistant to shearing and denting. It displays a regular pattern of wide, dark rings. It is often used in furniture and structural construction. In wet marshy areas, mok grows quickly into tall, thin trees. The wood is lighter and bends without breaking. It is common in bows and resilient construction.

Industry

Kanduambet is a major cargo and passenger stop for the Southern Air Caravan. Kanduambet receives a great number of tourists, traders, and travellers looking to change their life and make their fortune in the fabled desert oasis.

Gunpowder
Kanduambet is home to major producers of both gunpowder and smokeless powder.

Gunpowder is manufactured using about 15 parts potassium nitrate, 2 parts sulphur, and 3 parts charcoal. Gunpowder or flashpowder is used in weapons, fireworks, mining, and quarrying.

Gunpowder is generally manufactured from potassium nitrate from processed manure. The pellets from enkei and other livestock is prepared in nitre-beds, mixed with either mortar or wood ashes, common earth, and organic materials such as straw to give porosity to a compost pile typically 1.5 meters high by 2 meters wide by 5 meters long. The heap is usually protected from the rain, kept moist with urine, and turned often to accelerate its decomposition. The compost is leached with water after about one year. The high-nitrate liquid is then converted with wood ashes into potassium nitrates, crystallized, and refined specifically for use in gunpowder.

Sulphur comes plentifully from Kanduambet's mines. The ore is piled in brick kilns, generally located near the mine site, and sulphur powder is piled on top and lit. Sulphur deposits melt out of the ore and are collected in wooden buckets and subsequently distilled).

Charcoal made by sealing softwood in iron cylinders and heating them in a furnace.

Each of the three ingredients are finely powdered in separate mills and taken to a common mixing-house. Mixing houses are dangerous places, where secret formulations and techniques are carefully guarded and careless mistakes are rewarded explosively. Charcoal is placed into a trough and the sulfur and niter sifted onto it. The powder is then ground in one of the most dangerous portions of the entire process. Manufacturers generally use either a wet millstone or ball mill, consisting of a rotating drum full of lead balls. Heat is minimized by using copper bearings. Grinding takes between 1 and 6 hours, with more generally considered better. The result is a moist, lumpy powder called mill-cake. Three inches of mill-cake is spread between copper plates and pressed by mill capstan or pneumatic press.

Graining involves sifting the gunpowder into various grain sizes in a rotating circular parchment sieve. Larger granules combust more slowly and put less pressure on the insides of the barrel. Cannons use grains larger than hazelnuts, called pebble powder.

Saleen has few manufacturers of true smokeless powder, which can be used in fully automatic weapons. Kanduamber has a single manufacturer, who is quite powerful. Smokeless powder is an expensive product, which is manufactured using a variety of acids and chemicals in a well-guarded process. Essentially, nitrocellulose is mixed with volatile organic solvents, extruded, and cut to length. The granules are screened, solvents removed, and the mixture coated. The powder is dried, screened, and blended. Because of the secrecy and importance of the process, the company which manufactures it is more of a trade family than just a way of making a simple living. Each employee is essentially initiated into a brotherhood and learns only a small portion of the process. Kanduambet itself has no manufacturers that directly use smokeless powder. It is primarily an export but a very valuable and sought-after one.

The mines and quarries of Kanduambet produce a variety of useful materials. Minerals and metals like sulfur, iron, and coal are common. The quarries produce immense slabs of high quality volcanic construction stone, including granite and basalt.

There is a high profile, high value, and high power industry around the breeding of both wyins and gnoth. Breeders, trainers, and handlers are all well paid, well organized, and well respected. Specialized breeds are raised for specialized jobs.

Kanduambet has a several manufacturers of relatively advanced firearms and cartridge manufacturers. Kanduambet weapons tend to be needle-guns, which ignite the priming powder by piercing the cartridge with a firing needle. The weapons are generally clip-fed semi-automatics. Small numbers of firearms are assembled by hand in specialized, well guarded facilities.

Kanduambet is full of art, tradesmen, and craftsmen. It has a large public library, public baths, and extensively available schooling.

Kanduambet is a key trade hub. The majority of Pavayar trade is through Kanduambet and Carmissi. Sempori trades exclusively through Kanduambet, requiring all overland traders to make arrangements through official representatives there. The Sempori desire to prevent overcrowding and cultural dilution serves to dump a lot of collateral business into Kanduambet.

Technology
Kanduambet is in the early stages of mechanization and industrialization. It is a major trade stop and attracts many technologies, manufacturers, and craftsmen. Small assembly shops are common, run by a few individuals and staffed by flexible, skilled employees using hand tools and simple machines.