Simba

Simba is a prominent city in the central region of Sakha, Alidasht. It is located east of the territorial capital, Saru, and sits close to the border with the neighbouring territory of Gazali. Straddling the border between desert and savannah, Simba experiences heavy rainfall during the wet season, and intermittent sandstorms during the dry season. The temperature all-year round tends to remain stable, although it can fluctuate due to changes in humidity.

Much of the city is built in a long strip along the coast of a large, saltwater Oasis. Smaller Oases dot the landscape across the outskirts, but these are only filled during the wet season, and evaporate rapidly during the dry season. Further out, salt plains that were once ancient oases surround the city. The residents of the city harvest natural salt from these flats. During the dry season, additional salt and mineral deposits can be mined from dried pools and oases. Salt is also harvested from the central Oasis itself, either by divers scraping rocks themselves, or as a byproduct of the water distillation process.

Known as 'White Gold' to locals, salt is central to Simba's economic activity. Raw, natural salt is traded to other cities, as well as used it in the preservation of foods. Hardy vegetables, mostly tubers, are cultivated all-year round, but due to water scarcity during the dry season, it is customary for all but the hardiest crops to be harvested by the end of the wet season. Meats largely come from hunted game that gather around filled shallows and pools during the wet season. Salting is typically done during the dry season when there is less moisture in the air, although wealthier individuals who can afford dedicated dryhouses would be able to preserve foods throughout the year. The preserved foods are then used either for local consumption, or sold to adventurers and travellers in need of long-lasting rations.

Pasha Zawadi Mwangi resides in this city.

## Notable Places

* **Spirit of Simba**
	+ This is the oasis which the city is built along. Underground streams keep it filled throughout the year. The water has high salt content due to the saltrocks which line the basin. Although drinking the water is permissible, it is not advised.
* **The Pasha's Palace**
* **Sand Constellations**
	+ These are the smaller shallows and pools surround the city. During the wet season, the shimmer with collected rainwater. During the dry season, their collected minerals and salt can shine when sunlight strikes them at just the right angle.
* **The Two-Faced Dunes**
	+ These dunes stand on the outskirts of the city, closer to Gazali territory. At their peaks, they are typical sandy dunes of the desert, but at their base, the first hints of the savannah cling on. A common sport and hobby is 'sandboarding', whereby an individual either sits or stands on a board, and slides down the length of a dune. The dense and vegetation at the base acts as a natural brake and cushion.
* **The Desert Winds**
	+ This is the largest inn in Simba, notable for its four windtowers that cools its rooms by capturing high-altitude winds and funneling into the main building.
* **Waterside Saltery**
	+ Once a salthouse for preserving meats, this is now a restaurant that specialises in the preparation of Simba's famed preserved meats. The restaurant stretches out over the Spirit of Simba, offering guests at sampling freshly-harvested salt as a seasoning.

## Notable Events

* Last Hunt Festival
* First Migration Festival
	+ This festival marks the arrival of the first flocks of birds to Simba, which is seen as a sign that the wet season has truly arrived
* Dance of the Constellations
	+ A celebration to bid farewell to the wet season, taking place at the outskirts of the city around filled shallows towards the end of the wet season
* Sandboarding Competition
	+ An annual competition during the dry season. All are welcome to join. Injuries are not compensated.