An oasis offers a refuge from scorching desert heat. Weary travelers can relax in the shade, slake their thirst, wash away sand and dust, and perhaps enjoy a few native fruits. On a long desert trek, a verdant oasis can literally be a lifesaver. Oases beckon to travelers, but many also have permanent residents. A large oasis on a heavily used caravan route might support a village or town. A more isolated oasis might host just a few souls or a colony of wild beasts. Sometimes hostile creatures move into an oasis. After all, it's easier (and much more pleasant) to find prey in the cool shade of an oasis than on the trackless, burning sands.