D&D 5E Noncombat Encounter - Desert

Noncombat Encounters include creature groups, hazards and lone npcs. Maybe a lost lizardfolk, a forest fire or a talkative druid
The desert conjures images of sun-blasted wastes, stark canyons and sandy ridges. Encounters may take place at a well-guarded oasis, a lonely mesa, among half buried ruins or in the bed of a dried up river.

terrain: sources:

Alfin Calabra is a perverse halfling guard with a strong jaw. She is a member of a group of adventurers, Graceful Twin of Willowbrook and seeks glory at any cost
At a carved rock by a patch of tumbleweed (nearby is a stony outcrop)
They are digging a pit
Possibly... they have a map of a trapped tomb and answer to a puzzle at the entrance

Westhelm is a mature succubus/incubus with an exceptional beauty. They like the subject of a style of art and are currently looking for entertainment
At a yellow valley (it is associated with a dangerous golem)
They are looking for gold

Earwen is an intolerant triton tribal warrior with long fingers. They believe in educating others about religion and are currently singing
At a salt pan and a patch of dirty short grass (there are a few animal bones)
They are dehydrated
Possibly... they have 1d4 Potions of Healing

Kolga Icedream is a well-muscled female kobold tribal warrior with an ornate brooch. She loves talking in Goblin and is currently standing by a reed-filled pool with something shiny
At a field of shifting dunes (it is associated with snakes)
They are herding domesticated beasts

Oscu is an austere weretiger with a hairy rabbit. They are on a personal quest for enlightenment and have possession of forbidden lore
At a rocky valley (which is protected by an awakened tree)
They are playing in sand

They are the loyal mount of another creature and have been ordered to stay here until their rider returns.
At a few exposed cactis by a sand-scoured obelisk (nearby is a slope of dirty sedge)
They are looking for gold

Peemki Scratchpipe is a drunk dragonborn thug with a magical gold totem. They like ear jokes and have a collection of weird magic items from many lands
At a verdant oasis (the area is associated with a mysterious brass dragon)
They are investigating ruins
Possibly... they have a Potion of Mind Reading

Falzu Cotton is a babbling human cultist with a furry flumph companion. They are a member of a temple to a power of the sun and are currently exercising
At a part-buried monument (close to a group of large tents)
They are angry about something
Possibly... they have a scroll tube with documents of ownership for a piece of land with a valuable mine

They are hungry and look at you hopefully
At a collapsed ornate tomb and a dusty small monument (there is a pile of stones)
They are in need of help
Possibly... they have a Dust of Disappearance

Horse is an angry elf assassin with several axes. They are a famed singer and are currently knitting
At a ruined stone wall by a patch of sedge (close by is a ruined stone wall)
They are searching for water