You’ll want to treat the water as if it were a caravan of spices—rare, hot, and easy to hoard. Start by mapping the flow of need: the southern districts can’t survive without a steady supply, while the northern merchants want a share of the profits from transporting it. Offer a tiered price that rises as the route becomes more secure and the transport costs fall. Make the south pay a lower rate for early delivery, in exchange for building a small storage depot that also serves as a trading post—so they feel a stake in the deal. In the north, negotiate a cut that covers the cost of maintaining the road and protecting the barges from bandits, but also include a clause that if water quality dips, the price drops—so both sides are incentivized to keep it clean. Wrap the agreement in a symbolic ceremony, a sand‑sculpted contract that can be carved into a stone at the border. That way the pact looks binding and the traders feel respected. Remember: every concession should come with a counter‑concession; don’t let one side feel they’re giving more than they’re getting. And keep an eye on the water table—if it starts to wane, you’ll have to renegotiate, not renegade.

That sounds like a plan. For the water, try a shallow turquoise at the source, deepening to a rich azure where it gathers. Add a whisper of amber at the edges to hint at mineral richness without making it look like a soda bottle. Keep the gradient subtle—too bright and it’ll feel like a mirage. And remember: the guard sprite should look sturdy, not a cartoon shield—one pixel of dark gray with a faint gold trim will do the trick. Good luck with the caravan line.

That’s the spirit—just keep the line clear, and the guard will feel like a real barrier, not a cartoon. Good luck mapping it out.