Dead Sands

> *"The sun will consume the sky. The wind and the rain and the snow will cease. The sand shall envelop the dead. And the desert will rule the land." -* extract from a controversial text, written by a radical Sand Whisperer.
>
>

The Dead Sands is a hostile region of near-continuous desert where the sun and heat are the least of a traveller's worries. The region's name originates from two aspects. First, the sheer harshness of the land, as if the desert itself is actively trying to kill those within it. Secondly, the above-average presence of ancient ruins and mysterious monuments - at least some of which are believed to come from Those Who Came Before. Though most of the region is continuous desert, there are sections that mellow out into vast savannah plains. These areas are collectively known as the "red land."

   Despite the dangers, large cities and small villages have still managed to flourish here. These settlements are almost all placed along or near bodies of water, whether they be rivers or the sea. In these places the heat is not as intense, and the sands are not as harsh. That being said, they still have to deal with problems like the very limited rainfall and, in the case of smaller settlements, attacks from bandits or desert monsters.

As one travels further into the desert, it's true nature becomes apparent. Hidden quicksand engulfs entire caravans. Choking sandstorms and whirlwinds of dust strip flesh from bone. Rivers of flesh-eating beetles scour the desert, devouring anything unlucky enough to get in their path. Even the flora can't be trusted; parched and malevolent trees slowly wander the dunes in search of fresh bodies to suck every drop of moisture from.

Clearly, the Dead Sands are a place of true danger, but also of opportunity for those willing to brave it.

## **Climate**

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a majority of the Dead Sands' rain falls during the winter months. Even then, it very rarely falls heavily or for a long period of time. Snow is also an effective unknown, except for one or two recorded instances in the red land.

For the most part, the region experiences an unusually hot, dry and arid climate when compared to the rest of the world. The air is typically cooler along the coast or larger bodies of water, however as one moves away from these places the land becomes intensely hotter - dangerously so. In the most rural desert areas, sand and dust in the air can make it hard for larger races to breath properly. In the Sea of Sand even clouds are a rare occurrence, with nothing but the blistering sun being a commonality in the sky.

At night, however, the temperature drops significantly. Day temperatures of 40 degrees easily drop to down to just 4. Due to this, experienced merchants and adventurers have learned to travel in the late evening or early morning, avoiding the heat of the day but also the cold and creatures of the night.

## **Biodiversity**

   Despite being such a barren and inhospitable place, the Dead Sands is an extremely biodiverse region. Indeed, it is home to many species that can only be found here, creatures that are uniquely adapted for life in the desert. On the flip side of that, however, the harshness of the geography means that many of these species are vicious and predatory. Giant scorpions, packs of hyenas, and sand worms are just some of the beasts and monsters that travellers of the desert might have to deal with on their journeys.

Interestingly, the savannahs of the region are known to have a completely different ecosystem to the larger desert area. Zebras, lions, giraffes, and huge crocodiles are all species that can be found in these areas - species that are more often than not unique to these small biomes. Unfortunately, this has also attracted trappers and poachers that seek to exploit these rare animals for profit.

## **List of Provinces**

Like all regions in Magnula, the land that comprises the Dead Sands can be divided into individual provinces. Below is a list of all recognised and official provinces that make up the Dead Sands region.

* Great Escarpment
* Sea of Sand