Whispering Desert
A harsh and unforgiving landscape, only the strong and clever can truly survive this vast wasteland. Be it the dust storms of the North East or the flash floods in the South West, very few can survive unprepared.
Geography
The vast majority of the Whispering Desert is made up of desert pavement in the South and Westerly portions, while the North and Eastern areas of the desert consist more commonly of sand dunes with the occasional large rock can be found still standing up to the wear. To the far East stands the Mariad Range, the boundary of the desert, slowly being worn away by the sands.
Several oases dot the landscape, dried riverbeds can be found in several locations on the desert pavement, and a large canyon known as the Damned Soul Chasm has formed in one particularly soft area over the course of many flash floods.
When it rains, there are several areas in the Southern portions that become more lush for several weeks before drying out once again. These areas attract nomadic animal herders and hunters alike.
Fauna & Flora
Very few animals or plants live in the sand dunes, however the flatland is home to several species of snakes, rodents, and even a few birds. Kiptari can be seen around oases, and lions are common near the mountains. Naga and their relatives the Lamia are known for traveling the desert, herding goats and trading goods and such, and some varients of Murylegys aren't uncommon to see either.
Plant life in the whispering desert is sparse, but hardy. Nothing grows on the dunes, but the flatter arid ground is home to a fair few green things. Notable species would be ashclove in the low altitude portions, and sulpine in high altitude areas. Other plants include a shrubbier sub-species of Irewage, othrifrus, and the non-magical variety of ironwood, along with other common desert flora. Rainy periods are awash with colour, and are almost wholly responsible for Barque's dye and spice trade.
Natural Resources
Ore deposits are common in certain areas of the landscape. Iron and copper are among the more common, but it is also possible to find gold, and even obsidian in certain areas, along with various precious gems. Clay is also a fairly easy to find resource on the desert pavement, usually in the dried riverbeds.
The sand in certain areas is rich in valuable minerals, often lending it a distinct colour that makes it desirable in decorative charms and in buildings. There are also entire large areas dedicated to salt farms, making use of the rapid rate of evaporation.
Wood, while sparse in places, can be found, though is not usually harvested in great quantity. Various cacti and other desert plants can be good sources of emergency water, while other plants are actually known for their flavours, being the sources of many of the spices that Barque is famous for trading in.
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