The Rimal Suhra Desert (rim-al, sue-ra)
The Rimal Suhra is a harsh, barren desert, with windswept sand as far as the horizon. Very few plants or animals can survive in such a desolate place. Leagues of sand dunes interrupt what would otherwise be an open, flat, beige and brown landscape. The few rains that do come are not known to visit this place in consecutive years, however occasional fog does roll in from time to time. The hot days are only mocked by the frigid nights, where one curses the heat and then prays for its return. The environmental conditions and the loneliness of the empty expanse have even been known to play ticks on one's eyes and ears.
Geography
This is a dry, sandy desert, devoid of almost all life. It is located approximately 30 degrees north of the planet's equator. It appears as a wide ranging, flat landscape, filled with sand and dunes as far as the eye can see. There are no rivers or stable bodies of water in the desert and the only moisture available is that which blows in as rare fog or seeps from underground springs.
Ecosystem
The dry desiccating winds allow for few animals or plants to survive in such an arid environment. The few that do live here are specially adapted to such harsh conditions. Many animals live below the shifting sands, avoiding the day time sun or have adapted to take moisture out of the things they eat. The plants have thick waxy leaves or spines to prevent water loss and offer some protection from the animals that seek their moisture. Life here is uncertain and only the fittest and most adaptable can survive.
Localized Phenomena
The rare traveler or adventurer has on occasion reported many unusual phenomena in the area. The most common occurrences are strong winds that blow up without warning and strange, rainless thunderstorms. Several have claimed to hear faint voices, always just beyond the nearest dune, only to run there and see nothing. Others swear to seeing hazy silhouettes in the rare twilight fog. What these are odd happenings are, still remains a mystery.
Fauna & Flora
Plants
Hardly any plants grow in the shifting sands of this dry landscape. The few that do, are in a constant struggle to survive. Some native exceptions are the Nara Melon Plant and the Wellwishya Plant. A few lichens can be found growing on rocks or old debris. Viper Tooth Palm and Lizard Eye Dates have found their way into the slightly more humid areas of the desert.
Insects
The most numerous of any creature in the desert is certainly the insects. Consisting mostly of beetles, ants, flies, and the rarer bees and wasps, with the occasional moth and butterfly as well.
Birds
Birds can occasionally be seen flying overhead, but few land in this harsh desert and even fewer try to make a home of it. They usually consist of birds of prey, such as the cactus owls, vultures, falcons, hawks, and eagles. The owls usually feed on the mice and rats, falcons and hawks take migrating song birds, vultures and eagles patiently soar on the heated thermal updrafts looking for fallen animals to scavenge on.
Mammals
Few mammals live here, as the extremes of the desert environment are too much to handle for most. The few that do manage to survive are usually small burrowers, such as mice and rats and usually carry disease.
Reptiles
Reptiles are by far the most successful of the large animals in the desert. Most commonly the snakes, lizards and even a few tortoises make the desert their home. Sidewinders, rattlesnakes, horned lizards, skinks, Sand Tortoises and their relatives live here.
Amphibians
Amphibians do not survive for long in this harsh desert environment and there are no native species that inhabit this area.
Fish
There are no fish present in any of the rare trickles and water seeps of the desert.
Invertebrates/Worms
The armored Hooked Worm lives in many deserts, just below the shifting sands. As do the Noose Worms, Scratcher Mites, and Bleeder Ticks. Many spiders, centipedes, and scorpions can be found under old plant debris or in rock piles.
Humanoids
Few humanoids attempt to reside in this inhospitable environment. Usually they are nomadic tribes of stubborn humans mixed with dwarves or the occasional half elf. Several tribes of Kobolds and even desert dwelling Lacertians like The Sa Mac tribes are known to have carved out a living here.
Rumored Organisms
In addition to the expected plants and animals living in the desert, occasionally giant versions of each can be found here as well. There are also many rumored but unsubstantiated creatures hidden in the far recesses. Tales of sphinx, eerie lights, ghosts, and Elementals, have been told around the campfire. Where there are deserts, there usually seems to be a variety of unknown creatures and even the undead as well.
Natural Resources
At first sight, there appears to be very little natural resources available in this desert, but with a little knowledge, luck, and perseverance, a few natural resources are can be harvested from the land.
A few culinary spices and herbs can be found growing in the more sheltered parts of the desert. The sparse Nara Melon Plants produce seasonal watery melons, which can last for long periods of time. Their oily rinds are often sold for cosmetics.
When harvested, the meat from many snakes and lizards are available and also produce decent hides with decorative patterns. For the more unsavory shopkeeper, many kinds of snake and lizard venom can be collected here as well.
Known only to a few apothecaries, healers, and spell casters, the desert lends itself to having many ingredients known for remedies, potions, and spells.
Remnants of lost travelers and desert wanderers can on occasion be found, particularly near the shady rocky outcroppings.
For those willing to brave this barren and hostile land, The Rimal Suhra desert holds a few plant and animal species that offer unique opportunities.
Tourism
This desolate land is not on anyone's list of places to visit. There are no cities, towns, or tourists in this remote region and anyone that is present, is here for a specific and nonleisurely purpose.
Dangers
The desert is a hard and unforgiving place with very few plants or animals, most of which can hurt you. Although some beauty does spring up from time to time. Inhabitants that manage to survive here, have reported on the many dangers of The Rimal Suhra Desert. From intense heat and dehydration, to sandstorms and blinding sun, heat stroke and infectious diseases, poisonous plants and animals, magical creatures and various races of traveling humanoids.
Diseases
Those that manage to survive their time in the desert are often killed much later by forgotten and overlooked infectious disease. Grey Scale, White-Eye, Desert Fever, Hanta Virus, and The Gasp just to name a few. Many wish that they had heeded the warning to cover their eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent any foreign agents from entering the body.
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