Zaidral Niven

Zaidral Niven is a harsh, barren desert (Niven, in fact, means desert). It is not part of any country and most people avoid it because of the high risk of dehydrating during travel. There is a community that lives in the desert who have adapted over time to the conditions, but they are not well known or understood.

Geography

The Zaidral Desert is located in the eastern hemisphere of Arshilkrin. To the north it borders the ocean.

Ecosystem

There are several unique creatures and plants that make their home in this desert. Because of the harsh environment, they are specially adapted to survive with very little water.

Ecosystem Cycles

The primary cycle in the desert is day/night. During the day it is very hot. Very few creatures are active during this time. At night, the desert is cool and any water is more accessible without the evaporation that happens during the day. As such, most of the animals that live in the desert are active either starting at dusk or after nightfall. During the summer, typhoons are more common, and sometimes hit the coast.

Localized Phenomena

Sandstorms especially near the beach. Mirages during the day from the heat. Lightning storms sometimes create natural glass in the sandy areas of the desert.

Climate

The temperature is pretty consistently hot and dry. The temperature difference between night and day is more drastic than the surrounding areas. Near the coast there are frequently cool breezes from the ocean and sandstorms are more common as well.

Fauna & Flora

Sausto is a beetle-like creature that is prolific. They have a hard shiny exoskeleton. They make tunnels in the rocky areas of the desert to collect and store water and food and to hide from larger animals. Choruk is a succulent that clings to the rocky surfaces. It has bulbous water storage structures and long roots that grow rapidly.

Natural Resources

Sand, natural glass, various stones, caves that are mostly unexplored contain minerals and gems.

Alternative Name(s)

Zaidral Desert

Type

Desert

Location under

Arshilkrin

Included Locations

• Zaidrainen