The Arid Waste

The Arid Waste is an expansive inland desert, separating the far-flung colony of Illium from the mysterious and little-known Far East. The Arid Waste is hot, dry and sparse. Tribes of desert nomads traverse the more hospitable regions with their oases and valleys, but in other parts of the Waste the desert is thousands of leagues of endless sand dunes.
The Arid Waste can be crossed by only the most daring of travellers accompanied by a seasoned guide. There is no shelter from the sun, barely any water, and dust storms are common. Apart from the humans and their livestock - largely horses, camels and goats - the Waste is home to other things. The greener parts of the Waste are populated with big cats, gazelle and other mammals. Beyond that there are pit vipers, scorpions and giant red burrowing lizards.
More terrifying beings are said to dwell deep in the sands of the Arid Waste. It's said that a stranded traveller desperate for water or food may see a vision of a lush oasis and in pursuing it fall into the trap of a hungry blood mage or demon.

Landmarks

Siva

The great oasis of Siva in the desert's south west is a tranquil meeting place for the desert nomads. Whilst not technically a city, it is about as large as one, and can house thousands of humans when many of the tribes come together. A sect of water priests live in a temple by the oasis shoreline, from where they conduct cultural and religious rites.

The Hell Scars

In the Waste's midwest there are a series of jagged canyons, only a hundred and fifty leagues from Fort Cradyn. Known as the "Hell Scars" legend has it they were gouged into the rocky earth by the talons of two primordial dragons in the heat of battle. The canyons are deep and cavernous, ranging in size and shape.

The Red Monastery

At the edge of the easternmost Hell Scar atop a rocky outcrop there sits the Red Monastery. It is built of red sandstone, with a singular square tower rising from its centre. It is the home of the Atari, an order of silent brothers commonly referred to in Illium as the "Red Monks". The Red Monastery is isolated and difficult to get to. Some desert caravans bring basic necessities and food to the monks during their travels but it's unknown if an exchange is taking place. The Atari are solemn, meditative and disciplined, spending much of their time translating and writing old texts.

The Ruins of Zagra

In the Arid Waste's north-eastern reach there are the ruins of a once mighty nation known as Zagra. Situated around a fertile river basin, Zagra was a thriving culture of music, art, philosophy and magic. A few centuries ago the nation fell and its people scattered into the Arid Waste to become nomadic tribes. It is a desolate land, its rivers run dry and its plants withered. The once great cities have fallen into ruin and are believed to be cursed. Merchants and adventurers avoid the Ruins of Zagra at all costs.

The Sleeping Sphinx

In the eastern edges of the Arid Waste there is a great monument of a sphinx, built by a lavish king who lived thousands of years ago. The sphinx is ringed by columns and steps, though much of it has worn away over the millenia. The sphinx remains intact, wrought of gold, onyx and smooth yellow marble. There are tales of the sphinx waking to pose riddles or quests to travellers.

Type

Desert