The Southern Deserts cover a vast area to the South of the Great Ocean, stretching from the Grasslands and the mountains around Hublor in the West to the Caspian Mountains, Ksarilach and the Gorge to the East. They comprise a mixture of sand, rock (hammada) and salt deserts. The largest area is of sand deserts, with the hottest parts lying South of the Great Oases, and the coldest towards the Wall at the Edge of the World. The sand deserts are characterised by the great dunes (or "ergs").
The only cities of any size are the three great Southern Cities along the coast, Tehmor (which is really in the Grasslands), Vavistor and Iklaron, and Quthar on the West Oasis. There are smaller towns and villages around the Great Oases, but the people of the Desert are nomadic and the barren terrain does not support many other permanent settlements.
The Great Oases lie in the heart of the Desert, around the spring-fed lakes of Kinna (the West Oasis) and Alora (the East Oasis). The fertile ground around the lakes is densely cultivated, and heavily populated by farmers and nomadic tribes coming in from the desert to trade.
Outside the Great Oases and the coastal fringes, the Desert is not devoid of vegetation. Many plants have adapted to the harsh conditions, or grow along the wadis (seasonal watercourses). The Druids and Religious Cults have established communities at the Sacred Sites of the Oasis of Oranges and Acacia by Lake Alora in the East Oasis, the Oasis of Pineapples and Coconuts on the Wadi Djma in the Northern Desert, the Oasis of Dates and Pomegranates on the Wadi Koura in the Western Desert, the Oasis of Olives and Eucalyptus by the River Smer in the Eastern Desert, and the Oasis of Broom and Tamarisk in the Southern Desert (off map). The Oasis of Pineapples and Coconuts is the Sacred Heart, and was formerly the Kasbah (stronghold) of the Warrior Priests of ORIL, but the Cult broke up on the death of its Goddess. The Oasis of Olives and Eucalyptus is famed for its poison trade, and rumoured to have connections with the Scorpion Cults. The Oases of Dates and Pomegranates and of Broom and Tamarisk are secretive and discourage visitors. The Nature Spirits and Elementals of the Desert are referred to locally as "Djinns" or "Djinni".
There is no central government. The Cities are governed by independent Overlords (or "Pashas") and each of the tribes has its own Sheikh, who is a spiritual as well as military leader, and often a Marabout, a holy man or shaman. The Druidic Oases are ruled by the Archdruids and High Priests. Cultism is rife.
The people of the Desert have a reputation for hostility and worshipping Evil Gods. Although there are such tribes, this reputation is largely undeserved. All Gods are worshipped, and whilst there is conflict between the different factions (especially in Tehmor - famed as the City of Forty Factions), there is more tolerance between the tribes than is to be found in many other nations of the Overworld. The tribes set great store on hospitality, and once they have welcomed a guest into their tents, treat him as one of the family.
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