Pollen Sands

The Pollen Sands are a notch desert where drifting pollen has settled. Pollen particulate was blown into this region over the course of millennia, forming the huge yellow dunes. The thick Gnarlbark Ridges push up the wind and keep it from scouring the pollen dunes down to the bare bark, with the same updrafts shuffling away what few clouds form here. Huge dunes of golden pollen ripple across the region, attracting dangerous and hardy beasts, as well as dangerous and hardy adventurers.

Geography

Hot desert marked by towering dunes, Pollen Sands is a harsh land. Most of the region is purely shifting pollen sand, kept in place by a ridge of bark. Where historic floods and compaction have combined are areas of pollenstone, crushed and glued together into the only solid features in the desert. Viewed in a long-term timelapse, the dunes of pollen push forward like waves. There are patches of pollenstone that have worn away divots, allowing for shallow oases in the desert. Most of these oases are filled with sweetwater, as the residual nectar on the pollen leaches into the standing water.

Ecosystem

Though dry, the pollen is extremely nutrient-rich to the creatures that can eat it. The energy stored in the grains allows for some truly impressive beasts to thrive, if they can supplement their diet with water. Given the dry clime, the most available source of water tends to be other creatures. The competition for water has caused an evolutionary arms race; massive bulk, innumerable spines, crushing maws, all forms of defense and offense have a place here.

Climate

Dry and hot, even compared to other deserts on Arboreus. The air is more dessicating than other locations, as ground pollen dust swirls up and sticks on unadapted creatures. The pollen particles osmotically pull water from exposed mucous membranes, such as the mouth, nose, or eyes. In tandem with the heat and wind, water is pulled away at a terrible rate.

Natural Resources

The sand itself is a valuable resource

Type

Desert