Moshal Desert

The only desert within Beru made of shifting sand dunes in the northern section and rocky outcrops to the south, leading to the Hands of Beru . The desert itself is subjugated to extreme droughts and harsh sunlight in the interior with no life other than the most well adapted. The edges are more fertile with species of cacti and desert shrubs clinging to what little soil and water can be found.
The desert has three notable settlements within its borders: Villambard the capital of the Mirage Alliance, La Brenne; a settlement dedicated to hunting the dangers within the Hands of Beru, and Tonnerre; the main port town on the Western coast of Beru.
At the north of the desert rests Mount Varaam, the oldest and largest volcano in Beru. Its foothills offer some respite from the desert. The Eastern edge of the desert is cut off by a long series of cliffs and bluffs, making the area only accessible by a few, well known routes.

Geography

Wide open rolling dunes dominate the landscape of the desert's interior with some reaching over 100ft high. The northeast of the desert's skyline is ruled by Mount Varaam and it's surrounding peaks and hills. To the northwest the desert gives way to the verdant grasslands that engulf The Gap. The southern reaches of the desert are rocky badlands, craggy terrain and the Hand of Beru, a massive series of mesas that reach into the sky. To the far west rests the gentle coastline of the sea, banks of gentle fog roll in that allows a thin line of vegetation to cling to life here. The desert itself is almost entierly devoid of natural watersources, except for the few that are within the city of Villambard, capital of the Mirage Alliance.

Ecosystem

The desert is subjected to blistering heat year round, with night bringing the only respite from these searing temperatures. The air is dry, sapping any moisture from the skin and mouth. Powerful sandstorms blow through on occasion fueled by winds from the western shores.

Ecosystem Cycles

The desert has two distinct seasons: The Dry Season & The Storm Season. 
The Dry Season occurs for around eight months of the year where there is no rain or mositure in the air. This period of time is where the desert is actually the safest for travel throughout the desert as the weather is predictable and consistant. Temperatures frequently climb above 50°C, prolonged exposure to the blistering sunlight results in death within hours. 
The Storm Season last for the remaining two months of the year where the desert is racked by savage storms that roll in from the western coastline. The peoples who live within the desert know how dangerous the desert can be during these times, Villambard often closes its gates to outsiders during these months, sealing itself away to wait out the brutal weather. The dust storms that are birthed by these storms can last for weeks, and citizens of Phancaster sometimes awaken to sand covering their city after extreme storms. 
At the end of the Storm Season the desert blooms into life as the flora is revived by the torrential rainfall, turning the dustbowl into a verdant green garden that lasts for a week before the burning heat returns things to the way they normally are.

Localized Phenomena

Localised sandstorms can appear out of nowhere and vanish without a trace. 
Mirages are common here, with people saying that it is a cointoss with them. Some say that you should follow them as they will lead you to safety, others swear that you should turn and go the other way as they seek to trap you in the desert forever.

Natural Resources

There are few natural resources within the desert. The city of Villambard has mines that delve deep into the foothills of Mount Varaam where the ground is rich in precious gems, rare metals and minerals. 
The quarrys here mine beutiful golden sandstone, ivory alabastor & dark brown mudbrick.

Type

Desert

Owning Organization

Mirage Alliance