Absayris, Desert of the Dwarves
Accounting for a large percentage of the southernmost area of Chenravo, the Absayris desert is the homeland of the dwarves, and encapsulates a wide variety of different forms of desert. From shifting sands and huge dunes to barren rock and plateaus, the Absayris has it all. More than that, the Dwarves have adapted exceptionally well to surviving in each and every one of the environments the desert has to offer. The lands are not split up amongst the clans so that they each have areas to rule. Instead, each clan specializes in one type of work, which it facilitates everywhere in the dwarven nation. This forces the clans to work together, reducing the opportunities and severity of inter-clan conflict. The tieflings of the Obsidian Strip have a system that functions in much the same way, though they certainly have more opportunities to be adversarial.
This is the only region in Chenravo so completely dedicated to a single people. The Dwarves are loathe to share their homeland with others, unless they are devout worshippers of Halfar. Even then, they are largely relegated to slums and areas of ill repute. One example are The Warrens of Halfar's Respite. It is where all of the non-ambassador non-dwarves are forced to reside. Some see it as a sign of mercy, given that some races are poorly equipped to handle the desert's harsh envirenmont, but others see it as a habit of a people too ready to go to war at any given time.
Geography
Due to the large area of the desert, many different typologies are contained within. In general however, form the center of the desert, where Halfar's Respite is, to the north is the sandy dune type of desert. Along the eastern edge of the desert is the rocky, barren desert. The western side largely consists of flat expanses with towering platueaus. The areas near Port Edibican in the south are known for their salt formations from the evaporated seawater, forming a strange type of salt flats. The rest of the south and west portions of the desert are largely a flowering desert, with many cactus varieties.
The Desert is surrounded on all sides by mountains, with only two gaps, one in the north connected to the Lindral Forest, and one in the south, at Port Edibican. The Hammershard Mountains are the tallest mountains in Chenravo, and they also have less variation in height than most mountains. Nearly all of them are exceptionally tall, but even the shortest of these are about as tall as the tallest mountains in other ranges.
Where the desert and the Lindral Forest meet, there is a Dwarven settlement largely dedicated to collecting lumber for the needs of the Clandom. Since most of their architecture and construction evolved in the desert, they don't need much, and this settlement, Bedracle, is able to produce all or nearly all of the Clandom's needs depending on what their current constructions are.
In the south, Port Edibican is located at the southern gap, and is positioned as a nautical trading post. They're able to stop on the western coast of the Hammershard Mountains, where there are a handful of very fortified Dwarven outposts and settlements. From here their trading routes include stops in the Lindral Forest and the Obsidian Strip. While they could continue on to the Goldengrass Plians, The tieflings often have many of those goods ordered into their trading posts to save the dwarves some time while picking up a bit of extra coin.
Localized Phenomena
Hidden farin the northeast of the desert, there are tales of an area created by Halfar that is invisible to the gods. While there are tales of such places across Chenravo, many believe this tale to be the most credible. The tale says that at the center of this area is a tower made to appear as the hilt of an enormous sword. The hilt is made of crystal, and creats the most beautiful refractins, even as it shines blindingly when hit by the sun's rays. These tales also mention a fierce protector, though the nature of the protector varies from storyteller to storyteller.
Climate
Due to the mountains making the Absayris Desert one big rain shadow, the desert is very dry, requiring the import of a significant amount of water. Aside from that, the climates in each region vary slightly based on how much sunlight is reflected by the ground, as well as geographical features.
Natural Resources
While it is undeniably difficult to cultivate crops in the desert, the Absayris is rich in another way: Minerals. It is said that Halfar blessed the land, filling it with so many riches that not even his most faithful would be able to strip the land of value. From gold and silver to gemstones, to rich stores of marble and granite and beyond, the Dwarven mines and quarries are among the most profitible anywhere in Chenravo.
History
The legend of the Absayris' creation dates back to when the First Ones had just achieved godhood. It is said that once the dwarves decided where they wanted to live, that Halfar drove his hammer into the area, springing up mountains on all sides in order to protect the dwarves in case of invasion. Thus were the Hammershard Mountains born. Later, some of Jakular's less intellectually savvy creations, the Minotaurs, decided to call those same mountains home. Due to the lack of food in the mountains, however, they began raiding dwarven settlements in order to survive. Ever since, the two races have been mortal enemies. Due to the fact that Jakular is allied with Halfar, most of the Minotaurs have turned their backs on their creator, chosing instead a path more self-determined.
Tourism
Despite the riches of the desert, the hot, arid climate makes it a poor place to vacation. Some people find that relaxing at coastal dwarven cities is more enjoyable, but the dwarves are exceptionally stubborn on building everything to their size, leading some to feel cramped.
Surrounding Areas
Hammershard MountainsLindral Forest
Halfar's Respite
Type
Desert
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Inhabiting Species
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