The Stone Web Canyons

I took one look at it and turned right around. Just imagine taking a hundred spider webs, twisting them all up, and turning them to stone. Then you're the insect trying to crawl your way through it. No thanks.

The Stone Web Canyons are a relatively recent geological formation to the planet. No one knows exactly what happened here or how the rocky architecture came to be, but it is agreed upon that they were formed shortly after the great cataclysm about 700 years ago. There are several rumors, myths, and legends that try to explain its existence, but they are just too fantastic to be believed. What we know for sure is that this once fertile and open land suddenly became a desolate, hot, dry, and inhospitable landscape filled with sand, rocks, and a maze of stone formations.
The old records of the early explores to this new region are hard to come by, as most who entered the canyon lands never returned. For a long time, all parties who entered, were never heard from again. As time went on a few raving survivors did manage to make it out on occasion. Their maddening tales tell of caves filled with amazing jewels and precious metals, and of inhuman monsters and demonic forces. Spirit filled valleys, insect men, and magical springs, round out their stories, but perhaps the most frightening is what they say actually made the stone labyrinth.
They say that deep in the caves, are a group of wicked creatures that worship a demon goddess of titanic size. Supposedly she resembles a half-spider, half-demon combination, with glowing red eyes and acid dripping saliva. Allegedly it was she who created the rock maze. As she moved through the valley, she laid down enormous web stands that expanded even more in the air, absorbing the moisture, and turning into stone. Perhaps to keep other out, perhaps to keep others in, perhaps as an alien web to trap some strange prey.
Whatever the truth might be, it is best not to go there unprepared or alone, it is best not to go there at all.

Geography

As if being in a dry and desolate wasteland wasn't enough, you then have to add to that the stone labyrinth of twisting arches, tall pillars, wide fins, steep valleys, and strange rock formations.  It's as if a giant spider crisscrossed the land with some enormous web that turned to stone.

Localized Phenomena

Strange events are said to occur here on occasion. Dry lightning storms, dust devils, and wailing wind, are just a few of the more usually. It has been said that bizarre red wind will occasionally swirl through the landscape or that strange blue ice will form overnight. Others say that they have seen the shadows themselves change position just before they look at them. Perhaps the most unnerving is the weird clicking and chitttering sounds that have been reported. What other odd phenomena might be encountered here is anyone's guess.

Fauna & Flora

Plants
Despite the lack of water and high temperatures, several plants have managed to survive here.  Various species of grass, succulent, cactus, rockcress, suncup, aster, parsley, yucca, sagebrush, rabbitbush, thistle, mustard, pepperwart, gila, toadflax, sedge, rush, willow, ground cherry, mistletoe, and coyote tobacco can be found in the areas near shade and water.

Insects
The most numerous of any creature in the desert is certainly the insects. Consisting mostly of beetles, bugs, ants, flies, and the rarer bees and wasps, with the occasional moth and butterfly as well.

Birds
Birds can occasionally be seen flying overhead, but few land in this harsh desert and even fewer try to make a home of it. Common species include hawks, vultures, grosbeaks, sparrows, swallows, wrens, flycatchers, and owls. 

Mammals
Surprisingly many mammals thrive here in this harsh environment.  The smaller species tend to live here permanently, while the larger ones seem to wander through.  Coyotes, bats, mice, rats, shrews, rabbits, and prairie dogs can occasionally be found by those willing to look.

Reptiles
Reptiles are the dominant life forms here, consisting of dozens of snakes and lizards species.

Amphibians
Amphibians are rare here and only a few species of burrowing toad make this their home.

Fish
There are no known fish that inhabit any of the small puddles or trickles.

Invertebrates/Worms
Several species of worm, grub, centipede, spider, and scorpion live among the sand, stone, and shadow of this area.

Humanoids
No humanoid species live in this strange and barren environment.

Rumored Organisms
Rumors run rampant as to what other creatures or beings may reside here.  Everything from enormous centipedes, to half-man half-insects, to creatures that can walk through stone, or have glowing red eyes, have been claimed.  Perhaps the most disturbing are the tales of demons and their monsters wandering through the canyons.

Natural Resources

At first sight, there appears to be very little natural resources available in this bleak and desolate landscape, but with a little knowledge, luck and perseverance, a few natural resources are can be harvested from the land.
A few culinary spices and herbs can be found growing in the more sheltered parts of the valleys.
When harvested, the meat from many snakes and lizards are available and also produce decent hides with decorative patterns. For the more unsavory shopkeeper, many kinds of snake and lizard venom can be collected here as well.
Known only to a few apothecaries, healers, and spell casters, the desert lends itself to having many ingredients known for remedies, potions, and spells.
Remnants of old villages and homesteads dot this broken and twisted land.  Perhaps a few items and wonders remain hidden here, awaiting those brave or foolhardy enough to go looking.
Rumors do persist of unnatural and perhaps demonic resources being found here as well.  If the legends are true then all manner of items and materials are a possibility.
For those willing to brave this barren and hostile land, the canyons hold unique opportunities for the adventurous.

History

Initially this place was wide open rolling hills with grasslands and a few patches of trees here and there. Caravans of settlers came once a pathway was opened up and small villages and remote homesteads starting appearing over the years. Establishing a life here took hard work, but was very manageable, but once the shaking and the cataclysm came, everything changed. The The Sundering ripped the landscape apart from the very roots and the The Binding pushed everything into new climate patterns. A once peaceful and verdant area quickly became a barren and hostile place. People stopped coming and only the most stubborn survivors stayed. New species of plants and animals came, but so too did the others.

Tourism

No one comes here for fun or to see the sites.  Only those that have a specific purpose even dare to spend a few minutes in this barren and twisted alien landscape.

Type

Canyon

Inhabiting Species

• Soul Fire Lichen

I'm telling you those rocks weren't here before. And those shadows were pointed in the other direction. The place just ain't right, I tell you.

Alright, alright.  Can you read it? Hurry, skip to the end.  What's it say there? 

Ok, ok.  It says, "Beware her web.  Beware RAKNIS!"