Al Marakh

Al Marakh (AHL mah-RAKH) is a vicious, blasting desert near Nov Matar's southern-most point. At almost a thousand miles long, it stretches north to the River Qelet and the Helin Mountains, east to the River An, south to the jungles about the Temple of the South Wind and west to the sea. It is a hopeless place comprised of broad stony plains, great sand dunes, and dry, dusty riverbeds. This is the desert Belcoronim, son of Belcan crossed to reach the Pillar of the South Wind, and the faithful with him. The name effectively means "desert of tested faith," and that is what it did during the period of the first migrations, testing the faith of the Belcanites and Jaronites that crossed it. To this day those who wish to be priests in the Temple of the South Wind will travel to the desert to fast and pray in search of a vision for their lives.

Geography

At almost a thousand miles long, Al Marax stretches north to the River Qelet and the Helin Mountains, east to the River An, south to the jungles about the Temple of the South Wind and west to the sea. It is a hopeless place comprised of broad stony plains, great sand dunes, and dry, dusty riverbeds. It is said that, long ago, at the height of Belcoronim's power, the priests of the Temple of the South Wind turned the desert into a lush jungle full of cool springs and verdant fruit trees. Folk who visit it today do occasionally find what they often describe as strange fallen columns which some surmise is all that remains of the tall, broad trees that filled the land thousands of years ago.

Fauna & Flora

Al marax is all but dead, and only the hardiest of creatures live there.

Natural Resources

Some say Al Marax has sources of water deep underground, which could be mined and welled to produce livable settlements, but none have tried. Al Marax seems to be devoid of any good thing.

Alternative Name(s)

The Desert of Testing, the Wasteland, the Fallen Jungle, etc.

Type

Desert