The Arid Dunes
The Dunes are a massive expanse of sand, sandwiched between the Forest and the Fields. They are possibly the most barren environment in the Nightlight Zone, and they are a hostile one. Not only is plant life especially scarce, but this environment is prone to large sinkholes popping up wherever they can. The surrounding waters are tinted a deep reddish orange, and there are very few lifeforms here, but they are just as adaptable as any other.
Geography
The Dunes' geography is rather dull compared to the other environments. It mostly consists of one flat expanse of sand, with the occasional giant rock. Some of these rocks also have sand caked on top of them, serving as homes for certain plant species. There have also been sightings of giant bones half-buried in the sand, possibly once belonging to certain ancient leviathan species.
Ecosystem
The Dunes' main challenges consist of the dark, cold, the quakes, and the sinkholes. These sinkholes are thought to be the reason why this area of the Nightlight Zone is so barren, as they would consume most organic matter in close enough proximity. Plants are the most susceptible to being killed from the sinkholes, which is why there is very little plant life in the Dunes, and why many of them rely on special means of reproduction. Certain sessile creatures, such as barnacles and urchins, are much more widespread, and are able to reproduce faster than the sinkholes can kill them.
Many of the animals in this biome consist of either large fish or various arthropods. In this biome, biodiversity is especially low, causing many creatures to react with hostility to each other no matter what, in an attempt to keep any resources for themselves. Many creatures take on scavenging or filter feeding roles just to survive, having to travel especially long distances just to get one meal. It is rare for some individuals to meet any other species in their lifetimes.
Ecosystem Cycles
The Dunes' ecosystems is mostly static, except in account of the sinkholes. The sinkholes can vary in size, but almost always result in several lifeforms getting killed. There are certain periods where the sinkholes become much less hostile, which leaves some creatures to risk it out in the open to mate with others of their kind, though this is mostly the case with creatures that spend their lives crawling on the seabed.
Localized Phenomena
The sinkholes are the most prominent of the natural occurrences in this biome, but it also experiences quakes and sand storms alike. While not as powerful as the events in other biomes, the wide open expanse of sand allows these events to cover much more vast distances, and become much more noticeable in the eyes of the inhabitants. There is virtually no where to hide from sand storms, but they are much easier to survive due to them being considerably weak. The quakes also leave behind large tears in the ground, but the inhabitants of the Dunes will still be able to survive well enough after the damage has been done.
When a sinkhole happens, the sand within a certain radius will begin sinking into a central point, which opens up into a large black void. An unknown force inside the sinkhole will create an underwater whirlpool, which can pull in almost any lifeform that gets too close. Anything caught in the whirlpool, and gets too close to the sinkhole itself, will be trapped inside the void, where it is presumed that they die soon after. The sinkhole closes after a certain amount of time, and fills up with an unending amount of sand. These sinkholes can vary in size and strength, with some of the largest being nearly inescapable for most creatures. It is also unknown what exactly causes them.
Fauna & Flora
Fauna
Fauna in this biome are known for being particularly adaptable in the face of danger, resorting to any method they can to survive.
Krill
Barnacles
Urchins
Sandback Turtle
Desert Wanderer
Agelisichthys
Ammathere
Bullet Whale
Grobbit Worm
Rigipod
Boulder Crab
Flora
Very few plants grow in the Dunes, and edible plants are even harder to find.
Plankton
Pygmy PalmNatural Resources
Despite being a barren region, the Dunes still have plenty of natural resources used by the inhabitants, the main one being the sand. The sand can be tightly packed together to form special types of protection from danger, as in the case with the Sandback Turtles, and is also used to burrow into, such as with the Sand Crawlers and Grobbit Worms. Some creatures draw pictures in the sand to attract mates, or ensure that their burrow in the sand is neat and organized. The many rocks that can be found throughout the dunes have been used as hideaway for many lifeforms, plants and animals alike.
There also have been numerous entrances to the Pocket Caves found in the Dunes, and some creatures use them to lay their eggs in. There have also been instances of creatures using smaller rocks in the ground to build makeshift protective structures around their territories.
History
The Dunes have possibly been around since the early centuries of the Nightlight Zone, but the sinkholes only appeared later, after the extinction of the Leviathans. These sinkholes would've made life for plants difficult, without a stable foundation to grow, and caused the area to transform into a deserted field of sand, which caused biodiversity to drastically decrease. It is unknown if the species such as the Cave Stalker ever lived here at all, considering the sinkholes would've provided a significant challenge for having stable settlements. Perhaps small communities would've survived on the rock formations scattered about the Dunes.
Alternative Name(s)
The Dunes
Type
Desert
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