terrain The Great Dunes (Dek Pan)

The Great Dunes (Dek Pan)

A large imposing desert, with some scrub-land inbetween. The only settlements are in the North Dunes (Tesa), the West Dunes (Sekat) and the East Dunes (Li).

Each of these settlements are attached to an oasis after which they take their names.

There once was a South Dunes - but the oasis has long since dried up and the houses nothing but rubble. Whatever the original name of the area it is now known as Hisa (Lost).

It is a vast desert full of high dunes from which the name of the Great Dunes (Dek Pan) derives. The dunes are a rusty red in colour sometimes covered in a low scrub known as Genta (Spiky) for its inch long spines.

The buildings of the area are normally made from sun baked clay mixed with manure and are low 1 story buildings with flat open roofs where most families sleep during the summer. No windows or doors are installed to help ventilation. Privacy is achieved by way of Genta (Spiky) bark screens and hanging woven sheets. To keep flies away Sera (Scented) leaves are burnt, leaving houses usually full of thick, sweet smelling smoke.

The Great Library (Kifa) of each oasis East, West and North are the only buildings made of stone and stand an impressive 4 stories high. Glass is only used sparingly to protect certain books from the elements.

Travelling librarians who work for the Great Library bring its knowledge to those who cannot visit it themselves, they usually shelter in transportable tents made from Hifa (Thick Skinned Beast) hide and propped up with Yet (Spindly Tree) poles. They usually travel in groups of 5 and have Betfa (Hardy Beast) to carry the packs.

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