The Zholith Desert (aka al-Jholith or al-Kholith)

The Zholith (Anvil) , desert is a large geologic depression that was once a lake basin dominated by Lake Ariana, an ancient fresh water lake. It lies to the south and east of the Plateau of Leng, North and West of the great tableland (Al-Faraq) covered by the Faraka wastes. To the east lies the plateau covered by the Jhoz Desert. It is a forbidding place, a fringe territory, with poor grazing for sheep and goats, few surface water sources and limited game and vegetation for hunting and gathering. That it is inhabited at all is largely a product of the caravans that pass through that provide economic opportunities in the form of jobs, trade and plunder. The inhabitants as frequently use weapons of bone or stone, as much as the bronze of their richer neighbors. The inhabitants are by and large poor materially, but rich in pride, heart, bravery and endurance. Most folk are slight of build, but strong in a wiry sort of way, and quick of reflex.

To the west of this region is an area of broken rugged desert terrain known as al-Ghadzul-Maraqhash (Dragon's Jaw) . This area is inhabited mainly by Dervish tribes. It is the route through which caravans of spices and exotic goods from the Far Kingdoms travel to the Delta, and where silk caravans bearing the fine textiles and other crafts of the Delta travel to the Oasis Kingdoms and the Far Kingdoms with return wares. A number of medicinal roots and herbs grow here. It has the best grazing lands and most oases and surface water sources of any part of the Zholith. Most of the human population of the desert is located in this region. In ancient times this area was a half-wild frontier of trappers,miners,traders and clay diggers. The clays of this region then known as Vaja were prized throught Gondwana for their use in porcelains, stonewares and alchemy. There were nineteen varieties. Today the area is dominted by rough earth rocks and brush, and most of the clays that are found are suitable only for crude earthenwares. Still rare deposits of the prized clays are occassionally found. In the past the area dominated by nine towns (Ghevan, Kijkil,Wesh, Quqol, Fhazane,Rupilia,Eywadi,Haqu, and Mundax) whose relict traces remain as haunted places or ceremonial grounds.

To the north of the Taljiq-Saqqar is the Seddif-Khazom (Crimson Mesas) It is also riddled by caves,caverns and underground passageways. Caravans must pass this way on there way to Tretachme and beyond to Junjoli, the gateway to the Delta. The crimson mesas contains the cave of Antac as well as many important ceremonial sites for the desert clans. It contains some very valuable alchemical mineral compounds and exotic desert plants and fauna. Red ochre is common in sand this area giving the region its distinctive color. Another reason is the bloody raids on caravans, and battles between desert clans that have occurred here staining the desert red. It is also an area known for deposits of the valuable starstone. Much of it is in layers of rust that stain the soil, but more useful deposits can be found less commonly in the interior of seemingly non-descipt nodulesT that a trained eye learns to discern from the other desert rocks. In ancient times this area was a great pine forest.

The vegetation is distinctly unfriendly , consisting of mostly inedible plants including poisonous thorny shrubs, stinging nettles and dangerous fungi that shoot deadly spores. This area is inhabited by wyverns, giant lizards, sand wasps and packs of armored rodents known as Pwarqaab (Rock Rats). The animals and vegetation make this one of the most dangerous parts of the Jholith. It is also one of the richest mineralogically. It contains tin, copper, precious alchemical compounds like: Maruk (magical mordant for binding potions), Bhavade (useful in Alteration magic), Tajhuk (Sands of Enchantment) and Zelwaythe (Divination). It is also a rich source of starstone (iron). The potential riches of the Brimstone hills bring many expeditions , but the hazards take their toll. Pelai slaving expeditions raid the Brimstone hills frequently seizing both slaves and treasure.

To the south of the Taljiq-Saqqar are the Mountains of the Mystics (Shari-Wazir Khokhazume). Except for a Haz trading station at the edge of these Mountains at the mouth of Doomgate Pass, these mountains are taboo, although the source of many myths and legends. Dervish folk believe that during the Wizard Wars, the Magi of Ariana retreated to redoubts in secret vales nestled between these purple peaks, and that they dwell there to this day killing all who dare trespass on their domain. Other legends say that these mountains are the homelands of the terrible Pelai raiders, while others talk about hidden elvish kingdoms, cities of lizardmen (Haz) and caves of dragons. It is the gatway to the Great Salt Wastes and the high desert of the Al-Faraqa beyond.

The Mountains of Madness (Janizikh Khokhazume)

The Mountains of Madness are a region of majestic peaks and narrow valleys and canyons. It is arid, pinyon-juniper dominated vegetation, with stands of oak, wild cherry, pine and mushnut trees in the vales. It is populated mainly by Dust Dwarves. It is named for the Janiz root, a narcotic chewed by the Dust Dwarves to make them brave bezerkers in warfare, and also part of the alchemical formula for creating the Jannisaries of the Delta.

The Jhoz Desertis a miserable inhospitable plateau of sun-baked outcrops of rock, covered in places by dunes. Places that were said in antiquity to be lakes and streams have been altered by foul magic into flows of black, red and green obsidian. Volcanic vents dot the region, and lava can occasionally be scene flowing across parts of the Jhoz. There is little in the way of potable water or edible plant life in the Jhoz. its very name is a dervish term for sun-bleached bones