The Scorced Plains

A large desert, stretching over large parts of southern Moonspire, hostile to most forms of life.

Location

As the moon circles moonspire, the further south one travels, the more the temperatures fall. After passing the Infernal Crown to its north, the remaining southern area is covered by a dry wasteland, the scorched plains. Here temperatures are icy cold during new moons and during full moon, the sand absorbs much of the magical energy eminating from it, making it scorching hot for weeks.

Flora and Fauna

Due to the sand reaching burning temperatures for most of the month and the rest of the month being a frozen wasteland, few creatures and plants can survive here. The only higher beings that can be found within the scorched plains are few Corpsevines with bodies made from cacti or other succulents. As their bodies require little water and are very resistant, these are the only Higher Beings that can stay in the dessert for long periods of time.

Within the desert, there is not a large variety of plants to be found. The only plants that can be consistently found here are cacti, succulents and various grasses. Most famous among these is the Bloodthorne Cactus, growing as large trunks in small patches out ouf the ground. They have beautiful flowers that can bloom for multiple years at a time before ripening into large, red and round fruit, full of deep ground water and high in Moon Stone sand. This gives them many magical properties, but no one has been able to fully harvest them yet.

Similar to the limited flora found in the desert, there are also few animals calling the plains their home. Largest among them are the Sandcrawlers, large worms, digging themselves through the sand deep underground. When it is time for feeding, they come closer to the surface, feeling any creatures walking above them and waiting for the right time to strike. Once they decide to attack, they jump out of the ground suddenly, swallowing their prey whole, before vanishing into the sands again, leaving the prey no time to react.

Other large desert creatures include the Dunebacks, large four-legged reptiles roaming the desert, feeding on the few plants they can find there. Anyone needing to cross the dessert often uses them as rides, due to their large endurance, being able to travel 200km or more in day without tiring. Additionally, they can be very fast over short distances, reaching over 100km/h.

Soaring in the skies above the desert are the Firequills, large, phoenix-like birds, nesting in the volcanoes of the Infernal Crown and coming to the desert to hunt for prey. Being born in the flames and magma in the crown, they carry the very essence of flames inside them, allowing them to use fire for both self-defense and hunting. Another magical creature dwelling in the desert are the Dust Djinns, beings born from pure magical energy, roahming the desert, leading many unsuspecting travellers into their doom.

The Pale Crescent

At the south pole, in the middle of the desert, one can find a large oasis known as the Pale Crescent. For a few hours of the night, the moon shines directly into it, the moonlight reflecting off the water and bathing the entire oasis in a magical pale glow. It is believed goddess Kalia has taken her residence there, and returns back to the crescent every night to see Lunara sending her light down and greeting her lover.

The oasis is a quiet places with few creatures, but many different plants. Apartscor from a small community of Infernals, known as the Crescentborn, the only beings living here are the Astral Fangs. They are cat-like beings with sliver fur that sparkles within the moonlight. During the day, the fangs roam the dessert in search of prey, before returning to the oasis for the night.