The walls of the rocky valley gradually veer off here to the north and

south. The trail slowly vanishes, consumed by a fine, pale sand that

is hot to the touch. A burning wind howls through the valley, sending

small dust-devils whirling about, and whipping the sand up into

clouds that make vision difficult. Laying in its rocky bowl, the

desert waits and hungers, ready to devour the weak and harass those

persistent enough to venture into its scorching sea.