Climate of Zanarak
The Climate of Zanarak is one of **unforgiving extremes**, where **scorching days, freezing nights, and violent storms** shape the lives of those who call the desert home. Unlike many realms of Adaris, Zanarak does not experience **traditional seasons**—instead, it endures cycles of **drought, shifting sands, and unpredictable mirages**.
Temperature Extremes
| Condition | Daytime | Nighttime | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temperature | 50°C (122°F) | -5°C (23°F) | Daily |
| Sandstorms | Frequent | ||
| Glassstorms (near Glass Fields) | Rare, but deadly | ||
| Rainfall | Extremely rare, occurs once every few years | ||
| Mirage Season | Cyclical, happens during peak heat cycles | ||
| The Sunveil Effect | Only near the Glass Fields, seasonal | ||
| Fire Rains (Ashfall) | Rare, occurs when Tahr’Zul erupts | ||
| Lightning Dunes | Uncommon, linked to charged sandstorms |
Zanarak’s vast dunes and **glass-laden landscapes** absorb heat rapidly during the day, but with no moisture to trap warmth, the desert becomes **bitterly cold at night**.
Daytime Heat
- The **average midday temperature** in the heart of Zanarak **exceeds survivable levels**, forcing most creatures to **seek shelter underground or within shaded structures**. - The **Glass Fields** and **Borderlands of Ash** are even **hotter**, where exposed metal or stone **can burn flesh within seconds**. - Travelers move **only at dawn or dusk**, and settlements rely on **thick walls, subterranean dwellings, and heat-reflecting architecture** to survive.
Freezing Nights
- As soon as the sun sets, the **heat rapidly escapes**, and the temperature **can plummet below freezing** in some regions. - **Cold-resistant plants and creatures** have adapted to the extreme shift, while desert dwellers rely on **layered clothing and heat-retaining structures** to endure the cold.
Weather & Atmospheric Conditions
Zanarak’s storms are **as deadly as its heat**, bringing **blinding winds, razor-sharp glass, and sudden burial beneath the dunes**.
Sandstorms
- **Unpredictable and frequent**, these storms can **reduce visibility to nothing** and **strip flesh from bone** in the worst cases. - Some storms last **only minutes**, while others can **rage for days**, reshaping the landscape entirely. - **Nomads and caravans** rely on **storm-sensing rituals and old paths** to predict when it is safe to travel.
Glassstorms
- A rare but **lethal phenomenon** unique to the **Glass Fields of Zanarak**. - Wind carries **fragments of razor-sharp glass**, turning the air into a **whirling deathtrap**. - Even seasoned **Gilaari miners** refuse to work during a **glassstorm**, retreating into **shelters carved into stone or sand dunes**.
Drought Cycles
- **Rain is extremely rare** in Zanarak, often not falling for **years at a time**. - When rain does come, it is often **violent and brief**, forming **temporary oases** that quickly vanish. - Some settlements, like Mirajhar, are rumored to have **hidden wells** or knowledge of **underground water sources**.
Unique Weather Phenomena
Beyond its **deadly heat and storms**, Zanarak experiences **rare, mysterious atmospheric events**, shaping both **myth and survival strategies** among its inhabitants.
Mirage Season
- Occurring at **the peak of Zanarak’s heat cycle**, when **air distortions become strongest**. - Entire **phantom cities, illusory lakes, and shifting landmarks** appear, luring travelers to **their doom or to hidden truths.** - Some **Sunshifters** claim that during this season, one can **see visions of the past and future** in the shimmering dunes.
The Sunveil Effect
- A **phenomenon near the Glass Fields**, occurring when the **sun strikes the translucent spires at the perfect angle**. - The desert **glows like liquid gold**, turning the entire region into **a blinding, dreamlike expanse of endless light**. - Travelers caught in this **suffer extreme disorientation**, and some believe it to be **a divine test from Arenam**.
Fire Rains (Rare Ashfall)
- When the **volcanoes of Tahr’Zul erupt**, **fine volcanic ash drifts** over Zanarak, coating the dunes in a **thin layer of black dust**. - This **chokes the air**, making breathing difficult, but also **fertilizes rare desert plant life** that blooms briefly before dying.
Lightning Dunes
- During certain **charged sandstorms**, the **friction of the winds** generates **static discharges**. - This causes **blue-white arcs of lightning** to **dance across the dunes**, creating an eerie and **beautifully dangerous sight**. - Some Sunshifters believe these storms **charge mirage glass with latent power**, making these storms highly sought after by **desert alchemists**.
Impact on Settlements & Survival
To endure **Zanarak’s climate**, settlements and travelers must adapt in **clever and resourceful ways**.
Architecture & Shelter
- **Buildings are often half-buried** in the sand to **retain cool air** and **provide insulation against freezing nights**. - **Glass and obsidian reinforcements** protect structures from **sandstorms and glassstorms**. - **Mirrored rooftops and white stone walls** help **deflect heat away from dwellings**.
Travel & Survival Strategies
- **Movement is timed**—caravans travel **only at dawn or dusk** to **avoid heatstroke**. - **Water is life**—traders value **fresh water above gold**, and settlements **closely guard their wells**. - **Protective clothing**—travelers wear **loose, layered fabrics** to **trap cool air and block the sun**.
"The Desert Burns, the Desert Freezes, the Desert Remains"
A saying among the desert dwellers of Zanarak, symbolizing the **unyielding nature of the sands**—to survive here, one must be **as adaptable as the shifting dunes themselves**.