Within the the rain shadow of the Wyvern Mountains lies the Desert of Endless Sorrows, more commonly known as the Desert of Terza, a vast, desolate wasteland and domain of Terza (🔊), major goddess of the Plane of Fire and patron deity of purification and sacrifice. Though naturally dry, the region was more hospitable in the distant past when it was inhabited by the people of several small nations including the land of Carthianum, but rapid desertification began when Terza made it her abode in the first century. The tomb of King Anharos, ancient uniter of the Kingdom of Evenhold, now lies hidden somewhere among its dunes.
The desert begins on the southeastern border of Evenhold in a wide gap between the Wyvern and Jarlschlager ranges known as Terza's Gate. Here the scrubby, semi-arid landscape of Burnmarch quickly transitions into a harsh and arid desert of sandy dunes that stretches southeast for nearly two hundred miles. Scattered oases offer respite to desperate travelers, but the locations of many are known only to the Riffs, a nomadic people who make a meager living in the deep desert through herding, trading, and banditry.
Far to the southeast the desert gradually transitions into dry steppes, scrubland, and finally a vast expanse of savanna that stretches across the Plain of Srevi.
