The Cratic Desert is perhaps the largest region in Jinivar and is composed of two distict landscapes—the Dunes and the Brittle Lands. The Dunes lie to the north and west and the Brittle Lands along the south and east. Though both areas form the Cratic Desert, most people think of the Dunes when the desert is mentioned.
Cerapion City was envisioned as a sustainable, futuristic city in the heart of the otherwise inhospitable Cratic Desert. In recent years, construction has begun in earnest and the visionaries, experts, workers, and their families have settled into a temporary city around the construction site. As word of Cerapion City spread, curious spectators, hopeful entrepreneurs, and tradespeople looking for work have all made the long journey and joined the rapidly growing community. This influx of people has resulted in a new route developed across the desert from Komoko City in the west and outposts appearing in the Brittle Lands.
Cratic Lizard
The Cratic Lizard is a common sight in the vicinity of Cerapion City. The lizards are unusually friendly and seem to enjoy watching people work, sometimes even following them around. In turn, the Cerapion City community has adopted them as their unofficial mascot and, for the most part, treat them with respect. The lizards are mostly no more than a foot long, but some get quite large and though still docile, often get in the way.
Staniel, Ric, and Roc
Staniel was worried that his dogs wouldn't do well in the dry Cratic Desert, but couldn't turn down the offer to be an architect for the epic Cerapion City development project. Once there, he was relieved that the provided housing was comfortable and that the desert, though intimidating, was liveable once you got to know it. The dogs, Ric and Roc, quickly got popular with the other workers and even inspired changes to the city's design to better accommodate pets.
Oliver Sweetar
Meet Oliver Sweetar of the Cratic Desert. Oliver is an electrician. Along with the future mayor, plumbers, and construction workers, he is building a brand-new city: Cerapion City. The new city will be a marvel of new technology amidst the vast desert sands. Oliver is a single dad with a young son who wants to grow up to be just like his dad. (NP)
Ma Diggly
Diggly and Hen is a supply caravan run by Ma Diggly (who's real name is Mara Rales—but she's been Ma Diggly for so long that her old name is mostly forgotten). Ma Diggly travels a long route across the desert, from Komoko City in Iranca to Cerapion City, then along the Vendigo river and through the Brittle Lands to Gensipolis in the Skytar Mountains—then back again. When asked about who “Hen” refers to, she just laughs and spins a different wild tale each time.
The Brittle Lands
The Brittle Lands bridge the expanse between the foot of the Skytar Mountains and the dunes of the Cratic Desert. Historically, this land was inhabited only by outlaws or nomadic bands but in more recent years outposts have sprung up on new paths being forged between Cerapion City and neighboring provinces. As travelers pass through, there has been an increase of interest in the Brittle Lands in general and curious souls have come out to the outposts, not for travel to Cerapion, but to research the local flora and fauna.
Rock Hare and Pricklebear
Although most think of the Brittle Lands as a barren wasteland, many creatures make their homes there. Rock hares and pricklebears both shelter among the octocacti (so named because, when sliced open, each shoot contains eight membranes). Rock hares make tunnels underneath the prickly boughs and the pricklebears live comfortably in the brambles. The two species work together to warn each other of predators and direct each other to sources of their mutual favorite flower treats.
Shilvoya Timpoli
Shilvoya and her husband Nedd live and work in the outpost close to the Vendigo River in the Brittle Lands. With all the activity due to the development of the new experimental city, the Brittle Lands Outpost has become a well-used rest spot for travelers making the grueling voyage to the desert building site. Shilvoya greets and feeds the travelers, and enjoys listening to their tales. On quiet days she paints the prickly local plants. The outpost is now adorned with many of her paintings.