Si Wong Desert
Notable Figures
History
Si Wong Desert
Otherwise known as the "Desert of the Dead", the Si Wong Desert holds the driest, hottest environment of the world and is really nothing more than miles of barren sand. The desert is located in the middle of the Earth Kingdom. Only a select few are mentally and physically capable of surviving in this desert, let alone navigate through it, for an extended period of time. However, certain desert-dwelling peoples such as the Sandbenders and the Bedouin merchants have come to adapt to the habitat. Nevertheless, even they can find themselves victims to common habital afflictions such as starvation, dehydration and skin cancer. The desert's ecosystem is primarily consisted of cacti and a few scavenger species such as the Gilacorn and the large predatory insectoid Buzzard-Wasp.
Si Wong Rock
Si Wong Rock
A gigantic mesa that rises from the center of the rolling dunes of the Si Wong Desert, looming imposingly over the landscape. Considering its flat, barren surroundings, the mesa would appear supernaturally out of place. Ancient Sandbender lore tells that the rock was dropped from the heavens by the gods as a demonstration of their potent power and incense when human inhabitants had stopped abiding by the rules of their priests. Regardless of its true origin, the rock is the only notable landscape feature of the barren desert, aside from the now completely buried library, and is thus used as a guidepost by the Sandbenders or any others who traverse through the Si Wong. In addition to being a visual landmark, the rock is also composed of a metallic ore that gives it magnetic qualities, allowing the Sandbenders to create compasses that work throughout the desert, giving them their location in relation to the rock. Atop of rock stands a large hive home to a colony of carnivorous Buzzard-Wasps who are known to immediately defend their home against anyone who disturbs.
Misty Plams Oasis
Misty Plams Oasis
Located on the very edge of the Si Wong Desert, the Misty Palms Oasis is bustling cantina which is regularly filled with traders, soldiers, and wanderers. This is the last place to rest up, buy or trade anything before venturing into the desert, making it the proper place to stock up on supplies. The cantina's trademark is its selection of frozen beverages, served up by its skilled bartender who dices the fruit with dual katanas. The ice is carved from a subterranean iceberg just outside the pub at the center of the oasis, which for the most part is still preserved beneath the hot desert sand.
It is here where Aang and the group encountered Professor Zei before heading off into the desert in search of Wan Shi Tong's spirit library. A little while later, Zuko and Iroh met up with a member of the Order of the White Lotus, Fung, within the catina and came close to sharing run-in with bounty hunter Xin Fu and Master Yu, but were able to escape by intiating a bar fight.
Fauna
Trivia
- The name of the desert literally translates to the "Death" in Mandarin (Chinese: 死亡; Pinyin: sǐ wáng)
- The Si Wong Rock bears a resemblance to Uluru, the great sandstone rock formation located in central Australia.