SEMI-ARID DESERT The Waerd - /ðə ˈwɛɹd/ (the WARED)
here i'll want to discuss how the Waerd might have adapted to their home biome, not on a genetic level but, how the lack or abundance of resources of certain types might have shaped them.
So, if Elyria's semi-arid desert is any where close to Earth's one, the two major impacts i see are :
1) low and seasonal water availability.
2) due to the low availability of water, support only short or scrubby vegetation, with semi-arid areas usually dominated by either grasses or shrubs.
How those would affect Waerd ? my guesses :
Food
Small game and birds, cactus, farming around water spots and goat herds.
Buildings
The lack of wood will have Waerd build daub houses against canyon walls to get shade and water or at cave entrances to get some cooling.
Tools and weapons
They need to be able to hunt small fast moving prey, so bows, but those are going to be precious as wood is rare.
Clothing
Skins, leather and some fabric, not too much metal due to heat.
Transportation
Waerd can have whatever they want as long as it has no fur and do not need tons of water. Vegetation is low enough to allow wagons.
Art
Rock painting and fabric waving, drums and wind chime .
Lights
No wood but fat desert plans, so i guess plant oil lamps.
Furnitures
furnitures would be made of wood, but would be precious because of that, so i guess carpets and skins, bags and a few wood things..
Closest earth culture : .... Hopi.
Ok, so, what are your guesses ?
