Arrakis

Civilisation(Edit)

There are two major cities: Carthag and Arrakeen. City Fremen live and work in the cities. They have little in common with the desert Fremen that live in desert settlements known as sietches. No-one has ever bothered to conduct a census of the desert Fremen, but it is believed that they are few in number.

Spice Mining(Edit)

The only reason for the rest of the imperium paying any attention to Arrakis is the spice. Spice is of massive importance, and Arrakis is the only known source. Spice appears in the desert after a "spice blow". A harvester is dispatched, which scoops up the spice, processes it, and stores it. A carryall flies nearby, ready to pick the harvester up when a worm approaches. Worms always attack spice mining operations, attracted by the rhythmic vibrations. Scout ornithopters keep watch for wormsign, indicating that a worm is approaching.

Smugglers(Edit)

Bands of smugglers operate on Arrakis, taking spice to sell on the black market.

Ornithopters(Edit)

Ornithopters are the standard mode of on-planet travel in the imperium. The ones used on Arrakis will work in the desert without significant issues.

Holtzman Shields(Edit)

Holtzman shields cannot be used in the desert - they attract worms from huge distances, all of which are driven to a frenzy. They will ignore territorial boundaries in order to attack the source.

Sand(Edit)

Sand, is of course, one of Arrakis' defining features. There are several types of sand. The Fremen know and can identify the different types, but very few off-worlders can.

• *Pea Sand* is difficult to walk on at any pace, so progress is slow
• *Pebble Sand* provides solid footing
• *Drum Sand* is tightly compacted, and amplifies the noise and vibrations caused by walking on it. The Fremen normally avoid it, as it will almost certainly call a worm, even if the steps are made without rhythm
• *Flour Sand* is very soft, and is favoured for setting up camp on, since it is pleasant to lie on

Coriolis Storm(Edit)

Vicious sandstorms, which can reach speeds of over 400mph. The storms can strip the flesh off a body in seconds.

Sandworm(Edit)

See the main Shai-Hulud page.

Sandtrout(Edit)

Also called "Little Makers" by the Fremen. Sandtrout are flat, leathery and roughly diamond shaped. They find and block off water, preventing it from reaching the sandworms. They can eventually grow into sandworms.

Sand Plankton(Edit)

Microscopic creatures that feed upon traces of melange. The sand plankton are food for the giant sandworms, but also grow and burrow to become sandtrout.

Chiroptera (Desert Bat)(Edit)

Small bats, trained by the Fremen to act in a similar way to 20th century carrier pigeons (see Distrans on the Equipment page)

Other Animals(Edit)

• Muad'Dib, a Kangaroo mouse admired by Fremen for its ability to survive in the open desert.
• Desert Eagle
• Desert Hare
• Desert Hawk
• Desert Owl
• Scorpion. These are hunted by Fremen children for entertainment.