Deserts on Opal III are created by extensive mining by the Spellbound Alliance. Now, many years after alliance has left the planet, hunter crews raids into the desert are almost a monthly duty. After all, nature strikes back with the same force it was hurt.
To keep stronghold citizens safe, hunters control desert populations of elementals and carnivorous insects.
And traversing a desert monthly using only old tech? Miserable.

Art by M.I.M. on FA