Brambleweed and other desert fauna
Brambleweed
From the 2nd ed Dark Sun Monstrous Manual.
Brambleweed is a thick, thorny, vine-like plant that grows with incredible speed. Only the leading edge of a brambleweed mass actually grows; the rest is an almost impassable wall of thorns.
Brambleweed grows as a thick, twisted, tangled mass of thorny brown-grey vines. The bramble vine does not put forth leaves. The stems are the actual photos synthetic component of the plant. The ends of each vine are the only parts that grow. As the vine grows, the older part of the brambleweed hardens from lack of moisture. In this fashion, the brambleweed forms its own trellis as it grows. Although hardened from lack of moisture, the underbramble remains tough, creating a deadly defense for the newer shoots. Hardened brambleweed does not burn.
I've always really like brambleweed for some reason and my recent terrain building has pushed me to explore the thorny Athasian plant.
Brambleweed Terrain
The Floral Moss Roll was what I used to make the hedges. The Raindeer Moss is for the secret at the end. I haven't used the spanish moss yet. I also got a piece of 4x16 balsa wood for 2.69. I already had the pipe cleaners from HObby Lobby and various paints and brushes and glue.
Ocotillo
Bramble Trees
For these bramble trees I tried two different ways. The first, the one one the left I did by taking apart a pipe cleaner and using the wire. I then clinched the wire in pliers and rubber banded them closes, then put the moss between the pieces of wire and twisted, then put more moss, then twisted. This took a long time and didn't come out as well as the second version.
The second version, on the right, was just a short pieces of pipe cleaner bent at the bottom and glued to a disc. I then put glue all over the pipe cleaner and stuck the Floral Moss on it. I think it looks pretty good.
Brambleweed
Bramble Hedges
The bramble hedges were next. Using some of the longer thin base pieces that I had already prepared I broke out the rolled Floral Moss. This was interesting because it was relatively thin.
Purple Leaves
Last but not least. In several of the Dark Sun books they talk about plants with purple leaves, and how they're deadly. I tried to recreate that, using the Reindeer moss, glued on a painted wooden disc. I then drybrushed purple on. It doesnt look great upclose, but serves its purpose. What do you think?
Got any other ideas on uniqely Athasian terrain?