from the perpetually burning pools of lava that dot the area.
The only flora are the aforementioned Trama Root, a species of knee-high succulent consisting of a cluster of long basal leaves ridged with razor-like spines (I did not see any flowers, but would assume from their structure that they would send up a central flowering stalk), and - very interesting - a small plant that from its flowers I would describe as an orchid: it has blood-red petals striped with orange and dotted with yellow, bilaterally symmetric, with fronds of pinnate leaves like a fern. How it survives with such little sunlight and such poor
soil is beyond me - it is important to note that the basin is incredibly humid despite the perpetual fires due to the steam geysers that dot the area - I had to tie my helmet to my pack because water kept condensing on the metal and dripping down my neck. I stowed my bonemold armor as well (not because of the weight - I am constantly impressed by the quality of bonemold; it is lighter weight than some heavier leather armor I have encountered, but due to the warmth of the lining sewed in.
Perhaps not the best idea - I encountered another species of saurid, bipedal, with short arms, standing a little shorter than I,