The region is quite peaceful for the most part, though on occasion, the Erdani will launch highly unsuccessful raids on the nomadic skole tribes that frequent the scrubs. These tribes have little difficulty fending off the Erdani slavers, and have devised and laid all manner of boobytraps throughout the cactus fields. Fortunately, these traps are short-lived, and the occasional stripped skeleton half-buried in the sand is the only indication of their effectiveness.
Dozens of small mammals and birds make their homes in these catus forests, along with many varieties of deadly snakes and giant insects. The most common of these are giant trapdoor spiders, scorpions, and paper wasps. In addition, two tribes of desert-dwelling skoles inhabit this region, making use of the sandstone caves that dot the landscape to keep cool during the day, while hunting at night. As long as one steers clear of the denser cactus growth, there is little danger, though the skole tribes will frequently drive off intruders who wander too close to their homes. Against larger groups, such as the Erdani slavers, the skoles will employ their traps and lightning ambushes meant to destroy supplies and pack animals.
Unlike the northern skoles of Freilu, these two tribes bear more of a resemblance to coyotes than wolves. They tend to be smaller, leaner, and more cunning, having endured endless harrassment at the hands of the Erdani. The skoles of Freilu refer to their southern cousins in the slightly derogatory term 'Cactus Tribes'. The hardship of desert life is often overlooked by the northerners, however, and is often just as hard to endure as the forzen wastes of the ice continent. The southern skoles rely more heavily on traps and ambush, something the larger northern tribes find distasteful. In truth, the Cactus Tribes are just as noble as their cousins - they're just not as big. These skoles are, in fact, even more closely knit than their snow-dwelling kin, a condition brought about by Erdani oppression.
The Eagle's Path tribe is the larger of the two skole packs, with over fifteen hundred members spread out among close to two dozen nomadic clans. They dwell primarily in the low badland foothills bordering the Creeping Wastes, making frequent use of the sandstone caves when not ranging for food. Their occasional rivals, the Desert Vision clan, are more partial to the open scrublands themselves, enjoying the freedom of the open plains. Their numbers are less significant, perhaps six or seven hundred, as they are more frequently locked in combat with the Erdani forces who patrol this region. The two tribes will work together when staving off this encroachment, but otherwise compete for food and territory. Obviously, they're reather distrustful of outsiders, especially humans.