Desolation

"An immense and tawny furnace barely contained by its horizons. At night, a chilly wilderness of stars. We must go carefully, with Forge to shape our way or Grail to secure us against thirst."

- In-game text

 is an Obstacle appearing during Expeditions. Its Aspect is Peril.

Defeating
"An immense and tawny furnace barely contained by its horizons. At night, a chilly wilderness of stars. We must go carefully, with Forge to shape our way or Grail to secure us against thirst."

- When encountering the obstacle

As told by the description, Followers with or  aspects can overcome this Obstacle with a probability depending on the aspect magnitude.

We call upon the Sister-and-Witch...
 * 1 < < 5:  ... who cannot be separated. We'll call upon the Sister-and-Witch to keep us together through the dust storms of the dry land. It might be enough. 30% chance of success.
 * 5 <= < 10:  ... who cannot be touched. We'll call upon the Sister-and-Witch to shield us from the scorching heat of the sun and the mirrors of the horizon. It should see us through. 70% chance of success.
 * 10 <= :  ... who are pearl. The Sister-and-Witch should see us safe through the dry places. 90% chance of success.

''The ... Road''
 * 1 < < 5: ... Pitiless. Forge-aspected followers are competent and practical, but this is a blighted place. We might make it through. 30% chance of success.
 * 5 <= < 10: ... Dry. We are practical souls, strong in Forge. We should be able to make it between the baking rocks to the green places. 70% chance of success.
 * 10 <= : ... Sun-Scorched. Our Forge skills should keep us safe and lead us through the baking rocks to the green places. We'll almost certainly be fine. 90% chance of success.

Success
"The sun is setting. We look back across the desolation we crossed, and at all the colours it assumes in the evening light. Night falls. Stars prickle. The wind presses cold hands to our faces. Onwards."

- The Sun in Splendour (After success)

Crossing the desert will remove the Obstacle and continue the expedition.

Failure
"Day after day, the sun tautens our skin, dries our mouths, floods our skulls with savage light. We might be lost. It's possible we're lost."

- The Sun in Wrath (After failure)

Failing to cross the desert will result in a 70% chance of a Follower becoming injured.