Storms of the Expanse
Archivist's Excerpt from: Curious Landscapes & Their Quite Commonplace Explanations, Vol. III, CVI 42.4
"People die in storms, especially if they leave the Rift."
It is well known among the Galó clans that have, for some odd reason, chosen to settle The Expanse, that the region is prone to the most horrendous, savage, deadly, and unfortunately frequent dust and lightning storms. Characterized most commonly by the appearance of looming black clouds coming as a wall along the horizon, they sweep in quickly and can carry winds in excess of 80 mph. From within, they appear, and have been described by people of Orphan Heights, as a "maelstrom of molten gold."
They are reported to strike the worst across the Southern Plains, but are hardly limited to this region. Little has been studied as to the reason for these storms, at least beyond the researchers of the Grand Colonial Academy of Science.
The storms are the primary reason that Orphan Heights required its dome, in the first place, though they also made possible the Atmospheric Lectral Collector that so assists in its capacitor efficiency and energy conduction. It is also the primary reason, other than the water source of the Yedak River (until of course it dried) that the Galó of Jalóheim chose to settle within The Rift, a decision that played no small part in the events of the Confluence to follow.
They have even come to play a significant role in this clan's religious ceremonial law in regards to the Proving Ceremony, but then, they would be the sort to think of something like that. "These storms are deadly. Let's strap a fellow to a big metal pole and make it worse!"
Should a traveler find himself out in The Expanse prior to the end of Confluence 42.4, Dust Lenses are recommended, as is a notarized last will and testament.
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