Gridanian Religion vs Reality: How much do the Hearers really hear?

[FJerome]

Yes

As example:

That still looks pretty healthy for a desert, though? Compare that to bits of Mojave National Park.

This isn't really on SE, it's pretty standard fantasy convention that desert and swamp = corrupted and bad since you can make them pretty hostile to the lead character. However the native plant and wildlife feel about it is never really considered.

Of course, certain parts of Thanalan also experience so much rain these days that I'd be hesitant to call it a desert at all.

It'd be cool if they'd open up some of the unfinished areas of the map and have flash floods there, maybe a bit like the CT rising waters mechanic.