Other Dimensions of The Discworld - Dark Desert

The Dark Desert is a transition phase between life and afterlife on the Discworld. It is described as having brilliantly-lit black sand, under a black sky studded with cold bright stars, stretching away to distant mountains. Living people can cross into it, however, it is then harder to come back. Thousands, possibly even millions of people cross it at any one time, and are generally totally unaware of each other, though glimpses may be caught of their movement. It is very important not to fall asleep in the desert, as such sleep is endless (unless broken by another). According to Death, at the end of the desert lies judgement. It has been noted that Death does not specify which end of the desert this is.

It has been mentioned in the following Discworld books:

• Small Gods – The desert is encountered multiple times, each time a character dies.
• Interesting Times – Mr Saveloy dies and comes here.
• The Truth – Mr Tulip and Pin die and come here.
• A Hat Full of Sky – Tiffany Aching enters here to show the hiver how to die.
• Going Postal – The golem Anghammarad dies and stays here, noting that because there is nothing, and therefore no more orders, it is perfect. It is likely that all golems, upon their destruction, will feel the same way.

Also in Small Gods, it has been shown that sometimes the paths of dead people can cross. This is shown at the very end of the book, when Brutha dies, he finds himself traveling with Vorbis, with whom he has already traveled across a desert. Death watches on as they walk across, seeming bemused.