Albia

Albia is a desert country in central Alterieth that was once home to the native Albians, but was later claimed by their expanding neighbors, the Ashtar Empire.

Geography
Terrain

Albia is mostly rocky desert, with canyons to the north. The country is dry in most areas in central Albia, but mountains cover the north and western borders, where canyons and vegetation cover most of the area.

Climate

Albia has a desert climate with a large diurnal and seasonal temperature range. Temperatures can reach 45°C during the summer, and 0°C during the winter.

Vegatation and Agriculture

Few plants can survive the low precipitation found in the Albian deserts, plants that can last in the dry conditions, such as tumbleweed and cacti, are found here.

Farming is not easy in Albia; the dry conditions make few plants able to grow here, but both the Ashtarian and native people have founded methods. The Ashtar farmers rely on irrigation to continually water their crops, while the natives rely on a more natural form of farming. In the north and east, native farmers plant their crops on slopes prone to flooding, so the flood water will wash over the crops.

Wildlife

Albia is native to a wide variety of wildlife who are conditioned for Albias climate. Coyotes and cougars are common predators of the desert country. War Rhinos also originate here, a species of rhinoceros used as charging steeds by some armies.

Dangerous animals such as the Sun Bite Spider are known to inhabit the regions of central Albia. They are often killed as a rite of passage for tribes, and their venom fetch a very high price in the market.

Population
The people of Albia are divided by two groups; the Imperials who claimed Albia for their home country of Ashtar, and the native Albian who once lived in tribes before the imperial expansion.

Ethnic Groups

The Ashtarians, who originated from the neighboring country Ashtar, built cities surrounding the center of the Sol Desert, but never in the center due to how dry the area is. Occasionally a temporary settlement will be made, but only for a short time by explorers and scholars with an interest in the desert. Most Albian live among the Ashtarians in their cities, but a few hold on to the tradition of their old tribal society within central Albia.

Early Architecture 

In early history of the Ashtar expansion, many forts were built that now litter the Sol Desert. only a few are still in Ashtar control, while others are home to other belligerents or simply left to ruin. Also left behind are the ruins of the old Albian ancestors, carved into mountains and rock. these are especially common in the canyons of North Albia.