Type: Terrestrial
Diameter: 9500 km
Atmosphere: Terrestrial
Climate: Warm
Hydrographics: 10%
Population: Millions
Government: Oligarchy
Law Level: Permissive
Tech Level: V (Industrial Age)
Hooks: Commercial, Resource Extraction
Water covers only one-tenth of Anian's surface, the majority of which can be found in a small saltwater sea near the world's south pole. The land around this sea is comparatively hospitable and is therefore the location of Anian's major settlement, Haveno de Anian. Scattered across the world are a few tropical forests and arable plains, but rugged hills and desert wastelands are far more common. The most impressive of these of deserts, called simply “La Granda Dezerto” by non-natives, occupies close to a third of Anian's landmass.
In ancient times, La Grand Dezerto was the floor of a vast ocean. Over time, as Anian grew hotter, this ocean dried up, leaving behind a wealth of mineral beds and salts, consisting of boron, copper, cobalt, manganese, and nickel, among many others. These resources have attracted a number of offworld corporations, the most prominent of which is AnianKomp, chartered on Ulmo (see Thousand Suns Rulebook, p. 267), although a half-dozen others, not to mention smaller enterprises are active extracting resources from the planet.
The natives of Anian are descended from Terran colonists of the Old Federation. When recontacted by the Terran State two centuries ago, they had regressed to an Industrial Age civilization (Class V). The culture that evolved in isolation is now in retreat, as more and more offworlders come to Anian and their influence spreads. Nevertheless, natives still govern the planet, though the government's main function these days is taxing and regulating offworld corporate interests.
Other natives dwell in La Granda Dezerto. Their precise number is not known but is estimated to be in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. Known as Korsaroj, they are divided into many squabbling tribes and clans. Many make their living by banditry. Until recently, the Korsaroj were merely nuisances. However, in the last few years, their attacks have been more fierce and -- worse -- coordinated. They seem to take particular umbrage against offworld corporations and those natives who aid them.
Contributor: James Maliszewski