The Aethiope

The Aethiope is a large continent on Io that is inhabited by many of the mortal races of the world. It is often referred to as the oldest continent or the homeland by scholars due to the fact that most of those who do not live in the Aethiope had ancestors who migrated to their current locations from here. It is separated from other landmasses by the Akomi Ocean to the East, the Allagi Ocean in the West, and the Sea of Dreams in the North.

Inhabitants
The following is a list of the races that make up the majority of those who live in the Aethiope; it is not reflect the true diversity of life that is present on the continent.
 * Humans
 * Dwarves
 * Elves
 * Dragonborn
 * Orcs
 * Gnomes
 * Halflings
 * Tieflings
 * Aarakocra
 * Giants and Giant-kin
 * Dragons and Dragon-kin
 * Goblinoids
 * Thri Kreen
 * Yuon Ti
 * Merfolk
 * Lizardfolk
 * Illithids
 * and more

The Rift Valley
The Rift Valley is a region in the lower Aethiope which is characterized by the large mountain chains that compose its Eastern and Western borders, the Iron Peaks and the Greenbacks respectively. The Center of the region is dominated by Lake Astoria and its tributaries as well as its single outflow, the Potami. The land within the Rift ranges from rolling plains to expansive forests, and is home to several major civilizations and peoples.

The Numidi Desert
The Numidi Desert is am enormous desert in the Northern part of the Aethiope. It is largely uninhabited on account of the lack of resources in the region, yet some small settlements do exist where water can be found. Nomads will occasionally attempt to cross the harsh sands with varying levels of success, and those that survive rarely repeat their journey. The Potami flows northwards out of the Rift Valley and through the Eastern edge Numidi.

The Rising Wilds
The Rising Wilds is an area dominated by a massive rainforest that reaches from The Greenbacks to the Allagi Ocean. In the center is Yggdrasil, the World Tree, which is a place of worship for those who choose to make their home here. It is rumored that every tree in the Risng Wilds is actually a distant descendant of Yggdrasil although this is yet to be confirmed.

The Iron Peaks
The Iron Peaks are a mountain chain that marks the border between The Rift Valley and Azania. A Meteor once crashed into the mountains several millennia ago revealing a vast network of caverns than run beneath the surface. Most who live in this region, mainly Dwarves, do so in or nearby these caves due to the ease of access to various gems and mineral ores.