Aaru

In a time before history, the nation of Aaru fell prey to a tragic disaster. Some historians believe it to be the result of man attempting to attain the power of gods, some believe it was the result of a long-forgotten war, and with the recent uncovering of Aetherium others believe the calamity was the result of an aetherium fallout. Tales passed down through oral tradition only touch on the aftermath. According to the beliefs of the Aarunite's, survivors of the disaster were essentially forced to start over in the dunes and ruins, with little resources available to sustain themselves. Due to the abundance of sites containing dense, unstable mana, the people of Aaru were forced to adapt and innovate in order to survive.

In the modern era, the nation of Aaru is the most technologically advanced. While it's people aren't as likely to develop an affinity for magic, their technology and somewhat advanced weaponry makes them a force to be reckoned with.

Despite being isolationists due to how difficult it is to traverse the desert, they wasted little time in making preparations to send a fleet of volunteers and magicians once rumors spread about the discovery of Aetherium.