Consisting mainly of equatorial desert, Xial (or Zhial, from anc. Zhih-g'lahn / blurred sight, mirage) is bordered by the Mountains of Gol to the South and the Arlanga Mountains to the North.
Despite the seemingly barren landscape, the flat plains below Arlanga are famous for their rich volcanic soil and in recent centuries have become the "breadbasket of Vulcan". The thick deposits of tephra and volcanic loam in combination with extensive solar-powered farming complexes provide much of the food for the great cities of Regar and Shi'Kahr, as well as some exotic but much loved offworld delicacies such as Terran tomatoes and oranges, or Ktarian melons.
The arid wastes and shifting sands of central Xial are birthplace of many legends and myths of ancient Vulcan (and are indeed what most offworlders imagine the entire planet looks like). Natural phenomena that contribute to the myths of desert demons and spirits are the Sefla Uralay (singing dunes), and the electromagnetic storms that sometimes cross into Xial from Sas-a-Shar.
The foothills of the Heyalar t'Gol (Mountains of Gol) are home to hundreds of small, lovingly tended g'teth farms, providing a variety of beans for the famous Vulcan Mocha.
History
[[Category: Vulcan (Planet)