Long ago, such a town had not received such a name, predominantly blessed under Psydon's true watch. However, in the recent era, with the growing number of refugees seeking betterment far across the arid wastes, it's name changed to better match it's current time of growth.
Pre-dating the Empire
Originally consisting of warlords and lesser nobles who stood strong as a pact, thanks to its ten houses of iron who once sought to strike a blow against the growing Zybantine, to only be swiftly claimed under its glorious purple banner, now a long distant memory, such as the sands claimed their ruins to be picked clean in time.
During the years of strife.
With the Zybantine Empire focused on other fronts, some of their vassals suffered under a time of anarchy and drought, the rivers grew dry and food scarce, many became nomadic, as the populations of the realm dwindled, many Sultans sought to bring order and glory once more, few stood longer then a season or two, the lands grew dark.
Rot on the horizon.
When things seemed at its worst, the suffering only grew, with rumors of a plague affecting many distant lands.
The only thing keeping the town of Al Ashur safe was its vast sands and wastes.
Few wished to risk a trek so far on the word of a pile of sand and rubble.
But with a silver lining, passing druids came along, providing the land with a new sense of growth, perhaps thanks to their strange mad god? The waters flowed freely, some nomads returned to their roots, while the rest found other ways and other gods. The rumors arrived at its doorstep, followed soon after with refugees seeking sanctuary.
The current era.
With the current rule of the Sultan, Al Ashur seems a promising land to live in, however with promise comes opportunity, for good and bad. A steady flow of refugees come to its gates, bringing whatever may with them.
Contact with the once mighty Zybantine Empire is few and far between, less so with other realms outside the borders. Most information comes from the few trade caravans and informed refugees, with the people of Al Ashur being uncertain how they compare to the rest of the world.