Varhit (VAR-hit) is the capital city of Ackaria (Ack-AIR-ee-er), is and is often called "The City of a Thousand Canals", (or, by its detractors, "The City of a Thousand Stenches"). Its canals are also its sewers. Transportation around the city and surrounding countryside is by boat. From the peasant's reed boat to the noble’s gilded barge, all travel is by water. Curiously, most of the population cannot swim, probably because of the noxious waters, or the snakes that live in them.

Its coast is on the Inner Sea, and its neighbor Lamnid has been known to complain about the filth that washes up on its shores.

Varhit grew as a refuge for civilized persons who fled from the barbarians to the extensive swamps of the area. These same morasses have proved the city’s salvation many times, their treacherous and labyrinthine ways swallowing incautious invaders. Likewise the extensive reed-beds provided the means of transport for the early settlers, as well as the basis for their early houses.

The poor are very poor, and taxes are high (up to 35%, in theory).

Ackaria is a Theocratic Republic. Only the clergy can stand for election to the Council of Ten, who rule the country. One of the Ten is elected Primate. The Ten control the government: from the Questioners (the secret police who report to the Council of Ten) to the night-soil men who keep the canals clear. The Ten provide work for a large number of assassins, and private work keeps still more in work.

The laws against vice are strict, and spies are everywhere, but the Ten turn a blind eye to the enforcement of vice laws, except when it suits them, on the grounds that it saves having to trump up charges against anyone. This policy also brings in many foreign visitors.

Vice is a major source of income, and as such is carefully monitored by the Guilds; especially of prostitutes, gamblers, beggars, assassins and thieves. It does not do to kill the geese that lay the golden eggs and so, while robbery and murder do happen, they are carefully monitored, and not allowed to get out of hand. Surprisingly, this is a very safe city if you follow the simple rule of not embarrassing anyone.

Ackaria's craftsmen produce beautiful work, but Varhit also has the highest number of prostitutes of both sexes of any other known city, and gambling houses abound. The saying, "See Varhit and die," is not meant as a compliment to the city.

Return to main page. Return to Introduction. Return to Inner Sea. Return to top of page.