A Shah rules Djaktu (JACK-too or duh-JACK-too by traditionalists). The people are Djaktan (JACK-tans or duh-JACK-tans. The coast is on the Shallow Sea.

It is common for a new Shah to empty his predecessor’s harem by dumping them in the sea, bound in sacks. He will also usually execute his brothers.

This is an ancient land, where foreigners are not welcome, unless they bring something useful: generally trade goods (especially slaves) or news.

There are two requirements to be a noble in Djaktu: be of an ancient family, and be a mage. Children of nobles are tested on their 18th birthday, to ensure that they know a variety of spells. Those who fail usually become merchants or army officers.

Reading is regarded as a proper accomplishment for a gentleman, along with riding, flying, fighting and magic. A noble whose tutors had failed to teach him to read would be ashamed to admit it. Even women can read: they have much free time on their hands in the harem.

The finely-crafted weapons and armor of Djaktu are renowned: their scimitars are self-sharpening, because of the skill with which they are made. They are very expensive, but regarded as works of art as well as weapons. If undamaged, they can be sold for their original cost, with no reduction for being second-hand.

Homosexuality in men is punishable by castration and having the nose cut off, but is still quite common.

All men who can support their women keep them in harems. Women are in charge of their home, even those of the nobility, in their marble halls and bathhouses. Peasant women work in fields and shops.

The woman of highest rank is the Shah’s mother, followed by the Shahrina (his senior wife). These two control the harem (and frequently the Shah).

Usual punishments are (in descending order of the seriousness of the crime): beheading, impaling or crucifixion, amputation and whipping. Garroting is reserved for political enemies. The left hand is cut of for a first theft, the left foot the second, the head a third.

All priests are male. There are two classes of priest: rishi and dervish. A rishi is a teacher and preacher, serving in his temple, leading prayers, and performing all the other deeds normally expected of priests. Dervishes are religious fanatics, who believe that the battle of the Gods against the mysterious but all-powerful Shrouded Ones is imminent, and who train themselves constantly to be ready. They also take drugs to increase their ferocity in battle.

Dervishes patrol the frontiers, to prevent foreigners entering without leave. Foreigners caught attempting to sneak in are killed.

Slaves are about 15% of the population.

 The army has infantry, cavalry and airforce. The airforce consists of highly-trained soldiers, two of whom sit on a board, about two meters by one. One fires arrows (only composite bows can be used) or sling bullets at the enemy below, while the other steers. These enchanted boards are usually covered with woven tapestry stuffed with wool, to attach handholds and to make the flight more comfortable. They are often called flying carpets.

Djaktu refuses to train any other nation’s soldiers to use these carpets. Each flying carpet has a different activation word, and only the enchanter who made it, and the crew who man it, know the word.

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