The Kami (CAME-ee) control the Sea of Kamos (CAME-oss).

The basic political unit is the City State, with some of the greater cities such as Delona, Lakkem and Metis each dominating a leagues of small cities. Some cities are democratic; others are ruled by Kings. Some cities (such as Lakkem) oppress the native Creon (KREE-on) people, while others have integrated them into the general population.

All the cities however have the concept of citizenship: something they guard and value greatly. It is not easy to become a citizen in Kamos other than through birth. With citizenship comes responsibility, and all male citizens are expected to maintain a reasonable level of battle-readiness. They form the bulk of the army.

The cities argue bicker and fight constantly. A Council consisting of members from each of the prominent cities supposedly rules Kamos. The Council’s function is to prevent conflict by ruling on disputes between cities. It is also protects Kamos as a whole, leading the nation in times of war and protecting Kamos’s interests abroad.

The Council is not a complete waste of time: it occasionally resolves a dispute, and most problems solve themselves while the antagonists wait for a ruling.

Foreign powers find Kamos difficult to deal with, since (despite the Council) each city tends to behave as if it were a sovereign nation. Talking with the Council is a slow and frustrating experience. Kamos is not militaristic, preferring to trade and finance foreign colonies to spread its influence.

When the Kami first settled Kamos there were already natives there, known as the Creon. Their descendants are still not accepted as citizens, but are routinely enslaved only in Lakkem.

Slaves are kept mainly for household chores and farm work, except for a few large-scale operations, such as the lead and silver mines of Metis. Most Cities use the native Creons as serfs.

The Kami are not a devout people, but they do pay respect to the Gods. Most cities have a collection of temples, almost as a matter of civic pride. A City has a patron God whom they honor above the others, usually in a series of public festivals and games. Seuppitar is not the patron God of any city; he is honored equally by all, alongside their patron God. The two most prominent religious groups in Kamos are the quasi-religious Grammarians and the highly secret order of Syana.

The creation myth holds out the prospect of a Man becoming a God, something not fully explored in Kamos yet. Leaders are not seen as divine and Men becoming Gods is something that happened in the past, not something that they would think of as happening now.

The Grammarians and Order of Syana are popular career moves for the children of the poor. Far more children are available than they can accept, therefore the groups can choose the most suitable. The Grammarians pick mostly on the grounds of intelligence; the Sisters have varied requirements. Both groups enforce a fierce loyalty, but are also loyal to their members in return. Betrayal of the group brings swift and deadly punishment, the Grammarians by mystical means, and the Order by the assassin’s dagger.

The primary duty of a citizen of any city is to defend his city in arms: this is why citizenship is restricted to males of good family and a certain level of wealth (the level varies from city to city). To do this, men must practice with their weapons daily.

They also like showing off their physical prowess: the Holy Games held every fourth year give athletes from different cities the chance to test themselves against each other. There is a truce throughout the land during the Holy Games, when all the blood feuds must be forgotten, so that athletes can travel safely to Delona, where the Holy Games are held.

The winning athletes take home a simple bay-leaf crown, which soon withers, but their cities award them generous pensions, and high status. The basic games are running, jumping, throwing (discus and javelin), boxing and wrestling. Lakmini do not take part in the wrestling, because the loser must raise a hand to admit defeat, and this would be too great a shame for them.

All contestants are naked, and women are not permitted to attend. There is a simultaneous Holy Games for unmarried girls, but only the Lakmini take it seriously, so they win nearly all the events.

Heroic nudity while exercising is common to both sexes: but exercise is always segregated.

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