Kota

Kota is home to four peoples: the Shan in the northwest, the Muong in the northeast, the Isam in the center and the Khamar in the south and southeast. All share average stature, black hair, almond eyes and dark brown skin, and each speaks its own dialect, but all answer to the government at Ban Chieng. The Isam are the ruling class and hold much of the wealth; their culture shows Khitan, Veddan and Meluhhan influence, seen in the capital's pagoda-style buildings, and they dress like Meluhhans. Every week the city receives silver, gold and tin from the Surabya range and spices, herbs and farm produce from the south, much of which the Isam sell on to Damalawa.

The poor Khamar fish and farm the hot, humid southern lowlands, living in coastal villages of thatched huts, sailing small single-masted boats, weaving and making nets, and wearing little but loincloths or light cotton robes. The Muong of the northeastern upland valleys are mostly miners, with some goatherds; always dressed in black, they have their own mystics and soldiers. The Shan live in stone and thatch houses in the northwestern hills, making fine pottery, metalwork and carvings; the men wear turbans and elaborate tattoos, and some northern tribes attack intruders with bows and knives.

Kotans are very religious, honoring many gods and spirits, and magic is widely used to please good spirits and drive out evil ones; jungle tribes keep the old animism and sacrifice animals for luck. The small army relies on Muong infantry and Shan archers, with a few elephants. Kota is friendly with Damalawa but has had border disputes with Khitai, and its main worry is raiding ogres and Tampan mountain folk from the Tashu mountains.