Kutaba

Kutaba is the southeastern corner on the right bank of the Šyul, bordered on the three sides by water. To the east lies the Šyul, to the South the Southern Ocean, to west the Khron River which also denotes the northern reaches. Neighbouring regions are Imitas in the west and Rahap in the north. It was a forested area with regular rains, somewhat colder in climate than the neigbouring lands. Conquered during the 4th century the territory was turned into vast farmlands and pasturages. During the Deluge the somewhat sparse, rural population was thinned out even more before getting replaced by a mixture of southern boatsmen, Lifili refugees, Westerners and Hadašhim remains.

Nowadays it remains a less-developed area of many villages. Although largely peaceful, no nominal overlord does exist. Conflict mediation happens by weapons. Trade is confined to few fortified settlement alond the coast and the riverbanks. Infrastructure is nonexistent, some borough have grown in the 11th century but townships are virtually unknown in the interior. Surprisingly Kutaba remains one of the most rigid societies not jn the entire Subcontinent. Social classes are strictly observer with serious punishments for those offending. Lord do not intermingle with free warriors, while warriors separate themselves from bondsmen. All there classes despise slaves, though inner servant of the noble houses have a considerable easier life than the earth-toiling bondsmen. Status is passed along maternal lines. Minor changes can happen after birth, but the borders between the four principal categories are enforced at all levels.

Most manors engage in substinence economy what makes long distance trade unneccesary. Even the majority of the lords are cash-strapped with richness measured in full grainhouses and fancy dinner tables. Kutaba is largely a backwater to the Subcontinent, but many freemen try their luck as mercenaries in other regions of the Western Kingdoms. Bondsmen do the same without official sanction, escaping from the home villages to the neighbouring regions. Life is hard there, but they are at least allowed to be free and their work is compensated as the lords are in great need of helping hands. This is a frequent matter of debates during Imperial Gatherings where the meagre nobles of Kutaba are overlooked by their more prominent peers from wealthier provinces.