Qarth

Qarth is a great and prosperous city-state located on the Jade Gates. It is the connection between the near east and far east of Essos, and thus is known as the Queen of Cities.

History
Long ago, the Qaathi people rose in the grasslands of central Essos, today known as the Great Grass Sea. After warring against the Sarnori, the Qaathi moved south, and founded cities in the south of Essos.

Qarth was once ruled by kings and queens. During the reign of the sea-green emperors of Yi Ti, Qarth became a tributary of the Golden Empire, but broke away when the dynasty came to an end. The Qarth came to be ruled by the Pureborn, noble descendants of the ancient royals.

Though Qarth prospers, its daughter-cities inland are beginning to wither, as the land begins to turn into an inhospitable desert.

Government
Qarth's official rulers are the Pureborn, who control the Civic Guard and camelry. They rule from the Hall of a Thouand Thrones, and may meet petitioners if they make a sacrifice at the Temple of Memory, bribe the Keeper of the Long List, and send a persimmon to the Opener of the Door.

However, they vie for power with the powerful merchant guilds. The Thirteen, Tourmaline Brotherhood, and the Ancient Guild of Spicers are the most influential economic powers in the city.

A third power base is in the warlocks. The Undying Ones rule from the House of the Undying, and their lips have turned blue from drinking shade-of-the-evening.

Culture
Qartheen think of themselves as the most civilized people in the world, and have a complex etiquette. They consider public weeping during times of strong emotion to be a mark of civilization, and they are extremely polite as a rule. The Pureborn are famously courteous even when denying petitions, and the Sorrowful Men - Qarth's assassins - apologize to their victims.

Qartheen fashion involves a dress that leaves one breast exposed for women, made from silk, linen, or tiger furs, and beaded silk skirts for men.

Both men and women may rise to positions of power, and retain their own properties after marriage. However, during a wedding ceremony, a man may ask one item from his wife, and a wife one item from her husband, and neither can refuse the other.

The Qartheen tend to be polyglots. Their native language, the Qaathi tongue, is unlike any other in the world. Many Qartheen are fluent in at least Valyrian and YiTish, perhaps Asshai'i or Hyrkooni, and some may even know the Summer Tongue or Common Tongue of Westeros.

Religion
Native Qartheen have their own traditional religion, and view the Undying Ones as a mystical authority. However, they show utmost tolerance to all faiths of the known world.

Economy
Qarth is known to deal in luxuries, including dreamwine and strongly spiced liqueur, silk, furs, spice, gold, gems, and ivory. Qartheen spice ships can be as great as palaces, and go as far west as Pentos and far east as Asshai to trade. They also provide elephants for mercenaries, and Qarth's own soldiers mount camels in battle. Qarth is also heavily involved in the slave trade, although not quite as much as the Slaver Cities to the west.

Territories

 * Qarth proper
 * Qolahn
 * Qarkash
 * Port Yhos

Houses
House Daxos House Deeth House Emeros House Mallarawan House Pree House Xhore

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Characters
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