King of the North, I offer you this mighty tribute...
The Sesh and its' environs, circa 200 RM, near the end of the reign of Fourth Redeemer Macrinus.
Thank Iggy for spending 3 hours teaching me how to use GIMP.
Some facts:
Yashidim was sacked by the armies of Moti under Fourth-Gaci. The fortifications were rebuilt after the war. It is a major center of trade, with caravans from downriver Seis and as far as the Maninist lands coming from the east, and Uggor traders from Moti and Krato coming from the south. There is a small but growing presence of Dulama, mostly in the form of diplomats and traders. It is historically the domain of the Princes of the Arrow.
Several villages in the south are still ruined, thanks to the past wars and sporadic Moti raids.
Magha, the Sapphire City, is the largest city in the Sesh, slightly more populated than Seis. Originally founded by the Bahran kings, it was vastly expanded by Atraxes as the main project of his thirty-year reign. The fortress complex, new outer walls, and arena were all built at this time. At least 100,000 individuals live within its' walls, perhaps more. The domed monument of Matraxas (Place of the Silver One) was once built as a palace by Second Redeemer Atraxes, but has since been converted into a temple for the High Oracle of Ardavan.
There are no bridges linking the city with the river banks across the cliffs, so one is forced to enter through the landward side. Another notable feature of the city is technically located below it, the cliffside monasteries of the Ardavani monks.
Nikros was also sacked during the last war and was rebuilt at the Redeemer's expense. It is historically the domain of the Princes of the Sword. There is also a major religious presence. The Censorattas of the Exatai maintain their main upriver bureaucratic presence here, feeling less than welcome in Magha which is the personal domain of the High Oracle in the absence of the Redeemer. The population is almost exclusively Satar.
Tisatar is historically the domain of the Princes of the Shield. It is a major center of farming and ships food downriver to Seis and Kargan, and upriver to Magha. The population is fairly evenly split between Satar and Sehorsehockyes.
Arkantis is located in the same general region as the ancient ruined city of Arkage, which declined some time after the Satar conquest. It is historically the domain of the Princes of the Spear. There is a small but growing presence of Accans, but the population is mostly Satar and Sehorsehockye.
Seis is the second largest city of the Exatai at present. At its' height, it might have held 200,000 in the city and environs, but that number is now closer to 100,000. Old Seis was located on the northern half of the island, which is now mostly pastureland, to take advantage of a superior docking site for seagoing ships with deep keels. Now Seis is more directly tied into the upriver economy, so the new city occupies the southern half of the delta island.
After the great rebellion under Aitah was quelled by Macrinus, he deliberately destroyed the walls of Seis and Pa, to ensure that the overwhelmingly Sehorsehockye cities could never be held against any of his descendants were another rebellion to occur. Seis is a major manufacturing center, exporting finished goods to countless regions. It is the personal domain of the Princes of the Sun, the Accan descendants of Macrinus. Nine out of every ten subjects are Sehorsehockye, but significant populations of Satar and Accans intermingle in the palace district.
Open worship of ancestors, Aya'se, or Aitah is banned throughout the Exatai, but the ban is strictly enforced in Seis, and the Censoratta police violations.
Pa is a smaller city across the river from Seis. It is traditionally the domain of the Princes of the Wheel, and has a mostly Sehorsehockye population.
Jania is a mostly Sehorsehockye city north of Seis. Since the relocation of Seis it has gained some importance as a shipping center. It has been exceptionally loyal to the Redeemer, opening its gates to Macrinus rather than being besieged. It has been rewarded with a certain level of autonomy.
Gyza is a caravan city. It remains mostly ruined after being sacked by Macrinus during the last war, but is still inhabited thanks to its strategic location, on the intersection of the trade route from Bisria and Hu'ut, and the roads to Seis and Kargan.
Banh is a small garrison city nestled in the Parda Hills, guarding the northward route to Kargan. It was only lightly damaged in the last war and is currently involved in a minor revival of the local mining industry.
Kargan is tied with Acca as the third largest city in the Exatai, with almost 100,000 souls. It is a major trading and fishing center. Its fortifications have never successfully been stormed by a besieger, though it capitulated to Macrinus after nearing starvation. It has been claimed by the Princes of the Scroll, who have built a major temple to Ardavan in an attempt to evangelize the heterogeneous population. Satar, Opulensi, Triluin, Sehorsehockyes, Accans, Sirans, Gallatenes, and countless other ethnicities are represented here.