VariathIndex | Time Under Chaos | Concerning Amber | The Golden Circle | Variath VariathHead of State:King Sebastian The people of Variath boast that whatever happens, they will remain free and unharmed, an island of peace, beauty and civilization in the midst of a growing wilderness. Philosophers from neighboring shadows have commented that this is true, but only because Variath is populated by snakes who walk on two legs and would push their grandmother in front of a runaway carriage if the old bag had made the mistake of naming them in her will. King Sebastian thought this was so funny he invited the philosopher to play in his weekly card game, and even let the man walk out alive, though without his clothing, his money, his titles and lands. A beautiful sea-port city-state, Variath gleams with marble facades and gold veining, trees lining the walks, fountains sparkling in squares, and every interior drips in tapestries and paintings and statuary. Indeed, Variath and its inhabitants are quite proud of their artwork, which is renowned even in Amber, although their principal exports are jewelry and timepieces, fabrics especially velvets and brocades, and various fish and seafood. Variath does not have a standing military of any kind and usually relies on Amberite troops to fight their wars. If Amber or another ally refuses, Variath promptly surrenders and sends a negotiator. Usually they end up offering meaningless concessions and nothing really changes. Despite having no real militia, Variath does have a City Watch, and a collection of privateers in the service of the crown, the most famous of which was Admiral Conor Strathe. The current King, Sebastian, was influenced strongly by Princess Islain as he was a childking when she was in their courts. As a result, all of his Ambassadors are beautiful, subtle and somewhat loose women with reputations for the use of either the quill or the stiletto knife or both. Sebastian himself is rumored to be decadent, arrogant, temperamental and erratically brilliant. While allied with Amber during the war with Chaos, Variath had sent only pirates, money and occasionally a masterwork weapon or two, and had very little trouble convincing Chaosian delegates that they were more than willing to do the same for the Chaosian occupancy, which made them neutral, right? Chaos keeps some of its sharper minds in Variath on occasion to keep an eye on Sebastian and his snakes, but as they don’t see the country as much of a threat, it has remained nominally intact and sovereign. |
