Subsistence Pattern: The subsistence pattern of Salkasan is principally based on herding, and for the coastal regions fishing. Some crops are produced but this makes up the smallest portion of the nations food supply. Soils are of average to poor fertiliy. The soils becomining poorer as you travel south and west.

Technology: The technology of Salkasan is basically early iron-age (in terms of Earth development). The nation is able to produce hard iron in some quantity but virtually all steel has to be imported and is very expensive locally.

Kinship Structure: Kinship and inheritance patterns in Salkasan are primarily patrilineal in nature. The designated male heir, it is not always the eldest male, inherits virtually all property. Other male offspring receive whatever the heir decides to give them. If there is no designated male heir then inheritance may go to whomever the family nominates male or female, though usually male. Females by tradition are somewhat better provided for. They are generally provided with dowries, the size of these varies greatly according to status, wealth of the family etc.

Political Structure: Salkasan is organised along family and clan lines. The nobility are the senior families from each clan and each clan has a specific territory. The lines between these territories are slowly blurring but can still be picked out. Each territory is rules as if it is an independent realm, with limited authority granted to the high king at Wenchas, who is consdiered first amongst equals. The result has been a somewhat less than stable system with numerous petty wars and internal politicking.

Military System: The army of Salkasan is based on a core of professional housecarls maintained by household with the wealth to do so. These are supplemented by levies taken at need from the general population. The coastal clans also maintain a navy of sorts. This is again manned by a professional core of housecarls with nautical experience with the rowers for the galleys being generally either levies or slaves taken in battle.

More detail on the military of Salkasan will be found in the Warfare section.