Kia Minde, on the east side of the An-Kiu Delta, lies near the coast of the Southern Sea, which men say runs unchecked to the edge of the world and there pours into the abyss. Many ships sail from this city: shallow-bottomed, single-masted ships that follow the coast to the east and south, taking the manufactured goods of Lirith Kai down into the Hot Lands and bringing back ivory and gold, strange woods and skins, spices and fruits and pearls.

The people of Kia Minde are swarthier than most Adantri, and many have taken wives from farther south. Their customs, too, are unusual--to northern eyes, it seems that they go about only half-clothed; northerners do not consider the humid heat of this tropical city an adequate excuse for such skimpy attire.

Because Kia Minde lies near the Imperial border, there are troops stationed here: cavalry units which patrol along the coast road and through back country and naval units which guard the harbor and suppress (they hope) piracy.

Lord Governor Ryon tan Velar has his seat in Kia Minde; the Subgovernor Magistrate is Bahran ben Arrys, a local man.