In Viswanathan there is an old saying, "keep your frinds close and your enemies closer." The powerful famlies that rule the lands of Viswanathan are constantly at the great game moving against each other and scheming... but when gods blessing those from outside the families make an aggressive move, the families will fall into line behind each other, setting aside ancient blood feuds to squash the outsiders, then promptly go back to feuding.

                The 'grand game' as it is called, has many rules and points of honor that no Human could ever have the etiquette to understand. Each family controls a different city and the trade routes through these cities each controls a unique commodity, so the fragile balance of power is maintained. Even the Wymics, who arrived before the Rakshasas, were a good free people, yet have been pulled into the game, knowing that everything has to be done with bribes, favors and gifts. The Wymics provide a vital labor force to the Rakshasas and in return allow the Wymic tribal chiefs a say on the board, the corporate-like infrastructure that runs Viswanathan. Even the Wymic colors are represented on the flag albeit a tiny strip at the bottom -- a real sincere gesture of a cruel Rakashasa taunting joke...

                The Rakshasan trade empire means that they have many ships but this is just the secondary mode of transport -- big shipments are done through mass teleportation. The Rakshasas crave the power of the Karboten runegates to use as trade routes, and their agents roam here and there always looking for runegate secrets.