To the north of Rostilla lie the islands of  Sobel-Ka.  Alone of all nations, Sobel-Ka is a matriarchy (though culturally similar to ancient Egypt).  Women rule and perform most skilled crafts;  men are soldiers and traders.  The noble families elect a governor to rule their island;  the governors choose a governor-general to lead the country as a whole.  Class divisions are sharp and stark. Perhaps half of Sobellians are slaves, owned by the handful of nobles who rule the country.  The rest of the country is divided between independent freeman and "householdens", freed slaves who serve the noble houses.  Most people aspire to be householden.

Sobel-Ka's far-flung trading network has made it notoriously rich. Relations between Rostilla and Sobel-Ka are cordial, but because of the enormous cultural differences, few Sobellians live in Rostilla.  Also, Sobel-Ka has strong ties to the noble Ardentis family of Viridia, which makes it somewhat suspect.