Ani is a landlocked city in the center of the Pangea on the shores of a great lake, Lake Ani.  The direct translation of Ani is “Mother”.  It is the oldest city by far on the planet and its history goes back before written history. The ancients of this world tell that this is where all life was birthed.  That the Ahkamians themselves were formed from the mud of the lake and migrated to all corners of the world. 

Before the Golden Record was discovered Ani was controlled by the Nakaw Nak and was where “The Phosphoros (Dawn Bringers) resided. “The Phosphoros” were men and women that passed down the knowledge of their people through oral tradition and by sharing memories.  Ani was a powerful trading post and a religious center to all 16 Houses of the Nakaw Nak and was considered to be owned by all and by none. No one “House” could claim the land that surrounded the lake nor the lake itself.  It was Holy sacred ground protected by all 16 of the Great families.

Ani was known to be the location of the last large scale war between the Nigen Natec and the Nacaw Nac, coined the “War That Never Was”, for the discovery of the Golden record took place on this Holy sacred land. The discovery of the Golden Record in this birthplace to the people of this world only gave more creede to it being a message from the Gods. As time went on Ani was where the Nigen Natec and Nacaw Nac came together.  

Once contact was made with Earth, Ani was the obvious choice to house the capital and cultural Exchange.  The “Mother” of Ahkam would become the place that birthed the global government and where the “Chromos” of Ahkam would meet and discuss the plans for both their world and Earth.

The rich history of Ahkam is evident in its architecture and landscape.  Though Ahkam is a great city, it is plagued with the same problems as all cities on Ahkam. A huge disparity of wealth. The center of Ahkam is built up with beautiful buildings and towers, the capitol building itself is the tallest building on Ahkam. Though the city is surrounded by sprawling, “alysinos”, slums which stretch far north and south along the shores of the lake.

Ani is the first of three sister cities for human migration. That sister settlement is located deep in the jungle and is connected by a single rail line that is 150 kilometers long.

ETNOCH is the southernmost city on a peninsula that juts into a narrow straight entering the White Sea, similar to Earth’s Straight of Gibraltar at the mouth of the Mediterranean. The direct translation of Etnoch is “Heart”. The ancients tell of early Ahkamians making their way to the tip of this peninsula and finding the “Heart of their world”. All life seemed to stem from this paradise. Many believe that Etnoch, not Ani, was where the first Ahkamians migrated from. It was one of the very few cities of the Nigen Natec and though the Nakaw Nak had attempted to control it on several occasions they were never able to hold it. Historians debate the origins of where Ahkamian life first sprouted. No matter which is true, Etnoch and Ani both have ancient histories and are cities that have risen and fallen many times.

The culture of Etnoch is decidedly different from the majority of Ahkamian Cities, with a long history of rebellion and assertion of individual rights. While the city itself has been modernized, like most Ahkamian cities, and has its wealthiest people in the center; the surrounding islands and beach communities create a destination point for all of Ahkam. It is as close to paradise as exists on the planet. The seas are protected and the weather is rarely dangerous. While there is poverty, most people live rich lives supported by the land and sea with little care for the “outside” world.

Etnoch itself is one of the most progressive in modern times, largely due to the incredibly diverse population. It is also home to the most well renowned shipbuilders and has a rich history of seafaring and where their NAVY was born.

Alok Is the Eastern most city of Ahkam, while there had been some settlement there prior to the discovery of the Golden Record. The name Alok in direct translation means “Friend” it was the first great city to be formed in collaboration by both the Nigen Natec and Nakaw Nac as they became a unified people.

Alok is home to the world’s greatest university “Nakaw Opana” which was founded shortly after the golden record was first listened to and a message was sent to Earth. The architecture of the school is filled with sacred geometry and resembles the Alhumbra of planet Earth in Spain prior to the lost age. The city itself did not become fully constructed and populated until well into the renaissance.

Etnoch was chosen to be the second sister city for the relocation of Earthlings and that settlement is located on an Island that is to the North of the city connected to the mainland by a single rail line of bridges and tunnels that is 2 kilometers in length.

Asos Ennim is a North Western City that is also landlocked like Ani however it is at the base of a long River that is fed from the Iron Mountains. Most Rivers of the Iron Mountains fall Northward and westward into the Ocean but the unique geography of the land here causes a large south flowing River. Most of the surrounding land is desert, however Asos Ennim is at the point where the desert becomes plain, the largest open plains in the world are found here. The river Asos ends at a basin where Asos Ennim was built and then feeds out into the plains in many directions by small rivers and streams. This area is unique for several reasons. The city's direct translation comes from the color of the water;  “Muddy Waters” the water of this river has a red hue to it for it contains large levels of Iron which in turn feed the grasses and animals in this area. Unlike the rest of Ahkam which is very low in Iron; the animals of this area tend to be larger and of unique biology to the rest of the world. 

Assos Ennim is where all transport from the Iron mountains comes through. Both the use of the river and Rail lines converge at this uniquely positioned city and it is a large industrial hub.  Though the city itself is relatively new in comparison to the other cities discussed, it’s close proximity and constant connection to the world’s most valuable resource allowed it to be built very rapidly and become a city of great size and wealth.  

Assos Ennim was chosen as the third sister city for which that settlement is located in the desert connected by a single rail line that is 150 kilometers long. This third settlement is unique to the three in that other than a series of wells that run very deep and connect to an underground river from the mountains. It is almost entirely dependent on resources brought to the city from the outside.  Both of the other settlements have the means to self sustain by growing or harvesting food.

Uknac is by far the youngest of all the cities discussed here.  But its importance to the world is not to be underestimated. Uknac, directly translated, means “Iron”. It was the first official city to be constructed in the Iron Mountains and is the only township that resembles a city at all in this harsh climate. Uknak is located at the northernmost point of the River Asos for most of the year this portion of the river is frozen over but for 3 months during the height of summer it becomes passable. This is when shipping occurs.  During the rest of the year all rail lines from other northern cities converge in Uknac which is home to huge store houses for Iron Ore waiting to be shipped in the summer months. For this reason the crime in Uknac is significant.  The military must hold a great deal of vigilance to protect what amounts to the most singular location of wealth in the world especially in the months leading to spring.

It should be noted that the global government had attempted to build a secondary rail line on the Eastern portion of the Iron Mountains, however; weather, avalanches, and a litany of unknown disasters plagued the building of the line. It was eventually abandoned as a lost cause. The Northern Ocean was often frozen as well and provided little in the way of shipping routes. It was agreed that the route between Uknak and Assos Ennim was the most viable and money was most well spent in protecting this route rather than trying to build or discover a secondary one.

Uknac was a place that few ventured unless they were looking to make money fast and then return to the warmer climates. Jobs paid well but living was brutal. This also added to crime for people were always looking for a way to get out faster than they had previously planned. Few people stayed there for longer than five years which made the culture one that was very transitory and dangerous.