CEREMONIAL GROUND OF VARKOS
Arkos
An ancient training and constitutional center where, once every ten years, candidates face the Games that determine who may hold the Five Seats.
Before Varkos, There Was Arkos
Arkos predates the modern Varkosan state. When the governmental capital moved to Tharos, Arkos deliberately retained its constitutional role.
Most of the time it is sparsely populated by instructors, archivists, caretakers, physicians, guards, scholars, and maintenance staff. During the decennial Games, it becomes one of the busiest places in the country.
The Games
Arkos contains martial courts, endurance grounds, climbing courses, lecture chambers, debating halls, legal examinations, engineering tests, command exercises, archives, candidate quarters, and recovery facilities.
The Games test complete candidates rather than simply rewarding athletic victory. In Varkos, government is exercised from Tharos—but the right to govern is proved at Arkos.
