"Descending from the Qaathi, Qartheen are a tall and pale people, called Milk Men by the Dothraki for their complexion. They pride themselves on their sophistication and consider weeping in times of strong emotion to be a mark of civilization.
Qartheen politeness goes as far having the Qartheen guild of assassins known as the Sorrowful Men say "I'm so sorry" to their victim before killing them.
The syllables of the Qartheen language sound liquid to a Westerosi ear.
The Qartheen dress in linen, samite and tiger fur. As per Qartheen fashion, women wear Qartheen gowns, which leave one breast exposed. Meanwhile, men favor beaded silk skirts. Children might go about naked, wearing only golden sandals and body paint.
The Qartheen ride camels. Warriors wear scaled copper armor and snouted helms with copper tusks and long black silk plumes. They sit high on saddles inlaid with rubies and garnets. Their camels are dressed in blankets of a hundred different hues.
Qartheen men and women retain their possessions after marriage. However, there is a marriage custom where, on the day of the wedding, the groom may ask for any one item from his bride's possessions and the bride may ask for any one item of the groom's possessions. Whatever is asked by either cannot be denied. This is seen as a gift of devotion by the bride and groom to each other.
Qarth is nominally ruled by the Pureborn, who are seated in the Hall of a Thousand Thrones. They deal with all matters of civic importance, commanding the Civic Guard and the fleet of ornate war galleys which rule the Jade Gates between the seas. However, the powerful guilds of the Thirteen, the Tourmaline Brotherhood, and the Ancient Guild of Spicers all contend endlessly with the Pureborn.
The warlocks of Qarth are feared and respected throughout Essos. Like the Alchemists' Guild of the Seven Kingdoms, however, the warlocks' power and prestige have waned over the years. Most warlocks have blue lips from drinking shade of the evening, which is derived from a black-barked tree.
The warlocks' stronghold and seat of power is the House of the Undying, which houses the Undying Ones.
The Qartheen practice slavery in the city"
