A province in the east of Cherkessia, encompassing the narrow lowlands on the shore of the Caspian Sea, and the mountainous region nearby. The source of much of Cherkessia's natural wealth, Makhachkala boasts rich farmland to the north, and in its fields and lowland forests grow hundreds of unique plants and herbs, many of them possessing alchemical, medicinal, and magical properties. To the south, along the mountain passes and the rocky cliffs along the shore, stand the mostly intact fortresses of ancient civilizations, some of these dating back nearly five milennia, many of them still in use by the Cherkess. Fishing is a lucrative profession in this province, and Makhachkala's fishermen both feed Cherkessia and supply the finest caviar in the world, much valued in trade. Through Makhachkala's ports goes Cherkessia's trade with the lands beyond the Caspian Sea — the Mongol, Turkic, and Persian peoples who rule that part of the world.

A crucially valuable region, Makhachkala is patrolled constantly by Cherkess woodsmen — skilled archers, warriors, and nature-priests who watch and protect the land from foreign invaders and insidious evils of all stripes. The family estate of Minister Narek is also here, though Narek himself is rarely found there (his position at the court means that he spends most of his time in the capital).