From the heart of Shem, a love of the peace of the lunar maria manifested the mesecinae. The first of them formed the nation of the belesestre, the white sisters (named for the Moon they made their home). Thousands of years later, they have formed a small cluster of cities into a proud and still nation.

Each city is run by an elected council of elders. The cities each have a main public square (and many smaller ones), a special fountain of flowing lunar ice, three special observer towers, a network of libraries, schools, and hospitals, a spaceport, and a main hall where public business is done. Each of these plays a special purpose in their societies. The squares are where people gather for trading, sorting out disagreements, and social engagements. The fountains are where they go for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other moments requiring formal celebration. The observation towers are there for gazing into space and studying the stars. The libraries, schools, and hospitals are there to serve and are free for everyone, even strangers. The spaceports are major hubs for nations that do not wish to or are unable to dock with athak ports. And the main hall is where governance happens. Each of the six cities has these features.

Other than the elected council, there are many other elected roles in each city, including judges and planners. Elections happen regularly, and every neighborhood has its own councils to keep peace. Members of neighborhood councils can be any adult, but the ruling council must be elders. There are no police or military, save for a small force of guards and watchwomen on the city walls. The commonest roles, other than those running the main features of the city, are caretakers, builders, repairwomen, animal handlers, cleaners, weavers, potters, scholars, and especially mineral gatherers known as nabiralci (sing. nabiralec).

The mineral gatherers are those who find and produce the powders that are food to the belesestre. They mix these powders with lunar ice, usually, but it's not necessary. They are not miners or quarrywomen, but instead cultivate fields in the lunar maria, craters, and mountains where they find mineral deposits. The nabiralci are recognizable for their small rock hammers and picks, heavy gloves, aprons, baskets, and masks. Their fields are considered public property and controlled by the city councils.

The animal handlers mostly have grey eagles, moon rabbits, and special steeds known as konji. The konji appear to be sleek, scaled three-legged horses that are used as pack animals, draft animals, and riding animals. The grey eagles are trained by guards to help keep an eye out for trouble, and the moon rabbits are mostly used as pets.

Belesestre children are raised by their extended families. Orphans or unwanted children are raised by neighborhood caretakers if no extended family are available. They start school at the age of nine and graduate by the age of 20 with a specialization they usually choose around the age of 18. Those who need further training (healers, builders, etc.) go to special schools for a few more years. Once graduated, they are considered full adults and can vote. Every occupation has a union, and all unions have elected representatives.

The only part of a belosestra city that isn't fully unionized and controlled by the city council is the spaceport, which has to have private enterprises held by foreign powers due to old treaties. All of these are subject to tariffs from the city council. The spaceports are well-guarded and complicated economically, but they are crucial to trade with the other mesecinae nations, which is an important part of the belosestra culture. Their own ships are made from lunar crystals and ballaman wood.

Arts and music flourish in belosestra cities when there is no threat to them. Everyone partakes in different arts, music, entertainment, and theatricals. They love to share what they create, encourage each other to learn and create, and generally make it a major part of every day life. The public squares are filled with people's art. Games are also commonly played, with neighborhood teams forming and shifting constantly.

The belesestre worship Mirno Mesto, the Mother of Serenity, whom they view as their protector. They honor their ancestors and consider Phryscara and Stari Prednik as major ancestors, and they view Mother Shem as a goddess who watches over them and provides them with light. They honor the Moons as goddesses of their homes.

Every city has a trinity of temples, each one devoted to all of their Divines. Priestesses lead the whole population in intricate prayers, rituals, and rites devoted to each Divine. They have special holy days based on the phases of the White Moon. However, religion is optional, and only about a third of the population attends regularly.

As skilled negotiators, they are also skilled traders. They have strong trade relationships with numerous countries around them, and their trade goods include everything from the rabbits they raise to the arts they create.