The original veritas lived around hot springs in small communities in the northern tundra. These small communities grew into the city of Fadus, which they used their powers to shape and alter into a beautiful temperate paradise. Their city is segmented into neighborhoods which reflect the original communities, but all answer to a council of elders and the priesthood, separate powers that manage a peaceful balance.

Veritas children are raised and taught by their local communities, and at a young age, they begin etching themselves with markings to show their experiences. There are almost no secrets within veritas communities because of this, and those who violate the laws of the city are banished to the tundras after having their markings altered by force to show everyone what they have done. The veritas council has twelve stones containing the True Names that tell the histories of their people. These powerful artifacts are set throughout the city so that all may know the history.

Veritas are considered adults around the age of 20, at which time, they take on special markings to show their place as citizens of the city. If they ever violate the most important rules of the city, these marks are altered and they are banished to the tundra with their powers reduced. As adults, veritas must choose their role in the city. Though they are allowed to change their role as many times as they want, they must give each role at least 100 years before they change it. Every occupation has its own council, from which they elect a councillor to the council of elders.

Separate from the council are the priesthood, who serve the Mother of Truth. They have a strict hierarchy led by Undel, one of the first veritas, who is the high priestess. She has seven advisers called the Septath. The Septath is served by seven each, and then again another rank of seven each, numbering a total of 400 members of the priesthood at any time, not counting recruits. Recruits remain recruits until a member of the 400 dies, at which time all recruits are tested. The best is allowed into the priesthood.

The priesthood controls the religious and social life of the city, while the council of elders enforces and writes the laws. They usually work together, though there are times they are at odds. Their political struggles are very public and complicated.

The priesthood holds seven holy days each year, marking a Great Revelation. These holy days are celebrated with special drinks, food, and dances. Courtship is a very religious process; because gender is etched in the skin of a veritas, it is clear what a veritas's gender is. All genders are respected and seen as objective and true (most veritas know their gender before they are adults, although some take their time--and fluidity can be marked on the skin). The priesthood allows (and encourages) same-gender or non-monogamous courting, but they restrict certain behaviors to special couples. Those include dancing (a sacred behavior), certain meals, and going to certain places, all of which symbolize agreements between the pairing. Marriage is a major event between two or more veritas and often involves whole communities celebrating.

Veritas have seven laws that result in banishment and maiming: lying to the people, lying to children, lying to the priesthood, altering the marks of another without consent, murder for personal gain, rape or major sexual assault, and usury.