Kelewan is an old world that was once inhabited by intelligent races very different from the Tsurani, of which only the Thūn and Cho-ja survive. Other races were Sunn and the Thrillillil. Most, if not all of the metal ores were mined before the arrival of the Tsurani, although very small amounts remain; as a result of this the inhabitants use lacquer covered cured hides and wooden weapons which have roughly the same strength of their metal counterparts but are easier to manufacture on the world. An everyday Midkemian item, such as a key, would be worth more than any single Human life.