The Kurian Zones (K-Zs) are far from uniform once you get away from the basic fact that they all exist to feed the Kur.

Each Kurian Lord, or family (or in a few rare cases, clan) orders his domain as he sees fit. If he wants temples built in his honor and flaming sacrifice to his name, it is so. There are Kurians who conduct themselves after the fashion of Roman despots and Kurians who run their cities with corporate efficiency.

The Kur maintain their rule with the help of their genetically engineered Reapers and Grogs, of course, but without some cooperation from mankind their task would be exponentially more difficult. They win men over with a simple risk/reward equation: the more helpful you are to the Kurian Order (no matter how bizarre or cruel the form) the more likely it is that you will be rewarded by being spared. Rebellion, disobedience, or even nonconformity make an evening visit by the Reapers more likely. For a few Quislings who do great service at their lord's behest, the coveted brass ring is awarded. The winner of one of these is spared, along with his or her immediate family, for his natural lifetime, with the tacit understanding that the good behavior will continue.

The Kurians live the protected, reclusive lives of bloodthirsty banana republic dictators. With their simple, drug addict outlook on life they spend most of their time scheming over how to acquire more sources of vital aura (a Kurian running short lives every moment in painful weariness) and how to protect what they already have, especially their own precious hyperextended lives.

The Kurian Zone seems to be at a level of late nineteenth to early twentieth century technology. Anything later than that must be repaired, the Kurians don't want to be bothered with replacing it. Rail and water are the main modes of transportation. Telephones mostly work. The humans under their control are encouraged to exist in a state of obedient, dumb animalism. If alcohol helps, all the better. They provide ample, if unappetizing food for the most part, and encourage any kind of sexual activity as long as it might result in natural increase. In most KZ's a husband and wife who produce offspring ever eighteen months are quite safe from the Reapers.

Humans under the Kur have adapted in the two generations since the Overthrow. With the living memory of Pre-Kurian times fading fast, a new set of traditions and mores have sprung up in the KZs. With reading a rarity, people entertain themselves with song and storytelling. Popular stories at gatherings are rather Br'er Rabbitish, about wiley characters who outsmart the Kur through wits and moxie.

Wits or no, few in the KZ reach old age. At the first failing of health or ability, their usefulness is considered to be at an end...