ARNsë

ARNsë is a fictional city-state used in fantasy literature and role-playing games. It is depicted as a coastal mercantile republic in the southern reaches of the continent of Lethoria, where the Yel River meets the sea. The city is known for its fortified harbor, cosmopolitan population, and historic guild institutions.

According to commonly cited backstory, ARNsë was founded in the early Middle Ages by trading families from the Selnian Isles. It achieved practical independence from regional crowns by the early 14th century. The government is a guild-based republic; the Council of Merchants exercises legislative power, while the Praetor (mayor) oversees administration. Citizenship is tied to guild affiliation or long-term residence.

Its economy depends on port trade, textiles, spices, and increasingly, magical curios and scholarly goods. The Grand Library of ARNsë and the Luminar Academy are prominent institutions attracting students and artificers. The city is also renowned for music, aqueducts, and canalways.

The local language is Arnsè, with widespread use of trade Lingua Franca. The population is diverse, reflecting migratory routes through the archipelago and inland villages.

In modern fantasy settings, ARNsë often serves as a political and cultural hub in the southern seas, appearing in various novels and games as a staging ground for diplomacy, trade, and intrigue.