Aelaris

Aelaris is a fictional city-state on the eastern coast of the continent of Varis. Located at the mouth of the Aelor River, it combines inland market routes with a natural harbor that handles seaborne traffic to and from southern sea lanes.

Governed by the Council of Guildmasters, a traditional oligarchy drawn from merchant, artisan, and scholarly guilds, Aelaris maintains a policy of calibrated neutrality in regional disputes. The economy centers on trade, riverine transport, metalwork, and book publishing, with a sizable fleet for coastal defense and escort duties.

Historically, Aelaris grew around a fortress harbor established in the late first millennium by merchant guilds seeking protection for caravans. It rose to regional prominence during the early medieval period and joined a voluntary confederation of city-states around the 12th century. Cultural life flourished under patronage of guilds that sponsored libraries, theaters, and schools.

Key cultural features include the Aelarish language, preserved in public administration and education, and a tradition of illuminated manuscripts. Major annual events include the Festival of Lanterns, a night market, and the midsummer public lecture series. Notable institutions are the Library of Neris, the Glass Spires, and the Moon Gate, a ceremonial gateway to the harbor.

Today, Aelaris remains a regional hub for trade and learning, maintaining formal neutrality in broader conflicts. It is connected to inland markets by a network of canals and ferries, and its port remains a key point for regional commerce.