Alarion

Alarion is a fictional city-state commonly appearing in fantasy literature and role-playing game settings. In these works, it is usually portrayed as a cosmopolitan hub at the crossroads of inland and maritime trade, often located along a broad river or coastal plain with inland routes converging near its gates.

The polity is typically depicted as a hybrid of republican and guild-centered rule, with a Grand Council of merchants and leaders of key crafts sharing authority with an appointed Archon who acts as the ceremonial head of state and military commander when needed. The Archon is advised by a council that includes representatives from mage circles, temple orders, and guild halls.

Historically, Alarion is said to have risen as a trading commonwealth in the early centuries of its world, flourished through diplomacy and commerce, and endured sieges that tested its urban resilience. Its culture is often described as tolerant and meritocratic, attracting scholars, artisans, and travelers from diverse backgrounds. Institutions commonly associated with Alarion include a grand library, merchant courts, and schools of navigation and runecraft.

Economically, Alarion is recognized for glassmaking, scriptoria, and bulky trade goods. Its markets are known for multilingual signage and standardized measures that facilitate cross-border commerce. Festivals celebrating harvests, celestial events, and guild anniversaries are commonly depicted.

The name Alarion is used across fictional settings and, occasionally, as a given name or surname in worldbuilding circles. There is no single canonical origin, and the portrayal of Alarion varies between authors and games.