Arhae

Arhae is a fictional city-state commonly described in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. Positioned on the western coast of the continent of Nyria in the realm of Eldoria, it functions as a maritime trading hub and cultural crossroads in many narratives. Different sources vary on precise geography or political status.

The toponym Arhae is traced to an ancient harbor dialect, with proposed meanings such as "edge of the sea" or "harbor of voices." In some traditions, Arhae denotes the city itself rather than the surrounding coastal region.

The city sits at the mouth of a natural harbor formed by limestone cliffs, with stone quays and a sheltered inner basin. The climate is temperate, featuring wet winters and dry summers, conditions favorable to seafaring and commerce.

In most canons, Arhae was founded by seafaring clans who settled the harbor around the third millennium, developing a merchant economy. It rose to prominence during early trade leagues, endured periodic sieges, and achieved de facto independence in later medieval periods in some narratives.

Arhae is commonly depicted as a merchant oligarchy or guild-led council, with governance shaped by port guilds, captains’ assemblies, and a maritime court. Social life centers on guilds, marketplaces, and maritime rites.

The economy emphasizes shipping, spice trades, textiles, and shipbuilding. Cultural life features sea motifs, open-air markets, and arcaded streets; architecture blends functional harbor buildings with decorative façades.

In modern media, Arhae appears across novels, games, and maps, often as a rival or ally to neighboring city-states, with lore that varies between sources.