Arvontaa

Arvontaa is a fictional city-state in the northern archipelago of Eldara, widely described in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. It serves as a coastal commercial hub and a center of learning, with multiple harbors, glassworks districts, and guild-administered neighborhoods. The name is said to come from the Arvontaan language, meaning “harbor of alliance.”

Governance in Arvontaa combines republican institutions with guild influence. The state is headed by the Council of Harbors, a constitutional body elected by guilds and ward assemblies. A High Steward oversees defense and diplomacy, while magistrates administer public services and adjudicate disputes. Laws reflect mercantile interests but are tempered by customary rights and public councils.

Historically, Arvontaa grew from a network of trading posts that banded together for mutual defense and shared markets. It achieved de facto independence after regional conflicts in the late medieval period and developed a distinctive legal code that regulates trade, maritime access, and guild membership.

The economy centers on shipbuilding, glassmaking, textiles, and the trade in magical and mundane artifacts. The Port of Lumen Quay is the principal harbor, with secondary ports along its southern shores. The Guilds Council licenses crafts and coordinates export routes, while port authorities manage navigation and safety.

Culturally, Arvontaa is multilingual and cosmopolitan, with annual festivals such as the Market of Mirrors, a sprawling fair that blends commerce with theatre. Education is valued through institutions like the University of Kaelor, which emphasizes nautical science, cartography, and glass technology. Notable landmarks include the Glass Spire and the Tide Market.