Ashara

Ashara is a fictional coastal city-state in a contemporary fantasy setting used in role-playing games, novels, and video games. Located along the eastern shore of the continent of Elaria, it centers on a natural harbor that accommodates merchant fleets and naval vessels. The name Ashara is of uncertain origin, but is commonly traced to ancient seafaring dialects and a term meaning harbor gateway.

Ashara occupies a crescent bay bordered by stony hills to the west and mangrove estuaries to the south. The climate is temperate with hot summers and a seasonal dry period. The city is governed by a council composed of representatives from merchant guilds and craft houses; a magistrate serves as the executive, selected on a rotating basis. A professional guard, led by a captain-general, maintains order and coastal defense.

Its economy relies on trade, shipbuilding, provisioning, and services for passing fleets. Markets move spices, timber, grain, and pottery, while local workshops produce textiles and metal goods. The population is diverse, reflecting its role as a port, with communities of humans, elves, and other coastal peoples. Common and several local dialects are spoken, with a trade language functioning as lingua franca.

Cultural life centers on the Harbor Festival and the Temple of Lyria, a coastal temple complex. The city features districts such as the Old Docks, the Guild Quarter, and the High Gardens. Notable landmarks include the Beacon of Dawn lighthouse, the Gate of the Winding Way, and the Asharan Chronicle, which records municipal decrees and legends. Ashara appears in various works as a hub of maritime commerce and political intrigue.