Elarion

Elarion is a fictional city-state in the fantasy setting of Aerith. Located on a crescent bay along the eastern coast, it serves as a major maritime hub and cultural center. The city is built on terraced hills surrounding a deep harbor, with districts organized by trade and craft.

The name Elarion appears in surviving Elari-language manuscripts. Scholars propose meanings such as “bright harbor” or “home of light,” though the exact origin is debated and the term is often treated as toponymic rather than a precise literal translation.

Elarion emerged in the early second millennium as a federation of harbour towns bound by a charter that guaranteed open trade and mutual defense. It grew through glassmaking, shipbuilding, and scholarship, becoming a regional nexus while maintaining a policy of commercial neutrality.

Government is led by the Council of Guildmasters, representing major trades, with an Archon serving as a largely ceremonial head of state. Law is administered by guild courts and city-wide ordinances enacted by the council.

The economy centers on glassware, dyes, books, and ship outfitting, with regular markets drawing merchants from across Aerith. Cultural life favors crafts and learning, exemplified by the Academy of Lights and the Library of Ael alongside the annual Lanterns Festival.

Notable landmarks include the Lumen Spire, the Glass Gate, the Library of Ael, and the Observatory of Istril.