Eldarales

Eldarales is a port city and regional capital on the eastern coast of the continent of Arloria. Located at the mouth of the Aethra River, it controls a busy harbor that connects inland markets with seaborne trade routes. The city combines mercantile heritage with learned traditions, and its streets are lined with warehouses, guild halls, and public libraries.

The natural harbor is protected by a crescent breakwater. The surrounding hinterland produces textiles, timber, and salt, which pass through Eldarales’ markets. Shipyards along the quays build and repair coracles and sailing vessels, while the city’s merchants broker trade in spices, metals, and agricultural goods with neighboring realms.

Eldarales traces its origins to a 9th-century trading post established by caravans from the eastern shores. It grew through successive charters into a municipal republic by the 12th century. It endured sieges during regional conflicts and later became a key conduit for cultural exchange between inland kingdoms and seafaring states.

The city is governed by a council drawing representatives from major guilds, led by a mayor elected for a five-year term. The council administers customary laws, tax policy, and defenses in coordination with allied towns. The regional governor, while appointed, relies on Eldarales for economic leadership.

Eldarales houses the Grand Library of Eldara, the Lighthouse of Winds, and the Market of Lanterns. Annual festivals honor sea harvests and scholarly achievements. The population is multilingual and religiously diverse, with traditional reverence for sea spirits coexisting with urban secular institutions.