Eldmark

Eldmark is a fictional city-state in the northern continent of Avaloria. It sits at the confluence of the Silver and Dyer rivers near the edge of the Eldwood, sheltered by low mountains. The city is encircled by stout stone walls and features a broad network of markets, canals, and bridges that connect residential districts with the central square.

Eldmark traces its origins to a group of caravaners who settled here for trade routes around 900 years ago. It grew into a guild-led republic governed by a council of elders and a magistrate who serves a one-year term. The Grand Archive, a municipal institution, maintains historical records and legal codes.

The economy depends on timber, metalwork, glass, and runecraft sold at the Market Terrace. The city maintains a relatively open trade policy and hosts an annual Market Festival drawing merchants from distant regions. Eldmarkian is the common tongue, and several minority languages are spoken by immigrant communities. The city supports theaters, scriptoriums, and workshops devoted to crafts.

Notable sites include the Grand Archive, the Grey Spire, and the Copper Fountain in the central plaza. The University of the Mirror trains scholars and mages; the Guild of Cartographers maintains maps of known realms. The Royal Armory houses a collection of weapons and armor.

Eldmark has a population around 60,000 and hosts diverse religious and cultural groups. It maintains diplomatic ties with nearby city-states and participates in regional trade councils. In fantasy literature, Eldmark is often depicted as a hub of commerce and learning with a cautious but pragmatic polity.