Eluatem

Eluatem is a coastal city-state in the northern maritime region of the fictional continent of Valoria. It serves as a regional center for trade, learning, and shipbuilding, and maintains a balance between commercial life and public festivals, with an urban design that emphasizes waterways.

The name is derived from early Valorian words elu meaning water and tem meaning gate, reflecting its historic role as a gateway between inland markets and the sea.

Eluatem sits on a crescent bay with a natural harbor. It experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The old town sits on a limestone bluff above a network of canals that link districts.

Founded around 900 AR by maritime clans, Eluatem grew as a trade hub under the Valorian Republic. It endured sieges and earthquakes, and in 1523 AR earned semi-autonomy as a city-state within the Valorian Confederation.

Governance rests with a Council of Merchants and Scholars, led by a magistrate known as the Prefect. The council is advised by a College of Legalists and by a Mayor's Assembly.

The port handles timber, wine, spices, and textiles, while local shipyards produce vessels for regional trade. Cultural life centers on maritime festivals, a tradition of cartography and nautical science, and a literary scene focused on travel and memory.

The population is around 210,000. Landmarks include the Temple of Saffron, the Library of Luminous Records, and the Bridge of Echoes. The Great Canal runs through the center, shaping commerce and daily life.