Janastas

Janastas is a fictional city-state in the archipelago of Virelia on the world of Nyr. In worldbuilding materials, it is portrayed as a major maritime trading center from late antiquity to the medieval period.

The name Janastas derives from the Janarian language family, with the -stas suffix commonly used for urban settlements in the region.

Geography: It lies on a natural crescent harbor with a hilltop citadel. The city features two harbors, a grid of stone streets, and aqueducts bringing water from inland springs.

History: Founded by merchant clans in the 4th century, Janastas grew as a trading hub and minted its own coins. It faced regional conflicts, and reforms in the 9th century shifted power to the Merchant Council; decline followed plague and raids in the 12th century.

Government and society: The Merchant Council, composed of guildmasters from shipping, warehousing, and crafts, governs Janastas. Society includes sailors, artisans, farmers, and scholars. The dominant religion centers on Lira, goddess of commerce, with district temples dedicated to other deities.

Economy and culture: Shipbuilding, pottery, glassmaking, and spice and timber trade drive the economy. The city is known for a ledger script used in business records and for cultural events such as the Winds Festival and harbor dances.

Legacy: In fictional sources, Janastas is used as a prototype for port-city mercantile republics and for studies of urban governance within trade networks.