Keelum

Keelum is a fictional city-state in the highlands of the northern continent of Ilara, used as a setting in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games.

Keelum sits in a broad river valley at roughly 900 to 1,100 meters above sea level, with a temperate climate and mixed forests. The fortified old town lies along the river, while newer districts fan outward toward terraces and farmland. The city is bordered by pale stone walls and features a hilltop palace that overlooks the commercial district and quay.

Origins in the setting are medieval; Keelum is said to have acquired a degree of autonomy through a treaty with neighboring polities, enabling a local council to govern while nominally acknowledging a suzerain realm. Today, it is governed by a council elected from merchant guilds and landholders. A magistrate serves as chief executive and representative in external affairs.

Its economy centers on mercantile activity, with textiles, metalwork, pottery, and river trade forming the core. Rural produce from surrounding valleys supplements markets. Daily life revolves around the market, guild halls, and religious festivals. Keelumish, a language or dialect, coexists with regional tongues; cultural life emphasizes rites connected to the river and harvest.

Major landmarks include the Old Market Gate, the Silver Bridge, the Palace of the Magistrate, and the Temple of the River. In fiction, Keelum is frequently portrayed as a pragmatic, commerce-focused polis that balances autonomy with regional alliances.