Khelvar

Khelvar is a city-state and regional capital located along the eastern coast of the continent of Taranis. It functions as a commercial and cultural hub, balancing maritime trade with inland crafts. The city sits on a broad river delta and is protected by basalt escarpments that rise above the harbor.

Etymology and founding: The name Khelvar is of uncertain origin; linguistic scholars trace it to old tongue words meaning “stone watch” or “watchful rock,” though other theories exist. Tradition places the founding in the 9th century as a frontier trading post established by merchant clans who later formed an urban polity around a fortified granary and market.

Government and society: Khelvar operates as a guild-led city-state with a seven-member Council of Patrons, chosen from merchant, artisan, and clerical guilds. The council shares executive authority with a rotating magistrate who oversees day-to-day administration. The economy centers on glassmaking, cloth, and metalwork, supplemented by a busy harbor that handles regional trade.

Cultural and architectural features: The city is noted for its basalt fortifications, the sea-facing Gate of Nadir, and the Khelvar Library, which holds manuscripts from across the region. The annual Festival of Lamps commemorates the city’s historical cooperation between merchant and religious orders.

History and contemporary status: Over the centuries, Khelvar experienced periods of expansion and conflict, including a brief interlude as an independent republic before rejoining a regional confederation. In the present era, it remains an autonomous urban center within the confederation, maintaining diplomatic ties with neighboring realms and hosting regional markets, academies, and religious centers.