KregenDray

KregenDray is a fictional city-state in the fantasy world of Arion. It sits on the southern shores of the Jade Sea, at the mouth of the River Silen, and serves as a major maritime trading hub and political center. The city is known for its layered harbor, extensive shipyards, and a tradition of mercantile diplomacy.

The name derives from two old dialects: “Kregen” meaning shore or quay, and “Dray” meaning marketplace. The economy is driven by shipping, timber, spices, textiles, and salt; the Harbor District concentrates shipyards and customs houses, while markets in the old quarter trade in dyes and ceramics. A tradition of guild governance shapes daily life, with guilds controlling routes, weights and measures, and port security.

Governance is a merchant republic with a bicameral council: the Assembly of Guilds and the Council of Banners. Executive authority rests with an annually elected Harbormaster and a rotating committee drawn from major guilds. The city policy favors free trade but maintains protective measures for strategic industries such as shipbuilding and munitions.

History and culture: Founded as a fortified trading post in early eras, KregenDray expanded through alliances with inland realms and coastal polities. It endured sieges and fires that reshaped its districts, and in recent centuries it has pursued modernization programs, including public schooling, aqueducts, and improved harbor infrastructure. The city maintains cultural institutions, including the Library of Tides and the Pearl Gate, a ceremonial entrance to the inner harbor. The population is diverse, with humans and coastal communities; languages include Kregan in daily life and Arion used in trade.