Looah

Looah is a city-state in the archipelago nation of Eldoria, commonly featured in fantasy literature and role-playing games as a coastal trading hub. It is situated on the eastern shore, with a natural harbor, a central promontory, and a network of narrow canals that connect residential districts with merchant districts. The surrounding hinterland consists of terraced hills and mangrove flats that influence local climate and agriculture.

The toponym Looah derives from the ancient Looan language, meaning harbor’s song. In in-universe linguistics, the language influences local names and signage.

Looah's history centers on seafaring and trade. It is said to have grown from a cluster of fishing villages into a city-state during the late medieval period, expanding through merchant alliances and naval power. It endured periodic conflict with rival city-states and later integrated into larger federations within Eldoria.

Governance is typically described as a constitutional council led by a mayor, with a port authority and a guild senate representing merchants, artisans, and shipbuilders. The economy centers on port activities, shipbuilding, timber, fisheries, and light manufacturing, with services and tourism as supplements.

Culture centers on maritime tradition, markets, and a university that specializes in navigation, marine biology, and urban design. Notable institutions include Looah University and the Harbor Museum. Annual festivals celebrate seamanship and the harbor’s history, with music, markets, and ritual processions.

Overall, Looah serves as a fictional example of a maritime city-state with a diversified economy, distinctive infrastructure, and a culture shaped by its coastal setting.