Malthuss

Malthuss is a fictional city-state and port on the eastern coast of the Archipelago of Nerath. With a population around 150,000, it serves as a regional hub for maritime trade, shipbuilding, and professional services. The city sits along a crescent bay framed by limestone cliffs and terraced hills, connected to the surrounding islands by ferries and an inland road network. The government is a constitutional republic with a directly elected seven-member Council and a magistrate who acts as head of state. The Council drafts legislation and approves budgets, while the judiciary handles civil and criminal matters.

Malthuss arose in the 14th century when settlers led by navigator Malthus established a trading post at the bay’s mouth. It gained formal autonomy after a treaty with surrounding principalities in 1683 and has remained a self-governing metropolis since. The city’s name is said to honor the founder, though local legends tie it to an ancient term meaning harbor of ships.

The economy combines maritime industries, grain and spice trade, and services related to finance and education. The Great Library of Malthuss and the Malthuss Institute of Technology are prominent research centers. Culturally, the city hosts an annual Lanterns Festival and maintains a tradition of public libraries, markets, and coastal promenades. Notable landmarks include the Lantern Gate, the harbor district, and the cliffside terraces that define the city’s skyline.