Metthetsgrad

Metthetsgrad is a fictional city used in speculative fiction and role-playing games. It is located in the northern realm of Eldershore, along the Veylin River, and is described as a regional center for trade, learning, and governance. The city’s population in most narratives ranges from 40,000 to 60,000, depending on story needs.

The toponym Metthetsgrad is commonly interpreted as a composite of a local riveric element and the Old High German suffix grad, meaning a slope, step, or grade. The exact origin varies between sources, but the name is consistently associated with riverside commerce and hilltop fortifications.

Metthetsgrad sits on a widening river bend and is divided into Old Town, the Central Quarter, the Riverside Wharf, and Northcrest. The topography features a steep escarpment to the east, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Founded in the early 13th century as a trading outpost, Metthetsgrad grew through river traffic and guilds. A medieval fortress protected the river crossing, and the city expanded with guild halls, markets, and, later, railway connections in the 19th century.

The city is governed by a mayor and a representative council. Its economy blends textiles, shipbuilding, and tertiary services, anchoring a regional market and academy system.

Notable sites include the Clock Tower, the Grand Market, and Metthetsgrad University. The annual Metthets Day festival celebrates river heritage and craft.

Metthetsgrad appears in novels, games, and world-building manuals as a versatile urban setting.