Milzhilus

Milzhilus is a fictional city and regional center in the northern lowlands of the continent of Ardentia. It serves as the administrative capital of Milzhilus Prefecture and functions as a commercial and cultural hub for surrounding towns. In 2023, the city’s population was estimated at 78,000.

The name Milzhilus is said to derive from historical terms meaning stone and gateway in local dialects, reflecting the city’s historical role as a crossing point on the Mil River.

Milzhilus traces its origins to a medieval trading post established around 1090. It grew as a river port and center for metalworking, weathered a major fire in 1731, and expanded in the late 19th century with the arrival of rail.

The city sits in a broad river valley along the Mil River, surrounded by gentle hills and farmland. The climate is temperate with warm summers and cool winters, and the surrounding lands support orchards and vineyards.

The economy was historically based on metallurgy and crafts. Today it is diversified, with manufacturing, logistics, education, and health services. Milzhilus University and several research institutes contribute to regional innovation and a skilled workforce.

Governance rests in a mayor and a 40-member council. The city operates Milzhilus Central Station, linking national rail lines; intercity buses serve the suburbs; the nearest international airport lies about 60 kilometers away.

The city hosts the annual Festival of Lanterns and preserves a historic warehouse district and a late-19th-century railway station. Local cuisine features river fish, rye bread, and forest mushrooms.

Notable residents include economist Lora Vint, engineer Rafi Kall, and author Nim Derez.