Nefari

Nefari is a fictional city-state and the name of its people in a shared fantasy setting used across multiple works of fantasy literature and tabletop games. In most depictions, Nefari occupies a chain of coastal harbors on the western shores of the continent of Valara, and its society is organized around merchant guilds, scholarly houses, and a ceremonial council known as the Veiled Senate. The Nefari are portrayed as skilled navigators and artisans, with a strong tradition in textile weaving, metalwork, and seafaring.

The Nefari language and culture are described as closely tied to knowledge, discretion, and trade. They are often associated with motifs of night, shadows, and moonlight, though portrayals vary by author and setting. The economy typically centers on maritime trade, harbor markets, and exchanges of rare goods and scholarly works with neighboring polities. Religion in depictions of Nefari is diverse, with temples dedicated to deities of knowledge, the sea, and protection.

In narrative use, Nefari serves as a setting for political intrigue, exploration, and cultural exchange. Because it appears in independent works, there is no single canonical version of Nefari; instead, each author adapts its geography, governance, and customs to fit their story. The term may also appear as a surname or as the name of smaller towns within the same fictional world.