Nihkum

Nihkum is a town and municipality in the fictional nation of Arinath, situated in Eldoria’s northern highlands along the Nihk River. It serves as a local administrative center for the surrounding rural district and is known for a historic market square and a monastery complex dating to the 12th century.

The area around Nihkum was settled around a 12th‑century monastery, which later became the nucleus of a fortified settlement. A regional fortress was constructed in the 14th century, contributing to its strategic importance. Nihkum gained municipal status in the mid‑20th century and has since balanced preservation with modernization, maintaining its traditional market as a continuing hub of regional trade.

Geographically, Nihkum sits at a modest elevation near the foothills of the Ember Range, with a temperate climate that features wet winters and dry summers. The population is about 8,000 residents, predominantly Arinathi-speaking, with smaller communities speaking nearby dialects. The town center blends historic architecture with mid‑century civic buildings, and nearby countryside supports agricultural activity.

Economically, Nihkum relies on agriculture—chiefly barley and flax—along with small‑scale manufacturing and a growing tourism sector centered on the monastery complex and surrounding ruins. Cultural life includes a harvest festival in autumn, regular markets, and craft traditions such as weaving and pottery that are practiced in local workshops.

Local government operates under a mayor–council system. Public services include two primary schools, a secondary school, a regional library, and a small clinic. Transportation links connect Nihkum to the regional capital by road and by a heritage railway line that serves visitors and residents alike.