Soud

Soud is a small town and municipality in the northern part of the fictional country of Eldoria, in the province of Lyria. It lies in the Soud Valley along the Soud River and covers about 28 square kilometers. As of 2021, the population was around 4,200. The town centers on a compact historic core surrounded by agricultural land and light industry.

The valley provides a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, average temperatures around 14°C in July and 3°C in January, and roughly 750 millimeters of rainfall per year. The landscape includes rolling farmland, orchards, and several small forests.

Soud grew from a medieval market settlement established in the 12th century along a trading route. It gained municipal rights by the 15th century and developed around agriculture and crafts. The 19th and 20th centuries saw improvements in transport that linked Soud to larger towns and markets.

Today the economy centers on agriculture—grains, grapes, and vegetables—and small-scale manufacturing such as textiles and woodworking. Tourism focuses on the historic center and nearby vineyards. The town is connected by a regional road network; the nearest rail station is 12 to 15 kilometers away in Brambleton, with regional buses serving the town center.

Landmarks include the Church of Saint Liara (14th century), the Market Hall, and the town library. Soud hosts an annual harvest festival in autumn and a weekly market. Notable residents have included the writer Arlo Vance and the ceramic artist Mina Kest.