Valorian

Valorian is a fictional kingdom that appears in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing settings. It is a sovereign realm on the continent of Eldoria, commonly depicted as a balanced power between coastal trade and inland resource extraction.

Etymology and geography: The name Valorian derives from Latin valere meaning “to be strong” and from an ancient Valorian tongue. The realm encompasses coastal plains, forested highlands, and the Ironmarch mountains. The capital is Lumenhold. The climate is temperate with maritime influences along the western coast.

History: Valorian traces its origins to a collection of city-states in the 9th century, unified by the House of Valori around the year 1023. It reached a cultural zenith in the 13th and 14th centuries, known as the Age of Roads and Tournaments. After a series of reforms in the 19th century, Valorian adopted a constitutional framework; today it is a constitutional monarchy with a ceremonial monarch and an elected parliament.

Government: The government combines a bicameral legislature, the Senate and the Assembly, with an appointed Privy Council advising the monarch. The prime minister or chancellor serves as head of government, while the monarch serves largely a symbolic role.

Economy: Valorian has a diversified economy. Agriculture prevails in the southern provinces; mining and metallurgy in the Ironmarch; shipbuilding and trade along the western coast; and textiles and crafts in urban centers. The currency is the sol, and major ports facilitate regional commerce.

Demographics and culture: The population is drawn from several ethnic groups who share a common Valorian identity. The official language is Valorian, with regional dialects and trade languages. Valorian art emphasizes heraldry, glasswork, and manuscript illumination; religious life is pluralistic, with state secularism in modern governance.

Notable sites: Lumenhold, Silver Port, Ironspire Fortress, the Archivium, and the Academy of Valoria.