Valrûn

Valrûn is a fictional coastal city in the northern realm of Eldoria. It lies at the mouth of the Valen River along the eastern coast, where maritime trade has long shaped its economy. The city is the administrative center of the Valen Province and acts as a hub for commerce, culture, and learning.

Valrûn traces its origins to a trading post established in the early centuries of Eldoria. It grew under the protection of local duchies and became a sally point during regional conflicts. The city attained the status of capital of Valen Province in the late medieval period and developed a strong mercantile class.

Valrûn is governed by a hereditary duke assisted by a council drawn from merchant guilds, scholarly institutions, and peasant representatives. The council has limited legislative powers and advises the duke on taxation, trade, and public works. The current duke presides over a constitutional framework that balances ceremonial duties with policymaking.

Valrûn's harbor handles timber, grain, fish, and manufactured goods. Shipyards produce fishing boats and merchant galleys. The city hosts a weekly market known for spices, textiles, and crafts. It is connected by river and coastal roads to inland towns and maintains a modern port facility.

Valrûn has a diverse population of around 85,000 residents, with communities of sailors, merchants, artisans, and scholars. The city preserves a maritime cultural calendar, including the Sea Festival and the Night Market, and hosts the Grand Archive, a repository of manuscripts and maps.

Notable sites include the Valen Gate, the Grand Archive, the Lighthouse of Dawn, and the Salt Market district.