Vaylar

Vaylar is a fictional city-state and major seaport on the central archipelago of Lysara. It sits at a natural harbor ringed by tidal canals, with coral-stone districts and glass-fronted markets connected by wooden causeways and levitated trams. The city serves as a commercial crossroads between inland polities and distant maritime routes.

Vaylar originated as a trading outpost and gained autonomy through a charter agreement among coastal guilds. Over time it developed a stable, guild-led government and grew into a center for shipbuilding, finance, and learning.

The government is a Council of Guilds, representing major trades such as shipping, textiles, and construction. A magistrate, elected by the council, heads the executive branch and oversees public works and diplomacy. The council handles foreign affairs, budgets, and security.

The economy centers on the port, shipyards, and related services. Key sectors include insurance and credit, textile production, and the markets trading spices, dyes, and timber. Public revenue funds aqueducts, flood defenses, and canal maintenance.

Culture is characterized by the Vaylari language, with a shared trade lingua franca. The Lantern Market festival celebrates commerce through music and light. Institutions include the University of Navigation and a School of Cartography and Trade Law.

Landmarks include the Grand Canal Gate, the Lantern Market, and the Bastion of Sable, a coastal fortress. The population is diverse, with merchants, shipwrights, scholars, and artisans, and the city attracts visitors from across Lysara.