Vranon

Vranon is a city-state in the eastern lowlands of the fictional realm of Ardentia. It sits along the Vran River, near the foothills of the Sable Ridge, and serves as a regional hub for trade and culture. The climate is temperate, with wet winters and warm summers. The city’s population is about 40,000.

Vranon began as a market settlement in the early medieval era and grew through river trade and bridge-building. It won a municipal charter in the late medieval period and developed a guild-based economy. Today it is governed under a constitutional charter with a mayor and a City Council; a Guild Assembly represents crafts, fisheries, and merchants.

Economy and infrastructure: The port handles timber, grain, and manufactured goods; shipbuilding and textile workshops remain important. The city maintains a small port, a modernized marketplace, and rail connections to neighboring towns.

Culture and landmarks: Vranon preserves timber-framed houses and stone public buildings. Notable sites include the Bridge of Echoes, the Hall of Guilds, and the Cathedral of Saint Mira. The annual Harvest Tide festival and the Night Market are prominent cultural events. The local language is Vranic, with Ardentian used in administration.

Education and demography: Vranon hosts Vranon University, with strengths in maritime studies and urban planning. The city faces challenges common to historic centers, such as balancing growth with heritage conservation.