Xhara

Xhara is a fictional city-state and major coastal trading hub in the eastern archipelago of the continent of Aeloria. Located at the mouth of two sea lanes, it occupies a crescent bay ringed by limestone cliffs and timber quays. The climate is tropical with a wet season, shaping the city's architecture and harbor design.

Xhara traces its origins to a loose federation of harbor settlements established several centuries ago. It grew through maritime trade, serving as a waypoint for merchants traveling between inland markets and distant ports. In many periods it maintained a degree of autonomy through strategic alliances and coastal defences. In modern times its government is a council composed of representatives from commercial guilds, led by a prefect who oversees administration and foreign relations.

The economy of Xhara centers on seaborne trade, shipbuilding, and crafts such as pottery and textile weaving. Its ports handle goods including spices, timber, and metalware, with a tradition of market exchanges and caravan routes linking inland towns. The city supports a multicultural population with languages including Xharan as the local lingua franca and several trade dialects.

Landmarks include the Stone Gate, which guards the west entrance; the Ocean Library, a collection housed in a multi-tiered structure near the harbor; and the Temple of Winds, a ceremonial complex overlooking the sea. Xhara maintains a modest university focused on navigation, logistics, and maritime law.

Note: Xhara is a fictional setting created for illustrative purposes and may be used in world-building contexts.