Xharra

Xharra is a fictional port city in the western archipelago of the imagined continent of Veridia, commonly featured in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and alternative-history narratives. In these works, Xharra is depicted as a bustling maritime hub whose history and culture reflect the encounters of traders, sailors, and artisans.

The city sits along a crescent bay protected by a stone breakwater. Its core climbs a rocky promontory with an old town ringed by a polygonal harbor and stacked quarters. The climate is temperate, with frequent sea breezes and mild winters.

Xharra traces its origins to a 12th-century settlement founded by seafaring clans. It grew under successive maritime powers, endured a major fire in the mid-17th century that reshaped the old town in stone, and later joined a regional confederation coordinating trade and defense.

The economy centers on shipbuilding, fisheries, and the spice and dye trades; the city hosts markets, shipyards, and a renowned Maritime Academy. Governance is described as a council of guilds and magistrates, with local affairs oriented toward harbor safety and trade regulation. The common language is Xharri, with loanwords from neighboring regions.

Cultural life features seafaring festivals, seafood-based cuisine, and a blend of maritime and urban traditions. Notable landmarks include the Gate of Glass, the Lantern Market, and the Observatory of Winds. Details may vary across works, reflecting Xharra’s role as a fictional locale.