Zahrnou

Zahrnou is a fictional city-state widely used in fantasy fiction and role-playing games. In most portrayals, it sits on a delta along a major river and serves as a commercial hub connecting inland markets to coastal trade routes. The city is described as a multiethnic port with a layered skyline of mosques, caravanserais, and watchtowers; its urban plan often emphasizes terraces, courtyards, and wind-catching galleries to manage heat.

In-universe etymology varies; the name is commonly linked to the word 'zahr' meaning dawn or sun, and 'nou' meaning city, in the fictional Zahran language.

Zahrnou is typically depicted as a mercantile oligarchy or sultanate; governance centers on a council of merchants or a ruling noble family. The economy emphasizes trade, shipbuilding, spice and textile crafts. The culture blends several traditions, with distinctive music, calligraphy, and navigational craftsmanship.

Fictional history places Zahrnou as an ancient trading power that rose through maritime alliances and tolerance of diverse cultures. Its chronicles often recount conquests, disasters, and a renaissance tied to astronomical navigation.

Zahrnou appears in multiple novels, game settings, and fan works, where it serves as a stage for diplomacy, espionage, and exploration. It is sometimes contrasted with inland city-states and desert realms.