Zarvan

Zarvan is a city-state and major port located on the northern coast of the continent of Elaria in the fictional world of Eldoria. The name Zarvan is thought to derive from an ancient term meaning harbor or meeting place, reflecting its long history as a crossroads for traders and travelers.

Geographically, Zarvan sits at a natural harbor ringed by limestone cliffs and backed by gentle hills. The Zarin River traverses the city, draining into the harbor and shaping its districts. The climate is temperate, with mild winters and dry, warm summers that support year-round maritime and outdoor activity.

Historically, Zarvan was founded in the 9th century by seafaring clans and grew rapidly as a commercial hub. It built a defensive wall in the 15th century and gradually acquired a status as a free city, maintaining autonomy within regional economic leagues. The 19th and early 20th centuries brought modern infrastructure, including rail links and steamship facilities, reinforcing its role in regional trade.

Governance is a constitutional republic with an elected mayor and a city council that enacts local laws. The council shares executive responsibilities with a technocratic cabinet on economic and public-works matters, while an independent judiciary handles civil and commercial disputes. Zarvan participates in a regional trade confederation that coordinates standards and dispute resolution with neighboring polities.

The economy centers on port-based trade, shipbuilding, textiles, metalworking, and fisheries, complemented by logistics and services for commerce. Its position as a transit point between inland markets and overseas routes underpins a diversified urban economy and relatively high employment in maintenance, warehousing, and professional services.

Demographically, Zarvan is heterogeneous, with residents speaking Zarvan, Trade English, and several local languages. Cultural life centers on the Market of Tide, the Temple of the Tide, and annual maritime festivals that celebrate the city’s seafaring heritage.