Zorlian

Zorlian is a fictional ethnolinguistic and political designation describing the people, language, and state of the Zorlian Archipelago, a coastal region in the western ocean of the fictional world of Aethria. The term encompasses the inhabitants, their language, and their institutions. The archipelago includes three principal islands—Neris, Cale, and Vash— and a number of smaller islets, with a temperate maritime climate and rugged coastlines. The Zorlian population is estimated at about 2.3 million, with communities centered in coastal cities and traditional fishing villages.

Historically, Zorlian communities coalesced into city-states and later unified under a central authority known as the High Council in the 15th century. After a period of foreign influence, Zorlian achieved de jure independence in 1823 and later adopted a constitutional framework. The modern state is a parliamentary republic with a prime minister and a largely ceremonial president.

The Zorlian language is the official tongue and is spoken by the vast majority of residents. It uses the Zori script, an alphabetic syllabary derived from earlier runic and logographic traditions. Zorlian culture centers on seamanship, seasonal fisheries, woodcraft, and rich oral storytelling. Religious and ceremonial life blends local ancestral rites with influences from neighboring regions.

The economy relies on fishing, shipbuilding, forestry-based manufacturing, and tourism. The government maintains protections for fisheries and coastal ecosystems and supports regional education and infrastructure. The Zorlian diaspora is present in several neighboring regions and contributes to cultural exchange.