Zviyah

Zviyah is a fictional city-state in the northern highlands of the fantasy setting Eldara. It is a major trade hub and political center, situated on a high plateau above the Zviyia River. The city controls important river crossings and trade routes connecting coastal polities to inland kingdoms. Zviyah's terrain includes basalt cliffs, terraced agricultural belts, and fortified districts.

The city’s origins lie in early migrations, and it rose to prominence after the construction of the River Gate in the 7th century, eventually becoming a center of crafts and scholarship. Over time,Zviyah developed a structured urban core with a mix of residential wards, market districts, and religious precincts.

Local governance is carried out by a council composed of merchant guild leaders and senior magistrates, which selects a magistrate for annual terms and guides policy on trade, defense, and public works. The council’s decisions influence zoning, resource allocation, and relations with neighboring polities.

Zviyah’s economy relies on river trade, glass production from desert sands, metal goods, and a standing market that hosts caravans from multiple regions. The city serves as a distribution point for goods moving between inland and coastal domains, with a port district along the river.

Culturally, Zviyah hosts a Festival of Lights in mid-autumn and supports a multilingual society with a common trade pidgin and regional dialects. Local cuisine features smoked fish, barley stews, and saffron breads, reflecting river, farmland, and caravan influences.

Architecturally, the city combines fortified walls, arcaded public squares, and domed temples with white plaster and blue tile. Notable sites include the Gate of Echoes, the Archive of Scrolls, and the Temple of the North Star. The population is approximately 85,000, with diverse districts for merchants, artisans, and scholars. The name Zviyah is believed to derive from old river-lore meaning “bright crossing.”