airt

Airt is a fictional coastal city in the fantasy setting of the Aertan Chronicles. It sits on a sheltered harbor along the Vaelara coast and is connected inland by the River Nesh. The city's location historically favored trade between inland agricultural regions and maritime routes.

Founded by the merchant guilds in the early years of the setting's calendar, Airt developed into a regional hub for commerce, scholarship, and crafts. It is governed by the City Council, composed of representatives from major districts, and led by a magistrate elected for a three-year term. The council maintains a tradition of open market justice.

The economy centers on fishing, shipbuilding, textile production, and spice trading. The weekly market draws merchants from across the coast, and Airt issues its own currency, the Airt coin, minted from copper and silver alloys. The city is known for its lighthouses and granaries.

Culturally, Airt is a melting pot of coastal and inland communities. The common lingua franca is Airtish, with local dialects in neighborhoods. Festivals such as Lantern Night celebrate navigation, harvests, and artisans.

Notable sites include the Lighthouse of Ember, the Market Gate, and the Library of Wind, which houses scrolls on navigation and philosophy. Transportation relies on coastal ferries, river barges, and a road network linking inland towns.