azald

Azald is a city-state in the eastern highlands of the fantasy continent Eldara. It is the political and commercial center of the Azaldi Confederation, a loose alliance of towns centered on river trade. The city sits at the confluence of three rivers, protected by basalt escarpments, and is renowned for grain markets, metalwork, and hydraulic workshops. The population is diverse, including artisans, scholars, merchants, and migrant workers. Azaldic and Common are the main languages.

Historically, Azald grew from a 12th-century guild settlement that regulated river crossings and tolls. It evolved into a merchant-led polity with a rotating office called the Gatekeeper and a Council of Merchants. The Charter Reforms formalized guild representation in municipal decisions and established neutrality in regional conflicts. In modern times, Azald uses its river trade to influence neighbors without pursuing territorial expansion.

Economy and culture: Azald is known for stamped metalwork, clockwork devices, and textiles. The Grand Archive preserves manuscripts from across Eldara and hosts scholarly debates, while public squares host performances and craft markets. The Night Market festival features illuminated stalls, music, and street theater. Architecture blends basalt walls with white plaster and copper roofs, reflecting a guild-friendly, pragmatic aesthetic.

Etymology and notes: The name Azald derives from the ancient Azaldic language, with proposed meanings such as “stone harbor” or “dawn-city.” The exact origin remains debated among philologists. As a fictional setting, most detailed accounts appear in the Grand Archive and in in-world chronicles.