valenss

Valenss is a coastal city-state on the western shore of the continent of Eldoria. It sits at the mouths of the Serin and Lyr rivers, facing the Valen Gulf. The city has a temperate climate with wet winters and dry summers.

The name Valenss is commonly believed to derive from the legendary founder Valen, a sea captain whose descendants established the city’s early trading networks. There are alternate theories linking the name to a word meaning horizon; the exact origin remains uncertain.

Valenss developed from a modest trading outpost into a major port by the early Middle Ages. It gained de facto autonomy through maritime accords and later formal independence with the Great Charter of the Twelve, which restricted external oversight while promoting trade alliances.

The economy centers on maritime trade, shipbuilding, and crafts. Main exports include timber, woolen textiles, salted fish, and paper. The harbor remains a hub for merchants from inland duchies and distant regions, and port fees fund public services.

Governing a council called the Council of Twelve Merchants, elected for two-year terms, with a High Magistrate who presides over sessions and represents the city abroad. Law is codified in the Valen Code, supplemented by customary practices.

Valenss hosts weekly markets, a permanent goods exchange, and several guilds that regulate apprenticeships. Notable landmarks include the Harbor Gate, the Lighthouse of Sable Point, and the Grand Concourse Market. The city also supports a venerable academy and a monastic seminary.