ælne

Alné is a fictional city-state in the fantasy continent of Thalenia. It serves as a major maritime and scholarly hub in the setting. The name derives from an ancient Thalenian word al-né, meaning horizon, reflecting its historical role as a gateway between land and sea.

Geography and institutions: Alné sits along a crescent bay ringed by limestone hills. The city is known for the Grand Library, a multi-wing complex that houses manuscripts, navigational charts, and planetary almanacs, and for the Lantern Gate, two tall towers whose lanterns are lit at dusk to guide ships.

History: Founded during the Second Era by a coalition of traders and navigators known as the Veiled Cartographers, Alné flourished as a port and cultural crossroads. It maintained a degree of autonomy under a council of guildmasters and scholars, balancing mercantile interests with scholastic inquiry.

Economy and culture: Alné's economy revolves around shipbuilding, glassmaking, and the trade of rare manuscripts. While Thalenian is the official language, multilingual markets are common, and Lingua Franca is widely used by merchants. Cultural life centers on the Grand Library and annual festivals such as the Day of Alné, which features lantern processions and manuscript readings. The city has contributed several navigational innovations that are referenced in Thalenian lore.

Notable landmarks: Grand Library, Lantern Gate, Market of Echoes.

See also: Thalenia; Lantern Gate; Grand Library.