Nestled in the central-eastern part of the country, where the vast Arland Forest meets the sea, Arland has long thrived at the crossroads of nature, magic, and trade. For many years, it was the second-largest city in Kildar and the only one capable of rivaling the former capital, Stormhaven. This changed after the war with the Lords' Alliance, during which the wisdom and swift actions of Arland's Governor ultimately led to the city becoming the new capital of Kildar.
Arland has always been a place where different worlds collided: the untamed traditions of the Wood Elves and the more restrained culture of the High Elves; the beauty of art and magic alongside the ruthless bloodshed of the Colosseum. Today, these contrasts have become secondary, as Arland serves as Kildar's primary point of contact with the Lords' Alliance. This has brought even greater prosperity to the city, though many citizens feel that the Alliance's influence can at times be somewhat overbearing.
Arland is divided into two distinct yet interconnected districts: the Elvish District and the Lords' District. While both remain deeply shaped by elven culture, they now serve very different purposes.
Elvish District – occupying the western part of Arland, set slightly inland this is a realm of artistry, magic, and tradition. Elegant spires, tree-bound homes, and tranquil gardens reflect centuries of elven craftsmanship. It is home to the city's finest artisans, renowned scholars, and the iconic Colosseum – the centre of both refined duels and brutal contests.
Lords' District – occupying the eastern part of Arland, this was once the bustling Harbour District, famed for its trade and shipbuilding, though often regarded as the lesser counterpart to the Elvish District. Today, it serves as the administrative centre of the Lords' Alliance in the region. Its rapid growth has transformed it into the city's political and commercial heart, reversing the balance between the two districts.
Arland's population is remarkably diverse, though its elven heritage – both High and Wood – remains its cultural backbone. Elves dominate the Elvish District, where mastery of art, magic, philosophy, and combat defines one's place in society. These elves are not isolationist, however. They welcome members of other races who have proven their excellence, resulting in a district inhabited by skilled humans, gnomes, halflings, and artisans of many races whose work reflects elven ideals of beauty and mastery.
The Lords' District is now populated primarily by officials of the Lords' Alliance, shipbuilders, dockworkers, travellers, merchants, and visitors from Faerûn. Once a lively and often chaotic district, it has become noticeably more orderly under Alliance administration. While some of its former roughness has disappeared, so too has much of its hardship. Over the past ten years, many residents have found themselves living in better homes, wearing finer clothes, and working in increasingly specialised professions, as new machinery and techniques introduced by the Lords' Alliance have transformed the docks and surrounding industries.
What truly sets Arland apart is the sheer size of its temporary population. Foreign merchants dock at the port daily, students arrive from across Kildar to study under the city's masters, and travellers come to witness – or fight in – the famous Colosseum. These visitors may stay only for a season or a few years, yet their constant movement gives the city much of its vibrancy and unpredictability. The opening of Arland to Faerûn has only increased this ever-changing flow of people.
Arland's economy thrives through a rare balance of elegance, labour, and opportunity. Its unique position between sea and forest, and between the great trade cities of Stormhaven and Šraku, naturally established it as a crossroads of commerce, culture, and craftsmanship. Following the fall of Stormhaven and Šraku, Arland became Kildar's principal trade hub and now serves as the primary gateway between Kildar and Faerûn.
At its core, Arland is renowned for producing high-value, often unique, goods – from enchanted ships and masterfully crafted weapons to magical artefacts and celebrated works of art. Much of this production originates in the Elvish District, where masters of many races, particularly elves, create items sought after throughout the continent.
The city is also a renowned centre of learning. Arland's academies, duelling schools, and magical colleges attract students from across Kildar and beyond. This steady influx of scholars, artists, merchants, and adventurers ensures that wealth continues to flow through the city's taverns, markets, workshops, and manufactories.
Trade remains another pillar of Arland's prosperity. Its harbour serves as a major transit point for goods travelling both within Kildar and overseas. While the city imports raw materials, it exports fine craftsmanship, magical wares, and valuable herbal resources gathered from the nearby forest.
Finally, the Colosseum remains one of Arland's greatest cultural and economic assets, hosting everything from traditional Wood Elf duels to prestigious tournaments and dramatic performances. It attracts spectators, fighters, and bettors from across the realm.
The arrival of the Lords' Alliance has strengthened each of these foundations. Skilled craftsmen, scholars, and merchants now arrive from both Kildar and Faerûn to work, study, and trade. Although access to Faerûn's markets remains regulated by the Lords' Alliance, their influence has transformed Arland's economy beyond recognition. Even the fame of the Colosseum now extends far beyond Kildar.
Arland was originally governed by a Governor appointed by the Elven monarchy, typically serving terms of 100 to 150 years. However, with the disappearance of the Elven royal line following the events of Crimson Dusk, the traditional system of succession was left without a clear path forward. The current Governor – an experienced and pragmatic elf – remained in office throughout the invasion by the Lords' Alliance and continues to rule today, although the city's political structure has changed considerably.
Where once the Governor shared authority with Arland's powerful guilds, he now occupies the most influential political position in all of Kildar. Whenever the Lords' Alliance wishes to implement major policies within the country, negotiations are conducted through the Governor, who is responsible for introducing them in Arland and communicating them to the other cities. Likewise, when the cities of Kildar seek to negotiate with the Lords' Alliance, they usually do so through him.
Within Arland itself, the Governor exercises almost complete authority over the Elvish District. He is supported by the Captain of the Elven Guard, who oversees law enforcement and maintains order there. Although the Governor also administers the Lords' District, responsibility for its security – including its guards and magical suppressors – ultimately rests with the Lords' Alliance.
Though the Governor possesses immense authority, he must constantly balance the competing interests of the Lords' Alliance, the cities of Kildar, the High Elves, the Wood Elves, and the many citizens who either welcome or resent the Alliance's growing influence.
Arland has always maintained a strong military tradition. Today, however, its visible military presence has been deliberately reduced, as both the Governor and the Lords' Alliance wish to present the capital as a city of peace rather than conquest. As a result, permanent military forces within the city are largely limited to guards, gladiators, and military instructors. Nevertheless, the city's economy and institutions continue to retain a strong martial character.
The Colosseum remains the city's military centrepiece, attracting everyone from aspiring fighters to seasoned champions. Warriors of the Lords' Alliance also compete there, demonstrating their discipline, tactics, and martial prowess.
To cultivate new talent, the guilds continue to sponsor promising individuals through the prestigious Bran Chevron Military College, renowned throughout Kildar for its rigorous instruction in martial arts, battlefield tactics, and combat magic. Even experienced veterans seek further training there. The Lords' Alliance closely monitors the institution while also contributing its own expertise through specialised courses and instructors.
Arland has long been famous for its enchanted shipyards, once regarded as the finest in Kildar. Although they suffered damage during the war, they have since returned to operation. At present, they primarily repair military and merchant vessels belonging to the Lords' Alliance, though many believe they will eventually resume constructing new ships under Alliance supervision.
Though Arland Forest is home to ancient Elven settlements, it remains a perilous and untamed wilderness. Wild beasts such as owlbears and displacer beasts are among the lesser threats one might encounter. The forest itself is treacherous – easy to get lost in, filled with poisonous plants and toxic fungi, and haunted by deeper, stranger dangers.
Entering the forest from anywhere other than Arland is especially risky. The city's proximity to a relatively stable edge of the forest is what earned it the original name “Arland Gate” – a title now usually shortened for simplicity. Despite its risks, the forest is prized for its rich alchemical resources, especially rare herbs and flowers, as well as for high-quality timber. The abundance of wildlife is preserved in part thanks to Elven vigilance and the land’s inherent dangers, which deter overexploitation.
For those determined – or desperate – enough to enter, guides-for-hire in Arland offer safer passage. Each guide tends to have a specific specialty: some know the terrain intimately, others are experts in flora or fauna, and a few even claim connections with the forest's more secretive Elven enclaves. While survival can never be guaranteed, these guides offer the best chance of returning from Arland Forest with your life – and perhaps a rare prize in hand.
Author: Pavel
Elven forest city meets roman military industrial complex