Blackwate

Blackwate (/blackwate / [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Large Town located in Vu̹chæ Lûchyo Kingdom, Tefea County, within the Norwick Principality.

The name Blackwate is derived from the Sylvin language, as Blackwate was founded by Wyn Smurthwaite, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Blackwate has a yearly average temperature of 15°C (59°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a cool 14°C (57°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool 17°C (62°F). Blackwate receives an average of 258 cm/y (101 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of snow during the pleasantly short winter months. Blackwate covers an area of nearly 6 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 884 m (2900 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Blackwate was founded durring the late 14th century in fall of the year 1285, by Wyn Smurthwaite. The establishment of the new community went well, with no major obsticles durring construction.

Blackwate was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 14th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Blackwate is no diffrent. The town's buildings feature plaster covered brick construction taking the shape of large simple gemometric shapes which ate then embelished with decorative features, but retain their simple shapes in spite of the added features such as pillars, faccaddes, and covered walkways. The blocky nature gives a general impression of extreem age, as if each structure has existed since time immemorial.

Blackwate is buildings have been located at convienant points along the gorge Blackwate was built upon. Navigating the town is therefore a little chalanging as the distance between buildings verris greatly and the broad baked earthen streets flow where they are able to be made rather than folowing the most convienant paths. The town rests behind a thick wall made from clay bricks. The wall has all of the proper fortifications and is well made. Unfortuantly the nature of clay brick leaves it quite vulnerable to siege equipment, though the thickness of the wall lends it simmilar resistnace to a thinner hardrock wall. The millitarily questionable fortifications have not been wellmaintained over the years, and while functional are in dire need of some loving care and perhapse light renovation.

A look around Blackwate has something terribly wrong with it. It’s impossible to put one’s finger on, but something is horribly wrong. Maybe it’s the way fog blankets the ground, but only in the connors of places. Maybe it’s the vermin scuttling between shadows in the corner of your eyes. Perhaps it’s the overcast sky which seemed to creep out of nowhere, or the distant howling of wolves. Maybe it’s all of those things together, or perhaps it's the way these elements combine with the simple fact that it is abundantly clear Blackwate suffered something horrible some time ago. It's as if the town itself is depressed. Smiles are few, cheer is nowhere to be had. Everyone quietly goes about their daily business not looking anyone in the eye. Regardless, you do not feel it would be wise to remain in Blackwate long.

Civic Infrastructure

Blackwate has an Office of Civil Groundskeeping, which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the construction and upkeep up of all plant life, water features, and other natural decorations within Blackwate . They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Blackwate 's parks.

Blackwate has an Office of Civil Vicary, which is responsible for providing a livelyhood for all officialy recognised religious figures within Blackwate .

Blackwate has a Gravedigger's Guild, which is responsible for collecting the dead and laying them to rest according to all applicable laws and religious customs.

Blackwate has a Highwayman's Guild, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.

Blackwate has a monistary of an order of Civil Monks, who provide divine-related services to the general public and maintain Blackwate 's public wards, blessings, and other arcane systems.

Blackwate has a Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for the construction, management, and usage rights for all of its parks and parklands. They are not to be confused with the Office of Civil Groundskeeping as they do not hold authority over nor responsibility for Blackwate 's natural decorations nor waterways.

Blackwate has a public schooling program overseen by the Hall of Sages who has the responsibility of ensuring access to affordable high-quality education in all basic classes (Reading, Writing, Mathmatics, General Sciences, General Arcana, and Social Education) is made available to all citizens.

Blackwate has a public septic system, which allows its citizens to have indoor bathrooms. The septic system is overseen by the League of Sewerkeepers, who posses the legal authority to enforce all laws relating to the septic system, and are also tasked with its maintenance and upkeep.

Cultural Notes

One or more crime bosses have a powerful influence within Blackwate . They may control crime within the community itself, or they may use it simply as a safe haven from which to direct their minions elsewhere. Local law enforcement may know all about them, but lack the strength to confront them and their paid or intimidated henchmen.

Blackwate 's town hall was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used has a sleek, linear appearance with stylized, often geometric ornamentation. The primary facade of its buildings often featured a series of set backs that create a stepped outline. Low-relief decorative panels can be found at entrances, around windows, along roof edges or as string courses. It was best known for its use of smooth finish building materials such as stucco, concrete block, glazed brick or mosaic tile. Decorative details can incorporate various artistic or exotic motifs to suit the building's function or the architect's whim. Chevrons, zigzags, and other geometrical motifs are common forms of ornament.

In Blackwate it is impossible to directly or indirectly lie.

The Vukodlak near Blackwate are known to be quite timid.

Blackwate 's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in summer and involves gestures to channel Conjuration energies of tier 2 via guttural bellowing.

Economy

The following information was obtained via the Imperial Census Bureau as part of the Eyom Economic Outreach Program. It differs from Standard Imperial censuses in that many of Tom's citizens, regardless of culture, work in more than one occupation or hold more than a single job. The Imperial Census Bureau has ruled that a job is a job, hence, the intigers within the data presented here can count an individual more than once.

Blackwate Census Data: Year 2000

504 of Blackwate 's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 29 work in Agriculture
• 113 work as Craftsmen
• 39 work as Merchants
• 84 work as Service Workers
• 51 work as General Laborers
• 19 work as Skilled Laborers
• 74 work as Civil Servants
• 43 work in Cottage Industries
• 25 work as Artists
• 27 work in Produce Industries

938 of Blackwate 's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 125 (8%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Blackwate 's is something of a geological and arcane anomaly, as neither physical nor magical law entirely explains its formation.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century, Blackwate was attacked by a group of guerrilla fighters. The details of the conflict are hazy at best due to many conflicting accounts. What is known is Blackwate lost 105 people, 162 livestock, and 50 buildings. The conflict ended after roughly 34, when members of Blackwate 's militia enacted an operation to destroy or capture a particular enemy prototype. The operation was complicated by a natural disaster interrupted the operation, shattering unit cohesion. The conflict ended with needing to break through the enemy's lines, which ended in a stalemate for Blackwate 's forces. The war is remembered in legend by Blackwate 's bards, historians, and legend keepers.

History