Blackport

Geography and History

Blackport is one of the smallest and most remote harbours of the City. Blackport and its surrounding close knit community live at the borders of the known world, by the shore of Lake Onix.
Only the Black Towers and the high walls of the Black Muraille keep this community of farmers and fishermen safe from the horrors of the Desolation, stretching for mile and miles to the west, towards the volcanoes and magma fields of the Firelands.

If an unlikely tourist followed Black Lake Road to its end, past the sleepy, traditional village of Black Row, they would find among the rubbles of ancient ruins, a gathering of small cottages, all built in the traditional model of the poorest accommodation in the City: a simple four wall construction built out of recycled marble stones and roofs of hardened woven-kelp material.
From time to time, a sculpted pillar or head protrudes from the simple architecture, witnesses to a long-forgotten artist from a long-forgotten civilisation.

The only known point of reference in the harbour is the small square, overshadowed by a huge white squeletal tree, which over the years, has been tented in parts with the same kelp material stretched over the roofs.
It is to be noted that despite the price of wood, the dead tree has stood the test of time and still stands in the square above the ragtag assortment of cottages huddled around it. 

Some legends attribute a curse over the immense squeletal remains of the white tree. Anyone who ever cut a branch of the Whitie - as it is known locally - usuqlly meets a dreadful end and the locals are always keen to protect it. 

Demographics

The people living in Blackport are hardworking and made of stern stuff. Additions to the community are rare. Some retrievers have recently made their home within the shade of the Whitie, enjoying the simple and carefree life of the fishermen and farmers who settled here many generations ago.
It pays to listen to the hardwon wisdom of the locals regarding the dangers and wonders of the lake and its surroundings. Also, being remote and near forgotten, it is not a place the knights of the Prince's Shield are wont to patrol. 

Natural Resources and industry

The locals have exploited the algae fields of the lake shore for generations. Unfortunately, being a bit further away from the reach of the Prince's Sun that rises every day under the Dome, algae are not as plentiful as in other parts of the lake and the yields a bit less generous.
Coupled with the proximity of the Desolation, Blackport farmers do not farm in the most fertile algae fields of the City. However, Blackport families have managed to eke out a living out of the lake for generations.
Many farmers also own a small boat and send sons or daughters fishing everyday in the lethal but fertile waters of Lake Onix.  

Guilds and Factions

The Blackport community is its own guild. Albeit not recognized by the Fishermen's Coalition, Blackport has its own unelected community leader who represents Blackport's interests if need be.

In recent times, the unofficial spokeperson and leader has come from the most successful and prosperous family in Blackport: the half-orc, half_human clan of the Brandish.
The Brandish are an old farming and fishing clan of Blackport who diversified thirty years ago into Retrievers' business under the lead of their adventurous and fierceless matriarch: Blandeen Fishworm.
Through several daring and succesful deep dives into the lake, Blandeen was able to bring back a small fortune to her impoverished family.
She is now at the head of a numerous and enterprising clan, branching out well beyond the reach of Blackport.

Points of Interests

As well as the Whitie that stands inside Blackport square, the only other point of interest in Blackport are the Black Towers.
The Black Towers are part of the series ot twin towers that guard the boundaries of the City. 

This is where Knights of the Shield stand guard against the potential threats coming from the Wastes. However, it is well known that the Knights are never seen in Blackport.
Sometimes, a lone column of black winged horses can be spied leaving the confines of the towers towards the richer and prettier districts of the City to the east. None have ever alighted in Blackport. 
Blackport citizens also know better than to approach the towers and are happy to live like ants in the shade of a giant tree.

Type

District