Blackstone

The capital of Fjarda, Blackstone lives up to its name. Its architecture is unlike anything else in Arvendell, taking influence from the sharp edges of volcanic glass and igneous rock that has gone in to its creation. Once a large gothic castle, the city that grew up around it dwarfed the old walls with black spires. The Törvassa Nörna is the tallest freestanding structure in Arvendell, constructed in 712, and stands as a monument to Arven strength and ingenuity.
The was originally founded as a mining town, due to the pre-existing catacombs that run deep underneath it, to as-of-yet unexplored depths. The catacombs, carved out by magma flows in ages past, contain rich deposits of precious gems, silver, iron and obsidian, and it is from these riches that the wealth of Fjarda was born. The catacombs also serve as water channels, flowing underneath the Vörssre into Lake Vöst. Access to these channels existed long before the invention of proper sewage and waste disposal systems, and thus Blackstone has been historically considered one of the cleanest and disease-free settlements in the northern world. Because of this, many sick and injured people made pilgrimage to Blackstone for what they considered to be its healing properties, and as such a growing interest in medicine, surgery and the study of biology slowly began creeping up among the educated elite. In 610, following the Black Wing Heresy when many sages, herbalists and other practitioners of 'magic' were prohibited from entering the city, the Freidrich Munzen School of Medicine was founded to fill the void left from the dissolution of traditional healthcare practices. In the year 799, the school opened itself up to the public as the first cost-free nationalised healthcare system, at the behest of the Electorate Lords. During the Black Wing Heresy, many of those who sought to escape persecution also used the catacombs beneath the city as a means of escape, most of whom fled to Rossa or further still to Glennich.
Blackstone's charitable nature lies in contrast to its dark history and darker architecture, and it is also home to the Eluiss Children's Home, the largest orphanage in Arvendell, founded in 579 on the principle that the Yeffrian and Skal faiths were not mutually exclusive, and that both call for 'the protection of children above oneself'. Clan Eluiss remain the patrons of the children's home to this day. 
The original castle of Blackstone, Arach-Nörna, was the seat of power for the Fjardic monarchs until their dissolution in 680, but still remains the seat of the Elector Council for all of Fjarda to this day.

Demographics

The population of Blackstone has a disproportionate quantity of educated men and women. With strong ties to the Arven Constabulary and a mostly wealthy local population, there is relatively little crime and class disparity.

Government

Blackstone is the seat of the Electorate Council in Fjarda. The city itself exists under the rule of Clan Elluis.

Infrastructure

Blackstone is home to the Törvassa Nörna, the tallest free-standing structure in Arvendell. It is also the home of the Freidrich Munzen School of Medicine.

Alternative Name(s)

Nörnahelm

Type

Capital

Population

2,900,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Nörnaheimer

Location under

Arvendell

Owning Organization

Fjarda