Although the town of Blackstone was established only three hundred years ago, the site itself enjoys a much longer history. Two thousand years ago, prior to the age of chaos that surrounded the Banishment, a large dwarven community resided at the site. Although no records or historical documents remain from this time, it is known that the stone obelisk at the center of town was constructed by these dwarves.
Given that little is known of these dwarves, it is therefore of no wonder that the precise date of their passing in unknown. It is known, however, that the great citadel was struck down by Absadh, the First who was the sworn enemy of the dwarves. After a long siege which ended only by the direct intervention of their patron, the giants took the dwarven citadel and destroyed all. Further, the giants cursed the land so that for a thousand years nothing could live there. In the aftermath, it was discovered that although the citadel had passed, the great obelisk that now stands had survived.
Because of the curse of the giants, the site remained unoccupied for a thousand years. By CY 600, however, the land was once again occupied, this time by a tribe of orcs. In 598, a powerful army of goblins and orcs had swept down from the Shadowed Mountains, led by the legendary orc warlord Ulbrik of the Bloody Axe clan. On the site of Blackstone Ulbrik built a mighty castle from which he launched raids deep into the southern lands. And for twenty years he remained almost unopposed.
In 620, however, the southern lands finally rallied together an organized defense. With the famed Dwarven Ironhammer brigade in the vanguard, the allied forces of the south besieged the dark castle of Ulbrik and after months of struggle finally toppled the once-unbeatable warlord. Ulbrik himself was slain in the final battle of the siege and the remaining warriors fled northward.
With Ulbrik slain, the orcs and goblins lost their cohesion and all cooperation was forgotten among the clans and tribes. But although the humanoids were weakened and no longer threatened the southern lands, they still roamed the northern regions. As a result, a great citadel was constructed and the dwarves were given charge over it. The Ironhammer Brigade itself took command of the citadel and for two centuries they faithfully guarded the southern lands from the depridations of the savage humanoids.
In the 9th century, however, another great humanoid horde arose, this time under the leadership of the warlord Krag the Merciless, who claimed to be the descendent of Ulbrik. In 861, Krag's horde reached the walls of the Dwarven citadel. Despite the overwhelming odds against them, however, the dwarves would not be easily defeated. For four months, the Ironhammer Brigade held out against the persistant assaults of the orcs and goblins. In the end, however, the opposing numbers proved too great for the great dwarven fighters. All were slain and Krag, angered over the stubborness of the dwarven defense, ordered the citadel dismantled stone by stone. As before, only the lone obelisk remained untouched, for reasons that are unknown.
After Krag was slain in 882 and his horde was dispersed, life once again returned to the area. Lurred by the wealth of the rich forest to the west, humans began to settle in the area. By the beginning of the 10th century, a small village had formed on the former site of the dwarven citadel. Since the threat of humanoid raids remained always present, a wall was constructed to protect the small settlement, the remains of which can still be seen in what is now the town's graveyard.
The settlement was not officially settled however until 992, when Count Rugal of Parmendale granted his vassal Lady Relva hereditary title to the village and the surrounding environs. It was Lady Relva who officially named the village Blackstone, although the name was already in common use by that time.
In 1374, Lord Weldor died without heir. A brief struggle ensued between two leading families of Blackstone, but Liva Stonebrook - a dwarven female and a leading resident - won from the Countess of Elvormine the charter for Blackstone as a free city. And as such the town remained until 1454. In the summer of that year, a force of 3,000 goblins besieged the town, led by Grillok. Receiving no assistance from Count Eldor, who was off fighting to the south, the town looked to a group of heroes who had taken up residence in the town. Alvarra d'Elbrock, then mayor of the town, saw that the chaotic times brought greater threats to the town. So with the town council's approval, she offered lordship of the town to Morgan Calathes, one of a group of heroes who had taken up residence in the town. The heroes defeated the goblins and Morgan was made lord of Blackstone. In 1455, Morgan met with Count Eldor of Elvormine, during which time he was officially knighted and made Lord of Blackstone.
The town of Blackstone is located in the County of Elvormine near the southern border of the Blood March. The county is part of the Duchy of Urdang.
The town's last official counting placed the population at 1,834 people. This census was done several years ago, however, so it is generally assumed that the town now has more people, perhaps as many as 2,000 or so. Of these, the majority are humans, but the town has a small but significant dwarven population of about 75 dwarves. These residents have only come more recently, within the past hundred years or so. Having settled in the southeastern portion of the town, they still largely keep to themselves, interacting with the humans almost strictly for economic reasons.
The town is currently ruled by Morgan Calathes, a noble holding the title Lord of Blackstone. As a noble lord, Morgan holds legislative and executive power over the town and its inhabitants. He also maintains final judicial power. Despite his status, though, Morgan is not an absolute ruler of the town. The inhabitants are bound to obey the laws of the town as specified by Lord Morgan, but they are not bound to the city and may freely leave at any time. There are also traditional freedoms that constrain his authority. For example, he cannot deprive anyone of life or property without due cause.
It is important to understand that Morgan's position in the town is defined explicitly in no document, but is instead understood based on tradition and precedent. These traditions help define what he can and cannot do, how people under his rule may challenge his decisions, and the methods for filling his position upon his passing. In the last case, it is understood that Morgan's heirs will inherit his position, but there are traditions to handle the circumstance should he have no heir.
Prior to Morgan's assumption of his title in 1454, Blackstone was a free town, i.e., it was directly ruled by no noble. As such, the town had significant lattitude in how it may govern itself. Although the precise nature of the governing body changed over the years, in general the governance had been relatively consistent. The town wass ruled by a mayor, an official elected by a majority vote among the heads of the various households of the town. (There were no official rules to dictate who was and wass not considered a head of household. In general, it was understood that a household was any family comprised of a man and woman with at least one child. As to determining who was the head of that household, it was left up to the family to decide. Thus it was equally likely that a woman or a man may vote for the family. Note that this system excluded all unmarried people and married couples without children.) Supporting the mayor was a town council of sorts, made up of the heads of household. This council had an official capacity as an advisory board only, but a mayor could do little without the support of the council.
The town is currently ruled by Lord Morgan Calathes, a noble who was knighted in 1454.
This older woman was mayor of Blackstone from 1443 to 1454, and now serves as Lord Morgan's administrator for the town. She is one of the most well liked people in the town. She has a pleasant, warm disposition and is friendly towards residents and strangers alike. She is also regarded as being honest and fair. She is not above petty bickering and abuse of power, however. Three years ago her husband, Undul, was caught in the embrace of Geltra, one of the town's seamstresses. Geltra has since left town, for reasons purportedly relating to family issues in another town. It is assumed, however, that Alvarra provided Geltra with reason enough to leave. And Undul has been a surprisingly attentive husband since then.
In addition to being the town's administrator, Alvarra works with her husband in the brewery that the two own. They produce a fine ale that is popular throughout the county.
Although Blackstone used to be a small town with little crime and no external threats, times have changed. Prior to 1454, Orrold led the six men who served as the town's guard. Now he serves as leader of the town's military force numbering as many as 200 men-at-arms.
He is a larg man, standing over six feet in height, and of middle age. Having served in the army of the Duke of Urdang, he is a skilled warrior. He has a reputation for being fair and scrupulously honest, but at times some have considered his methods a bit harsh and brutal.
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