Difference between revisions of "Blackstone"
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
*Chancellor: Mace Lewis | *Chancellor: Mace Lewis | ||
*Treasurer: Waldemar Tarjeisson | *Treasurer: Waldemar Tarjeisson | ||
| − | *Master Diplomat: Baelor Zyrion | + | *Master Diplomat: Baelor Zyrion |
*Shipmaster: Jacob Keyzer | *Shipmaster: Jacob Keyzer | ||
*Inquisitor: Lady Regina Verion | *Inquisitor: Lady Regina Verion | ||
*Chamberlain: Lorenzo Contarini | *Chamberlain: Lorenzo Contarini | ||
*Commander-at-Arms: Rachid Al-Basani | *Commander-at-Arms: Rachid Al-Basani | ||
| − | *High Fisherman: Hugh Mandeville | + | *High Fisherman: Hugh Mandeville[[File:Blackstonedistricts.png|thumb|212px|right|Districts of Blackstone]] |
*Scribe: Elu Twain | *Scribe: Elu Twain | ||
*Representative of the Iron Company: Cedric Rivers | *Representative of the Iron Company: Cedric Rivers | ||
Revision as of 12:10, 30 August 2016
| Lordship of Blackstone
| |||
| |||
|
Motto: Patientia Omni Vincit | |||
| Anthem: Verion March
| |||
| |||
| Map versions | n/a
| ||
| Capital | Blackstone | ||
| Largest city | Port Verion
| ||
| Official language(s) | Common Tongue
| ||
| Government | Corporatocracy | ||
| - Lord of Blackstone | Ludovic Verion | ||
| - Grand-Governor of the Iron Company | Ludovic Verion | ||
| - Legislature | Council of Ten
| ||
| Establishment | 6232 ASC
| ||
| Currency | Erb, Blackstone Florint
| ||
| National forum | [1]
| ||
The Lordship of Blackstone is an island nation in the Great Western Sea, of the coast of Benacia. It gained its independence in 6232 ASC after the Verion family was exiled from Shireroth.
History
In the olden days, the island of Blackstone was part of the mythical kingdom of Luthièn. All that is known from this particular era are myths or lore of questionable validity. It is believed that Luthièn was home to Elfinshi settlers, who, following the genocide by the Babkhi, fled to western Benacia. Still, this is not confirmed by actual historians.
In early modern times, the island was incorporated under the Kingdom of Batavia, but not without a fight. According to the Batavian cronicler Frederik Hendrix, the Lords of the Blackstone tried to steer off the Batavian occupation and declared independence. The Batavian king Arkadius I sent a naval force to invade Blackstone. The island under Batavian rule was subsequently renamed "Medici".
In the last days of Batavia, the government of the Brettish Isles brokered a deal with Batavia that included the transfer of Medici to the Brettish Isles sovereignty. Although this was originally intended to be only a lease, the collapse of Batavia occured and the Brettish got control over the island. After the Brettish breakup, the island was brought under the rule of Calbion, where it was renamed "Holmes Island" after the Brettish explorer Rudyard Holmes.
Following the exile of the Verion family from Shireroth, the Calbain government granted the island to Ludovic Verion and gave it independence as the Lordship of Blackstone. The Verion family have been rulers of Blackstone ever since.
Governance
The Head of State of Blackstone is the Lord of Blackstone, ever since independence, the Lord of Blackstone has been a member of the Verion family. The position of Lord of Blackstone is hereditary, although there exist custom law that provides for the removal of the Lord by unanimous vote of the Council of Ten. The official residence of the Lord of Blackstone is Blackstone Castle in the north of the island.
The daily governance of the island lies with the Council of Ten, who are appointed by the Lord of Blackstone. The Council comes together in the Palace, the central hall of governance of Blackstone. The councilmembers have the right to legislate on all matters, except for the position of the Lord of Blackstone, who also holds a veto over Council decisions. The current Council of Ten stands as follows, as per appointment by the Lord of Blackstone in the year 6232 ASC:
- Chancellor: Mace Lewis
- Treasurer: Waldemar Tarjeisson
- Master Diplomat: Baelor Zyrion
- Shipmaster: Jacob Keyzer
- Inquisitor: Lady Regina Verion
- Chamberlain: Lorenzo Contarini
- Commander-at-Arms: Rachid Al-Basani
- High Fisherman: Hugh Mandeville
- Scribe: Elu Twain
- Representative of the Iron Company: Cedric Rivers
Districts
The largest part of the island is urban. The city of Blackstone covers about 60% of the surface of Blackstone island and is considered to be the Lordship's capital and houses most important political and financial institutions and public buildings, as well as the western docks. On the eastern side of the island lies the town of Port Verion, which is home to the Eastern Fleet. In the western bay lies the Isle of the Dead, a barren rock that is home to the cemetery of Blackstone as well as a small fortress. The fourth district is the district of Medici, which is largely comprised of gardens, farms and a small forest in the North. The district seperates Blackstone city from Port Verion. Each of the districts is governed by a seperate governor, the Warden. The Wardens answer to the Council of Ten.
Iron Company
The Iron Company is the only chartered company of the Lordship of Blackstone and has numerous privileges. A delegate from the Iron Company has a seat on the Council of Ten, and the Company has the exclusive right to banking and the minting of coinage on the island. Because of the double role of Ludovic Verion as both Grand-Governor of the Iron Company and Lord of Blackstone, the political system of the Lordship is often referred to as "corporatocracy".
The Iron Company's headquarters are found on the Western side of the island, where the Company's shipyards are also located.
Sights
Canals - Blackstone Castle - Stock Exchange and Iron Company HQ - Temple - Palace - Verion Hall - Layla's Gardens - Iron Mines - Barracks - Port Verion and Shipyard
Military
Iron Militia - Black Guard
