Blackrock (Kingdom of)
by Hervé MusseauLocation: Esterhold, continent of Skothar, west of the Jennite Lands, northwest of Minaea.
Capital: Skyfyr (population 15,000).
Area: 100,000 sq. mi.
Population: 60,000.
Language: Alphatian, Jennite.
Coinage: Alphatian Standard.
Taxes: King Xanthus imposes an income tax of 20% on everyone of servant status or higher, customs duties of 2%, and a sales tax of 5%. Later, King Favian imposes an income tax of 20% on everyone and an import tax of 1% (this tax only concerns goods coming from outside the Confederation and does not concern goods from Karameikos due to a trade agreement between that nation and the Confederation); none of it goes to the Imperial Treasury to help the country recover from the war, and the kingdom even receives money and troops from the Council.
Government type: Monarchy until Vatermont, 1013. Then semiautonomous monarchy owing loyalty to the New Alphatian Confederate Empire from Vatermont 28, AC 1013 to Yarthmont 23, AC1013, and then part of the Republic of Esterhold.
Industries, Description, Notable Sites, History, Flora and Fauna: See the PWAs.
Important Figures: Xanthus (King of Blackrock), then Favian Vern (King of Blackrock), Kalin (Governor of Blackrock).
Updates for the years 1013 and
1014 AC: In Nuwmont of AC 1013, the combined forces of
Seashield and Bellissaria, under the direction of Commander in
Chief Broderick, invaded Blackrock on the Esterhold Peninsula.
After a month of battle and siege, the forces loyal to Xanthus
surrendered to the Alphatians, while King Xanthus escaped to
sanctuary in Verdan.
On Vatermont 19 of 1013, the Alphatian Council named Favian Vern
King of Blackrock. As his first official act, King Favian declared
all Jennite natives of Esterhold free-no longer were they to be
slaves or denied Alphatian citizenship. There was much rejoicing in
the streets of Skyfyr. Chaos soon followed as the various strata of
Blackrock society adjusted to the new order-but King Favian and his
appointed government proved themselves equal to each new
challenge.
On Yarthmont 23 of 1014, after the fall of Verdan, the Alphatian
Council approved King Favian's proposition concerning the Esterhold
Peninsula. The Peninsula became the Republic of Esterhold, with a
full seat at the Council. It is composed of five provinces, one of
those being the Province of Blackrock (provincial capital: Skyfyr),
previously a kingdom. Favian Vern was named President of Esterhold
until elections could be organized, i.e. until the situation is
stabilised. He is charged with appointing temporary governors until
the elections; the governor of Blackrock is a former leader of the
Jennite rebels, Kalin.
See Also: DotE, PWAs (esp.
PWA3 for latest information), nace, nace1314, esterhol.