Blackwood

Blackwood is an autonomous city within Irithel. Established deep into the Asper Tunga basin, it is second of the two autonomous cities currently part of the kingdom, the first being Lumiriya. The town borders the nation of Artilon to the south, and has a road network that connects both sides of the northern continent that passes through the city streets. The buildings are reminiscent of the style in the capital of the nation, Irithid, but with a distinct architecture that makes it unique amongst the other towns in the region. The unprecedented growth of Blackwood has further spurred investment and rapid development, with no signs of slowing down or stopping.
"This place, it is my home. I've lived here all my life. Nowhere else in the Tunga is as beautiful as this city. Blackwood truly is, the Jewel of the West." - Archduke Tropical
==History==
"It was our duty. We had been given this land to grow and prosper, and that we will. We must. It is how we will prevail against all odds. For Blackwood, for Irithel. Long live the people." 
===Founding===
Blackwood was founded by Swag and Cvee, along with several other explorers. It was founded in the middle of late autumn during October 2024. Formerly the capital of a nation called Alithea, left abandoned by the peoples, before the settlers decided to begin anew in the ruins of a lost town.
==Geography and Climate==
A boreal forest with mild and arid winters. Not cold enough to snow in, but not hot enough to have a permanent growing season. The growing season is short and begins late in spring and ends usually before fall begins. The weather is known to be calm for most of the year with little variation and rainfall is set at around 30-40 inches of rain per year. Set in exceptionally hilly terrain, the area is prone to frequent floods and landslides. 
Geographically speaking, Blackwood is administered from the capital (Irithid) on mainland Irithel. Both the eastern and western half of the kingdom are considered to be one large region, despite the Asper-Tunga having a viceroy coming from its previous stint as an independent nation. 
True north is entirely unexplored territory said to be too dangerous and resource poor to be worth exploring. (world border). 
To the northwest is a large muddy hillside, with the Rue Nortunga path running through the thicket of spruce trees, a trail road created by explorers that leads up to Owl's Rest, and eventually snakes its way around to Messiah's Reach, before ending (currently) at Lumilorn Castle, on the Neu Haven mountain ridge. Owl's Rest has recently established a highship dock, which Blackwood aims to utilize for further economic development. 
To the west is largely flat terrain, currently being paved and readied for further expansion westward, with a large completely paved stone road headed straight for the Neu Haven mountain ridge. The land here was previously a large field, before being reforested entirely by Archduke Tropical in November of 2024. Further west, past the reforested central Tunga, is Laineannen, land claimed during the initial border issues with a previously present empire. 
Northeast of Blackwood has a maintained path that passes through sparsely wooded forests before leading to the quiet Hamlet of Idyllshire. Initially discovered by Irithae settlers before colonization efforts, now a part of Blackwood. 
To the east, another paved road running from the heart of Blackwood leads to Oh'ohlatai, a port city established by the Irithae government to act as the main hub of trade to and from the eastern half of the kingdom. A small path runs through the woods north of the port city, past Idyllshire, and connects Oh'ohlatai from the north. Near Oh'ohlatai, in the cliffside up the coast is the underground city of Rusenwalt, another smaller commercial hub established after Oh'ohlatai by Irithae settlers.
To the south, southeast, and southwest of blackwood, a large mountain range almost entirely blocks all travel and movement further down. Said mountain contributing to the mining economy and cold climate present in Blackwood. The mountain is currently claimed by another nation, Artilon, and forbids any further mining activities from being pursued in this area. A small path connects Blackwood to the ancient fort of Mupwaaud, established by Alithea, long before the settlers arrived. It has been claimed by Irithae explorers, and is apart of a village by the same name nearby, further down by the coast near Oh'ohlatai. The fort is however, uninhabited and is in disrepair.
==Citizens and Ethnicities==
The citizens of Blackwood come from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and origins. However, they are united in purpose, virtue, ideals, and sense of duty. Loyal to the crown, and to the city. The citizens stand together as one. 
From data collected as of January 2025, Blackwood is approximately home to 40 or so people, most of which are human. However there are also a small number of Ellure living in Blackwood, usually immigrants from the eastern half of the kingdom.
==Economy==
Blackwood's economy primarily revolves around the trade and domestic production of armor sets, weapons, tools, and experience bottles. This is primarily funded by another domestic focus on mining, and cactus farming, deep underground. In the future, Blackwood looks to expand its' economic output, by further facilitating trade through establishing foreign investment channels into the city, via a publicly accessible market area, and private ownership of certain buildings and businesses.
== Local Government==
The current governing structure of Blackwood is a mix between a democratic local government, and a monarchy-led government at the national scale. The current nation of Irithel is a Monarchy, where the king and queen are the heads of the national government. However, unlike a full Monarchy, due to the special status granted to Blackwood, ministers may be chosen by the people through a completely democratic process, without interference from the national government.
===Local Government Hierarchy===
Split up into three distinct categories. Which are in order of responsibilities are: high, middle, and low. These roles are bestowed only by the mayors, Swag and Cvee.
The following roles are the positions that a citizen may have within the local government.
====High Government====
The most important roles over all of Blackwood. They are in charge of ensuring that the city continues to develop and prosper, whilst protecting it and it's citizens from internal and external threats. They typically deal with matters concerning the nation at large, and its relation to the autonomous city of Blackwood. 
*Governor (Mayor) - Held by Swag and Cvee
*Grand Duke
*Arch Duke
====Middle Government====
Individuals who have proven their dedication and loyalty to the city, and have been tasked with middling responsibilities that can range from complex tasks from the high government to commanding small squads in times of conflict.
* Viceroy (not to be confused with the Viceroy of the Asper Tunga)
*Duke
*Marquess
====Low Government ====
Citizens that have been recognized by the local government as exceptional, may be given the privilege of being a part of the Blackwood government. Permitted to pass bills and laws during parliament meetings, among other new responsibilities. Can also be awarded simply by privately owning land in Blackwood and its territories.
*Earl
*Viscount
*Baron
===Ministers===
Ministers are skilled individuals with talents suited for highly specific activities and projects that are being undertaken by the Blackwood Government. Ministers are the only positions that are available through the electoral process. Citizens do not need to be currently part of the local government to run for a minister position, and obtaining a minister position does not give any additional government titles.
====Ministry Positions====
Prime Minister - Deep
* Concerned with matters of all the ministers and local government. Tasked with keeping Blackwood running while the mayors are off duty.
Speaker of the House - Deep
* Leads, speaks, and hosts parliament meetings. Also tasked with recording and editing footage from parliament meetings for later reference.
Minister of Housing, Building, and Public Works - Tropical
* Oversees the housing of every citizen in Blackwood. Additionally in charge of overseeing the building process of every structure when the mayors are not available. Lastly, plans and builds oad networks connecting Blackwood to other cities on the Asper Tunga. Is not expected to cover the cost of major building projects.
Minister of Finance - Syckess
*Responsible for the book keeping of all the transactions of the local government. Advises the mayors on matters regarding the economy, economic output of blackwood, and the global market. Expected to take over routine transactions when the mayors are not present (ex. buying materials in bulk for public works). Is not expected to cover the cost of major building projects.
Minister of Agriculture - Ravine 
*Tasked with building, maintaining, and developing public farms for Blackwood to use. Is expected to know almost everything that goes into farming, and the most efficient ways to achieve high product yields while adhering to the farming policies of Abexilias.
Minister of Foreign Relations - Tropical
*In charge of dealing with foreign investment into Blackwood, neighboring city relations, and external immigration coming from both mainland Irithel and other countries.
Grand Marshall - Tropical
* Leads the local law enforcement of the city, known as "Enforcers". In charge of keeping the peace and enforcing the law. Additionally also tasked with overseeing court cases, trials, and appeals.
==Publicly-known structures and Constructs ==
This is a list of structures and amenities that have been constructed as of January 9, 2025. This list is subject to change rapidly, and is not expected to be updated on a regular basis. Does not include military installations, private holdings, and locations only known to citizens and or the government.
===Buildings and locations of note===
====Government Establishments and Locations==== 
*Parliament Building
*Legion Building
*Legion's Stables
*Public Fishing Pond
*Public Storage Building
* Unnamed Westward Highway (Blackwood - Neu Haven)
*Unnamed Eastward Highway (Blackwood - Oh'ohlatai)
*Unnamed Forest Trail (Blackwood - Hamlet Idyllshire)
====Private Establishments and Locations==== 
*Tropical's food shop
*PJ's bar
*Syckess' bar
====In the process of completion====
=====Government Projects===== 
*Bank
*Public library
*Public stables
*Colosseum
=====Private Projects recognized by the city===== 
* Bookstore
*Blackwood University
*Blacksmith
*Psychedelic Products Store
===Public amenities=== 
*Fishing Pond
*Underground Cactus Farm
*Public Stockpile
*Fully paved highways connecting both sides of the continent
== Blackwood Territories==
Areas outside of the city proper under local government jurisdiction.
- Hamlet Idyllshire
- Hamlet Blackfort (Under Construction)
==See Also== 
Irithel
Ellure
Asper-Tunga
Oh'Ohlatai
Category:History
Category:Towns
Category:Abexilas