Blackrock

**Blackrock** is a pirate settlement in northwestern Riverheim. It was founded in Eldham's early Colonial Period by the Tortugan pioneer Ezlioth and his expedition, where it became the capital of the Tortugan Colonies (the predecessor state to Riverheim).

## Etymology

Blackrock was named after the volcanic black stone and basalt that makes up the Blackrock and Littlerock islands.

During Blackrocks derelict period, many names were given to the island, including *Bataviastad* and *Lenivsk*.

## History

### Early history

In pre-Athazian times, Blackrock island was rarely inhabited due to the rough seas and thick jungles surrounding the island making access nearly impossible. However, it is believed that there was originally a remote religious site set up by the Blomachi druids dedicated to the Fleurist water spirit *Uibrit*, little evidence of this site remained by the time of Tortugan settlement.

### Colonial era

Upon the discovery of Eldham, the Pirate Lord of Tortuga sent out an expedition to colonise the new world in the name of piracy. Sometime in the 60s TE (June 2021), Ezlioth landed in Blackrock and founded the town which would become the colony's capital.

Much was built and developed in Blackrock under Ezlioth's leadership, primarily on Blackrock island. These included the island's fortifications, its bridge and administrative buildings, aswell as small amounts of infrastructure on the coastline. It is thought the population of Blackrock under Tortugan control rarely exceeded a dozen sailors, the majority of the colony's population resided in the cities of Hafenstadt, Manganien or Riverheim City.

### Derelict Period

With the abdication of the Pirate Lord, Ezlioth dissolved the colonies (becoming Riverheim) and left for Rathnir. Blackrock would then come to be in control of various nomads and nobles who took residence of the island but added little to the historical record. Inbetween these instances of control, Blackrock was entirely derelict with nothing but the crashing waves and squawking gulls.

### Modern era

After over a century of being a ghost town, the island was reclaimed by Riverheimian Lieutenant Essere Thynning. This marked the first time in its history that Blackrock had been directly under the control of Riverheim with a permanent population.

Developments by Thynning include: Littlerock Lighthouse, *The Church of Sylvia's Krakens and Sea Serpents* and housing expanding into the jungle.

## Culture

Blackrock is one of the few pirate settlements in Eldham. With piracy comes the *pirate code*, of which all those who reside in Blackrock must follow.

### Pirate code

The pirate code consists of the following:

* I. Every sailor must obey the order of command.
* II. If any sailor looks at another sailor funny, they may be executed by keelhauling.
* III. All sailors get an equal share of the treasure, unless the captain needs a new hat or says otherwise.
* IV. All parrots have the right to a fair trial.

### Folklore

With an astonishingly high literacy rate of 3%, Blackrock is one of the most educated settlements in Riverheim. However due to a lack of education systems, folklores are common to arise. Many tales of sirens, krakens and sea snakes are reported daily with mass hysteria often following, even when the ships are docked to port.

## Points of interest

Points of interest in Blackrock include:

* The church
* The lighthouse
* The jungle
* The sea