Blackreach

Long before the town of Blackreach was established on the rugged slopes of the mountain, a solitary statue stood sentinel at the future heart of what would become a vibrant community. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, yet it is widely believed to have been crafted by a skilled artisan from a nearby settlement nestled at the base of the mountain. A winding, natural pathway leads to a flat, cliffside perch where this statue was placed, serving as a poignant cenotaph for a long-lost dragon companion. The inscription carved into the stone base has succumbed to the ravages of time, rendering it ultimately illegible, yet its weathered surface speaks volumes about the deep connection shared between the statue's creator and the legendary creature it commemorates.
  In the vicinity of this solemn monument, a modest shack was erected, presumably serving as a refuge for the local artisan who dedicated their final days to mourning their beloved dragon. Decades later, in the year 126, a band of explorers stumbled upon this forsaken dwelling and adjacent cenotaph, prompting them to envision a new settlement that would thrive around this historical focal point. However, by the time the explorers discovered the statue, the inscription had been eroded by the relentless passage of time, rendering it illegible. Despite this loss, they resolved to honor the statue's significance with great reverence. In their dedication, they not only vowed to commemorate the statue itself but also chose to pay tribute to any dragonkin companion who had perished but had not been afforded a proper burial.
  During the town's early years, wooden palisades were constructed to provide a semblance of security against the harsh northern climate and potential threats. However, the flickering flames of the lanterns and the embers of fire pits, meant to warm the townsfolk, often led to devastating fires that repeatedly ravaged the wooden walls over the ensuing years. After several destructive incidents and as the population grew to support a dedicated workforce, the capability to delve into the mountains' depths and extract the resilient black rock that would become the backbone of their flourishing town emerged.
  By the year 166, the townspeople, alongside their dragonkin allies, achieved a monumental feat: the construction of an imposing black stone wall utilizing a blend of black granite, basalt, and obsidian. This formidable structure, unparalleled in its beauty and strength, firmly established Blackreach on regional maps, drawing attention far and wide. In response to suggestions made by some of the townsfolk, the design of the wall was altered during construction to incorporate oversized crenellations, ensuring ample space for the town's dragonkin to shield themselves from attacks while defending their home.
  As the town flourished, its place in legend solidified with the revelation that the ancient wyvern, Scorch, had been born within its boundaries. During the harrowing Twenty Year Scourge, Scorch played a pivotal role in defending Blackreach, safeguarding the townspeople from threats. His allegiance with the emerging Dragonguard further entwined the town's fate with that of a force dedicated to dragonkind and humanity. It was within the shadows of Blackreach that Airigold, another ancient, first encountered Scorch, together plotted against the ominous Wyrm of Chaos. In the closing chapters of the Twenty Year Scourge, upon learning of the humans' efforts to train alongside their dragonkin, not only in Blackreach but across distant lands, Airigold made a fateful request to Scorch: to join him in forging an alliance with the newly formed Dragonguard, intertwining their destinies and setting the stage for an unprecedented era of cooperation and strength.