Blackpool

Overview

Blackpool is a remote mining town built along the shores of Blackpool Lake, a body of water so dark it appears black despite its crystalline clarity. The unusual coloration is caused by a combination of minerals in the bedrock, including Erebonite and natural obsidian.

Due to its isolation, Blackpool has remained a modest settlement with little appeal for tourism or trade outside its mining operations. The town survives largely through quarrying, small-scale farming, and local craft markets.

Economy

The backbone of Blackpool’s economy is the obsidian trade, drawn from mines in the surrounding mountains. A handful of mining guilds operate in the region, employing most of the town’s able-bodied workers.

Outside of mining, citizens turn to subsistence farming, animal husbandry, and modest crafts. Goods are typically bartered or sold in the central market square.

Specialty Brew

Blackpool is regionally known for Gloam, a fermented beverage crafted from the waters of Blackpool Lake and the rare Duskwort mushroom, which grows deep underground near Erebonite veins. Locals describe it as a source of pride and strength, though most outsiders find its intensely bitter flavor unpleasant.

Culture

Life in Blackpool is described as harsh but enduring. The people are pragmatic and tight-knit, relying on one another in the face of dangerous work and difficult travel routes. Outsiders often see the settlement as bleak, but the townsfolk take pride in their resilience and the stark beauty of their homeland.

Geography

• Blackpool Lake: A striking body of water, appearing black due to mineral composition despite its clarity.
• Obsidian Range: The nearby mountains where obsidian is mined.
• Market Square: The modest center of trade and barter in town.

Notable Features

• Mines of the Obsidian Range: Primary source of obsidian and Erebonite.
• The Duskwort Caverns: Subterranean areas where the Duskwort mushroom is found.
• The Bitter Cup: A small tavern where locals gather to drink Duskwort brew.

In Popular Perception

• Locals: View Blackpool as home, a place of strength carved from stone and shadow.
• Outsiders: Often describe it as bleak, bitter, and unwelcoming, though its resources make it strategically important.