Editing Landsoftheblacksea:Main Page/realms/Blackport (section)

== Economy ==
Blackport’s main economic engine is the massive markets within the city walls, which allow for the buying and selling of virtually anything for a price so long as the appropriate taxes are paid.  

In particular, Blackport is the primary center for slave trade for the entire western side of the peninsula, with Bakuland and Ûgozh providing most of the supply and the lands of Nar Duath, Sinalia, Phalegos, and Ypasi being the main consumers.  Slaves of all races are bought and sold within the auction blocks of the city, but the bulk of the trade is humans, orcs, goblins, and some giant-kin.  Smaller in number but present can be found elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes.

A secondary economic driver is the rich mineral resources that are mined in the hills around the city (when military actions allow).  Much of the production here is controlled by the Orcs and Goblins of Blackport, who bitterly despise each other and who work to undercut the other at every opportunity, a situation that the Sovereign finds to his benefit.  In addition to the tough basalt and onyx stones, the mines produce significant quantities of iron and copper, and lesser amounts of nickel, platinum, and titanium.

Blackport is also a primary trading port for hides, meat, and other animal products that are harvested by the various clans and tribes that inhabit the outer islands as well as the frozen lands north of Ûgozh.  The Orcs and Bakulanders are unreliable trading partners without the enforcement mechanisms that Blackport provides, and so many of the clans and tribes sell their goods to sea traders, who bring the products to Blackport as a common market for trade.

Finally, the bounty of the sea around Blackport is a source of income; given that neither Ûgozh or Bakuland have significant traditions of farming (and place low value on plant-based food regardless), the fish and other meats that the fishing fleets of Blackport harvest are important sources of nutrition.  Dried, smoked, pickled, and salted fish are in high demand, and the meat of larger creatures including whales, seals, sharks, and the like fetch even higher prices.  

Blackport must import wood and charcoal to keep the fires of its forges running.  Much of this is sourced from the forests to the north and south in Ûgozh and Bakuland, or brought in via ship from points further north or south.