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

== Government ==

Blackport is ruled absolutely and completely by The Sovereign.  That said, The Sovereign uses a variety of institutions to deal with the day-to-day of governing over Blackport’s tens of thousands of inhabitants.  These institutions live and die at the pleasure of The Sovereign, who can dissolve any of them at any time.

=== The Praesidium ===

The Praedidium is an advisory body that meets periodically, either in part or in whole, to deal with various issues in the city.  In some cases, they prepare options for The Sovereign to decide upon; in other cases, The Sovereign delegates decisional power to the Praesidium.

'''The High Council:''' (24 members) Drawn from the Blackport Nobility

'''The Common Council''': (24 members) Drawn from the free population of Blackport (no slaves)

'''The Tribunal:''' (7 Members) The leadership of Blackport's military (Armies, Pirate Navy, Iron Guard), Law Enforcement (Wardens), and the Shadadowatch.  

'''The Synod:''' (9 Members) Drawn from the High Priests of Temples of Blackport to represent the interests of religion in general.  The members of the Synod also serve as the archons of the Canon Court.

'''The Council of the Black Codex''': (7 Members) Drawn from the mages and wizards of Blackport.

=== Law & Order ===
Most visitors depend upon the fact that virtually anything can be bought or sold in Blackport, so long as the proper taxes are paid.  

Sale or purchase of information about the Sovereign’s armies, armaments, ships, or defenses is considered high treason, but the complex laws and regulations of Blackport do not prevent the sale of any other item, creature, or person.

Violence breaks out often, with the jaded citizens simply turning and walking away from the scene of a crime.

Slavery is both legal and normal in Blackport. It is not considered evil and, although very low in social status, slaves do possess a modicum of rights and protections. In some cases, slaves are more carefully protected and cared for than commoners. 

Gambling is legal in Blackport and games of some type are played in almost every tavern, inn, or barracks one might visit.

While there have been attempts to overthrow the Sovereign in the past, all have failed and resulted only in increased power and support for his rule. Strict enforcement of laws (when the criminals are caught), and a complete lack of religious bigotry on the part of the Sovereign and his laws, keeps the city in order.

==== Crimes ====
Crimes in Blackport are enumerated by their severity, or Circle.  The higher the Circle, the more severe the crime.

* '''1st Circle:''' Desertion, Expectorate on Gentleman, Trip Soldier, Foul Street or Road; 

* '''2nd Circle:''' Probation Violation, Battery, Offensive Poetry or Performance, Ogling, Bribery, Public Drunkenness

* '''3rd Circle:''' Escapee <sup>*</sup>, Property Damage, Vagrancy, Trespass, Disorderly Conduct

* '''4th Circle:''' Fugitive <sup>§</sup>, Theft of Property or Slave, Arson, Pauper, Manslaughter, Rape, Trespass on Noble’s property, Unauthorized dueling or fighting

* '''5th Circle:''' Banditry <sup>#</sup>, Assault, Kidnapping, Robbery, Burglary, Blackmail, Extortion, Speeding, 

* '''6th Circle:''' Outlaw <sup>£</sup>, Expectorate on Noble, Unlawful Entry to City; Trespass on Royal Property

* '''7th Circle:''' Assault on Noble, Murder, Tax Evasion,  

* '''8th Circle:''' Treason, Murder of Nobleman 

* '''9th Circle:''' Any crime against The Sovereign.

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<sup>*</sup> has escaped confinement once

<sup>§</sup> has escaped confinement twice

<sup>#</sup> has escaped confinement three times

<sup>£</sup> has escaped confinement four or more times
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=== Military & Paramilitary ===
Militarily, Blackport is an imposing city, the result of decades of effort on the part of the Sovereign and his minons, some physical, some arcane.

The city sits on a massive slab of black volcanic rock.  Much of the outer perimeter sits on steeply sloped and relatively sheer cliffs of this foundation.  The perimeter itself is a solid curtain wall of stone, thirty to forty feet high and no less than twenty feet thick, substantially more in places.  The wall has guard towers every fifty feet or so irregularly spaced along its length, with larger structures near the gates at other strategic points.

On the landward side, a moat has been dug outside the entire perimeter of the city wall, further increasing the difficulty of breaching them significantly.

The piers and docks are, of course, open to the sea, but to reach them, a naval force needs to navigate the approach to the city, which is not a simple endeavor.

The outer islands have sheer, rocky coastlines that don’t easily allow for naval landings, and the Sovereign has built fortifications on these that protect the city proper from naval assaults.

Furthermore, the water channels in the harbor are dangerous to navigate due to the jagged rocks below.  The Sovereign and Shadowatch maintain tight control over the Harbormaster and his navigators, who know the routes in.  Ships not under direct control of the Sovereign are not brought in using the same approach twice, and periodically the Council of the Black Codex uses arcane means to reshape the rocks below the surface, completely changing where the safe approach routes are.

==== The Wardens ====
The City Watch & Primary Police Force of Blackport.  The Wardens are typically the employment of choice for the younger sons of the nobility of Blackport.  As a result, they have their share of both corruption and incompetence, which normally would be problematic.  But with the Shadow Watch, The Iron Guard, and the Council of the Black Codex all doing their part in the city, things rarely get out of hand.

==== The Iron Guard ====
The Iron Guard are the Sovereign’s personal bodyguards.  Members are picked for their combat prowess, ability to work in military teamwork, and their tested and unquestioned loyalty to the Sovereign.  

The Shadow Watch continuously tests the loyalty of the members of the guard with schemes and operations designed to root out any who might betray the Sovereign.  There have been few times such operations have resulted in catching anyone – but the resulting punishments have been so spectacularly cruel and public that they likely have revised any designs or thoughts of those guards who remain.

==== The Shadow Watch ====
The Shadowatch is a body of secret police with spies at all levels of society. 

The Shadowatch maintains a headquarters in the Tower of the Shadow, on the island fortress of Everdark Keep.

==== Council of the Black Codex ====

Council of mages who regulate arcane magic use in the city, advise The Sovereign on arcane topics, and provide arcane protection and intelligence/divination services to the Sovereign and Archons.  Headquartered in the Iron City in a large stone building known as the Arcem Mysteriis.  The Arcem has at least seven levels above-ground, as well as extensive subterranean levels that connect with the Undercity.

==== Army of the Sovereign ====
A massive army of soldiers provided by the factions of the city.  Turned over at birth and raised and trained to be loyal to the Sovereign alone.  Most of the army is kept out of Blackport, on patrol in the south or north or dealing with incursions.  A small contingent of the forces are kept within the Iron City to deal with any rebellions or riots if needed.

=== Crime & Criminals ===

While the Shadow Watch keeps a close eye on the city, and the various enforcement forces are quick to bring any who transgress against Blackport's Laws to "justice", crime is alive and well in the city.  See Criminal Gangs & Guilds, below.