Blackthorn

Blackthorn (Valtaran: Zethar Rorthal), also known as Old Blackthorn or The Old Town, is a dormant city in the south of the former province of Valtara, Ceyreto, located on the northern shore of the Ceyreto Sea, it is the de-jure provincial capital for Valtara, the capital city of the Commonwealth of Blackthorn, and the former national capital of The Triumvir of Ceyreto. It is the home of Lord Gem Valtara and of King Robert Valtara I.

Foundation
Blackthorn was founded in 254 BCW by King Hadas I, it is named that way because originally it was defended by large dead rosebushes instead of walls as a fort and capital for his new Kingdom of Valtara. It is believed that he created a labyrinth known as The Black Maze under Blackthorn to punish traitors. Its first walls were built in 156 BCW out of wood and later replaced with stone in 103 BCW. The castle was constructed in 249 BCW to accomodate King Hadas I and his family.

Valtaran Civil War
During the civil war it served as the main stronghold of the Loyalists during the Valtaran Civil War and was the birthplace of King Robert Valtara I, Gem Valtara, Ignacio Valtara, and King Enriq Valtara I. During the civil war it saw an almost complete collapse of its population from 7346 to 20 and destruction of its walls and buildings. After the war it began a rebuilding process to rebuild the houses, walls and castle.

Ceyreto-Zydel War
During the conflict with Zydel, the city saw its defenses nearly double in size and complexity, with the walls being filled in with cannon-resistent material, and the two gates being fitted with large doors, instead of their traditional portcullises.

After the exiling of Gem Valtara, his cousin Benicio Valtara was given right to oversee the city in his absence. This role has yet to be recognised by the Interim Council.

Near the end of the war, the city declared itself no longer under the juristiction of the Valtara dynasty, and by extension formally refuses to recognise the Kingdom of Valtara as a legitimate entity. In its place, the Commonwealth of Blackthorn was formed.

Post-war Abandonment
After the loss of the war, the city of Blackthorn was salted and left in stasis by the Blackthorn council, as to keep the city out of the hands of Zydel.

After the abandonment of the city, the population of Blackthorn relocated to a new location on the Ceyreto/Kuthara continent and named the new settlement Zethortal, a native Valtaran name for Blackthorn.

The Castle Gate
The Castle Gate refers to the city's northern gate. The Castle Gate was the first part of the city walls to be completed and is one of the most iconic places in the city. The gate also served as the site of multiple skirmishes during the Ceyreto-Zydel conflict.

The Black Maze
The Black Maze was a maze constructed by King Hadas I in 248 BCW to punish traitors. At the moment only the exit has been discovered under blackthorn´s carrot farms but the entrance is believed to be hidden in the Ceyreto Sea somewhere south of Blackthorn.

The former ruler of the city, Lord Gem Valtara, is currently in exile within the maze.

Blackthorn Castle
The Blackthorn Castle was onstructed in 249 BCW and began reconstruction in 15 ACW it is the home of the most important lords in Valtara and the monarch. Currently, only the front facade has been completed.

Blackthorn Dock
The Blackthorn Dock was built in 54 BCW, it is the largest port in the Triumvir of Ceyreto. A southern expansion was commissioned by Gem Valtara and is still under development. Construction is currently paused due to the Ceyreto-Zydel conflict.