Stoupi
Once the center of overland trade from the Shin Empire, the town has been since forced to rely upon their secondary economic strength: lumber and carving. With lumber for fire pits and places throughout the cities always in high demand, and simple furniture often desired in the north, Stoupi turns to these efforts. Before the Wingo War, the town was starting to struggle, as the Wingo Mine offered cheaper lumber alternatives through the Crysos Mining Company. The outbreak of war reversed the town's fortunes and it has resumed its dominant position in the lumber trade, and the community is thriving even as much of central Alsona burned.
Demographics
The majority of the population of Stoupi consists of Alsonan humans, but a sizeable minority of Shin descended residents have created their own little district of the community, preserving elements of their own culture. "Shin Town" is one of the unique features of the community, with over one thousand residents, often giving people a small taste of what life must be like in the Empire. The next largest minority are the dwarves, but they have been slowly declining in number as more and more migrate to Valtkos Wingo.
Government
The reigning noble of the region surrounding Stoupi is the direct ruler over the town and its environs. She appoints any delegates or individuals required for solving problems relating to the town's administration, and over the years a form of bureaucracy has emerged for the purposes of defense and tax collection. Although the town's defense has recently been turned over to the Royal Army of Alsona in the wake of the Wingo War, law and order is still upkept by the countess' employees, including guards, magistrates, and appointed judges.
Defences
Stoupi is unusual in that it has two defensive lines protecting it. The older wall, built prior to the Wingo War, and nearly one hundred years old, encircles the center of the town and the primary marketplace. After the war passed, thanks to the influx of refugees and new immigrants, the town had almost tripled in size and population. New defenses were needed, and thanks to the massive amount of commerce burgeoning, the town government had the funds to build a new wall. Taller than the previous one, this fortification is not entirely complete, but the foundations of the wall have been installed, and it could act as a defensive line in times of trouble. One entire Phalanx of the Royal Army of Alsona is present here to defend the town from assault. A local militia of nearly two thousand could also be assembled in times of dire need.
Industry & Trade
The lumber industry is the heart and soul of Stoupi. After so many homes and businesses were destroyed by elf and dwarf raiders during the Wingo War throughout the entire Patridaxos, demand for lumber rose exponentially. The woods around Stoupi avoided being involved in the conflict, and a surge of wealth emerged. The lumber mill complexes in and around the town are now the largest in Alsona, perhaps in the region, supplying nearly eighty percent of demand in the kingdom.
Infrastructure
Stoupi is the definition of a boom town. The cut off of trade with Valtkos Wingo, and the restoration of the town's lumber industry has caused the community to grow while so many other towns suffered from the Wingo War. The wealth that has come into the community over the past decade has grown exponentially, as the town's lumber industry struggles to keep up with the demand. New farms have been added on the recently cleared land, and even some long dormant quarries have been reopened for construction. This has led to Old Stoupi finally gaining fully paved roads and lampposts, while the newer districts continue to spring up constantly with dirt roads and torchlight. The lumber mills are numerous, and its often said by travelers that the town is as much paved with sawdust as it is with stone.
Assets
Most of the goods available for sale are for construction and decorative purposes, created by the lumber mills and craftsmen. The markets still managed to supply adventurers with a reasonable assortment of goods, and weapons are made here, predominantly spears and bows. Some of the finest bowyers and fletchers are present in Stoupi, finding it a reasonable location to set up business thanks to the plethora of materials available. There are two major inns that offer accommodations to travelers, along with food and drinks to those willing to pay for it. Twenty additional taverns provide drinking for the local citizens and visitors.
Founding Date
264 AF
Type
Large town
Population
8,800
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Stoupan
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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