Kulap
Resting on the western edge of the Driston Empire and acting as a port for Stillwater Sound, Kulap has become a vital settlement since its founding nearly 500 years ago.
Demographics
The main population within Kulap are of human linage but there is a notable elf presence.
Government
As part of the Driston Empire the town is overseen by a regional governor and local official. While the official has jurisdiction they can be overruled by the regional governor.
Defences
Kulap's geographical position grants it an easily defendable position, partially why this location was chosen for the settlement. With a moat surrounding the town that can be filled with ships to repel invaders and large stone walls with towers and keeps to house soldiers the town is quite well defended. This is out of necessity as should Kulap fall into enemy hands, the empire would lose a key asset.
Industry & Trade
Kulap trives on its trade industry, almost everyone within the town is involved in some way. Children are taught how to work the stalls from an early age and become skilled in business.
Infrastructure
As it is located on the northern edge of Stillwater Sound close to the largest of the Splinter Atoll islands Kulap has become a vital trading stop for ships passing the easy way into the sound. It is filled with market stalls and trading posts and you can find anything your heart might desire within them from Pitaxan gemstones to Rooknest woodworks.
The main streets are lined with cobblestones cut with deep grooves from hundreds of carts passing daily and the backstreets have timbers strewn about to prevent the ground from becoming impassable in the winter with mud.
Districts
There are two districs that shape Kulap: The Docks and the Markets.
The Docks wrap around the coastline and delve deep into the town with carved canals and drydocks and there is always something going on here with the sound of progress ringing out all day long.
The Markets are filled with all kinds of goods from every corner of the empire and Kingdom of Breaton. Fresh fish from the sea stock the stalls and game from the nearby hills fill the butcher shops. There is a small industry of blacksmiths here mainly to supply shipwrights with essential items.
History
Since Kulap's founding it has become increasingly important within the Empire as both a link to the Kingdom of Breaton and Stillwater Sound.
During the War of Tears Kulap became a bulwark of defence preventing easy invasion of the Empire from the west, forcing Breaton soldiers to either march through the cold and difficult hills to the north, or forge paths in dense woodlands. Either of these paths would mean crossing the Silverscale Stream and passing too close to the cities of Montvar or Areguá.
In the winter 1052 it was victim to a brutal storm that destroyed several homes and businesses, this event became known locally as Marina's Tantrum.
Points of interest
There is an impressive market within Kulap that is open to the elements in good weather, but has a cover that can move into place should it begin to rain or snow and within you can find anything one could possibly desire.
The Wavedeep Shrine is located here and is often filled with sailors leaving offerings.
Architecture
The buildings here are made from local stone mined in the nearby hills and hardwood from the forest that rests to the north. People often install wooden shutters on the outside of their homes to protect them from the rainstorms that can swing through from the south.
Geography
The city slopes down to the sea from the north and is built within a shallow plain tucked between hills and the sea. The soil is loose and unproductive, though some hardier crops can be grown here such as turnips and potatoes. Being located so close to the Splinter Atoll's largest island any ships that wish to take the easiest route into the Sound must pass within eyesight of Kulap.
Climate
Sheltered by the eastern hills Kulap is rarely subjugated to harsh weather, though storms can blow in from the south. It is frequently blanketed by rolling fog and mist from Stillwater Sound. The temperature can drop below freezing but this only happens in the worst of winter weather, and the ground itself never freezes preventing snow from settling, meaning that in the winter the ground is muddy and sodden.
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