Stoutson

“A place to rest your feet and break your back.”

Nestled within the bowl of the Cloudrend Mountains, Stoutson is one of the few settlements scattered between Twin Brother’s Pass and Newforge, standing as a necessary waypoint in the long, arduous journey across the Ironclad Republic’s rugged frontier. Though it holds no grand wealth nor legendary history, its importance as a resting stop for travelers, traders, and caravans cannot be overstated. With hardy vegetable farms, resilient livestock, and a thriving quarry industry, Stoutson is a town of workers, built by calloused hands and sustained by back-breaking labor. The land offers little beyond stone and sweat, but for those willing to endure, it provides enough to make a living. Here, miners and masons carve stone from the mountains, farmers wrestle crops from the stubborn soil, and tavern owners make a fortune feeding and housing the endless flow of weary travelers. Despite its humble nature, Stoutson is a place of endurance, a town that has lasted despite the brutal winters, the dry summers, and the weight of its own isolation. It is not a place one settles in search of fortune, but for those who pass through, it is a necessary respite before the long road ahead.

Demographics

Stoutson has a permanent population of roughly 6,500, with thousands more passing through each season. The majority of its residents are Dwarves and Humans, though it also has a notable population of Gnomes and Half-Orcs, particularly among craftsmen and laborers. The town is defined by its workforce—miners, stonemasons, merchants, and caravaners all coming and going as the seasons demand. Most of Stoutson’s workforce is transient, with seasonal laborers arriving and departing as needed. While some families have lived here for generations, the majority of the population is temporary, with workers moving on to larger cities or deeper mines when their contracts expire.

Government

Stoutson is ruled not by a mayor, but by a council of trade representatives, each overseeing the town’s core industries: quarrying, farming, livestock, and commerce. The Stonehand Council, as it is known, consists of three Dwarves and two Humans, elected by their respective trade guilds every ten years. Their governance is simple—keep the roads safe, the mines productive, and the inns full. The council’s authority, however, only extends so far. Much of Stoutson’s day-to-day order is maintained by the Ironclad Republic’s military patrols, ensuring that lawlessness does not disrupt trade. While the town maintains a degree of autonomy, it is ultimately subject to the Republic’s rule.

Defences

Stoutson’s position in the Cloudrend makes it naturally defensible, with the towering mountains acting as an impenetrable barrier against large-scale threats. Its stone walls and watchtowers guard against potential raiders or beast attacks, though major assaults are rare due to the Republic’s heavy military presence in the region. Roadwardens patrol the trade routes leading to and from Stoutson, ensuring the safety of merchants and travelers. While banditry is not unheard of, few brigands dare challenge a town so well-integrated with the Republic’s supply chain. Any criminal elements that do arise are swiftly dealt with—whether by the town guard or by mercenaries who see bandits as a direct threat to their profits.

Industry & Trade

Stoutson’s economy is driven by three primary industries—mining, agriculture, and commerce. Its quarries produce vast quantities of granite, limestone, and other durable materials, which are used across the Republic for fortifications and city-building. Masons and sculptors refine these materials, carving everything from foundation stones to intricate statues. Despite the rocky terrain, Stoutson supports a modest agricultural industry, cultivating hardy crops such as potatoes, onions, and carrots, while livestock farming provides cattle, goats, and sheep for food and trade. These farms are small in comparison to Everwealth’s more fertile regions but serve as a crucial supply chain for travelers making the journey across the Republic. Commerce thrives due to the constant influx of traders, mercenaries, and officials moving through the region. The town’s many inns, taverns, and general stores cater to weary travelers, offering supplies, repairs, and the occasional bit of entertainment before the road beckons them forward once more.

Infrastructure

While Stoutson is not a grand city, it is well-built and functional. The town’s roads are well-maintained, lined with stone markers to prevent travelers from losing their way in the frequent mountain fog. Bridges and tunnels cut through the surrounding cliffs, easing the passage of heavy wagons and trade caravans. Its water supply comes from underground wells and collected rainwater, as the mountains offer few naturally flowing rivers. The town’s fortified warehouses and storehouses ensure that food, tools, and essential supplies remain stocked year-round. Though lacking the sophistication of larger cities, Stoutson’s infrastructure is efficient, reliable, and built to withstand the unpredictable dangers of mountain life.

Districts

• The Quarry Ward – The beating heart of Stoutson, where miners, stonecutters, and blacksmiths toil from dawn until well past dusk. The air is thick with dust and the constant ringing of hammers on stone. This district is home to the largest quarry pits and mining operations, as well as the many warehouses and stone-loading docks that line the roads leading south toward Newforge.

• The Stone Market – The bustling center of trade, where merchants and traders gather to barter raw materials, tools, and supplies. Stonemasons display fine-cut slabs of granite and limestone, while smiths peddle iron tools and caravaners seek provisions for the treacherous journey ahead. Inns and taverns line the district’s streets, catering to passing merchants and travelers.

• The Hearthside Quarter – The residential heart of Stoutson, where workers and their families live in tightly packed stone cottages. While modest, the homes here are built to last, with thick stone walls and steep roofs to withstand the mountain winds. Community halls, bakeries, and small general stores are scattered throughout, serving as the social core of the town.

• The Outer Farms – A stretch of hardy farmland beyond the town walls, where fields of potatoes, turnips, and carrots grow between rocky outcroppings. Goat herders and cattle ranchers make their homes here, supplying the town with fresh meat and dairy.

• The Smuggler’s Row – A lesser-known but ever-present district hidden along the town’s fringes, where illicit deals and under-the-table exchanges take place. The Broken Pick smuggling ring operates here, moving stolen goods, rare stones, and contraband shipments that conveniently "go missing" from legitimate trade routes.

Assets

Stoutson’s greatest asset is its quarry industry, providing a steady supply of granite, limestone, and basalt—materials highly sought after across Everwealth and the Ironclad Republic. Its stonecutting workshops produce expertly carved blocks for construction, while blacksmiths forge iron tools, mining equipment, and caravan fittings to support the town’s workforce. The town’s livestock industry is another key asset, with stout mountain cattle and hardy goats providing leather, wool, and dairy products that keep both locals and travelers well-fed. Its root vegetable farms, though small compared to lowland farms, are an essential source of food that sustains the region, particularly during harsh winters. Its strategic location makes Stoutson a vital trade hub, with its many inns, taverns, and merchant houses catering to the steady flow of travelers, miners, and traders. While the town lacks the luxuries of larger settlements, it thrives on necessity—providing stone, tools, food, and shelter for those journeying deeper into the Republic. Hidden within this prosperity, however, is the influence of the Broken Pick smuggling network, an asset that ensures that no valuable goods pass through Stoutson without a few conveniently misplaced shipments finding their way into the black market.

Guilds and Factions

Stoutson is shaped by the influence of three key factions, each of which holds sway over a particular aspect of town life. The Stonehand Council, though technically the governing body, operates more as a coalition of powerful mining interests. They dictate labor policies, set tariffs on stone exports, and control access to the town’s quarries. Their authority is rarely challenged, as their reach extends far beyond the town’s limits, with ties to both the Republic’s Mining Guild and Everwealth’s merchant elite. The Roadwardens, a highly organized band of caravan guards and trade regulators, ensure that Stoutson remains safe for travelers. They maintain strict patrol routes between Twin Brother’s Pass and Newforge, offering their services to merchants in need of protection. Though their work is vital, their methods are often questioned—some whisper that the Roadwardens demand exorbitant tolls for their "protection," and those who refuse their terms rarely make it to the next town unscathed. Lastly, there is The Broken Pick, an underground network of independent miners, smugglers, and black-market traders who deal in unregistered ore extractions and stolen goods. They work in the shadows, often selling their wares directly to Everwealthy traders looking to bypass Republic tariffs. While their presence is unofficial, it is well known, and most townsfolk turn a blind eye as long as the stolen shipments don’t interfere with Stoutson’s legitimate trade.

History

Stoutson was founded in 112 CA as a necessity rather than a choice—a waypoint between Twin Brother’s Pass and Newforge, created to ease the hardships of those making the journey across the Cloudrend’s vast, desolate valley. In its early years, it was little more than a mining outpost, manned by Dwarfish laborers and human masons who carved shelter from the rock itself. As trade between the Republic and Everwealth grew, so too did Stoutson’s importance. The Republic saw its potential as a strategic hub for stone extraction, and investments from the Mining Guild allowed it to develop into a stable, well-structured town. Inns, taverns, and waystations sprang up to accommodate the influx of travelers, merchants, and craftsmen moving between the two nations. Over time, Stoutson gained a reputation as a place of rest, resilience, and hard-earned survival. It was never meant to be a grand city, nor a settlement of particular renown, but its presence ensured that the road through the Cloudrend remained traversable, making it one of the most economically essential locations in the entire trade route.

Points of interest

• The Stonemarket – A sprawling, open-air market where masons, merchants, and quarrymen haggle over raw stone, sculpted works, and trade contracts. It is the heart of commerce in Stoutson.

• The Anvil’s Respite – The largest and oldest inn in town, a favored stop for caravaners and travelers. Its thick stone walls provide warmth against the cold nights, and its cellar is stocked with some of the strongest ale found outside Newforge.

• The Deepcut Quarry – A massive, multi-leveled excavation site that provides much of the Republic’s stone exports. The chiseled terraces of the quarry descend so deep that some say its lowest levels have uncovered things better left undisturbed.

• The Warden’s Post – A heavily fortified structure that serves as the base of operations for the Roadwardens, acting as both a barracks and an armory for the region’s trade security forces.

• The Broken Shaft – A seemingly abandoned mining tunnel on the town’s outskirts. Few speak of it, but those who do know that it is a favored meeting place for smugglers and those who deal in less-than-legal goods.

Tourism

Stoutson does not attract the curious or the leisurely. It is a town of necessity, not wonder. Most who pass through do so because they must—traders, mercenaries, and supply convoys moving between Everwealth and the Republic. However, some adventurers and scholars seek it out, drawn by rumors of forgotten caverns, lost tunnels, and ancient carvings unearthed deep within its mines. Some believe that relics of a lost civilization sleep beneath the Cloudrend, hidden beneath layers of rock and time. For those with no interest in the mines, the town’s taverns are a popular attraction, offering a rare blend of Everwealthy spirits and Republic brews. Drinking contests between Dwarves, Humans, and the occasional Gnome are not uncommon, and the stories shared within Stoutson’s inns are often more valuable than the gold exchanged. However, few stay long—Stoutson is a stop, not a destination. Those who linger too long often find themselves pressured by work, taxed by the local council, or caught in the schemes of those who thrive in the shadows.

Architecture

Stoutson is built from the very stone it harvests, its homes, businesses, and civic buildings all constructed from thick-cut granite and limestone. Unlike the grand halls of Newforge, its structures are practical, durable, and designed for endurance. The streets are lined with carved stone pillars, marking the boundaries of the town’s original layout, while newer expansions remain simple and functional, with wooden roofing and reinforced walls to withstand the harsh mountain climate. Smoke from blacksmith forges and hearth fires rises against the backdrop of the Cloudrend, giving the town a constant haze of soot and mist. Most buildings are single-story structures, their interiors kept warm with thick tapestries, iron braziers, and deep-set hearths. Inns and communal halls tend to be larger, built to accommodate the constant influx of travelers and merchants. The town’s quarries and watchtowers are its most impressive features, standing as testaments to the labor that keeps Stoutson alive.

Geography

Stoutson is situated within the Cloudrend’s central valley, a vast stretch of rocky terrain surrounded by towering cliffs and jagged peaks. The land is rugged but fertile enough to sustain crops, and the town itself is built upon a natural stone plateau, granting it a commanding view of the roads leading east and west. Massive quarry pits and mining tunnels dot the surrounding landscape, serving as the backbone of the town’s economy. The town’s strategic location makes it one of the only reliable stopping points between Twin Brother’s Pass and Newforge, reinforcing its role as a crucial link between Everwealth and the Republic’s deeper interior.

Climate

The climate in Stoutson is harsh and unpredictable, with long, frigid winters and short, cool summers. Snowfall is heavy for much of the year, and icy winds from the mountaintops make even the warmer months feel brisk. Travelers passing through Stoutson must always be prepared for sudden temperature drops, as storms from the higher peaks frequently sweep down into the valley, bringing rain, sleet, and fog.
Though life here is challenging, the people of Stoutson have long adapted to its climate, bundling in thick furs, building their homes with sturdy stone foundations, and ensuring that hearths burn warm year-round to combat the ever-present chill.

Natural Resources

Stoutson’s greatest wealth lies beneath its feet. The town’s vast stone quarries produce granite, limestone, and black basalt, materials highly sought after for construction across Everwealth and the Ironclad Republic. The quarries are the backbone of the town’s economy, providing raw stone for roads, fortifications, and city walls in both nations. The Republic, known for its intricate stonework and durable architecture, regularly imports Stoutson’s materials, ensuring a steady stream of income for the town’s stonemasons and miners. Beneath the surface, veins of iron and copper are frequently uncovered, though these metals are not as abundant as in the deeper mines of the Republic. Still, local blacksmiths and toolmakers benefit from the town’s proximity to these deposits, producing everything from miners’ picks to caravan wheel fittings. On rare occasions, miners unearth pockets of silver or opal, highly prized by Everwealthy merchants and Dwarfish jewelers alike. However, most of these precious finds disappear into the hands of the wealthy, either through private trade or the backdoor dealings of the Broken Pick smugglers. Aside from its mineral wealth, Stoutson also relies on its livestock and hardy mountain farms. Despite the rocky terrain, root vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, and carrots thrive here, making them a staple in the town’s diet. Herds of mountain goats and hardy cattle are raised on the outskirts, providing meat, leather, and dairy for both local consumption and trade. The cold climate results in fewer crops than in the fertile lowlands, but the town makes up for it with its stone wealth and strategic position along the Republic’s major trade routes. One of the most peculiar resources of Stoutson is its deep-cave ice deposits, found in glacial tunnels hidden within the mountains. These caves produce naturally preserved ice, which is occasionally harvested and transported to wealthier cities where cold storage is a rare luxury. Though this trade is minor compared to the stone industry, it has become a profitable venture for specialized merchants looking to supply noble estates and high-end taverns with the luxury of chilled goods.

Founding Date

112 CA

Alternative Name(s)

"The Resting Stone," "The Mountain’s Waystop," "The Roadwarden’s Post."

Population

3,800.

Inhabitant Demonym

'Stoutson's'.