# Introduction Shipton is a town in decline. Once a thriving part of trade, Shipton had its role undercut when nearby [[Aravancii]] built out their own docks from their mountainside perch. Shipton has been shrinking for years, but maintains some relevance thanks to the mines in the Overton District. Its exports of raw building materials now sell in Aravancii and keep the mouths of the few remaining workers fed. ## History Shipton was established in 269 SE as a shipping hub for Aravancii. # Statistics - Population: 2,500 - Military force: 50 Guards - Districts: 5 # Social Classes ## Proletariat Almost everyone works at the mines these days. The only other jobs are dock workers, who load up the ships to send up the river to Aravancii. There is no formal education in Shipton; most people learn their letters and numbers from family. As such, a sizeable portion of the population is functionally illiterate. ## Bourgeoisie There are only a handful of people who could be considered part of the bourgeoisie in Shipton, and their lives are rather plain and mild compared to the bourgeoisie in many other places. They live comfortably, but rather simply, and the threat of finances are always looming over them. ## Maverick In a place where everyone knows your name, there isn't much room for mavericks to maneuver. Crime is nearly obsolete, not because the people aren't starving, but because the social repercussions are harsh. Those who cause trouble soon find themselves needing to leave town. There are a few squatters in The Grunge that survive on the fringes of society, and they survive through making or dealing drugs. # Politics Shipton doesn't have a mayor, but instead a chairman and secretary of the people. The chairman's role is to organize town meetings and to keep meetings clear and on topic. The secretary's role is to carry out the town budget as voted on by the people. Shipton used to have a mayor, but it became a less and less palatable position as the town continued to shrink. --- # Districts - Overton - The Docks - Squareton - The Roots - The Grunge ## Overton Overton is the part of the city that exists on the other side of the river from the rest of the town. Being one of the most reliable ways across the Riverwyrm nearby, people travel to Shipton just to cross the river by way of the Overton Bridge. Besides being a reliable traveler's destination, the bridge leads into the mining district, which quarries marble and granite. ### Points of Interest - Crumbling Cobblestone Bridge - Crumbling Protolith Bridge - Overton Bridge - Quarry - Granite - Marble ## The Docks The Docks are a prime feature of Shipton, being the focal point of the original plans to build the city. There are two sets of docks: The High Docks and The Low Docks. The Low Docks are usable most of the year, but during Deluge, when the river swells, only the High Docks may be used. That being said, the high docks are mostly used for storing the ships during Deluge rather than being actively used. Given the unreliability and dangerous nature of the swollen river, shipping is rarely done during the month of Deluge. The High Docks, therefore, serve mostly as storage and a teenage thrill-seeker's diving board for the majority of the year. The Low Docks are built out of stone, since they are submerged for a month once a year. They require repairs every few years, which is why Shipton began mining in the first place. ### Points of Interest - The High Docks - The Low Docks # Squareton Squareton is the town square of Shipton. The buildings are ancient, but show signs of being renovated multiple times. ### Points of Interest - Town Hall - Inn - Market - Bakery - Blacksmith - Calder's Goods ## The Roots The Roots are the neighborhood that is most actively used by most residents. Located right next to Squareton, this residential district is shuffled between people who have been living in their ancestral homes for generations upon generations, and "newer" generations that have moved in when the original owners left Shipton (usually to move to Aravancii). While there's some prejudice that "the new arrivals don't really belong in this neighborhood", ultimately there's more respect that they are staying and choosing Shipton. ### Points of Interest - N/A ## The Grunge The Grunge is the large part of the western side of town that has been all but abandoned. There are abandoned shops and buildings. A few residents still live here, but most of the people that remain are mavericks that deal in the drug trade. ### Points of Interest - N/A